Now there may be a real medical reason to indulge in all of your (dark) chocolate fantasies while pregnant.  New research shows that eating dark chocolate can possibly help prevent preeclampsia during pregnancy due to a natural occuring chemical called theobromine which is known for reducing and treating high blood pressure and heart disease.   To make sure you are eating the right kind, skip the milk chocolate, and go for a dark chocolate with at least 60% cacao.  But don''t go crazy-since chocolate does also contain caffeine, eating a whole bar is not something I would recommend, especially during the 1st trimester.

Chocolate & Pregnancy Article

Spring has sprung and so have the most tender, delicious and nutritious greens! There is no better time than now to start adding more fresh vegetables and greens to your diet.  Visit your local farmer's market for the best and freshest selection or your local market that carries a line of organics.  Greens renew and refresh our bodies, and are packed with calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous and zinc as well as contain vitamins A, C, E and K.  Did I also mention they are loaded with fiber, folic acid and micronutrients and phytochemicals necessary for a healthy immune system, improving liver, gallbladder and kidney function?  They also play a part in fighting depression, clearing congestion, improving circulation and keeping your skin clear and radiant.  They fight inflammation in the body by creating a balanced PH in your intestinal tract.  Need I say more?

Here is a list of delicious greens to add to your repertoire. 

-kale (most fiber of all greens!)
-collard greens
-swiss chard
-mustard greens
-arugula (my favorite)
-dandelion greens (bitter green, great for detoxifying)
-broccoli rabe
-watercress
-beet greens
-bok choy
-nappa cabbage
-spinach
-broccoli
-baby romaine

Here is a recipe to get you started... ps kids love it!

simple saute/steamed broccoli with garlic & olive oil

1 bunch broccoli, chopped, with stems if desired
1 tablespoon olive oil
1-2 cloves garlic crushed or sliced
pinch of salt

1. warm oil in pan on medium heat with garlic until garlic is aromatic about 2-3 minutes.
2.  add chopped broccoli florets and (top parts of stems if desired, they are sweet!) stir fry for a few minutes
3.  Add a splash of water and pinch of salt, cover and let steam for 4 minutes.

ENJOY!




 

Is junk mail taking over your office and recycling bin? Have you somehow gotten on every mailing list known to man? Clutter plays a major part in draining our energy, at home and at work.  It can also play a part in attributing to chronic stress and illness if it is pushed aside, piling up and seemingly non-stop and out of control in your environment.  So, in honor of Earth Day this year I thought I'd do a post about how to get rid of junk mail (for good) and help save a forest-and help your home or office (and you) get a little bit healthier in the process.  

If you live in New York state, here's how to stop the insanity and save many trees!

Write to:
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008

Ask to be taken off their mailing lists.  Provide them with all the variations of your name you get junk mail. This can take a few months, but it's well worth the few minutes spent writing and mailing the letter. 

You can also:
-Contact the catalogs and companies that send you unwanted mail and tell them to take you off their mailing lists and any affiliated lists-most companies have email contacts available on their website, which is a great way to go paperless, and it's faster.

-If you belong to a book club or subscribe to publications, contact them and tell them not to sell your name to other companies.  *Hint: If you have many subscriptions, this can be a daunting task so just do one at a time!

-It may seem obvious but be careful what you sign up for and who you give your information out to.


To Reduce Unwanted Pre-Approved Credit-Card Offers:

Simply throwing these in the trash or recycling bin is one of the main ways for "dumpster divers" to get a hold of your personal information and steal your identity.  Make sure you shred any pre-approval letters before tossing and take your name off the credit bureaus' lists by doing the following:

Call: Experian 1-800-353-0809 or Trans Union 1-888-567-8688

You will need to provide personal information such as your social security number to confirm you identity A(which they will already have).  You can also request a form  which will permanently delete you from their mailing lists.

If you do not live in New York, you can contact your state's department of Environmental conservation or protection for more information about how to reduce your unwanted junk mail.