Health Tips

As a vegetarian, I can't imagine my life without beans. They are cheap, full of protein and fiber, low in fat, versatile, and delicious. However, I have met many, many people who swear that they cannot eat beans, beans give them terrible gas, beans make their stomachs hurt, and so on. Not having these bean-related issues myself, I have long wondered why beans affect some people in this way.Can anything be done to prevent this problem?

I found an article that explains, among other things, that when a person introduces a new a food to their diet, or eats a certain food very infrequently, digestive problems may ensue:

I love getting older. I find that I know myself better and appreciate myself more, and enjoy my relationships with friends and family in a way I did not when I was in my early and mid-twenties.

Part of this appreciation for myself and those I love includes wanting to be as healthy as possible. A recent article form the New York Times, " Healthy Aging with Nary a Supplement" provides some great, common sense advice for aging in a healthy way:

www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/health/12brod.html

One of the many small luxuries ths holiday break provided was the opportunity to relax and indulge in some magazine reading. O magazine's first issue of the New Year had lots of great articles geared toward setting healthy intentions for 2010, and the recipes did not dissapoint.

The article "20 Foods That Love You Back" provided the following list of foods that everyone should add to their diets, plus corresponding recipes. Some of the foods may suprise you:

1. Avocados- Contain healthy fat; help your body to block absorption of bad fats

2. Beets- Good source of folate, which can help prevent birth defects, colon cancer, and osteoporosis.

3. Horseradish- Good source of vitamin C, calcium, and potassium.

4. Sweet Potatoes- Contain phytonutrients which promote heart and eye health; boost immunity