Honeydew Fun Facts & Nutrition

Honeydew is a variety of muskmelon, considered the sweetest of all melons. They’re also called winter melons because they’re harvested late in the season, peaking during late summer, fall and winter, though honeydew is available almost the whole year round. Most of our U.S. honeydews come from Arizona, Texas or California with imported melons from Mexico taking up the slack during winter months.

Where did Honeydew originally come from?

No one is exactly sure the origin of honeydew but Persia is named the likely humble beginnings for this succulent melon. Columbus carried honeydew seeds to America and now it’s one of our favorite melons behind watermelon and cantaloupe.

How To Pick A Honeydew Melon:

Things you want to look for when picking out a perfectly ripe melon are no bruises, soft areas or cracks. Don’t bother shaking or hitting it, that won’t tell you anything. Sniff the stem end (which should be somewhat smooth): if you can smell it, then it’s ripe. Also, a ripe melon should be somewhat firm, if it’s a little soft that’s ok but if it’s very soft, put it back, it’s overripe.

Honeydew Nutrition:

Like other melons, honeydews contain a large amount of water and are happily quite low in calories. Additionally, they’re fat-free and cholesterol free. They’re also a great source of Vitamin C and potassium.

How To Store Honeydew Melon:

You can refrigerate cut honeydew in a covered container for up to three days. Make sure to keep it covered though, as the smell can mix with other foods thanks to its wonderful aromatic properties.

Want to keep that sweet taste of summer with you all year? No problem, you can easily freeze honeydew. Just slice it up, freeze it on a cookie sheet and place in freezer baggies. You can also add syrup or sugar if you like.

Some Honeydew Serving Suggestions:

Before cutting into it, it’s best to wash your melon with soap and water because honeydew is grown on the ground and can make contact with fertilizer and other contaminants you don’t want to ingest.

Serve it barely chilled. If it’s been stored in the refrigerator, remove it from the fridge 15-20 minutes before serving. You can put it in a fruit salad, whip it up into a frothy cool summer drink or drizzle lemon on top to add tang to the melon’s natural sweetness. A clever serving idea is to use a half-cut melon as a serving bowl, perfect for yogurt, cottage cheese or even ice cream if you’re feeling mildly decadent.

Right Nutrition For Your Children’s Health

Obviously having children is the most beautiful gift anyone can have but taking care of them is a full time job. And quite naturally, one wouldn’t mind such a beautiful job provided you are adept with it. A healthy child grows up with a healthy and nutritious diet and that is something that you can control. But unfortunately, this is one issue many parents face: the right nutrition for my child! While results reveal that kids consume 25% of their calories from junk food, your kid might one of them. French fries, soft drinks, cookies, hotdogs and sweets are something all children love and are often addicted to it but is it the right food for your child?

Sensing the need of the hour, i.e. to educate every parent of their child’s nutrition, globalpediatrician.com is on a wide spread mission to spread its tentacle across the globe, reach out to all parents and educate them about kids and health. There is after all no harm is having an expert advice online from experts across the globe, even if your child is completely alright.

Children’s Diet Today

Childrens health these days witnesses a decline in resistance and immunity predominantly owing to their diet. The junk food they crave for and are addicted to is only spoiling their internal immunity and wellness. This ultimately leads to grave concerns like obesity, heart problems, growth imbalance, height and weight issues, stunted development, IQ problems and so much more. And the worst part is that most kids don’t eat the way we would like them to eat for their own health. It becomes so difficult to get down the essential vitamins and minerals down their throat of they have been growing up as -picky eaters’.

The right nutrition is the basic foundation to childrens health and hence a complete knowledge of how much and what and when your child should eat is a must. What is amazing here is that with just one mouse click, a concerned parent can learn so much of his/her child’s health and nutrition and that is by logging onto the dedicated services of globalpediatrician.com! While exploring the site, you will find that so many unanswered queries cropping in your mind time and again will be answered with a click and then taking care of your child would become comparatively simple.

Right from the pregnancy stage to childbirth to the development years of child, you can find a nutritional chart for all age groups. One must know that from the time of birth up to the age of three, children develop over 75% of their brain and thus the baby’s nutritional intake during these years should act like a bank. Plus, after the age of 2, the diet of your child should go down in fat content to avoid the chances of obeisity and heart diseases. Growing children up to the age of 5 would have about 90% of their brain developed and so a nutritional intake in those years is crucial; it must be full of proteins and carbohydrates to match the intensity with which the child makes use of his growing brain.

What Is The Nutrilite Health Institute Center For Optimal Health

NUTRILITE’s Pathway to Optimal Health Begins with the Best of Science

– Clinicals – NUTRILITE Health Institute clinical investigations and trials are focused on intervention studies to evaluate the effects of plant concentrates, botanicals, and nutrient products on markers of human health.
– Patents – The patents granted to NUTRILITE scientists and researchers help to improve the NUTRILITE brand by complementing NUTRILITE’s high-quality products with technology that is unique to the brand.
– Conferences – NUTRILITE sponsors scientific forums on a regular basis encouraging a continuing dialogue to further NUTRILITE’s understanding of nutrition science and health promotion.
– Publications – The NUTRILITE Health Institute Publications List spans more than five decades of ground-breaking research in the areas of nutrition science, analytical chemistry, and agricultural methodology.
– Associations – The NUTRILITE Health Institute pursues many different kinds of research programs, often collaborating with leading scientific institutions around the world.

NUTRILITE’s Pathway to Optimal Health Adds the Best of Nature

– Sustainable Farming Principles – NUTRILITE emphasize and stimulate sustainable biological intensive agricultural practices, rather than “quick-fix” methods and materials for growing crops.
– Organic Farming Practices – NUTRILITE is the only global brand to grow, harvest and process plants on its own certified organic farms.

NUTRILITE’s Pathway to Optimal Health is a Result ofthe Best of People’s Experience

– Scientific Advisory Board – All NUTRILITE scientific research is led by the Scientific Advisory Board. This ten-member board is comprised of leading scientists in the fields of nutrition, health, and genetics from around the world.
– Scientists – The NUTRILITE Health Institute scientists and researchers are hard at work around the world, doing groundbreaking studies into all aspects of nutrition, genetics, and supplementation.
– Optimal Health Experts – Through the NUTRILITE Experience, the NUTRILITE Health Institute specialists help you reach for optimal health by increasing your knowledge of nutrition and fitness in individualized, interactive ways.
– Expert Speakers – The NUTRILITE Health Institute can provide your next event with professional speakers and interesting presentations on a wide variety of topics: everything from the importance of nutrition knowledge, to balancing supplementation with healthy eating, to fitting in exercise and rest and relaxation in your daily life.

NUTRILITE’s Pathway to Optimal Health Resides at the NUTRILITE Health Institute Center for Optimal Health

The NUTRILITE Health Institute is a worldwide collaboration of experts who are dedicated to helping people achieve optimal health through research, education, and practical, personalized solutions.

A good starting point is the Center for Optimal Health, a world-class teaching and training facility within the NUTRILITE Health Institute.

– The Center for Optimal Health comprises 33,000 SF (3000 SM) of space, spread over two floors.
– The Center for Optimal Health is the home of the NUTRILITE Experience a personal, interactive way to help you achieve optimal health.
– Science, nutrition, fitness, research, and people are all brought together for a one-of-a-kind experience focused on health and the NUTRILITE brand.

Optimal health compels you to choose every day to be your best by selecting the right foods and supplements, engaging in exercise and rest, and by incorporating healthy habits and balance in everything you do.

Education and Training Brought to Life Through the NUTRILITE Experience

The NUTRILITE Experience is an informative, interactive, and customized way to help you reach for optimal health as you have never done before by accomplishing three key goals:

– Educate yourself about your own health and wellness.
– Become enlightened about NUTRILITE products, and the organic farming practices, cutting-edge research, and processing methods that go into their development and manufacture.
– Develop a plan for marketing and merchandising NUTRILITE products.

The NUTRILITE Experience includes the expertise of on-site medical and fitness professionals who will help evaluate your current level of health and wellness using blood work and other assessment tests then, design a customized plan of nutrition, fitness, lifestyle tips, and supplementation recommendations to help you reach your goals.

Each NUTRILITE Experience uses Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) technology to present the program in your native language, including key program highlights, video clips, and a virtual tour of the Center for Optimal Health.

Facts and Figures of the NUTRILITE Health Institute Center for Optimal Health

– 33,000 square feet on two floors
– Multi-purpose meeting space for training, education, and brand experiences
– Indoor/outdoor design for comfortable, informal, impromptu gatherings
– Reception atrium with plenty of natural light
– Auditorium with comfortable, theatre-style seating, Dolby SurroundSound audio, and state-of-the-art projection equipment
– Health assessment center with the latest fitness and cardiovascular analysis equipment and private consultation rooms for test results
– A healthy juice bar
– Spacious gift shop featuring NUTRILITE branded gifts

The Center for Optimal Health is a first-class facility designed to motivate lasting lifestyle change.

My next article entitled “The Function of Carbohydrates in our Life” will begin a 15 article series on specific nutrients and there importance in our life.

See you on the Beaches of the World,

Kevin McNabb

Holistic Nutrition In The Kitchen The Truth About Cooking Oils

When it comes to holistic nutrition and all natural weight loss, choosing the healthiest cooking oil can be difficult. Rumors and opinions based on unsubstantiated facts circulate about which oil is best, which is toxic or which is most nutritious. Then there’s the question of saturated fats vs. trans fats vs. polyunsaturated fats vs. essential omega fats and unless you majored in biochemistry in college it’s easy to get confused. The truth is that various kinds of cooking oils have different natural health benefits and levels of nutritional value.

Olive Oil: One of Natures Oldest Natural Cures

As a trained naturopathic physician I am not only an expert on natural medicine, but I also know the principles of holistic nutrition and all natural weight loss in order to assist patients with making the right decisions in the kitchen. In most cases each cooking oil has both pros and cons associated with it; olive oil is no exception. Olive oil is a foundation of the famous, health-promoting Mediterranean Diet and rich in health-promoting Omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids. Olive oil has been shown to help improve: cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, age-related dementia, blood clots, cancer, life expectancy and more.

Dont Lose the Holistic Health Benefits of Olive Oil When Cooking, Be Aware of the Smoke Point

Olive oil tastes great and can be used in cooking or as a substitute for butter on bread. It also serves as an excellent base for a healthy salad dressing or marinade. So, is this wonderful, healthy, tasty food also dangerous? The answer is: it can be. But its not the fault of the oil; its when we mistreat it, or use it for purposes it was never intended to fulfill, that it becomes more harmful than helpful. The key to solving this paradox is to understand the concept of Smoke Point. The Smoke Point is literally the point at which oil starts to smoke. Different oils smoke at different temperatures; olive oil is one that generally cooks best at low to medium heat, much hotter and it may smoke.

Smoke when cooking is not a good thing. The olive oil decomposes under the extreme heat causing free radicals and other dangerous molecules to replace the natural antioxidants. The smoke itself is also toxic and should not be inhaled. Finally, when theres smoke, it means the oil is dangerously close to its flash point, the point at which it may catch fire. The general rule is to only cook with olive oil on low to medium heat or use it cold. If you need hardier oil for baking or high heat cooking, consider oil with a higher Smoke Point such as Canola, Safflower, Coconut, or Grapeseed.

The True Holistic Health Benefits of Canola Oil

Canola Oil has great amounts of health-promoting Omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids, just like olive oil, as well as low saturated fat and relatively high Omega-3 levels. It, however, has a higher Smoke Point and can be used more reliably for higher-heat cooking. I have recently seen some emails about the dangers of canola oil that have been spread around the Internet. This oil has been accused of being genetically engineered, full of trans fat, an industrial chemical used as an insecticide or fuel, a toxic weed, a biopesticide, a form of mustard gas, a trigger for diseases like mad cow disease and lung cancer, and full of cyanide.

In truth, expeller-pressed, organic canola oil is healthy cooking oil that is not to be feared. Just like any other food, it should not be consumed all day, every day. Everything in moderation is the best rule for a balanced and healthy diet. It is a great oil to consider for medium to high heat baking and sauting. Some caution should be used with lesser quality or less expensive forms of Canola Oil. The only way to guarantee the holistic health benefits of canola oil is to purchase organic and expeller-pressed.

Healthy Cooking and the Importance of Nutrition

Naturopathic medicine considers holistic nutrition one of the keys to achieving optimal health. In addition to homeopathic remedies, herbal medicine and other alternative health treatments, healthy, balanced eating habits are essential to total body wellness. To learn more about cooking oils contact your local naturopathic medical doctor.

The Lean, Not so Mean, Green Juice

Green juices are the new trend in the eat healthy, detox your body frenzy.

Raw juices made mostly from kale are in high demand to the point where in cities like Hong Kong, imported kale is at a shortage.

Organic shops have been forced into keeping waiting lists, for when the product hits the store.

One of the most influential advocates of the green juice diet is Gwyneth Paltrow, who describes her strict diet consisting in lots of raw juices in her book “Its All Good, published early last year.

Gwyneth follows a vegetarian diet that excludes anything from animal origin, except for fish. She claims tomatoes and strawberries produce allergies and all caffeine, chocolate based foods are poison! I personally cant imagine giving up my morning coffee, cupcakes with friends, pizza as a treat! Er yeap, not happening for me.

That doesnt mean I wont be drinking some green juices every now and then, which apparently have the same energizing effect as a cup of coffee, without all its nocive effects.

Curious about this new trend and excited about all the potential benefits, I decided to go ahead and make myself Gwyneth Paltrows Best Green Juice. Its actually nicer than it looks.
The recipe is as follows:

Ingredients:
5 large leaves of kale, ribs discarded, leaves roughly chopped
1 lemon, zest and pith removed
1 large apple or pineapple,
A 2.5cm piece of fresh ginger
1 sprig of fresh mint

Directions:
1.) Wash all ingredients well.
2.) Cut all produce to fit through juicer, juice and enjoy!

Substitutions:

Spinach watercress, dandelion leaves, kale, lettuce
Apple Pineapple , pear, cantaloupe (rockmelon), honeydew
Lemon lime, grapefruit
If youre wanting to ease into the dark leafy green juices, this is a lovely place to start. This sweet green juice has heaps of benefits:

– Its high in vitamin C
– The lemon helps to improve the absorption of the non-heme iron in spinach
– There are 7.1mg of iron
– The bromelain from the pineapple may ease arthritis, atherosclerosis and it may also help to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases due to its ability to inhibit Fibrinogen, the chemical that can cause the abnormal blood clotting that underlies most cardiovascular diseases.