April 9, 2009
Dear Jacques,
With our economy in such a volatile state, it’s no wonder our collective stress levels are through the roof. Anxiety is running rampant—and with good reason. You can’t open the newspaper, or turn on the TV, without hearing bad news.
While we can’t control the stock market, we can limit the impact stress and anxiety have on our health and well-being. Following these steps can help you relax, unwind, and feel better than you have in years.
Move Your Stress Out: Exercise is an extremely powerful stress reducer.
Physical activity works tension out of your muscles, stimulates the creation of mood-boosting endorphins, and helps you sleep better at night. One of the best stress busters is a brisk walk. Even if it’s cold outside, bundle up and hit the pavement—the fresh air and sunshine will do your mood a world of good. I’ve never finished a walk and thought, “I wish I hadn’t done that.” Neither will you.
Tap Into the Anxiety-Relieving Power of GABA:
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA is an amino acid produced naturally in your brain. In addition to functioning as a neurotransmitter, fostering communication between nerve cells, GABA reduces stress by toning down “excitatory” stimuli in the brain. Plus, it boosts dopamine and serotonin levels, which helps create an overall sense of calm.
Drink Green Tea:
Green tea contains abundant amounts of L-theanine, an amino acid known for its relaxing properties. Theanine increases alpha waves in the brain, which produce a state of calm alertness—plus it enhances your body’s natural levels of GABA. So the next time you’re feeling stressed out, put on the kettle and brew a cup of green tea.
Smile:
The very act of smiling registers in the hypothalamus of your brain, where endorphins are produced. When you smile you immediately feel better. So, the next time you’re feeling stressed, bring back a happy memory—and put a smile on your face.
Get Enough Sleep:
We all do a better job of coping with stress and anxiety after a sound night’s sleep—but stress and a racing mind can keep you awake. For a better sleep, turn off the TV and your computer at least an hour before bedtime, and take a warm shower or bath. Dimming the lights also helps by stimulating your body’s natural production of melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep. And drinking warm milk or a cup of chamomile tea can also help you drift off into a relaxing slumber.
Have Fun: Finally, tap into the healing power of good old-fashioned fun! One of the best stress relievers around is to get out and do things you enjoy. It doesn’t have to cost money. Get together at someone’s home to play cards, have a potluck dinner, or start a book club. Check out free events at your local library, or start a mall-walking group. The more you get out, socialize, and enjoy yourself—the better you’ll feel.
So there you have it, six simple steps for relieving anxiety and stress. I hope these recommendations bring you some much-needed relaxation.
To your health,
Julian Whitaker, MD
P.S. Another powerful way to reduce stress is to go on a media diet. Limit the amount of time you spend watching the news, or reading newspapers (unless it’s the comics, of course). A media diet does take discipline, but once you institute it, your stress level will decline dramatically.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Simple Steps Boost Brain Function; Reduce Alzheimer's Risk
By Rallie McAllister, M.D., M.P.H.
One of the most unsettling realities associated with growing older is the loss of mental sharpness. It's bad enough that you have to wear reading glasses, but constantly forgetting where you left them is even worse.
With age, everyone has occasional lapses in memory. It's not uncommon to misplace your glasses and car keys, or to forget the names of people you rarely see.
Forgetting the names of family members and familiar objects, on the other hand, isn't a normal part of aging. In some cases, increasing forgetfulness may be an indication of Alzheimer's disease, a debilitating condition that can rob people of the ability to remember, reason and learn.
Alzheimer's disease doesn't occur overnight. It is typically preceded by mild cognitive impairment -- a stage between normal age-related changes and dementia that is marked by minor memory loss and bouts of confusion.
While prescription drugs are available to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's, these medications don't address the underlying causes of the disease. The good news is that by making a few changes in your diet, you may be able to delay or even prevent the onset of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
The results of a recent study published in Archives of Neurology suggest that following the Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce the risk of cognitive impairment. The Mediterranean diet includes high intakes of fish, vegetables and unsaturated fatty acids, along with moderate alcohol consumption and low intakes of dairy products, meat and saturated fats.
In a study conducted at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, researchers analyzed the eating habits and brain function of nearly 1,400 older adults. Over a four-year period, individuals with normal brain function who followed the Mediterranean diet were found to have a 28 percent lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment compared to those consuming a typical American diet.
Among individuals with mild cognitive impairment at the beginning of the study, those who adhered to the Mediterranean diet had a 48 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to those whose diets were less wholesome.
If you're not ready to completely overhaul your diet, making a few simple changes in your eating habits can have a big impact on brain health and performance. Including more fish in your diet is an excellent place to start.
Weekly consumption of fish has been shown to slow the rate of cognitive decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease among older adults. If you're not a fan of finned foods, regular consumption of fish-oil capsules appears to provide similar benefits.
Eating curried foods can boost brainpower and reduce the risk of dementia, thanks to a chemical compound in turmeric, the spice used to flavor curry powders.
In a study of more than a thousand elderly Asian adults, researchers in Singapore found that individuals who ate curried foods often or even occasionally scored significantly higher on tests of cognitive function than those who rarely or never ate the spice. In India, where curry consumption is commonplace, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is among the lowest in the world.
Regular consumption of dark chocolate, wine and tea has been shown to enhance brain performance. In a study of more than 2,000 older adults, researchers from Oxford University in England found that those who habitually consumed chocolate, wine or tea scored significantly higher on tests of cognitive performance than those who did not.
Italian researchers recently reported that older adults with mild cognitive impairment who drank one glass of wine daily developed dementia at an 85 percent slower rate compared to those who never imbibed. In addition to drinking wine, moderate coffee consumption appears to offer a number of important perks for the brain.
Researchers at the University of North Dakota reported that a daily jolt of java can enhance brain function and help protect against Alzheimer's disease. Compared to women who didn't drink coffee, female coffee drinkers were nearly 70 percent less likely to have memory decline at age 80 or older.
If you don't enjoy wine, tea or coffee, pomegranate juice may be the ideal brain-boosting beverage for you. Scientists at Loma Linda University in California found that drinking a glass of the juice each day helps slow the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Mild cognitive impairment with aging isn't inevitable, and Alzheimer's disease may be entirely preventable. Making a few simple changes in your diet can help keep your brain healthy and your mind sharp for years to come.
========
Rallie McAllister is a board-certified family physician, speaker and the author of several books, including "Healthy Lunchbox: The Working Mom's Guide to Keeping You and Your Kids Trim." Her Website is www.rallieonhealth.com. To find out more about Rallie McAllister, M.D., and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
One of the most unsettling realities associated with growing older is the loss of mental sharpness. It's bad enough that you have to wear reading glasses, but constantly forgetting where you left them is even worse.
With age, everyone has occasional lapses in memory. It's not uncommon to misplace your glasses and car keys, or to forget the names of people you rarely see.
Forgetting the names of family members and familiar objects, on the other hand, isn't a normal part of aging. In some cases, increasing forgetfulness may be an indication of Alzheimer's disease, a debilitating condition that can rob people of the ability to remember, reason and learn.
Alzheimer's disease doesn't occur overnight. It is typically preceded by mild cognitive impairment -- a stage between normal age-related changes and dementia that is marked by minor memory loss and bouts of confusion.
While prescription drugs are available to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's, these medications don't address the underlying causes of the disease. The good news is that by making a few changes in your diet, you may be able to delay or even prevent the onset of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
The results of a recent study published in Archives of Neurology suggest that following the Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce the risk of cognitive impairment. The Mediterranean diet includes high intakes of fish, vegetables and unsaturated fatty acids, along with moderate alcohol consumption and low intakes of dairy products, meat and saturated fats.
In a study conducted at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, researchers analyzed the eating habits and brain function of nearly 1,400 older adults. Over a four-year period, individuals with normal brain function who followed the Mediterranean diet were found to have a 28 percent lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment compared to those consuming a typical American diet.
Among individuals with mild cognitive impairment at the beginning of the study, those who adhered to the Mediterranean diet had a 48 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to those whose diets were less wholesome.
If you're not ready to completely overhaul your diet, making a few simple changes in your eating habits can have a big impact on brain health and performance. Including more fish in your diet is an excellent place to start.
Weekly consumption of fish has been shown to slow the rate of cognitive decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease among older adults. If you're not a fan of finned foods, regular consumption of fish-oil capsules appears to provide similar benefits.
Eating curried foods can boost brainpower and reduce the risk of dementia, thanks to a chemical compound in turmeric, the spice used to flavor curry powders.
In a study of more than a thousand elderly Asian adults, researchers in Singapore found that individuals who ate curried foods often or even occasionally scored significantly higher on tests of cognitive function than those who rarely or never ate the spice. In India, where curry consumption is commonplace, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is among the lowest in the world.
Regular consumption of dark chocolate, wine and tea has been shown to enhance brain performance. In a study of more than 2,000 older adults, researchers from Oxford University in England found that those who habitually consumed chocolate, wine or tea scored significantly higher on tests of cognitive performance than those who did not.
Italian researchers recently reported that older adults with mild cognitive impairment who drank one glass of wine daily developed dementia at an 85 percent slower rate compared to those who never imbibed. In addition to drinking wine, moderate coffee consumption appears to offer a number of important perks for the brain.
Researchers at the University of North Dakota reported that a daily jolt of java can enhance brain function and help protect against Alzheimer's disease. Compared to women who didn't drink coffee, female coffee drinkers were nearly 70 percent less likely to have memory decline at age 80 or older.
If you don't enjoy wine, tea or coffee, pomegranate juice may be the ideal brain-boosting beverage for you. Scientists at Loma Linda University in California found that drinking a glass of the juice each day helps slow the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Mild cognitive impairment with aging isn't inevitable, and Alzheimer's disease may be entirely preventable. Making a few simple changes in your diet can help keep your brain healthy and your mind sharp for years to come.
========
Rallie McAllister is a board-certified family physician, speaker and the author of several books, including "Healthy Lunchbox: The Working Mom's Guide to Keeping You and Your Kids Trim." Her Website is www.rallieonhealth.com. To find out more about Rallie McAllister, M.D., and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
La Vie En Rose (Life In Pink)!
Dear Friends,
Recent events and traumatic upheavals of our way(s) of life have caused massive panic, depression, fears and worries. Many other gloomy reactions to the economic, employment, housing , healthcare, education, security, drugs and terrorist-related violence, natural disasters and more are cumulatively alarming people everywhere.
The following is intended to be my small contribution to help uplift your spirit.
The first thought that crossed my mind in this regard was a song from that delightful film "The King and I" starring the late Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner. The lyrics are quite appropriate: "Whenever I feel afraid, I whistle a Happy Song...etc....for when I fool the people (around me), I find that I fool myself as well!..."
This reflects a sound psychological premise which is one of several successful ingredients in goal setting: "ACT AS IF..."...and, before you know it, you find yourself actually feeling, behaving, becoming, being and having that which you started out "Acting Like"! LOL---
---just as the scared little Siamese Princess in the song found a powerful way to chase away fears, concerns, worries. Not by going into a state of denial or an escapistic mode reminiscent of the ostriches that stick their head in the sand... hoping that whatever is frightening them may go away while the sand blinds them... not realizing that, in the meantime, their butt is up in the air...exposed and inviting bullies to kick it! LOL
ALWAYS REMEMBER that "FEAR" is but FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL ! :o)
SO, my friends, CHEER UP!...Turn All your sour lemons into refreshing lemonade...View your half glass of water as half FULL, as though through Rose-color glasses...Not half Empty, as viewed through smoke-color glasses!...and so on!
In French, we say "L'espoir fait vivre!" (Hope make you Live!")...and: "Tant qu'il y a de la vie, il y a de l'espoir!" (so long as there is Life, there is Hope!")
Make this a Happy, Optimistic, Hopeful weekend full of Inner Peace and Faith in the Fact that "And all this, too, shall pass!"---Just hang in there and Never Give Up (Hope)!---LIve La Vie En Rose! :o)
Your Friend,
Jacques
Recent events and traumatic upheavals of our way(s) of life have caused massive panic, depression, fears and worries. Many other gloomy reactions to the economic, employment, housing , healthcare, education, security, drugs and terrorist-related violence, natural disasters and more are cumulatively alarming people everywhere.
The following is intended to be my small contribution to help uplift your spirit.
The first thought that crossed my mind in this regard was a song from that delightful film "The King and I" starring the late Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner. The lyrics are quite appropriate: "Whenever I feel afraid, I whistle a Happy Song...etc....for when I fool the people (around me), I find that I fool myself as well!..."
This reflects a sound psychological premise which is one of several successful ingredients in goal setting: "ACT AS IF..."...and, before you know it, you find yourself actually feeling, behaving, becoming, being and having that which you started out "Acting Like"! LOL---
---just as the scared little Siamese Princess in the song found a powerful way to chase away fears, concerns, worries. Not by going into a state of denial or an escapistic mode reminiscent of the ostriches that stick their head in the sand... hoping that whatever is frightening them may go away while the sand blinds them... not realizing that, in the meantime, their butt is up in the air...exposed and inviting bullies to kick it! LOL
ALWAYS REMEMBER that "FEAR" is but FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL ! :o)
SO, my friends, CHEER UP!...Turn All your sour lemons into refreshing lemonade...View your half glass of water as half FULL, as though through Rose-color glasses...Not half Empty, as viewed through smoke-color glasses!...and so on!
In French, we say "L'espoir fait vivre!" (Hope make you Live!")...and: "Tant qu'il y a de la vie, il y a de l'espoir!" (so long as there is Life, there is Hope!")
Make this a Happy, Optimistic, Hopeful weekend full of Inner Peace and Faith in the Fact that "And all this, too, shall pass!"---Just hang in there and Never Give Up (Hope)!---LIve La Vie En Rose! :o)
Your Friend,
Jacques
Friday, March 27, 2009
Traffic Can Bring on a Heart Attack
Learn how to protect yourself on the road
According to a new German study, enduring traffic more than triples the risk of a heart attack in the following hour. The increased risk may be due to air pollution, stress or a combination of factors.
You can reduce some of the perils on the road with these road rage tips. You can protect yourself even more by quitting smoking and eating healthfully.
To your health,
Marie Karns
Newsletter Editor, YourTotalHealth
According to a new German study, enduring traffic more than triples the risk of a heart attack in the following hour. The increased risk may be due to air pollution, stress or a combination of factors.
You can reduce some of the perils on the road with these road rage tips. You can protect yourself even more by quitting smoking and eating healthfully.
To your health,
Marie Karns
Newsletter Editor, YourTotalHealth
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Prayer For Financial Healing
"Adversity is another way to measure the greatness of individuals. I never had a crisis that didn't make me stronger."
-Lou Holtz
-----
From the deep reaches of my heart and soul,
To the highest love in heaven,
I pray for a healing of my financial situation.
I reach a hand to the abundance of the universe,
And pray that I learn to transform my fear into possibility.
Let me open to all the good that exists in this world.
I lift my head up to the sun
And pray that I am inspired to turn darkness into light.
Let me raise myself up beyond my problems.
I look toward the future and what-could-be
And pray that I can believe in myself and my abilities.
Let me know in my heart that I have great strength.
I honor the place of fear that has gripped me,
But I pray that I do not let it own me.
Let me do what I can to bring peace to my financial situation,
And trust that this too will pass.
- Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
---------------
Dear Friends,
Regretfully, the shock and daily upheavals of recent events have kept me away for a while---yet, you have have continued to be in my mind and heart!
I shall endeavor to write more often from now on, and pass along to you some most exciting and remunerative opportunities to EARN substantially during these harsh times. As a matter of fact, I shall be using this new domain name on one of my recent websites: www,MakeBigBucksInThisEconomy.com ---more to come soon!
I wish you and yours a healthy, peaceful and comfortable weekend!
Cordially,
Jacques
-Lou Holtz
-----
From the deep reaches of my heart and soul,
To the highest love in heaven,
I pray for a healing of my financial situation.
I reach a hand to the abundance of the universe,
And pray that I learn to transform my fear into possibility.
Let me open to all the good that exists in this world.
I lift my head up to the sun
And pray that I am inspired to turn darkness into light.
Let me raise myself up beyond my problems.
I look toward the future and what-could-be
And pray that I can believe in myself and my abilities.
Let me know in my heart that I have great strength.
I honor the place of fear that has gripped me,
But I pray that I do not let it own me.
Let me do what I can to bring peace to my financial situation,
And trust that this too will pass.
- Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
---------------
Dear Friends,
Regretfully, the shock and daily upheavals of recent events have kept me away for a while---yet, you have have continued to be in my mind and heart!
I shall endeavor to write more often from now on, and pass along to you some most exciting and remunerative opportunities to EARN substantially during these harsh times. As a matter of fact, I shall be using this new domain name on one of my recent websites: www,MakeBigBucksInThisEconomy.com ---more to come soon!
I wish you and yours a healthy, peaceful and comfortable weekend!
Cordially,
Jacques
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
5 Online Strategies That Work for Small Business
By Lauren Hobson
Marketing a small business online can be both easy and effective, especially with the abundance of online marketing strategies available today. But since there are so many ways to market your small business on the web, it can be a challenge just to decide which online strategies would be right for you.
Here are five online marketing strategies that typically work well for small businesses, and are popular with web users as well:
Video Marketing - Using videos to help market a business online has become very popular, and today it's common to see videos on web sites and blogs, as well as in e-newsletters or e-campaigns sent out to subscriber lists. Users vary in how they like to "consume" information, whether it's reading text on a web site, listening to a podcast, or watching a video, so it's typically a good idea to provide them with several different opportunities to receive your marketing message.
Studies have also shown that adding video to a small business web site can increase conversion rates and sign-ups, and can also help small businesses give a great first impression when customers and prospects visit the site.
Blogs - If you haven't started a blog for your small business yet, now is a good time to consider it. Taking advantage of this technology is one of the best ways to get visibility for your business and create new traffic and inbound links to your site. Blog posts don't have to be very long to be useful, but they DO have to be added regularly, at least once every week or so. Blogs are also a great place to post news items and upcoming events.
Social Networking - Social networking is a fairly recent internet phenomenon that enables people to use the web to stay connected to each other in a variety of ways. MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, You Tube, and others have recently gained attention for their potential business applications, and businesses have started using social networking to connect with their clients effectively.
Depending on the type of small business you have, you may be able to use these new technologies to help you reach customers with announcements, build up your customer base (or following), get direct business referrals, and gain greater overall web visibility for your business. Using social networking as part of the marketing mix for your business can really give you an edge over your competitors, since this strategy is quite new to businesses and not everyone is using it yet.
E-Newsletters - Sending out regular e-newsletters is a highly targeted online marketing strategy that can also help establish credibility and expertise with your readers. E-newsletters also give your business a chance to communicate on a regular basis with customers and keep your company's name and message in front of them. That way, the next time your customers need something that you sell, they will remember your company and may call you first before contacting your competitors! Consumers have come to rely on e-newsletters as a primary information source for the products and services they are most interested in, which makes it a great choice for small businesses that want to stay "top-of-mind" with their customers and prospects.
E-Newsletters are also easily tracked, so results can be measured and analyzed. The tracking data can tell you if your message prompted any response (such as clicking on a link), or if your message was even delivered in the first place. Tracking stats can also reveal lots of other useful information, such as how many recipients actually opened the email, or how many emails "bounced" or were not delivered to a recipient (and why).
Web Press Releases - Distributing press releases to web outlets is a great online strategy for small businesses. Web press release outlets are typically lower cost and more accessible than traditional wire-service press outlets, and carry the additional benefit of generating new inbound links for your web site in several places on the web. The benefits can carry even further if your press release is "picked up" by other sources on the web, creating even more inbound links and improving overall web exposure for your business.
Of course, there are many other online marketing strategies available today, and depending on your type of small business, some will work better than others. But typically, the five strategies listed above (video marketing, blogs, social networking, e-newsletters, and web press releases) work well for most small businesses and are fairly easy and inexpensive to implement. The important thing to remember is that as online marketing continues to become more mainstream, small businesses can consider using these initiatives to improve their marketing results while keeping their marketing costs in check.
About the author: Lauren Hobson, President of Five Sparrows, has over 15 years experience in small business technology writing, marketing, and web design/development. Her articles reach 4,500+ readers each month. To subscribe, visit www.FiveSparrows.com.
Courtesy: MANTA.com newsletter
Marketing a small business online can be both easy and effective, especially with the abundance of online marketing strategies available today. But since there are so many ways to market your small business on the web, it can be a challenge just to decide which online strategies would be right for you.
Here are five online marketing strategies that typically work well for small businesses, and are popular with web users as well:
Video Marketing - Using videos to help market a business online has become very popular, and today it's common to see videos on web sites and blogs, as well as in e-newsletters or e-campaigns sent out to subscriber lists. Users vary in how they like to "consume" information, whether it's reading text on a web site, listening to a podcast, or watching a video, so it's typically a good idea to provide them with several different opportunities to receive your marketing message.
Studies have also shown that adding video to a small business web site can increase conversion rates and sign-ups, and can also help small businesses give a great first impression when customers and prospects visit the site.
Blogs - If you haven't started a blog for your small business yet, now is a good time to consider it. Taking advantage of this technology is one of the best ways to get visibility for your business and create new traffic and inbound links to your site. Blog posts don't have to be very long to be useful, but they DO have to be added regularly, at least once every week or so. Blogs are also a great place to post news items and upcoming events.
Social Networking - Social networking is a fairly recent internet phenomenon that enables people to use the web to stay connected to each other in a variety of ways. MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, You Tube, and others have recently gained attention for their potential business applications, and businesses have started using social networking to connect with their clients effectively.
Depending on the type of small business you have, you may be able to use these new technologies to help you reach customers with announcements, build up your customer base (or following), get direct business referrals, and gain greater overall web visibility for your business. Using social networking as part of the marketing mix for your business can really give you an edge over your competitors, since this strategy is quite new to businesses and not everyone is using it yet.
E-Newsletters - Sending out regular e-newsletters is a highly targeted online marketing strategy that can also help establish credibility and expertise with your readers. E-newsletters also give your business a chance to communicate on a regular basis with customers and keep your company's name and message in front of them. That way, the next time your customers need something that you sell, they will remember your company and may call you first before contacting your competitors! Consumers have come to rely on e-newsletters as a primary information source for the products and services they are most interested in, which makes it a great choice for small businesses that want to stay "top-of-mind" with their customers and prospects.
E-Newsletters are also easily tracked, so results can be measured and analyzed. The tracking data can tell you if your message prompted any response (such as clicking on a link), or if your message was even delivered in the first place. Tracking stats can also reveal lots of other useful information, such as how many recipients actually opened the email, or how many emails "bounced" or were not delivered to a recipient (and why).
Web Press Releases - Distributing press releases to web outlets is a great online strategy for small businesses. Web press release outlets are typically lower cost and more accessible than traditional wire-service press outlets, and carry the additional benefit of generating new inbound links for your web site in several places on the web. The benefits can carry even further if your press release is "picked up" by other sources on the web, creating even more inbound links and improving overall web exposure for your business.
Of course, there are many other online marketing strategies available today, and depending on your type of small business, some will work better than others. But typically, the five strategies listed above (video marketing, blogs, social networking, e-newsletters, and web press releases) work well for most small businesses and are fairly easy and inexpensive to implement. The important thing to remember is that as online marketing continues to become more mainstream, small businesses can consider using these initiatives to improve their marketing results while keeping their marketing costs in check.
About the author: Lauren Hobson, President of Five Sparrows, has over 15 years experience in small business technology writing, marketing, and web design/development. Her articles reach 4,500+ readers each month. To subscribe, visit www.FiveSparrows.com.
Courtesy: MANTA.com newsletter
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Chocolate Story
Hello all!
It is hoped that you had a great Valentines's Day with a loved one...
And I felt that the following would be of special interest to you and yours...so, ENJOY!
Your Friend,
Jacques
-----
Chocolate comes of age as a health treat.
There are few foods that evoke as much passion as this decadent treat. Folklore from many cultures claimed that consuming chocolate instilled faith, health, strength, and sexual passion. Once an indulgence of royalty, it is now a treasured and accessible – and yes, even healthy – treat. So where did our infatuation with chocolate begin?
Where does chocolate come from, anyway?
The cacao tree, whose pods contain seeds that can be processed into chocolate, was discovered 2,000 years ago in the tropical rainforests of the Americas. The first people known to have consumed cacao were the Classic Period Maya (250-900 A.D.). They mixed ground cacao (cocoa) seeds with seasonings to make a bitter, spicy drink that was believed to be a health elixir.
What was chocolate's great allure?
To the Mayans, cocoa pods symbolized life and fertility. The pod was often represented in religious rituals, including marriage ceremonies, and was referred to as food of the gods. In central Mexico, the Aztecs believed that wisdom and power came from eating the fruit of the cocoa tree, and that it had nourishing, fortifying, and even aphrodisiac qualities. The Aztec emperor Montezuma even drank liquid chocolate daily to enhance his libido.
Europeans get a taste of chocolate — and fall in love.
Europeans got their first taste of chocolate in 1519, when Montezuma offered the spicy drink to Spanish explorer Cortés and his army. The Spanish conquistadors brought cocoa seeds back to Spain, where they introduced new spices and sugar to the liquid concoction. The fad drink spread throughout Europe, where it remained a beverage of the elite for centuries.
Chocolate becomes known for its powers of seduction.
Chocolate's reputation as an aphrodisiac flourished in the French royal court. Erotic art and literature were inspired by the seductive substance. Casanova, the infamous womanizer, made a habit of drinking chocolate before his romantic escapades. Even today, romantic lore commonly identifies chocolate as an aphrodisiac.
Chocolate goes global.
The first machine-made chocolate was produced in Barcelona in 1780, paving the way for the mass production of chocolate. Later, mechanical inventions made it possible to produce smooth, creamy, solid chocolate for eating – not just the liquid for drinking. The first solid chocolate bar was developed by British chocolate maker Fry & Sons in the early 1800s.
When did chocolate become associated with Valentine's Day?
"It's believed that during the 17th century, lovers began exchanging mementos on Valentine's Day – sweet treats were one of them. In 1868, the first Valentine's Day box of chocolates was introduced [by Richard Cadbury]," - says Susan L. Fussell, senior director of communications for the National Confectioners Association.
Three cheers for chocolate!
In 1875, the first milk chocolate was introduced to the market by Daniel Peter of Switzerland. Chocolate became so popular around the world that even during World War II the U.S. government shipped cocoa beans to the troops. Today, the U.S. Army includes chocolate bars in their rations. Chocolate has even been taken into space as part of the diet of U.S. astronauts.
Is chocolate really an aphrodisiac?
Not really, even though throughout its history, chocolate has been purported as one. Chocolate contains small amounts of a chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA), a.k.a. the "love drug," and it's been linked to the regulation of physical energy, mood, and attention. A tiny amount of PEA is released at moments of emotional euphoria, elevating blood pressure and heart rate. There is no evidence that PEA found in foods increases PEA in the brain – although many chocolate lovers may beg to differ!
The 21st Century: Chocolate makes health headlines.
Dark chocolate (as opposed to milk or white chocolate) contains healthful flavonoids similar to those found in tea, red wine, fruits, and vegetables. Studies have shown that small portions of dark chocolate can improve blood vessel flow and may improve blood sugar and insulin sensitivity to help reduce the risk of diabetes. But beware, chocolate candy has plenty of saturated fat and sugar, which can lead to weight gain, so enjoy small portions of as part of a healthy diet.
Courtesy: WebMD.com Newsletter
It is hoped that you had a great Valentines's Day with a loved one...
And I felt that the following would be of special interest to you and yours...so, ENJOY!
Your Friend,
Jacques
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Chocolate comes of age as a health treat.
There are few foods that evoke as much passion as this decadent treat. Folklore from many cultures claimed that consuming chocolate instilled faith, health, strength, and sexual passion. Once an indulgence of royalty, it is now a treasured and accessible – and yes, even healthy – treat. So where did our infatuation with chocolate begin?
Where does chocolate come from, anyway?
The cacao tree, whose pods contain seeds that can be processed into chocolate, was discovered 2,000 years ago in the tropical rainforests of the Americas. The first people known to have consumed cacao were the Classic Period Maya (250-900 A.D.). They mixed ground cacao (cocoa) seeds with seasonings to make a bitter, spicy drink that was believed to be a health elixir.
What was chocolate's great allure?
To the Mayans, cocoa pods symbolized life and fertility. The pod was often represented in religious rituals, including marriage ceremonies, and was referred to as food of the gods. In central Mexico, the Aztecs believed that wisdom and power came from eating the fruit of the cocoa tree, and that it had nourishing, fortifying, and even aphrodisiac qualities. The Aztec emperor Montezuma even drank liquid chocolate daily to enhance his libido.
Europeans get a taste of chocolate — and fall in love.
Europeans got their first taste of chocolate in 1519, when Montezuma offered the spicy drink to Spanish explorer Cortés and his army. The Spanish conquistadors brought cocoa seeds back to Spain, where they introduced new spices and sugar to the liquid concoction. The fad drink spread throughout Europe, where it remained a beverage of the elite for centuries.
Chocolate becomes known for its powers of seduction.
Chocolate's reputation as an aphrodisiac flourished in the French royal court. Erotic art and literature were inspired by the seductive substance. Casanova, the infamous womanizer, made a habit of drinking chocolate before his romantic escapades. Even today, romantic lore commonly identifies chocolate as an aphrodisiac.
Chocolate goes global.
The first machine-made chocolate was produced in Barcelona in 1780, paving the way for the mass production of chocolate. Later, mechanical inventions made it possible to produce smooth, creamy, solid chocolate for eating – not just the liquid for drinking. The first solid chocolate bar was developed by British chocolate maker Fry & Sons in the early 1800s.
When did chocolate become associated with Valentine's Day?
"It's believed that during the 17th century, lovers began exchanging mementos on Valentine's Day – sweet treats were one of them. In 1868, the first Valentine's Day box of chocolates was introduced [by Richard Cadbury]," - says Susan L. Fussell, senior director of communications for the National Confectioners Association.
Three cheers for chocolate!
In 1875, the first milk chocolate was introduced to the market by Daniel Peter of Switzerland. Chocolate became so popular around the world that even during World War II the U.S. government shipped cocoa beans to the troops. Today, the U.S. Army includes chocolate bars in their rations. Chocolate has even been taken into space as part of the diet of U.S. astronauts.
Is chocolate really an aphrodisiac?
Not really, even though throughout its history, chocolate has been purported as one. Chocolate contains small amounts of a chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA), a.k.a. the "love drug," and it's been linked to the regulation of physical energy, mood, and attention. A tiny amount of PEA is released at moments of emotional euphoria, elevating blood pressure and heart rate. There is no evidence that PEA found in foods increases PEA in the brain – although many chocolate lovers may beg to differ!
The 21st Century: Chocolate makes health headlines.
Dark chocolate (as opposed to milk or white chocolate) contains healthful flavonoids similar to those found in tea, red wine, fruits, and vegetables. Studies have shown that small portions of dark chocolate can improve blood vessel flow and may improve blood sugar and insulin sensitivity to help reduce the risk of diabetes. But beware, chocolate candy has plenty of saturated fat and sugar, which can lead to weight gain, so enjoy small portions of as part of a healthy diet.
Courtesy: WebMD.com Newsletter
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