E= Toco squared

While studying up on some vitamin E business, I came across some things that might interest you. This fat soluble vitamin is actually a group of 8 different compounds, each with similar structures and anti-oxidant properties. While many specialists continue to give fancy names to antioxidants such as the ‘universal antioxidant,’ Alpha Lipoic Acid, many feel that vitamin E is the ‘master antioxidant’; quite a bit a pressure for a vitamin with so many responsibilities. Together they act as a team and make up the wonder that is vitamin E to promote various health factors such as breast and prostate health (respectively), liver and kidney function, as well as the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Vitamin E protects cells and neurons from damage, aids in optimal circulation, and gives your cardiovascular system a boost. Other studies suggest it could even help lower total cholesterol, act as an anti inflammatory agent, increase male fertility, slow progression of Alzheimer’s, decrease cancer risks, and reduce the risk of gum disease. Clearly this little guy has a lot to do. So how does it get it all done? Since vitamin E is a collection of 4 different tocopherols and 4 different tocotrienols, it has a lot of support. Alph-tocopherol is among the most studied of the vitamin E components because it plays such a role of bio-availability (meaning easily and quickly absorbed in great quantity) in the body. But on the up and up are studies which have discovered the phenomenal roles of all sorts of goodness from the other 7 hard workers such as gamma-tocopherol and the tocotrienols. So by now you must be eager to know how you can get all of the ‘toco-goodness’ (my new name for the E components as I no longer wish to type those exhausting words).
Toco-goodness can be found in summer favorites such as:

• Olive oil: Use it for cooking when you can and it’s super yummy on salads. Cut your favorite dressing with it to reduce calories from cream or mayo and increase you E.
• Almonds: Great snack to keep around. You can even buy them now in yummy flavors, just watch the sodium.
• Sunflower seeds and peanuts: It’s baseball season! This one should be easy.
• Mango: A fabulous and refreshing fruit.
  Avocado: Throw it on the salad you just made with some olive oil. As a matter of fact, add some mango too! Yummmmm…
  

What is also super fun about vitamin E is its topical properties. Even when applied to the skin, your body’s largest organ uses it to repair UV damage and just round out smooth delicious skin tone. My new obsession is this Yasso vitamin E cream.

http://www.stopagingnow.com/products/detail/YCC

Check it out- it’s fantastic and so good for you!
Have a good weekend!

C

Don't rain on my parade

There's really no way to avoid the sugary dangers which may be lurking on the picnic table this afternoon. It's pointless to warn you of the hidden sodium, fat and calories in our favorite snacks and beverages. The burgers will be greasy, the hot dogs are unavoidable, and the potato salad is a must have. And no one wants to be the person who shows up with whole wheat burger buns or whole grain tortilla chips with hummus. I usually am that girl and I am made fun of. So I have a new approach for dealing with today's calorie fest: go crazy. After all it is only ONE day. And this type of 'eat all day' holiday only occurs three times a year, so do it up.
There are, however, five nuggets of advice if you want to save yourself a few calories.

1. Nibble on the veg plate first. Maybe it'll fill you up a little and you'll eat less potato salad than you would other wise.

2. Grab the 'light' beer option, especially if you're going to have a few.

3. When you grab the cheeseburger, load it up with some veggies like extra lettuce and tomato. It'll fill you up more and add some goodness, that way you don't feel sooo bad.

4. You're going to see a super yummy desert at the end of the table. It'll probably be a cake with white icing and strawberries for stripes and blueberries for stars. Only have one slice. I said let yourself go- not let yourself go glutenous.

5. If you know you're the kind of person to go up for seconds, make your portions a little smaller. Remember, the hormones in your stomach that signal 'I'm full!" to your brain are slow pokes! So give them time to get up there before you grab a another plate.

As for tomorrow:

In the world of weight loss studies there's something called the 'weekend effect.' While following the trends of caloric intake, researchers found that intakes typically spike for Saturday and Sunday. So it might be wise to have a little fun and let yourself go today, as long as you make up for it over the next couple of days. There are two ways to do this:

• If you estimate that you take in 500 calories more today than you usually do, try to cut 250 calories from Saturday and Sunday. Which is really just a slightly smaller lunch and dinner.
• Aim to burn the calories by going for a jog (or your choice of cardio activity). If you jog 11-12 min. miles for an hour, you'll burn around 530 calories. Break it up over two 3o minute jogs and you're golden!

Go enjoy some potato salad!