Apples on Ice

I haven't always been a huge fan of apples,  until recently.  I began slicing them up and putting them in ice water.  It gives the water a bit of flavor, and there is a nice cold apple to munch on.  Eating more slowly helps you absorb the most out of food as well!  This way the apple wont turn brown and will become ice cold after a few mins.  

While on the note of apples, they are great for you.  They provide both types of fiber, aiding digestion greatly.  Which helps your over health.  They appear to reduce the risk of getting various types of cancer.  Also containing a natural form of sugar which is easily absorbed and a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth craving!   There are many other benefits I haven't listed here. 

So with summer coming on, make sure you stay cool and hydrated.  If you get bored of ice water, add an apple and enjoy!

Thanks for reading

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002136.htm

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-apples.html

Chickens

Greetings, so this article will be about my experience of getting chickens.  I got them with hopes of getting some eggs and using their droppings as fertilizer to help the garden.   I found an area in the backyard and moved some old wood and pipes.  Then I put up a fence with chicken wire at the bottom and converted half of a bike shed into a chicken coop.   I used an old rabbit cage to to make some nesting boxes, and lined them with grass clippings, hay and alfalfa.

After a few days of working on that, I got two Rhode Island Red chickens.  I found out this morning they can get over a 4 ft high fence, so I'm going to get some hardware cloth to put over the top.  I'm planning on getting a few more chickens of different breeds.  Aracanas lay blue or green eggs or maybe some that lay white eggs, like Leghorns.

I got pullets for multiple reasons.  Pullets are about three to four months old and haven't started laying eggs yet.  While they are a bit higher priced than baby chicks, they don't require special heating lamps and feed.  They also had laying hens from one and a half to two years old.  I decided against getting them because chickens usually live to ten years and their peak laying age is about three years.  I'd rather pullets.

It's been a fun experience, the chickens looks pretty awesome too.  I got a bag of 'Egg Maker' chicken feed,  they seem to like it and it appears to have a good amount of nutrition for the birds.  They also eat grass and bugs, which there is plenty of in the outside area.  Check your cities ordinances on chickens and if they are allowed I would encourage getting a few.  They don't need a whole lot of space and they are far more interesting than a cat.  Thanks for reading, enjoy yourself.

Why Fitness and Nutrition?

What is fitness? Similar to health in some ways, it is the state of being fit.  Able to do the given task well.  Having the body composition you want.  What is nutrition?  The process of taking in materials and using it for growth and cell regeneration.  What have they got to do with each other?  The fitness would be the what and the nutrition would be the how.  Which leaves only the question of why?  Wellness!  I'll quote thefreedictionary.com/wellness on this one "The condition of good physical and mental health, especially when maintained by proper diet, exercise, and habits."  Sounds nice right?  Stick around with the people you love for awhile and being sane and healthy while spending time with them.  Being able to work enough for yourself and to be generous as well.  I suppose there can be many reasons.  Small steps and curiosity help keep it interesting.  If you run into one of those days where motivation isn't there, try putting on the biggest smile and keeping it there for the next 15 mins, or telling a light-hearted joke to your co-worker.  Be creative, paint or draw something.  Blast you're favorite song and dance to it like today is the best day of your life.  That's all for now folks.

Grapefruit, A Great Fruit!

      Recently I've been drinking grapefruit juice more often.  So I took the time to look up how it interacts with the body.  First I found that it may interact with up to 85 common prescription pills.  So if you are on any form of medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist if grapefruit will interact with it. These interactions are explained better here: Furanocoumarins.  

     I became interested more in this fruit when I would notice both an energy boost and a general feeling of happiness.  This most likely can be explained by the larger amount of vitamins and minerals found in it.  I encourage you to research on your own what these are, as I am finding many things I'm not familiar with.  

     Some of the commonly listed health benefits would be:  Helping with proper digestion, urinary tract infection's, flu-fighting, lowers cholesterol, and providing a defense against some types of cancer.  So adding a few slices of grapefruit to a breakfast meal or having some juice with dinner may help you feel more up to par.  

    I've personally noticed it helping in recovery from work-outs and/or high-stress environments.  The taste is quite bitter, but it is growing on me over time.  If you really can't stand it, try mixing it with apple or grape juice .  So yes I would have to say grapefruit is a great fruit!   

Sites I learned most of this from:    

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/11/us-usa-grapefruit-idUSBRE92A12K20130311

http://neilbaum.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/a-grapefruit-may-be-the-new-apple-but-be-careful/

http://geniuscook.com/grapefruit/

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-grapefruit.html

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=25

Super Eggs

   I've been eating eggs with more veggies in them.  They seem to add flavor and give me an energy boost in the morning.  Today was my most daring yet and it actually turned out quite good.

  Super Eggs:
What you'll need:

• 4 hash browns
• A small handful of green beans
• Onion (to taste)
• Garlic (to taste)
• A few spinach leaves
• A leaf or 2 of swiss chard
• 3 eggs
• A dash of milk
• Hot sauce of your choice
• A sprinkle of cheese (after heat is off)

   Start by tossing any frozen ingredients in the pan, to defrost, with some butter or non-stick spray.  Though I do recommend using ingredients that are as fresh as possible.
   Next begin chopping the remaining vegetables and add them.  Dump the eggs and a dash of milk (around 1/4 the mass of the eggs) on top.  Allow it to cook, slowly stirring and keeping anything from burning.
   Add a bit of hot sauce for flavor to the eggs and leafy vegetables.  Be aware the onions and garlic will enhance the hot sauce.
   Once the mixture is fairly dry, remove from heat and sprinkle some of your favorite cheese on top.

Enjoy