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By Devin Almonte  The olives that are harvested to create extra virgin olive oil come from some of the most beautiful areas of the Mediterranean. This beauty can be deceptive, since the area that is home to olive trees is harsh and rocky. This arid and mountainous area creates one of the most nutritious fruits available to man. The olive is one of nature's most perfect foods. Olive oil comes in many grades. The most delicious and most nutritious of these grades is extra virgin olive oil. This oil is extracted from the firm, green olives harvested in early fall. The color of extra virgin olive oil is a pale green or crystal clear and the flavor is unforgettable. Cold presses are used to remove the oil from the olives. No chemicals, dyes or additional processing procedures are needed to create this pure oil. This lack of processing is one of the reasons that olive oil is so nutritious. The benefits are quite numerous.  Olive oil has become more popular in recent years because of its healthy attributes. It contains large amounts of vitamin E and vitamin K. Olive oil is also filled with antioxidants. These are nutrients which are believed to protect the body from damage due to environmental factors like smoke and other carcinogens. Olive oil is easily digested, the body naturally absorbs this oil and it soothes the stomach and bowels. Olive oil contains nutrients which protect bones and make calcium absorption easier for the body. Among all of the oils available for cooking, olive oil is the most nutritious. Extra virgin olive oil is the most valuable and sought-after type of olive oil. The olives are collected from the olive trees prior to ripening. The title of virgin comes from the fact that no chemical processes are used when producing the olive oil. The oil is clear or extremely light green in color and should be entirely free from impurities when viewed through glass and must only be obtained through cold pressing methods. This means that the oil has never been heated during production. Heating olive oil to a high temperature can cause the loss of vitamin E and prophenols which reduces the value of the oil. This oil tends to be the most expensive, but the health values are well worth the added cost. Grocery Store Brand Recommendations   Important to NoteIf you plan on using olive oil as part of your skin care regimen, be careful not to use pure olive oil. The term "pure" may make you think that this is great for your skin, but this is not the best choice. Pure olive oil is a lesser quality than extra virgin olive oil and has a much higher acid content.  So go ahead and start drinking! Two tablespoons a day to receive benefits. DISCLAIMER Always consult your physician before beginning any nutrition regimen. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an appropriate program for your needs. All comments written above are my own opinion and thoughts as it relates to nutrition.
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By Devin Almonte  I just finished a live airing for QVC and the amazing 8Greens, a dietary supplement that helps you maximize your daily dose of greens. As the name implies, 8Greens contains eight essential greens for optimal health. Three of the greens are different types of algae, one of them being spirulina. I thought I would take a moment and focus in on the health benefits of spirulina. It truly is a superfood. While I highly prefer consuming my spirulina in an 8Greens tablet, as I find it much more palatable with additional green benefits, you can consume spirulina in its powdered form.  Spirulina is eaten and consumed by people from all over the world. Back in 1974, it was declared as an ultimate food for the future at the World Food Conference. At that time; it was declared that spirulina was as an efficient way to help combat malnutrition in certain areas of the world. Later, as it became more noted in the established countries of the world, it was hailed as a superfood. Such a superfood it was, that it actually became the main constituent in the diet plans of the NASA astronauts who would eat it in space.  The reason it is touted as a superfood is simple; it comes packed with heaps of the B vitamins, vitamin E, beta-carotene and minerals such as selenium, copper, and iron as well. It also contains gamma-linolenic acid or GLA, which is an omega-6 fatty acid. Others believe that the benefits of spirulina go even beyond that of nutrition. There is research showing that it can possibly aid in weight loss and other issues, such as ADHD, PMS and nasal allergies. Perhaps you are looking for that added energy which spirulina is supposed to offer as well. It makes sense, seeing as it is packed with the B vitamins, the catalyst for producing energy reactions in the body. The research on spirulina goes on and it looks to continue to be promising. And when you use it as part of your nutritional requirements as a supplement to the other food you ingest, you could be helping to halt some of the nutritional deficiencies which can cause illness and disease. While Spirulina isn’t a medicine, medical research has concluded that spirulina can certainly benefit our bodies.  Most everyone will benefit from taking spirulina, but there are some people who will benefit more than others:
That just about covers everyone, right?! But there are a few people who should not take spirulina. These are:
As Spirulina is a completely natural product and generally will not cause problems to the body, it is still best not to go overboard. There are some people who might be allergic and can experience some allergy symptoms when taking spirulina. Look out for these signs:
 It is imperative that you buy your spirulina from trusted sources. Buying it from suspect sources can cause you to be contaminated by spirulina microcystins. In this instance, you need to get over to your doctor when you feel or see symptoms such as severe stomach pain, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes or ongoing vomiting. Be careful and do your research.  Above all, be good to your body. Remember Hippocrates said, "Let the food be thy medicine" – he was right because there is healing power in nature. Sometimes we can’t afford the right food, sometimes not even knowing what we need. Don’t ignore spirulina; it has the capacity to replenish the nutrient deficiency your body might be experiencing as well as cleansing it at the same time. With spirulina, you can help your body achieve a better state of health. DISCLAIMER Always consult your physician before beginning any nutrition regimen. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an appropriate program for your needs. All comments written above are my own opinion and thoughts as it relates to nutrition.  So the weekend is in full swing and I know how hard it can be to motivate yourself to stick to your diet and keep up the exercise. There are so many other things you'd rather be doing! Like all those summer BBQs and get-togethers. I've got a few tips to help you keep you on the right track. 1. Exercise first thing in the morning. If you don't take this step, you are most likely to skip it all together. Too many things will get in the way and once evening comes, you'll be too tired to even think about getting that workout in. It also helps you tackle the day with confidence and allows you to enjoy what you eat throughout the day. 2. Take it easy on the beverages. I'm not a drinker, but I know how easy it can be to indulge in a few beers, a glass of wine, or some fancy summer cocktails. Just because it's liquid, that doesn't mean those empty calories just wash away! And definitely don't let it serve as your main source of hydration. It will have quite the opposite effect. Hydrate first and you'll be less likely to consume more high calorie, alcoholic drinks than you should. 3. Load up on fruit. Summer is the season for fruit! This is your chance to indulge and enjoy, especially on the weekends. And when you load up on some fantastic seasonal fruit, you'll be less likely to overindulge in the chips, burgers, and macaroni salad. 4. Stick to your sleep schedule. Don't underestimate your sleep. This just might be one of the most important tips to adhere to. A sleep schedule gone awry, throws everything totally out of whack. You're hungry at the wrong times, cranky, and just feeling out of sorts when you are lacking sleep or getting up at different hours during the weekend. You won't feel like exercising and you surely won't be bright-eyed enough to make clean and healthy food choices. 5. Don't break from your diet. Just because it's the weekend you can let loose and indulge as you please? That has never made sense to me. It defeats the purpose of all of your hard work at becoming and STAYING healthy. Come Monday, you have to repair all the damage you did over the weekend. It's anything but healthy! However, enjoy yourself. Allow yourself to have something sweet. Just keep it in moderation and remember to enjoy it! DISCLAIMER Always consult your physician before beginning any nutrition regimen. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an appropriate program for your needs. DISCLOSURE: All comments written above are my own opinion and thoughts as it relates to nutrition.  If you struggle with soda addiction, I wanted to give you an alternative to try today, especially perfect of the summer time – INFUSED WATER. I know this might not have the same appeal as your soda, but it’s worth making a switch. At least try to incorporate it into your diet and let your soda be a special treat from time to time. Infused water is incredibly easy to make, just pick up your favorite fruit, add to water, and let infuse for about 3-4 hours.
Here's a quick look at one of my favorites! DISCLAIMER Always consult your physician before beginning any nutrition regimen. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an appropriate program for your needs. DISCLOSURE: All comments written above are my own opinion and thoughts as it relates to nutrition. |