Tag Archives: no cheap ingredients

Refreshing Summer Drink Ideas

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Summer is here! Well in Central California at least! Here’s a healthy & tasty way to keep cool!

Cucumbers are very refreshing and hydrating. While they are composed mostly of water, the skin is rich in fiber and contains silica, potassium, and magnesium. A lot of people don’t like the skins of cucumbers, but they are worth eating so you can get those minerals. Make sure you use organic cucumbers if you’re going to eat the skin.

Coconut water is very hydrating and is full of natural electrolytes.

Parsley is full of nutrition with a large amount of available vitamin K, C, and A, along with anti-oxidants that help cleanse the blood. Parsley is also a great source of folic acid, which is one of the most important B vitamins. To green smoothies and beverages, parsley adds a mild “green” flavor that is light and refreshing. Because of the high nutritional value of parsley, I’ve started keeping it on hand regularly and I use it in just about everything.

You could add a variety of ingredients to this recipe. Watermelon would be divine. Honeydew would also be a delicious flavor to compliment the cucumber and citrus.

Ingredients

• 2 cups coconut water

• 1 small cucumber, washed and thinly sliced or chopped

• ½ cup fresh lemon juice

• 1 large bunch parsley, chopped fine

• 1 tsp. fresh, grated ginger

• ½ tsp raw honey

• ice

Instructions

There are two ways you can make this – it’s delicious either way:

1. Chop the cucumber and parsley and add to a quart jar. Add the honey, coconut water, lemon juice, and ice. With a tight fitting lid, shake vigorously until combined. Serve immediately. When you get done with the beverage, you’ll have a fresh little salad in the bottom of your glass. Some people might think this is weird – I thought it was tasty.

2. In a blender, add all the ingredients, except the ice and pulse to combine. Pour over ice and serve. If you want it more like a slushee texture, add some ice and blend to desired consistency.

Gluten Free Gingerbread

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Gluten Free & Vegan Gingerbread This recipe makes moist and cake-like gingerbread that packs a sneaky serving of black beans in each bite. They are loaded with protein, fiber, and nutrients for a healthier treat. (I’ll be adding another more crisp option)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans , or 1 (15 oz.) can drained and rinsed

• 1/2 cup gluten-free flour blend

• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil

• 3/4 cup coconut sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses

• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon coarse granulated sugar , for topping (optional)

Instructions

1 Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. In the bowl of a large food processor fitted with an “S” blade, combine the black beans, flour, oil, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt, baking soda, vanilla, molasses, and vinegar. Process until a smooth batter is formed.

2 Pour the batter into the lined baking dish and sprinkle the top with the tablespoon of coarse sugar, if desired. Bake until the top feels firm to a light touch, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely before removing the bars from the pan and slicing.

3 These bars will keep well at room temperature for up to 48 hours tightly covered, but for best shelf life keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Cucumber Greek Salad

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This Cucumber Greek Salad is light and refreshing, and full of healthy ingredients. With minimal prep, it makes an easy side dish for any meal!
🕑10 minutes

Ingredients: Vegetarian, Gluten free
∙ Serves 8

Produce

2 Cucumbers
2 tsp Oregano, dried
1/2 Red onion
4 Roma tomatoes

Condiments

1 Black olives, pitted and sliced
1 1/2 tbsp Lemon juice

Spices

1 Salt and pepper

Oils & Vinegars

1/4 cup Olive oil

Dairy

1/2 cup Feta cheese

Beauty Counter Foundation

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What initially drew my eye: Beautycounter’s commitment to products with safe ingredients. They have a list of over 1,500 ingredients that they promise to never use. They regularly pour over all sorts of studies and even commission some of their own to examine ingredients for toxicity. That’s awesome. But that’s not the whole story.

They don’t claim to be all-natural, “Over 80% of the ingredients in our products are organic, natural or plant derived. The others are synthetic…but that doesn’t mean that they are unsafe.” I get it. To mass-produce things economically and safely, you often have to include synthetic preservatives to make sure your products don’t spoil and kill someone. That is always my answer when a reader asks why I don’t sell my own products. And I’ve said time and again that natural skincare is not an all or nothing process. Any little step helps in the journey towards a healthier life. To foster transparency, Beautycounter even provides a complete glossary of their ingredients.

I’ve tried a lot of safer make-up brands but have yet to fall in love with the whole line. I have been on the hunt for a safer foundation so my awesome friend Stephanie invited me to try Beautycounter foundation. I decided to give it a try, so I bought the Tint Skin Foundation for $41 +tax & shipping. The price doesn’t really bother me cause before switching to safer brands I still bought high end products. I am extremely fair skinned so I purchased the porcelain shade which turned out to be a perfect match.

I applied with a brush. It went on smoothly and evenly. A little bit of product went a long way. It is a very light weight foundation so I used about a dime sized amount to get a full coverage. I tend to have oily skin and found that this did not add to my oiliness nor did it dry me out. It stayed in place well over 14 hours of rigorous mom life of 4 kids ages 1-10! When it was time to hit the hay I usually notice that when removing my make-up my skin will feel dry or even flakey, but not with this foundation. My skin felt soft and plump!

Overall thoughts
I applaud Beautycounter for their mission. I believe in it, I support it, and I want to do everything I can to bring awareness to the brand in the hope that more and more women will recognize the chemicals in their products and start choosing safer alternatives.

That said, from trying out their face products, I get the impression that these are designed more for the woman who doesn’t like to wear a lot of makeup, prefers a very natural look when she does wear makeup or for a woman that already has beautiful skin. These products are formulated to enhance what you already have, but if you’re looking for something with the ability to transform, hide or cover, these products are probably not the best choice for you. I would love to see Beautycounter come out with a face line that provides a broader range of coverage options, but understand that they’re bound by their ability to do so while sourcing from ingredients that are healthy and sustainable.

Foods Artificial Sweeteners Are Hiding In

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Walk into any big box grocery store and you’ll find that artificial sweeteners are everywhere.

They’re tucked into soft drinks, baked goods, and fruit juices to make them taste sweet without the extra calories.

Most products that contain artificial sweeteners are usually labeled as “diet” or “reduced sugar,” but not all are (you can even find some in foods that claim to have “natural” ingredients).

Because they’re not always clearly labeled on food packaging, consumers may not realize that they’re eating them.

These include sweeteners such as sucralose (Splenda®), aspartame (NutraSweet®, Equal®), and acesulfame-K (Sunett®, Sweet One®).

It’s worth noting, however, that although many artificial sweeteners have gotten a bad rap, most are FDA-approved and don’t appear to be bad for you in moderation.

The approval process means that these compounds gone through a series of scientific tests that suggest they’re safe for human consumption. But there’s still a lot we don’t know about how they affect the body.

For instance, they’re marketed toward those trying to lose weight, but some studies suggest that consuming artificially-sweetened foods long-term is linked to weight gain & cancers. It’s also unclear how eating these super-sweet compounds for years can affect children, so it’s best for young people to avoid them.

Sucralose, the main ingredient in Splenda®, is structurally very similar to sugar except for one slight modification that allows it to pass through the body without getting broken down. It’s 600 times sweeter than sugar and was FDA-approved in 1999.

Acesulfame potassium, also known as acesulfame K (K is the symbol for potassium) or Ace K, is a calorie-free sugar substitute (artificial sweetener) often marketed under the trade names Sunett and Sweet One. Ace K is an older, more bitter sweetener that hasn’t been as extensively studied as other artificial sweeteners. It’s usually paired with sucralose to cut down the bitterness and is often found in soft drinks. Acesulfame Potassium contains methylene chloride, a known carcinogen.

Aspartame has many studies that linked it to cancer. Plus those with a rare disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU) may be sensitive to the chemical.

We went to a local grocery store to see where these ingredients are popping up. Here are just a few food products we found artificial sweeteners hiding in. (Click the photo to zoom in & details are in the caption)

 
So what did we learn? A ton — and I mean, a ton — of processed low-calorie and diet foods contain artificial sweeteners, but we also found it in unexpected places!

It’s always good to be informed about what you eat. Read labels. Shop along the perimeter of the grocery store where the vegetables are. Eat real food. Amen.

Easy Breakfast Cups

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Breakfest-Muffins1This recipe has saved our morning sanity. It’s so easy and we make a bunch all at once so we have 1 – 2 weeks worth of breakfasts DONE and ready to go.

Our mornings start bright and early at 5:15am so it’s a huge time saver when you have kids to get ready and get out the door!

Ingredients:

12 Eggs
Cheese (Any Type, Your Choice)Sausage Bits, Bacon Bits (Pre-Cooked)
Diced Onions
Potato (Cubed, or Shredded, dehydrated or slightly pre-cooked)
Fresh Salsa
Olive Oil
Muffin Tin

Directions:

Lightly spray or rub down your muffin tin with olive oil. Simply add a few onions, bacon bits, cheese, and potatoes to each cup. Then crack 1 egg over each cup. Place in oven at 325 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Just pull side of egg cup with a fork and if the cup comes up easily its done cooking.

Tah-Dah! You just made breakfast for a week!

In our house we make 2-3 dozen every Sunday. We just store them in baggies in the fridge. Each morning we just pre-heat our toaster oven while we are making our coffee and pop 3-6 into the oven to warm. By the time our coffee is ready so is breakfast!

You can mix and match different veggies and meats into your cups each week to spice it up. Or even scramble your eggs before and just pour them in for a different texture! This recipe is so easy you can even let your kids help out. The tasty possibilities are endless!

Clean Living For Pets

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As a family we are committed to living the healthiest life possible and that includes our furry family members too.

If you care for your fur-babies like we do then you’ll want to take a moment to read this research.

Toxic-Dog-Chews

 

THE MOST DANGEROUS PET CHEW EVER: RAWHIDE!

How can one of the most popular chew sticks on the planet be so dangerous for your pets, you ask? I mean, most dogs chew on rawhide for hours on end, and not only does it keep them busy, but they seem to last forever.

Well if you understood what it took to make this toxic “raw” leather stick, you would quickly understand what the problem is.

Aside from the horror stories circulating all over social media these days, of pets needing emergency surgery after consuming rawhide, the majority of pet parents today, especially the newbies, believe that this chew is some sort of dried up meat stick. Let me debunk that myth right away!

A rawhide stick is not the by-product of the beef industry nor is it made of dehydrated meat. Rather, rawhide is the by-product of the “Leather Industry”, so theoretically it is a leather chew. Sounds awesome, right?

“Producing rawhide begins with the splitting of an animal hide, usually from cattle. The top grain is generally tanned and made into leather products, while the inner portion, in its “raw” state, goes to the dogs.” TheBark.com

So, how does this leather, which is conveniently rolled up into pretty shapes, actually get made into those rawhide chews?

Follow along my friends and I will enlighten you on how this hide travels through a leathery process where it transforms from hide to a not-so beautiful, colorful, chew stick. Here is a paraphrased tutorial that was explained by the whole dog journal several years back:

STEP 1: Normally, cattle hides are shipped from slaughterhouses to tanneries for processing. These hides are then treated with a chemical bath to help “preserve” the product during transport to help prevent spoilage.

(No one wants to purchase a black, spoiled rawhide stick!)

Once at the tannery: the hides are soaked and treated with either an ash-lye solution or a highly toxic recipe of sodium sulphide liming. This process will help strip the hair and fat that maybe attached to the hides themselves.

(No, no one wants to see a hairy hide…)

Next on this glorious journey, these hides are then treated with chemicals that help “puff” the hide, making it easier to split into layers.

The outer layer of the hide is used for goods like car seats, clothing, shoes, purses, etc. But, it’s the inner layer that is needed to make the rawhide. (Oh and other things like gelatin, cosmetics, and glue as well!)

STEP 2: Now that we have the inner layer of the hide, it’s time to go to the post-tannery stage! Hides are washed and whitened using a solution of hydrogen peroxide and/or bleach; this will also help remove the smell of the rotten or putrid leather. Bonus!
(Research also shows that other chemicals maybe used here to help the whitening process if the bleach isn’t strong enough.)

STEP 3: Now it’s time to make these whitened sheets of this “leathery by-product” look delicious! So, here is where the artistic painting process comes in.

“Basted, smoked, and decoratively tinted products might be any color (or odor) underneath the coating of (often artificial) dyes and flavors. They can even be painted with a coating of titanium oxide to make them appear white and pretty on the pet store shelves.” – whole-dog-journal.com

“…the Material Safety Data Sheet reveals a toxic confection containing the carcinogen FD&C Red 40, along with preservatives like sodium benzoate. But tracking the effects of chemical exposure is nearly impossible when it’s a matter of slow, low-dose poisoning.”– thebark.com

Ok, now that these hides have been painted, it’s time for the final process.

STEP 4: Getting it to last forever!

Because the FDA does not consider these chews to be food, really it’s a free for all when it comes to the manufacturers of these leather strips, and the products they may want to add to these chews, to get them to last forever. Any sort of glue can be added here to get these bad boys to never come apart.

When tested: Lead, arsenic, mercury, chromium salts, formaldehyde, and other toxic chemicals have been detected in raw hides. So it’s safe to say that any sort of glues can be used as well!

Finally, it’s time to package and attach all the glorious marketing labels to the product.

Check out the fine print warning that’s attached with some of these rawhides:
“Choking or blockages. If your dog swallows large pieces of rawhide, the rawhide can get stuck in the esophagus or other parts of the digestive tract. Sometimes, abdominal surgery is needed to remove them from the stomach or intestines. If it isn’t resolved, a blockage can lead to death.“

(Oh, how lovely…)

And there it is! It’s now ready to be shipped to store shelves where it can be purchased for our loving animal companions.

How do proactive veterinarians feel about these chews?

Here is world-renowned veterinarian Doctor Karen Becker’s take on the matter:

“The name ‘rawhide’ is technically incorrect. A more accurate name would be processed-hide, because the skin isn’t raw at all. But the term “rawhide” has stuck.

Rawhide chews start out hard, but as your dog works the chew it becomes softer, and eventually he can unknot the knots on each end and the chew takes on the consistency of a slimy piece of taffy or bubble gum. And by that time your dog cannot stop working it — it becomes almost addictive.

At this point, there’s no longer any dental benefit to the chew because it has turned soft and gooey, and, in fact, it has become a choking and intestinal obstruction hazard.“

P.S. Ready for the jaw dropper?

An investigation by Humane Society International stated in their report, “In a particularly grisly twist, the skins of brutally slaughtered dogs in Thailand are mixed with other bits of skin to produce rawhide chew toys for pet dogs. Manufacturers told investigators that these chew toys are regularly exported to and sold in U.S. stores.” – dogingtonpost.com

Beautifully Clean

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Danger-MakeUpAlmost 8 months ago now we made the decision to go ‘chemical free’ in our home and our lifestyle. It seemed the natural step after understanding the importance of what we put in our body i.e. food. Research just gradually led us to discovering that what we put on our body, breathe in through our lungs and cleaned my environment in all matters too. We were really motivated by just wanting to teach our kids to live the best life possible by making wise decisions. We see so many kids who are being taught that McDonald’s and other fast food places is like a rite of passage and we constantly hear “if you’re “good” we’ll go to that fast food place with the playground”. Then parents are wondering why there’s a rise in children’s diseases like cancers and other immune disorders. If we know better we should do better. Well we KNOW that we want a better life than that for our kids.

The first step we took was a mass clean out of the kitchen & bathroom. We threw out a 3 huge garbage bags of products that were not suitable. It was amazing how much ‘stuff’ we had accumulated over time and simply didn’t use! This was rather therapeutic and cleansing plus it cleared up a lot of space in our house.

Here’s a list of some of the ingredients that were removed from our home.

Lead: It seems crazy, but according to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC), more than 60% of popular lipsticks contain lead. Brands with the highest lead levels were L’Oreal, Maybelline, Cover Girl and Revlon. And an FDA study found lead in hundreds of lipsticks (five of the 10 most lead-contaminated were made by L’Oreal). Lead is a proven neurotoxin, and its particularly dangerous for pregnant women and children.

Triclosan: Triclosan is a suspected endocrine disrupter, meaning it messes with your hormones and could lead to fertility problems (in men and women), breast cancer and thyroid issues (they’re particularly dangerous for fetuses and tween/teen girls). Because triclosan is antimicrobial, it’s found in deodorants, toothpaste and soap (including Bath & Body Works soaps). But studies have shown no evidence that it’s better than soap and water at killing germs.

Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is present in more beauty products than you’d think, even though it’s been classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Though there’s been outcry about formaldehyde in chemical hair straighteners, it can also be found in nail polish, face wash and makeup. DMDM-Hydantoin, a preservative that releases formaldehyde, is also common in shampoos. Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantoin – These are formaldehyde donors, which means that they are derivatives of the formaldehyde, which is what scientists and morticians use to preserve corpses and body parts. Remember dissecting frogs in school? These chemicals are linked to allergies, chest pain, chronic fatigue, depression, dizziness, ear infections, headaches, joint pain, loss of sleep, and can trigger asthma. They can weaken the immune system, and—surprise surprise—cause cancer. Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantoin are used in skin, body and hair products, antiperspirants, and nail polish.

Toluene: Found in nail polish, perfume and hair dye, toluene can cause dizziness, headaches and skin irritation. It also poses special danger to developing fetuses, upping risk of both miscarriage in moms and birth defects in babies. The European Union banned its use in cosmetics in 2004. It might also appear on labels as phenylmethane, methylbenzene, or toluol.

Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is one of the most toxic chemicals still used in cosmetics today. A carcinogen in and of itself, it can also increase exposure to UV rays (thereby upping risk for skin cancer, too). It’s most commonly found in skin-lightening products, but it’s also found in hair relaxers, hair dye, hair-extension glue, hair removers and sunless tanning products. The FDA moved to ban its use in these products back in 2006, but never has.

Phthalates: Used to preserve color and scents in makeup, phthalates are endocrine disruptors that have been linked to cancer, sperm damage and reproductive problems. Phthalates are often added to synthetic fragrances, which are uber-common in soaps, lotions, cleansers and hair care products. Because products are allowed to list ‘fragrance’ as an ingredient without specifying what that means, many products contain phthalates even though their ingredient lists don’t.

Parabens: Used as a preservative in cosmetics, shampoos and lotions, parabens are also endocrine disruptors that have been linked to breast cancer and male reproductive problems. Look out for ingredients methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben and propylparaben. Banned by the European Union in 2003, phthalates and parabens are a group of chemicals commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. They keep hairsprays sticky and bacteria and fungus out of things like nail polish and perfume. Both have demonstrated themselves to be carcinogenic and particularly linked to breast cancer.

DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine): These three chemicals are hormone-disrupting chemicals that can form cancer-causing agents—research indicates a strong link to liver and kidney cancer. They are commonly found in shampoos, soaps, bubble baths, and facial cleansers.

Quaternium-15: Commonly causes allergic reactions and dermatitis, and breaks down into formaldehyde. Quarternium-15 is used as a preservative in many skin and hair care products.

Mineral Oil: A petroleum derivative that coats the skin like Saran Wrap, which prevents the skin from breathing, absorbing, and excreting. It also slows the skin’s natural cell development, causing the skin to age prematurely. Note that baby oil is 100% mineral oil—and 100% bad for your baby’s sensitive skin.

PEG (Polyethylene Glycol): PEGs are most commonly used in spray-on oven cleaners and in many hair and skin products. PEG’s main functions are to dissolve oil and grease. Thus, on the body, they take the protective oils off the skin and hair, making them more vulnerable to other toxins.

 

Before we threw everything out we had researched several brands that were going to be our “clean” replacements. Be careful when searching for safe brands that you still take the time to read the ingredients. Remember there are no laws that govern the use of words like “natural” or “clean” companies can slap those words on anything to draw you into buying it.

For our home products and personal care items we went with all Mōdere products. Excellent everyday essential items: laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, shampoos, amazing skin care line and much more. If you’d like to try out a product from Mōdere simply use this code 600574 at check out for a FREE $10.00 with NO Minimum purchase.

Now this part is for all the ladies out there… Did you check your make-up for these toxic ingredients? I was shocked to find out how much junk was in my so called natural mineral make-up.
Considering how easily the chemical and synthetic additives in commercial lipsticks, glosses, and balms are ingested, it’s doubly important to buy all-natural or organic lip and face care products. Popular makeup products, including lipsticks and glosses, use an array of chemical ingredients, from pigments and dyes to fragrances and flavorings, that can harm one of the most sensitive parts of your body. Why expose yourself to possible dangers when you don’t have to?

So to help make it a little easier for you here are a few companies you can look to for healthier cosmetics:

Foundation Options: Painted Earth

Eye Shadow Options: ZAO

Mascara Options: LashLuxe PE

Lip Options: Au Naturale Liner , LipStick , Gloss

Anti-Aging Skin Care: M1 by Mōdere (I highly recommend this product! If you are looking to improve the health of your skin this M1 is amazing. I wanted to get away from wearing so much make-up and decided to focus on improving the health of my skin so I could be confident enough to not feel that NEED to cover it all up. Check out my before & after photos here: Pic1, Pic2, Pic3, Pic4.)

We hope this helps you in your journey to live clean. We have learned a lot in a short amount of time and we just want to share our passion for living the best life possible and for us that means a clean healthy lifestyle. If you have any questions or need help searching out some other safe products let us know we’d be happy to help!

Cucumber Noodle Salad

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CucumberNoodleSalad
What we absolutely love about this dish is that you can make it as simple as you want or as fancy as you want!

First you need the right tools.

We used a Veggetti to noodlize our cucumbers. It works well, but if your cucumber is too large it will not fit.

Also if you have limited strength or grip it can be difficult to use.

Paderno World Cuisine Spiralizer Pro 4-Blade

You may want to consider getting a Paderno World Cuisine Spiralizer Pro, it takes up more storage space but is much easier to use if you have limited grip and strength in your hands.

Ok now on to our recipe!

Veggetti-LongIngredients

3 TBSP fresh lemon juice [or lime!]
3 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
2 TBSP rice vinegar
¼ tsp soy sauce
⅛ tsp dill [fresh or dried]
⅛ tsp ground pepper
½ tsp fresh minced garlic
¼-1/2 cup fresh chopped green onion, plus extra to garnish
2 TBSP honey
1 pinch of toasted sesame seeds and chia seeds
3 large cucumbers

Instructions
Grab a giant English cucumber, a spiral slicer/veggie peeler, and follow the kitchen gadget instructions to noodlize your 3 cucumbers!
Whisk everything together and pour over noodles.
Let them sit at room temperature to soak up all the yummy dressing for 10 min or so then pop it in the fridge to chill a bit.
Garnish with cilantro or chopped green onion. Crushed peanuts or cashews are great too!
It’s ridiculously easy to customize based on what you have available as well as what you prefer taste/topping-wise!

Tips: To fancy it up noodlize some carrots and toss in some peas.
To spice it up add some wasabi to your dressing mixture.

 

Here You Can Find Our Full Reviews for the
Veggetti & the Panderno Spiralizer Pro

Salmon Salad

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SalmonRecipe-FBszIngredients

1 Cup of cooked salmon
1 Lemon juice & zest
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons minced dill
2 Scallions, thinly sliced
1 Celery stalk, thinly sliced
1 Green onion diced
1 Cucumber, cut into rounds

Directions

Put salmon into a large bowl and break into chunks with a fork. Add lemon zest and juice, mayo, dill, scallions, green onion and celery and toss together until evenly mixed.
Chill mixture in fridge for at least 30 min. Then scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture onto each cucumber round, and top with additional dill for garnish.
Serve immediately.

Recipe Variation: Also try it with fresh diced shrimp & swap out the mayo for fresh avocado!

Possible Health Benefits:

1. Eating salmon is beneficial in the treatment of osteoarthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions. Salmon contains small proteins called bioactive peptides. One in particular, called calcitonin, has been shown to increase, regulate and stabilize collagen synthesis in human osteoarthritic cartilage. This salmon-found protein also improves bone density and strength.

2. Eating salmon makes you smarter and happier. The brain is 60 percent fat and most of that is the omega-3 fatty acid DHA. Thirty percent of the grey matter in the brain is DHA showing how critical it is to brain function and a healthy nervous system. Eating salmon regularly has been shown to reduce the risk and incidence of depression, hostility in young adults and cognitive decline in the elderly.

3. Eating salmon increases your cardiovascular health. As noted, salmon contains high levels of the omega-3 fats, EPA and DHA. These fats are responsible for many cardiovascular benefits such as reducing inflammation, keeping the blood from clotting excessively and relaxing and dilating the arteries. When eaten two to three times per week, salmon can protect you from problems such as heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia, high blood pressure and high triglycerides.

4. Salmon protects your eyes. Eating salmon twice a week has been shown to significantly decrease the risk of macular degeneration — a chronic eye condition that leads to loss of vision. For the treatment and prevention of a condition called dry eye syndrome, eat two to four servings per week.

5. Salmon helps build children’s brains. Eating salmon while pregnant and nursing can boost learning capability and academic performance in children. Salmon contains high levels of DHA (decosahexaenoic acid) which is the main structural fatty acid in the central nervous system and retina. Feeding salmon to preschool children also aids in the prevention of ADHD and can even boost academic performance.

6. Salmon’s an excellent source of vitamin D. Sufficient vitamin D is crucial to maintaining optimal health. A deficiency of this essential vitamin has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and type-1 diabetes. One can of salmon, for example, contains a day’s worth of vitamin D.

7. Salmon helps you sleep. Salmon is an excellent source of tryptophan, an all-natural sedative. Studies show that tryptophan increases sleepiness in subjects with mild insomnia and helps to shorten the time it takes to fall asleep.