Eat Healthy Nuts each Day.

Almonds are especially known for having a slimming effect and a special beneficial effect upon the fat of the stomach. But almonds are also a fine source for E- vitamin, a strong antioxidant, which both strengthens the immune system and takes care of the aging proces of your cells, when they are threatened because of oxygenation. In addition, the almonds have a high content of dietary fibers, iron and magnesium. The dietary fibres are good for you because they at the same time saturate and benefit the digestion, while the magnesium plays a part of your Heart Health.
NUTRITIONAL PR. 100 G:  
Energy: 527 kcal.
Protein: 20,5 g
Fat: 39,1 g
Carbohydrate 29,5 g
dietary fibers: 9,2 g 


 Hazelnuts abound with E-vitamin which is a common term for a group of vitamins, which among others work as strong antioxidants. If you  eat 30 gram hazelnuts, the body's daily need of E- vitamin is covered. Besides this the hazelnuts have a fine content of the B-vitamin folic acid, which among others supposedly can prevent depression, blood clots and dementia.
 


 
NUTRITIONAL PR. 100 G:
Energy: 640 kcal.
Protein: 14,9 g
Fat: 54,4 g
Carbohydrate: 29,3 g
Dietary fibers: 8,2 g

Walnuts - if  you don't eat much fish it would be good for you to eat some walnuts, which have a fine content of the special omega-3 fatty acid ALA, which your body changes into the genuine and important fish oils EPA and DHA. Because of the fatty acids the walnuts attenuate inflammation in the body and lower the blood content of the dangerous LDL- cholesterol. Besides of the healthy fatty acids you'll also get lots of B6-vitamin, which is a part of a multitude of metabolic reactions - and which has an important function in the formation of the red blood cells.

NUTRITIONAL PR. 100 G: 
Energy: 678 kcal.
Protein: 14,3 g
Fat: 64,3 g
Carbohydrate: 16,2 g
Dietary fibers 5,6 g


 



Pecans have a very high content of the mineral zink, which plays an essential role in the metabolism of the body and is a part of many enzymes and hormones. At the same time zink is important for the skin. Pecans have a high content monounsaturated fat, which works beneficially upon the cholesterol level. Besides the pecans have a high concentration of E- vitamin, which keeps the cell membranes healthy by creating a protection against the free radicals.
NUTRITIONAL PR. 100 G:
Energy: 707 kcal.
Protein: 9,2 g
Fat: 72 g
Carbohydrate: 13,9 g
Dietary fibers: 9,6 g

Pistachios are stuffed with dietary fibers and proteins - and they are a very good solution, if you are a little hungry and need a saturating snack. They are a good choice if you wish to keep the slim line. Besides they give you a shot of potassium, which is important for the function of muscles and nerves. They also regulate the heart rhytm and the blood pressure. The nuts have a high content of E-vitamin and riboflavin, which is a B-vitamin with a big influence upon your skin, nails and hair. A bonus is the high content of the antioxidant lutein which protects your eyes against the ultraviolet rays from the sun.

NUTRITIONAL PR. 100 G: 
Energy: 566 kcal.
Protein: 20,6 g
Fat: 44,4 g
Carbohydrate: 28,0 g
Dietary fibers: 10,3 g

Cashew nuts have in general a high content of various minerals, like zink which is an important piece of the body's metabolism, but they also bring you magnesium, which is important for the nerve function, the metabolism and the muscles. The nuts also give you a fine supplement of iron, which is a part of the production of the red blood cells. Cashew nuts are rather caloric , but at the same time you'll get many heart-healthy fatty acids.





NUTRITIONAL PR. 100 G:
Energy: 597 kcal.
Protein: 15,3 g
Fat: 46,4 g
Carbohydrate: 32,7
Dietary fibers: 3,0 g

Peanuts are propped with niacin which both is a part of the metabolism of the body and plays an important role for the hormone production and the repair of the body's dna. In addition you'll get two strong antioxidants , E-vitamin and resveratrol (which is known from grapes). The experts have the opinion that resveratrol protects against aging and against cardiovascular diseases. Although all nuts in general are a fine source of protein, the peanuts have a high content which reminds about the protein content in meat, chicken and fish.

NUTRITIONAL PR. 100 G: 
Energy: 576 kcal.
Protein 24,9 g
Fat: 42,7 g
Carbohydrate: 28,4 g
Dietary fibers: 7,7 g

Brazil nuts  are especially known for the huge content of selen. This trace element is a strong antioxidant which among others can protect you against cardiovascular diseases - and on the whole protect the body cells against damage and destruction. Selen supports your immune system and is also an important piece in the formation of metabolic hormones . Brazil nuts also give you a  supplement of E-vitamin, which strengthens your immune system and of potassium which lowers your blood pressure. 
 


NUTRITIONAL PR. 100 G: 
Energy: 678 kcal.
Protein 15,0 g
Fat: 65 g
Carbohydrate: 13,8 g
Dietary fibers: 5,3









Photos from wikipedia
Source: Hjerteforeningen. dk, article in sundhed@soendag.dk /2015

Chocolate is healthy -.Seven good News!

Here are seven good news about chocolate, so don't feel it as a burden upon your conscience if you love chocolate. 
A piece of chocolate each day is okay!

1) Chocolate minimizes the risc of a stroke. 
If you eat 60 g chocolate a week, you've got less risc of dying from a stroke.This is due to the flavonoids, an antioxidant, which is richly presented in chocolat. It lowers the blood pressure and the levels of the bad cholesterol.


2)  - keeps you slim
People who eat moderate chocolate each week are slimmer than people eating chocolate sometimes. A research shows this. In USA they compared two similar groups of people. The difference was there, but it was not obvious what made the difference.

3) - gives you a sharper eyesight
A piece of chocolate can make you a better driver in bad weather. The flavonoids are probably the reason, since they increase the blood flow to the retina which makes you see better. This is particularly true when it is difficult to distinguish contrasts in rain and fog.

4 ) - makes you a math genius!
If you need to control your loan in the bank or help your school-child with the math? A little chocolate can make you more clever. An English research concluded that students who eat chocolate were better doing the math. The reason? The flavonoids increase the blood flow to the brain.


5) - makes you remember it all.
Chocolate can overcome the age-related memory. In other words: it makes you wiser. In order to find out if this could be measured, a scientist examined for fun the link between chocolate-ingesting and the Nobel-prizes. In Schwitzerland people are the top chocolate eaters -  and Schwitzerland is in top as to the Nobel prizes!!

6) - can promote love
 Does chocolate work as a natural viagra? Both yes and now. It is known that the substance fenetylamin, which is present in lesser numbers in chocolate, releases endorphines and increases the effect of dopamine, which on the other hand affects the sexual desire. But it is not certain if the number of the substance in chocolate is enough to affect the sexual feelings.

7. - helps the PMS-mood.
 Chocolate increases the serotonin-hormone in the brain. Therefore it functions as increasing the mood for a woman with pms or menses, where the serotonin-levels are low.




By Anki Sydegaard/ translation Marianne Arnvig/sundhedsøndag, nr. 46, 11.11.13, 
Sources: Medicinehunter. com, Huffingtonpost.com, SVD.SE, BBC NEWS, Siencedaily.com 

Painkilling Food

Autumn in the Forest.

Now we are once again on our way to autumn and a lovely colour palette - a sunny day in October with the cool fresh air is healing and medicine for the soul. It's getting colder in the night hours and the house feels chilly, we begin to heat up our home - first a little and then a litte more. If we've got some physical weaknesses, they might tease our poor delicate bodies before winter comes. I've heard that we'll get a tough winter this year. They don't know for real, do they?
 
Here are a few natural "remedies", which might help you to ease your pain and strengthen your body, if you've got....


..... sore joints: try ginger and rosehip. Both are known for easing the osteoarthritis and other problems of the joints. There are substances in ginger which imitate aspirin, used in painkilling tablets. Rosehip is antibacterial and is fx used against rheumatoid arthritis.

..... migraine: try oily fish. The Omega-3 fatty acids in the fish help heart and blood vessels, so that the circulation functions in the best possible way. Oily fish also works anti-inflammatory = it diminishes inflammation, and according to research it eases pain in neck and shoulders.

 .....muscular pain:  try cherries. They contain substances which can block the muscular pain in the same way as some medicines. Studies of long distance runners show that they get less pain in the muscles, if they drink cherry juice before running.

.....stomach pain: try bananas (green are best) and cranberries. The bananas contain pectin, which forms a protective film around the stomach mucosa. The cranberry juice has shown that it is able to eradicate a part of the bacteria causing gastric ulcer.

.....headache: try coffee. Caffeine has an adstringent effect on the blood vessels, which have expanded,when our head hurts. But don't drink too much coffee, this might have the opposite effect!

 ..... bloated stomach : try yoghurt with live bacterial culture. The yoghurt keeps a balance in the intestinal bacterias and ease both stomach ache and the bloated feeling.




And now we can all go out enjoying the fresh October air..... 

 

Source September 2013: Ugebladet Søndag, News about your Health, Vivi Ahlström/ Marianne Arnvig, scientist professor Charlotte Erlanson-Albertsson. 


photo Moesgård forest: grethe bachmann

Elderberry Juice, Black Tea and Jasmin Oil.

Elderberry
Autumn is on its way, you cannot avoid it. The nights grow colder and the sun is losing some power. Stop your colds and your sneezing. Have some elderberry juice ready. If you'd like to be ahead, before it hits you then pluck a basket, full of the healthy black elderberries and make some juice. Take care it might give extra colour to your kitchen table.
If you cannot find elderberries in your  nearby forest, there is enough elderberry - like bottles with juice and soup in the frost disc - to get in the shops.

Scientific research has shown that elderberry juice can reduce fever, tiredness, headache and relieve sore throats. The elderberry juice is a vitaminbomb with a high content of C-vitamins and flavonoids. which promote the absorption of the vitamins. 

Black Tea
The green tea is the most emphasized tea, when it's about your health, but the black tea has also entered the field. The black tea contains some flavonoids, which Australian scientists have examined for their regulating effect on the blood pressure. The scientists selected a group of 112 women and men, who all had a high blood pressure. Half of the group had to drink three cups black tea daily, the other half had to drink three cups of a drink without flavonoids.

It showed already from the first day that the group, which drank black tea, had reduced their blood pressure. The experiment ran for six months, and the effect stayed all the way. The group, who did not get the black tea, had  unchanged blood pressure.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Jasmin Oil
If you suffer from anxiety, or if you have a constant feeling of uneasiness then try to get some etheric Jasmin oil. Just if to stick your nose down in a blooming jasmin makes you feel you'll have to take a deep breath and let the good feeling spread in your body.
The concentrated etheric oil from jasmin shows that it is able to compete with the most common anxiety medicines like barbiturates, benzodiazepines and propofol.

German scientists conclude in Journal of Biological Chemistry that there is scientific evidence to use the etheric oil of jasmin against anxiety, uneasiness and insomnia. A fragrance lamp and a bottle of the etheric jasmin oil can help you. Let the fragrance spread in your room and feel the tranquility!


Source: Magazine Søndag, Nyt om din sundhed, Søndags Sundhedspanel. 2013.
photo 2005/2012 : grethe bachmann nielsen

Five Herbs almost for Free......

Boost your Health in Spring

nettle - early spring.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica): In the beginning of spring arrive the first nettle sprouts from the soil. Those first sprouts are especially filled with nutrition and energy. The herb contains large quantities of zinc, which is important for the production of insulin and sex hormones. It contains also much iron, which women are often deficient in - and this can cause anemia and fatigue. Furthermore the herb  has much beta-carotene, B- and C-vitamin, Calsium, Potassium, Silica, and Sodium. The parts above ground of the nettle are used in herbal medicine, typical for women for the nutitrious qualitites. They also work diuretic and mildly blood sugar-regulating.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): has a calming effect on the nervous system and is used in the treatment of stress and insomnia.
 

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): is a wellknown ancient medicinal herb, which through centuries was used against stomach problems and nausea. It is also an excellent cure for influenza and colds. It stimulates the circulation - and at the same time it increases the blood flow to the brain and clears the mind.

Ground Elder (Aegopodium podagraria) with the many names is a great edible plant of all time. Most people are irritated by it because it spreads very quickly, but both leaves and flowers can be used in cooking. The leaves are good in salad, soups and vegetable dishes. The flowers are fine as a mix in salad. The leaves can also be used as a green touch in juice and smoothies. The young sprouts taste best. Ground elder is basic, rich in minerals and it is said to be detoxifying, which makes it especially good in joint problems.

                                                                              















Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): The Dandelion contains almost double as much A- vitamin as spinach, which else is known for its large content of A-vitamin. The Dandelion-leaves taste bitter and stimulate the liver and the digestion. Pluck the fine leaves and chop them finely for salad,  put them in vegetable dishes or brew a tea. The flowers can be used as a decoration in salads and desserts. The Dandelion is used in nature medicine to cleanse the blood and to improve the work of the liver and the bile. The Dandelion contains much potassium and many good vitamins and minerals.

  






source: Sunde tips, Caroline Fibæk, Urt din Sundhed op, FEMINA.
photo: grethe bachmann

Fish keeps the brain sharp ....

News about Health




New studies from USA have concluded that fish keeps the brain sharp. It is not news that fish keeps the brain sharp however, it is the way we prepare our fish, which makes the difference in relation to prevent dementia. If you eat baked or cooked fish at least once a week, you'll have a five times lesser risc of developing Alzheimer's demens - over a five year period. The test from USA has proved that persons who did eat baked or cooked fish at least once a week, had more grey mass in the regions of the brain, which are involved in memory and learning. The test persons who had fried fish, had in return seemingly no protection against the feared disease.






source: Nyt om sundhed; Søndags Sundhedspanel, Kvindemagasinet Søndag, 2012.

photo 11 March 2007: angler at Djursland's coast, grethe bachmann

Turmeric is a Painkiller...

 News about Health

turmeric from: Den store Danske

We use the turmeric powder to give rice dishes a yellow and colourful look - and this spice is the prominent part of curry mixtures. It is also called Indian saffron and was used as a substitute for this more expensive spice. Turmeric was also used as a dye for cloth and upon the skin - and still today the buddhistmonks' pretty yellow dresses are dyed with turmeric.

turmeric from: wikipedia

New research shows that the medical plant Turmeric is highly interesting. The content of the yellow dye, curcumin, is both a strong antibiotic and especially a strong painkiller. An Indian study has shown that 2 gram curcumin daily has the same painkilling effect as 400 mg ibuprofen. Turmeric's side effect is that it strengthens the liver and the immune system - which is a further benefit. 





Turmeric = Danish: Gurkemeje

Source: Nyt om din sundhed,  Kvindemagasin Søndag, 2012.

5 Good Things for Your Health

Watercress protects against cancer

Research from University of Ulster in North Ireland shows that watercress can minimize the risc of cancer. The test involved that 60 persons between 19 and 55 years ( including 30 smokers) eat 85g fresh watercress each day for 8 weeks. It showed that watercress both reduces the DNA damage (which can lead to cancer) and increases the the ability of the infected cells to avoid further damage from the free radicals

Watercress contains more than 15 essential vitamins and minerals and has through centuries been used as a super food. It contains more iron than spinach, more C-vitamin than oranges and more calcium than milk.

Watercress is fine in salads, and for soups, herb butter or as assecories for meat.

A handfull of nuts between meals.

30 gram nuts - it's a little handfull -  that's good for you each day. Choose the nuts you like best. Nuts contain proteins, fibers, vitamins, minerals and not least the healthy fats. The healthy substances in the nuts can lower the cholesterol, boost the digestion, strengthen your immune systeme and lower your blood pressure.  The nuts saturate, give new energy and are easy to bring with you. They are best in their natural version, not salted or fried. A handfull of nuts is a good snack between meals.



       
Elderberry against a winter-cold

You can buy yourself an extra shot of health by making some elderberry soup or juice. The research shows that the elderberry juice can reduce fever, fatigue, headache and relieve sore throats. A glass of elderberry juice or a cup of soup is a real vitamin bomb with a high content of C-vitamins and flavonoids, which promote the inclusion of the vitamins.
                                            

 Milk is good for your teeth.

Enjoy your café latte! When you are drinking it you also strenghten your chance to keep your own teeth. The high content of calcium in dairy products protects against the development of caries and gingivitis. A cheese sandwich does not give the same since the calcium has to be added together with the more liquid dairy products.  

                                                  



Saffron controls your desire for sugar.

We have often a tendency to put the saffron in the back of the spice cabinet, where it is collecting dust, but this is a shame. New tests show that saffron brings more than colour and taste to the food. The pretty and precious spice also helps to stabilize the blood sugar, preventing you from desiring candy and cakes. So it's good sense to use the pretty saffron more often - it brings a delicate taste to rice dishes, poultry, grilled shrimps, homebaked bread etc.






Sources: Your Health, Magasin Søndag "Nyt om din Sundhed" 2012/2013.

photo: gb

The Days are short when you reach November.......

yes, the lyrics of the "September Song" can be changed like the weather.........

the fog has almost gone

What shall I take care of this winter in order to stay healthy? There are always so many warnings everywhere and it is so difficult to remember it all, isn't it?
.
"Winter can have a pretty big impact on our physical health and emotional health,” said Dr. Conrad Iber, director of the Fairview sleep program at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

a low gravehill with trees.

farm in November sun

"Remember to drink lots of water, eat more whole grains and more vegetables and be physically active, your bedroom has to be cold, you'll become more grumpy, because there's less sunlight, it might be a good idea to get a sunlight lamp, do some exercise, socialize, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, rich in D- vitamin,  it's prime time for colds and flu, again remember a balanced diet, exercise, fresh air and adequate sleep. Get a flu shot. And then here's something I wasn't aware of:  your body adapts to the cold by shifting more blood flow to interior organs and away from your hands, feet and face. So that's what happens!.... again remember exercise and a good diet, wear layers, cover your wrists, ankels and head, when you're outside on cold days".

I promise I'll try to remember everything.
Btw: I have got a flu shot ...........

cattle enjoying still being out...

 oak with  leaves down to the ground, (enlarge).

When all this has been said I went out Saturday to see what was happening outside on a cold day in November. It was not very cold . The cold of winter will arrive on the last day of November, on Friday the 30. "Make no sorrow in advance" is an old saying. The weather people might be wrong. I'm not ready for snow.

well-dressed hunters

old kloster church, Tvilum

                                                                          


It was very foggy that morning, at least here in Århus and East Jutland. There was no sign of a blue heaven and I couldn't imagine it might be any better. It's actually a great help that we can look at the satelite on the net and see where to go. "There are no clouds to the north!"  So we took the north-road hoping for a little sunlight on this short afternoon. It took almost an hour before we were out of the fog, and the sun came through the haze and threw a golden light upon the landscape.

flowing lines

Gudenaa River Valley, at Sminge

Gudenaa River Valley, at Sminge

  

landscape with windmills, Tvilum

I always take some photos while we're driving, which probably is obvious but I use them anyway because they can tell a little about my country. All seasons have their charm. November is reflective, now the year has almost passed, and we are going into a long winter, summer feels far away now, and we'll have to wait almost half a year before we'll see it again. Although the days grow shorter, there is a special light in the day hours when the sun is low. It's this golden light we can see in summer on a late afternoon. I love that golden light. Hours like this makes me wish that I lived in a cosy house out in the country, where I could meet the nature from morning til noon. But I'm a city girl. The countryside is not always so romantic, muddy roads and smell from the swine farms ..........

now we're going back home....

 

 - but we were surprised by a strange change of weather, suddenly dark clouds came close to the ground and surrounded everything with a mysterious dark haze. We could see the lake, but it looked like something from the Arthurian saga, we'll go down and await the boat from Avalon.....

Well, let's go back to reality. What stuff are dreams made of anyway? 

Before reaching home we took a side-trip to a lake close by my home, where a rare bird has visited Denmark for some weeks. This bird has been in Denmark twice and in Europe five times, it comes from far away, from Asia. It's the Brown Shrike - and I'm sure this is now the most photographed "person" in Denmark beside Crownprincess Mary. The birdwatchers come from abroad too. I haven't got a photo yet. I've been promised one and I'll bring it on the blog for those who are interested. But I did see this little fine bird - eventually. First I was staring at a pole with a spot in the top. This was not the right pole, but then I saw the little famous star just before it jumped down into the grass.

See you see soon again. I've been on Amled's Heath with Prince Hamlet's grave. I'll show you later.  

Looking for the Brown Shrike.

the bird is here - somewhere........

photo 24.November 2012: grethe bachmann 

Boosting Your Health with 5 Herbs

I know that most people today know how to take good care of their health. I  myself too. Sometimes I forget all the good advice, but when I  begin to see the herbs pop up from the earth out there in the woods and in the fields in spring, I suddenly remember how fantastic it is that you can just go out there and gather herbs for your own kitchen. All those herbs during spring and summer with all those fine qualities. There are so many fine herbs out there with an ancient history, and when you gather herbs it's like being the part of a thousand year old chain of people. The herbs were always there - and they probably will continue to be there...........



5 herbs for your health.

Stinging Nettle.














Already from the first days of spring the first little nettle shots pop up into the air from the black soil, and those tiny sprouts are bursting with nutrition and energy. The nettle contains among other things large amounts of zinc, which is important for the production of insuline and sexual hormones. Nettle contains also much iron, of which women are often in shortage - this can cause anemia and fatigue. Furthermore the nettle contains much betacarotene, B- and C- vitamins, calcium, potassium, silicon and sodium. The aboveground part of the nettle is used in herbal medicine, typically for women, because of its nutritious qualities. The nettle also works diuretic, mildly blood-sugar regulating and milk promoting.

  Lemon Balm                                                                                      

Old garden at Nyord, an island between Zealand and Møn

Lemon balm is sedative for the nervous system and is used as a natural part of  the treatment of problems  like stress and insomnia.


 Peppermint

Krans-mynte( Mentha x verticillata)

Peppermint is a wellknown old medicinal herb, which through centuries was used against stomach problems and against nausea. It is also a good means against flu and cold, and it stimulates the circulation - at the same time it increases the blood circulation to the brain and clears the mind.




 Ground elder

This is the edible plant of all times - most are annoyed by it because it spreads violently, but both leaves and flowers can be used in cooking. The leaves are good in salads, soups and vegetable-dishes. The flowers can be used in salad. The ground elder is also fine as a green touch in juices and smoothies. The tiny leaves taste best. The plant is basic, rich in minerals and is said to work detoxifying. That's why it is especially good in arthritis-problems.


 Dandelion

The dandelion contains almost double as much A-vitamin as spinach, which is known for its big content of A-vitamin. The leaves of dandelion taste bitter and stimulate the liver and the digestion. Pluck the fine leaves and chop them finely for a salad, or put them in vegetable-dishes - or brew a dandelion tea. The flowers can be used as a decoration in salads and desserts. The dandelion is used in herbal medicine to cleanse the blood and to improve the work of the liver and the gall. It contains much potassium and many good vitamins and minerals.





Source: Caroline Fibæk: Urt din sundhed op, Sunde tips, Femina nr.19, Maj 2012. 

photo: grethe bachmann

photo of Mentha x verticillata: stig bachmann nielsen, naturplan.dk