Sweeter Than Sugar
Our bodies are our gardens – our wills are our gardeners. – William Shakespeare Thrive! Presents practices that can improve life. This post explores sugar and sweet alternatives. Six thousand years ago, the sugar cane plant’s juices were first extracted in India and Southeast Asia. Four thousand years later, sugar granules were produced. In time, they were refined into crystals. Cane growth and sugar manufacture then spread throughout the early Islamic world. Later, to the West Indies and tropical Americas, along with enslaved Africans. Until the 1500s, sugar was rare and expensive. When technology allowed cheaper production, more people could buy those sweets. In 2014, JAMA Internal Medicine reported adult men eat an average, added 24 teaspoons of sugar daily. Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health continued, “Excess sugar’s impact on obesity and diabetes is well documented, but one area that may surprise many men is how their taste for sugar can [cause] a greater risk of dying from heart disease. Of non-sugar sweeteners, one concern is their potential negative impact on the gut microbiome. This is a distinct ecosystem inside intestines. Its trillions of microscopic organisms include over a thousand species of bacteria, as well as viruses, fungi and parasites that help the body. Read more. According to Dr. Axe’s “12 Best Sugar Substitutes,” side effects from artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, ace-K and saccharin have been linked to,” headaches and poor digestion to cravings and even mood disorders.” Are there healthy sugar substitutes? Dr. Axe reports, “Some experts like fruit the best because there are no empty calories involved and the sugars are naturally occurring.” Here are some popular, natural sweeteners listed by Dr. that Axe, Stevia (0 calories) Dates (1 Medjool date = 66 calories) Coconut sugar (1 tablespoon = 45 calories) Banana puree (1 cup = 200 calories) Monk fruit (0 calories) Manufacturers are now developing new ingredients that can sweeten foods and beverages without adding calories or chemicals. Sweet proteins are naturally-occurring compounds in some tropical plants and berries native to West Africa and Southeast Asia. Unlike conventional sweeteners [which are typically sugars or artificial compounds], sweet proteins are amino acids. Their names include thaumatin, brazzein, monellin, curculin, and miraculin. They are 400 to 3,000 times sweetener than sucrose [table sugar]. The better-known stevia and monkfruit are 200-300 times as sweet as sucrose. Because sweet proteins are metabolized differently from sugars, they do not raise blood sugar levels. Plus, their intense sweetness means eating fewer calories. To be used in US food products, any new ingredient must receive GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status from the FDA. While thaumatin has been approved, ongoing studies are testing safety and usefulness of more sweet proteins. Recipes Sugar Free Recipes 340+ trusted sugar-free recipes from appetizers to main dishes to desserts [includes cookies, cakes, cobblers]. 30 Days of Sugar-Free Recipes From enchiladas to salad dressings and more. Resources: 12 Best Sugar Substitutes Are Sweet Proteins the New Stevia? History of Sugar Sweet Danger of Sugar See These Videos Sugar Alternatives, 04:37 [Yes, sugar can cause health problems. But there’s another, hidden dietary culprit.] If You Quit Sugar for 30 Days, 6 Healthy Alternatives, 03:52 The HEALTHIEST Sugar-Free Sweeteners at the Grocery Store, 13:29, COMMENT Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. Radiant Tree Books Beyond the Sky’s Limits shares encouraging wisdom and uplifting images about going beyond boundaries and making dreams come true. Space is open for notes, sketches and journaling. Contact to arrange in-person and online Illustrated Wisdom and Writing workshops. 36-Page, 5×8 soft cover, $15 Preview or Purchase 48-Page, 8×10 soft cover, $20 Preview or Purchase, View All Books Thanks for shopping!
Ginseng, Benefits Beyond Better Sex
The most beautiful, amazing and inevitable fact about life—everything has a natural healing process. – Sanober Khan Succeed and Soar’s Thrive! offers insights into foods and practices that can heal and improve life. Succeed and Soar’s Thrive! offers insights into foods and practices that can heal and improve life. The Healthline article Ginseng for Erectile Dysfunction opens with, “Panax ginseng may benefit sexual function in people with penises and in people with vaginas.” According to Cleveland Clinic’s Dr.Thuy [Kim[ Nguyen, ginseng, “can boost energy, alertness and memory, as well as benefit blood sugar, digestion, heart health and immune function.” For women, a National Institute of Health study on sexual arousal in women found that when “women were given either three capsules a day of ginseng or a placebo. Those who received [ginseng] had improved sexual functioning with no side effects.” Web MD reports, “There are two main types of ginseng: Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Studies show that different types have different benefits. In traditional Chinese medicine, American ginseng is considered less stimulating [gentler and more soothing] than the Asian variety.” Web MD post also says that ginseng has also been studied as a way to improve mood and boost endurance, as well as treat: Cancer Heart disease Fatigue Erectile dysfunction Hepatitis C High blood pressure Menopausal symptoms Cautions Although some herbs are called ginseng—like eleuthero or Siberian ginseng—they don’t contain the active ingredient of ginsenosides. And, side effects reported from ginseng use include nervousness,, insomnia, headaches, dizziness, allergic reactions and menstrual cycle changes. Ginseng could also interact with Dioxin, blood thinners, diabetes medications, diuretics, blood pressure medicines, stimulants like amphetamines, morphine and drugs that affect the immune system. While ginseng offers great benefits, definitely discuss its use with health care professionals. Research Resources: 7 Amazing Benefits of Ginseng for Women Can Ginseng Boost Your Health? Korean Red Ginseng for Erectile Dysfunction What Is Ginseng? COMMENT Ginseng Videos Both Asian and American ginsengs are Chi tonics well-known for their energizing effects as well as immune-modulating and endocrine enhancing qualities Click Here to View Length: 24 Minutes Also see: Wisconsin Foodie. Here, learn why ginseng is so popular, how it’s cultivated in United States and ways to include it in recipes. [24 minutes] and Lucky Chow. Ginseng Recipes Happy Body Formula has rounded up 13 tasty recipes, including: Headache-Soothing Adaptogenic Hot Chocolate Ginseng Steamed Fish Raw Maca & Ginseng Aphrodisiac Truffles 10 More Shop Sandra’s Fine Art America galleries for beautiful additions to home, office and as gifts. Art can be purchased as prints, framed as well as coffee mugs, yoga mats, shower curtains, tee shirts and much more. Revisit often. Galleries change. Buy this Art. Thanks for shopping!
Sugar & Sweet Choices
Consider Be willing to do whatever it takes to be a warrior for your own health. – Jan Mundo How Sugar Affects the Brain Video Length: 5 Minutes Click here to view. also view The Different Types of Sugars & How to Use Them Video Length: 4 minutes, 40 seconds Click here to view Sugar provides energy to the muscles, brain and nervous system. Chemical processes break down blood sugar [glucose] to sustain life and keep the body from using protein for energy. The hormone insulin is released when sugar is eaten and tells the cells to absorb glucose as an energy source. Read more. The Sugar Association [scientific voice of U.S. sugar industry] calls sugar sucrose, a simple carbohydrate. It’s made from one glucose molecule attached to one fructose molecule. Lactose, sugar in cow’s milk is made from a glucose molecule attached to a galactose molecule. Read more. While sugar is essential, too much causes problems. A Clean Plates post, “Five Reasons You Need to Eat Less Sugar,” begins: Sugary foods tend to be processed foods, and … “it’s the ultra-processed ones we need to significantly reduce from our diet. They include packaged snacks, candy, ice cream, refined grain breads, margarine, packaged baked goods, and packaged/powdered soups and noodles, as well as the sugary cereals made from refined grains,” says Dr. Jampolis, who explained many of these, especially those with a sugar glaze, also produce AGEs, which are “advanced glycation end” products that cause inflammation. Read more. Sugar is associated with diabetes, which happens when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin and/or cells resist the insulin. Sustained high blood sugar levels raises risks of heart disease, liver and nerve damage. Healthline answers these and more questions about diabetes: Can sugar increase the chance of diabetes? Added sugars, especially from sugar-sweetened beverages, are strongly linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. This is likely due to sugar’s direct effect on your liver, as well as its indirect effect of increasing body weight. What about natural sugar [including from fruits]? While added sugars are strongly linked to the development of diabetes, natural sugars found in whole fruits and vegetables don’t have the same effect. How about artificial sweeteners? While artificially sweetened foods and beverages contain no sugar and fewer calories than sugar-sweetened alternatives, they’re still linked to the development of diabetes. Here are eleven healthy and natural sweeteners, including coconut sugar, maple sugar and blackstrap molasses. Agave is not listed because the way some is manufactured is similar to high fructose corn syrup, which encourages belly fat and other problems. For more information, see: Is Agave better than sugar? 8 Reasons to Avoid Agave Fortunately, sugar-free, tasty and healthy recipes are available. See a few below. Write. Share your thoughts on this post, and … Succeed and Soar! Sugar Free Recipes Make in One Minute from Two Healthy Ingredients Click here to view. Also enjoy: Ten, Sugar-Free Deserts without Artificial Sweeteners [Includes 3-Ingredient peanut butter fudge, Sweet potato brownies and Grilled watermelon] 15 Best Sugar-Free Deserts That Taste Like Real Thing Includes Gingerbread cake, Keto Chocolate Mousse and Instant Millionaire Pie for Diabetics] Shop Sandra’s Art on Coffee Mugs As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more These unique, sturdy mugs are: Ceramic Dishwasher and Microwave safe Two sizes: 11 oz and 15 oz Prices, $15 and $18 CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Choose background colors Purchase this cup View All Collections HERE. Thanks for shopping! Keep in Mind All information offered here is meant to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. With a Masters Degree in Fine Arts, Sandra Gould Ford is an artist, author, educator and former steelworker who intends to lift hearts and spirits, our awareness and humanity. Know that information explored here may be time sensitive and could have been updated. This material prescribes neither drugs nor therapies. Further, this brief post cannot cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic responses, adverse effects or appropriateness for any individual. This presenter uses her best discretion in sharing resources. She recommends readers do the same, including consulting appropriate professionals [such as doctors, nurses and/or pharmacists] to make sure this information fits personal circumstances. Blessings and Good Health.
Chocolate
Consider There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate. – Linda Grayson What are flavonoids? They’re six compounds found in some fruits, vegetables and plant products like wine and tea. Flavonoids regulate cellular activity and help the body function more efficiently. They are powerful antioxidants that fight harmful molecules and the free radicals that cause oxidative stress. Flavonoids may also help the body reduce inflammatory reactions to allergens, germs, toxins and other irritants. What delightful food contains flavonoids? Chocolate! The darker the better!! Among Life Hack’s “20 Health Benefits of Chocolate” are: Reduction of damage to nerve pathways caused by Alzheimer’s disease Lowered blood pressure Calmed coughing [safer than codeine with its undesirable side effects] Beyond the belief that chocolate’s theobromine and phenethylamine could be aphrodisiacs, Organic Facts list of “Ten Amazing Benefits of Chocolate,” includes: Reducing heart risks Managing diabetes Increasing intelligence [because flavanoids ‘boost blood flow to the brain’] Medical News Today also describes chocolate’s benefits as well as side effects like weight gain, sugar-based tooth problems, bone health and, possibly migraines [more study needed]. Read more. While indulging in chocolate, remember: enjoy in moderation, buy from quality sources, exercise, brush and floss, and the darker – the higher the chocolate content — the healthier. Succeed and Soar! Chocolate Recipes To control the ingredients, Adriana Harlan shows how to make 84% dark chocolate from scratch. How to make your own dark chocolate, including ganache. Eleven Healthier Ways to Enjoy Chocolate, includes: Chocolate Date Cookies Chocolate Protein Balls Healthy Salted Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle 20 Best Healthy Chocolate Recipes, includes: Chocolate Avocado Mousse No Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies Healthy Fudgesicles Shop Sandra’s Galleries This puzzle is a poster from the Contemplative Art that illustrated Succeed and Soar’s Path’s to Joy series. Puzzles are made from premium 0.2” thick paper stock Include a semi-gloss coating that makes the top vibrant Arrives in a puzzle box with artwork printed on top for safe storage Puzzle pieces are unique shapes 18×24-inch 500-piece puzzle is $40— 20×28-inch 1,000-piece puzzle is $44.50 CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Choose background colors Purchase this puzzle. Shop All Collections HERE. Keep in Mind All information offered here is meant to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. With a Masters Degree in Fine Arts, Sandra Gould Ford is an artist, author, educator and former steelworker who intends to lift hearts and spirits, our awareness and humanity. Know that information explored here may be time sensitive and could have been updated. This material prescribes neither drugs nor therapies. Further, this brief post cannot cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic responses, adverse effects or appropriateness for any individual. This presenter uses her best discretion in sharing resources. She recommends readers do the same, including consulting appropriate professionals [including doctors, nurses and/or pharmacists] to make sure this information fits personal circumstances. Blessings and Good Health.