HealthNutty GIVEAWAY: Kicking Horse Coffee!

                                                  Kicking Horse Coffee is....the best coffee. Plain and simple.

Their coffee is Organic, Fair Trade, and insanely tasty. Win-win-win.

Kicking Horse has:
 a rich, full-bodied dark roast "with a sometimes-chocolately flavour," medium roasts are "smooth and well balanced between acidity and body," and their light roasts are often "floral, fruity, sweet, and rich" (kickinghorsecoffee.com). 

Wanna give it a try?

EVERY "kick-ass" batch of Kicking Horse coffee is tasted to ensure the best, most flavourful cup of coffee. If it  doesn't measure up, they won't package it! The company strives to package their coffee while it's the freshest by cooling the beans first, and then they are bagged after the perfect amount of time. What other company would be this precise?

THE GIVEAWAY (US & CANADA)
You could win a KHC gift bag and a can of this incredible coffee! 

To enter the contest: 

 1. comment below or email thehealthnuttyprofessor@gmail.com with your full name

2. In your email or comment, share 1 thing you're doing to benefit your health! 

One entry per person. The winner will be randomly selected on May 10, 2013. 

Check out The Health Nutty Professor's article on the benefits of natural caffeine, HERE.

Follow Kicking Horse Coffee on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kickinghorsecoffee

and on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/kcknghrsecoffee

Pinch that loaf!

I'll be honest, it can sometimes be awkward when nature calls. Especially if it's at the office, or at a small gathering. Maybe you're just too busy to "go", or perhaps you're just not into using public bathrooms.


We've all had times we needed to go, but we didn't want to. Not if everyone's gonna smell it. After all, how well does that toilet flush anyway?

Today, let's talk poop. It's a normal part of life. It's natural. Everyone does it. If we didn't, we'd be dead.

Getting rid of junk in our bodies is how God designed it.

Plus, did you know you "reak" havoc on your body by prairie doggin' it?

The Health Risks of Holding it In

• constipation - The longer you hold it, the more you're fecal matter dries out and can become painful to pass, which can then lead to hemmorhoids
• Urinary Tract Infections  - Many studies show the function of the bowel is linked to the urinary tract (nursingcenter.com)
• incontinence - The longer you are constipated, the reflex of the colon may be damaged (www.wfneurology.org)
• colon and rectal cancer - There is a higher risk of cancers due to holding in a buildup of toxins that should be exiting the body (www.webmd.com)
• bowel impaction - A mass or "plug" that develops in your colon from severe constipation (www.constipation-remedies-for-all.com)
• bowel obstruction or perforation - When your small or large intestine is totally blocked, nothing can move through (www.healthlinkbc.ca)

So, no matter how awkward it might seem: Remember your boss, colleagues, and even the Duchess of Cambridge poops, too. And if you're severely constipated, talk to your doc. It can be dangerous to your health if you leave it for too long. 

There are many great natural ways to treat constipation: Drink plenty of water, get enough dietary fibre, pitch antibiotics if you can, find activities that reduce stress, cut back on refined foods, eat beans, prunes, drink organic coffee, coconut oil (mix half 1/2 tsp with juice or water 3-4 times a day), and finally...get movin'!

If you must, flush a toilet you haven't used before to know its flushing ability, and learn how to squat in public bathrooms without touching the bowl. Overall, friends....just go when you feel the urge.

Don't be shy, Follow the Health Nutty Professor on Facebook!

References

www.webmd.com

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20889093

http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/CEArticle?an=01212983-200707000-00014&Journal_ID=522928&Issue_ID=730719

http://www.luriechildrens.org/en-us/care-services/conditions-treatments/urology/Pages/basics/stool-retention-utis.aspx

http://www.wfneurology.org/cache/downloads/em8a8s6vxu88w4o8cco4cco4c/Munsat_chapter3.pdf

http://www.constipation-remedies-for-all.com/fecal-impaction.html

http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kb/content/special/uf4382.html

RAWesome Friday: Maple Syrup

Pure Maple Syrup.

I'm already drooling.

It's that time of year again, for the amazing tradition of sap collecting!

The Health Benefits of Maple Syrup

• high in manganese, potassium, and magnesium
• high in zinc which boosts immunity
• good source of energy
• contains 4 mg of polyphenols per 60 g serving (polyphenols have been shown to prevent degenerative diseases such as heart diseases and cancers since they are the most "abundant"  of antioxidants - www.ajcn.nutrition.org)
• an amazingly delicious plant-based sweetener

Compared to the imitation maple syrup, PURE maple syrup is the way to go. Imitation syrup contains mostly corn syrup (danger), high fructose corn syrup (even more danger), artificial flavours, and let's be honest..chemicals. It's junk. Toss it!

Instead, enjoy some rawesome  pure maple syrup on your steel cut oats, in your Kicking Horse coffee, or in a salad dressing!

Be Healthy Ya'll!

Stay in the loop, LIKE The Health Nutty Professor on Facebook!

References

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=115

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/81/1/215S.full

http://www.internationalmaplesyrupinstitute.com/uploads/7/0/9/2/7092109/__nutrition_and_health_benefits_of_pure_maple_syrup.pdf

Get your caffeine boost, naturally.

It's the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world, and approximately 90% of adults consume it on a daily basis (www.medicine.net.com).

Are you someone who NEEDS to have caffeinated coffee to function?

There is plenty of evidence out there discouraging the over-consumption of coffee.

 An average cup contains anywhere from 95-200 mg of caffeine. If over 600 mg is consumed on a daily basis, studies show it may be damaging to our health. It can mess with cholesterol, and even heighten chances for heart disease (mayoclinic.com).  Many of the processed coffee's you'll find at the store are packed with synthetically processed caffeine that absorbs through the digestive system much faster than naturally occurring plant caffeine (organicauthority.com). Overall, you're missing out on the value of actually receiving antioxidants from the original, natural botanical, and you'll have a quicker crash with the synthetic kind (mayoclinic.com, mercola.com).

What are you sippin' on?

Even though studies show the health risks of too much coffee, did you know that a hot cuppa organic, naturally caffeinated java each day may actually be beneficial to your health? Here's why!

1. Gives us a plant-based energy boost

2. It's may be a natural pain reliever (dailymail.uk)

3. It is a great source of antioxidants (phys.org)

4. Natural caffeine in coffee may be beneficial in protecting against Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Type 2 Diabetes, and liver cancer (Mayoclinic.com, Mercola.com)

So there you have it.

A cup a day isn't going to kill ya. But let's be honest, if you're drinking your coffee, get some other things into you with some nutritional value.  If we eat a balanced diet, get movin', and get the sleep we need, we shouldn't have to rely on 7 coffee's a day to function. Doesn't that scream addiction? But I know most of us enjoy coffee. I certainly do. My advice is, if you're going to drink it, pick the right kind. Buy organic. Buy a coffee that is naturally caffeinated. Buy coffee that gives you a boost, and stay under 600 mg per day. 

So hey, here's the kind to buy!

Check out Kicking Horse Coffee. We like our coffee bold, and sometimes decaffeinated, so this was a great kind to try. Kicking Horse is organic, and contains natural caffeine. And trust me, it's amazingly tasty.

This rockin' Canadian company also sells tea, and chocolate bars! You also don't have to be Canadian to buy since they ship to the US, and Internationally. Check out the online store, and the closest place to buy Kicking Horse near you, HERE.

If you'd rather shop online...it's on sale this week at WELL.CA (for you Canadians), and AMAZON.COM (for readers from the US).

Cheers, and be healthy ya'll!

Stay in loop, LIKE The Health Nutty Professor on Facebook!

References

www.kickinghorse.com 

http://www.medicinenet.com/caffeine/article.htm#sources

http://www.naturalnews.com/012352.html

http://www.organicauthority.com/health/need-a-lift-or-a-jolt-the-important-differences-between-natural-and-synthetic-caffeine-natural-caffeine-vs-synthetic-why-the-difference-is-important.html

http://magazine.foxnews.com/food-wellness/12-surprising-sources-caffeine

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf60116a015

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/04/16/ori-hofmekler-on-coffee.aspx

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/healthier-ways-to-get-your-caffeine

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-139858/Is-coffee-new-painkiller.html

http://phys.org/news6067.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/321887-caffeine-in-an-average-cup-of-coffee/

RAWesome Friday: The Health Benefits of Pineapple

It is often referred to as the "princess of fruits," and symbolizes hospitality (ucf.edu).

Natural News describes them as "lush, sweet, and exotic" (naturalnews.com).

Aw yes, the delicious Pineapple.

They look incredible as a part of decor...and their juicy sweetness is phenomenal! 

So, what are the health benefits of fresh pineapple?

• Aid in digestion by helping to break down proteins and carbs (www.naturalnews.com)
• High in manganese, which helps produce energy,  and contains antioxidant "defenses" (www.health.learninginfo.org)
• High in Vitamin C (nutritiondata.self.com)
• High in  dietary fibre (nutritiondata.self.com)
• Anti-inflammatory agents in pineapple are enyzmes called Bromelain. They are said to reduce swelling, and help to speed recovery from injuries or surgery (health.learninginfo.org)
• Eases arthritis pains (arthritistoday.org)
• Discourages blood clots (worldhealth.org)
• Low in saturated fat (nutritiondata.self.com)
• Many say it even eases morning sickness 

I've always picked my pineapple based on it's smell....and the more scales it has, the sweeter and juicier the taste.

What are you waiting for? Get your pineapple on!

Follow The Health Nutty Prof on Facebook, and stay in the loop!


References

http://library.ucf.edu/Rosen/pineapple.php

http://health.learninginfo.org/nutrition-facts/pineapple.htm

http://www.naturalnews.com/025746_pineapple_fruit_Bromelain.html

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/2019/2

http://www.worldhealth.net/news/bromelain_pineapple_enzyme/

Health Nutty Pick of the Week: TEAVANA

Thanks for your support across the world!

Thanks to all you Health Nutty readers from Canada, USA, Russia, Germany, United Kingdom, India, Thailand, China, and Australia! I know there's more of you too...thank you for reading!

 Please take a moment to Like The Health Nutty Professor's Facebook Page, and share some of your thoughts and input, I would love to hear from each and every one of you!

As for The Health Nutty Pick of the Week, lets talk tea.

There are many types of loose leaf teas I enjoy, but this week, I'm loving TEAVANA's Slimful Chocolate Decadence. 

I don't know about you, but a chocolate tea is something I could enjoy every day! Since I am a huge lover of coconut and chocolate..this combo seemed too much to handle! It's got yummy cacao, coconut, and a wee bit of ginger in it. It's such a treat!

This oolong tea is great because it can give you a bit of a boost (it is caffeinated, but a lot less than coffee). When sipped regularly, oolong tea is often used for treating skin problems, may be a good aid in digestion, and may even boost the immune system (webmd.com, altmedicine.com). Ultimately..it's so... insanely...delicious!

I know loose leaf tea is a little pricier than buying teabags, but it's a great gift, or a nice treat every once in a while! There's nothing like loose leaf freshness. Check out TEAVANA, and all their amazing flaves of tea, HERE.

Stay health ya'll!


References

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1099-OOLONG%20TEA.aspx?activeIngredientId=1099&activeIngredientName=OOLONG%20TEA

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/oolong_tea.htm

www.teavana.com