Alright my diva girlfriends... it is a new Year. Yes ... I'm talking to YOU! I know you may hate new year's resolutions. You may loathe any mention of the d-word ("diet") and you despise all of the talk of joining a gym, buying an overpriced piece of equipment that you'll never be able to store, or order pre-packaged, processed food that comes in the serving size for a cockroach all in the name of losing weight or getting healthy for 2010. Well, I'm just like you. And yet ... you can't help the excitement of a new opportunity. It's why we all start (or re-start) our diets on a Monday. There's something about our calendar that gives us another chance in an otherwise dismal failure of a week to start over... to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off and try, try again. Monday (and January Firsts) are filled with a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Don't waste it just because you may not have met all your goals in the past. The best part about the calendar, too, is that it always includes a new morning. One thing's for sure ... the sun will rise tomorrow. So ... take advantage why don't you!
This year, perhaps you can look at your new inspiration as a goal to be sexier (whatever that may mean to you ~ personally, I don't think there is anything sexier than curves, but I would rather look like an S than an O!) Or maybe, since you do have an inner diva, it's all about anti-aging. If you're going to devote all of the time to creams and potions and you have to eat anyway, you might as well take your eating time to give your inner diva a boost. What have you got to lose?So, here's a list of foods that you can incorporate (i.e. not replace, but add to your "diet", i.e. the nutrition you consume, not some ridiculously-calorie-restricted-cardboard-tasting-fake-excuse-for-a-meal). In fact, these are Dr. Perricone's recommendations for foods that fight the aging process, reduce our risk of age-related diseases, make your skin glow and keep your mind sharp:
Chicken:Chicken (minus the skin) is low in saturated fat and a great source of protein. Prepare it stir-fry, roasted, baked or broiled. There are various arguments about whether organic free-range chicken is better for you than regular chicken. Since this is not a blog on politics or economics, I'll let you decide which you prefer.
Fiji Natural Spring Water:
A dehydrated body provokes the development of aging. Water has great anti-inflammatory properties and will help your skin be radiant, soft and
supple. Do you know how you can tell if a dog is dehydrated? You pinch the skin and it stays up and wrinkled that way. Hello? Same thing for you! Tap water can have impurities that we don't need - like chlorine. If you live in California, it should go without saying that you should not drink the murky water from the tap. Having come from Oregon, we honestly thought something was wrong with the water in our home when we moved in. If you live in Oregon - fine, drink from the tap. For the rest of us, try Fiji. It contains silica, an essential mineral, that can help strengthen bones, connective tissue, teeth, skin, hair and nails. But, whatever you do ... drink your water!
Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts or Cauliflower:Personally, I hate broccoli that hasn't been cooked or steamed. In fact, I like it over-cooked, because that's the way I had it as a kid. Add a little seasoning salt, and it's perfect. But maybe you like yours fresh. Maybe you like it mixed with carrots. Maybe, you just haven't found the way you like something yet and should experiment. For example, I hate tomatoes. I hate them on everything but burgers. Well, I know that's not exactly healthy, but that's not my point. My point is, have you ever tried a barbecued tomato? It's phenomenal. I could eat a dozen. Thank god for my Armenian roommate in college or I probably never would have discovered that amazing wonder. So, my point is to try something new and see if there isn't a way you can adore a food you thought you could never love (or swallow). Anyway, all of these veggies have indole-3-carbinol - cancer inhibitors.
Asparagus & Spinach:Have you ever tried white asparagus? Have you ever dipped your asparagus in Bernaise sauce? (I said dipped, not drenched.) Asparagus is a natural diuretic and is cardio-protective. Steam it with a little lemon and olive oil. Easy way to steam at work? Add a few tablespoons of water to a rectangular tupperware container; add half a bunch of asparagus and cover with plastic wrap. Nuke it for about 3 minutes in the microwave.
Wild Alaskan Salmon (And Other Coldwater Fish - Herring, Trout, Sardines, Tuna):So this is almost a perfect food. Low in toxins, high in taste. High in protein and essential fats. Optimum for health and cellular repair. Maybe you like yours cooked. Maybe you like it baked or grilled. Maybe you like it on sushi or with a bit of cream cheese and capers. Give it a try!
Blueberries, Blackberries and Raspberries:Dr. Perricone calls these "magic berries". All three are high in antioxidants that energize and stimulate the brain and cellular growth. Increasing brain energy has a major anti-aging effect. Since dopamine decreases with age, blueberries become even more important as we get older.
Avocado:Okay, don't eat the whole thing in one sitting. But, if you need a little fat or a little treat (assuming you like avocado the way I like avocado), try a bit. Avocado is high in fat, but it is monosaturated, which protects against heart disease and certain cancers. Also, this type of fat is burned more easily after exercise than saturated fat. Omega 3 fatty acids are also a part of this delicacy, which is great for skin, among other things.
Slow-Cooked Oats:These are not rapidly absorbed by the bloodstream, thereby preventing a rapid rise in blood sugar. Instant oats are a no-no, but I still say they are better than a Pop Tart. Jamba Juice sells slow-cooked oats (sorry - Starbucks are instant). Throw a few magic berries on top and you're really helping your anti-aging process! I won't tell if you throw on a little brown sugar.
Fresh Figs:Okay, so I'm being honest - I haven't had a fig in anything except a newton. :) But, Dr. Perricone says they are very high in antioxidants and an excellent source of calcium and potassium - a mineral that helps to control blood pressure. So ... I'm going to be on the fig look out to see how I can enjoy a fig this year in something other than a newton.
Eggs:Okay, so not on Dr. Perricone's list (though watermelon, canteloupe and artichoke are), eggs are good for you, especially women. One large egg has 251 mg of choline - more than half a woman's daily requirement, which helps with memory. They are also high in vitamin K and only have about 75 calories. Far less if you don't care for the yolk. Plus, there are about 7 billion ways to make eggs. Maybe you just haven't found the right way for you yet.
Almonds:Again, be careful (like avocados) because of the fat content, but you should add them to your daily or weekly diet. They contain phyotochemicals, are high in Vitamin E and magnesium, and contain protein, calcium, phosphorous and iron.
Low Fat Yogurt:Full of vitamin A, yogurt does wonders for your skin and is a great snack for on the go. Dr. Perricone likes organic goat's milk yogurt, but I tried that. I can't stand it. I like Weight Watchers yogurt, actually, because it is the number one yogurt with a high source of fiber.
Green Tea:Green tea contains polyphenols, which carry anti-inflammatory properties. It works at keeping bacteria at bay and fights off those free radicals that make our skin age prematurely.
There are plenty more, of course, but this should get you started. Honestly, doesn't it just sound good to have something healthy in your body around this time of year. Best of luck to all of you on whatever your resolution may be - even if it is just to change that CD in your car once before the summer.
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