Raw Cacao

The cacao bean measures approximately 1 inch long, it has a reddish-brown color on the outside and a rich dark-brown on the inside.

It grows on an evergreen fruit tree mainly cultivated in Brazil, Costa Rica, Guayaquil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Guatemala, the island of Trinidad, Africa and Ceylon.

The scientific name is Theobroma Cacao, which means food of the gods. Read More...

What Are Cranberries

Cranberries grow on groundcovering vines in the Nothern Hemispheres of Canada, United States and Europe. The berries are dark red and are commercially harvested between September and December. They are related to the billberry, blueberry, huckleberry and buckberry. There are several different varieties of cranberries and they include Ben Lear, Early Black, Stevens and Howes.

The cranberries are usually grown in man-made bogs or wetlands. The vines of the cranberry plant can reach as long as 2 m, and a height of 5 to 20 cm. The plant produces runners ranging from 1 to 6 feet long. These runners produce short (5 to 7.5 cm), vertical upright branches that are non-trailing. Most of the berries grow on these uprights. Read More...

Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Medical studies have revealed that there are many health benefits associated with omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can be obtained from consuming fish and other sea foods, nuts and seeds, avocados and leafy green vegetables.

Basically there are 3 types of omega-3 fatty acids, and they include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is the type that is found in plant foods; and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are the long chain fatty acids that are found in animal foods. The human body is able to convert ALA into EPA and DHA when it is taken in the correct proportions with omega-6, and when the right enzymes are present in the body. Read More...

10 Reasons to Sprout Your own Sprouts

Sprouting has become popular over the last couple of years, and if you have not joined in yet, then now is the time to do so. The idea of consuming sprouts didn't really sit well with me for some time. As a matter of fact the first couple of sprout batches I sprouted were thrown out, simply because I could not get myself to eat them. Then once I gave them a chance and started eating them, it did not take long before I enjoyed them.

Perhaps you are in the same situation where eating sprouts just does not seem natural to you, if so, here are 10 reasons to sprout your own sprouts. Hopefully these will convince the skeptics to at least give sprouting a try. Read More...

Healthy Chocolate

Did you know that chocolate is good for you? As a matter of fact, chocolate is so good for you that you should eat it for breakfast, lunch and supper. Hard to believe isn't it?

All chocolate comes from a fruit tree grown in places like  Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Venezuela and Africa just to name a few.

During harvest the fruit is cut open and the seeds, also known as cacao beans are removed and sun dried before being sold or processed into chocolate.

Cacao beans are extremely nutritious; they are the best source of magnesium, high in iron, chromium, anandamide, manganese, zinc, and copper. They are high in antioxidants such as polyphenols, catechins, and epicatechins. Read More...

Best Food Sources for Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that the body is unable to produce on its own. Therefore it is essential that these healthy fats are obtained from the diet. There are many food sources for omega-3 fatty acids, and they include both plant and animals sources.

The Difference Between Plant Sources and Animal Sources

The omega-3 that is found in plant-based foods is in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which the body then has to convert to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The omega-3 from animal sources are already in the form of EPA and DHA, which basically makes it easier for the body to absorb them. Read More...

Relief From Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a serious disease which has crippled many people's lives--holding them back from the social community and in some cases confined them to a wheelchair.

It is not contagious; nor is it life threatening, but just the same it can be devastating to those it affects. People have lost their jobs, friends and reputation as a result of this disease.

It's a chronic musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder which affects the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Fibromyalgia is associated with a long string of symptoms, which makes it nearly impossible for any victim to function normally in today's society. Read More...