Corn is Healthier Than You Think

Corn gets a bad rap when it comes to health, but it’s actually a lot more nutritious than we give it credit for. Let’s take a look at why we think corn is unhealthy and its actual nutritional value.

My kid loves corn. Seriously, he is obsessed. He asks me to add corn to basically every meal we make, and he will even eat frozen corn straight out of the bag (Don’t knock it until you try it!). He may be more corn than human, so corn’s nutritional value is on my mind a lot more than it maybe ought to be. And you know what? When you look more closely into it, corn is a lot healthier than we assume it is. 

DEFINING CORN

I think part of the reason that we assume corn is bad for us is that food companies turn corn into an array processed ingredients that are not healthy at all. High fructose corn syrup is probably the best example of corn gone wrong, though. Of course corn syrup isn’t healthy, but it’s not a good reason to dismiss corn all together.

The other problem with corn is that a lot of corn is genetically modified. If you’re worried about water quality, super weeds and pesticide residues, this is definitely something to consider when you’re deciding whether corn is healthy.

Whole corn used to be a safe bet, but Monsanto now produces a GMO sweet corn, so choose organic corn if you want to avoid eating genetically modified foods.

IS CORN HEALTHY?

Whole, organic corn is actually a pretty healthy food! You might think of corn as a vegetable, but it’s actually a whole grain, and like many whole grains it contains plenty of protein and fiber along with beneficial vitamins and minerals. One cup of corn kernelscontains:

• 177 calories
• 18 percent of your daily fiber
• 11 percent of your daily protein
• 17 percent of your daily vitamin C
• 24 percent of your daily thiamin
• 13 percent of your daily niacin
• 19 percent of your daily folate
• 14 percent of your daily pantothenic acid

You might be balking at that 177 calories, but that’s probably because you are still thinking of corn as a vegetable. Stop it! When you categorize it in your head as the whole grain that it is, 177 calories per cup is not too shabby. Compare that to a cup of brown rice or quinoa, which both contain more than 200 calories each.

What can make whole corn unhealthy is how we prepare it. Creamed corn, a corn cob slathered in butter, or buttered popcorn are full of saturated fat and high in calories, but the corn isn’t what’s to blame. Much like potatoes, corn can definitely be part of a healthy diet when you choose healthy toppings.

Next time you’re eating corn on the cob, skip the pat of butter and step away from the salt shaker. Try a squeeze of lime and a few dashes of chili powder instead. Or, if you’re like my kid, just eat your corn straight up. It’s sweet and delicious!

6 Foods You Thought Were Unhealthy But Aren’t

What makes food healthy or unhealthy? How do good foods get bad reputations? Sometimes, it’s because we prepare an otherwise healthy ingredient in unhealthy ways, and other times we vilify food based on shady, unfounded health claims. Here are some “bad” foods you can embrace once again!

WHAT MAKES FOOD HEALTHY?

Before we get into a the list of surprisingly healthy foods, let’s talk about what makes a food “unhealthy.” There’s a lot of confusion around food and our health, because the processed food industry has such incredible lobbying power.

In fact, the 2017 the International Food Information Council Foundation’s annual Food and Health Survey found that most Americans receive conflicting information about healthy eating and that we let non-health factors, like price, influence our thinking about what is and isn’t healthy.

But what really makes food healthy or unhealthy?

Wow—is this a loaded question! There is a lot of conflicting information out there about what is and isn’t healthy. I dug through a lot of lists, and here are some qualities of healthy food that popped up on all of them:

• It’s low in sodium.
• It’s a good source of fiber.
• If it contains fats, they’re healthy fats.
• It’s low in added sugars.
• It’s as unprocessed as possible.

Let’s use the list above as a jumping-off point when looking at the foods below. 

HEALTHY FOODS YOU THOUGHT WERE UNHEALTHY

1. Potatoes

Potatoes are one of those foods that get the short shift with very little reason. A whole potato with the skin is a good source of fiber, potassium, iron, vitamin B6 and even calcium.

The problem with potatoes is in how we prepare them. Deep fried French fries, pools of butter and heaps of sour cream are what make potatoes unhealthy. So go ahead and embrace the potato!

2. Carbs

Oh, carbs. We blame them for everything! They’re the other reason that people vilify potatoes and many other foods on this list, but not all carbs are the same. Care2′s Diana Herrington explains, “Your brain, nervous system and muscles require about 60-65 percent carbohydrates to keep them nourished.”

Our bodies run on carbs. The trick is choosing good carbs—like whole grains and vegetables—rather than refined carbohydrates, like you’d find in doughnuts.

3. Fat

Fat is another macronutrient that get a bad rep, and food marketing takes a lot of the blame here. If we vilify all fats, then companies can market low-fat foods that are packed with added sugars and processed ingredients to replace the missing fat.

Like carbs, not all fats are the same. When you’re looking for healthy foods, go for options low in saturated and trans fats in favor of foods containing unsaturated fats.

4. Corn

Corn falls into the same category as potatoes: a healthy food that gets an unhealthy reputation because of the preparations. Sure, corn on the cob or a bucket of popcorn slathered in butter is unhealthy. But whole, organic corn on its own is a healthy whole grain that provides fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.

When you stop thinking of corn as a vegetable and recognize it as a whole grain, it’s much easier to eat it in a healthy way.

5. White Rice

White rice is one food that doesn’t hit all of the points on our list of parameters, but when you take a closer look, white rice isn’t so bad. Jordyn Cormier dove into whether brown rice is really healthier than white, and what she discovered was surprising.

Cormier says that brown rice does have more fiber and vitamins, but it also contains more anti-nutrients, which make it harder for your body to absorb the nutrition from your food. White rice is also easier to digest. She also points out that you’re not likely to eat a big bowl of white rice on its own. Chances are, you’re piling on fiber- and nutrient-rich veggies. If the white rice makes that healthy veggie stir fry more appealing, go for it.

6. Pasta

You’d think that pasta, especially conventional pasta, would be associated with weight gain, but last year a study found that it’s not necessarily associated with weight gain.

Like white rice, it’s all about what you pair with that pasta. In the study, pasta eaters were more likely to be eating a Mediterranean diet and eating in moderation overall. This study doesn’t mean that a bowl of fettucini alfredo is suddenly healthy, but it does give us reason to put pasta on a healthy food list, provided you’re pairing it with healthy foods, like veggies and beans.

Healthy Foods Surprisingly Available at Walmart You Need to Start Buying

Walmart isn’t known as a health food store. But, surprisingly, the superstore carries good-for-you food options for those who know where to look. Keep reading to find out what should be in your cart next time you visit Walmart.

Great Value deluxe stir-fry veggies 

According to Eat This, Not That!, “the frozen Deluxe Stir-Fry comes with carrots, broccoli, Italian green beans, water chestnuts, red peppers, and baby corn for only 25 calories a serving.” Compared to other stir fry mixes, the Great Value brand is the healthiest choice. As a rule of thumb, steer clear of canned vegetables. Some cans contain BPA but even in cans labeled as BPA free, reach for fresh or frozen veggies.  They don’t contain preservatives and salt like their canned counterparts, Eat This, Not That! says.

Wild Garden snacks to go 

According to Self magazine, “Alissa Rumsey M.S., R.D., owner of Alissa Rumsey Nutrition and Wellness, loves them because they’re filled with protein, fiber, and healthy fat, which means they’ll keep you feeling satisfied and happy for hours.” Walmart.com sells Wild Garden snacks for $1.85. At that price, you can stock up on lots of portable snacks. Walmart also carries dips and spreads from Wild Garden, according to their website.

Beanitos white bean chips 

When a craving for chips hits your tastebuds, reach for Beanitos White Bean Chips. “Most chips are low in protein and fiber, but these have 4 grams of plant-based protein per serving,” Rumsey told Self. Walmart sells these bean chips in a variety of flavors. Flavors include sea salt, bbq, and cheddar.

Organic quinoa 

For those who haven’t tried quinoa or know how to pronounce it (it’s pronounced “keen-wah”), Walmart is a good place to try the grain. A 32 ounce bag of organic quinoa costs $8.22, which works out to 26 cents per ounce. Walmart has tri-color quinoa too. Prepare to be full longer when eating quinoa. According to Women’s Health, a “quarter-cup serving contains a whopping four grams of fiber and six grams of protein.”

Amy’s organic lentil soup 

Canned soups can be loaded with sodium. For those who want the convenience of canned soup without the added sodium, pick up Amy’s organic lentil soup at Walmart.  Women’s Health says this “soup keeps the sodium content down to just 340 milligrams per serving (stopping bloat in its tracks), while providing six grams of fiber and seven grams of protein in the form of nutrient-dense veggies and lentils.” Bonus: collect barcodes from cans of Amy’s soup to redeem coupons from the manufacturer.

Great Value oatmeal 

Eat This, Not That! recommends buying oatmeal from Walmart’s own line of groceries. Stock up on the Great Value brand oatmeal for a healthy breakfast food option. According to Eat This, Not That!, “At only 100 calories a packet, the GV Oatmeal boasts dried fruit and 4 grams of protein with zero sugar.” The publications cautions against extras like brown sugar.

Wild Oats branded items  

“Look for any product from the Wild Oats brand,” blogger Kristin, says on her site. “I was pleasantly surprised at the price, clean ingredient list, and large selection of organic products,” Kristin wrote. She isn’t exaggerating about the large product selection. Organic pastas, salads, dressings, hummus, and bread describes only a small portion of their products.

The Best (and Healthiest) Ways to Get Rid of Toxins in Your Body

If you’ve done your research, you already know most of the cleanses your favorite celebs swear by could actually kill you. What you might not know is that your body comes equipped with its own detoxification system — you just need to do it a few favors. Here are the healthiest and most effective ways to aid your body in removing potentially harmful toxins every day.

How your body gets rid of toxins 

Your liver, kidneys, and sweat glands are the primary players in your body’s ongoing effort to remove toxins and waste products naturally. According to Livestrong.com, your blood carries toxins to your liver and kidneys specifically to allow them to filter out waste. Sometimes, toxins diffuse from your blood into your sweat glands, which release them, as you can probably guess, when you sweat.

What you do with and put into your body — and don’t — matters. Here are the things you can do to help your body eliminate toxins as efficiently as possible.

Exercise regularly 

According to Livestrong.com, exercise improves blood circulation, helps the digestive system function properly, and promotes sweating. Indirectly, all these processes assist your body’s detoxification process. The more efficiently blood circulates throughout your body, the more you can be sure waste products are making it to your liver and kidneys. And sweating really is better for you than you thought.

Eat more fiber 

Your digestive system has a number of functions in your body. One of these functions involves extracting the nutrients from what you eat and passing the rest — the waste — on to specific waste-processing organs like your kidneys. Fiber is one important mineral you can’t miss out on if you’re concerned about toxins.

According to Mayo Clinic, a high-fiber diet helps to improve digestion and keeps things moving through the digestive tract. Both soluble and insoluble fiber play important roles in toxin removal.

Drink more water 

It’s up to your kidneys to filter your blood for the waste products your body doesn’t need. Drinking more fluids — especially water — ensures that your body is working to eliminate as many toxins through your urine as it needs to each day.

How much water every individual needs every day depends on their activity level and overall health. However, Mayo Clinic recommends anywhere from eight to 12 cups per day.

Try green tea 

Your liver does a lot of work to keep you healthy. If you don’t take care of it, it might not be able to process and help eliminate toxins as efficiently. Green teas like matcha provide the body with antioxidants, which may be able to help protect your liver from oxidative stress as it processes toxins like alcohol. The tea itself doesn’t detoxify your body, but it might help guard against damage from other harmful effects.

Eat fewer processed foods 

You can’t reduce the amount of toxins in your body if you keep putting more in. Many of the processed foods you might eat every day, like frozen meals and breakfast cereals, contain added sugars and other ingredients that could prove harmful to your body in large amounts. Replace these “toxic” foods with foods that actually offer health benefits.

The best foods to eat instead 

One of the best ways to reduce toxins in your body is to eat foods that don’t contain them. Going full organic is the extreme, but it does minimize the amount of unnatural chemicals you’re putting into your body.

Even if you don’t go organic, or eating local isn’t an option, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is just the beginning. Canned white tuna or wild salmon, true whole grains like quinoa and oats, and fresh dairy products without antibiotics are much easier to find now than they used to be. Make an effort to avoid eating out of a box as much as possible.

15 Thanksgiving Traditions We Can All Get Behind

veryone has their own personal holiday traditions that they have been practicing for years with their families. Some of them are tedious, while others are downright awesome. We took the time to dig up some of those Thanksgiving traditions that would be wonderful for you and your family to do!

15. “Fish Night” 

We’ll start this off with a personal tradition. One of my favorite traditions with my family was that we’d have a feast the night before Thanksgiving. We called it “Fish Night” and it was open to all our family friends. During that night, everyone would bring over a fish-inspired dish sort of like a pot-luck. We’d have Dungeness crab in the shell, crab cakes, smoked salmon, oysters, and my personal favorite “soup de poisson” or “fish stew.” It sounds way better in French. Fish Night is by far my favorite family tradition and I actually think I like that more than Thanksgiving. There is no pressure of having to get to the stores the next day, most people are relaxed, there’s less of a chance of political spats, and there was always just more fun to be had. 

14. The “Thankful Journal” 

Thanksgiving always begins or ends with everyone saying what they are thankful for. Rarely, does anyone remember what they were thankful for the year before or the year before that. The “Thankful Journal” allows you to revisit those points in your life. It’s fairly simple. Have everyone take the time to write down what they are thankful for each year in the book and bring out again the next year. After everyone writes down what they are thankful for, pass the book around to read previous entries.  Keep on going long enough in your family and you can see a person’s priorities and how they change over time. Some memories will be hilarious and others will be cringe-worthy. Regardless, it will become one of those amazing holiday traditions for you and yours. 

13. Cut out some alone time 

There is so much pressure surrounding Thanksgiving and all the things that have to happen to get dinner right. Add to that the stress of having all your family in town and the burden to engage with them. It can all become too exhausting to some. This generally leads to family feuds and shouting matches. That’s why it’s so important to take some time for yourself during the day. Some people get the prep done in the early morning with enough time to spare to go home and relax away from everyone for a little while. Some people go on long walks through the woods. Whatever your method is, just take some time for yourself. 

12. What about eating Thanksgiving dinner… at dinner? 

I’ve always found it very confusing when I’d be told by a significant other that we have to at their parent’s house for Thanksgiving dinner atThanksgiving dinner at dinner time (Around 8 PM for us). It turns out that there’s an explanation we won’t go into about why dinner is served so early on Thanksgiving, but it’s way better to eat dinner at dinner.

When you push the dinner back to a later time in the evening, it gives the family more time to attend to everything during the day; last minute runs to the store, collecting the family, seeing other people that day, and avoiding unnecessary traffic in some cases. Besides, you’re just going to be hungry again later-on anyways. This is just another one of those traditions that lead to a better time with less stress. 

11. Try eating out 

It seems really weird that anyone would want to go out to a restaurant on Thanksgiving, but it’s not. A lot of people eat out on Thanksgiving and have made a tradition in doing so. Eating out is so much less stressful and (believe it or not) less costly than cooking at home. Plus, you don’t have to do the dishes, you’re home isn’t ravaged, and you can just walk away from the table when you’re done and never think again about it. “But what about the leftovers!?” you may ask. Everyone has leftovers and hopefully you surround yourself with people who like to share.  

10. Volunteer 

This seems like it should be a no-brainer, but it is hard to convince the entire family to go out in the service of others on an earned holiday break. Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself in the most unselfish manner. It doesn’t have to be your bag, we just suggest you give it a try. 

9. Friends-giving 

Sometimes people aren’t able to make it home to their families and they’re usually left behind. As sad as that sounds, it happens all too often. So why start a tradition of “Friends-giving” where you get all your friends together for a large feast without the burden of familial ties. It’s a really nice tradition that can happen anytime around Thanksgiving. It doesn’t have to be on the same day. Everyone wants to be around people they love on the holidays, so why not create a new tradition with the friends you love. 

8. Play some poker 

This tradition comes with a few caveats. Don’t engage in this tradition if any of the family members suffer from some form of gambling addiction and don’t play with your hot-headed uncle or brother. That being said, it’s an awesome family tradition that my family has been doing for years. Nothing too serious, just a $20 buy-in of Texas Hold-em. Allow for one re-buy and that’s it. Trust me. This is a great way to get the family off their phones and engaging with one another. 

7. Bet on the NFL Game 

NFL games are an American past time and are almost synonymous with Thanksgiving. So why not make the game a little more interesting by putting some money on the outcome. The best way to do this is to make a ten by ten grid on some paper. Have each square be worth a dollar or two. People can buy a square and fill in their name. After all the squares are filled up, draw numbers 0-9 out of a hat for each X and Y axis. The NFC team represents the X-axis and the AFC team represents the Y-axis. Whatever the score is at the end of the game, take the last number of each score and find the corresponding name. For example, if the score were 19-30, you would go to the number 9 and go over to the zero. If you really want to do it up right, pick a winner at the end of each quarter. 

6. Start a holiday tablecloth. 

One cool tradition we heard of is to lay out a tablecloth on Thanksgiving day and have it out until the new year. Every time a person comes over, you have them sign their name on the tablecloth. Then, in the new year, you embroider each signature into the tablecloth. This is sure to make a very sentimental family heirloom for years to come. When the cloth is full and can’t be written on anymore, it’s time to pass the tradition onto your oldest child. 

5. Choose who is buying gifts for who 

If you come from a large family, it’s very strenuous to figure out what to get everyone for Christmas. So try this; Every year after the meal is eaten and the table is cleared, everyone writes their name on a piece of paper. Fill in for the people who couldn’t be there as well. Then throw all the names into the hat and each person draws one name out. You could even have a specific vessel for which this is done. Once you have that name, that’s who you are buying for. This takes the strain off of not only your pocketbook but also the stress of trying to figure out what everyone wants for Christmas. 

4. Make your holiday ornaments 

Thanksgiving is also about making memories with your family and friends. For the creative types out there, making ornaments should be a must-do in your Thanksgiving day traditions. Simply gather some supplies at your local hobby shop or have your guests bring something over. This is an almost guaranteed way for the family to have fun together while not worrying about the cooking. 

3. Try cooking up something else 

Thanksgiving is about having friends and family get together and enjoy each others company. There’s no rule that says you have to eat turkey and stuffing on Thanksgiving. But if you’re going to stick with tradition, why not try preparing the turkey in a different way, or making the stuffing with a new recipe. The adventure of cooking doesn’t lead down one road. 

2. Throw a leftover party 

I know, leftovers are meant for late night snacks and turkey sandwiches. Sometimes you are just left with too much. So why not throw a post-shopping day leftovers party with all your friends and family? this makes a lot more room in the fridge and gives you another chance to spend time with loved ones. 

1. Start a Thanksgiving day toy drive 

The holiday season is full of opportunities to give back to the community and one of the most popular ways is to donate toys to kids for Christmas. Why not get a head start on the toy drive and have your family and friends bring over something to donate to a local youth charity. the best part is that you can make it any kind of drive you want. The food banks always appreciate some help, as well as a bunch of other non-profits focused on those less fortunate.

These Are the Leading Causes of Death in the U.S.

Chronic conditions affect millions of Americans every year. Many of these conditions aren’t curable. The leading causes of death in the United States might surprise you. Most of these incidents and conditions though, including the No. 1 leading cause of annual American deaths, are largely preventable.

15. Homicide 

Of the leading causes of death in the U.S., death by homicide isn’t as prevalent as it often seems. Homicide or assault deaths affect 5 per 100,000 people in the United States, killing nearly 16,000 people every year. About 11,000 of those deaths relate specifically to firearm-related homicides. 

14. Parkinson’s disease 

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that commonly affects older adults. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 50,000 people receive new Parkinson’s diagnoses every year. Experts estimate that half a million people in America currently live with the disease. 

13. Hypertension (high blood pressure) 

Experts estimate that 1 in 3 adults currently lives with hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure. You’re at a higher risk of developing this condition if you are overweight, you don’t work out, and you follow a high-sodium diet. High blood pressure also puts you at risk for two leading causes of death that appear much higher up on this list. 

12. Liver disease 

Many factors impact your risk for suffering liver damage and disease — and not all of them have to do with alcohol. Liver disease and cirrhosis cause approximately 38,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. According to the American Liver Foundation, 30 million Americans currently live with some kind of liver-related disease. 

11. Suicide 

About 43,000 people die as a result of self-inflicted injuries every year. The most common fatal injuries related to suicide include firearms, poisonings, and suffocation. Unfortunately, experts have a hard time collecting data regarding why these deaths occur. However, depression, substance abuse, and stressful life events remain among the most common risk factors. 

10. Kidney disease 

Your body depends on healthy, functional kidneys to remove harmful toxins from your body. When these organs can’t do their job, victims’ health suffers. According to the NIDDK, 14 percent of the U.S. population lives with chronic kidney disease. Severe kidney problems caused more than 47,000 deaths in 2013, killing more people than breast and prostate cancer. 

9. Influenza and pneumonia 

Lung conditions, including lung-related diseases, account for thousands of annual deaths in the United States. According to the American Lung Association, 53,282 people died from pneumonia in 2013, while 3,550 people died from influenza. 

8. Diabetes 

The American Diabetes Association says diabetes contributed to about 79,500 deaths in 2015. More than 30 million Americans lived with this condition that year, whether they had an official diagnosis or not. The United States as a whole spends over $200 billion in diabetes-related costs every year, including medical costs and productivity loss. 

7. Alzheimer’s disease 

Just one form of dementia, Alzheimer’s impacts the lives of people across the U.S. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, about 93,000 people died from Alzheimer’s every year. About 1 in 10 adults over 65 lives with the condition. Among the 10 leading causes of death, Alzheimer’s is the only one that has no known treatment or method of prevention. 

6. Unintentional injuries 

Unintentional injuries cause approximately 136,000 deaths in the United States every year. Often referred to accidental deaths, these incidents include injuries from falls, motor vehicle accidents, and accidental poisonings. 

5. Stroke 

Someone in the United States has a stoke every 40 seconds. The CDC estimates about 795,000 people suffer a stoke every year. Strokes kill about 140,000 people annually, responsible for 1 in every 20 American deaths. Your stroke risk increases as you get older. You’re also more likely to have a stroke if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or are overweight. 

4. Chronic lower respiratory disease 

Just under 150,000 adults die from chronic lower respiratory disease each year, says the CDC. This includes deaths from asthma. COPD, pulmonary hypertension, and occupational lung diseases are among the most commonly diagnosed respiratory conditions in the U.S. People over 65 years of age and women are more likely to develop any of these diseases. 

3. Septicemia 

Hospitalization significantly increases your risk of developing septicemia — blood poisoning that results from a number of possible bacterial infections. Sepsis and septic shock account for 1 in every 3 hospital deaths every year. The CDC estimates that around 250,000 people die from this kind of infection annually. 

2. Cancer 

If you haven’t lost a friend or family member to cancer, you’ve likely at least known someone who has gone through treatment. Approximately 600,000 people die from some type of cancer every year — but there’s good news. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer mortality rates have fallen significantly since the early 1990s. 

1. Heart disease 

The most deadly disease in America, heart disease is responsible for 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. The CDC estimates about 610,000 people die from this condition every year. Your age, race, ethnicity, family history, and daily lifestyle behaviors all contribute to your heart disease risk. Unfortunately, it’s the leading cause of death among both men and women.

Incredible Images Of The Young Golden Eagle Hunters Training Their Birds

 Azim and Aybek Shajbyrov are keen to follow in their father's footsteps and continue a family tradition of golden eagle hunting in the village of Bokonbaevo in Kyrgyzstan. Azim is pictured trying to train a golden eagle

 Talgarbek Shajbyrov releases his golden eagle during an exercise in Bokonbaevo, Kyrgyzstan, with one of his sons wathing in fascination

 Talgarbek, pictured, has been bird hunting since the age of seven and proudly passes on his knowledge to his young sons who are eager to impress

 Azim Shajbyrov seems happy with a baby falcon balancing on his head

 While his father gives water to his golden eagle

 The family has two golden eagles and a young falcon which gives the boys the opportunity of learning the unique skill. Azim, right, and Aybek, left, enjoy playing with the baby falcon

Bolot, an elder of the Shajbyrov family, looks on while sitting near his bird. Golden eagle and falcon hunting is a very old national tradition in Kyrgyzstan