The ingredients in these flourless cookies have been evaluated and re-evalutaed. As the creator I wanted to make sure they were healthy and nutritious for my "eaters."
I choose Oats for many different reason as the main item in the cookies. The first and foremost reason was the overall health benefits to the heart. Oats are fabulous for us. Oats are like scrub brushes to our arteries "at least that is what I visualize."
"Carbohaters" remember there are good carbs and bad ones and oatbran is a great one. - Sheila Rae
Oatmeal FACTS:
Oat bran is the edible, outermost layer of the oat kernel. Oats have been recognized as a food and an herb. Like oatmeal, oat bran contains B complex vitamins, protein, fat, minerals, and heart healthy soluble fiber. When eaten regularly, oatmeal and oat bran may help to lower total cholesterol levels by 25% or more within a very short time period (one to three months). In addition, oat bran can help to reduce the bad LDL and raise levels of good HDL cholesterol. Many moms have learned that most families like oat meal or oat bran.
Oat bran is rich in a soluble fiber called beta-glucan. In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration passed a unique ruling that allowed oat bran to be registered as the first cholesterol-reducing food at an amount providing 3 grams of beta-glucan per day, although some evidence suggests this level may not be high enough to make a significant difference. Several trials have shown that oat bran supplementation can significantly lower cholesterol levels in people with elevated cholesterol, but only slightly in people with healthy cholesterol levels. Breads containing oat bran may, therefore, be beneficial at lowering elevated cholesterol.
Health Benefits of Oat Bran
- Minimize your risk of diabetes, and at the same time reduce your risk of hormone dependent cancers (breast, prostate, colon).
- Lower your blood cholesterol, and thus reduce your risk of heart disease.
- Normalize your bowel bacteria thus giving your system powerful protection against intestinal infections and yeast infections in general, and giving your colon its preferred food- and also help reduce antisocial smells!
- Reduce your dietary fat absorption by 10%
- Stave off the hunger pangs when you are trying to diet.
A Deeper Look at the Benefits
Soluble fibre from oats lowers cholesterol levels in the blood. Consuming 3 g of soluble fiber from oat products per day (provided by three 28 g servings of oatmeal or one large bowl of oat bran cereal) has been shown to decrease total cholesterol by approximately 1.8%. It is estimated that a 1% reduction in total cholesterol could lower the incidence of coronary heart disease by around 2%.
Some studies suggest that oat consumption may reduce blood pressure.
Oats reduce blood glucose and insulin responses. Control of blood glucose and insulin levels is essential in prevention of many of the complications associated with diabetes.
Oats have been shown in scientific studies to favorably alter metabolism and enhance performance when ingested shortly (45 minutes - 1 hour) before prolonged endurance exercise (> 2 hours) of moderate intensity.
Preliminary studies suggest that beta-glucan from oats may enhance the immune response. Further research is required to investigate the potential immune-boosting effects of oats however.
There is currently insufficient evidence to suggest that oats promote weight loss or improve compliance to a reduced-calorie diet.
Information Collected From the American Heart Association, Easy Vigour, nutrasanus
PEANUT BUTTER:
Redbook - October 2008, page 114
Smart people know they need some fat in their diet. Ellie Krienger, RD, host of Healthy Appetites on the Food Network. This is what Redbook had to say about heart healthy peanut butter.
- Consuming a diet rich in peanuts, peanut butter, and peanut oil may be an effective in protecting against heart disease as an olive oil rich diet, according to Penn State University. Peanuts contain rescvertrol, an antioxidant also found in wine that has been associated with a reduced risk of cancer and heart disease.
Benefits of Flax seed
Its high content of alpha linolenic acids has made the ancient flax seed become our modern miracle food. Alpha linolenic acid is a type of plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish such as salmon. Benefits of flax seed as shown in many studies include lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) levels. Other benefits show that flax seed may also help lower blood triglyceride and blood pressure. It may also keep platelets from becoming sticky therefore reducing the risk of a heart attack.
Aside from alpha linolenic acid, flax seed is rich in lignan. Lignan is a type phytoestrogen (antioxidant) and also provides fiber. Researches reveal that lignan in flax seed shows a lot of promise in fighting disease -- including a possible role in cancer prevention especially breast cancer. It is thought that lignan metabolites can bind to estrogen receptors, hence inhibiting the onset of estrogen-stimulated breast cancer.
Recent studies also showed positive benefits of flax seed oil in IBD (Crohn's Disease and Colitis). Flax seed oil seems to be able to heal the inner lining of the inflamed intestines
Natural Benefits of Raisins and their Curative Properties
The sugar contained in the raisins is of superior quality, like that of the grapes, as major portion of this sugar is formed by glucose and fruit sugar. As is well known, glucose produces quick heat and energy in the body. They are also valuable during convalescence.
In Europe, many individuals that are suffering from various chronic ailments are taking recourse to an exclusive diet of raisins for some time. This forms a treatment by itself and is known as raisin cure. It is believed that raisins, taken in this manner, for one month will bring about considerable improvement in health as a result of proper elimination.'
Acidosis
The organic acid of the raisins is completely oxidized.
Acidosis is a condition in which the acidity of body fluid is abnormally high. The raisins with their excess of alkalinity, are helpful in maintaining the acid balance of the body. Studies conducted by Saywell in the University of California have shown that the free use of raisins, say about 1.05 gm. daily, will greatly reduce the acidity of the urine.
Constipation
Raisins are highly beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Excellent results are seen in case of chronic constipation. American Teens are experiences constipation at suprising rates because they are more sedetary that children of the past. Also the varied diets they experience has an adverse effect on their bodies and the simple use of raisins can end the problem.
Raisins are so save for this terribly unconfortable disorder that they can be given to infants as an extract in water to help regular bowel action. Six to ten raisins or more, depending on the child's age, can be soaked in boiling water and set aside for a while. When cool, the raisins should be thoroughly crushed to extract their juice into the water. For small children the liquid could be strained and given so that the skin of the raisins does not upset the stomach. DO NOT GIVE INFANTS ANYTHING YOU HAVE TALKED TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT.
Anemia - As a rich source of easily assimilable iron, raisins enrich blood. They are thus useful in anemia.
BUTTER - WHY IT IS BETTER FOR US!
By Donna Gates for BodyEcology.com
The origins of butter go back thousands of years to when our ancestors first started domesticating animals. In fact, the first written reference to butter was found on a 4500- year old limestone tablet illustrating how butter was made.
In India, ghee (clarified butter) has been used as a staple food, and as a symbol of purity, worthy of offering to the gods in religious ceremonies for more than 3000 years.
The Bible has references to butter as the product of milk from the cow, and of Abraham setting butter and milk from a calf before three angels who appeared to him on the plains of Mamre.
For millennia, people around the globe have prized butter for its health benefits.
So how did butter become a villain in the quest for good health?
At the turn of our century, heart disease in America was rare. By 1960, it was our number one killer. Yet during the same time period, butter consumption had decreased - from eighteen pounds per person per year, to four.
Yet the notion that a healthy diet is one with minimal fat, particularly saturated fat, has persisted. While Americans drastically reduced their intake of natural animal fats like butter and meat, the processed food industry, particularly the low-fat food industry, proliferated.
When the baby boomers were children, concerned mothers began to replace butter with margarine. The margarine manufacturers told them it was the healthier alternative and mothers believed them. In those days no one asked, "where is the science to prove it? I want to know before I give this man-made, plastized stuff to my children. After all we humans have been eating butter for thousands of years?".
As a result, since the early 1970's, Americans' average saturated fat intake has dropped considerably, while rates of obesity, diabetes, and consequently, heart disease, have surged.
Reducing healthy sources of dietary fat has contributed to a serious decline in our well-being, and those of us that speak out against the anti-fat establishment are still largely ignored .
Is Margarine Better than Butter?
No! This is a tragic myth. Butter is a completely natural food essential to your health - especially when you eat organic. Also, please make the extra effort to obtain high-quality organic, raw butter.
Margarines, on the other hand, are a processed food, created chemically from refined polyunsaturated oils. The process used to make these normally liquid oils into spread-able form is called hydrogenation.
Margarine and similar hydrogenated or processed polyunsaturated oils are potentially more detrimental to your health than any saturated fat.7 For more information on why you should avoid all processed oils read Why the Processing of Consumable Oils Has Devastated America's Health.
Include Real Butter as part of Your Body Ecology Lifestyle
As many of you already know, I am a strong proponent of including a variety of healthy oils and fats into your diet. Together they work as a team to supply your body with essential fatty acids for longevity, hormone balance, heart health, sharp vision, glowing moist skin and energy. The wonderful variety of oils and fats certainly includes organic, preferably raw butter. Cultured raw butter is even better.
And why would I be so insistent that you eat butter? Take a look at the long list of the benefits you receive when you include it in your diet:8
- Butter is rich in the most easily absorbable form of Vitamin A necessary for thyroid and adrenal health.
- Contains lauric acid, important in treating fungal infections and candida.
- Contains lecithin, essential for cholesterol metabolism.
- Contains anti-oxidants that protect against free radical damage.
- Has anti-oxidants that protect against weakening arteries.
- Is a great source of Vitamins E and K.
- Is a very rich source of the vital mineral selenium.
- Saturated fats in butter have strong anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties.
- Butter contains conjugated linoleic acid, which is a potent anti-cancer agent, muscle builder, and immunity booster
- Vitamin D found in butter is essential to absorption of calcium.
- Protects against tooth decay.
- Is your only source of an anti-stiffness factor, which protects against calcification of the joints.
- Anti-stiffness factor in butter also prevents hardening of the arteries, cataracts, and calcification of the pineal gland.
- Is a source of Activator X, which helps your body absorb minerals.
- Is a source of iodine in highly absorbable form.
- May promote fertility in women.
- Is a source of quick energy, and is not stored in our bodies adipose tissue.
- Cholesterol found in butterfat is essential to children's brain and nervous system development.
- Contains Arachidonic Acid (AA) which plays a role in brain function and is a vital component of cell membranes.
- Protects against gastrointestinal infections in the very young or the elderly.
Amazing Omega-3 Eggs
High omega-3 eggs are nature's nearly perfect food. Eggs contain all known nutrients except for vitamin C! They are good sources of fat-soluble vitamins A and D as well as certain carotenoids that guard against free-radical damage to the body. They also contain lutein, which has been shown to prevent age-related macular degeneration. When possible, buy eggs directly from farms where the chickens are allowed to roam free and eat their natural diet, or purchase eggs marked DHA or high omega-3 eggs (they contain a healthy balance of omega-3 to omega-6). Despite the unfounded cholesterol scare during the past 15 years, eggs can be a healthy addition to anyone's diet; they can actually help reduce the risk of both heart disease and cancer.
CINNAMON
Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.
Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.
In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.
In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.
When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.
Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.
SOYBEANS: http://www.soyfoods.org/health/soy-and-general-health/
Eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol are important components to a healthy lifestyle. Soyfoods contain no cholesterol, protect against heart disease, and taste great. Exciting new studies indicate that soyfoods show promise for boosting mental ability, and protecting against bone loss and some types of cancer.
If you have milk allergies or lactose intolerance, soymilk, soy cheese, soy yogurt, and dairy free frozen desserts offer delicious ways to include the essential nutrients of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D in your healthy diet. The bountiful nutrient content of great-tasting soyfoods makes it easy to gain health naturally.
Lose Weight
A healthy weight loss plan includes nutritious sources of calories. Wholesome soyfood can replace foods in your diet that might be adding to your daily caloric intake as well as saturated fat and cholesterol intake. For example, eating a soy veggie dog instead of a beef hotdog will save 70 calories, more that 5 grams of saturated fat, and 25 mg of cholesterol.
Soyfoods also provide high-quality, complete protein, shown to increase satiety, the feeling of fullness. When you need a quick snack, try crunching on guilt-free and flavorful healthy soy chips or soy bars. It’s simple to make soy foods a healthy component of your weight loss program.
Eat Soy
From one little soybean, an astonishing variety of soy products are available to include in your healthy diet. Try soymilk as a beverage or in recipes, soy oil for cooking, soy flour for baking, and soy nut butter for spreading. Enjoy every kind of soy food imaginable—from great tasting tofu recipes to soy burgers—as part of your daily routine.
Studies confirm that soyfoods boost health at all ages! Whether you are interested in being more heart healthy, wanting to lose weight, or seeking healthful snacks, soy foods can fit into every lifestyle. Scientists continually study the soybean and find exciting new ways soy foods can benefit your general health. So Gain Health, Lose Weight, and Eat Soy!
