In Chinese Medicine...

in chinese nutrition, it is better to eat warm foods when the weather is cold as not to upset the balance of yin and yang as the seasons change

Steaming Outshines All Cooking Methods for Broccoli

Researchers in the Department of Agriculture at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China have published what might be the best-documented study to date on broccoli and the cooking methods that are best at preserving its nutrients. After carefully reviewing the results from 34 previous studies, these researchers went on to compare 5 different cooking methods for broccoli and their impact on nutrient content. All cooking methods were carried out for 5 minutes on 200 grams (approximately 2 cups) of chopped broccoli. The methods included: boiling, stir-frying in soy oil, microwaving, steaming, and a stir-frying-plus-boiling combination in which the raw broccoli was stir-fried for 2 minutes and then boiled for 3 minutes.

The researchers went on to analyze the nutrient content in 6 areas: protein, sugar, chlorophyll, glucosinolates, carotenoids, and vitamin C. Proteins and sugars were best retained by steaming, with microwaving doing the next best job in this macronutrient area. But the most dramatic were results in the 4 other nutrient areas, which you will find summarized in the following chart:

Cooking Method	Chlorophyll (% Decrease)	Vitamin C (% Decrease	Glucosinolates (% Decrease	Total Carotenoids (% Decrease
Steaming	almost unchanged	no significant loss	almost unchanged	no significant loss
Boiling	27%	33%	41%	13%
Stir-Frying-Plus-Boiling	18%	24%	55%	no significant loss
Microwaving	16%	16%	60%	no significant loss

All we can say is, "Wow!" When taken as a whole, the differences here between steaming and other cooking methods are even greater than we would have predicted. This is especially true in the area of glucosinolates, the sulfur-containing compounds in broccoli that can be converted by the body into related sulfur-compounds called isothiocyanates that have been shown to have cancer-preventive effects. The difference between steaming and all other cooking methods in this phytonutrient area is striking. And while chlorophyll is not ordinarily discussed as a food nutrient, some studies have shown that chlorophyll retention in a cooked food may be partially representative of that food's overall nutrient quality. That speaks amazingly well for steaming as a cooking method for broccoli.

Also striking to us is the minimal amount of nutritional difference between broccoli that has been steamed for 5 minutes and raw broccoli. These researchers found no significant difference between raw and steamed broccoli in all of the four categories measured above. That finding makes us confident that steaming is by far your best cooking method for broccoli and can do an outstanding job in preserving its nutrients.

Why Nikken Water at Spirit Fitness and in our Home?

Alkaline Water

Acid-Alkaline Balance
Proper Health starts with the correct acid-alkaline balance in your body. The pH level (acid - alkaline measurement) of our internal fluids affects every cell in our bodies. Extended acid imbalances of any kind can overwhelm your body, and lead to health complications.
Just as the body regulates its temperature in a rigid manner, so will it manage to preserve a very narrow pH range - especially in the blood. As a matter of fact, the body will go to such great lengths to maintain a blood pH of 7.365 that it will even create stress on other tissues, body systems, and organs to do so. Chronic acidity will interrupt all cellular activities and functions - it interferes with life itself.
When the pH of the body gets out of balance (too acidic), we may experience low energy, fatigue, excess weight, poor digestion, aches and pains, and even more serious disorders.
The cycle of acidity begins primarily as a result of three things:
1. Ingesting acids. Eating too many acidifying foods like processed sugar, meats, dairy, coffee, alcohol, etc. Create an acid ash in the body. These acids can overload the body’s ability to neutralize them.
2. Creation of acids. Pathogens and microforms create acidifying toxins in the body. As the body becomes more and more acidic, bad bacteria, yeasts and other microforms proliferate in the body. Since these organisms are living, they eat as well as create resulting toxins. These toxins are often very acidifying.
3. Improper elimination of acids. Not all acids are the same; some are weak and some are strong. Weak acids like citric acid are much easier to neutralize than strong acids like uric acid. The body uses many systems in order to buffer acids including breath, mineral reserves, and fat. When the body’s buffering systems become compromised, excess acids build up.
The process of reestablishing acid-alkaline balance begins with proper diet and nutrition. This includes eating alkalizing foods (vegetables, low sugar fruits, etc.), super hydration (drinking plenty of alkaline water ionic and structured), and proper supplementation.
pH Balance begins with super hydration
Water is the most crucial factor in establishing and maintaining proper acid-alkaline balance. Since your body is 70% water, it is extremely important to constantly replenish your supply of it. The body loses 2.5 liters of water every day just through normal bodily functions. The quality of the water that you drink is just as important as the quantity of water you drink. The water you put in your body must be able to prevent toxins and chemical substances from accumulating and creating destructive influences on cells. Water must also transport minerals and nutrients required for cell metabolism, and remove any substances that can damage the cell.
In order to hydrate your body optimally, you need to drink water that is alkaline and ionized. Alkaline water helps to neutralize stored acids and toxins. Once these acids are neutralized, they can then be removed by the body. Alkaline water containing ionic minerals also acts as a conductor of electrochemical activity from cell to cell. Reports from studies suggest that ionized, alkaline water can help the body resist disease and slow aging by:
• Increasing Intracellular Hydration
• Replenishing Essential Minerals
• Stabilizing and Protecting Cells
• Helping To Maintain Normal Blood Flow and Acid Alkaline Balance
• Flushing Out and Preventing Wastes from Accumulating in Cells
• Preventing Free Radicals from Forming and Damaging Other Cells

Happy 2008

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Spirit Fitness is Open!

We have made it through the crazy (seemed to last forever) construction phase of Spirit Fitness at 105-7500 Macleod Trail South.

We welcome you and would love to see you down at the Studio. Feel it. Grab it and enjoy the energy and vibe.

Annette Milbers and I are running a Boot Camp M/W/F 10-11 starting Nov 5 th for 6 weeks. We have a few spots left and would love for you to join us and get fit. For only $380.

Call us 455-3486

Cheers,
Brenda and Rod Coulter

Boot Camps

Christmas Boot Camps with Annette Milbers and Brenda Coulter at Spirit Fitness:

When: MWF 10-11 am starting November 5th-Dec 14th 2007

Where: Spirit Fitness 105-7500 Macleod Trail South

Cost: $380 for 3x/week for 6 weeks.

Training will include increase strength, endurance, confidence, flexibility, and much more.
Whether you are interested or not, don't keep this a secret--tell your friends and family about it. All levels welcome.

Contact via 710-7761 or email
brenda@spiritfitness.ca

Getting Closer to opening!!

We are having such amazing productive days this week and plans for next week too!
Equipment came, taper done Friday and we are sanding and putting on the primer Friday and painting Saturday and Sunday!!
Wow what a rush.
Monday Tod, the artist, is pouring the floor and finishing some tiling with Rod in the bathrooms and his work on our front Juice Bar counter.
Plumbers in for final touches on Wednesday and then.....we should clean clean that day to OPEN!