Is ACV a Miracle Cure?

Photo Credit: Flickr

Every time I check Facebook or scroll through my Twitter feed, I see another article touting the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, or ACV.

Now I love a zesty vinaigrette salad dressing or crispy dill pickle every now and then, but drinking plain old vinegar? It just doesn't sound delicious or appealing until you hear about the health claims people are making about it.

According to the Food Matters website (yes, based on the documentary of the same name), apple cider vinegar:

• fights bacteria and infections
• is rich in several minerals
• is a natural probiotic to promote healthy digestion
• balances cholesterol levels
• fights allergies
• prevents muscle fatigue after a workout
• alleviates arthritis symptoms
• prevents urinary tract infections

Plus, it does a whole lot more.

So, why aren't we guzzling this stuff by the gallons? Personally, I've tried adding apple cider vinegar to my daily routine to reduce joint pain, and when I had a cold, to speed up the healing process of the accompanying sore throat.

Did it work?

Well, yes, it did actually! When my throat felt like I was swallowing razor blades with each breath, I took a shot of ACV mixed with water and the intense stinging sensation instantly went away. After taking two shots a day for a few days, the sore throat was completely gone.

And I also notice on days when I add ACV to my morning up of herbal tea (yes, it's sour and not wonderful!) I have less joint pain in my fingers and ankles. Nice!!

So, are you a cheerleader for apple cider vinegar? What do you use it for? Tell me in the comments below!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: Let's chat on Facebook and Twitter!

Does the Egg + Banana Pancake Recipe Really Work?

I know I'm not the only one who looks at foodie memes on Facebook and Pinterest wondering if they really work.

The perfect, low-calorie, gluten-free pancakes using only two ingredients sure caught my eye.

They look delicious. But, are they?

I put the pancake recipe to a test. 

If you haven't seen this meme, the picture claims that mixing one large egg and one banana together into a batter and pan frying it makes pancakes. Wow!

So, I made this for dinner last night. After all, the recipe uses two whole foods as ingredients! Here's my take on this recipe.

1. Texture: I used a very ripe banana, so the batter came out thick and very similar to pancake batter. The cooked pancakes were very moist. They reminded me of a dense omelet, not pancakes.
2. Taste: They tasted good -- if you like banana pancakes. I think they'd make a good side dish with breakfast, but not as the main entree. The banana flavor is pretty dominant.
3. Ease: This was super easy to make since there's no measuring or pancake mix to spill. But, they did seem to take a little longer to cook than traditional pancakes. Turn the heat to just below medium and don't flip them until the edges start to look a little dry. (The tops don't bubble like pancakes.)
4. Calories: One banana, one large egg, 1/8 cup of real maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of real butter for frying and topping come out to roughly 380 calories.

Overall, I thought these were pretty good. Will they be my new go-to pancakes? No. But, will I make them again? Probably. They're simple and taste pretty darn good!

So, have you tried this simple "pancake" recipe? What did you think?

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

17 Things I've Learned While Using My Fitness Pal

Today is my 16th day of tracking my exercise, meals and snacks using the My Fitness Pal app.

When the hubby mentioned it to me I thought it'd be fun to try. I'm always looking for ways to be healthier and it might be a good thing to learn more about portion control. Well, I've learned about portions and so much more.

Here's 17 insights and thoughts since I started using the app.

1. Spices (such as ground cinnamon and garlic powder) do contain calories and should be logged.
2. Choose portions based on your needs, not what a food package says you should eat.
3. I feel guilty if I go over my daily allotment of calories and try to be better the next day.
4. Having friends to "like" your health achievement updates on the app is wonderful!
5. I've never eaten one portion of pasta in my life. I want a big bowl or none at all.
6. Celery does indeed have calories, contrary to popular dieting myths.
7. Olive oil is a healthy unsaturated fat but it's high in calories. Use it wisely.
8. I don't get enough sodium, potassium, or protein most days. I'm working to improve that.
9. I find myself snacking less since I have to be honest and log it.
10. I make everything I put on my plate count and strive to eat more nutritionally balanced meals.
11. I'm happy to see restaurant food and popular recipes are included in the food search feature.
12. Why is peanut butter and cashew butter so high in calories?
13. I love being able to track my daily vitamin and mineral consumption.
14. I feel proud each time I log exercise or physical activities, like mowing the lawn.
15. I can enjoy cake -- in moderation -- and still meet my daily health goals.
16. Alcoholic beverages and cheese have more calories than I realized.
17. A half cup portion is not very big. I've been eating too much of most foods.

Do you use My Fitness Pal? What feature or information has surprised you most since you started using it? Tell me in the comments below.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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Beyond My Plate: Healthy Skin and Beauty Decisions

My whole foods living lifestyle goes far beyond food.

I also try to make healthy decisions when it comes to skin care products, makeup and hair care. I even opt for non-toxic nail polish and at-home manicures.

The past few weeks several friends have asked me to elaborate on how I choose "healthier" products and what I like to use.

Here's a quick primer on my decision making process and a few of my favorite makeup bag goodies and bathroom essentials.

How to Choose Healthier Beauty Products 

My method for choosing healthy products of any type is actually very simple. I peek at the ingredient list and try to read it aloud. If I stumble over any 16-letter words, it doesn't go in my shopping cart.

I look for products created without animal testing or animal byproducts. Sometimes it's difficult to find affordable vegan options, but I do my best within my budget. 

I also avoid the "popular" offenders that all beauty bloggers eschew because they either disrupt hormone functions, claim to be carcinogenic with prolonged use or clog our pores and interfere our body's natural cycle of sweating and breathing. (Peek at the photos above for a few ideas.)

When in doubt, choose simple one-ingredient products.

My Favorite Natural Products 

Lotion: I rarely use products labeled as a lotion anymore. Instead I turn to noncomedogenic oils (that means they don't clog pores) to naturally hydrate my skin and nails. My top favorites include pure coconut oil, pure jojoba oil, pure cocoa butter (it smells like chocolate!!) and extra virgin olive oil (yes, straight from the kitchen cupboard).

Body Wash: Look for castile soaps. They're vegetable-based and very gentle on sensitive skin. Right now I'm in love with the invigorating scent of Kirk's Original Coco Castile Body Wash Grapefruit and Ginger. It's the perfect morning wake-me-up soap!

Makeup & Nail Polish: As a beauty blogger, I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to try so many great products for review purposes. In the last year alone I've discovered brands that will stay in my beauty bag forever. Here's a few products for you to investigate:

• jane iredale cosmetics - Makeup created for sensitive skin
• Honeybee Gardens - Mineral-based makeup and nail polishes
• Scotch Naturals - Non-toxic nail polishes in fabulous colors
• Lotus Moon - Facial washes and pampering
• Perfectly Pure - a variety of beauty products
• Nature's Gate - a variety of products
• Tom's of Maine - natural deodorant and toothpaste

Hair Care: I like to try different types of shampoo and conditioner every few months. My hair gets bored and seems to perk up when I make a switch every so often. 

I look for organic hair care products because as I rinse all those chemicals are being whisked away into our public water system. If I can reduce my impact on the local water supply, I do it. Lately I've been using Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil or Organic Italian Red Grape shampoos and conditioners.

So, how do you keep your beauty routine healthy? Tell me (and my curious readers) in the comments below!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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