So I'm always trying to find out what foods give you the most nutritional bang for your buck. Imagine my delight when I saw an ad in my Eating Well magazine for McCormick and their seven spices to boost your health. Now I won't feel so guilty eating those nachos if I just sprinkle some oregano on it, ha!

1.) Cinnamon: has one of the highest antioxidant levels of any spice and even more than many foods. One teaspoon of this warm-tasting spice has as many antioxidants a full cup of pomegranate juice or ½ cup of blueberries. Additionally, cinnamon is also rich in natural compounds called polyphenols which appear to act like insulin in the body and may help regulate blood sugar levels.
2.) Ginger: eases indigestion and reduce pain. One of the active ingredients in ginger, gingerol, has anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest that this ging compound may work like certain drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen by inhibiting an enzyme that causes inflammation. Research hints that ginger may offer pain relief for everything from arthritis to nausea and migraines.
3.) Oregano: Of all the dried herbs, oregano has one of the highest antioxidant levels. One teaspoon of dried oregano leaves has as many antioxidants as three ounces of almonds and ½ cup of chopped asparagus. Oh yeah and random factoid for you, if you haven't watched Rachael Ray enough, oregano means "joy of the mountain."
4.) Red pepper: Capsaicin is the fiery compound in peppers that gives chiles their heat and their antioxidants. The hotter the pepper, the more of these two guys you'll find. Cayenne or ground red pepper contains the most, but all red peppers, including chili powder and the milder paprika, are surprisingly good sources of antioxidants. This spice also has dietary benefits. That capsaicin compond helps increase satiety, or a feeling of fullness. Beyond helping you control your appetite, findings of some studies indicate that adding cayenne, chili powder and paprika to your meal can help boost your metabolism. If you can't stand the heat, sweet red peppers have been found to increase calorie burning as well.
5.) Rosemary: antioxidants
6.) Thyme: Just one teaspoon of this herb contains about the same amount of antioxidants as a carrot or a ½ cup chopped tomatoes. Thyme also contains a variety of special compounds called flavonoids that increase the herb's antioxidant strength and may offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Some studies suggest the antioxidants in thyme could help maintain brain function and promote heart health.
7.) Yellow curry: Turmeric, found in curry powder, is a concentrated source of antioxidants, equal to strawberries, raspberries, cherries and grapes. According to some studies, curcumin, the bright yellow compound in turmeric, may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells, reduce inflammation and safeguard the brain. In some studies, curcumin helped fight off the development of destructive brain plaques. As a result, this cognitive-friendly compound may be able to protect against Alzheimer's disease.

I know lots of people are aware about these online sample sale sites, but I felt the need to share because they are so incredibly awesome! Join all of them (membership is free) so you can get access to all the expensive stuff for like, 1/3 of retail. Enjoy :)

Ru La La

Gilt

Ideeli

Editor's Closet

Beyond the Rack

Billion Dollar Babes

Folate (aka folic acid) is essential for women because it helps the baby's development in pregnancy. It's also important for the fellas because it helps produce red blood cells, prevents anemia, helps skin cells grow, aids nervous system function, prevents bone fractures, and lowers risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. To get your folate, you can try the following foods:

1.) Cooked lentils (1 cup, 229 calories): 89 percent daily value
2.) Cooked navy beans (1 cup, 258 calories): 63 percent daily value
3.) Cooked beets (1 cup, 74 calories):34 percent daily value
4.) Cooked split peas (1 cup, 231 calories): 31 percent daily value
5.)Papaya (118 calories): 28 percent daily value
6.) Mustard greens (1 cup, 21 calories): 25 percent daily value
7.) Raw peanuts (1/4 cup, 207 calories): 21 percent daily value
8.) Flaxseeds (2 tbsp., 95 calories): 13 percent daily value
9.) Orange (61 calories): 10 percent daily value
10.)Raspberries (1 cup, 60 calories): 8 percent daily value

And no, I'm not talking about that lemon juice cleanse fad. These things actually aren't too bad!

10.) Eat dark chocolate-lots of antioxidants
9.) Use zero-VOC paint, so you don't have to deal with the smell
8.) Drink filtered tap water instead of the plastic bottled stuff
7.) Grow houseplants...they clean the air
6.) Apply a clay mask: it purifies skin
5.) Don't dry clean clothes; hand-wash them then steam
4.) Use body lotion that doesn't have parabens in them. High doses of these synthetic preservatives can disrupt the functioning of the endocrine system. Since body lotions cover a large amount of surface area; it's good to pay attention to these
3.) Buy organic produce if you eat the skin, or wash non-organic produce with some sort of natural cleanser
2.) Once a year, leave your pillows, comforters, etc. on a tarp in the garage overnight when it's freezing outside. It freezes away the allergens to death
1.) Take off your shoes at the door and put them on a newspaper

Most people drink the vodka that they buy, but you can actually use it for different tasks. I would recommend buying the cheap $10 stuff though...no Grey Goose for these!

10.) Treating poison ivy: immediately pour vodka on skin that has come into contact with poison ivy, and the it will wash away urushiol oil, the stuff that makes you itch. Some have said that the vodka needs to be at least 100 proof to work.

9.) Freshen laundry: spritz your clothes with the stuff, then hang to dry in a well-ventilated area. Vodka kills odor-causing bacteria, but doesn't leave a scent when it dries.

8.) Clean fixtures: to get your chrome, glass and porcelain fixtures clean and shiny, moisten a soft, clean cloth with vodka, then scrub.

7.) Preserve fresh flowers: add a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of sugar to the water in your flower vase. It should help keep your flowers fresh longer. Change out the mixture with fresh ingredients daily.

6.) Insect repellent: pour a little of the clear stuff in a spray bottle and squirt on the buggy annoyances, or yourself as a repellent.

5.) Disinfect and soothe jellyfish stings

4.) Shiny, healthy hair: add a jigger of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo.

3.) Eliminate mold: fill a spray bottle with some vodka and spritz on, then let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub away with an old toothbrush.

2.) Soothing lavender tincture: fill a clean glass jar with fresh lavender flowers, then top off with vodka. Seal the lid tightly and place in the sun for three days.Strain the resulting liquid through a coffee filter, and you have a homemade tincture to rub into aches and pains.

1.) Toothache remedy: swish a shot of vodka over the affected area. It can help disinfect, and should numb some of the pain in your gums.

There will probably be more lists like this, but here's a couple of ideas for some trends to try in 2010...

10.) Foulards (those thingies they put on ties) and vintage pins
9.) Bug jewelry (ok I will NOT be trying this! I HATE bugs!)
8.) Vintage glasses
7.) Hair jewelry (I was already doing this before it was popular!)
6.) Plaid (my Scottish grandma would NEVER let me call it this; it's a TARTAN!)
5.) Coiffed hair
4.) Leather
3.) Ribbon embellishment
2.) Peaked padding on the shoulders a la' Lady Gaga (She can pull it off...me? Not so much)
1.) Denim (Hasn't that always been a classic and not a trend?? Whatevs...maybe they mean jeggings)

So after going to the spa last weekend (Christmas gift from the boyfriend), and facing surprise and awe by the staff because I had never been to a spa before (I'm in my mid-twenties...is that really so bad?) I decided to include the benefits of massage therapy that this spa lists in their pamphlet. FYI: massages are indeed awesome! I'm hooked! If only they weren't so expensive!

1.) Increases metabolism
2.) Helps speed healing
3.) Relaxes and refreshes
4.) Improves blood circulation
5.) Relieves fatigue
6.) Reduces tension and anxiety
7.) Calms the nervous system
8.) Renews energy