Why Acorn Ham is Light in Tasting

Here you can find below the 4 secrets of this wonderful taste.

1.Exercise in the breeding pig:

Acorn grease is lighter that common animal grease, because it is the grease of a vegetable.

The exercise the pig used to do in countryside breeding help this light acorn grease to spread through the meat rather than concentrate in specific fat places.

This sweet grease inserted in the pig muscles makes the resulting ham after a meat curing process soft meltable and easy taffy at the palate.

The taste of the final ham is a middle savour between salty and sweet, just delicious.

2. Especial pig race:

The pig race used to breed animals with this kind of food, is the "iberian pig" and it is native of Spain and Portugal, this is the reason why the Spanish cured ham is called Jamon iberico.

3. Natural space for pig exercising:

The place where the pigs are bred it is called the "dehesa", and it is a forest of acorn oaks and helms. This forest has small springs that comes from small rivers and rain water accumulated between the oaks. The oaks only represents the 30% of the covered surface of the forest, this is the reason why the acorns are spread in the grass and pigs can graze as cow or sheep in flocks.

4. Environmental sustainable industry:

Imitating the wild boars, which are their immediate parents, iberian pigs can eat also roots when they find and reach withe its snouts as dogs and extract with their teeth.They look for this kind of food near streams and rain springs. The "dehesa" habitat is shared with bird migrant species that stay in the dehesa commonly a month, taking the benefits of of the insects they find near the pigs folk and the fish of the rivers.

Natural Tips for Treating ED

Natural Tips for Treating ED

Though some consider it a touchy subject, erectile dysfunction (ED) is nothing to hide or suffer from in silence, whether you’re a man with ED or his partner. According to the the US National Institutes of Health, the number of men with erectile dysfunction may be anywhere from 15 to 30 million men and more and more doctor's office visits by men are made to seek treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Fortunately, aside from prescription medications, men looking for alternative and herbal-based treatments to try have wide variety to choose from which may be promising for providing ED relief. For example, some have used the herb ginkgo biloba successfully for ED; ginkgo works by improving blood flow to the penile veins and arteries and is without many of the side effects of medications.

Other men with decreased libido take Indian Ginseng, a tonic herb that is capable of strengthening the body and is even used by some as an aphrodisiac. Believe it or not, the amino acid, L-Arginine is used by the body to create nitric oxide, the chemical that relaxes the blood vessels, in order to diminish erectile dysfunction.

L-Arginine is found in food sources such as meat, dairy products, poultry and fish. Some men suffering from ED often have a deficiency of the mineralzinc and a simple supplement of 15-30 mg daily can help to improve their symptoms. But before considering adding supplements and medications, men with ED should consider the research which shows that those men who exercise regularly are less likely to develop impotence as they age. Researchers at the New England Research Institutes of Watertown, Mass., studied 593 men, ages 40 to 70, and found that men who burned at least 200 calories a day, were less likely to develop ED than sedentary men, so even minimal exercise is helpful when it comes to maintaining ahealthy sex life.

Fabulous Food For Fabulous Women!

Fabulous Food For Fabulous Women!
by: Amy Otis, RN
Fabulous Foods for Fabulous Women!

ALMONDS: rich in heart-healthy vitamin E and fiber.

APPLES: A good source of pectin, a soluble fiber that provides bulk and digests slowly, helping you feel full.

BLUEBERRIES: contains the most antioxidants of any fruit

BOK CHOY: high in folate

BROCCOLI: great source of cancer fighting phytonutrient

CARROTS: loaded with beta-carotene, low in calories, and rich in fiber.

BROWN RICE: A source of complex carbohydrates, which provide sustained fuel and prevent fatigue. It’s also rich in the B vitamins that help turn food into energy.

FISH: excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids

KIWI FRUIT: most nutrients per calorie of any other fruit !!!

CANTALOUPE: It satisfies a sweet tooth but is low in calories

OATMEAL: high in fiber, iron and B vitamins

ORANGE JUICE: One of the best drinks there is. Vitamins C, B, potassium, antioxidants, and the list goes on and on! And of course, drink Florida orange juice. (Because that is where I live).

POMEGRANATE JUICE:
This juice is delicious and refreshing. It has more antioxidant power than any other drink. Yes, more than red wine, green tea, blueberry juice, cranberry juice, orange juice and Noni juice. Antioxidants are extremely important because they guard your body against free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that can cause premature aging, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, even cancer.

RAISINS: high in iron and fiber

RED GRAPES: packed with resveratrol, a cancer blocker

SALMON: highest concentration of heart protective omega-3 fatty acids

TEMPEH: soy isoflavones from this fermented soy product

TOFU: full of cholesterol lowering soy isoflavones

YOGURT: full of calcium and “friendly bacteria”

Important Vitamins for Women (and men too).

Vitamin A: (Beta carotene) Essential for good vision, healthy skin, hair, teeth and bones; can also boost immune function and help protect against cancer. Recommended amount: 10,000 IU per day.

B Vitamins, including Folic Acid: Folic Acid, B6 and B12 work together to prevent anemia, manufacture red blood cells and build genetic material. Folic Acid also has been proven to reduce the risk of birth defects. The latest research also shows that these B vitamins may improve memory and reduce levels of homocysteine (a chemical found in the blood that may help predict heart attack and stroke risk), thereby lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke. Folic Acid is also being studied as a means to ward off colon and breast cancers. Recommended amount: Folic Acid 0.4 mg. per day, B6 (pyridoxine) 50 mg. per day; B12 300mcg. Per day (micrograms).

Vitamin C: Helps prevent heart disease and cancer. Contributes to wound healing, immune functions, the production of collagen (connective tissue) and healthy gums. It also helps the body absorb iron. Recommended amount: 500 mg. per day

Vitamin D: Maintains healthy bones (by helping your body to absorb calcium) and promotes immune function; may help protect against the loss of lean muscle mass associated with aging. New research suggests it may also protect against breast and colon cancers. Recommended amount: 400 IU per day

Vitamin E: Helps form red blood cells, muscle and other tissues. In large quantities, it may protect against cancer causing cell changes, reduce your risk of heart disease and enhance immune function. New research indicates that E also may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease and be a useful therapy for diabetes (it improves glucose control) and arthritis (it reduces inflammation). Recommended amount: 400 IU per day. Do not exceed 400 IU per day without the advice of your doctor.

Folic Acid: Take 0.4 mg daily when trying to get pregnant as this prevents some birth defects.

Important Minerals for Everyone

As with vitamins, it can be difficult, to get the amounts of minerals needed for optimum health through diet alone. Mineral supplements can help you make sure you are getting all the minerals your body requires. Below is a list of essential minerals we recommend.

Calcium: Calcium is vital for the formation of strong bones and teeth and for the maintenance of healthy gums. It is also important in the maintenance of a regular heartbeat and the transmission of nerve impulses. Calcium lowers cholesterol levels and helps prevent cardiovascular disease. It may increase the rate of bone growth and bone mineral density and children. It may lower blood pressure and prevent bone loss associated with osteoporosis as well. RDA: 1000 mg. per day, 1500 mg. per day after menopause.

Magnesium: Magnesium assists in calcium and potassium uptake. Supplementing the diet with magnesium can help prevent depression, dizziness, muscle weakness and twitching, and premenstrual syndrome, and also aids in maintaining the body’s proper pH balance. Recommended amount: 750 mg. per day. Potassium Role: This mineral is important for a healthy nervous system and a regular heart rhythm. It helps prevent stroke, aids in proper muscle contraction and works with sodium to control the body’s water balance.

Selenium: Selenium’s primary function is to prohibit the oxidation of lipids (fats). A vital antioxidant, especially when combined with vitamin E. It protects the immune system by preventing the formation of free radicals, which can damage the body. It has also been found to function as a preventive against the formation of certain types of tumors. Selenium and vitamin E act synergistically to aid in the production of antibodies and to help maintain a healthy heart and liver. This trace element is needed for pancreatic function and tissue elasticity. Recommended amount: 200 mcg. (micrograms) per day

Potassium: Important for chemical reactions within the cells and aids in maintaining stable blood pressure. Recommended amount: 50 mg. per day

Iron: Perhaps the most important of irons functions in the body is the production of hemoglobin and myoglobin and the oxygenation of red blood cells. Iron is the mineral found in the largest amounts of the blood. It is essential for many enzymes, including catalase, and is important for growth. Iron is also required for a healthy immune system and for energy production. Recommended amount: 30 mg. per day (if you take a supplement, this can cause black-looking feces and constipation).

Zinc: Assists with digestion and metabolism. This important mineral may help prevent acne and regulate the activity of the oil glands. It promotes a healthy immune system and the healing of wounds. It protects the liver from chemical damage and is vital for bone formation. Recommended amount: 15-50 mg. per day. The above dosage recommendations vary from source to source. Taking these vitamins individually may be costly and time consuming. Look for a balanced vitamin preparation with which you are comfortable. Ask your pharmacist for recommendations.

Endometriosis - knowing is half the battle

Endometriosis - knowing is half the battle

They say women are blessed with the gift of child bearing. This also means having the burden of monthly periods and everything it entails. It requires doubling the hygiene rituals as disregarding those may cause complications. One of these complications can be endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a common issue for women over 30 who are of reproductive age but have never been pregnant. It is common to an estimated 89 million women but is most often shrugged off as the usual premenstrual syndrome. Though it appears to hit women over 30, it may also affect girls before they even start menstruating. It is said to be caused by excess amounts of estrogen in the body.

The endometrium is a lining of the uterus that separates the myometrium from the uterine cavity. During a woman's menstrual cycle, the uterus sheds off the endometrial lining in the form of a thick, glandular, blood vessel-filled tissue in response to the body's hormone production. Endometriosis may seem similar to a regular menstrual cycle in the sense that the endometrial lining is still sloughed off. However, not all of it is excreted. Instead, some of it gets misplaced and transported to other organs in the pelvic cavity. It may attach itself to the bowel, bladder or small intestines among other organs, causing infection, scarring, and worse - infertility.

The most common symptoms of endometriosis include: progressive dysmenorrhea; chronic lumbar, pelvic and abdominal pain; dyspareunia (painful intercourse); dyschezia (painful bowel movement) or dysuria(painful urination); menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding); nausea and vomiting, and pre- or intermenstrual spotting.

During menstruation, women usually experience abdominal cramps and tenderness of the breasts. This is said to be due to the estrogen level that fluctuates during that time. However, for people with endometriosis, the pain gets worse over time. This symptom is usually neglected as women often think of it as part of their usual dysmenorrhea attacks. This may well be carried over to experiencing chronic pain, usually on the lower back, pelvic and abdominal areas. As a lot of women experience radiating pain during dysmenorrhea. The pain radiates from abdomen to the lumbar area.

Women with endometriosis also experience dyspareunia, or painful sexual intercourse. There might be an inflammation of the vaginal lining, causing pain upon contact or friction during intercourse.
Once the misplaced endometrial lining attaches itself to your bowel, kidney or bladder, you may experience dyschezia or dysuria. Dyschezia is a condition wherein you experience discomfort while defecating. Dysuria is a condition characterized by painful urination. In both cases you may experience hematochezia or hematuria wherein blood is found in your feces and urine. Difficulty defecating and urinating may cause internal bleeding and, in turn, infection.

Menorrhagia, or heavy menstrual bleeding is not something to shrug off. It may manifest itself as prolonged menstrual bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding, or even both. Some women are used to their periods taking two to three weeks to finish, This symptom is tricky to detect as menstrual cycles differ for every woman. Nausea and vomiting, again a common occurrence during dysmenorrhea, are also symptoms of endometriosis. This can also be a sign that misplaced endometrial lining had attached itself onto your gastro-intestinal organs. Premenstrual and inter-menstrual spotting can also be a symptom of endometriosis, and is characterized by blood spots that appear before and in between menstrual cycles.

Endometriosis is a progressive condition that will, in the long run, affect a woman's ability to create life. As prolonged, untreated endometriosis may cause the endometrial lining to attach itself inside the vagina and to other organs outside the pelvic region. Severe infection may form scar tissues that can block the fallopian tubes and hinder ovulation.

As of now, a sure-fire cure for endometriosis is still being tested. However, modern science has provided us with medications and procedures that may help delay the effects of it. Laser surgery can be made to remove endometrial fragments from where they have attached. Also, there are medications available that will stop the body from producing more estrogen to prevent the endometrial fragments from growing. If you're experiencing the symptoms listed on this article, it is best to visit your gynecologist and have yourself checked.