Diet-Friendly Frozen Dessert Recipe

Cantaloupe-Basil Granita

Granitas are a combination of fruit, water, and sweetener frozen into a scrape-able mixture. This recipe includes only a minimal amount of honey, a natural sweetener containing small amounts of nutrients, allowing the natural sweetness of the fruit to really shine through.

Ingredients:

• 1 cantaloupe, seeds and rind removed, cut into chunks
• 1/2 cup water
• 2-3 tablespoons honey, based on sweetness of fruit
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 basil leaves, divided, plus extra for garnish

Directions:

1. Add water, honey, lemon juice, and two basil leaves to a saucepan over high heat. Use a spoon to press down on basil leaves a few times to help release their flavor.
2. Bring mixture to boil, remove from heat, remove and discard basil leaves, and allow mixture to cool.
3. Add cantaloupe and liquid mixture to a food processor and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
4. Add two remaining basil leaves, and blend until incorporated into mixture.
5. Place mixture into a shallow glass pan and place in freezer.
6. After an hour, remove pan and use fork to scrape mixture around. It should have begun to freeze by this point, but may still be in a fairly liquid state. Place pan back in the freezer.
7. Repeat this process after another hour, and repeat hourly as needed, until reaching desired consistency.
8. Serve in individual bowls, and garnish with basil leaves if you’d like.

*You may want to leave several hours of freezing time before serving the granita

Source:shape.com/healthy-eating/healthy-recipes/10-diet-friendly-frozen-dessert-recipes/cantaloupe-basil-granita

How Weights and Cardio Cut Breast Cancer Risk

Working out with weights may do more than just build beautiful muscles. While all types of exercise substantially reduce your risk of both breast cancer and lung cancer,according to two new studies presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, women who work out vigorously—incorporating a variety of weights and cardio several times a week—reduced their risk of lung cancer by one-third and breast cancer by 30 percent. Even better, fit ladies saw these benefits even if they had other risk factors for the cancers, like a smoking habit or being overweight. 

The question researchers are trying to answer now? Why exactly exercise can fend off cancer—and just how much you need to sweat to see the benefits.

One potential explanation: Exercise may reduce the number of fat cells that produce estrogen, a hormone which in excess has been shown to fuel breast cancer, Jyoti Patel, M.D., spokeswoman for the American Society of Clinical Oncology, said in a press release.  And it appears that strength exercises like squats, bicep curls, and chest presses may be particularly good at this. A 2012 Harvard studyfound that muscle-strengthening exercises cause the body to produce a hormone called irisin, which then travels through the body and alters fat cells in a way that speeds up the metabolism, ultimately burning more calories.

For lung cancer, the explanation is a little less straightforward, said Ange Wang, M.D. student and the lead author of the Stanford paper. "Physical activity might specifically help the lungs by improving lung function and limiting the deposition deep in the lungs of inhaled cancer-causing agents," she noted. Wang also added that exercise boosts the immune system and helps people lose weight—things that have shown to protect against cancer.

Both research teams also noted that the more minutes a woman spent exercising, the more protection she had against cancer, regardless of the type of workout or other risk factors. In the studies, the women exercised an average of four to seven hours per week. And any level of intensity can help: "Our research seems to indicate that you don't have to kill yourself," Wang said. "It doesn't need to be strenuous. You just have to put the time in." 

So if you want to have a beautiful, healthy chest inside and out, think about incorporating weight lifting and other muscle building exercises into your routine. We recommend starting with the basic pushup—not only will it lift and define your chest muscles (and core, back, and arms!) but it can also help build a body suited to protect you from disease.

Source:shape.com/fitness/cardio/how-weights-and-cardio-cut-breast-cancer-risk/?utm_source=fbweightsandcardiocutcancerriskutm_medium%3Dsocial&utm_campaign=facebook

Mother Claims Giggling Has Cured Her Asthma and Depression

• Lynette Webbe, 59, suffered asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for 6 years as she smoked since the age of 13
• Also suffered depression since she was a teenager after losing her parents, and began laughter classes as a natural treatment
• Enjoyed the laughter therapy so much she trained to hold her own classes
• After a year she claims her doctors said her respiratory problems are much better, and wants other people to be referred for laughter therapy

A mother claims to have cured her lifelong asthma and depression by laughing.

Lynette Webbe, 59, suffered with the respiratory condition for six years before she started holding laughter therapy classes.

A year on, and she said her doctor has noticed a huge difference in her condition – and thinks the NHS should refer other patients to her classes.

She also says the classes, which involve giggling, storytelling, dancing and childsplay have helped her overcome depression.

Miss Webbe, from Pill in Wales, said: 'I went for a check-up recently and was told that my health was much better and I believe laughter is the reason.

'It opens up the lungs, so I can breathe more easily, and gets endorphins pumping around the body.

'Physically I feel much better and leave my classes feeling amazing.

'I see my classes as a fun way of shaking off the cobwebs. Laughter is like a medicine that doctors can't provide.

'I think it's important to laugh and play.

'It's good for stress as well and if you can get rid of that and anxiety, you can prevent bad mental health too.

'I'd really like doctors to start referring patients to me to treat.'

Miss Webbe said she started her laughter therapy classes as she herself suffered from mental health problems herself.

She said: 'After years of mixing with the wrong crowd as a teenager, then losing my parents and my sister, I got so depressed I started to drink and self-medicate.

'I think it's important to laugh and play.

'It's good for stress as well and if you can get rid of that and anxiety, you can prevent bad mental health too.

'I'd really like doctors to start referring patients to me to treat.'

Miss Webbe said she started her laughter therapy classes as she herself suffered from mental health problems herself.

She said: 'After years of mixing with the wrong crowd as a teenager, then losing my parents and my sister, I got so depressed I started to drink and self-medicate.

'People come and make each other laugh. When we run out of jokes I tell everyone to start fake laughter.

'Basically, fake it until you make it, but you do laugh and this makes you feel better.

'I believe my workshops make people feel amazing. I've been working with people with Alzheimer's and after a class everyone was happy and smiling.

'We dance at my classes so people get some exercise.

'Everyone tells stories, which make them realise we've all got problems and things can get better.

'I share my story as I think this helps people feel they can share. 

'People leave feeling less alone. My workshops gave me a reason to get up and go out. 

'Now they're giving others one too.'

Source:dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3152104/Doctors-refer-patients-LAUGHTER-classes-says-mother-claims-giggling-cured-asthma-depression.html#ixzz3fDUHnH89 

The under 16s battling high blood pressure

Admissions treble in ten years amid concerns children are eating too much salt

• Admissions include almost 400 children under five, figures reveal
• 1,064 under-16s admitted to hospital for high blood pressure in 2012-14
• Other research shows half of seven-year-olds have too much salt in diet
• Children of this age are only meant to eat a maximum of 5g of salt a day

Rising numbers of children are being treated in hospital for high blood pressure over concerns they are eating too much salt, figures reveal.

Admissions have trebled in the last ten years and include almost 400 children under five.

The figures, obtained by Channel 4’s Dispatches from 29 NHS trusts, show that 1,064 children under 16 were admitted to hospital for high blood pressure between 2012 and 2014.

Of the trusts who broke admissions down into age groups, 391 children were aged 0 to five, 197 six to ten and 429 11 to 16.

And data from ten NHS trusts going back a decade show admissions have trebled in that time, showing that a total of 153 children were admitted and treated in 2014, compared to just 49 in 2004.

The hospitals could not confirm whether the high blood pressure was caused by excess salt or obesity, and in some cases it may be due to conditions affecting the kidneys or heart. 

But separate research found that half of all seven-year-olds have too much salt in their diet.

Children of this age are only meant to eat a maximum of 5g of salt a day – but a quarter were found to be consuming more than 6.7g.

The study by the University of Bristol tracked 6,000 children from the ages of seven through to 15 and found much of the salt came from processed foods such as pizza.

Salt intake in childhood has medium and potentially long-term effects on cardiovascular health

Dr Kate Northstone, University of Bristol senior research fellow

It also showed that the children who exceeded the recommended salt intake all had high blood pressure at the ages of seven, nine, and 15 – by which stage it was two points above average.

This difference in adults is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Dr Kate Northstone, senior research fellow who was involved in the study said: ‘We were able to look over time, so can show that salt intake in childhood has medium and potentially long-term effects on cardiovascular health.’

The Dispatches documentary also revealed that out of the 73 food companies that signed up to a voluntary Government pledge to cut salt levels, just 12 have actually met the targets set.

Source:dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3142397/The-16s-battling-high-blood-pressure-Admissions-treble-ten-years-amid-concerns-eating-salt.html#ixzz3ejdznEyo