Cocoa Beans & Important Information

Roughly two-thirds of the world's cocoa is produced in Western Africa, with close to half of the total sourced from Côte d'Ivoire. Like many food industry producers, individual cocoa farmers are at the mercy of volatile world markets. The price can vary from between £500 ($945) and £3,000 ($5,672) per ton in the space of just a few years. While investors trading in cocoa can dump shares at will, individual cocoa farmers can not ramp up production and abandon trees at anywhere near that pace.

Only three to four per cent of "cocoa futures" contracts traded in the cocoa markets ever end up in the physical delivery of cocoa. Every year seven to nine times more cocoa is bought and sold on the exchange than exists.

It has been alleged that an estimated 90% of cocoa farms in Côte d'Ivoire have used some form of slave labor in order to remain viable. When cocoa prices drop, farmers in West Africa sometimes cut costs by resorting to slave labour.


Is Chocolate A Health Food?

Chocolate contains more than 300 chemicals, and has been the subject of a number of studies by universities and other scientific organizations. Here's a quick rundown of the results. (Note, we have no way of proving or disproving these claims so we offer them here as a stimulus for further research. If you're really interested in the subject, this may provide you with a starting point.)

* Cacao, the source of chocolate, contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay. Of course, this is counteracted by the high sugar content of milk chocolate.
* The smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves, resulting in relaxation.
* Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, a mild mood elevator.
* The cocoa butter in chocolate contains oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fat which may raise good cholesterol.
* Drinking a cup of hot chocolate before meals may actually diminish appetite.
* Men who eat chocolate live a year longer than those who don't.
* The flavanoids in chocolate may help keep blood vessels elastic.
* Chocolate increases antioxidant levels in the blood.
* Mexican healers use chocolate to treat bronchitis and insect bites.
* The carbohydrates in chocolate raise serotonin levels in the brain, resulting in a sense of well-being.

What Chocolate Won't Do

There are many myths and half-truths about the effects of chocolate on the human body. Here are the latest findings on several of them.
* Studies show that chocolate is not a causative factor in acne.
* Cacao contains the stimulants caffeine and bromine, but in such small quantities that they don't cause nervous excitability.
* Chocolate is not addictive.
* Chocolate contains stearic acid, a neutral fat which doesn't raise bad cholesterol.
* Chocolate doesn't make you 'high'. You'd need to eat a huge quantity (about 25 pounds at one sitting) to feel any noticeable effect.

But On The Negative Side...

1. Chocolate may trigger headaches in migraine sufferers.
2. Milk chocolate is high in calories, saturated fat and sugar.

What About Chocolate And Your Pets?
Chocolate is considered dangerous to animals because it contains a stimulant called theobromine, which they can't digest.

Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are even more dangerous because they contain higher concentrations of the substance. This applies whether chocolate is in candy bar form, or an ingredient in cake, cookies, puddings or ice cream.

If a pet becomes ill after eating chocolate, take it to the vet immediately.

Dark Chocolate Versus Milk Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains more cacao and less sugar than milk chocolate. It follows that any health benefits would be more pronounced in dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate is allowed on the popular Montaignac diet while milk chocolate is not.

You'll need to do a little research if you have any health concerns about eating chocolate. But with products like gluten-free and sugar-free brands finding their way onto supermarket shelves, you're sure to find some form of chocolate you can enjoy with a clear conscience.

Welcome!

Hello to all you wonderful bloggers out there. I just wanted to say a big welcome to a new member of my Blog here. Colorado Baby has graciously joined me here as a co author to this blog. She has several successful blogs that she authors so I am very glad to have her on board. Look for her own unique views on exercising and staying in shape. I hope that all you bloggers out there enjoy the articles she will provide to you the viewers. I know that I will!

There are multiple and effective health benefits of aloe vera irrespective of it being used as gel, juice, capsules, tablets, etc.It plays a key role in healing and curing various ailments.
This is partly because, based on available aloe vera information, the plant produces at least 6 antiseptic agents: Lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols, and sulphur. All of these substances are recognized as antiseptics because they kill or control mold, bacteria, fungus, and viruses, explaining why aloe vera has the ability to eliminate many internal and external infections. The Lupeol and salicylic acid in the juice explains its effectiveness as a painkiller.
Another very good reason why the aloe vera plant is referred to as a medicinal plant is because it contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids, cholesterol, campersterol and B-sitosterol (plant sterols) which explains its ability to effectively treat burns, cuts, scrapes, abrasions, allergic reactions, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, acid indigestion, ulcers, plus many inflammatory conditions of the digestive system and other internal organs, including the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, kidney, and pancreas.
B-sitosterol is also a powerful anti-cholestromatic, which helps to lower harmful cholesterol levels, thereby explaining its many benefits for heart patients.
Further aloe vera information points that its juice contains at least 23 polypeptides (immune stimulators), which is mainly why aloe vera juice helps control a broad spectrum of immune system diseases and disorders, including HIV and AIDS. The polypeptides, plus the anti-tumor agents Aloe emodin and Aloe lectins, explain its ability to control cancer.
The unmatched ability of the aloe vera plant to treat and effectively cure multiple complex human conditions in its various avatars from time immemorial as well as the variety of health benefits of aloe vera mean it richly deserves to be called the "Medicine Plant".


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

http://www.all4naturalhealth.com/aloe-vera-information.html

Trustworthy Friends Award

I received another award, I am so grateful for this.

Friends should be someone you can trust and Colorado Baby and I are very good friends.

Again THANK YOU for this trustworthy friends award....

Eating Tips for College Students

10 Healthy Eating Tips for the Busy College Student

The average college student is often pressed for time, under a lot of stress and eating on the go. You may find it difficult to avoid bad habits like skipping meals or frequenting fast food restaurants. But eating a healthy diet can help you feel better, cope with stress and perform better in the class-room and on the athletic field. It really isn't that hard to get started.

Eat a good breakfast. Studies show that skipping breakfast detracts from scholastic achievement. When there isn't time to sit down and enjoy your morning meal, grab a bagel, piece of fruit, and some juice. Most of these items can be easily stored in your dorm room.

If you must eat fast foods, choose wisely. Choose pizza with half the cheese, a regular size roast beef sandwich, baked potato, or green salad with reduced calorie dressing. Limit high fat offering like french fries, fried chicken or fish sandwiches and watch out for salad dressing.

Keep healthful snacks on hand so if hunger strikes during a late night study session, you won't be tempted by vending machine candy, chips, or ice cream. Possibilities include fresh or dried fruit, pretzels, unbuttered popcorn, rice cakes or whole wheat cracker. If you have a refrigerator, consider raw vegetables with low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese dip.

Eat plenty of foods that are rich in calcium. People in their early twenties need to be build up stores of calcium in their bodies to prevent osteoporosis in later life. If you don't like milk, try to include ample amounts of low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese, and green leafy vegetables in your diet.

If you need to lose weight, do it sensibly. Starvation and/or diets that offer a quick fix usually backfire and are harmful. There is not truth to the theories that suggest eating foods in any particular combination will promote weight loss. The only safe way to lose weight, feel good while doing it, and keep it off is to eat a balanced diet.

Sugar provides calories in your diet but few other nutrients and it contributes significantly to tooth decay. Use it sparingly and consider sweetening coffee, tea, cereal and fruit with diet sweeteners instead.

The dining hall salad bar can be either an asset or a detriment to you diet depending on how you choose from it. Of course, leafy greens, raw vegetable and fresh fruit are beneficial. But if you choose lot of creamy dressing, bacon bit, and mayonnaise based salads, the calories and fat may equal or even exceed those of a burger and fries.

If you drink alcohol, keep in mind that it supplies calories but no nutritional value. A light beer, a glass of wine, or an ounce of liquor each has about 100 calories. There are also many health problems associated with drinking alcohol.

Drink lots of water. Your body needs at least eight glasses a day, and if you exercise vigorously, you may need more. To remind yourself, carry a water bottle along to class and keep it handy during late night study sessions.

Remember, food is a lot more than nourishment for our bodies. Enjoy and savor it.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

Remember you are what you eat.

A Quick Note:

Garbage in-Garbage out.

Have you heard that saying you are what you eat.
Well our digestive system breaks down what we eat
and sends it where it is needed. I think we all know
what happens with the unwanted stuff, I don't think
I need to spell it out.

Just a friendly reminder, we need to eat healthy
on a daily basis and drink plenty of water.
Maybe a walk in the morning, or even in the evening.
Every little bit makes a difference.

Not everyone can work out the way I do, but
If you change some eating habits and get a
little bit more excercise, believe me it helps.

CAUTION: If you have any medical issues-CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN.

I am humbled by this award

For you Gord M.

You have shared your personal
experience to promote health
and wellness. You deserve this
TROPHY. Showing that I and
many others feel the same way.

Thank you so much for caring enough
to share this wonderful information.

You have strived for perfection and
great habits for others to follow.



Keep up the hard work. Your Friend Colorado Baby