Author: Health Freedom Idaho

Eat Up those Valentine’s DARK Chocolates – They Are Good For You!
Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health.

Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet.

Studies show that dark chocolate (not the sugary crap) can improve health and lower the risk of heart disease.

1. Dark Chocolate is Very Nutritious

If you buy quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, then it is actually quite nutritious.

It contains a decent amount of soluble fiber and is loaded with minerals.

A 100 gram bar of dark chocolate with 70-85% cocoa contains (1):

11 grams of fiber.

67% of the RDA for Iron.

58% of the RDA for Magnesium.

89% of the RDA for Copper.

98% of the RDA for Manganese.

It also has plenty of potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium.

Of course, 100 grams (3.5 ounces) is a fairly large amount and not something you should be consuming daily.
All these nutrients also come with 600 calories and moderate amounts of sugar.

For this reason, dark chocolate is best consumed in moderation.

2. Dark Chocolate is a Powerful Source of Antioxidants

It is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and function as antioxidants. These include polyphenols, flavanols, catechins, among others.

One study showed that cocoa and dark chocolate contained more antioxidant activity, polyphenols and flavanols than other fruits they tested, which included blueberries and Acai berries (2).

Bottom Line: Cocoa and dark chocolate have a wide variety of powerful antioxidants, way more than most other foods.

3. Dark Chocolate May Improve Blood Flow and Lower Blood Pressure

The flavanols in dark chocolate can stimulate the endothelium, the lining of arteries, to produce Nitric Oxide (NO), which is a gas (3).

One of the functions of NO is to send signals to the arteries to relax, which lowers resistance to blood flow and therefore reduces blood pressure.

There are many controlled trials showing that cocoa and dark chocolate can improve blood flow and lower blood pressure, but the effects are usually mild (4, 5, 6, 7).

However, there is also one study in people with elevated blood pressure that showed no effect, so take all this with a grain of salt (8).

Bottom Line: The bioactive compounds in cocoa can improve blood flow in the arteries and cause a small but statistically significant decrease in blood pressure.

4. Dark Chocolate Raises HDL and Protects LDL Against Oxidation

Consuming dark chocolate can improve several important risk factors for heart disease.

It makes perfect sense that cocoa lowers oxidized LDL. It contains an abundance of powerful antioxidants that do make it into the bloodstream and protect lipoproteins against oxidative damage (10, 11, 12).

Dark chocolate can also reduce insulin resistance, which is another common risk factor for many diseases like heart disease and diabetes (13, 14).

Bottom Line: Dark chocolate improves several important risk factors for disease. It lowers the susceptibility of LDL to oxidative damage while increasing HDL and improving insulin sensitivity.

5. Dark Chocolate May Lower The Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

The compounds in dark chocolate appear to be highly protective against the oxidation of LDL.

In the long term, this should cause much less cholesterol to lodge in the arteries and we should see a lower risk of heart disease over the long term.

It turns out that we have several long-term observational studies that show a fairly drastic improvement.

In a study of 470 elderly men, cocoa was found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death by a whopping 50% over a 15 year period (15).

Another study revealed that eating chocolate 2 or more times per week lowered the risk of having calcified plaque in the arteries by 32%. Eating chocolate less frequently had no effect (16).

Yet another study showed that chocolate 5+ times per week lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease by 57% (17).

Of course, these 3 studies are so-called observational studies that can not prove that it was the chocolate that caused the reduction in risk.

However, given that we have a biological mechanism (lower blood pressure and oxidized LDL) then I find it plausible that regular consumption of dark chocolate can in fact reduce the risk of heart disease.

Bottom Line: Observational studies show a drastic reduction in heart disease risk for the people who consume the most chocolate.

6. Dark Chocolate May Protect Your Skin Against The Sun

The bioactive compounds in dark chocolate may also be great for your skin.

The flavonols can protect against sun-induced damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin density and hydration (19).

The minimal erythemal dose (MED) is the minimum amount of UVB rays required to cause redness in the skin, 24 hours after exposure.

In one study of 30 people, the MED more than doubled after consuming dark chocolate high in flavanols for 12 weeks (20).

Bottom Line: Studies show that the flavanols from cocoa can improve blood flow to the skin and protect it against sun-induced damage.

7. Dark Chocolate May Improve Brain Function

The good news isn’t over yet. Dark chocolate may also improve the function of the brain.

One study of healthy volunteers showed that 5 days of consuming high-flavanol cocoa improved blood flow to the brain (21).

Cocoa may also significantly improve cognitive function in elderly people with mental impairment. It also improves verbal fluency and several risk factors for disease (22).

Cocoa also contains stimulant substances like caffeine and theobromine, which may be a key reason cocoa can improve brain function in the short term (23).

Take Home Message

There is considerable evidence that cocoa can provide powerful health benefits, being especially protective against cardiovascular disease.

But of course, this doesn’t mean people should go all out and consume lots of chocolate every day. It is still loaded with calories and easy to overeat on. Maybe have a square or two after dinner and try to really savor them.

Dark chocolates often contain some sugar, but the amounts are usually small and the darker the chocolate, the less sugar it will contain.

There are of course other benefits to chocolate that I have not mentioned… such as the awesome taste.
This article originally appeared at: https://authoritynutrition.com/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate/.

Find Out more about Health Foods and recipes visit our pages at HEALTHY FOODS
February 13, 2017
Get Your Kids to Eat: Kale

Kale

If you like spinach then you will like kale. They are both known for their wide variety of nutrients, mild taste, and availability in your local markets. The best part is that they are from different families, which will make rotating a breeze. Having any kind of health issue? Kale will probably help, though they are especially talented at fighting cancer.

If its good for them you want them to eat it. . .but, how!?

We take our fresh kale strip it from the stalk, douse it in avocado oil with a generous sprinkle of pink salt and a dash of garlic salt and stick them in an oven for about an hour at 250 degrees.

KALE CHIPS!

Crunchy. Salty. Good food snacking.

February 13, 2017
Vaccine Exemptions Idaho

HOW IS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GETTING AWAY WITH IT?

IDAHO STATUTES CLEARLY STATE: VACCINES ARE NOT MANDATED FOR DAYCARE or SCHOOLS. LAWS CLEARLY STATE A PARENT’S WRITTEN STATEMENT IS AN ACCEPTABLE FORM OF IMMUNIZATION EXEMPTION. When parents opt to submit the legally acceptable affidavit, IDHW declines it forcing schools to deny the children’s registration.

When the Public Health Department refuses to accept legally permitted form of exemption which leads many to wonder HOW IS THAT LEGAL?

Regardless of your opinion on the efficacy of vaccines, it is unacceptable to allow the Department of Health to mandate a discriminatory form for school enrollment that violates privacy and is potentially self-incriminating.

There are 2 forms provided by the Department of Health. Legally you are required to make a statement of objection (you do not have to clarify that statement), your child’s name and birthday. Any additional information required by schools or the Health Department is illegal.
SCHOOL VACCINE EXEMPTION FORM
CHILDCARE VACCINE EXEMPTION FORM

Encourage ALL LEGISLATORS to SUPPORT SB 1050 This bill keeps administrative policy from usurping Idaho law. SB 1050 will allow parents to make an informed choice to opt out of vaccines without discrimination, revealing private medical information and without being entered into a tracking database without consent.

Idaho’s Health & Welfare Department created a mandatory immunization form that falls FAR OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF CURRENT STATUTES and is discriminatory to the minority of parents who legally choose to OPT OUT of the full CDC vaccine schedule. Parents are forced to sign IDHW’s mandatory form that demands parents state that they are putting their children at risk. No parent should be forced to sign a form that is self-incriminatory in order to enroll their child into a daycare program or public school.

The Public Health department is getting away with creating their own rules and children are being denied access to daycare and schools.

SUPPORT SB 1050 for Immunization Exemption Form and Parental Statement Compliance by the Health Department

RESOURCES:

The state-prescribed form, based on IDAPA 16.02.15, is in violation of Code 39-4802 and 39-4804. The form developed by IDHW falls far outside the scope of Idaho Code 39-1118(2) and 39-4802(2).

Idaho Statute 39-4802(2) permits a parent/guardian:
1. The right to choose whether to vaccinate their child
2. The right to choose to participate or decline participation in the state vaccine registry system (IRIS).
3. The right to opt out without explanation of objection.

February 12, 2017

SUPPORT SB 1050 for Immunization Exemption Form Compliance

IDAHO STATUTES CLEARLY STATE: VACCINES ARE NOT MANDATED FOR DAYCARE or SCHOOLS. LAWS CLEARLY STATE A PARENT’S WRITTEN STATEMENT IS AN ACCEPTABLE FORM OF IMMUNIZATION EXEMPTION. The Public Health Department refuses to accept a parents’ written affidavit, which leads many to wonder HOW IS THAT LEGAL?

Idaho’s Health & Welfare Department created a mandatory immunization form that falls FAR OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF CURRENT STATUTES and is discriminatory to the minority of parents who legally choose to OPT OUT of the full CDC vaccine schedule. Parents are forced to sign IDHW’s mandatory form that demands parents state that they are putting their children at risk. No parent should be forced to sign a form that is self-incriminatory in order to enroll their child into a daycare program or public school.

The Public Health department is getting away with creating their own rules and children are being denied access to daycare and schools.

Regardless of your opinion on the efficacy of vaccines, it is unacceptable to allow the Department of Health to mandate a discriminatory form for school enrollment that violates privacy and is potentially self-incriminating.

SB 1050 Need To Be Heard

There is A LOT going on behind the scenes to shut down the bill SB 1050.

(SB 1050 is the HFI sponsored bill that would keep the Health Departments administrative policy in line with the current statute.)

It appears we are poking a bear (aka the Health Department) that is use to getting its own way! In order to protect liberty, we need a GIANT response. The Health Department is making every attempt to not only shut down our efforts to keep them ‘in line’ with existing statutes. Tell our elected officials they MUST SUPPORT SB 1050.

This is easy with the Testify App

Click here to get Testifi on Google Play.

Click here to get Testifi in the Apple App Store.

and send a quick message “Support SB 1050” to:
1. The Governor
2. Your District Legislators
3 The Health and Welfare Committees

SB 1050 keeps administrative policy from usurping Idaho law. It allows parents to make an informed choice to opt out of vaccines without discrimination, revealing private medical information and without being entered into a tracking database without consent.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

If you don’t have Testifi here’s phone/email list:

Governor Butch Otter Office
Email
334-2100

Senate Health Committee which approved the RS to go to print as a bill

Agenbroad	332-1329	jagenbroad@senate.idaho.gov
Anthon	332-1346	kanthon@senate.idaho.gov
Foreman	332-1405	dforeman@senate.idaho.gov
Harris	332-1429	mharris@senate.idaho.gov
Heider	332-1347	lheider@senate.idaho.gov
Jordan	3321412	mjordan@senate.idaho.gov
Lee	332-1325	alee@senate.idaho.gov
Martin	332-1358	fmartin@senate.idaho.gov
Souza	332-1322	msouza@senate.idaho.gov

House Health Committee

Blanksma	332-1054	mblanksma@house.idaho.gov
Chew	332-1049	schew@house.idaho.gov
Gibbs	332-1042	mgibbs@house.idaho.gov
Hanks	332-1056	khanks@house.idaho.gov
Hixon	332-1052	bhixon@house.idaho.gov
Kingsley	332-1133	mkingsley@house.idaho.gov
Packer	332-1045	kpacker@house.idaho.gov
Perry	332-1044	cperry@house.idaho.gov
Redman	332-1070	eredman@house.idaho.gov
Rubel	332-1034	irubel@house.idaho.gov
VanderWoude	332-1037	jvanderwoude@house.idaho.gov
Wood	332-1074	fwood@house.idaho.gov
Zollinger	332-1073	bzollinger@house.idaho.gov

SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

RESOURCES:

There are 2 forms provided by the Department of Health. Legally you are required to make a statement of objection (you do not have to clarify that statement), your child’s name and birthday. Any additional information required by schools or the Health Department is illegal.
SCHOOL VACCINE EXEMPTION FORM
CHILDCARE VACCINE EXEMPTION FORM

February 12, 2017

GROW YOUR OWN: Tomatoes and Peppers

You can taste the sun in a ripe homegrown tomato, but only if the tomato plant has enjoyed a robust, healthy life. This is no great challenge in climates where summers are long and warm, but you will need special varieties to grow great tomatoes if you have a short, cool season. Disease resistance is important in all climates because tomatoes can be weakened or killed by several widespread diseases.

To learn more about getting started with your own garden, see Vegetable Gardening Tips for Beginners.

Best Tomato Varieties for Your Location
check out University of Idaho Recommendations

• Short, cool summers: Try early-maturing cherry tomatoes such as blight-resistant ‘Jasper’, along with heirlooms selected in cold climates around the world such as golfball-size ‘Stupice’ from Czechoslovakia or the heart-shaped ‘Anna Russian Oxheart’.

• Moderate summers: Full-season varieties known for great flavor such as ‘Brandywine’, an Amish heirloom from Pennsylvania, can be mixed with ‘Sun Gold’, a fruity-tasting yellow cherry tomato, or full-flavored, chocolate-colored ‘Black Krim’ for a beautiful and productive tomato patch.

• Long, humid summers: Resistance to fusarium wilt is crucial yet easy to come by in popular varieties such as baseball-size red ‘Better Boy’ or ‘Super Sweet 100’ cherry. Among heirlooms, purple-blushed varieties such as ‘Black Cherry’ or superjuicy ‘Pruden’s Purple’ often show good tolerance of muggy weather.

• Hot, dry summers: Disease-resistant, heat-tolerant ‘Champion’ always makes a good crop of round slicing tomatoes, which contrast beautifully with golden ‘Persimmon’ or sliced rounds of meaty ‘San Marzano’ paste tomatoes.

Growing Peppers

Garden peppers are pickier than tomatoes when it comes to weather, so choosing varieties suited to your climate is fundamental to growing a good crop of ripe peppers. Most peppers start out green and gradually ripen to red, yellow or orange, depending on variety. Ripe peppers taste better and have much more vitamin C compared with green ones, so they are worth waiting for. In the garden, ripening peppers are at risk for developing cracks and sunscald, neither of which will happen if you pick peppers when they begin to change colors and allow them to ripen at room temperature.

Best Pepper Varieties for Where You Live

• Short, cool summers: Early-maturing ‘Ace’ red bell is a cold-climate standout, but you may also do well with ‘Cubanelle’ frying peppers, which develop a mild, sweet flavor before they are fully ripe.

• Moderate summers: Peppers that load up with fruit early such as ‘Carmen’ frying pepper and ‘Lipstick’ sweet pimento shorten the wait for homegrown peppers.

• Long, humid summers: Most peppers can be grown with ease in warm climates, but banana peppers (sweet or hot) and ‘Jupiter’ red bell always produce bumper crops.

• Hot, dry summers: Southwestern peppers include dozens of varieties that prosper in hot climates, for example ‘Big Jim’ green chili pepper, ‘Santa Fe’ hot chili, and lots of local heirlooms.

Growing Tomatoes and Peppers

Tomatoes and peppers are members of the same botanical family, so they are grown in similar ways.

1. About six weeks before your last spring frost date, start seeds indoors under fluorescent lights. Keep seedlings warm, moist and almost touching the lights. When seedlings are about six weeks old, transplant to larger containers (still indoors).

2. Harden off homegrown or purchased seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor weather for a few hours each day for at least a week before transplanting.

3. Plan to transplant seedlings to the garden (or outdoor containers) after your last frost has passed, during a period of warm weather. Choose a sunny site with fertile, well-drained soil, and loosen the planting bed to 12 inches deep. Mix a 2-inch layer of mature compost into the bed, and then dig planting holes 18 inches apart. Enrich each hole with a spadeful of additional compost mixed with a balanced organic fertilizer (follow application rates on the label).

4. Set tomatoes so only the top five or six leaves show at the surface. Set peppers so that the small seedling leaves barely show at the soil line.

5. Pull weeds by hand until the soil warms and plants are growing vigorously. Before hot weather arrives, mulch with grass clippings, straw or leaves to deter weeds and retain moisture.

6. Use wire cages to keep lanky tomato branches high and dry, and tie pepper plants to sturdy stakes.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GROWING TOMATOES IN Southern IDAHO @ http://magicvalley.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/southern-idaho-s-tomato-nerd-shares-his-wisdom/article_3d5935f8-fc96-5b0a-b832-3f840310166b.html

This article originally appeared at: http://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/vegetable-gardening/growing-tomatoes-peppers-zm0z14mazpit.

February 12, 2017
Make A Valentine’s Treat That’s Good For Your Heart!
Who wants Peanut Butter, Banana and Dark Chocolate Frozen Truffles!
GUILT FREE TREAT as DARK CHOCOLATE IS GOOD FOR YOU (in moderation of course!)
Print

Peanut Butter, Banana and Dark Chocolate Frozen Truffles

Yield: 20-24 truffles

These frozen truffles are not only super rich and chocolaty, but they are made with healthy ingredients! The oil is used to thin the chocolate to make it easier for dipping. You can forgo the oil, but it will be more difficult to coat the truffles. Don’t worry if they don’t look like perfectly shaped spheres. They will still look and taste amazing!

Ingredients

2 large bananas, peeled ( about 8 ounces without the peel)

1/3 cup natural peanut butter, crunchy or smooth (make sure to stir well)

1-1/4 cups dark chocolate chips (preferably with a cocoa % of at least 65%)

2 teaspoons neutral flavored oil or coconut oil (I prefer to use heart healthy Thrive Culinary Algae Oil)

Instructions

Slice the bananas and place on a parchment or silcone baking mat lined sheet pan. Place pan in the freezer and allow bananas to freeze for about 1 hour.

In the bowl of a food processor, add the frozen banana slices and peanut butter. Process until mixture is smooth. You will probably need to scrape the bowl multiple times before the mixture fully comes together.

Spoon banana mixture into a bowl and place in the freezer until mixture is firm. Start checking after about 1-1/2 hours.

Remove banana mixture from the freezer. If mixture is too firm to scoop, allow to thaw for about 10 minutes. Using a scoop or melon baller with a 1″ diameter, scoop out balls of banana mixture and place back on the lined sheet pan. If this gets a little messy, form balls the best you can with your fingers. Place sheet pan in freezer until balls are frozen, about 15 minutes.

Right before you’re ready to remove the banana balls from the freezer, place the chocolate chips and oil in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 20 second increments until the chocolate is melted. Stir chocolate chips after each round. It shouldn’t take you more than a few rounds in the microwave.

Place a banana ball on a fork and dip into the bowl of chocolate. Use a spoon to pour chocolate over the top.

Put truffles back on the lined sheet pan and place in freezer until chocolate is hardened, about 5 minutes. Place truffles in an airtight container and store in the freezer until ready to eat.

When ready to eat, allow truffles to thaw for 5 minutes.

4.7.2.17

http://tastybalancenutrition.com/valentines-treat-heart-health/

Recipe by Lindsey Pine MS, RD, CSSD, CLT
February 12, 2017
Flourless Sugarless Chocolate Cake

Hands on time 20 min
Total time: 2 hours includes cooling
Serves 10

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter cut into pieces plus more for pan
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for pan
1 1/4 cups of heavy cream
8 oz bittersweet chocolate chopped
5 large eggs
1 cup of xylitol

>Heat oven to 350 F. Butter a 9 inch springform pan and dust with cocoa powder
>In a medium saucepan heat the butter with 1/4 cup of heavy cream over medium-low heat until butter is melted. Add the chocolate and stir until melted and smooth;remove from heat
>In a medium bowl whisk together the eggs, xylitol and cocoa powder, whisk in the chocalate mixture
>Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake until puffed and set 35-40 min. Let cool in the pan for 1 hour. Run a knife around edge of cake before unmolding

Whip up the cup of heavy cream for a whip cream topping!
Enjoy

Dr. Rosie Main
MAIN HEALTH SOLUTIONS

February 12, 2017
Sweet Mason. Three weeks before he died.

A heartbreaking letter posted on Vaxxed.com from a mom experiencing a truly tragic loss.

Dear Moms,

Six years ago I was taking this picture of my sweet Mason.

This was three weeks before he died.

Look at his chubby red cheeks. Look at the light in his eyes. Look at the smile on his face. He was healthy. He was normal.

Healthy, normal babies do not randomly die in their sleep for no reason. “SIDS” is not a diagnosis. It’s what medical examiners and coroners say when the autopsy comes back normal and there are no signs of suffocation, asphyxiation or any other cause of death.

“SIDS” is the term used by medical professionals to cover up VIDS OR Vaccine Induced Death Syndrome.

PLEASE – Educate before you vaccinate. Here’s a great place to start you research:

I miss this little guy so much

Kari Bundy

#Vaxxed #VaxxedNation #AutismMediaChannel #KnowTheVax #CDCWhistleblower #RFKCommission #ShowMeTheStudy #EducateBeforeYouVaccinate

February 11, 2017
Vaccine Education Facts & Resources
The most important thing you can do for your child is to arm yourself with information and facts. If you have already decided that as a parent you believe vaccinations are not right for your child you can find information below on how to admit them into public school. If you are currently researching vaccines and are unsure whether or not they are safe, or whether or not they make sense for your family, our best advice to you would be to hold off.

Don’t continue vaccinating your child until you are 100% sure it is the right thing to do. You can always continue vaccinating at a later date, but you can never, ever, take away the experience of injuring your child through dangerous chemicals and toxins being injected into their bloodstreams.

Here are some articles to start your research:
February 11, 2017
Cinnamon Pancakes

A hearty delicious breakfast for the person with a sweet tooth.

Ingredients List

•1 tbsp coconut oil

•2 eggs

•6 tbsp water

•¼ tsp salt

•4 tbsp almond flour

•2 scoops Maximized Living Grass-fed Whey Protein Vanilla

•1 tsp vanilla extract

•Stevia or xylitol to taste

•2 tsp butter(raw or grass-fed)

Toppings

•1 ½ tbsp butter(raw or grass-fed)

•2 tsp cinnamon and stevia or xylitol to taste

Cooking Directions

Melt coconut oil in a small bowl for 20 seconds on the stove top. Add eggs and whisk together. Add water, almond flour, and whey protein powder, beating well after each addition. Melt butter in medium-sized skillet over low heat. Pour half of natter into pan. Once edge have set and begun to turn light golden brown flip over with a spatula. Cook on the other side for 1-2 minutes. Transfer to plate. Repeat with remaining batter. Mix cinnamon and sweetener in small bowl. Top each pancake with butter and cinnamon mixture.

Dr. Rosie Main
MAIN HEALTH SOLUTIONS

2300 W Everest Ln, Ste
175 Meridian, Idaho

@MainHealthSolutions

Call (208) 859-6170

rjmaindc@yahoo.com

http://www.maximizedlivingdrmain.com/

This article originally appeared at: http://maximizedliving.com/cinnamonpancakes.

February 11, 2017