OK, so that’s a big call.  But here is why we love Gazpacho (pronounced “Garth-paucho”).

First, its full of male power food No.1, lycopene, and if you don’t know what that does for you then you better read up quick!  Lycopene is best absorbed in its cooked tomato based state and the benefits from lycopene in its supplement form are actually questionable.  Best way to get it: tomato based products and especially tomato sauces, pastes, cooked tomatoes and yes, actually, pizza! Read more »»

Omega 3 fats are known for their ability to decrease inflammation in the body. It is this action that makes omega 3 fats and fish oils helpful for suppressing the joint inflammation and destruction that is common in arthritis. When joints are creaky and painful, omega 3 fats can be likened to a lubricant that helps them move more freely. In addition, omega 3 fats may aid in weight loss which helps to relieve added pressure from joints.

Fish Oil for Joint Health

Diets rich in EPA and DHA, the types of omega 3 fats found in fatty fish and fish oil supplements, have been associated with a reduction in the production of cytokines and eicosanoids. Since these compounds contribute to the joint inflammation present in rheumatoid arthritis, researchers believe that incorporating EPA & DHA into the diet could promote arthritis improvement. Read more »»

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

The Basics

What are they?

Omega 3 fats are a type of essential fatty acid (efa) that the body needs for optimal health. Since our bodies can not make omega 3’s they must be obtained from the diet through foods or supplements (i.e. fish oil supplements). There are three different types of omega 3 fats – EPA, DHA, and ALA.

Why do I need them?

As an essential fatty acid omega 3s are crucial for a variety of body processes. In particular, they play an important role in thinning the blood which aids in preventing heart disease. Omega 3 fats are also powerful anti-inflammatory agents that may help relieve joint pain, aid in prostate cancer prevention, improve brain function and mood, and much more. Read more »»

In the health-care bill that President Barack Obama signed last Tuesday there was a provision that wasn’t heavily publicized.

Chain restaurants will be required to add the calorie count of offerings on menus, menu boards and drive-through displays, as well as vending machines.

The rules will apply to chains with 20 or more outlets with small businesses being exempt. Read more »»

While foods cannot eliminate arthritis, they may help reduce the inflammation process. For this reason you should consider adopting a diet rich in low-fat, high-antioxidant foods and beverages, plus foods and supplements containing omega-3 fatty fish oil acids (such as salmon, mackerel and sardines). Read more »»

I borrowed this from the Vital Choice website.  I am crazy about sardines.  Whenever I am in Greece the locals fish for them right off the beach and cook them in olive oil and serve with ground pepper.  They call them “small fish”.  Can’t get enough of the omega 3 and anti-inflammatory benefits.  Back in the US I have them nearly everyday with pepper sauce on toast with avocado; a perfect carb/protein/fat mixture for after training or for sore joints wanting some extra omega 3.  The only ingredient in the recipe that I would be careful with if you have arthritis is tomatoes as they are a member of the “nightshade” family and generally not recommended for arthritis sufferers.

Spaghetti with Sardines

1/2 lb spaghetti or angel hair pasta

Organic extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

Two 4.375 oz cans Sardines in EVOO or Organic Tomato

1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes

3 cloves garlic

Red pepper flakes organic cayenne pepper to taste

Sea salt and organic ground pepper o taste

Chopped parsley to taste

• Cook spaghetti or other pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving one cup of the water. Rinse pasta in cool water, toss it in a bit of oil, and set aside, covered.

• Meanwhile, sauté garlic in a generous amount of olive oil, and add cherry or grape tomatoes.

• Season lightly with salt and pepper and sprinkle with red pepper flakes.

• Add a small amount of the pasta cooking water and let simmer for a few minutes.

• Remove the whole sardine pieces from the can and drain out the olive oil (if using oil-packed sardines) or tomato sauce (if using sardines in tomato sauce), reserving it for the sauce. Chunk half of the sardines into the sauce and leave the rest for later.

• Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce. If more moisture is desired, add the reserved olive oil or tomato sauce from the sardine cans, or pasta water.

Transfer to the serving dish, and top with chunks of the remaining sardines. Garnish with more red pepper flakes and parsley flakes.

Enjoy!

Mr JoMo

I spent the best part of last week at the ExpoWest Natural Products Expo at Anaheim here in California and learned a few things:

• The natural foods business is booming despite the recession
• Most people in the natural products business do not look like they lead a natural lifestyle (read: gone are the days when products are mostly developed by small cottage industries and people who are passionate about the industry.  They have been replaced by big industry, corporate executives and big budgets (it costs minimum 10-15k to exhibit all in just for a small company))
• Soy can come in many forms and it isn’t always what you think!
• Acai, Acai, Acai!!  Can’t get enough! (I am being cynical)
  
• Labeling continues to be fuzzy at best.  Hey, Its Acai!  But read the fine print and who knows what else
• 5 Hour Energy is going the way of 6 Minute Abs.  100 different knock offs.  Note: have you ever read the label on that product?
  

But my main concern is over protein powders and supplements.  Recently I was also at the LA Fitness and Health Convention when all sorts of people claiming to be “fit” were pedaling all sorts of protein powders with the active ingredients being long chain molecules that Harvard professors wouldn’t understand.  I had been concerned for a while but it has really been driven home to be lately as I turn 46 and become more focused on men’s health issues and as I walk around “Health” Expo’s where people are selling products with no knowledge of the potential health effects. Read more »»

Green Tea Antioxidant Smoothie

Serves 1 all day long!

5 cups iced organic green tea

2 Tbs omega-3 fish oil (Dr Sears Zone Oil’s are the best I can find for purity)

¼ cup blueberries

½ organic banana

2 tablespoons of JoMo

1 teaspoon organic Maca powder

1 teaspoon organic freeze dried Acai powder

Make the tea the night before and store in the refrigerator, allowing the tea to steep overnight. In the morning, place all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into a Kleen Kanteen container and enjoy it throughout the day instead of coffee.

Mr JoMo