Books and banter by W.H.Manke

In two earlier posts I gave a brief overview of two little books I read on the health benefits of dark chocolate and tea.  “The Healing Power of Nuts” completed this set of books I purchased.  In this post I want to share a little of what I found out to be the health benefits of nuts.

The author of this book, Michelle Price Mann, states that most fats found in nuts are monounsaturated fats.  This fat helps lower the fat (LDL) that is harmful to our bodies, and does not affect negatively (HDL) low-density lipoprotein which is good for us.  In so doing it promotes healthy hearts.  Nuts may also prevent cancers and other diseases.

Nuts also contain plant sterols which help prevent plaque building up in arteries and so can lessen the incidence of stroke and heart attack.

An interesting health study, the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study, followed the diets of 86,016 women since 1980.  The study found that those ladies who ate at least five ounces of nuts a week were 27% less likely to get type 2 diabetes.

Nuts also contain several antioxidants that protect body cells from damage that can lead to cancer.  The Chinese Cancer Prevention Study published in 1993 suggests that antioxidants lower the risk of coming down with cancer.  Other studies show promise of nuts lowering the risk for getting prostrate and colon cancer.  Smaller studies have suggested that eating nuts might be good food for brain function and is helpful in  preventing gallstones.

The author insists that all nuts are healthy, but that some are “all- stars”.  Walnuts are such stars.  A study in 2005 showed they also contain good amounts of melatonin which has been linked to lowering the risk of cancer, heart disease and improves brain function.  Almonds, pecans, peanuts also pack a powerful heath punch.

One of the cautions I need to mention is that nuts are high in calories.  So to get the best effect from eating nuts one must cut back on other foods to make sure the total daily calorie intake is not compromised.

Like my posts about chocolate and tea this one provides only a brief summary of the healthful qualities of nuts.  Michele Price Mann wrote the book, “The Healing Power of Nuts”.   Diane L. McKay, Ph.D., F.A.C.N. assisted her.  It is an easy read.  I recommend the book for those interested in foods with potentially great health benefits.  Moreover, the reader can find many studies published on the Internet about the healthy ingredients found in nuts.

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I had a wonderful day yesterday.  What can be better than to spend a day in the mountains with your son and grandson skiing, feasting on pure air and awesome scenery?

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As promised in the earlier post, below is the briefest of summaries of the second little book in the set I purchased recently and that speaks of the health benefits found in tea.  The last book in the set informs of the healing power of nuts.  I’ll write a short summary of it in a future post.

In recent years tea has gained in popularity again as a healthy drink.  Long ago Chinese people had believed that tea  was a remedy for many things from headaches to melancholy.  In the past decade studies showed that tea contains three ingredients that pack healing power.  These are flavonoids, fluoride and caffeine.  The greatest benefits come from flavonoids.  Certain kinds of tea pack more flavonoid punch than vegetables and fruit, and the beauty is they have few, if any calories.  The downside is that some teas may react with medication a person is taking.  A word with the doctor should clear up what to do about drinking tea.

There are many types of flavonoids.  One called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is found in green tea is believed to be very high in antioxidant.  Black tea, research shows, has the most fluoride which strengthens teeth and bones.  However, it is important not to exceed the healthy amounts of fluoride.  Here again it is a good idea to consult your doctor.  Black tea contains the most caffeine.  It is a stimulant, increases heart rate, and boosts metabolism which helps burn fat aiding in weight loss.  While recent studies have shown caffeine to have health benefits it does react with some medication and can become problematic.

In short, recent studies suggest that certain kinds of tea may have health benefits.  Among the benefits are heart health, help in preventing several cancers and control of diabetes.  Like with the post on dark chocolate’s benefits this post is only to help quench your thirst.  You can find more on the healing power of tea in this little book called “The Healing Power of Tea, ” written by Rebecca D. Williams and published by Publication International, Ltd.

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For this weekend I want to do something a little different from the proverbs in less than ten words.  Browsing in a local store a few weeks ago I noticed a book with a title that had me wanting to do somersaults.  I picked up what I thought was one book, “The Healing Power of Chocolate”.

It turned out that what I had in my hands was a package of three books.  The first one was the before mentioned “The Healing Power of Chocolate” by Carol Turkington and her consultant Diane L. McKay, Ph.D., F.A.C.N. .  I love chocolate, and thought I held in my hand the permission slip to eat it to my heart’s delight.

The author examines several different kinds of chocolate from their history and harvesting to the shelves of our stores.  The author tells us that chocolate does not cause acne, is not that bad on teeth, but is high on calories.  However, chocolate, primarily dark chocolate, has many positive health benefits according to the book.   Its healing qualities include: Lowering risks of heart disease and stroke by its effects on blood pressure, blood vessel function, clotting and cholesterol.  It is said to have healing effects on certain cancers and diabetes too.  Studies have also shown that memory and cognition are enhanced by dark chocolate.  The author cautions us lovers of chocolate to cut down on other food intake to compensate for the calories contained in the chocolate eaten.  So it is wise to be smart about eating this treat daily.  I know it’s an extremely brief summary of the benefits of  chocolate.  I only mean to whet the appetite to learn more.

Here is the downside.  Not all chocolates pack the same healing power.  Certain dark chocolates are the best.  Harvesting, preparation and handling have an effect too, and of course you must eat it responsibly.  The author points out and emphasizes the need to lower calorie intake of other food items in order to have that daily chocolate treat and not increase the calorie intake.

Interested to learn more?  The book is published by Publications International.Ltd.

Check back in a few days when I will try to say a few words about the healing power of tea, the second book I found in the package.   (more…)

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I’ve always enjoyed being physically mobile, and I looked forward to a few hours of friendly hockey over the holidays.   For that reason I rented the ice for January 2nd for 90 minutes.  In our town businesses and individuals rent the ice for hours every day during the Christmas Break for those who like to skate.  One of those times on December 29 led to  forced confinement for me.  Sliding in for a stop during a game that day I hit a rut and landed hard on my left hip.  In the days that followed I learned the literal meaning of “a pain in the butt”.  What most of the time in my experience has always only been a bit of soreness this time turned out prolonged difficulties sitting down and doing things we usually do automatically and without any thought like putting on socks.  Sitting at my computer was almost impossible for more than a few minutes. Needless to say I watched from the stands as family and friends  enjoyed the ice I had rented on for January 2nd.

So what could I do?  My wife had given me a Kobo Arc for Christmas and I made extended use of it.  One of the books I read was “The Lost Souls of Angelkov” by Linda Holeman.  It’s an interesting story.  It takes place in mid 1800 Russia.  The kidnapping of the son of an aristocratic family creates plenty suspense.  Most interesting to me was the life described by the author of that time period in Russia.  She remembered stories her grandmother told that shaped that part of the story.

Those of you who enjoy historical fiction and suspense will like this read.

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In an earlier post I wrote that I had previewed the book, “Think of a Numb3r” by John Verdon.  I thought  that I’d buy the  book, after reading the excerpt.  That I did.  I’m almost finished reading it.  Any reader who likes mysteries, suspense and loves solving puzzles will enjoy this story.  On top of it, the novel is well written.  If there is a flaw, it is the use of heavy duty swearing in places to make some  characters appear realistic.  For my money, the novel is worth its price.  I’ll cut this post short.  I have to get back to this book on my Kobo reader.  I can’t wait to  find out, if in the end retired detective Gurney can match this killer’s thinking ability, and can undo his evil plans before more innocent people fall prey to him.

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With the beginning of November I count on more rainy days and few really nice autumn days.  The salt water fishing season  has slipped away.   I’ve winterized the boat, but Summer will remain in my memory.   See summer’s fun below.

Three came to visit

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