Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut

Nuts are some of the most nutritious snacks available and are readily eatable. No peeling, cooking, or preparing ~ just pop a handful of wonderful nutrition into your mouth and enjoy!

Here is a few delicious nuts, their facts

Almonds - these are great for the heart. They have been shown to lower both total and LDL (bad) cholesterol. They are also good brain food. Almonds help regulate blood pressure, reduce weight and boost energy. 1 raw almond = 7 calories

Peanuts - are a legume that contains the same healthy oil that almonds have, so they work on reducing heart disease. 1 oz raw peanuts = 161 calories

Walnuts - one of the best nuts on the earth! Walnuts have shown to increase brain, cognitive, & mental function, they provide cardiovascular protection, anti-inflammatory benefits in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory diseases like eczema and psoriasis. They are pack full of an antioxidant known as ellgic acid, which has shown to contain 16 disease fighting polyphenols. A polyphenol is a chemical that may protect against some common health problems and possible certain effects of aging. Walnuts are also a great source of omega 3. English walnuts 1 oz=183 calories

Brazil Nuts - Also high in heart-healthy nutrients and minerals like copper, niacin, vitamin E, fiber, magnesium, and selenium, studies on Brazil nuts show that this protein-packed snack may aid in the prevention of breast cancer. 1 oz = 186 calories

Pecans - these are another nut that is known to lower cholesterol. Pecans also are a great source of twenty essential vitamins and minerals. 1 oz (20 halves raw pecans)=196 calories

Cedar Nuts (pine nuts) - Siberian Cedar nuts, originally from Russia have 70% of the essential amino acids that the body needs. They also contain high amounts of Vitamin A, B, D, and E. This nut also contains a special form of vitamin P, a vital fatty acid similar to fish oil, which is known to reduce LDL and helps keep the arteries free of inflammation and plaque. 1 oz (10 raw cedar nuts) = 11 calories

Raw nuts make a healthy snack that is low in calories and are a great addition to your health. Being a little nutty is good for you!

My name is Susan and I'm a Life/Health coach. You can get my free newsletter at http://www.maximizeyourlifecoach.com

Nutrition From Nuts and Seeds

Some nuts and seeds have high amounts of nutrients that are needed by your body and can help ward off certain diseases. They are concentrated nutrition that should be part of your regular diet.

Calcium and magnesium, which are needed to prevent osteoporosis and maintain structure of bones, can be found in almonds, pistachios, hazel nuts and pumpkin seeds. Sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds both have zinc that the prostate gland uses to produce fertile sperm.

If your doctor has indicated you need more iron try sunflower seeds and pistachios. They both have high amounts of it. Potassium is a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and can be found in chestnuts and sunflower seeds.

Pregnant women who need folic acid can try pistachios which have a high concentration of this. Menopausal women should know that almonds, Brazil nuts and hazelnuts are high in vitamin E which can help ease their symptoms. Brazil nuts also have selenium which is an antioxidant that protects against heart disease.

Some studies have shown that certain nuts and seeds can help prevent disease. Walnuts, which have ellagic acid, and almonds, which have oleic acid, are said to have anti-cancer properties. Flax seeds are another food that may have many benefits. They are supposed to have anti-tumor properties linked to lower incident of breast and colon cancer. Flax seeds also contain phytoestrogans which are known to help balance hormone levels.

Check with your doctor and add appropriate amounts of nuts and seeds to your diet. They are not only a great, delicious snack food, they can be added to many recipes for a unique taste.

Ann is a home based business entrepreneur who researches and reviews many products and writes about her personal interests. Visit her newest site Grind and Brew Coffee Makers for great information on Cuisinart Grind and Brew coffee makers.

Go (Brazil) Nuts For Selenium

New research from New Zealand finds that eating two Brazil nuts a day can raise your body's stores of selenium by about 65 per cent. The research found that eating these tasty treats was more beneficial than taking selenomethionine, the most common chemical form of this antioxidant element you can find in supplements and fortified foods.

Why should you care whether you're getting your selenium? As a key component of the human body's antioxidant mechanisms, it plays a role in prevention and supporting recovery from allergies, asthma, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, cervical dysplasia, epilepsy, glaucoma, heavy metal toxicity, HIV, hypothyroidism, degenerative diseases of the liver, chronic pain, pancreatic cancer, and prostate diseases. This trace mineral is not a cure for any of these conditions, but it helps the body work better through all of them.

Selenium is found in seeds, and the most commonly eaten "seed" in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand is wheat. Soils in North America are particularly rich in the element, so the wheat grown in North America is rich in it, too (although not as rich as in the nut). When the UK banned imports of wheat from the US a few years ago, selenium intake in the British diet began to drop, from an average of 60 micrograms a day to an average of 34 micrograms a day.

Two Brazil nuts only provide (on average) 53 micrograms of selenium. The 53 micrograms in them, however, is more completely absorbed than 100 micrograms supplement. Over the twelve weeks of the study, the New Zealand scientists found that the all-important antioxidant glutathione had become 8.4 per cent more abundant in the bloodstreams of test participants eating the nuts, 3.4 per cent more abundant in those taking a supplement, and declined slightly in participants taking a placebo.

So, if you're not allergic, turn to Brazil nuts for your selenium. It's even better than nutritional supplementation.

Click here for an in-depth review article (no product links in the article) on how selenium supports health. Robert Rister is the author or co-author of nine books on natural health and the writer for Savvy Natural Healer, a daily news blog on new healing methods and new healing tools.

Foods High in Cholesterol - Nuts - Good Or Bad For Your Cholesterol Levels?

Foods High in Cholesterol - Nuts and seeds like Almonds and Pistachios are now proven to help reduce the bad or LDL cholesterol levels in our blood. High cholesterol levels are a factor in the onset of strokes and heart attacks. New studies show that high levels of selenium in the blood bring on an increase in cholesterol levels. One of the best sources of selenium in our diet is brazil nuts.

These nuts have traditionally been recommended as a great way to build up your immune system and have even been suggested as a way of protecting the body from the onset of some cancers. Selenium is also found in fish, meat and some types of grains. Prostate cancer is said to be one of the cancers that selenium can protect you against and some research has added corectal, lung, breast and colon cancers to this list. It is also found to protect your skin from ageing due to exposure to the sun's rays.

Studies at Warwick University in the United Kingdom have shown that eating large quantities of Brazil nuts and selenium-rich foods are linked to a 10 per cent rise in cholesterol. They found that those people with blood selenium concentrations higher than 1.20micromoles per litre had their levels of total cholesterol raised by an average of 8 per cent. More alarmingly, levels of the 'bad' LDL type of cholesterol that is linked to circulation problems and heart disease were increased by 10 per cent. So although brazil nuts are not one of the foods high in cholesterol, they raise cholesterol levels by their selenium content.

Brazil nuts are high in monosaturated fats and exceptionally rich in selenium and although average intake of brazil nuts is probably only around half the current recommended level there is a widespread use of selenium supplements. These supplements can substantially increase your blood levels to way above the accepted limits. Weight for weight, brazils contain as much protein as eggs, making them ideal for vegetarians and vegans. They contain all the B vitamins except B12, as well as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and contain an essential fatty acid called linoleic acid that has been shown to help balance hormone levels and protect your skin from damage.

Researches say that it is a little previous to suggest that taking selenium supplements is harmful for heart health but they say to avoid the Foods High in Cholesterol.

For more information on the Cholesterol in food and how they affect your Heart and Blood Circulation - go to Foods High In Cholesterol and Diets For High Cholesterol - Get Your FREE Tips on Keeping Your Heart Healthy!

You Might Be a Car Nut if

If you met me on the street you would think I'm a pretty normal guy, and in most aspects that would be true. However, I am a sick person; I suffer from an incurable disease: I am a car nut.

There are a number of ways to determine if you are afflicted by this disease. Below I have listed some ways to tell if you are a car nut. I have highlighted the ones I am guilty of.

You might be a car nut if:

1. You have owned more cars than years you have been driving. Example: I have been driving for 9 years and have owned 15 cars.

2. You own 3-4 cars at a time, and 2 of them don't run.

3. You attend car events of all kinds: car shows, races, truck shows, etc. You even attend events for cars you don't even like, just because it is related to cars.

4. You own the most extensive collection of toy cars anyone has ever seen. I'm talking matchbox cars, model cars, die cast cars, etc.

5. You spend more quality time with your car than your girlfriend/wife.

6. You get into a fight with your girlfriend/wife and instead of making you sleep on the couch she takes away your detailing supplies.

7. When you buy a new house, you are only concerned with the size of the garage.

8. You attend auto shows even when you're not looking to buy a car.

9. You know the 0-60 times of all of your cars and their closest 5 competitors.

10. The engine compartment of your car is clean enough to eat off.

11. You have trained your girlfriend/wife on spotting different models of cars and what modifications they have on them.

12. On road trips, you always challenge yourself to get their faster than the last time.

13. Your garage holds more cars than your house has bedrooms.

14. You have enough spare parts to build another car.

15. You have car parts in your cubicle at work.

16. You ask your future wife if you can register at AutoZone, Napa and Advance Auto.

17. The reading material in your bathroom is all car magazines, car and racing catalogs and a few books written by famous drivers.

18. Your family brings a couch into the garage so they can spend some time with you.

19. You can't stand anyone telling you how to drive, you are the best!

20. You always want to change something on your car to make it handle better.

21. You spend more time polishing your car then you do bathing.

22. You spend more on insurance premiums than food.

23. You know the 0-60 and ¼ mile times of your lawn mower and want to improve them.

24. After you tell your girlfriend/wife where you want to go on vacation, she asks "Why is there a car show or race there?"

25. You have auto parts store on your speed dial.

26. When someone asks where you went to school you reply "Skip Barber."

27. Your email or screen name refers to your car and not you.

28. You sit in your car in a dark garage and make car noises and shift and practice your heel toe shifting.

29. You look at the purchase of tools as a long term investment.

30. You have a separate drawer for garage clothes.

This is just a small list of ways to determine if you are an addict. I have grown up a car nut, being raised by one, my father. It is like a bug and once you are bitten there is no remedy to get rid of it. You can try to pick other hobbies and jobs, but in the end it will always come down to cars. So the best thing to do is just give in, admit you have a problem, then say the hell with it and go enjoy that car!

Jason Helferich is the President/CEO of Street Style Customs in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company specializes in aftermarket performance parts for many cars and trucks.

http://www.streetstylecustoms.com

Semi Truck Accessories Are Your Best Advertisement

The best way to add value to your semi-trailer truck is to accessorize it. While these words may seem like a sales pitch by an accessory dealer, the fact is that often the first thing noticed by a potential customer for a trucker's services is his equipment. If the truck, or the whole fleet for that matter, looks well kept and attractive, the impression of that business is positive. This is true for a tow operator, fruit and produce distributor, over-the-road hauler, even sanitation pick-up and septic tank services.

Pride in a job well done and concern for customer service is reflected in the way a big rig is maintained. This can accomplished with a simple but well thought out paint job, and can go to the extreme with elaborate lighting and chrome accessories. For example, semi truck wheels can be simply painted and decorated with lug nut covers, or they can be covered with a variety of wheel accessories like axle covers or complete stainless simulators. A more expensive choice would be aluminum wheels with stainless axle covers and lug nut covers.

Increase Safety and Looks with LED Lights

Lighting is another method of displaying pride in your ride. Besides adding to the safety factor, today's LED lights use a minimum of amperage and deliver a big wallop. A trucker can use ten times the number of lights than in past years, and yet not draw any more power from the battery. LED lights are available in a large variety of styles and colors, and can be installed in unusual places on the vehicle - in wheel wells, in the grille, on a visor and in air breathers.

Big Rig Accessories Make Long Hours Behind the Wheel Enjoyable

Other standard equipment - fenders, bumpers, tool boxes, exhaust pipes, mud flaps - can be left in stock condition, but are often seen in chrome and stainless. These all contribute to a fine public image of your truck. Interior accessories, while not necessarily visible to the public, also give a sense of pride of ownership and make the long hours spent in the cab more pleasant. For example, there are dashboard accessories, designer steering wheels and gear shift knobs. Chrome and stainless accessories are available for most semi truck models, and custom items can often be fabricated. In all, these items add a touch of class to any big rig!

Michael Chase is a freelance writer for VirgoFleet.com. Virgo Fleet specializes in semi truck accessories including the widest assortment of big rig accessories on the Internet. Virgo Fleet is the top retailer for custom chrome bumpers, cb radios, air horns and many other quality truck parts.

Choosing the Best Nerf Bars For Your Truck

Whether you own a Ford, Dodge, Chevy or GMC truck, choosing the right accessories is essential. While custom grilles, running boards, tube steps and other accessories are more than popular, nerf bars remain one of the best ways to set off your truck with rugged good looks, yet ensure that you're installing something that will actually give you some use.

What should you look for in nerf bars? What elements will tell you if you're making a purchase that will stand the test of time? As you might imagine, it is essential that you choose high quality accessories; below, you will find just a few of the areas to consider.

Weight Limit

How much weight can your nerf bars bear? Is the weight limit sufficient to make these accessories a viable option? Remember, you will be using the bars as a step into the truck, as well as to help protect the vulnerable sides of the truck from debris and obstacles. Therefore, you should ensure that the bars are capable of supporting your weight.

Bar Construction

What materials make up the actual nerf bars? Does the manufacturer use high carbon steel? Do they use aluminum? Are the bars manufactured of steel overlaid with a layer of chrome? While each of these materials is certainly an option on the market, you should consider stainless steel as the most durable choice out there.

Aluminum can be a great choice, though these are very expensive. Carbon steel can be durable, but rust can dramatically reduce the lifespan of your bars. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is both economical and durable, capable of withstanding years of use and abuse outdoors.

Mounting Hardware Considerations

While the construction material of the nerf bars themselves is very important, the material used to fabricate the mounting brackets, nuts, bolts and washers is also of high importance. Many manufacturers utilize high carbon steel, with a coating of black paint over the top. This looks great and helps to hide the mounting hardware from sight. However, it might not be the best choice for durability.

A better option is to choose nerf bars that use stainless steel mounting hardware. Why is this? Consider the fact that your hardware will be exposed to just as much punishment from the elements as your nerf bars, perhaps more. Since they will be under the truck, they will be in almost direct contact with rainwater from the road, salt, rocks and other things that cause corrosion and wear.

If you opt for a set of bars that comes with basic carbon steel mounting hardware, you can find that your brackets, nuts, bolts and washers are incredibly corroded after just two years of use. Over time (a very short time, at that), this corrosion will eat through the metal, weakening the mounting hardware and causing massive potential problems.

Stainless steel mounting hardware is not subject to these problems. In fact, after two years installed on a truck, you will find almost no corrosion or wear. This ensures that you are able to get the most out of your investment. No one wants to throw money down the drain, but buying nerf bars with inferior mounting hardware is essentially doing just that.

Ease of Installation

The installation process for your nerf bars should also be a significant consideration. Will you need help to install them? Will you need to take your truck to a mechanic's shop? Check the manufacturer specifications to find out the mounting bracket locations, tools required and more. You'll also need to consider your truck - can you get underneath it easily? Can you do the job alone, or with a friend? These are vital considerations.

G. Evans represents ChromePickup.com, a 20 year retailer of truck accessories. To learn more about nerf bars for pickups products visit their website ChromePickup.com.