Thursday, April 03, 2008
Newsletter Archive
HFL December 2007
The holidays are quickly approaching, and what better gift to give than the gift of natural products? For December only, returning customers can use the HOLIDAY discount code at checkout to receive 15% off their orders. If you haven't shopped on our site yet, the FIRST coupon code can be entered at checkout for 20% off!
Your friends and family will love these healthy products, and you will feel good about giving them! Begin shopping now!
And, as always, returning customers can use this 10% discount every time you shop on our site. Enter REORDER to redeem this coupon at checkout every time you shop at HealthFitLabs.com.
Free shipping on orders over $75. No coupon needed, just fill up those shopping carts. Order larger sizes to gain an even larger savings.
Become an affiliate today! Visit our affiliate page and fill out the form. Be sure to enter your correct email address. Please contact rmartin@HealthFitLabs.com or call 630-563-0199 if you have any questions.
Our Mission: At HealthFitLabs we sell only the highest-quality natural vitamins and nutritional supplements, as well as bath and personal care products. We're passionate about customer service and dedicated to helping our customers and affiliates meet their personal health goals.
As always, please forward this on to your friends and family (they can subscribe at the bottom of the newsletter and get a $5 coupon for a future purchase!). Thank you for your support!
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Lemon in Green Tea
By BRIAN WALLHEIMER, Journal & Courier
People have been using lemon to flavor tea for years.
And it turns out that was a good idea.
Mario Ferruzzi, assistant professor of food science at Purdue University, recently released a study that shows adding lemon to green tea doubles the amount of antioxidants the body has to absorb. The antioxidants, called catechins, are linked to reducing the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and diabetes.
Ferruzzi said the catechins usually break down once in the intestines, but vitamin C, which can be found in lemons, stabilizes them and allows about twice as many to survive.
"You see a measurable increase in the amount that's recovered," Ferruzzi said.
Ferruzzi said typical green teas sold in the stores contain 100 milligrams to 200 milligrams of catechins, but the body absorbs only about 1 percent to 2 percent. He said making tea one-tenth lemon juice or vitamin C could significantly increase that.
His study covered only green tea, but he believes the discovery likely holds true for other tea antioxidants as well. Other citrus juices, such as orange, lime and grapefruit also worked, but to lesser degrees.
Rachel Campbell of West Lafayette said she'd start adding lemon to her tea since she drinks it to be healthy anyway.
"I'd try it," she said. "It's better than soda, coffee and all that."
Campbell is one of a growing group of tea drinkers in the United States. The drink has picked up strongly since the mid-1990s.
Joe Simrany, president of the Tea Council of the USA, said sales of tea have increased from $1.8 billion in 1990 to more than $6.5 billion today.
"It's increasing across the board, especially in ready-to-drink teas," Simrany said.
Simrany said studies of tea have also increased, from about 30 per year in 1991 to more than 900 per year today.
He attributed that to the health benefits many associate with the drink.
Carrie Hawkins of Lafayette said she's been a tea drinker for a long time.
"It's better for you than coffee, and you can drink more of it than coffee," Hawkins said. "There's something about warming up with a hot cup of tea in the winter that's just cozy."
*Find herbal teas on our site!
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Pinto Bean Mole Chili
Gourmet | November 2007
Andrea Albin
With its notes of cumin, cinnamon, and chocolate playing off the gentle spice, this meatless chili combines the best parts of a mole sauce and a Cincinnati-style chili. Its rich body makes it a seriously satisfying dinner any night of the week.
Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 medium dried ancho chiles, wiped clean
1 dried chipotle chile, wiped clean
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and cooled
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
Rounded 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2 medium onions, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 medium zucchini and/or yellow squash, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 pound kale, stems and center ribs discarded and leaves coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/8 teaspoon sugar
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped (3 tablespoons)
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can whole tomatoes in juice, drained, reserving juice, and chopped
1 1/4 cups water
3 (15-ounce) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Equipment: an electric coffee/spice grinder
Accompaniments: rice; chopped cilantro; chopped scallions; sour cream
PREPARATION
Slit chiles lengthwise, then stem and seed. Heat a dry heavy medium skillet over medium heat until hot, then toast chiles, opened flat, turning and pressing with tongs, until pliable and slightly changed in color, about 30 seconds. Tear into small pieces.
Pulse cumin seeds and chiles in grinder until finely ground. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in oregano, cinnamon, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
Cook onions in oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute, then add chile mixture and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Stir in zucchini and kale and cook, covered, 5 minutes. Add zest, sugar, chocolate, tomatoes with their juice, and water and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
Stir in beans and simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt.
Cooks' note: Chili improves in flavor if made 1 to 2 days ahead. Chill, uncovered, until cool, then cover.
*Find other recipes in our Healthy Library*
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Healthy Humor
Q: What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?
A: Frostbite.
Q: Where do polar bears vote?
A: The North Poll.
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Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!
by Dr. Daniel Gerwig
Snow shoveling can create back problems if done incorrectly. Here are a few tips to avoid injury. First off, shoveling is an exercise, so treat it like one. This means warming up. Take five minutes before you go outside to stretch, jog in place and get some blood pumping to the muscles. When you are shoveling you must watch your technique to avoid injuries. Be sure to use your knees when you bend down to start, don't hunch over with your back. Try not to lift the snow up, rather shovel it to a side and tilt the shovel up to let the heavy snow fall off. If you do have to lift it, use your legs and not your back. These are just a few tips; the key is to know your limitations. If it feels like you are going to hurt yourself, take a break. The snow isn't going to go anywhere!
If you have questions, or if you or someone you know has hurt their back shoveling snow, or for any reason, call Dr. Gerwig at his office today to set up a consultation (630) 790-1422.