Who Is The Man Behind the HLS Artwork?

If you ever wondered who was behind the incredable artwork at both HLS Maplewood and Montclair locations, you are just going to have to stay tuned. We have something real special coming up in July. In the meantime, you can see some of his work on his website http://www.xplorefreedom.com/.

Raisins: The Healthy Snack

Raisins are clearly a healthier alternative to most of the sweet snacks that are found in the candy isle of the supermarket. In fact, they are referred to by many as the healthy snack. For people who love raisins, a bowl of raisins can easily be consumed in one sitting. But like most things created in nature, raisins also have a number of health benefits. Below we listed 10  of those benefits for those of you who love raisins and those of you who should.

10 Health Benefits of Raisins

1. Increases Your Supply of Energy

If you are an athlete or a bodybuilder who needs a good source of energy and something to bulk up your body to a certain weight, raisins are good for you because they are loaded with sugar, specifically fructose and glucose. Eating raisins also promotes the efficient absorption of vitamins, proteins and other nutrients in your body. Therefore, they also help in building up your immune system.

2. Aids Digestion

Upon ingestion, fibers in raisins swell as they absorb water, thus promoting a laxative effect and thereby relieving constipation. Regular intake of raisins helps in maintaining regular bowel movement, with the fibers sweeping away the toxins and waste materials from the gastrointestinal tract.

3. Enhances Mouth Health

Unlike candies, raisins contain oleanolic acid, which provides protection against cavities and tooth decay, and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause gingivitis and other periodontal diseases.

4. Enhances Bone Health

Raisins are a rich source of calcium, which is necessary to strengthen bones and teeth. A micronutrient that is abundant in raisins–boron–aids in calcium absorption and bone formation. If you are a postmenopausal woman, raisins are a good snack for you because the calcium and boron present in them help prevent the development of osteoporosis.

5. Body Acidity Reduction

The potassium and magnesium contents of raisins help reduce acidity (an abnormal metabolic condition known as acidosis) and remove toxins from the body, which may cause diseases such as arthritis, gout, kidney stones and heart disease.

6. Treats Infections

Raisins contain substances called polyphenolic phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. These polyphenols have been found to lower fevers by killing the bacteria that causes existing infections.

7. Protects Eyes

The polyphenolic phytonutrients in raisins also possess antioxidant properties that protect the eyes from harmful free radicals that may cause the development of cataracts, macular degeneration, blindness and other visual disorders.

8. Treats Anemia

Raisins are rich in iron and copper, which are necessary in the formation of red blood cells. Raisins also help to correct iron deficiency anemia and promote blood clotting during wound healing.

9. Cancer Prevention

The polyphenolic antioxidant in raisins, known as catechin, provides protection against free radicals, which causes the development of tumors, specifically colon cancer.

10. Stimulates Sexuality

You could find natural stimulation through regular consumption of raisins. An amino acid in raisins called arginine helps to arouse the libido.

Source: http://www.3fatchicks.com/10-health-benefits-of-raisins/

Smiles and More Smiles

Dianne "Veggiegirl Wenz, her husband David, and the Montclair Vegan group enjoying dinner at HLS Montclair. All smiles of course!

Note: Dianne Wenz is a certified holistic counselor, leads the Montclair Vegan group, and is the publisher of the very popular food blog www.veggiegirl.com/blog.

Hangry Pants Showing HLS a Little Love

These were photos taken by Heather from the Hangry Pants blog. Thanks Heather!

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hangrypants.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fhealth-love-soul-restaurant%2F&h=4547d

The Health Benefits of Cinnamon

We all know that cinnamon taste great, but there are several health benefits that are significantly important, and should serve as a further incentive for those of us who love cinnamon. Below we listed 7. 

7 Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Anti-Clotting Actions: Cinnamaldehyde has been well-researched for its effects on blood platelets. Platelets are constituents of blood that are meant to clump together under emergency circumstances (like physical injury) as a way to stop bleeding, but under normal circumstances, they can make blood flow inadequate if they clump together too much. The cinnaldehyde in cinnamon helps prevent unwanted clumping of blood platelets. (The way it accomplishes this health-protective act is by inhibiting the release of an inflammatory fatty acid called arachidonic acid from platelet membranes and reducing the formation of an inflammatory messaging molecule calledthromboxane A2.) Cinnamon's ability to lower the release of arachidonic acid from cell membranes also puts it in the category of an "anti-inflammatory" food that can be helpful in lessening inflammation.

Anti-Microbial Activity

Cinnamon's essential oils also qualify it as an "anti-microbial" food, and cinnamon has been studied for its ability to help stop the growth of bacteria as well as fungi, including the commonly problematic yeast Candida. 

Blood Sugar Control

Seasoning a high carb food with cinnamon can help lessen its impact on your blood sugar levels. Cinnamon slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating. Researchers measured how quickly the stomach emptied after 14 healthy subjects ate 300 grams (1.2 cups) of rice pudding alone or seasoned with 6 grams (1.2 teaspoons) of cinnamon. Adding cinnamon to the rice pudding lowered the gastric emptying rate from 37% to 34.5% and significantly lessened the rise in blood sugar levels after eating.Am J Clin Nutr. 2 007 Jun;85(6):1552-6.

Diabetes

Cinnamon may also significantly help people with type 2 diabetes improve their ability to respond to insulin, thus normalizing their blood sugar levels. Both test tube and animal studies have shown that compounds in cinnamon not only stimulate insulin receptors, but also inhibit an enzyme that inactivates them, thus significantly increasing cells' ability to use glucose. Studies to confirm cinnamon's beneficial actions in humans are currently underway with the most recent report coming from researchers from the US Agricultural Research Service, who have shown that less than half a teaspoon per day of cinnamon reduces blood sugar levels in persons with type 2 diabetes.


Cinnamon's Scent Boosts Brain Function

Not only does consuming cinnamon improve the body's ability to utilize blood sugar, but just smelling the wonderful odor of this sweet spice boosts brain activity! Research led by Dr. P. Zoladz and presented April 24, 2004, at the annual meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, in Sarasota, FL, found that chewing cinnamon flavored gum or just smelling cinnamon enhanced study participants' cognitive processing. Specifically, cinnamon improved participants' scores on tasks related to attentional processes, virtual recognition memory, working memory, and visual-motor speed while working on a computer-based program. Participants were exposed to four odorant conditions: no odor, peppermint odor, jasmine, and cinnamon, with cinnamon emerging the clear winner in producing positive effects on brain function. Encouraged by the results of these studies, researchers will be evaluating cinnamon's potential for enhancing cognition in the elderly, individuals with test-anxiety, and possibly even patients with diseases that lead to cognitive decline.

Calcium and Fiber Improve Colon Health and Protect Against Heart Disease

In addition to its unique essential oils, cinnamon is an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese and a very good source of dietary fiber, iron and calcium. The combination of calcium and fiber in cinnamon is important and can be helpful for the prevention of several different conditions. Both calcium and fiber can bind to bile salts and help remove them from the body. By removing bile, fiber helps to prevent the damage that certain bile salts can cause to colon cells, thereby reducing the risk of colon cancer. In addition, when bile is removed by fiber, the body must break down cholesterol in order to make new bile. This process can help to lower high cholesterol levels, which can be helpful in preventing atherosclerosis and heart disease. For sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome, the fiber in cinnamon may also provide relief from constipation or diarrhea.

A Traditional Warming Remedy

In addition to the active components in its essential oils and its nutrient composition, cinnamon has also been valued in energy-based medical systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, for its warming qualities. In these traditions, cinnamon has been used to provide relief when faced with the onset of a cold or flu, especially when mixed in a tea with some fresh ginger.

Source:http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=68

We Support Efforts to End Diabetes

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HLS is a proud supporter of the American Diabetes Association.  

HLS exclusive dairy free cupcakes Provided By Oh So Tastie! baked goods

Yes these are cupcakes. Yes they are absolutely delicious. Yes they are dairy free. Yes they are only sold at HLS Maplewood, Montclair.