Wednesday, January 30, 2013

FOREVER YOUNG Part 1 (Maureen Lermer)

Maureen Lermer

I am very excited to bring you a brand new series called 'Forever Young'. I'll be featuring a Forever Young man or woman while focusing on the very important factors that affect aging. Our very first Forever Young Personality is Maureen Lermer, 40, mother of 3. She captures and embodies all that is forever young, in spirit and in health. I am proud to call her my sister and friend, she is an inspiration to me and I hope will become one to you as well. 


TOPIC FOR TODAY: INFLAMMATION

Inflammation is the body's biological attempt to self-protect against harmful pathogens, damaged cells and irritants. Inflammation comes from the latin word 'inflammo' which means 'to ignite'. Inflammation however doesn't mean infection, rather it is an immune response to stop what caused it. The five signs of inflammation are redness, heat, pain, swelling and immobility.

"The researchers concluded that: "Poor sleep quality, and short sleep durations are associated with higher levels of inflammation."

Exercise is essential for great health



HOW DOES INFLAMMATION RELATE TO AGING?

The Standard American Diet (S.A.D) is very highly inflammatory. Did you know that there are certain foods that we eat which trigger the production of white blood cells? If you recall from your biology class, white blood cells are produced by the immune system to respond to infection and defend the body against harmful materials. Most of the foods we consume today are 'harmful materials'.
The key to preventing accelerated aging and age-related diseases is controlling inflammation according to Dr. Nicholas Perricone. It is my opinion that what you eat either eats or protects you. 




Proud Mama of 3


Let's take a look at some foods that are inflammatory

  • Meats, especially highly processed meats which contain nitrites and sulphites e.g hot dogs, sausages and lunch meats
  • Dairy products and all foods made with dairy
  • High-glycemic carbohydrates (sugars & starches)
  • Chemical additives in certain foods
  • Trans fats and hydrogenated oils e.g margarine, shortening, lard and foods that are made by using these.
  • Fried foods
  • White sugar & All synthetic sugars (splenda, nutrasweet, aspartine, saccharin etc)
  • Wheat products, especially as most of the wheat produced today has been genetically modified.
  • Gluten-containing foods and grains, millet, quinoa and buckwheat are best choices to eat instead
  • Alcohol
"Get out of the house for some fresh air and vitamin D, go admire nature"

A recent study showed that fat men had more white blood cells (inflammation markers) and are at a higher risk of developing various illnesses like cancer and heart disease.



List of some anti-inflammatory foods: 

  1. Ginger
  2. Turmeric
  3. Cannabis (weed, marijuana). I did a research paper in college focusing on the legalization of medicinal marijuana and learned so much from my research. Needless to say I support the legalization of medicinal marijuana.
  4. Green tea
  5. Tart cherries
  6. Fish oil
  7. wild salmon
  8. Onions
  9. endive
  10. Kale
  11. Spinach
  12. Cabbage
  13. Flax seed oil
  14. Wild sea bass
  15. Pollock
  16. Trout
  17. Olive oil
  18. Flax seeds
  19. Pineapple, mango, papaya
  20. Avocado
  21. Seaweed e.g kelp and kumbu
  22. Shitake mushrooms
  23. Berries, especially blueberries
  24. Fermented foods e.g kimchi, kefir, raw apple cider vinegar
  25. Cinnamon, cayenne, basil

 I made some wild salmon and some veggies the other night for dinner to show you an example of an anti-inflammatory diet dish.


Baked Salmon:

1 piece of salmon fillet
dash of black pepper
dash of lemon pepper
sprinkle of Celtic sea salt (if your lemon pepper doesn't have salt)
1/2 tsp of olive oil

Method:

First rub coat the fish with olive oil, then rub all the other ingredients over the fish. Set the oven at 350 degrees and place the salmon on some foil paper or baking pan and let bake for 8-10 minutes or until flaky. Set aside.

Veggies:

1 pack frozen stir fry snap veggies
Sprinkle of black pepper
1 Onion chopped
Salt to taste
Dash of turmeric (optional)
1 tsp olive oil

Method:
First saute onions in olive oil until almost translucent. Next, add all the other ingredients and let cook for about 3-5 minutes or until green veggies are bright green. Serve with salmon and enjoy!
'Mother & Child' by Maureen Lermer

'Woman' by Maureen Lermer

I can say from experience that eating an anti-inflammatory diet has always given me the best looking skin and health. My body 'knows' how to 'talk' to me because I have reprogrammed it over the years. There are certain foods that give me an immediate negative response once I eat them, I can tell my body is grumbling and even though I consciously made the choice to eat that particular food, I know it is not the right thing for my body and health in the long run. Try to introduce one anti-inflammatory food into your current diet each week as you lessen the frequency of one inflammatory food. I look forward to your questions and suggestions, we can all learn from each other, so let's talk :-)

ALWAYS STRIVE TO BE HAPPY
REMEMBER TO EAT & DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

YOUnique, crEATive, HEALthy by 3G MOMS

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!


(Click the link above to buy the cookbook or scroll to the top right hand corner of this blog or if you choose to buy it from amazon.com, type '3g moms recipes' in the search box)

We are three moms with a passion for health and creativity who found themselves on facebook and became sisters: I can still remember how it all began but I will save that special story for another time. The 3G MOMS are, Maureen, 40, Therra, 36 and Bernice, 33. We are originally from Cameroon, West Africa. We are super creative, super innovative and do not believe in adhering to rules that stunt our passion and purpose. We are free spirits. You can read a little more about each one of us in the biography section of the cookbook.

**THE VERY FIRST COOK BOOK EVER TO DELIVER RECIPES IN 3 DIFFERENT WAYS**

The 3G MOMS' cookbook(s) is our very first product in the line of many. Our cookbooks are meant to satisfy the taste buds and/or curiosity  of every food lover. Our cookbooks are very unique in that we deliver each recipe in three different ways; GLUTEN-FREE, EXOTIC & VEGAN. There is no cook book out there like ours, we are the pioneers in this genre and we will be bringing you many beautiful recipes and ALWAYS IN MULTIPLES OF THREE (3).

3G stands for: GLOW, GROW, GIVE; all attributes of 3G MOMS. Are you a 3G MOM? Would you like to become a 3G MOM? We will be conducting future contests to feature other 3G MOMS from around the globe as soon as we launch our website.

*A special THANK YOU to all those who have supported (and continue to support), encouraged (and continue to encourage) and inspired (and continue to inspire) us every step of the way*

MAUREEN



GFP™ aka GLUTEN-FREE POWERHOUSE.
A gluten-free diet is a diet completely free of gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat (including kamut and spelt), barley, rye, malts and triticale. Gluten is also used as a food additive in the form of a flavoring, stabilizing or thickening agent, often hidden under "dextrin". A gluten-free diet is the only medically accepted treatment for celiac disease, the related condition dermatitis herpetiformis, and wheat allergy.

Additionally, a gluten-free diet may exclude oats. Medical practitioners are divided on whether oats are an allergen to celiac disease sufferers or if they are cross-contaminated in milling facilities by other allergens.
Visit Maureen's blog at: http://maureenlermer.wordpress.com


Veggie Rolls

Brochetta

Polenta swimming in Peach/Lemon sauce



THERRA




EATTT™ aka EXOTIC, AFRICAN & TROPICAL TASTY TREATS 
My goal is cooking creatively for Healthy Living (with LOVE & PASSION); while maintaining the delicious flavor/taste of herbs & spices provided so generously by Mother-Nature!!! I believe we should love ourselves enough to give it the best NATURE has to offer... & the kitchen/food is a good place to make our cells respond with yummilicious JOY:-))
Visit Therra's site: www.ohleadme.com


Quiche

Salmon on Egussi Njamama (vegetable)



Coconut-Mango Muffin



BERNICE





FYR™ aka FOREVER YOUNG REVOLUTION
Change the way you think about food and change your body/life. You are either eating your food or your food is eating you. The goal of FYR is to get you to love yourself a little differently. We believe that self-love is the best form of gratitude. FYR specializes in mostly vegan/raw recipes and raw desserts. A vegan is someone who chooses to avoid using or consuming animal products; no diary, no meat, no fish. VEGANISMTo read more about the FYR lifestyle you can purchase the FYR e-books from the right hand corner of this blog. FYR is also pronounced 'Fire'. I have included many dessert recipes here on this blog and in our 3G MOMS cookbooks as well. Would you like to feel and look years younger than your biological age?  You can if you choose to. You can make the choice everyday with your fork, spoon, books you read and what you watch. 
Visit Bernice's site: www.berniceangoh.com


Cheezy veggie medley

Raw-Vegan Apple crumble pie

 Tofu Scrambled 


WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR HEALTH. 3 G MOMS LOVE TO EXERCISE.

JUST BECAUSE WE ARE MOTHERS DOESN'T MEAN WE STAY IN SWEAT PANTS ALL DAY. 3G MOMS ARE STYLISH & SASSY.

WE ARE PROUD OF WHERE WE CAME FROM. 3G MOMS KNOW THAT THE 'ROOT' IS WHAT KEEPS US GROUNDED AND PLANTED FIRM.

WE ARE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST. 3G MOMS KNOW THAT THEY HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS.

WE ARE LIKE FLOWERS. 3G MOMS GLOW, GROW & GIVE.
WE DON'T GIVE IN TO THE STEREOTYPES OF WHAT MOMS SHOULD LOOK LIKE. 3G MOMS LIVE LIFE IN ABUNDANCE & IN EVERY SEASON.

Frohe Weihnachten


"MEEAOWY TWEETMAS"  from NICKY!

Joyeux Noël



मेरी क्रिसमस


A RAY OF HOPE FLICKERS IN THE SKY... MAY THAT HOPE FLICKER IN YOUR HEART!


Krismasi Njema



FOR ANYONE WHO IS IN CHRIST IS A NEW CREATION


¡Feliz Navidad



AWAY IN A MANGER NO CRIB FOR A BED...


OH, HOLY NIGHT...CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN!


FROM Maureen, Xaver, Malaika and Franz
 MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM GERMANY!

From Corban weinberg


ALWAYS STRIVE TO BE HAPPY

REMEMBER TO EAT AND DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Thanksgiving Part 1



In the USA, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. The first Thanksgiving in the USA was a feast in 1621 shared by the Pilgrims (who had recently settled Plymouth Colony in what is now Massachusetts) and the Wampanoag Indians, who shared their corn, squash, and wild turkeys. This first feast was not repeated until over a decade later. Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln (my favorite president)




No matter what your circumstances are I'm sure we have something or somethings to be thankful for. I have so much to be thankful for this season because this year turned out to be my very best year yet. Anyway what are you cooking for Thanksgiving? Please feel free to send me pictures of your Thanksgiving table, I will be doing a post-Thanksgiving blog post and will love to showcase all your lovely pictures.

This year we are going African. Stay tuned for pictures in the next blog. Here are my 3 favorite routines for keeping the pounds away during this season:

1. Exercise: This will be easy for those who already exercise regularly. Exercising first thing in the morning keeps me aware of whatever I put in my mouth throughout the day.

2. Divide and conquer: My Thanksgiving plate is always half filled with veggies and salads, I actually consciously eat a big plate of salad fist before I eat anything else, it keeps me full and whatever I eat next is usually a smaller portion.

3. Don't drink your calories: My favorite drink is water, ask anyone who knows me. Stay away from the sodas and alcohol. If you want something sweet try a raw or vegan dessert or a fruit and yogurt combo with some nuts or if you have enough self-control go for the dessert but drink a lot of water before you get a slice.


RAW MANGO PIE





Crust:
* 2 cups raw almonds (or walnuts or pecans)
* 1 cup unsweetened shredded dried coconut
* 1/2 cup pitted dates

In a food processor, process the nuts and coconut together until the lumps are gone. Do not over process. Add the dates and process until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs that stick together. Press into a pie plate.

Filling:
* 2 fresh mangos, peeled and cut up
* 1/2 cup dried mangos, (cut into pieces with scissors), soak 10 minutes and drain sliced kiwifruit, raspberries or blueberries (optional)

In a blender, process the fresh and soaked dried mangoes until smooth pudding consistency. Pour into the crust and decorate with kiwifruit, raspberries or blueberries if you wish.


Here's a little something that cracked me up:


 A BLESSING FOR YOU THIS SEASON

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

ALWAYS STRIVE TO BE HAPPY


REMEMBER TO EAT AND DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

FINDING 'NARNIA'

Our Tour guide, Ms. Nina
 Hello lovely people, how is your weekend going? Mine is going great. Had a very productive morning starting with a 40 minute run and then a big glass of raspberry smoothie.

RASPBERRY SMOOTHIE:




1 cup soy milk (vanilla flavored)
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1 Tbsp flax seed oil
1/2 banana (optional)

Went out on a lunch date with Nina and then window shopping. It was on our way back home that we came across a little piece of heaven. We've now added it to one of our favorite places. We walked through the doors of this small store, or so we thought, and it was like going through the wardrobe and discovering Narnia! It was a splendid surprise indeed.
Good luck if you can read this from your computer...it is a great prayer though

Nina, very excited

Vases

garden fountains

Lovely colors

Candles, scented

A preview of the Christmas decor
 The owner told me that as Christmas nears the whole store will be filled with Christmas decor. I can't wait to go back and buy some plants.
Hey, where's Nemo?

pretty

I could stay here for hours

Autumn section

Hello Rudolph



Sweet, just what I was looking for

I want this in my house, love orchids

How many pumpkin pies can you make?

Lets go outside

More fountains











Oh no, is the tour over?
Thanks for the tour Nina!

"Look mama, I found a petal which has a heart."


QUESTION: Do you have potted plants in the house? if yes, what kind? Or do you have a garden? what flowers do you plant? Feel free to send us photos of your plants or garden and we may feature it on the blog. Send it to berniceangoh@gmail.com


A photo of me when I was one, left, and Nina when she was one.

ALWAYS STRIVE TO BE HAPPY
REMEMBER TO EAT AND DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!