Like many holidays we celebrate, we don’t really know how Valentine’s Day began. We know it’s a day to celebrate love, and we know that the consumer market loves its overpriced candy and flowers, but what was the original purpose of V-Day, and where did it begin? I was interested, so I took some time to find out. I was shocked by my discovery.

The History

Like most holidays, Valentine’s Day was established by the Catholic Church to commemorate Saint Valentine. Saint Valentine lived in 270 A.D. and served the church as a priest. He was a very devout Christian man who publicly spoke of God’s love and mercy. During his adult life, he was arrested for refusing to serve the Roman gods. Saint Valentine was taken before the Roman emperor and asked to renounce his faith. When he refused to do so, he was imprisoned.

I am an Italian-American, so garlic was an everyday commodity in my parents’ house while I was growing up. We put garlic powder on everything: vegetables, meat, pasta, and anything else my mom decided to serve for dinner. I’m not sure why, but to this day, garlic makes everything takes better. Because I’m such a garlic lover, I researched it a bit and discovered some very interesting and appealing reasons that justify me eating even more garlic!

What the Research Says

Garlic has been known for centuries as a “wonder drug.” Recent studies have proven its ability to overcome fatigue, decrease cholesterol, prevent cancer, build up your immune system, stabilize high blood pressure, and fend off the common cold.

In a test study performed in 2007 by the National Academy of Sciences, garlic came out with flying colors. Many people already knew that garlic had a major positive impact on the human body, but there was no scientific reason why. This study uncovered the abundance of hydrogen sulfide in garlic. The human body naturally produces hydrogen sulfide to act as an antioxidant, which fights off free-radical cells that can lead to the formation of cancer.

Another study in Alabama took the juice of garlic from a local grocery store, injected a small amount into red blood cells, and observed the cells generating hydrogen sulfide. The cells relaxed, which provided less resistance and greater blood flow. This increase in blood flow explains the decrease in high blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels that garlic can cause. Its antioxidant byproduct explains the cancer-fighting agents and prevention of the common cold.

The Benefits of Raw

Unfortunately, the amount of garlic consumed on a daily basis to get these benefits has to be around two cloves of raw garlic. Many supplements, especially those that are odor-free, have decreased effectiveness. If you want to give garlic a try, the best way is to eat it raw. This obviously leads to an issue with garlic breath, but not much can be done about that.

At the first sign of a cold, eat raw garlic! I know it sounds crazy, but there are ways to get around the shock of its intense taste. You can crush it up and drench it in honey or add it to a sandwich to make it go down easier. Either way, just get it in your system. Garlic is considered one of the world’s greatest superfoods. To utilize it for its greatest health potential, you should crush it at room temperature 15 minutes before you eat it, which will release its essential enzymes.

For more information on garlic’s incredible health benefits, check out Garlic Central, the Nutrition Reporter, and Gourmet Garlic Gardens.

So, it’s cold–really cold. Now, I live in Florida, so my definition of “cold” is much different than the rest of the country’s, but nonetheless, it’s cold. This winter has been dramatically different from the winters of years past. Snowstorms, high winds, and frigid temperatures are defining the winter of late 2008 and early 2009. For those of us who prefer not to take medications, the best defense during these colder months is to build up our immune systems to prevent sickness. One of the best ways to accomplish that is through food.

Food is the number-one way the body is provided with nutrition. Supplements are good, but nothing can compare to the benefits of consuming raw and natural foods. Over the last decade, nutritionists and researchers alike have found certain foods that have an overabundance of health benefits. These have been termed “superfoods.” According to HealthyReader.com, a superfood is “considered to be a food that is particularly nutritious or otherwise beneficial to your health and overall wellness . . . superfoods can help ward off things like heart disease, cancer, cholesterol, and more.”

If you’re looking to ward off or prevent various sicknesses, disease, and even the common cold, take a look at superfoods that will build up your immunity during these frigid days.

Dark Chocolate

By now, most people have heard about the health benefits of dark chocolate discovered by many leading universities. The flavonoids in this sweet wonder help strengthen the immune system. Eating a moderate amount of very dark chocolate (70% or darker) can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. To learn more about the overall health benefits of dark chocolate, check out this page.

Cinnamon

This popular winter spice is power-packed with antioxidants and has the ability to regulate blood-sugar levels. If you’re like me (a cinnamon lover), then go to town when using it. Put it in your oatmeal, your hot tea, and all your baked goods. Cinnamon goes a long way when it comes to flavor and health benefits.

Apples

Apples, especially Red Delicious apples, have incredible health benefits. Red Delicious apples are extremely rich in antioxidants and scored very high on the USDA’s list of healthy foods. Apples are also full of soluble fiber, which can help lower cholesterol. Apples provide great benefits for the heart and circulatory systems, too. A word of caution: buy organic apples if you can. Organics have been shown to have higher levels of antioxidants than conventional apples. You’ll also avoid the chemical pesticides and waxes used on conventional apples.

Here’s more information about the health benefits of apples.

Potatoes

Potatoes are a great winter food. They’re cheap, they’re filling, and they go with virtually anything. For a long time, potatoes got a bad rap in the health world. But they’re a good source of protein and fiber (including the skin), and they can lower cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease. They are high in vitamin C and have lots of potassium. Potatoes are also a great aid with weight loss due to the fact that they’re low in calories but very filling.

There are lots of superfoods you can use all year round, like pomegranates, cabbage, spinach, and broccoli, but if you’re looking for those specific to cold weather, try to incorporate the above four foods into your daily life.

More than a year ago, there was a huge exposé of the harmful levels of lead in many toys manufactured throughout the world. This was mainly due to poor factory practices in China and other eastern countries. After this information was made public, parents everywhere began switching to American-made or wooden toys for their children. Although that was a good move for many, there’s still a culprit lurking beneath the surface of those toys–plastic. Almost every toy on the market is made with cheap plastics that are full of harmful chemicals. Most bottles, nipples, and other baby products are also made of these plastics.

The Plastic Problem

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), children ingest more than 120 chemicals on a daily basis. Most of these toxic chemicals are absorbed through the skin or mouth. Although the issue has been brought to the FDA’s attention many times, the organization still hasn’t advanced research or increased regulation.

There are currently no restrictions on the various plastics used in everyday products marketed to children. These plastics contain many harmful chemicals that are categorized as carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals). Many also contain phthalate (an additive to make plastic flexible and durable), which can cause reproductive disorders in males.

The Risk Factor

Babies and children develop at a much faster rate than adults, which leads to greater vulnerability and risk concerning these chemicals. An adult’s body is able to resist and overcome many of the toxins found in everyday plastic products, but a baby’s body is a blank canvas, open to everything it ingests. A child’s development can also be directly linked to the toxins in toys. Links have been found between these chemicals and colds, ear infections, allergies, and behavioral changes in children.

One of the passions in my life is coffee. Yes, coffee. I have more than six years’ worth of experience in the coffee industry and have learned to love the beverage, the culture, and the benefits of coffee. Yes, benefits! For so long, coffee has been placed on the whipping post by society and the medical field as an unhealthy beverage. Recent studies have changed the medical field’s perspective on this ancient drink, however. If you’re like me and want every excuse to drink another cup, then read on.

Caffeine

The only aspect of coffee that can be reasonably justified as not-so-good for you is the caffeine. People with heart issues should stay away from every form of caffeine, but for the common person, caffeine is not harmful. Having one to three cups of coffee a day has no negative effect on the overall health of a person. On the contrary, caffeine has actually been proven to increase mental activity and memory retention. Drinking a cup of coffee before studying or taking a test may even improve your results.

Health Benefits

CoffeeDetective.com has a plethora of information regarding coffee’s endless health benefits. One of the most remarkable benefits of coffee is the amount of antioxidants one cup contains. Coffee has more than four times the amount of antioxidants than one cup of green tea. Green tea has long been the poster child for antioxidants, but it may have to take a back seat to coffee.

When my wife first informed me that she wanted to have our first child the natural way, I was a bit fuzzy on what that exactly meant. I thought to myself, “isn’t all childbirth natural?” Ten months later we found ourselves in the delivery room walking, squatting, rocking and eventually celebrating the birth of our first born son free of any medical intervention.

This experience changed my perspective on one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences woman get to have. Now I know I’m a man and I can’t relate to PMS, never mind labor, but through the lenses of my eyes I witnessed my wife endure and overcome with great joy and genuine satisfaction. After witnessing this beautiful life emerge, I developed some strong convictions about the importance of laboring and delivering babies naturally.

The Way Grandma Did It

One of the key elements in preparing for labor that really stuck out in our minds was that woman for thousands of years have been giving birth to millions of babies without medicine. A woman’s body is designed to give birth; it’s not a mistake. Our midwives told us that they had seen 90 pound Asian women give birth to 10 pound babies without drugs. They encouraged us that not only is it possible, but it’s one of the oldest traditions of womanhood.

Drugs Cheapen the Reward

Many drugs used in labor actually slow labor down or make the delivery more drastic and painful (in the long run). For example, pitocin, which is used to accelerate or induce labor causes very painful contractions and many times leads to larger rips during the birthing process. Many women who didn’t initially want an epidural, opt for one once they’re given pitocin because of the immediate and intense pain. Once an epidural is administered, you are required to lay down, which is the best way to slow labor down. Who wants to slow it down?

I think I’m a rare American.

Ever since I was a little boy, I have always wanted to travel–to get out of my town and see the world. The difference wasn’t the desire to travel; it was the reason behind traveling. I’ve always wanted to see the world’s people, especially the hurting, the lowly, and the ones in need. I didn’t have big plans to take a trip to Europe and sightsee or travel to Fiji to snorkel and lay on white sandy beaches. I wanted to see the poor, the impoverished.

My Own Travels

I got my first opportunity to leave the boundaries of America when I was 16. I went to Mexico and stayed for two weeks with an aim to visit small, remote villages and towns. I went with a group of friends and parents. We traveled from village to village to spend time with the people. We brought them clothing, food, and best of all, our poor attempts to speak Spanish (they loved it). My trip to Mexico started a slight obsession with the poor and needy of the world. After Mexico, I took trips once a year. So far, I’ve had the privilege of sharing precious moments with the people of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India, and South Africa.

What I Learned

These experiences radically changed my worldview at a very young age. Whether I was educating young African children on AIDS prevention or caring for the dying in Mother Teresa homes, my heart learned something new every day from the poorest of the poor. They gave me something money never could; they gave me themselves.

There has been so much hype and talk about organic products that many people are confused on what and who to trust. Whenever anything becomes a trend, large marketing and production companies take advantage of a good thing and make cheap imitations and charge a whole lot more. The market is currently saturated with thousands of products claiming to be organic and in essence — they’re not. There are three categories you should be familiar with when shopping for organic products; 100% organic, organic & made with organic.

It’s Gotta Say USDA

The way to ensure the product you are purchasing is 100% organic is to first look for the USDA Organic seal and the wording on the packaging must say “100% organic.” When you see both of these two statements you can be assured that all of the ingredients in the product are in fact organic.

100%, Not 95%, Organic

The second category of organic products is “organic.” This is where most of the confusion comes in and where marketing firms love to mislead the consumer.

If a product just has the USDA Organic seal on it without the words “100% organic” this means that the product is made with at least 95% organic ingredients. You can see why, at a quick glance, you may be under the impression that you’re buying a fully organic product but in essence it’s partially conventional.