Recipe of the week: HEALTHY Hot & Sour Soup

This is a great restaurant-esque soup that you can pull together in a jiffy.  I like to make it from post-Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey broth.  (Just boil the carcass in filtered water for several hours and pick off the turkey meat to go back in the broth).  In this picture, the mushrooms and bamboo shoots are left out.

Ingredients

• 4 medium-size dried mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• 4 cups chicken broth (or turkey broth)
• 1/2 pound chicken breasts (or leftover turkey), skinned, boned, cut in matchstick pieces
• 1/2 cup sliced bamboo shoots, cut in matchstick pieces
• 2 tablespoons whiet wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Tamari sauce
• 2 tablespoon arrowroot powder
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 organic egg lightly beaten
• 2 whole green onions cut in 1 inch diagonal slices

Instructions

1. Cover mushrooms with warm water, let stand for 30 minutes, then drain.
2. Cut off and discard stems; squeeze mushrooms dry and thinly slice.
3. In a 2-quart pan, heat chicken broth to boiling.
4. Add sherry, mushrooms, chicken, and bamboo shoots.
5. Stir, then reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes.
6. Add wine vinegar, and tamari sauce; heat, uncovered, for 1 minute.
7. Blend arrowroot powder and water. Add to soup and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened.
8. Turn off heat.
9. Add pepper and sesame oil. Stirring continuously, slowly pour egg into soup.
10. Sprinkle with onion and salt to taste.

Recipe Of The Week: Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Tips and recipes for the MAXIMIZED LIVING NUTRITION PLAN. GOOD FOOD recipes will help you prepare Maximized Meals for Maximized Nutrition Even If You Think You Can't Cook. All recipes are sugar free, grain free, healthy, and delicious.
PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES

I have had this recipe in my notes for so long, I honestly don’t know where I found it.  I did change the preparation instructions, though, to simplify the process, but props to the original writer, whoever you may be. 
Enjoy!

Ingredients: 2 ½ cups blanched almond flour ¼ teaspoon kosher or sea salt ¼ teaspoon aluminum free baking soda 1 cup chopped raw pecans ½ cup organic butter 1/8 teaspoon Now brand or Kal brand stevia 1 tablespoon pure vanilla (no sugar – check the label)
Preparation:
1.       In a stand mixer, or using an electric hand held beater, combine the butter and stevia.  Add the vanilla and mix again until all three ingredients are incorporated. 2.       In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients, including the pecans. 3.      Combine the butter mixture with the dry ingredients. 4.      Using a piece of parchment paper, form the dough into a log, approximately 2 ½ inches in diameter.  5.      Freeze the log for approximately 1 hour; then unwrap and cut into 1/8 inch slices. 6.      Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with a clean piece of parchment paper. 7.      Bake at 350 degrees until lightly golden, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. 8.      Cool and serve. 
Makes 24 cookies

Eat Spart to Activate a Brain Chemical that Boosts Energy, Focus, and Metabolism

Eat Smart to Activate a Brain Chemical that Boosts Energy, Focus and Metabolism

Your brain naturally produces a chemical that regulates vigilance, attention, memory, wakefulness and even your level of energy. You can maximize the effect of this compound, known as orexin, with smart nutritional choices. Unfortunately, research has shown that the modern Western diet seems to suppress the function of orexin. By focusing on improving the quality of the foods you eat, you can increase the effectiveness of orexin, and reap the benefits of increased energy levels and attentiveness, while suppressing unhealthy food cravings.

Orexin, defined

Orexin was first discovered in 1996. It is a naturally occurring neuropeptide—a chemical that relays information within your brain. Specifically, orexin neurons help you stay awake, alert and energetic. It also boosts your metabolic rate. These neurons are also "specialized sensors of the body's internal environment." Because it monitors both your level of activity and your body’s current state, orexin is presumed to play a leading role in increasing your overall level of energy. Studies have shown that foods advertised as energy boosters actually suppress orexin's function, making us feel sleepy, lethargic and unfocused.

Research has shown that...

Refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks and carb-rich entrees suppress the function of orexin. Eating a bowl full of frosted breakfast cereal, for instance, saps your energy and decreases your attentiveness. Proteins, on the other hand, have been shown to provide an energy boost by stimulating orexin neurons.

• Consuming healthy proteins has been shown to increase wakefulness.
• Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, excite orexin at the cellular level. This likely increases your level of energy.
• When both are eaten at the same meal, healthy protein consumption cancels sugar's negative effect on orexin.

Orexin is crucial to staying active. Instead of reaching for a sugary soda or carb-laden snack, think protein for your next pick-me-up. Walnuts, cashews or a Granny Smith apple with almond butter are all excellent protein-rich snacks. For breakfast, try an organic protein shake or an omelet made from cage-free eggs. Maximized Living's Perfect Protein contains whey derived from grass-fed, naturally raised cattle and is sweetened with stevia, making it an excellent energy-boosting snack. Need more info? Contact your nearest Maximized Living wellness doctor, or consult the Maximized Living Nutrition Plans book.

Slow the Aging Process with Natural HGH

Staying forever youthful has been a common goal since the Middle Ages and has yet to lose its popularity. Unfortunately, drinking runoff water from Ponce de Leon's 500-year-old "fountain of youth" has not proven useful in reversing the internal clock.
However, there are alternative remedies to aging that have shown successful results in preventing how quickly the proverbial clock ticks.
The process of human growth occurs during early stages of life producing youthful qualities such as increased stamina, smooth skin, high energy, and all those things we long for past 40.¹
These features are greatly attributed to HGH or Human Growth Hormone.
The hormone is naturally produced within and secreted from a part of the pituitary gland.  HGH controls many functions within the human body, including tissue repair, cell replacement and certain brain functions.
To ensure prime functionality, the body self-regulates HGH secretion throughout the day to give you bursts every few hours. The hormone can also be naturally secreted outside of these "self-regulatory" peaks by way of exercise or physical activity, sexual activity and even sleep.²
The highest levels of HGH are produced from the ages of 21-30, but slowly diminish by approximately 14 percent every decade thereafter (HGH.org). Eventually, the hormone secretion becomes so minimal it leads to brittle bones, decreased muscle mass, decreased energy and the epitome of what we deem "elderly."

Benefits of HGH

While there is no scientific proof that HGH therapy reverses the aging process, it does provide significant benefits:

• Increases energy, stamina and endurance
• Promotes lung and cardiac functions which increases circulation
• Reduces wrinkles, hair loss and improves overall skin appearance
• Increases muscle while decreasing fat deposits
• Expedites recovery process and reduces incidences of injury
• Enhances mental functioning
• Improves quality of sleep and controls mood disorders (e.g. depression, mood swings)

More HGH at Any Age

It's evident that HGH supplies significant benefits to refute the aging process but to also offer a more satisfying well-being. Synthetic HGH is available, but can be toxic and very damaging to the body. However, there are several natural ways to boost HGH production at any age.

1. Exercise with intensity. Any type of physical activity can increase the secretion of the hormone. However, surge training produces the greatest combination of HGH and catecholamines. Combined, these hormones build muscle, burn fat and keep the body in great shape at any age.
2. Maintain a balanced diet. The types of foods you consume can greatly affect the secretion of HGH.  High-fiber, low-glycemic foods prevent unhealthy spikes in blood sugar and help increase the presence of HGH in the blood stream. These foods can specific to men or women.
3. Sleep deep. Getting solid sleep will help naturally secrete an extra dose of HGH.  If you are not sleeping regularly, hitting the hay a bit sooner could "significantly increase" the amount of HGH your body produces on a nightly basis.³

It should not be surprising that a natural hormone capable of restoring youth and energy is controlled by those activities most natural to the human form.
To learn more about surge training or eating to improve your natural levels of HGH, contact Dr. Nick Barnes at drnickbarnes@gmail.com.

Sources

1 http://www.hgh.org/Benefits/HGH-Slows-Aging.html
2 http://www.hgh.org/What-Is-HGH.html
3 http://hghhowto.com/optimizing-hgh-with-sleep.html

Anti-Aging Foods For Men

The benefits of eating healthy are endless. While many initially choose to rework their diets in order to look better in a bathing suit, those who stick with a high-quality, whole-food diet experience less illness and typically enjoy long, active lives.

The bottom line?
What you put inside of your body will show on your exterior and may add years to your life. For men looking to get fit for life, we've listed five foods that will help you look, feel and age better.

Quinoa

According to Christopher Mohr, Ph.D., RD, professor of nutrition at the University of Louisville, quinoa and other healthy grains are high in fiber, protein and vitamin B. All are necessary essential in maximizing health and well being.
Beta-glucan is a naturally occurring fiber found in good grains like quinoa. Consuming healthy fiber has been shown to lower cholesterol, blood pressure and weight. Quinoa also helps improve blood sugar levels, which protect your heart, digestive system and overall health.
Quinoa is filled with healthy minerals like tryptophan, manganese, and phosphorus, plus they have a good serving of B vitamins. Plus, it keeps you full—so fewer midnight cravings.

Almonds

Nuts are extremely high in protein, fiber and vitamin E. According to Gary Fraser, Ph.D., almonds help with a man's digestive system and skin wellness. Nuts are a great source of both protein and healthy fats. Healthy fats are an essential source of clean, efficient energy for the body.¹
Although they are high in calories, by eating just a handful at a time you can stay full for a longer amount of time.

Lean Turkey

In order to improve reproductive and immune system function, men should increase the amount of zinc and selenium in their diet. Turkey is a quality source of both these vital nutrients.
Selenium and zinc are known as anti-aging enzymes because they are filled with superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, two of the most powerful antioxidant enzymes in the body.
Glutathione is particularly important. It is used by almost every cell in the body and plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of harmful free radicals.
Lean ground turkey meat also contains significant amounts of vitamin B and various amino acids, according to Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD.²

Black Beans

Black beans have more fiber than any other legume, as well as a significant amount of protein.
They contain no saturated fat and have more flavonoids that most beans. The antioxidants in black beans help stifle the aging process, according to Jennifer Bathgate, R.D.
The copper and zinc found in black beans play a key role in preventing wrinkles.³

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes contain lycopene that protects from UV damage and vitamin C producing collagen for healthy skin.
However, because of their natural sugar content, sweet potatoes should be avoided if weight loss is a goal. Maximized Living recommends sweet potatoes only for those on the Core Plan. ⁴

What You Can Do

Cleaning up the types of foods you eat is the quickest route to a fit, healthy body that lasts. By eating better today, you will look and feel better in the long run.
Looking for more healthy options for your weekly menu? Subscribe to the Maximized Living newsletter, which features the latest, most relevant science on all 5 Essentials. Please contact Dr. Nick Barnes, at drnickbarnes@gmail.com, if you have any further questions or comments.

Sources

1. zeenews.india.com/news/health/healthy-tips/top-10-anti-ageing-foods_16482.html
   
2. www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=57173
   
3. www.healwithfood.org/health-benefits/black-beans.php
   
4. www.vancouversun.com/health/empowered-health/Forever+young+anti+aging+foods/6273409/story.html