Tag: healthy living

Lifestyle

Vitamin D and its Importance

whatsupwingo

Vitamin D and its Importance

Hello sunshine! Let’s talk about vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin. New research shows that vitamin D plays a role in the prevention of chronic diseases.  These include cancer, heart disease, depression, autoimmune disease, and type 2 diabetes. According to the latest research, over half the population could be deficient in this important Vitamin.

Vitamin D and its Importance: Sources of Vitamin D

The sun is a great source of vitamin D, but unfortunately with our modern society many of us do not get adequate exposure. We also have to worry about the damage that the sun may cause.  Skin cancer is scary and when we protect ourselves from the sun with sunscreen, we are also blocking our vitamin D exposure. Additionally, many individuals may find that they have genetic mutations that prevent proper synthesis of vitamin D. This may make them continue to test low in vitamin D despite sun exposure.

Vitamin D and its Importance: How to Test Levels

Vitamin D is  fat soluble, meaning it can be toxic if taken in excess in supplemental form. It is important to have your doctor check your levels to make sure you are within the desired range. The best lab test is a 25 d hydroxyvitamin d blood test. You can get this through your regular doctor or if you prefer, you can order this without a doctor.   Check out quest diagnostics for more information.  There are also tests that can be done with a finger prick and sent off without having to go to a lab, if you are interested in this click here to save 15% off with my link and search for vitamin d test. 

Vitamin D and its Importance: Supplementation options

I choose safe sun exposure, limiting the amount of time I am outside and avoiding mid day sun, as it is the strongest.  I also supplement with vitamin D3 and added K2 as these two vitamins work synergistically for better absorption. I am linking a few of my favorite supplements below. After supplementing be sure to continue to check your levels, especially during the winter as they can drastically change. As always please be sure to contact your doctor before taking this or any medication.

https://amzn.to/2YyufW0

Vitamin K2 + D3 with Organic Coconut Oil for Better Absorption | 2-in-1 Support for Your Heart, Bones & Teeth | Vegan Certified, GMO & Gluten Free (60 Veggie Softgels)

https://amzn.to/2YslMnc

Vitamin D3 with K2 Liquid Drops, All Natural, Non GMO, 1208IU D3 and 25mcg K2 (MK7) Per Serving, Strengthen Bones, Boost Immune System and Energy Levels, with or Without Peppermint Oil

I love that this is an oil which is great for those who want to avoid taking a pill. One drop is 303% of your daily value.  This is great for those who may only need around 1000 IU, or need more on the days where they are not exposed to sun and less on the others.

Check out my previous post on Magnesium and how to get more of it.

Whats up Wingo:

I hope you all have had a great week so far.  Stay tuned for Friday’s Foodie Friday post as I have a recipe that you wont want to miss.  Keep the conversation going let me know how you all are doing and what you have been up to this week.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, I may earn a commission if you complete a purchase after following the link. Thank you for your support.
Recipes

Taco Salad For Foodie Friday

whatsupwingo
crisp romaine lettuce in a bowl with a fork topped with seasoned ground beef, carrots, olives, topped with sour cream and salsa

Taco Salad for Foodie Friday

I hope you all had a good week. This week has been really busy for me and lets just say TGIF! This week I am sticking with a super simple recipe of Taco Salad for Foodie Friday. This salad is so tasty and with all the veggies it is definitely far from boring. Lets get on to the recipe.

Ingredients

Serves 4

  • 1 head of romaine chopped and washed.
  • 1 small can of sliced black olives drained
  • A whole carrot peeled and julienne
  • A pound Ground beef
  • 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • Sour cream and salsa of choice to taste
  • cooking fat (optional)
  • 1 tbsp of this primal palate taco seasoning or seasoning packet of choice
https://amzn.to/2RMlz7F

Let’s Get Cooking

  1. First combine ground beef and taco seasoning cook through, add cooking fat of choice if needed.
  2. While your meat is cooking wash, cut and dry lettuce. Place in a bowl.
  3. Prepare your avocado, use peeler to julienne your carrot.
  4. Combine the avocado, carrot, sliced olives, and shredded cheese.
  5. Add your cooked ground beef.
  6. Top with salsa and sour cream to your liking.

serve immediately and enjoy

Check out some more salad inspiration https://whatsupwingo.com/2019/06/14/foodie-friday-cobb-salad-with-a-twist/

white bowl with romaine lettuce topped with salmon, cheese, bacon, boiled egg, and avacado

Whats up with you?

I am looking forward to the weekend and the fourth which is just around the corner. Keep the conversation going and let me know what is up with you. Happy Friday!

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualify purchases. Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, I may earn a commission if you complete a purchase after following the link .

Recipes, Uncategorized

Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus

whatsupwingo
Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus

Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus for Foodie Friday

Welcome to the second edition of Foodie Friday Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus. I am always on a mission to find the best alternatives to pasta. My favorites provide additional nutrients and are lower in carbs. I have recently discovered the use of asparagus instead of pasta and I love it! While I am a fan of zucchini noodles, and they definitely have their place, they can be a pain to spiralize. Because they put off so much moisture, they tend to make the sauce watery. If you are an asparagus and Alfredo fan you definitely should give this recipe a try! Not only is this a healthy alternative to pasta it is extremely tasty and I am willing to bet you might not even miss the pasta.

Asparagus

Asparagus is super tasty and an extremely healthy vegetable. It happens to be choked full of folate and vitamin C. In addition to this it is a low carbohydrate, non starchy vegetable with very few calories and a good amount of fiber. Folate is a very important nutrient during child bearing years and has been shown to help decrease the incidence of neural tube defects. Vitamin C is also considered an antioxidant and is an essential nutrient meaning that we cannot make it within the body.

How to Choose and Store Asparagus

According to realsimple.com the size of the Asparagus does not determine its quality and taste. Instead look at the color and firmness of the spears. You want a more purple tent to the tips and firm in texture not limp.

According to real simple you should trim your spears and soak in a wet paper towel or cup dipped in water in the refrigerator to extend the shelf life. Check out the linked article for all the info.

Ingredients Needed for Shrimp Alfredo with Asparagus

8 oz mushrooms sliced

1 bunch asparagus chopped to about an inch long

3 garlic cloves minced

1 and 1/2 tbsp butter divided

1 tsp olive oil

one pound shrimp raw, peeled, and de-veined.

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 oz cream cheese

1/3rd cup Parmesan cheese

Salt , pepper, and dried parsley to taste.

Be sure to check our my very first Foodie Friday where I made a Cobb salad with a twist.

Cobb Salad with a twist

Lets get Cooking

Recipe serves: 4

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 to 15 minutes

Total time: 15 to 20 minutes

Start by de-thawing your shrimp if you have not already done so. Salt and pepper liberally.

Place 1/2 tbsp butter and 1 tsp olive oil in your pan to heat up for a minute over medium to medium high. Cook the shrimp until they are pink and cooked all the way through then set aside in a dish.

Add remaining tablespoon of butter to the pan. Place sliced mushrooms in the pan to cook until they are browned.

After your mushrooms are browned add in garlic, and asparagus and cook until asparagus reaches your desired texture. We like to leave ours a little crunchier.

Next add 1 oz cream cheese and mix well allowing it to melt. Once it has melted add 1 cup of heavy whipping cream being sure to stir constantly. When the sauce begins to bubble and thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon add Parmesan cheese and stir to combine.

Asparagus with mushrooms cream cheese and heavy whipping cream

Add shrimp back into the dish to warm. Garnish with parsley and additional Parmesan if you desire.

Remove from heat and serve.

Shrimp Alfredo with asparagus in white bowl with fork

I like to serve mine with a salad. Today we chose Cesar salad made with organic baby romaine, Cesar dressing and Parmesan cheese. Simple and tasty.

Cesar salad and Shrimp Alfredo with asparagus on wooden tray

Whats up with you?

I hope you all have a great weekend. Keep the conversation going and let me know what you all are cooking up this weekend.

Uncategorized

Magnesium and How To Get More of it Without Having to Take a Pill

whatsupwingo

Magnesium is such an important mineral it is unfortunate that it is often overlooked. Many of us are lacking in magnesium and don’t even know it! Increasing our Magnesium intake can help with sleep and relaxation, anxiety, constipation, energy metabolism, and the list goes on and on. Besides the role that we know magnesium plays in the body, it is very likely that their are other functions that we are not even aware of yet!

Here is a list of magnesium and the RDA for both males and females of varied ages to help you better understand exactly how much you should be getting on a daily basis.

The RDA for magnesium is as follows (1):

Age Range: Males : Females:

Birth to 6 months (AI)30 mg 30 mg
7–12 months (AI)75 mg75 mg
1–3 years (RDA)80 mg80 mg
4–8 years (RDA)130 mg130 mg
9–13 years (RDA)240 mg240 mg
14–18 years (RDA)410 mg360 mg
19–30 years (RDA)400 mg310 mg
31–50 years (RDA)420 mg320 mg
51+ years (RDA)420 mg320 mg

As the western diet increases in processed foods and we rely less on whole foods a decrease in magnesium through the diet is noted. If you think you may be low in magnesium I have some solutions to help boost your intake.

Food First: Magnesium

It is always the best idea to start by making sure we are getting our necessary vitamins and minerals through our diet. Food first is always the best policy as vitamins and minerals tend to work synergistically. I have complied a short list that according to the NIH contain good sources of magnesium (2):

Almonds that are dry roasted without oil: one ounce includes 80 mg per serving

Spinach that is cooked by boiling: 1/2 cup contains 78 mg per serving

Cashews that are dry roasted without oil: one ounce contains 74 mg per serving

And of course we can’t forget CHOCOLATE!!

Dark chocolate which happens to be around 70-85% cacao provides around 36 mg of magnesium per 100 calorie serving (3).

It can be hard to make sure that you are getting the adequate amount of magnesium daily so on those days that you find you are not able to get enough I have you covered! Here are my top three ways to increase magnesium without having to take a pill.

1. Natural Calm:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=whatsupwingo-20&keywords=B000OQ2DJQ&index=aps&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=ur2&linkId=22a2819212bcbd8e69e7142bfc32e944

Natural calm is a delicious way of getting in some magnesium. You can drink it hot or cold and it comes in lemon, cherry, unflavored, and raspberry lemon which is my favorite. It is vegan, gluten free, non GMO, and sweetened with stevia so it is a good alternative to those who are watching their sugar intakes. This is a great night cap. It is the perfect solution to help you wind down and get relaxed before bedtime. It is however fine to take anytime of the day. This is a must have in my pantry especially during times where I am extra stressed, and need a flavor filled boost.

2. Pink Stork Magnesium Spray

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S3ROEFE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00S3ROEFE&linkCode=as2&tag=whatsupwingo-20&linkId=80bd0edf1a5f3e0684b930cf6368d6f1

My second option is pink stork mist. This mist is marketed toward prenatal care however it can be used by men and women alike. I love this stuff as it is simply a spray and you are DONE! As the packaging states is helps with morning sickness, aches and pains, poor sleep and more. This stuff SAVED me during my pregnancy. Not to brag but I had ZERO morning sickness and I used this religiously. Six sprays equal 200 mg of magnesium. Magnesium that is absorbed is much more gentle on the gut and is great for those who want to treat a spot ache or pain as you can spray this directly on the targeted area.

3. Epsom Salts

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GINGOY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004GINGOY&linkCode=as2&tag=whatsupwingo-20&linkId=1b53593e9d6b5d20106f71d851ed370b

The third option is Epsom salts. These are wonderful! They can be used to soak just your feet or as a full bath. They are relaxing and as this package claims aide with eczema, acne, and softens skin in addition to increasing magnesium levels in the body. If you desire a scent there are many different choices of salts with lavender and other essential oils added depending on your needs. This is an excellent solution for aches and pains as well as a nice way to relax at the end of the day.

Finally because I know chocolate might be your favorite way to increase magnesium I thought I might link my favorite chocolate bars

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009ZJ08C2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B009ZJ08C2&linkCode=as2&tag=whatsupwingo-20&linkId=c6d7274ebce8aa43ee27f23540dae06a

Alter eco makes several really good dark chocolate bars. They are organic and have some of the best tasting chocolate considering the low sugar content.

I hope this was helpful to learn several different ways to increase your magnesium intakes without having to resort to a pill form of supplement. Let me know if you try any of these options and please be sure to share with your friends and family!

Please be sure to comment below and let me know whats up with you and what your favorite ways are to increase magnesium.

MD knows best disclaimer:

As always I am not a doctor and I recommend you consult your doctor before making changes to your diet or adding in additional magnesium or any supplement as diet Changes or supplementation can be harmful to some individuals.

Sources:

(1) Institute of Medicine (IOM). Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride . Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1997.

(2) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 25. Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page, 2012.

(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4696435/#B1

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualify purchases. Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, I may earn a commission if you complete a purchase after following the link .