Costco Connection - June 2006

in_csi_od_se_tco

By Pat Volchok

NUTRITIONAL POWERHOUSE whole the electric can opener; walk whenever you meal, a cup of Cheerios and an English muffin
foods such as blueberries and spinach are can; use the stairs; vacuum to music! with 1 tablespoon of low-sugar jam.
described by growers as being encircled in a Have a mug of cocoa or a square of dark Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin
health halo of natural goodness. chocolate. Dark chocolate can help maintain K: Many individuals are deficient in vitamin
Steven Pratt, M.D., witnessed through healthy blood pressure, promote heart health K, which is an important player in fighting
his patients the positive results these divine and lower your risk for cardiovascular disease. osteoporosis. Look to spinach and the other
foods can provide. This led him to co-author, Enjoy fresh citrus fruits all winter long. greens of spring to boost your K levels.
with Kathy Matthews, the 2004 national best- They can lessen the risk for mouth, larynx, Put some honey in your green tea.
seller SuperFoods Rx ( William Morrow). pharynx and stomach cancers by as much as Honey, one of the oldest known medications,
In his latest book, SuperFoods HealthStyle: 50 percent. Drinking a glass of 100 percent can inhibit the growth of viruses and works
Proven Strategies for Lifelong Health (William orange juice every day can help reduce your as an antioxidant. Remember that, in general,
Morrow, 2006), Dr. Pratt notes, “Whether risk of stroke and boost your intake of vita- the darker the honey, the higher the level of
you’re trying to prevent cataracts, macular min C, a vitamin too many people don’t get antioxidants.
degeneration, cancer, or cardiovascular dis- enough of.
ease, the same type of preventive dietary mea- Summer: the season of peace
sures apply. The whole body is connected: a Spring: the season of joy Consistently high levels of stress hor-
healthy heart equals a healthy eye and healthy Laugh out loud. Studies have shown that mones can actually shrink the areas of the
skin. You’ll hear about all these special diets laughter may reduce the risk of coronary brain that control memory and emotion.
for special health needs, but really, the same heart disease. Control the stress in your life with
diet and the same lifestyle choices prevent the Limit portion sizes. Portion control equals “HealthStyle” techniques.
same diseases. With rare exception, you don’t weight control; it’s the “non-diet diet.” One Slice an avocado into your salad or mix
need 20 different preventive modalities, just large bagel with 3 tablespoons of cream cheese up some guacamole. Avocados are powerful
onereallygooddiet.” is the caloric equivalent of three medium “nutrient boosters,” helping the body to
Here are some tips from SuperFoods bananas, two slices of light bread, a cup of oat- absorb nutrients from food, and they also
HealthStyle.

Fresh blueberries: Cost snapshot

Winter: the season of resolution and a perfect time for a personal revolution

Add a sprinkle of cinnamon to your oatmeal. Studies show that this warming spice may boost cognitive ability and also can help Costco regulate blood sugar levels if you suffer from type 2 diabetes.

Average cost per ounce*

33 cents

National grocery chains

70 cents

Exercise is perhaps the single critical _Warehouse _club _Bchange you can make in your daily life, along with eating “superfoods,” which will improve your health, your spirits and your future. Look for exercise opportunities: Throw away