Asparagus for folic acid!

Asparagus has been prized for its delicate taste and nutritional benefits for nearly 2000 years. It has the highest folic acid content of any vegetable, making it a perfect food during pregnancy. It is also a natural diuretic, laxative, and may promote cardiovascular health.
Asparagus is a member of the lily family and related to onions and garlic. The tender spears that we eat grow from an underground crown, which can take up to three years to develop enough to produce shoots; but once it begins, the crown can continue to produce spears for up to 20 years.
The ancient Greeks and Romans believed asparagus could relieve toothaches and bee stings, and while these medicinal benefits have proven false, asparagus can help prevent and relieve other health conditions. Asparagus contains key minerals and amino acids that act as a natural diuretic, which may help relieve PMS-related water retention, arthritis and rheumatism. Its high fiber content may help prevent and relieve constipation, and it contains a particular type of amino acid that helps to neutralize ammonia in the body, which can be toxic and cause fatigue. It also contains rutin, a bioflavonoid, which strengthens blood vessels and prevents their rupture, and is a good source of potassium which can help fight hypertension and quell exercise-related nausea by balancing electrolyte levels.
The high folic acid content in asparagus may play a key role in promoting cardiovascular health. Folic acid has been shown to decrease homocysteine levels in the blood and to improve endothelial function (blood flow) in blood vessels. Homocysteine is a naturally-occurring amino acid, elevated levels of which have been linked to coronary heart disease and stroke. Some scientists estimate that consuming 400 mcg of folate daily could reduce the number of heart attacks suffered by Americans each year by 10 percent.
The folic acid found in asparagus is also necessary for new cell formation and maintenance as well as DNA replication, which are especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth such as pregnancy. Folic acid deficiency has been linked with neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Some studies show that folic acid may also help prevent stroke, some cancers, and possibly Alzheimer's disease.
The inulin content of asparagus may also promote intestinal tract health. We are unable to digest inulin, a certain type of carbohydrate, but the beneficial bacteria in our intestine can, which causes more of these good bacteria to grow and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. The proliferation of these good bacteria can help you to digest food and fight off illness.
It takes only one cup (approximately 5.3 ounces) of asparagus to supply 66 percent of the daily recommended dose of folic acid, and it is also a great source of vitamins C, E and A, and vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6, as well as dietary fiber, iron, manganese, copper, and phosphorous.

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Natural Household Cleaners

Many of the household cleaners we use every day contain toxic chemicals that may be harmful to you, your baby, and the environment. But there's little need for these harsh chemicals when effective and safe alternatives may already be sitting in your cabinets. Here are some common products that can be used for a variety of household jobs - safely and effectively.
Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate)
Baking soda is a mild alkaline that can be used to neutralize, shine and deodorize many items. It can deodorize the refrigerator, carpets, drains, upholstery, and vinyl, as well as your underarms. Use it to clean and polish aluminum, chrome, plastic, porcelain, silver, stainless steel, tin, counter tops, sinks, bathtubs, ovens and fiberglass and even your teeth when used as toothpaste. It is also useful as a fabric softener and stain remover, and can soften hard water and be used as a bath soak.
Borax (sodium borate)
Available at most supermarkets, Borax is an effective deodorizer, prevents mold and mildew growth, boosts the cleaning power of soap and detergent, and removes stains. Sprinkle about a half a cup of Borax in the bottom of your garbage and diaper pails to keep them clean and odorless. It can also be mixed with sugar to attract and kill cockroaches.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is made from the starch of corn kernels. It can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs, and starch clothes. Look for baby powders that contain cornstarch as it is now used as an alternative to talc.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is an excellent disinfectant and strong degreaser, but be sure to use it in well-ventilated areas, wear gloves, and keep it away from children. Poisoning can occur from ingesting, inhaling, or absorbing it through prolonged contact with the skin. Symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning include flushing, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and coma.
Lemon Juice (citric acid)
The juice of the common lemon can deodorize and remove greasy or sticky stains from aluminum, clothes and porcelain. It also can be used as a glass cleaner, but don't use it in direct sunlight as it can cause streaking.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil can be made out of several types of seeds and is an effective and safe furniture and wood floor polish.
Soap
An all-purpose liquid soap, which can be used for washing dishes or hands, can be made by simple dissolving the old ends of bar soap (or grated slivers of bar soap) in warm water.
TSP (trisodium phosphate - soda ash and phosphoric acid)
TSP is available at most hardware stores and is a powerful cleanser and degreaser. It is commonly used to clean and treat wood before painting, but is not recommended for use on metal as it can cause corrosion. It is harmful if swallowed.
Vinegar
Vinegar acts as a mild acid to dissolve mineral deposits and grease, remove traces of soap, remove mildew and wax buildup, polish some metals (stainless steel), and deodorize. It is useful for cleaning brick and stone, and can be mixed with water for a powerful carpet cleaner. It can remove the metallic taste in coffeepots and shine windows without streaking. Coat your hands in vinegar before and after slicing onions to remove the smell. Floor and furniture polish can be as simple as a few drops of vinegar in water mixed equally with olive oil. Any type of white vinegar will work well for household chores.
Washing Soda (sodium carbonate decahydrate)
Washing soda, also sold as sal soda, in chemical-supply and drug stores can cut grease on grills, broiler pans, and ovens. It does not emit any harmful fumes but it is caustic, so wear gloves while using it. It can remove petroleum oil, wax, lipstick from surfaces and neutralize odors; however, don't use it on fiberglass, aluminum or waxed floors, because it will take the top layer off. Mix a teaspoon washing soda with a gallon of hot water to clean painted wood floors.
Essential oils
Lavender, tea tree, pine, myrrh, sage, peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, wormwood, thyme, and cloves are all essential oils you can add to homemade cleaning solutions. Each has antiseptic, anti-fungal or anti-bacterial properties.
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The Power of Omega-3

In today's diet-conscious culture, many people try to eliminate every kind of fat from their diet. However, omega-3 fatty acids, also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids, are good fats that can improve cardiovascular health, prevent diabetes, improve brain function, and may even help you lose weight.
According to the American Heart Association, omega-3 fatty acids can improve cardiovascular health by decreasing blood pressure, minimizing the hardening of arteries, stabilizing heart rhythm and preventing the development of clots and plaque, thereby decreasing the chance of stroke and heart attack. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol and increase DHL ("good") cholesterol.
The high blood glucose levels associated with diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels and lead to increased deposits of fatty materials on the insides of the blood vessel walls, which can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke. Omega-3 fatty acids help lower blood sugar and reduce plaques and clotting, helping to prevent heart disease and keep diabetes at a manageable level.
In addition, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), one kind of omega-3 fatty acid, has been found to boost insulin function in people who are obese and at particular risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In one study, 70 percent of patients with insulin resistance who took a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids showed a marked improvement in insulin sensitivity.
Omega-3 fatty acids may even contribute to weight loss, although additional studies are needed to confirm initial findings. According to several small studies, it appears that omega-3 fatty acids may increase oxidation of fat by activating genes that break down fat and reduce the number of fat cells, especially in the abdominal region. And due to regulated blood sugar levels, omega-3 fatty acids may make you feel fuller longer, helping to curb those snack attacks.
Inflammatory disorders such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBD) may be at least partially relieved from omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center gave patients suffering from chronic pain fish oil supplements for 20 to 30 days and found that nearly two-thirds of the patients no longer needed to take other anti-inflammatory pain medication. At Indiana University, patients taking fish-oil supplements were found to have reduced symptoms of asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
Omega-3 fatty acid's ability to improve brain function has been the focus of a lot of attention. A particular type of brain wave that is linked to memory and learning has been found to transmit significantly faster when supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids. These brain waves typically slow down with age and are slower in people with dementia. But within two hours after taking the supplements, test subjects showed an increased rate of transmission. DHA is also critical to proper visual and neurological development in babies and infants who do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids from their mothers during pregnancy are at risk for developing vision and nerve problems.
The effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the brain may also contribute to psychological stability. DHA makes up about 25 percent of the body's brain fat and manages the production and flow of serotonin. People battling bi-polar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia have been found to be DHA deficient, although more studies are necessary to determine the connection between psychological health and omega-3 fatty acids. This finding may be particularly helpful for women suffering from postpartum depression and those going through menopause.
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