Project AWARE

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been scientifically proven to provide multiple health benefits, including lowering your risk of various chronic diseases and keeping your body healthy. Making major dietary shifts, on the other hand, can be overwhelming. For starters, changing your diet drastically can be difficult; but people can start with a few tiny changes. It is because things become easy to manage when you start with one thing at a time rather than all of them at once. A regular diet can be made a little bit healthier by including some basic, everyday foods to your meal. Read on these exipure real reviews.

Here’re 5 Healthy Foods To Add To Your Healthy Diet:

1. Berries: 

Berries such as strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, black currants, and blackberries have been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Natural antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E, as well as micronutrients like folic acid, selenium, alpha and beta-carotene, and lutein, are all found in them. Berries are abundant in moisture and fibre, while being low in calories. Antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperglycemia, and anti-inflammatory activities are all found in berries. A daily bowl of berries helps to prevent ageing, boost immune health, battle stress and anxiety, regulate body weight, and promote urinary tract health.

2. Yogurt: 

It is one nutritious food that is easily available across the world. Yogurt is high in protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and phosphorus – all of which are important components in the diet. Benefits of yogurt consumption include bone health, weight maintenance and cardio-metabolic disease prevention.  Check these exipure reviews.

Yogurt is the best source of probiotics, in addition to calcium and protein (good live bacteria). Having a proper balance of bacteria in your gut improves digestion, blocks dangerous organisms that can cause infections, and boosts the immune system. Protein in yogurt promotes weight loss and has satiating properties.

3. Drumstick: 

Drumstick or moringa is a trending vegetable in developing countries. It has been used for centuries due to its medicinal properties and health benefits. Moringa leaves are an abundant source of minerals, vitamins, and other essential phytochemicals. Leaf extract has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties. Moringa leaves are rich in iron and zinc, which help treat anemia and the development of sperm cells, respectively.Research states that regular use of drumsticks improves mental alertness, bone strength and improves eyesight. The anti-bacterial properties of moringa prevent cancer, common cough and cold. The laxative properties of moringa help relieve constipation. Learn more about keto x3 healthy benefits.

4. Mangosteen: 

Mangosteen has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antidepressant, antihistamine, analgesic and anti-viral properties. Mangosteen can cure acne, skin blemishes, oily and dry skin. Mangosteen controls levels of triglycerides, regulate heart rate and helps maintain normal blood pressure. The xanthones in mangosteen are naturally occurring plant compounds with anti-inflammatory molecules. This vital trait in mangosteen makes it a remarkable remedy for relieving unbearable body pain due to arthritis, sciatica, and menstrual cramps. Fiber helps regulate appetite, control untimely cravings, promote digestion, and augment energy metabolism. This is how exipure works.

5. Almonds: 

Adding almonds to your diet can help lower blood cholesterol levels. They protect artery walls from damage. It was found that the flavonoids in almond skins work in synergy with vitamin E, thus reducing the risk of heart disease (Research at Tufts University). Almonds contain phosphorus that helps build strong bones and teeth. Almonds contain riboflavin and L-carnitine – nutrients that boost brain activity and may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Research shows that eating almonds along with a high glycemic index food significantly lowers the glycemic index of the meal and lessens the rise in blood sugar after eating.

Snapple real fact #800: Most lipstick contains fish scales

Yes, that is correct. Not a surprising real fact once you realize the shiny fish scales are used to create that pearl essence look.

The scales are taken as a by product from a relatively large scale commercial fish processing industry of herring. Herring are one of the most abundant and most important fish groups in the world. Herring are not only important to the food web in the ocean but also to the health of many coastal communities. You can get a glimpse of a family fishing for herring in Alaska on the TLC show, “Hook, Line and Sister“. Also, on the Atlantic coast the Herring Alliance is “a coalition of environmental organizations that formed in May 2007 to protect and restore ocean wildlife and ecosystems in the northeast United States, from Virginia to Maine, by reforming the Atlantic herring fishery. We seek to accomplish this mission through public education, advocacy and support of ecosystem-based fisheries management.”

Best of 2011 from BCS

I hope everyone welcomed the New Year with style and grace! Here is a fun list to recap the “Top 12 most popular posts written by Beach Chair Scientist in 2011”:

1. It’s as easy as A, B, Sea: Weddell Sea
2. Happy as a clam
3. Beach trivia
4. 5 facts about fish farming
5. Basics on renewable energy
6. 13 apps for your day at the beach
7. Blue Sway – Paul McCartney
8. Can you write with a sea pen?
9. The Majestic Plastic Bag – Part IV
10. Linda Thornton, an inspiring aquaculturist on a mission for sustainability
11. How deep is the ocean?
12. 30 reasons to be grateful for the ocean

 

“Big Miracle” trailer

While doing my daily search for all things Ryan Gosling I stumbled upon this trailer for “Big Miracle” (A movie that was previously named “Everyone Loves Whales”). This film, starring Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski, is based on a true story of the rescue efforts of three gray whales (named Fred, Wilma, and Bam-Bam) in Alaska. This movie is being released February 3rd so it is perfect as that “what-to-look-forward-to-after-the-holidays” treat.

Enjoy this trailer and see how many celebrities really do love whales!

“The Timeless Traveler” a new documentary by River Bank Studios

According to Jason Peters from Filmmakers for Conservation, “The film Timeless Traveler – The Horseshoe Crab is a film about what some consider to be the world’s most spectacular scientific breakthrough that could rewrite the pages of medical history. It is an appeal for the conservation of a unique species and aims to achieve a widespread public awareness and appreciation of Horseshoe Crabs throughout India and the world.”

New ‘marine life encyclopedia’ launched

I think there might be another great bookmark to add to your ocean facts files! Please spend some time reviewing this great new resource, a marine life encyclopedia, compiled by Oceana. Over 500 creatures, places, and concepts can be explored. The pictures are bright and colorful and the information is up-to-date and easy to digest. It seems fantastic if you want a quick answer to a question.

Even if you think you know all the answers, test yourself with this Ocean IQ quiz!

The content on the marine life encyclopedia site has been licensed to Dorling Kindersley, one of the world’s leading educational publishers.

Until I saw the sea by Lilian Moore

Until I saw the sea
I did not know
that wind
could wrinkle water so

I never knew
that sun
could splinter a whole sea of blue

nor
did I know before,
a sea breathes in and out
upon a shore

by Lilian Moore

How fresh is your seafood?

Oceana teamed up with artist Don Foley to produce this infographic illustrating how our delicious seafood gets from hook to the icy fish case in our local food store. Shockingly, Oceana states that “Eighty-four percent of seafood eaten in the U.S. is imported, and it follows an increasingly complex path from a fishing boat to our plates.” Check out more on the nitty gritty 5-step process here.

It certainly is an eye opener and a wake up call. I once heard Sylvia Earle say that the best way she can think of to save the oceans is to not eat seafood from them. I think I might be getting close to that orthodox and the first step might be to curb the seafood purchases from anywhere not listed as sustainable even if I know the fishery is not in trouble. To help this lifestyle change I use ProjectFishMap.

Project FishMap is an application produced by Monterey Bay Aquarium that asks you to submit information when you find a restaurant or market that advocates sustainable seafood. As the map grows we can see what spots are the gems of the neighborhood. Click here for some more marine science apps for your smartphone.

Image (c) Oceana/Don Foley.

Scientists discover new living fossil. What is a living fossil?

A living fossil is not Russell Johnson (the professor from Gilligan’s Island) or dear Zsa Zsa Gabor (God bless you for holding on!).

I’ll chop it down to say that a living fossil is an organism that more closely resembles a fossil than anything living. For instance, the Atlantic horseshoe crab resembles the fossil record of trilobites more so than anything living. You can also think of living fossils as animals that have gone unchanged after millions of years therefore resembling the fossil record of their ancestors very closely. For instance, alligators and crocodiles haven’t evolved much in the past 230 million years. Horseshoe crabs have gone unchanged in the past 450 million years.

Most recently, a team led by Smithsonian scientists discovered a new living fossil, a primitive eel (Protoanguilla palau), from 10 specimens gathered from a cave in Palau. Palau is an island located in the Pacific 500 miles east of the Philippines and 2,000 miles south of Tokyo. What the scientists noticed was unique to this species (setting it apart from the 800 species of living eels) was the presence of a second upper jaw bone, fewer than the standard 90 vertebrae, and a full set of bony toothed gill rakers. Also, according to the press release from the Smithsonian, “The team’s analyses of total mitochondrial DNA indicate that P. palau represents an ancient, independent lineage with an evolutionary history comparable to that of the entire order of living and fossil eel species.”

13 apps for your day at the beach

It’s time to get the most out of that last trip to the beach!

Whether you’re ready for a day out on the boat, lounging, beachcombing, catching some waves, or preparing a feast there is an app to get you more involved in your marine environment. Apps are not only a great way to learn something new on the fly but can be a useful tool for engaging one another in settings where you may not have common ground. (OK, at the very least apps settle many ‘discussions’.)

Here is a list of useful and rather attractive apps that can connect you to your inner marine biologist.

AUDUBON FIELD GUIDES: Audubon Fishes of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico and Audubon Fishes – A Guide to North American Fishes include photos, geographic ranges, and concise yet detailed descriptions of appearances. Coming soon is the field guide for the Mid-Atlantic shoreline. ($9.99)

OCEANOGRAPHY STUDY GUIDE: If you are into fun oceanography trivia and want to learn more about the geography of the sea than download this app. It isn’t an endless list of “did you know?” facts but rather a large range of topics with well written articles for the serious beach chair scientist. ($4.99)

OFFICIAL APP OF ISSF: The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) was founded in 2008 when leaders of industry, scientists and environmental champions voiced concern over the future of tuna fisheries. This app provides a glossary of terms, videos, and a list of the status of stocks. (Free)

SEA TURTLE APP: This app was created by the Sea Turtle Conservancy and allows you to follow read the latest on sea turtle news but much more exciting you can track the global migration of different sea turtles with interactive satellite tracking maps! (Free)

Enough sitting around – it’s time to get out there and do something:

MOBILE APP FOR IGFA: The International Game Fishing Association created an app for weigh station locations, angler rules and regulations, customizable quests, and advice for trip planning. What more does a sport fisherman need?

MARINE DEBRIS TRACKER APP: This collaboration is brought to you by the Southeast Atlantic Marine Debris Initiative. The reporting of where you find marine debris can help to focus and prioritize federal efforts. The app uses GPS and allows you minimal work of sorting through lists of common marine debris. (Free)

CRAB APP: This app is an offshoot from the marine wild lab and allows you to collect horseshoe crab species data that will be used in scientific research. Horseshoe crabs are of enormous importance to 1) the drug industry due to their blood, 2) to fisheries for bait, and 3) to migratory shorebirds for its eggs.  (Free)

TIDE GRAPH: I found out that there are many, many apps out there to help you monitor the tides. Tide Graph will work for both coasts in the US and provides graphs to help you see how the tide changes over the day and the month. ($1.99)

If you are preparing a feast or gorging on some dockside seafood:

SEAFOOD WATCH: For years the Monterey Bay Aquarium has produced adorable pocket-sized regional cheat sheets so you can get a quick overview of what species are considered over fished or not in your neck of the woods. They continue to produce this application for your iPhone and use GPS tracking to discover where you are so you can get the most relevant information. (Free)

PROJECT FISHMAP: Monterey Bay Aquarium also gets you more involved by asking you to submit information when you find a restaurant or market that advocates sustainable seafood. As the map grows you can see what spots you’ve not uncovered in your neighborhood. (Free)

FISHPHONE APP: With one quick text (example: “fish salmon”) to 30644 Blue Ocean Institute will fed you intel on your species of choice. For instance, they’ll rank the sustainability and toxicity levels and send an overview of its conservation status. (Free)

SAFE SEAFOOD: This app takes information from ten different seafood rankings (including Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Environmental Defense Fund) to create its list. The app outlines choices in an easy to review “best to worst” list. I particularly like that fish with multiple different market names are listed by each of common name too. ($0.99, but 10% of the proceeds go to EDF)

I am certain I missed many wonderful apps. Please do not hesitate to email at info@beachchairscientist.com to share!

Added October 27, 2011: An app for water quality and to get the most up-to-date grade for your beach presented by Heal the Bay in California.