Ingredientshttps://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pumpkin-bread-pudding-cupcakes/
“Don’t handicap your children by making their lives easy.”
― Robert A. Heinlein
e·quiv·o·cal
[əˈkwivək(ə)l]
ADJECTIVE
open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.
“the equivocal nature of her remarks”
synonyms: undecided · to be decided · unresolved · undetermined · uncertain · open · arguable · debatable · disputed · unanswered · open to debate · doubtful · in doubt · moot · up in the air · in (a state of) limbo · in a state of uncertainty · indefinite · inconclusive · unconfirmed · unsolved · ongoing · pending · confused · problematic · vexed · ambiguous · equivocal · vague · borderline · iffy
antonyms: settled
uncertain or questionable in nature.
“the results of the investigation were equivocal”
synonyms: controversial · contentious · open to question · open to doubt · in doubt · doubtful · dubious · uncertain · unsure · debatable · in dispute · in question · arguable · problematic · problematical · unverified · unprovable · unresolved · unsettled · undecided · equivocal · unconvincing · implausible · improbable · not definite · unclear · not obvious · apocryphal · spurious · borderline · marginal · moot · iffy · dodgy
antonyms: certain · indisputable
ORIGIN
mid 16th century: from late Latin aequivocus, from Latin aequus ‘equally’ + vocare ‘to call’.
When you take a look the ingredients that rev up your metabolism, a few stand out. Namely, fiber (particularly from “real” foods like fruits and veggies) and iodine-rich options like seaweed. For every metabolic superhero, though, there’s an alternative eat out there that works the opposite way, sabotaging your body’s calorie-burning prowess.
“The two things that are predominantly in control of your metabolism are your endocrine system and your hormone balance,” says Jillian Michaels, creator of the My Fitness app and former trainer on The Biggest Loser. Thus, when you chow down on something that disturbs these things, your metabolism gets thrown for a loop, too.
You may have already guessed some of the nutritional villains that Michaels names as the worst for your metabolism—cough, sugar, cough—but below you’ll get the full scoop from the celeb coach herself, with a bit of added insight from nutrition experts.
Not-so-shockingly, Michaels names sugar as one of the greatest culprits of a sluggish metabolism. Why? After savoring a dessert, she explains, your blood sugar spikes. This causes your cortisol and insulin hormone levels to increase, in an effort to level things out—and it can eventually lead to metabolic disruption if left unchecked long-term. “Hormones work in a symphony, and there are tons of them,” explains Michaels. “So ultimately, when we’re looking at metabolism, we want to make sure that we have the right hormones working for us, instead of against us.”
According to Chicago-based dietician Amanda Lemein, MS, RD, LDN, the lack of fiber in sugary snacks is yet another factor that makes them a total no-go for a solid metabolism. “Things that we think of as sugar—like cookies, cake, pancakes, whatever—are broken down by our our bodies really, really quickly,” she says. Fiber-rich foods, however, are digested slowly—your body fights hard to break them down, kickstarting your metabolism in the process.
Next on Michaels’ hit list: refined grains like white rice, highly processed breads, and white pasta. These have a similar affect on your body as sugar, breaking down quickly and causing insulin to skyrocket. And that’s not all, says Josh Axe, DNM, CNS, DC. “When consumed in excess, refined grains can provide you with high levels of certain compounds that may hurt your metabolism, including gluten, lots of starch, and phytic acid,” explains Axe, founder of Ancient Nutrition and DrAxe.com. “Many packaged grain products also contain lots of added sugar, salt, synthetic preservatives, and are ‘fortified’ with synthetic vitamins and minerals that can be hard to metabolize properly.” Moral of the story: Stick with whole, unprocessed grains when you get a carb craving.
Hold the vegan chicken tenders? “Soy is very toxic [to your thyroid],” Michaels claims. To be clear, scientists haven’t come to a consensus on this, but some studies do indicate that excessive soy consumption may negatively impact your thyroid—the gland in your neck responsible for regulating your body’s metabolic operations. (Especially if your iodine levels are low or you’ve already got some form of thyroid disfunction.) And to make matters worse, conventionally grown soy is also often treated with pesticides, which are also linked to thyroid issues. “The only time you should do soy is if it’s organic and fermented,” says Michaels. (Or you could always just turn to a soy-free Beyond Burger for your plant-based protein fix…)
There has been a lot of negativity surrounding carbs in recent decades. However, they are one of the main nutrients that the body needs, along with protein and fats. Carbs are essential not only to survive and function properly but to thrive.
Although refined carbs are processed and generally offer little to no nutritional value, unprocessed and whole food sources of carbohydrate are usually nutritious and can be very healthful.
In this article, we take a look at 15 high-carb foods and consider what they can do for your health.
Adding these healthful, high-carb vegetables to a meal will boost its carbohydrate content:
Sweet potatoes are a delicious favorite to include in a range of meals.
One medium, baked sweet potato with the skin on has 23.61 grams (g) of carbohydrates. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of potassium and vitamins A and C.
A 2015 study found that some of the carbohydrate molecules in purple sweet potato may also have antioxidant and antitumor benefits.
Beetroots, or beets, are a sweet, purple root vegetable that people can eat either raw or cooked.
One cup of raw beets has 13 g of carbs. Beets are rich in potassium, calcium, folate, and vitamin A. They also provide people with naturally occurring inorganic nitrates that can benefit heart health.
Unprocessed carbohydrates are generally healthful.
Corn is a popular vegetable that people can enjoy year-round as a side dish, on the cob, or in a salad.
A measure of 100 g of corn contains 25 g of carbohydrates and 3.36 g of protein. It also provides a good amount of vitamin C.
According to a 2007 study, corn is beneficial for blood sugar levels and high blood pressure.
Grains and pseudograins, which are the seeds of broadleaf plants, are great sources of carbohydrates. Whole-grain varieties provide protein and fiber and offer plenty of additional healthful benefits.
Grains are versatile and can form the main part of many meals. Rather than eating white rice and white bread, people can incorporate the following healthful high-carb grains into their diet:
Quinoa is a nutritious pseudograin. It tastes similar to other types of grain, and people can prepare and eat it in the same way.
One cup of quinoa contains 39.41 g of carbohydrates, 8.14 g of protein, and only 1.61 g of sugar.
Quinoa is also rich in minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.
As quinoa is high in both fiber and protein, it may help people lose weight. A 2010 study on rats has indicated that quinoa may help control blood sugar levels too.
Brown rice is a common side dish and a healthful alternative to white rice.
One cup of cooked brown rice has 36 g of carbohydrates.
This grain is also rich in antioxidants.
Oats are one of the most healthful and versatile whole grains. Different varieties are available, including rolled, steel cut, and quick oats.
A cup of old-fashioned rolled oats will provide 27 g of carbohydrates, in addition to 5 g of protein and 4 g of fiber.
Research has shown that oats can benefit people’s cardiovascular health.
Fruits are an excellent source of healthful carbohydrates, particularly those below:
Bananas are widely available and make for a convenient snack.
One medium banana has 26.95 g of carbs. Like sweet potatoes, they are also rich in potassium and vitamins A and C.
As a result of their potassium content, bananas are good for heart health and lowering blood pressure.
Apples are crunchy fruits that it is possible to buy year-round in grocery stores. They come in many varieties.
One medium apple contains 25.13 g of carbohydrates. It also provides vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber.
According to a study involving older women, apples may lower the risk of disease-related mortality, including cancer mortality.
Mangos are a good source of healthful carbohydrates and also contain vitamins, potassium, and fiber.
Mangos are a sweet tropical fruit.
One cup of chopped mangos has 24.72 g of carbohydrates.
Mangos are also high in vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber.
Try adding mango chunks to breakfast cereals or smoothies. Mango is also great eaten alone as a snack. They are ready to eat when they yield slightly to gentle pressure.
A range of healthful dried fruits can help people achieve their daily carbohydrate needs. People can try eating the following dried fruits alone as a snack or adding them to a trail mix or meal:
There are many varieties of date, and they are naturally sweet enough to be used as a sweet snack or dessert.
There are 17.99 g of carbohydrates in one pitted Medjool date. This fruit is also rich in fiber, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin A.
Raisins are dried grapes that work as a standalone snack or can add flavor and texture to cereal bars, salads, yogurts, or granola.
One cup of raisins packs in 129.48 g of carbohydrates. They also contain minerals, including potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium.
Raisins are a good source of antioxidants too.
People refer to goji berries as a superfood due to their high antioxidant content.
One cup has 32 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of protein. Goji berries are also a great source of vitamin A.
Pulses, such as beans and lentils, are high in carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. They are a great addition to any diet and can help people feel fuller for longer.
Try the following healthful, high-carb pulses:
Kidney beans belong to the legume family. They are one of the most common beans to include in the diet.
One cup of kidney beans has 21 g of carbohydrates. They are also a good source of protein and fiber, with 6.99 g and 8.1 g per cup respectively.
These beans also contain potassium and iron. The consumption of white or dark kidney beans may improve inflammation in the colon.
Garbanzo beans, or chickpeas, are also legumes. They are the primary ingredient of hummus.
One cup contains 19.01 g of carbohydrates as well as 5 g of protein.
Garbanzo beans are rich in fiber and calcium. Study results suggest that they can improve heart health and digestion.
Lentils are popular high-protein legumes.
One cup of boiled lentils provides 39.86 g of carbohydrates along with 17.86 g of protein and 15.6 g of fiber.
Lentils are high in phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and folate.
People wanting to follow a healthful diet should avoid sodas and potato chips.
For a healthful diet, people should limit or avoid refined carbohydrates with little or no nutritional content. High-carb foods that people should try to avoid include:
When it comes to carbs, the rule of thumb is to select whole foods and avoid processed and refined carbohydrates.
Whole foods that are high in carbs generally offer lots of essential nutrients and health benefits for the body.
People with a specific health issue or concern should talk to their doctor or a registered dietitian to determine which high-carb foods are right for them.
“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed — else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.”
― Dwight D. Eisenhower
NOUN
the place of origin or earliest known history of something.
“an orange rug of Iranian provenance”
synonyms: origin · source · place of origin · birthplace · spring · wellspring · fount · roots · history · pedigree · derivation · root · etymology · provenience · radix
the beginning of something’s existence; something’s origin.
“they try to understand the whole universe, its provenance and fate”
a record of ownership of a work of art or an antique, used as a guide to authenticity or quality.
“the manuscript has a distinguished provenance”
ORIGIN
late 18th century: from French, from the verb provenir ‘come or stem from’, from Latin provenire, from pro- ‘forth’ + venire ‘come’.
Taming chronic inflammation starts with what you put on the end of your fork. In other words, your best defense to fight inflammation starts with your very next meal or snack. Researchers find that a pro-inflammatory diet significantly increases weight gain and your risk for being overweight or obesity.
The best way to shift that balance is to eat fewer inflammatory foods and much more anti-inflammatory food. The latter include wild-caught fish, loads of nonstarchy vegetables, low-sugar fruit like berries and avocado, raw nuts and seeds, and cultured and fermented foods. Stop and consider, for instance, that our ancestors ate nearly an equal ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids—whereas today we are eating 20 times (sometimes higher) of inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. We’re eating fewer anti-inflammatory foods, but the inflammatory ones we consume (sometimes from not-so-obvious sources like almond milk or factory-raised eggs) can crowd out the healthy ones.
Take soybean oil, prevalent in pretty much any restaurant you eat, which can decrease the amounts of the anti-inflammatory fatty acids EPA and DHA. Even if you’re avoiding the usual suspects like sugar, gluten, and other high-sensitivity foods I often talk about, inflammatory foods can be slipping into your diet. Grain-fed meats, vegetable oils, roasted nuts and seeds, and pretty much any processed food in your grocery store fuels inflammation.
You cannot fix inflammation without fixing the gut. When your gut lining is disturbed, it cannot absorb nutrients optimally and inflammation develops. Eventually problems like leaky gut lead to food sensitivities and even autoimmune disease.
A downward spiral occurs as gut inflammation becomes systemic (or full-body) inflammation, creating pain, headaches, and other symptoms that you might never suspect originated in your gut.
Healing gut inflammation requires time and patience. The right protocol eliminates food sensitivities, incorporates plenty of anti-inflammatory foods, and includes gut-supporting nutrients like L-glutamine, probiotics, and prebiotics. Here’s a three-day plan to get you started.
If you’re not eating an anti-inflammatory diet and incorporating other lifestyle strategies delineated here, taking supplements that can lower inflammation won’t help much.
But combined with the right diet, supplements can help tame inflammation. Among the favorites I use in my practice daily are:
Many of the over 80,000 chemicals we are exposed to daily have not been tested for human safety. They are everywhere: in our furniture as fire retardants, in cosmetics as heavy metals, in our household cleaners as emulsifiers, and in our food as preservatives. These toxins create all sorts of problems. They disrupt our hormonal balance, keep our immune system revved up, and increase our risk for diseases including cancer and autoimmune disease. Chronic inflammation plays a role in all of these problems.
Just like we are all inflamed, we are all toxic. To reduce that toxic load, you’ll want to minimize the toxins you’re exposed to daily that are under your control.
That might mean becoming more mindful about what cosmetics you use, what household cleaners you keep around, and what skin products you spread on your body, as well as drinking clean, filtered water, eating mostly organic plant foods, and if you are a meat eater, mainly consuming clean protein sources like pasture-raised meats.
You’ll also want to eat plenty of detoxifying foods, including leafy and cruciferous greens, along with spices like turmeric. Once or twice a year, consider working with a professional to incorporate a plan that provides your cells the nutrients they require to optimize detoxification. And a gut cleanse is a great way to clean out the pipes and dump some of those accumulated toxins.
Research shows that regular exercise protects against chronic low-grade systemic inflammation present in diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. I like to use the word “movement” as opposed to “exercise” because movement encompasses a broader array of activities.
Yours might include yoga, brisk walking, or weight resistance exercises. Research shows high-intensity interval training, which is fast and effective, can reduce the inflammation that contributes to disease like cancer. But remember this—if you’re a CrossFitter or do any high-intensity exercise, then stock up on the anti-inflammatory nutrients I mentioned above. Moderate exercise reduces inflammation, but extreme exercise (like marathon training and Tough Mudders) will increase inflammation.
The important thing is that you do something that challenges your body without abusing its limits.
Stress is a major and underestimated factor that affects inflammation, even when all other lifestyle behaviors (like diet and exercise) are on point.
Stress increases inflammation, regardless of how good you’re being with your diet. It activates the fight-or-flight response that makes you feel like you’re under attack when you’re not. It can lead to elevated blood pressure, palpitations, and reduced blood flow to the intestines, resulting in poor digestion and assimilation of nutrients.
Some of my patients live under and handle such elevated levels of stress on a daily basis they consider it normal. They have become desensitized to the thought of stress, but their bodies have not been desensitized to the ravages of stress. Essentially, they’ve ceased to notice what a huge impact stress has on their lives. I often point out to my patients how full their plates are and how even if the load they carry (between work and social life) feels “normal,” it shouldn’t be their “normal.”
Forty percent of Americans get less than the seven hours of recommended sleep per night. When compared to the amount of sleep Americans got in 1942, we are getting one hour less per night. That’s outstanding considering modern technology should be making our lives easier, not harder. The problem is the health ramifications of sleep deprivation.
Studies support what I see regularly in my practice: Sleep deprivation can trigger or exacerbate inflammation. Multiple mechanisms are at work here. Sleep loss adversely alters the body’s inflammatory markers, but then you are more prone to make unwise food choices, fuel up on caffeine to get through the morning, and feel more stressed throughout your day with less sleep. Keeping inflammation under control requires eight to nine hours of solid, uninterrupted sleep every night.
Sleep hygiene is important. At least one hour before bedtime, shut down your electronics, block out sleep-disrupting blue light by putting on your blue-spectrum-blocking glasses, dim the lights, and pull up a good book to read (on paper).
Mws R Writings 