# Step 1

Drink a mixture of 1/2 tsp. of baking soda stirred well and dissolved in a 1/2 glass of water to relieve the rumble of acid indigestion or heartburn. Drink the mixture quickly and repeat two hours later, if needed. Adults under 60 can safely do this up to seven times in one 24-hour period.

# Step 2

Eat a banana. Bananas soothe the stomach and counteract the acids that can cause an upset stomach. They are also easily digested and can help ease diarrhea.

# Step 3

Drink strong ginger ale or tea, or chew on a piece of candied ginger to relieve nausea. In China, ginger has been used to treat upset stomachs for over 2,000 years.

# Step 4

Drink peppermint tea. The peppermint calms stomach muscles.

# Step 5

Relax. Take a warm bath, lie down and listen to calming music or curl up with a good book. Let go of stress in a way that works for you.

# Step 6

Avoid foods and drinks that may cause upset stomach or gas. Some of these are coffee, onions, milk, cauliflower, chocolate, fried foods and baked beans.

When you suffer from diabetes, one of the hardest things to do is stick to that restrictive diet. You see other people eating whatever they want… whenever they want it. You would like a little luxury, too. It’s so hard to give up those wonderful foods.

Here’s where ‘healthy and unprocessed’ chocolate comes in. You can eat it without feeling guilty and without feeling like you’re cheating on your restrictive diet. In fact, healthy dark chocolate is scientifically formulated to be good for everyone. It contains and maintains the antioxidant-packed nutrition of unprocessed cacao, which we’ve all been hearing so much about lately. The sugar in this type of chocolate isn’t highly processed white sugar. It’s sweetened with natural versus artificial ingredients, so you don’t have to worry as much about blood sugar crashes as you do with processed sugars.

This healthy chocolate is a natural appetite suppressant, so no more starving between meals. You can get the same antioxidant health benefits from other dietary supplements, but none of those taste nearly as good. If you’re used to taking a vitamin pill with a glass of water, this is not the same! Weird shakes or powdered concoctions are not nearly as exciting.

Healthy unprocessed chocolate is not the same as other kinds of chocolate. You don’t get the same health benefits from those other highly processed chocolates packed with high-glycemic sugars. They might contain chocolate, but they don’t contain pure, dark chocolate. This product is made of minimally processed cacao with other minimally processed, natural ingredients. Make sure you read all labels and look for ‘unprocessed’ chocolate.

Some other benefits of unprocessed chocolate for diabetics include improved mood, decreased inflammation due to arthritis or fibromyalgia, improved breathing, and improved memory. Unprocessed chocolate helps your body utilize sugars, decreasing the likelihood of other complications of diabetes such as vision problems, kidney problems, and amputations.

You may have heard that that the benefits of unprocessed chocolate for diabetics are minimal, and that eating it could actually damage your efforts to control diabetes. Keep in mind that there are always people who will eat too much of even a good thing. Unprocessed chocolate must be consumed in moderation, just like everything else. It’s part of a balanced diet. Don’t overdo it, and you won’t ruin your diet.

European experts say that eating a moderate amount of dark healthy unprocessed chocolate could help control diabetes. Part of the reason this happens is because dark unprocessed chocolate helps you control your cravings and blood sugar levels between meals. The antioxidant effects are a super-sized bonus that can help every major organ in your body. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?

That advice may be hard for women to heed — especially when premenstrual craving surfaces once a month. Women’s bodies scream for chocolate.

But the health-conscious side shifts to high alert, warning of all the fat — heart-healthy or not — and sugar.

So what’s a woman to do? It may depend on why she has the craving — whether she’d be answering to the body’s physiological or psychological call for chocolate.

By studying women in Spain and in the United States, Debra Zellner, Ph.D., a psychologist and professor at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, concluded that women in the U.S. have the craving because they’ve turned chocolate into a nutritional taboo — delicious, but loaded with calories and fat. Convinced it’s a wicked indulgence, she theorizes, these women tell themselves they shouldn’t have it, then wind up falling off the wagon, particularly before they menstruate, when they might be feeling a little low.

“You feel better because you’ve just treated yourself to something, but there’s no physiological reason,” says Zellner, who found that Spanish women simply didn’t crave chocolate as much as women in the United States.

Zellner may face opposition when she presents her findings this summer at the annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behaviors in Dublin, Ireland. Numerous studies and papers have been published on the attraction to chocolate, and some scientists are convinced a physiological connection exists. More than 400 chemicals have been identified in chocolate, some of which could affect mood. Zellner says she thinks any pharmacologically active chemicals in chocolate occur in amounts too small to have an impact, but others aren’t so sure.

Debra Waterhouse, a registered dietitian and the author of the 1999 book “Why Women Need Chocolate,” thinks both culture and chemicals come into play. Chemicals in chocolate affect levels of the body’s mood-affecting chemicals, including serotonin, endorphins and phenylethylamine, which the body releases in response to romance, Waterhouse says.

A comprehensive review of chocolate research, published in the October 1999 Journal of the American Dietetic Association, came to the same conclusion. Two nutritionists at the University of Arizona in Tucson examined almost 75 research papers published over the past two decades on the craving for chocolate — and decided emotions, social values, sensory qualities, chemicals and the hormonal cycles of women all play a role. “It’s the whole package,” says co-author and nutrition professor Doug Taren, Ph.D.

Of course, the swirl of clinical opinions matters little when it comes to pleasing your sweetheart. “The bottom line is that chocolate does make women feel good,” Waterhouse says. “If the message — loud and clear — is chocolate, trust your body, let go of the guilt.”

1. Unprocessed chocolate has no sugar in it.
2. Unprocessed chocolate has very little caffeine.
3. Chocolate contains healthy omega fats and vitamins and minerals.
4. Chocolate has a powerful ingredient that stimulates the cardiovascular and muscular system.
5. Dark Chocolate is super high in antioxidants and flavonoids.
6. Chocolate contains fiber and protein.
7. Chocolate increases blood flow to the brain, preventing dementia and Alzheimers
8. Chocolate increases blood flow to the skin, giving you healthier, younger looking skin.
9. “Healthy” chocolate is safe for diabetics and actually helps regulate and stabilize blood sugar.
10. Unprocessed chocolate helps stabilize metabolism and actually helps you lose weight

Chocolate facts will explain the nutrition secrets and facts that show why the right type of chocolate is a nutrient-dense, high-antioxidant super food.

At the end of a long day, sometimes you’ve just gotta have that chocolate. Why not reach for rich, decadent “healthy” chocolate that is nourishing and beneficial for you?

You’ll have to forget about your favorite milk chocolate and candy bars, though. Those aren’t the healthy kind. And we’re not talking about chocolate cake or cookies or pudding or ice cream either.

Healthy chocolate is pure unprocessed cocoa that is at least 70% dark and does not have any unhealthy sugars, milk fats, oils, dutch processing, or other artificial ingredients added to it.

We’ll talk more about how to identify and find “healthy” chocolate below.

Here’s chocolate facts and myths that might surprise you:

Myth #1: Chocolate is bad for you.

FACT: Pure unprocessed chocolate comes from a natural plant called the cocoa bean. It is a powerhouse of phytonutrition, even rivaling more commonplace fruits and vegetables. It’s nutrient profile is quite impressive: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, Vitamin C, copper, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, zinc, manganese, vitamin E, and, most impressive, high polyphenols and flavonoids – the powerful antioxidants that provide significant health benefits. A cup of cocoa contains nearly twice the antioxidants of a glass of red wine and up to three times those found in a cup of green tea.

Myth #2: Chocolate will make you fat.

FACT: With the right type of chocolate - unprocessed, dark cocoa - you can definitely lose weight, keep off the weight, and improve other areas of your health. Dark chocolate is loaded with key neurotransmitters like tryptophan, serotonin, and dopamine. These nutrient chemicals can suppress one’s appetite and block the pathway that leads to food cravings. High-quality dark chocolate does not contain high amounts of fat. Cocoa butter is generally healthy for humans, and scientists mostly agree that its main fat components all contribute to a healthy lipid profile. Most of the fat in chocolate is added by candy makers during the process of making chocolate candy.

Myth #3: Chocolate has a lot of caffeine in it.

FACT: Pure chocolate contains very little caffeine. It does contain theobromine, a close cousin of caffeine, which provides many good benefits and none of the negative effects that caffeine does.

Myth #4: Chocolate is a dessert.

FACT: In actuality, pure, unprocessed cocoa is very bitter. Just try tasting some unsweetened cocoa you buy from the store. Whoa!The ancient Aztec peoples, who considered cocoa a sacred brew, actually called it xocolatl, which means “bitter brew”.

It’s all the sugar and milk fats that are added to chocolate during the candy making process that turn it into a dessert. We can still find a delicious healthy way of eating it, though.

Myth # 5: You can’t have chocolate if you have diabetes.

FACT: The right type of chocolate actually improves insulin sensitivity and other diabetic symptoms. The flavanols in chocolate can improve the utilization of insulin and can thus reduce blood sugar levels.

Myth #6: Chocolate gives you cavities.

FACT: It is the unhealthy sugars and fats that are added to chocolate during processing that increase risk of cavities. Unprocessed, dark cocoa is loaded with nutrients and beneficial ingredients that make teeth stronger and healthier.

Myth #7: Chocolate is bad for your skin and gives you acne.

FACT: Pure dark cocoa actually improves the appearance of your skin. The flavonoids in chocolate increase blood flow to the skin, modulate enzyme activity, and relieve inflammation.

So is chocolate healthy? Only high quality organic dark chocolate may indeed have solid physiological benefits. The polyphenols, procyanidins and catrechins appear to have antioxidant properties that may reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cancer. UC Davis scientists report, “Regular intake of cocoa components may contribute to a lower thrombotic (blood clot) risk.”

In addition chocolate may reduce oxidation of dangerous LDL cholesterol. In moderation it has been shown in a study to increase longevity and we all know the active mood-altering effects of this favorite treat. It acts as a mild aphrodisiac as well as helps fight depression. Scientists at the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego discovered that biologically active ingredients of chocolate also target a substance in the brain known to produce “internal bliss,” one of the most common reasons for eating chocolate.

And good news for woman, the high magnesium content in cocoa has been shown to help with premenstrual symptoms justifying the natural craving for chocolate at that time.

But not all chocolate is created equal. In today’s chocolate market only 2 tenths of 1% of the chocolates out there are organic. Most mass processed chocolates combine refined sugars, artificial flavors and cheap high cholesterol polyunsaturated fats and hydrogenated oils. Their final product is 10 - 20% authentic and mostly a “chocolate filled” product which is much higher in fat, calories and unnatural, unhealthy additives.

In comparison, pure organic premium chocolate is typically 50 -70 % cocoa solids and contains natural sugar, and no vegetable oil. Therefore it has fewer calories and more health benefits.

I have started having problems with my stomach 6 months ago. The doctor diagnosed me with GERD. I used to take Nexium for a while and got better. Though after couple of months I started having problems again.

Therefore I am writing this post devoted to GERD treatment.

Activities that help cure/relieve GERD
• No food or drink after 8PM
• No overeating
• Chew thoroughly
• Excercise regularly
• Drink water 30 minutes before meal
• Drink water after acid reflex, to rinse esophagus
• Lying on the left side rather then right
• Small frequent meals instead of 3 big ones
• Elevate head while sleeping
• No exercising within 2 hours after meal
• No bending down within 2 hours after meal
• No wearing of the tight clothes
• Reduce weight to 170 pounds (healthy weight for a 5” 10” male)

Foods to avoid
• Coffee (even decaf)
• black tea
• chocolate
• high fat foods
• tomatoes in any form
• spicy foods
• alcoholic beverages (even beer)
• soda pop
• sweets
• refined carbohydrates (too much bread)
• citrus fruit
• gum
• black pepper
• toast
• bagels
• bread
• milk in the large quantities
• onions

Foods that help
• almonds
• pasta
• apples
• noodle soups
• banana bread
• brown rice
• vegetables (besides tomatoes and onions)
• yogurt

A few weeks ago I was using my flat iron and when I looked in the mirror to admire my ’do, I discovered my first gray hair (gasp!). It was the first time I was visibly confronted with the reality that, surprise, I will age, and I’m not 18 anymore no matter how good I feel.

I already have the exercise part down, so on my quest for a fountain of youth I’m paying more attention to research on how to eat to age healthfully. The best information I’ve found? 7 anti-aging super foods and recipes to enjoy them in, from Peter Jaret’s James Beard Foundation award-winning article in EatingWell Magazine, “The Search for the Anti-Aging Diet.”

Read on to find out more about the 7 foods to keep you young:

Chocolate
The Kuna people of the San Blas islands, off the coast of Panama, have a rate of heart disease that is nine times less than that of mainland Panamanians. The reason? The Kuna drink plenty of a beverage made with generous proportions of cocoa, which is unusually rich in flavanols that help preserve the healthy function of blood vessels. Maintaining youthful blood vessels lowers risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia.

Blueberries
In a landmark study published in 1999, researchers at Tufts University’s Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging fed rats blueberry extract for a period of time that in “rat lives” is equivalent to 10 human years. These rats outperformed rats fed regular chow on tests of balance and coordination when they reached old age. Compounds in blueberries (and other berries) mitigate inflammation and oxidative damage, which are associated with age-related deficits in memory and motor function. Eat more blueberries with healthy blueberry recipes.

Fish
Thirty years ago, researchers began to study why the native Inuits of Alaska were remarkably free of heart disease. The reason, scientists now think, is the extraordinary amount of fish they consume. Fish is an abundant source of omega-3 fats, which help prevent cholesterol buildup in arteries and protect against abnormal heart rhythms. Eat some tonight with a healthy fish recipe.

Nuts
Studies of Seventh-Day Adventists (a religious denomination that emphasizes healthy living and a vegetarian diet) show that those who eat nuts gain, on average, an extra two and a half years. Nuts are rich sources of unsaturated fats, so they offer benefits similar to those associated with olive oil. They’re also concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals, including antioxidants.

Wine
Drinking alcohol in moderation protects against heart disease, diabetes and age-related memory loss. Any kind of alcoholic beverage seems to provide such benefits, but red wine has been the focus of much of the research. Red wine contains resveratrol, a compound that likely contributes to its benefits-and, according to animal studies, may activate genes that slow cellular aging.

Olive Oil
Four decades ago, researchers from the Seven Countries Study concluded that the monounsaturated fats in olive oil were largely responsible for the low rates of heart disease and cancer on the Greek island of Crete. Now we know that olive oil also contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases.

Yogurt
In the 1970s, Soviet Georgia was rumored to have more centenarians per capita than any other country. Reports at the time claimed that the secret of their long lives was yogurt, a food ubiquitous in their diets. While the age-defying powers of yogurt never have been proved directly, yogurt is rich in calcium, which helps stave off osteoporosis and contains “good bacteria” that help maintain gut health and diminish the incidence of age-related intestinal illness.

In the 1970s, Soviet Georgia was rumored to have more centenarians per capita than any other country. Reports at the time claimed that the secret of their long lives was yogurt, a food ubiquitous in their diets. While the age-defying powers of yogurt never have been proved directly, yogurt is rich in calcium, which helps stave off osteoporosis and contains “good bacteria” that help maintain gut health and diminish the incidence of age-related intestinal illness.