Avocados - a powerful anti-aging food!!

I know that awhile back I made a few posts about an anti-inflammatory diet that I used to live by that completely got rid of all of my acne! This diet was created by Dr. Perricone and I still read posts on his blog quite frequently. I received this blog post in my email today and I felt it was worth sharing! I highly recommend any of his amazing products and especially his diets! they do amazing things for your body!

HERE IS THE ARTICLE DIRECTLY FROM WWW.PERRICONEMD.COM, WRITTEN BY DR. PERRICONE:

 

Avocados

Nature's Forever Young Secret

The evening before I was to submit my completed manuscript to my editor at Simon & Schuster, a headline from the UK's Financial Times caught my eye: "Scientists discover the secret of ageing!" it screamed in 24 point type. The article went on to explain how one of the biggest puzzles in biology - how and why living cells age - had been solved by an international team based at the U.K.'s Newcastle University.

Using a complex 'systems biology' approach, the researchers, in conjunction with scientists from the University of Ulm in Germany, embarked on a journey to discover why cells become senescent (grow old).

The research, published by the journal Molecular Systems Biology, shows that when an aging cell detects serious DNA damage, which may be the result of general wear and tear from daily living, it sends out internal signals.

These distress signals trigger the cell's mitochondria, the energy producing part of the cell, to make free radical molecules, which instruct the cell to either destroy itself or to stop dividing. The reason for this is to avoid the damaged DNA that results in cancer.

Many Perricone readers are familiar with my belief that the damaging diseases and cellular destruction associated with aging, begins with the mitochondria.

The mitochondria are tiny energy-generating units in the cell. They function as microscopic furnaces, converting food into fuel and are responsible for all energy production in the body. Although tiny, as the energy producing portion of the cell, the mitochondria play a huge role in the body. In fact, properly functioning mitochondria are vital in maintaining a healthy body and beautiful skin.
Unfortunately, the mitochondria are a constant site for free radical production and very susceptible to the damage that free radicals can cause. If we hope to preserve youthful function and prevent disease, it is critical to search for agents and antioxidants that will protect the mitochondria from free radical damage. We all know that fruits and vegetables contain the antioxidants we need to fight the inflammatory cascade generated by free radicals. So if we just increase our intake can we solve the problem?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. The majority of these antioxidants (while invaluable to other parts of the cell), cannot enter into the mitochondria.
Thus, the free radicals and their inflammatory cascade continue to damage the mitochondria causing energy production to stop and the cell to collapse and die.

Avocados to the rescue
Avocados are antioxidant powerhouses—but as you will discover, they have truly unique regenerative properties.

The special monounsaturated fats that they contain are extremely effective in combating free radical damage. However, according to a study by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the oil found in avocados can enter the mitochondria and fight the free radicals.
Remember this key fact; a young cell is characterized by its energy production. And as we know, energy production takes place in the mitochondria. Now, thanks to the avocado, we have the tools at hand to protect this critical portion of the cell and significantly reduce the negative signs of aging in all organ systems—including the skin. I enjoy a serving of avocado on a daily basis.

For a host of wonderful recipes visit www.avocado.org. One recipe I can personally vouch for is "Best Ever Guacamole." It is outstanding!

"Summer Dreams" Bulletin Board Idea

 I came up with this bright and colorful Summer Dreams bulletin board idea for the end of the school year! I am currently working with toddlers while I get my education degree so I just asked them something they wanted to do and we talked all about summer and things we do in the summertime. It was fun to hear what some of these little toddlers said and I had to include a couple of them below:

 (Her dad is a motorcycle racer - so "Vroom-Vroom" is his motorcycle)

I just loved the Hulk one! Cracked me up! If you work with older kids you can make this bulletin board a writing assignment and have them complete the phrase of "My summer dream is..." Then post them around the fun fish and ocean cutouts or on the border as I did. I purchased all the ocean cutouts at our local Schoolhouse Store so I'm sure you can find a similar one if not the same one at any teacher supply store.

Just remember the year is almost over - so keep your sanity and know it's just a moment longer!!

Mother's Day kid's craft

 If you are looking for a quick and cute Mother's Day Gift here is a simple and cheap craft your child can do (with a little help from you depending on age)! Simply make a hand print on a terracotta pot using acrylic craft paint. Brighter colors tend to look better, or at least not a color in the same family as the red/brown because I tried a pretty cherry red (pictured below) and I didn't like it as well as the bright yellow you see above. But it's up to you of course.

Next take a Terracotta paint pen (sold at craft stores such as Michael's) or a paint brush and more acrylic paint and write the child's name on the rim of your pot.

I decorated the rest with dot decorations using the terracotta paint pens and they turned out so cute, simple and something any mommy would love. Then plant a flower! We chose Marigold's because there was this adorable Mother's Day poem that went with them and sadly I can't find it anywhere so it's not in this post :( However if I find it later I'll come back and add it in.

Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!