The prostate gland has a reputation as a health destroyer.  Hypertrophy of the prostate gland, which affects nearly every elderly male, strangles the urethra.  This troublesome condition makes urination difficult and increases the risk of bladder infections and kidney damage. However, there are many superfoods that may already be a part of your everyday diet that can help thwart the onset of prostate problems. 

Tomatoes, watermelons, red grapefruit, papaya and berries are all great sources of lycopene, a health-promoting plant pigment known for its free radical battling ability.  It also promotes a strong immune system and helps support prostate health in men.  Though fresh are always an excellent option, the lycopene in cooked tomatoes is actually absorbed more readily by the body.  It’s also your ally in the battle against free radicals. 

Quercetin, a flavonoid that forms the backbone of many other flavonoids, may have positive effects in combating or helping to prevent many different types of serious ailments. It also acts as an antihistamine and has anti-inflammatory properties, which may be helpful in relieving the pain of an inflamed prostate.

Foods rich in quercetin include apples, tart cherries and cherry juice black & green tea, onions, berries, red wine, red grapes, citrus fruits, broccoli & other leafy green vegetables. Quercetin can also be found in honey and sap, including the type from eucalyptus and tea tree flowers.

It’s important to remember to get a healthy balance of foods to keep your prostate healthy, including antioxidants, vitamin E from nuts and seeds, and drink plenty of clear fluids to help flush the bladder.  Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods.  Keeping your weight in check will also help maintain a healthy prostate.

Banana Split French Toast

Surprise your family with this wonderful brunch entree.

• 1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries
• 1 (16-ounce) loaf French bread
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 1/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 4 small ripe bananas, halved lengthwise
• 2 cups frozen whipped topping (about 2/3 of an 8-ounce container), thawed
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/8 teaspoon of cherry juice concentrate
• Maple syrup, warmed

Cut 4 maraschino cherries in half; set aside for garnish. Chop remaining cherries. Cut off and discard ends of bread loaf. Slice remaining loaf into 16 (1/2-inch to 3/4-inch) slices.

Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl; beat with an electric mixer at medium speed 3 to 4 minutes, or until creamy. By hand, stir in pineapple, chocolate chips and chopped cherries; mix well.

Spray a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine eggs and milk in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Dip one side of 1 bread slice into egg mixture. Place on baking pan, dipped side down. Gently spread with 1/8 of cream cheese mixture; top with a banana half. Repeat with 7 more slices.

Dip one side of each of the remaining 8 bread slices in egg mixture. Place, dipped side up, on top of banana Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 35 to 40 minutes, or until tops are light golden brown and centers are set.

To serve, top each serving with 1/4 cup whipped topping, 1-1/2 teaspoons chopped pecans and 1 reserved cherry half. Serve with maple syrup.

Makes 8 servings.

Gout, also called gouty arthritis, is caused by an accumulation of uric acid in the blood. The disease usually appears in midlife and primarily in males. It can be hereditary or the secondary to some other disease process. The main symptom of gout is severe pain and swelling in joints, but gout usually effects one joint at a time, then may move from one joint to affect another joint.

The kidneys filter uric acid out of the body. But with gout, the body makes excess uric acid or the kidneys fail to function properly, failing to rid the body of the uric acid and it begins to build up in the joints in the form of uric acid crystals. This condition is very painful. The accumulation of these crystals causes severe pain and swelling in the joint. A common site for gout is the big toe joint. But gout can occur in an ankle, knee, elbow, wrist or finger. Typically the onset occurs at night with excruciating pain, swelling and inflammation. Rich food and alcohol may contribute to the rise in uric acid and the increase in the severity of the symptoms.

Luckily, there are several superfoods that are probably already a part of your everyday diet that help alleviate the symptoms of gout. 

The pectin and vitamin C in apples can help alleviate gout.  The vitamin C helps strengthen the immune system and the pectin helps the joints remain flexible.

Onions protect the circulatory system and are a powerful antibiotic. They’re good for urinary infections, and their diuretic activity helps with arthritis, rheumatism and gout.

Food poisoning is an all-encompassing term involving the consumption of contaminated food, stomach flu, stress, drug interactions, nutrient deficiencies or their excess.  It can come on rather suddenly after eating; diarrhea or vomiting can begin 30 minutes to one hour after eating foods that are chemically poisonous; within one to 12 hours with bacterial poisoning, and 12 to 48 hours with viral or salmonella poisoning. Food poisoning can be serious and a medical professional should be contacted especially if it is accompanied by a difficulty in swallowing, speaking or breathing; if there is a fever of 100 degrees F; if the person can’t even hold down liquids; if there is severe diarrhea of more than two days.

The best remedy is to curtail eating until all the symptoms have subsided and the toxins have had the chance to exit your system. Drink plenty of fluids – vitamin C and blackberry and peppermint teas can be taken then to strengthen the stomach, along with yogurt that contains acidophilus to recolonize the lost flora in the bowel. Diluted sweetened drinks can also be consumed to replace the body’s lost fluid and electrolytes, and the BRAT diet (bananas, apples, rice and toast) can also be helpful in getting the toxins cleared from the body. Drinking a glass of cherry juice to help you get some sleep to begin recovery.

As a precaution against food poisoning, great care should be taken when preparing foods.   Avoid over-handling foods, and when in doubt, throw it out – don’t take a risk with leftovers if you’re just not sure how long they’ve been in your refrigerator.

Mint, lemon, raspberry, chamomile or teas might also be helpful in easing the stomach pain associated with food poisoning or stomach cramping.  Ginger tea is also good for settling an unsettled stomach, and promotes good digestion. Try to get plenty of rest as food poisoning can be an exhausting and nutrient-depleting chore for your body.  Once you’re feeling better, be sure to eat a well-balanced healthy diet that includes foods rich in iron, zinc, vitamin C to help your body get back to its old self again.

A sweet treat for any gathering.

• 1 (8-ounce) package semisweet baking chocolate
• 1 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1 cup dried tart cherries

Put chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High (100%) power 2 minutes, stirring halfway through the theating time. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add almonds and dried cherries; mix until completely coated with chocolate. Drop by teaspoons onto waxed apper. Refrigerate until is firm.
To toast almonds: Spread almonds on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Makes 2 dozen.

Download a free cherry of the our cherry juice recipe book.

Flushing the fat? As crazy as the concept might sound, the Fat Flush Plan can help you reshape your body while detoxifying your system. This low-carbohydrate, three-phase diet regimen was created by nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S.

Phase 1 of the plan, called The Two-Week Fat Flush, lasts 14 days and is designed to jump-start weight loss. Phase 2, The Ongoing Fat Flush, helps you continue to lose weight, and Phase 3, The Lifestyle Eating Plan, focuses on maintenance.
The Fat Flush Plan was designed to increase metabolism, flush out bloat and to boost the fat burning process. At the core of the plan is the commitment to promote a balanced lifestyle and encourage simple healthy habits that seem to have gone by the wayside in our modern and hectic everyday life. Every aspect of each phase of the plan is focused on accomplishing this goal: helpful essential fats, amounts of protein, antioxidant-rich vegetables, moderate amounts of fruits, calorie-burning herbs and spices, cleansing diuretic beverages, exercise, journaling and even sleep are addressed.
The Two-Week Fat Flush is based on an average of 1,100 to 1,200 calories daily, and is designed to jumpstart weight loss for dramatic results. It will transform your shape by accelerating fat loss from your body’s favorite fat storage areas – your hips, thighs and buttocks.
The Ongoing Fat Flush is the next step for those individuals who have additional weight to lose but who also want to pursue a more moderate cleansing program and enjoy a bit more variety in food choices while still losing weight. This part of the program is designed for ongoing weight loss, with approximately 1,200 to 1,500 calories each day. This is the phase that will be followed until you reach your desired weight or size.
The Lifestyle Eating Plan is your maintenance program for lifetime weight control. This pha
se offers over 1,500 calories daily, providing a basic lifelong eating program designed to increase your vitality and well-being for life. You’ll add up to two dairy products and up to two additional friendly carbs. Phase 3 friendly carbs include more choices from a variety of starchier veggies and nongluten hypoallergenic grains. Foods are always introduced one at a time to make sure there are no allergic reactions and you’re your body tolerates the food well.

One way to get started with a fat loss program is to drink a glass of cherry juice. Check out the study from University of Michigan at www.traversebayfarms.com/uofm.htm