Are Organic Tomatoes Better?

Researchers have found that organic tomatoes are smaller
but more nutrient dense than conventional tomatoes. More
specifically, organic tomatoes contain more lycopene, vitamin
C and total antioxidants than nonorganic tomatoes. Cherry
tomatoes are one of the highest sources of pesticide residues
when not organic. Choose organic ketchup for more lycopene.
-Taste Magazine, September 2013

Diet Can Reduce Gout Risk

To help prevent painful gout and keep your heart healthy,
eat like a Mediterranean native: Load up on fruits and veggies,
lean protein and olive oil, and limit sweets and red meat.
Elevated levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) can lead to gout
and heart disease. And new research published online in April
in the Journals of Gerontology found that following a Mediterranean
diet for five years significantly lowered uric acid in elderly people
with hyperuricemia.
One possible explanation: The Mediterranean diet is packed with
nutrients that prevent inflammation, protect cells from damage and
prevent insulin resistance, all of which are associated with lower
levels of uric acid.
Arthritis Today Magazine, October 2013

Weather and Fibromyalgia

A study found little evidence that weather triggers fibromyalgia
pain and fatigue. It was published online in Arthritis Care and
Research. Yet previous research has found up to 92 percent of
people with the chronic condition say specific weather conditions
affect their symptoms.
"Our study shows more evidence against than in support of an
influence of specific weather conditions on daily symptoms of
pain and fatigue," says lead study author Ercolie R. Bossema,
PhD, a member of the Psychorheumatology Research Group
at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.
Researchers say their findings don't rule out the possibility that
some patients are more sensitive to weather than others. For
instance, they found that some patients have more or less pain
when it's hot outside. But for most patients in this study, a
weather-symptom association wasn't found.
-Arthritis Today Magazine, October 2013

Don't Char The Meat

No matter what you are grilling, take special care not to char the meat.
Overcooking meats increases the release of cancer-causing toxins,
says Victor Sierpina, MD, professor of integrative medicine and family
medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
Such compounds may also exacerbate symptoms in autoimmune
arthritis, he says.
Grill all meats on a low temperature or wrap them in foil to avoid the
health risks of charring. Marinating meat in the juices of vitamin-C-rich
foods like lemons, limes, oranges or tomatoes before you grill can
help, too. Experts say vitamin C helps neutralize the damaging effects
of the cancer-causing compounds.
-Arthritis Today Magazine, October 2013

Gluten-Free Retailer

PCC is proud to have earned the nation's first Gluten-Free
Retailer Endorsement from the Gluten Intolerance Group
of North America.
They carry about 2,000 gluten-free products, from pastas
and pancake mixes to health and body care. They also offer
a wealth of resources for their gluten-free customers,
including product identification tags, cooking classes, store
tours and a gluten-free specialist in each store.

Improve Your Meatballs

Meatballs are like burgers: The more you mess with the meat,
the tougher they'll be. Mix the ingredients with your hands until
just combined- don't overwork. And skip the browning; try
poaching the meatballs in a broth or sauce. They'll absorb the
liquid and turn out extra tender.
-Food Network Magazine, May 2013

Know When to Salt

Timing is everything when you are salting vegetables. To get
crisp, browned veggies, salt them at the end of cooking- after
they've browned. To get soft, saucy vegetables like carmelized
onions, add salt early on: It draws out moisture, which helps
break them down.
-Food Network magazine, May 2013