Curiously Awesome

By this time of the winter I start to feel like I am ready to escape from the long, cold winters we have where I live. As time goes by I have a harder and harder time tolerating the cold and snow and cold and ice and wind…I could do on and on. It just gets old!

When I think of a winter escape, somewhere far away and exotic typically comes to mind. In reality…it really doesn’t have to be far away and exotic, though. It can be easier and closer and still be a cure for the winter blahs.

Branson is easily within a day’s drive of where we live so my family really could do something like this! They have an appealing Hilton Branson Escape Package right now that is available at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. Both of these hotels have many amenities available for guests, including shops, boutiques, restaurants, a river walk and other attractions.

Branson itself is quite a destination and looks like it has something for everyone there. They have a lot of interesting winter events going on right now like The Third Annual Ice Carving, The 2009 Polar Plunge and The Second Anniversary of the Hilton Promenade. They also have great live entertainment and theaters. These hotels are located in close proximity to Branson’s golf courses, lakes, museums, theme parks and live entertainment theaters. Our family would definitely love the museums, the theme parks, and some of the live entertainment if we were to visit down there.

This would be a great cure for the winter blahs!

Evidence is mounting that Brussels sprouts keep the body free from cancer by promoting healthy DNA. DNA is responsible for cell division in the body. If DNA gets damaged cells can replicate faster than normal and this can cause cancer. Several studies reveal that Brussels sprouts have the ability to help protect DNA from damage.

The phytonutrients in Brussels sprouts have been shown to protect against heterocyclic amines. These are the carcinogenic compounds found in grilled and charbroiled meat. These carcinogens are particularly associated with colon cancer.

Research published in the International Journal of Cancer shows that Brussels sprouts protect against bladder cancer as well. Brussels sprout`s bladder cancer properties appear to come from their high levels isothiocyanates, which are potent anti-carcinogens. Isothiocyanates travel through the bladder to be excreted, making them particularly powerful against this form of cancer.

Sulforaphane is released by Brussels sprouts and has been proven to trigger the liver to produce enzymes that detoxify the body of cancer-causing chemicals They have been shown to inhibit chemically-induced breast cancers in animal studies.

Research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle studied 1,000 men. Those who ate three or more servings of cruciferous vegetables each week had a 44% lower prostate cancer risk.