Olive is one of my favorite finger food whether green or black. But what do you know about Olives? How Healthy are They? Which Olives are Best?

Olives are one of the oldest foods known to man, dating back some 8,000 years in the Mediterranean region. The olive tree was valued as a symbol of peace and happiness, while olives were used as food and a source of oil.

Olive soup is a good remedy for a sore throat, according to traditional Chinese medicine (it's also the only time olives are used in Chinese cuisine).

Today everyone knows how good olive oil is for health, but the humble olive is often passed up (often because they've unfairly gotten a bad rap for being high in fat). However, olives are actually a very healthy fruit, one that's been lending superb nutrition to mankind for centuries. So there's no need to pass up that tempting olive bar at the market any longer -- olives are good for you!

All Olives Start Out Green

If you take a look at your local supermarket, you'll see olives in a rainbow of colors, from green to brown to purple to black, with flavors just as diverse, ranging from sweet to sour. But all olives actually start out the same: green.

Unripe olives are incredibly bitter and not edible. To become the tasty fruits you're more familiar with, they must have their bitterness, which is caused by a substance called oleuropin, removed. This is done through a variety of curing processes, as even simply cooking an olive is not enough to get rid of the bitterness.

olive recipes

Some Olive Varieties You
May Not Have Heard Of …

Beldi: A small, fruity olive from Morocco.
Halkidiki: A tangy green olive from Greece's Halkidiki peninsula.
Gaeta: A small, salty Italian olive.
Cerignola: A very meaty, giant green olive harvested in Cerignola, Italy.
Bitetto: A sweeter olive from southern Italy.

Olives are picked at varying stages of ripeness (as they ripen they gradually turn from green to black) and cured using one of several processes, including soaking in oil, brine or water, or dry packing in salt. A more artificial (but faster, taking only days as opposed to months) method also used (particularly for canned black olives) is soaking the olives in lye, which removes the bitterness but also takes away much of the olive's flavor.

The Health Benefits of Olives

Traditionally cured olives, such as those found at most olive bars, offer a host of health benefits. For starters, they're rich in iron, vitamin E and copper, and are an excellent source of fiber. But what about all the fat?

It's true that olives do have some fat, but it's the incredibly healthy monounsaturated variety. Monounsaturated fats have been found to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and increase HDL (good) cholesterol.

However, olives contain a triple whammy for your health that works in synergy to provide extreme benefits. Along with monounsaturated fats, olives are rich in vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that neutralizes damaging free radicals, along with polyphenols and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.

It is the combination of these three health-boosting compounds that make olives:
Have a protective effect on cells that can lower the risk of damage and inflammation.
Help reduce the severity of asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis
Help prevent heart disease
Help prevent colon cancer
Help prevent the frequency and intensity of hot flashes in women going though menopause.

When choosing olives for their health benefits (and flavor) always opt for those that have been traditionally cured (as opposed to lye-processed). No matter what the variety, they're sure to add a burst of flavor and nutrition to any dish.

Timezone travel is a pain. When you're flying across timezones, it can take your body a bit of time to adjust. In the meantime, you're graced with unpleasant symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, constipation, diarrhea, confusion, and more - enough to make any trip or vacation difficult to enjoy - while your body matches its internal clock to your new external clock. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to ease and speed up the transition.

Before Traveling
Every week, push your schedule one hour back or forward, depending on where you're going. The more time zones you're flying across, the earlier you'll need to start. This will give your body a chance to gradually adjust to your new time zone. If the time difference is several hours, however, it may prove inconvenient to spend your final week before leaving 3 or 4 or more hours ahead or behind everyone else. Alternatively, you can shift your eating and sleeping schedule by an hour a day.

While Traveling
Stay hydrated. On the day of your flight, drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration is one of the symptoms of jet lag, and the dry, cabin air on the plane doesn't help. Stay away from any beverages with alcohol or caffeine in them, as the side effects can do more harm than good. Set your watch to the time at your destination as soon as you begin your flight.Sleep (or stay awake) like you're already there. If it's daylight at your destination, try to avoid sleeping on the plane. If it's nighttime at your destination when you're on the plane, try to sleep. Use earplugs, eye shades, and turn on the air-conditioning valve (cooler temperatures help you fall asleep faster). If you'll be needing sleep while on the plane, try to book a roomier seat. In a narrow economy seat with little leg room, your body will produce an adrenaline-like substance to keep blood flowing up to your brain, and you won't be able to sleep as a result. More leg room in first class or business class seats helps prevent this from happening. Eat like you're already there. Avoid eating airplane food, since it's generally served on a schedule that's consistent with the time zone you're leaving, not the one you're going to. If you're hungry, snack lightly until you arrive at your destination, and eat during what would be mealtimes there.

At Your Destination
Play or exercise, preferably in the sun. If it's daytime at your destination, spend as much time outside as you can. The exposure to sunlight will help your brain adjust to the new timezone. Remain active - don't just go to your hotel room and sit in front of the television. If you desperately need a nap, take one only for 30 minutes. Any more than that will make jet lag worse. If you are on a business trip, play may be out of the question. No problem; any exertion (for example, a brisk walk) will help, and doing it in sunlight will make it even more effective. Can't get outside? Open the curtains over the hotel window to let in as much sun as possible, and do some exercises in the room. Outside is best, but any exercise in bright light will help a lot. Be creative!

Eat light meals according to your new timezone. Not only is your sleep cycle adjusting, but so is your digestive routine. If you have any large, rich meals, they'll make it all the more difficult for your body to adapt, and symptoms like constipation and diarrhea will put a damper on your vacation. Exercise in the evening and in the morning. It'll help you get better sleep by tiring you out before going to bed (as long as you exercise a few hours before bed, so that the body has time to calm down) and it'll help make you feel more awake in the morning by getting your blood flowing. Have a protein-rich breakfast the morning after you arrive. It'll help with alertness.

Taking synthetic melatonin as a dietary supplement may mediate the effects of jet lag, but the long-term effects of taking melatonin and the lack of watchdog measures make it a controversial solution. Some people report that it worsens their jet lag symptoms, so consult your doctor before considering this option. If you're only away for a few days, stick to a schedule that coincides with the time zone at your home. If possible, arrive at your destination a day early to help adjust to the new routine. The medical term for jet lag is resynchronises. Remember that if you change your watch before you leave, you may have some confusion if you have a layover in a different time zone. Make sure you know how long you have between flights to avoid missing a connection.

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Don't have the space for a full-sized pumpkin to make a jack o lantern out of but don't want to disappoint your kids? This is a cute and alternative way to have fun this Halloween!

1. Buy a pomegranate at your local grocery store.
2. Set it out on a cutting board.
3. Grab a sharp knife and a spoon and start sawing through the top of the fruit just as you would with a pumpkin.
4. Start hollowing out the fruit's seeds, as you would with a pumpkin.
5. Set on a paper towel in the fridge for it to dry out for the decorating.
6. After half an hour, take out the fruit and start to trace the design on it.
7. Cut the shapes out.
8. Store the fruit in the fridge until Halloween night.
9. Set a candle on it, then light.
10. Set it out on your front steps or in your window for all to enjoy.

Keep it cold and fresh in your fridge.Don't let children do this without adult supervision! Watch out! The fruit inside stains. Clothes, curtains, wash clothes, towels etc. are all at risk when working with Pomegranates!