Cino's Hot Bagels

How to Stay Safe from COVID

Spike Protein no backgroundIt’s no surprise when we say that COVID-19 is all over us and still, to this day, it is still spreading. Now quicker than ever, thanks to the Omicron vibrant! Fortunately, even though this strain is the most contagious that is infecting us now, it is also the most passive. For most of us, someone we know has already been infected including possibly you as well.

Vaccinated or Non Vaccinated – What’s the Difference?

There is a major difference. If you are not vaccinated, you stand the chance of getting more sick than those that have been given the jab. For the ones that have an immune deficiency and/or are elderly, your chances are higher, and subsequently, you may become severely ill, and possibly end up in a hospital. No one wants that! 

How Can I Protect Myself Against the Virus?

Having antibodies in your body is your best defense. They will shield you from the most serious ailments and keep you from such symptoms as extreme fatigue and other serious medical issues. If you are lacking too many of these antibodies, you could possibly end up hospitalized.

How Do I Get These Antibodies?

Person getting vaccinatedEasy, GET VACCINATED! When you are inoculated, the odds of you becoming seriously ill are greatly reduced, and when you get the booster shot, chances are you may only have cold symptoms. Maybe a headache or two, but you will recover usually in a few days. It is important to note that even if you are vaccinated and you get the virus, you must still quarantine in order to keep others from getting infected. 

Eat Healthily!

All studies point to a healthy diet leading to a healthy life, not to mention an effective immune system. Stick to fruits and vegetables. Also, fish, especially salmon has been found to be excellent health food. Learn about what foods are good for you and what is not.

How Do I Keep Safe Outside?

Woman with ask Wear a mask! Use an N-95, which is the best type of mask that can protect you and others from the virus. Ensure that the mask covers your nose and mouth and secure it under your jaw.  Additionally, wash your hands frequently! Carry antibacterial hand sanitizer at all times. Even though the virus is not bacteria, these cleansers work. When you touch a doorknob, an item in a store, or something outside, wash your hands. This doesn’t mean that you need to do this every time but when you feel the need to do so. Most importantly, do not make contact with your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Remain somewhere around 6 feet (around two arm lengths) from other Stay away from large groups and inadequately ventilated indoor spaces. Refer to the CDC frequently for updates.

Conclusion

Taking these precautions is essential so that others do not get infected. After all, we’re all in this together, and the faster we can contain this, the faster we can go back to our normal lifestyles.


Healthy Bagels


How Our Kettle Cooked Bagels are Made!


Assorted BagelsContinuing on our binge of healthy items at the bagel store, we have so spoken about eating healthy foods and what healthy foods are available at the bagel store, but we have not touched specifically on healthy bagels! That’s right. Healthy bagels! 

This article describes how bagels fit into a healthy diet and gives tips on how you can maximize their nutritional value. Here is everything you need to know about bagels, including what people say about incorporating them into a nutritional diet. Knead the dough, form a circle with a hole in the middle, then cook and bake the bagels.

The nutritional content of bagels can vary widely, with countless varieties made from an assortment of ingredients. In general, bagels are made from whole foods which are healthy in their own right. The simplest bagel is made from a mixture of refined wheat flour, salt, water, and yeast.

Bagels can be healthier than breakfast pastries, such as croissants and donuts because they contain less fat. The exact nutritional value of a bagel depends on the ingredients and toppings used. While its value can vary depending on the variety, bagels are a good source of energy and carbohydrates as well as small to medium amounts of protein.

wholewheat_bagelsWhole grain bagels contain more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than regular bagels. Bagels that are billed as wholemeal are made from 100 percent wholemeal flour, but you can also eat standard bagels made from processed flour. However, do not assume that they always contain whole grains.

When you buy bagels, it is best to choose from the whole food options: flour, yeast, salt, barley malt, and eggs. Given all these options, it can be difficult to decide which bagels to buy if you want to eat healthily.

Eating Healthy at Cino’s Bagels

Fruits and Vegetables
Eat Healthy

No way you say? At a bagel store? Because you immediately become emersed in the thought of bagels and the calories that accompany them but did you ever think about the food items you can eat that are low on calories and also healthy for your body and brain? With over 30 years of baking experience, let’s see what healthy treats Cinos can do for you!

Yogurt Parfait

Packed with protein, fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamin C, how can you go wrong? This tasty breakfast (also as a snack) contains blueberries, strawberries, granola, and of course yogurt. 

OK, we know. Most of these parfaits do have some sugar content, but if you are not that concerned about your weight and even if you are, the calorie content is not that much to really be concerned about, and in general, the health benefits can outweigh the negative; however, it really is up to you – the individual to make the final decision.

Let’s start with some blueberries and strawberries (nutrients discussed in the Fresh Fruits section) for your parfait and a little granola to the top.

What is Granola?

Granola with berries
Photo by Dessy Dimcheva on Unsplash

Granola is a very high fiber filling food. It can fill your stomach so you don’t feel hungry for more calorie-ridden snacks. This is referred to as satiation. Granola contains oats and whole grains, which help you not just maintain weight but are also loaded with antioxidants, proteins, healthy fats, and micronutrients.

 

Improves Blood Pressure
Blood pressure problems? Dig into that granola let your blood run (in a healthy way of course). Granola has been found in studies that it can help with hypertension
.

Lowers Cholesterol
The oats in granola contain beta-glucan, which studies have shown that these oats help to reduce “bad” cholesterol (LDL) levels. This can help in reducing the possibility of heart disease.

Fresh Fruit

You don’t have to have a parfait to enjoy some healthy low-calorie foods. Have a feast on fresh blueberries, strawberries, and bananas along with your wake me up coffee or cappuccino.

Here are the benefits of eating fresh fruit:

Blueberries

Fresh Berries in a bowl
Photo by Brandon Wilson on Unsplash

This superfood is packed with antioxidants, which is a healthy element that attacks free radicals and free radicals is not something that you want in your body.

Blueberries are known to have one of the highest antioxidant capacities compared to other fruits and vegetables. The benefits of acquiring antioxidants on a daily basis help to lower the risk of heart disease and brain diseases, as well as help people with stress and anxiety. 

Strawberries

Fiber is a welcome ingredient here, as well as fighting oxidative stress (the result of free radicals), which, like blueberries help to reduce the risk of illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.

In Closing

These are just a sample of healthy foods Cinos can provide. We didn’t even tell you about our veggie sandwiches. Why not drop by and check it out? And don’t forget to have a cup of our freshly made cappuccino!

A Health Guide on Coffee Consumption and the Brain

Coffee on a table
Unsplash_061921_taisiia-shestopal-xO9NotFY4mU-unsplash1

Ah, coffee! The wake me up in the morning, get up and go drink. But is coffee really good for you? Well, for the most part, yes, as it has antioxidants that help kill those scary free radicals in your body and, consequently, help to reduce oxidative stress. 

But you are saying, huh?? What? Don’t worry; we won’t let you hang with these unfamiliar terms without explaining or providing the benefits that can result. We will also discuss how to keep free radicals at bay. 

We’d like to note that drinking coffee may have some adverse effects. If you’d like to know more about coffee’s possible adverse effects, click here.

Let’s Start by Talking About Oxidative Stress – What is It?

Illustration of the antioxidation process
Free radicals, antioxidants, and healthy atoms  (Bigstock)

Any substance that loses electrons is called oxidized and labeled a reducing agent. Any substance that gains electrons is the oxidizing agent.

Oxidative stress is the process where cells are oxidized, and in the case of cells in the human body, they die, specifically in the brain. So, the idea is to minimize these reactions. 

The cells in the brain are called neurons. There are billions of them in our brains, and they communicate by sending impulses to each other, which creates thought and maintains memory. This process is the psychological representation of how we think. 

Neurons can get damaged by some nasty fellers called free radicals, cells containing missing electrons. Since free radicals lack electrons, they look for neurons that have the electrons they need, and subsequently, they attempt to steal them from healthy cells, and then the neurons become defective. This can inhibit the cells from making contact with other neurons, damaging the brain’s cognitive process.

With that said, it would take billions of these mutations actually to cause a brain malfunction; however, the more that free radicals are free to rob and steal (the more they keep attacking healthy cells), the more hazardous it can become for us.

So, What are the Actual Consequences of Oxidative Stress? 

Illustration of neurons and their electrical impluses
Synapse and Neuron cells sending electrical chemical signals.

Memory loss is one possibility, but the situation can worsen if the free radicals are not contained. Oxidation can also cause fatigue, eyesight issues, headaches, and increased susceptibility to infections by diminishing the immune system. Studies have shown that they may also be responsible for age-related wrinkles and gray hair, so seniors take note! The risk of acquiring diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s Disease is also a possibility. 

How Do We Keep Free Radicals at Bay?

Simple. Eat the right foods and drink the right drinks! 

Eat and drink foods that contain antioxidants – the entities that fight off free radicals, so the more antioxidants in our bodies, the stronger our immune systems and the healthier we can be. 

Enter Coffee!

Cup of coffeeA study by the Laboratory of Neuroscience in Boston stated, “Coffee can have direct effects on the brain and also reduces oxidative stress and inflammation.” 

So, coffee is rich in antioxidants. The result is you are drinking an antioxidant booster, so one (or more – but in moderation) coffee cup per day may keep the doctor away!