Thai Red Coconut Curry Chicken With Pea Pods

- 1/4 cup peanut oil
- 2 lbs. chicken cubes (preferably thigh meat)
- 2 cups julienned pea pods
- 1 cups red bell peppers
- 1/2 jar SUZANNE™ Thai Red Curry Simmer Sauce
- 1 14-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
- Jasmine Rice, prepared per package instructions

Sauté chicken in oil until browned on all sides. Add pea pods and sauté until just tender. Add Thai Red Curry Simmer Sauce, bell peppers and coconut milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for about 10 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and sauce has slightly thickened. Serve over warm Jasmine Rice.

Suzanne Somers Weight Loss Plan: Omit coconut milk and rice for Level One Pro/Fats and Veggies. Serve over brown rice for Level Two.

Ellagic acid found in berries, prevent UV skin damage that leads to wrinkles

Using a topical application of the antioxidant ellagic acid, researchers at Hallym University in the Republic of Korea markedly prevented collagen destruction and inflammatory response major causes of wrinkles — in both human skin cells and the sensitive skin of hairless mice following continuing exposure to UV-B, the sun’s skin-damaging ultraviolet radioactive rays (see also Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology).

Ji-Young Bae, a graduate student in the laboratory of Dr. Young-Hee Kang, presented results of the two-part study on Tuesday, April 21, at the Experimental Biology 2009 meeting in New Orleans. The presentation was part of the scientific program of the American Society for Nutrition.

Ellagic acid is an antioxidant found in numerous fruits, vegetables and nuts, especially raspberries, strawberries, cranberries and pomegranates. Earlier studies have suggested it has a photoprotective effect.

But how? The Kang laboratory found that, in human skin cells, ellagic acid worked to protect against UV damage by blocking production of MMP (matrix metalloproteinase enzymes that break down collagen in damaged skin cells) and by reducing the expression of ICAM (a molecule involved in inflammation).

The scientists then turned to young (four weeks), male, hairless mice - genetically bred types of mice often used in dermatology studies because of the physiological similarities of their skin to that of humans. For eight weeks, the 12 mice were exposed to increasing ultraviolet radiation, such as that found in sunlight, three times a week, beginning at a level sufficient to cause redness or sunburn and increasing to a level that would have definitely caused minor skin damage to human skin.

During these eight weeks, half of the exposed mice were given daily 10 microM topical applications of ellagic acid on their skin surface, even on the days in which they did not receive UV exposure. The other mice, also exposed to UV light, did not receive ellagic acid. (Another six mice served as controls, with neither UV exposure nor ellagic acid.)

What happened? First, as expected, the mice exposed to UV radiation without the ellagic acid treatment developed wrinkles and thickening of the skin.

Second, as hypothesized, the exposed mice that received topical application of ellagic acid showed reduced wrinkle formation.

Third, as suggested in the study of human cells, the ellagic acid reduced inflammatory response and MMP secretion due to protection from the degradation of collagen. The ellagic acid also helped prevent an increase of epidermal thickness

The researchers say the results demonstrate that ellagic acid works to prevent wrinkle formation and photo-aging caused by UV destruction of collagen and inflammatory response.

Suzanne Somers Lectures at Las Vegas Hilton May 23-24

Suzanne Somers, famed actress, entertainer, best selling author, entrepreneur and anti-aging advocate, returns to Las Vegas on Memorial Day Weekend (May 23 and 24) for a special appearance at the Las Vegas Hilton.

No sequins or back-up dancers this time around for the Vegas headliner: Somers, author of 18 books, will be lecturing in the legendary Hilton Theater on health, hormones, sexuality and wellness as a follow-up to her New York Times Bestseller, “Breakthrough, Eight Steps to Wellness.”

A sought-after speaker, Somers provides vital information on bio-identical hormone replacement and anti-aging medicine. Her topics will include how to balance your hormones naturally, how to sleep 8-9 hours per night without drugs, how to improve your memory, how to prevent and manage cancer, how to preserve eyesight and hearing and how to restore and maintain exciting sexuality.

Suzanne Somers is one of America’s most popular and beloved personalities. In a multifaceted career that has spanned nearly three decades, she has achieved extraordinary success as an actress, singer, comedienne, New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lecturer. “Ageless,” Suzanne’s informed and empowering book on anti-aging medicine and maintaining an optimal quality of life, released by Crown Publishers in October 2006, became an instant #1 bestseller on Amazon, a #1 New York Times bestseller, and a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller in its first week on sale. Her new book, “BREAKTHROUGH: Eight Steps to Wellness,” was published by Crown in September 2008.

Tickets for Suzanne Somers and her lecture, ” Breakthrough….Live To 100 With Great Health And Great Sex” go on sale Wednesday, May 13 at 10 a.m. Lectures are at 4 p.m., May 23 and 24 in the Hilton Theater. Ticket prices are $29.95and $39.95. All ticket prices exclude tax and fees, and tickets can be purchased at the Las Vegas Hilton box office, online at www.vegas.com, or by calling the box office at 702-732-5755 or 800-222-5361.