Reflexology

Reflexology is a form of treatment that involves applying pressure as well as the use of effleurage techniques (or massage) in a certain manner to all areas of the feet. In the feet there are reflex areas, which relate to all organs and systems within the body and these reflex areas are found on the soles, tops and sides of the feet. The feet as a whole correspond to the whole body. By working the feet it is possible to find out which areas of the body are out of balance and treatment can be given to rebalance the body by stimulating its own healing mechanism. The hands and ears can also be used in reflexology and again similar reflex areas exist corresponding to the whole body.

http://www.reflexology.org.nz/

Alkaline Acid Diet


Other names: alkaline acid diet, acid alkaline diet

An alkaline diet is a diet that emphasizes, to a varying degree, fresh fruit, vegetables, roots and tubers, nuts, and legumes.

What is the History of Alkaline Diets?
Our hunter-gatherer ancestors consumed a diet very different from what's typical today. The diet was based on minimally processed plant and animal foods. But with the advent of agriculture, the standard Western diet changed greatly.

• Grains were introduced into the diet after the appearance of stone tools. Refined grains were available after the invention of automated rolling and sifting devices.

• Milk, cheese and other milk products were introduced with the domestication of livestock.

• Salt consumption rose when technology to mine, process, and transport it became available.

• Meat consumption increased with animal husbandry. It further increased with the advent of technology that enabled grains to be efficiently fed to cattle, which allowed cattle to be fattened quickly.

• Sugar consumption has risen since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
Almost all foods that we eat, after being digested, absorbed, and metabolized, release either an acid or an alkaline base (bicarbonate) into blood. Grains, fish, meat, poultry, shellfish, cheese, milk, and salt all produce acid, so the introduction and dramatic rise in our consumption of these foods meant that the typical Western diet became more acid-producing. Consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables decreased, which further made the Western diet acid-producing.
Our blood is slightly alkaline, with a normal pH level of between 7.35 and 7.45. The theory behind the alkaline diet is that our diet should reflect this pH level (as it did in the past) and be slightly alkaline. Proponents of alkaline diets believe that a diet high in acid-producing foods is disrupts this balance and promotes the loss of essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium, as the body tries to restore equilibrium. This imbalance is thought to make people prone to illness.

Why Do People Try Alkaline Diets?
According to some alternative practitioners, the shift to an acid-producing diet is the cause of a number of chronic diseases. Some practitioners recommend the alkaline diet if a person has the following symptoms and other illnesses have been ruled out.

• Lack of energy
• Excessive mucous production
• Nasal congestion
• Frequent colds and flu
• Anxiety, nervousness, irritability
• Ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries, benign breast cysts
• Headache

Although conventional doctors do believe that increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables and reducing one's intake of meat, salt, and refined grains is beneficial to health, most conventional doctors do not believe that an acid-producing diet is the foundation of chronic illness. In conventional medicine, there is evidence, however, that alkaline diets may help prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones, osteoporosis, and age-related muscle wasting.

What is the Evidence for Alkaline Diets?
Large, well-designed clinical trials on the effectiveness of the alkaline diet for general health are lacking.

What are the Safety Concerns?
It's a good idea to consult your doctor before trying a new diet. The alkaline diet should not be used by people with acute or chronic kidney failure unless under a doctor's supervision. People with pre-existing heart disease and those on medications that affect potassium levels in the body should check with their doctor first.

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/popularhealthdiets/a/alkalinediet.htm

Onions

Along with garlic, onions come from the allium family of plants. They contain compounds containing sulphur, which are responsible for the pungent smell and health promoting effects. Onions also contain a significant amount of chromium a trace element known to respond to insulin and quercetin.

This is beneficial because quercetin is a flavonoid found to reduce the size and number of pre-cancerous lesions in the human gastrointestinal tract.

Onions should be stored away from direct light, at room temperature and in a well-ventilated container. They should also be kept away from potatoes as they absorb moisture, causing the potatoes to spoil.

Quick uses for onions

Jazz up plain steamed rice with finely chopped spring onion and toasted sesame seeds.
Caramelised onion is a great addition to a homemade pizza.
Finely chopped red onion is divine when combined with avocado, chopped tomato, lemon juice and coriander. Guacamole meets salsa!

http://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/newideanz/812/superfood-of-the-week-onions/

7 Foods That Cause Bloating

By Diana Simmons

Bloating is a pretty common occurrence that people go through after eating. Bloating feels like someone is pushing on your stomach, from the inside out, and can range from discomfort to pain. Severe bloating can cause the stomach to distend greatly causing clothing not to fit and creating difficulty with movement. There are different kinds of bloating. Bloating that happens with PMS, menopause or pregnancy is different than bloating that happens after you eat. When you have frequent bloating there may be a few different things happening in your body. It can be a sign of a more serious digestive disorder or might be an overgrowth of a bacteria called Candida. There can also be parasites living in your bowels that cause bloating. It is important to see your doctor and make sure that your bloating is caused only by the foods you eat. I have compiled a list of the biggest culprits in the bloating game.

Raffinose is a sugar found in cabbage, brussel sprouts, beans, asparagus and other vegetables and whole grains. When you eat these foods raw they cause more bloating than they do if you cook them.

Lactose is a natural sugar found primarily in dairy products. You may find that if you are feeling bloated after eating dairy products.

Fructose is thought to be a large contributor to irritable bowel syndrome and is a sugar that can be found in fruits. When it naturally occurs in a food, there is less chance of bloating because the other enzymes needed to digest the fructose are contained in the fruit. The problem may arise when lactose is put by itself in processed foods like soda, fruit drinks and other processed foods. Read labels and avoid fructose if you think that it is causing you problems.

Sorbitol Malitol or any additive ending in itol, is a sugar substitute that will cause stomach cramps, gas and diarrhea if eaten in excess. What is excess? I have found that tolerance levels are different for everyone. I can only eat 3 or 4 lifesavers with Sorbitol in them before I start having stomach cramps, so watch out.

Starchy foods like corn potatoes rice bread and noodles along with foods made with flour. These foods create gas as they are broken down in the large intestine.

Wheat causes a lot of people bloating and gas. Many people eliminate flour and wheat products from their diet and see dramatic improvement in bloating issues.

Legumes cause bloating because of the complex structure of starch and protein. If you soak legumes before you eat them the chances of bloating will reduce.

Always check with your doctor to make sure that you are healthy and that making changes in your diet will assist you in reducing bloating. Follow these tips and you should feel much better.

http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Foods-That-Cause-Bloating&id=1120047

Power foods/ Replace Bread Crumbs for Wheat Germ

Healthy Risotto

1 Onion
200gm Mushrooms
Half a Red Pepper
125g Brown Rice
25gm Sunflower Seeds

Chop & fry onion. Add rice & fry for a few minutes. Pour about 2 cups of vegetable stock & simmer for 20 minutes. Add chopped mushrooms, salt & pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until rice is cooked. Mix with sunflower seeds & chopped pepper & cook for a further 2 minutes.

J U I C E S


* Cucumber Orange Grapefruit Fresh Juicing

1 Cucumber
1 Orange
1 Grapefruit

This is a very energizing juice that will also boost your immunity and improve your skin. Enjoy!!!


* Pear Carrot Pineapple Ginger Juice

2 pears (cut in chunks)
2 carrots
½ of a fresh pineapple
½ inch of ginger root
This juice has betacarotene, vitamin C, Calcium, potassium and more. It will give you energy, help with your digestion & improve your skin.


* Celery Melon Lime Juicing Recipe

3 Celery Sticks
3 Cups Melon
1 lime
This is a neat little juice. It has a great taste.
This juice has detox qualities, energies and immunity boosters. It will improve your skin.

– From Piko Wholefoods News Letter

Orange Tahini Dressing

A delightful light dressing that only takes a few minutes to make. Its
simplicity invites variation. Try adding 1 teaspoon chopped ginger and 1-2
teaspoons tamari. Or, add 2 teaspoons poppy seeds and 1/4 teaspoon
Chinese 5 spice powder.

2 tablespoons tahini
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
pinch sea salt
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon dulse flakes
1/8 teaspoon curry powder

In bowl, add orange juice gradually to tahini, stirring after each
addition. Add salt. Dressing tastes fine as is, or add spices to taste.
Yields approximately 1/2 cup

Types of Vegetarian

Vegan
A vegan does not eat any fish, meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products or foods that contain any of these products.

Lacto Ovo Vegetarian
A lacto ovo vegetarian does not eat meat, fish or poultry, but eats eggs and milk. They eat eggs and products made with eggs in them, yogurt, cheese, milk and ice creams.

Lacto Vegetarian
A lacto vegetarian does not eat meat, fish, poultry or eggs, but includes dairy products in their diet. They will eat milk, ice cream (that does not include eggs), yogurt and cheese. They would avoid ice creams, baked goods, pancakes and veggie burgers that contain eggs

GET YOUR PROTEIN IN NUTS & SEEDS

Its important that vegetarians eat a variety of whole grains, veggies, beans, soy, legumes, seeds and nuts to ensure you get all your essential amino acids.

Raw Nuts
Nuts provide protein and many essential vitamins, such as A and E. The contain minerals, such as phosphorous and potassium, and fibre. They are high in carbohydrate and oils, so shouldn't be eaten in excess.

Sesame Seeds
100g sesame seeds contain 26.4g protein, 12.6mg vitamin B3, 7.8mg iron, 131mg calcium and 10.3mg zinc.

Pumpkin Seeds
100g pumpkin seeds contain 29g protein, 11.2mg iron and 1144mg phosphorous.

Sunflower Seeds
100g sunflower seeds also contain 24g protein and 7.1mg iron and 120mg calcium.

Stop Living in the Negative

& start Taking Care of Yourself...


Total health and total fitness are one and the same to me. You must be mentally, physically, and emotionally fit/healthy to embrace, enjoy, and make the most out of your life.

That being said, what are you doing to enhance your level of fitness, or, to look at the other side of the coin, what are you not doing that is causing you to be unhealthy, or unfit? To get the most out of your life – you’ve got to stop! Face it, we only have control over the few things in life that, well, we actually have control over. It’s a bummer, but it’s true.

So much in life feels, seems, and probably is, out of your control – but when it comes to your health – there is a lot you can do – or stop not doing – to be fitter, get healthier, and enjoy your life more. "Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness." - Edward Stanley
Exercise more - this you have control over. Do it. You need to do aerobic and resistance/weight bearing exercise regularly. Walking is a fantastic exercise (and anybody can do it!), it is weight bearing and aerobic and will keep your muscles and bones strong and your heart cardiovascularly fit. Walking is great for losing weight, improving circulation, relieving stress, and helping you sleep better.
So why don’t people exercise regularly? Probably for the same reasons that people don’t eat well, though they know they should. Eat well – this, too, you have control over, so do it. To start, simply eat less processed and packaged foods and more fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. Stop drinking sugary (and diet) drinks, and drink more water.

Cut out fried, starchy and preserved foods and stop supersizing. Look at your plate and remember that the stomach your food is about to enter is only about the size of your fist - so ease up on the portions. But you know all this – so why oh why can’t you/we stick to a healthy diet and regular exercise?

Your psyche: this is the all-important wild card. This is the thing that no one wants to talk about because, well, we haven’t quite figured out how to make it work for us. Well, some of us have, sort of.

We know that using repetition for mental conditioning (changing your mind) works, so feed your mind positive images and thoughts of where you want to be, how you want to look, and what you want to do, throughout the day. Stop harping on what you don’t have – express your wants as desire, not coming from a place of lack.

We also know that you have to believe what you are saying way deep down inside for it to really manifest in your life, so say it, live it, and do what you can (like exercise, eat and spend money wisely) to feed your subconscious the messages that you do want to be healthy, thin, prosperous, and happy.

And we know that if you live in the negative, you will stay in the negative, so stop berating yourself, stop not taking care of yourself, and stop putting everyone else’s needs ahead of yours. Maybe it is easy to say – hard to do – but it’s worth a go if you really want to change.
Peace and Good Luck,
- Debbie Rocker

http://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/rockertraining/2975/stop-living-in-the-negative-start-taking-care-of-yourself

My Attitude about Exercise:

I Want Results!

This is my attitude about exercise: If I am going to commit the time to exercise, I want to see results!

I know so many people that workout so much, for so little. Not me. When I exercise, I make every effort count. My exercise is efficient, well-planned and results-oriented.

Walking is one of my favorite exercises because I can do it anywhere and at any time. And I know how to "walkout," not just walk (walkout = walking workout). I use training tools, like my weighted Walkvest®, to burn more calories and increase all of the benefits of walking. I vary my training schedule so that my body never adapts, and I enlist a training partner, or use music to keep it motivating and fun.

This is a sample workout week:
• 2-3 relatively short, relatively intense training days. For example:

a) a 30-40 minute walk in my weighted Walkvest®, wearing 8 lbs of extra weight while keeping my pace fast enough so that my breathing is too intense to carry on a conversation, but not so intense that I can not keep the pace for 30-40 minutes.

b) 20-30 minutes of walk/jog, where I go out in my neighborhood and I walk fast for 2 minutes, then I jog for 2 minutes. Both the walk and the jog keep my heart rate high enough that 20-30 minutes feels like plenty.

c) With 4-6 lbs in my Walkvest®, I do a 30-40 minute strenuous hike (I am lucky enough to have hills nearby), or find stairs that I can incorporate into my walking regime (5-10 sets of 20 stairs), or include 5-10 sets of 20 walking lunges in my walkout.
• 1-2 longer, not as intense, training days. For example:

a) 40-50 minutes of walking strong and steady (wearing 4-6 lbs in my Walkvest) with a training partner (someone who is at least as strong as me, maybe even stronger). We pace each other, chat a bit, and plan our next walk before we are finished so that we stay committed and on schedule.

b) iPod loaded with my favorite music, I go for 45 minutes or so, and keep a steady, but not-too-strenuous, pace.
• 1 long day. For example:

a) I go for a long (longer than 60 minutes) hike or scenic walk. Try a "real estate" walk where you go to a neighborhood with beautiful homes and gardens and you walk for over an hour.
This 4-6 day schedule will get you super fit super fast.
*Of course using a Walkvest is optional - if you vary your exercise routine as I recommend, I assure you greater results from your training.

Peace and Happy Trails-
Debbie Rocker

http://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/rocker-training/10450/my-attitude-about-exercise-i-want-results/

Chickpea & Zucchini

Fritters with Tzatziki

Prep Time: 20 Minutes + 40 Minutes Standing
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Serves: Makes 15

These delicious fritters can be made and cooked up to three hours before serving, so they're the perfect snack to prepare before your friends arrive for dinner!

1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas, put in a food processor and process until finely mashed. Transfer to a bowl. Add zucchini, feta, mint, dill, chilli and egg. Mix with a wooden spoon to combine.

2. Cover the base of a large non-stick frying pan with oil, then heat on medium-high. Combine flour, salt, pepper and oregano on a plate. Put heaped tablespoons of the chickpea mixture into the flour and shape into patties. Dust off excess flour. Cook the fritters in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden, and drain on paper towel. Serve the fritters with Tzatziki.

3. To make Tzatziki: Line a sieve with a piece of muslin. Spoon in the yoghurt and leave to stand for 30 minutes. Peel the cucumber, then cut in half lengthways. Run a teaspoon down the centre of the cucumber to remove the seeds, then discard. Grate the cucumber and onion and put in a strainer with the salt. Stand for 10 minutes. Rinse, drain and press out excess moisture. Put in a bowl, add the garlic and strained yoghurt, and stir to combine.

http://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/betterhomesgardens/5461/chickpea-and-zucchini-fritters-with-tzatziki/

Basmati Rice

Rice is a balancing effect on the entire digestive system and soothes the nervous system. Short grain brown rice offers the richest source of vitamins and minerals. Most popular in Ayurveda, basmati rice is a light and aromatic long-grain variety with the cooling effect on the body. It is good for calming an irritated gut and is easier to digest than brown rice.

Try soak rice for an hour or longer in colder water before cooking it.

Reference:
http://www.ayurvedicyogi.com/2007/05/18/delicious-ayurvedic-recipes-and-chutneys/

RAW VEGETABLE JUICING

Good for starting out:
· 35% celery
· 15% parsley
· 15% cukes or zucchini
· 15% leafy lettuce
· 15% carrots
· 15% beets

Other vegetables you can use:
· green or red cabbage
· any members of the lettuce family
· dandelion or chickweed
· tomatoes

Psyllium

Recommended as a good Liver Tonic

Psyllium provides the benefits of fiber for intestinal cleansing and maintenance for healthy bowel function, making it a particularly supplement for individuals who have a low dietary intake of fiber.

Detoxification is important because of the many common pollutants and toxins our bodies are exposed to everyday. If the liver and digestive tract become overloaded, cells that line the intestinal wall can become damaged and more permeable. This can lead to the re-absorption of toxins which disrupt the delicate balance in the gut, causing constipation, bloating, excessive flatulence, irregular bowel movements and overgrowth of harmful bacteria.

Toxin overdose may make you feel tired, irritable, nauseous and make you prone to allergies and other immune disorders caused by an imbalance within the digestive tract.

http://www.thehealthstore.co.nz/en/cp/Psyllium_Husk?gclid=CLTllvGPwZICFRpOagod3w25aw

Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character - Einstein


All that we are is the result of what we have thought, the mind is everything, what we think we become - Buddha

Raw Chocolate...

Raw chocolate is probably the number one food for getting rid of food cravings. You just take a small amount whenever you have the cravings. Eat that and the cravings will go away. Almost a 100 percent. I've seen people quit cigarettes, smoking, on drugs and all sorts of things. Sugar is so hard in our society. It also acts as an appetite suppressant. If you are eating some, it takes away your overall appetite for eating so much.

PROTEIN SHAKE
- Alternative breakfast


* Serves 2

1 cup of water
1 small or medium banana
1/2 cup of strawberries or other berries.
2 egg whites
3 tablespoons of Jalna strawberry low fat yoghurt
1 heaped table spoon of LSA (linseed, sunflower and almond meal)
2 ice cubes if you like it cold
Put all in blender and blend until smooth

www.thinkslim.com.au

Your body - Your Temple

Article By: Carole Ann Rice



Treat your body well and it will pay back dividends. You'll look great and your health may be better than it's ever been. We all live busy lives so it can be hard to keep on track dietwise and healthwise. It's so easy to give in to temptation, rely on low-nutrition convenience foods or rely on that box of chocs, or bottle of wine as a quick-fix stress buster.

For some of us, now may not be the time to go all-out for a complete diet and lifestyle makeover, but we could live each day a little more toxin-free with a few simple tweaks to our daily lifestyle.
Try to cut down on coffee and keep herbal teabags in your bag or desk for those times when you want a healthy pick-me-up (or an alternative to a glass of water). Investment in a juicer means that you can make glasses of fresh juices- which will supply a whole slew of vitimins and nutritents. Choose beetroot, celery, carrot, ginger, oranges and apples.

Invest in a loofah, body brush and a good creamy exfoliant, and have a pumice stone in the bathroom. By exfoliating regularly (every three days), you can help boost the skin's circulation, aiding it to breathe more easily, eliminate toxic build-up and making it glow with health.
For a truly sensual way to relax, try burning or bathing with essential oils. Rosemary, lemongrass & peppermint are particularly recommended to soothe. Be sure to dilute oils first with a carrier oil before applying to skin.

Here are some easy guidelines for keeping yourself revitalised seven days a week:
Laugh it up! - Laughing helps in every way, as a good laugh not only gives your internal organs a workout, it also helps to reduce stress.

Enhance exercise - One of the best ways of enhancing the detoxifying process is to take some form of regular exercise. Anything from visiting the gym to walking can help improve both your circulation and metabolic rate - and get internal organs working optimally.

Go hard on the H20 - Most of us do not drink enough to meet the needs of our body. It is especially important to drink lots of water to flush out toxins. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses or two litres per day. Try mineral water, herbal teas or hot water with lemon juice.
Deep breathing - Taking deep breaths can help to expel toxins from your lungs. You should try breathing deeply for at least five minutes every day. You will know when you are doing it right if your stomach expands (rather than your chest rising)as you inhale.

One with nature - Your home or office can be as prone to toxins as the outside. Green plants are an excellent way of removing airborne pollutants. Ionisers, humidifiers and oil burners are all great ways of improving the atmosphere.

Don't go it alone - Building a healthy lifestyle with a friend or partner is a great way to give you that extra push sometimes needed to stick it out until the end.

Article from www.weightwatchers.co.nz

"Fruit is the breakfast for champions"

Cashew Cream Dip

Soak 2 cups of 100% raw cashews for 3 hours or raw macadamia nuts for 12-24 hours.
Drain the water off and throw out the water.
Put the nuts in Vitamix blender (or regular blender) and blend up with the following....
- Meat of one young coconut
- Juice of 1 and 1/2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon Celtic Sea Salt
- 2 cloves of garlic- pinch of curry, cumin, and italian seasonings (or other seasonings and spices)
- just enough water of one young coconut to make it blend smoothlyDip celery or other veggies in to this amazingly delicious cream or wrap some up in lettuce leaf with avocado and tomatoes!

Fruit Cake (Raw)

INGREDIENTS
Raw organic nuts (hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, etc)
Raw organic ground almond
Dried fruits (raisins, golden raisins, dried apricots, figs, dates, etc)
Fresh fruit (apricots, strawberries, bananas, etc)
Dollop of raw organic almond butter
Few drops of squeezed orange juice
Raw organic carob powder

METHOD
"You take some..." (as starts most recipes from a 1700's Swedish cookbook by Kajsa Varg)...
Raw organic nuts, a handful each of whatever kind you prefer, I used hazelnuts, cashews and almonds. Chop them up carefully. Also I added a good handful of raw organic ground almond (bulk at supermarket).

Add dried fruits. I used raw organic raisins, golden raisins, dried apricots, 4-6 figs, 4-6 medjool dates.

Add fresh fruit. blend up two fresh apricots, a few strawberries, or a banana and add.
Add a big dollop of raw organic almond butter.

Mix it all in a big bowl with a sturdy fork. If your dried fruits are too dry to cling together, you may have to moisten the mix with a few drops of fresh squeezed orange juice.

On a piece of wax paper (kitchen parchment paper) form the mixture in the shape of a log.
Sift raw organic carob powder through a tea strainer over the log and sprinkle ground almond over it, too.

http://www.vegan-food.net/recipe/947/Fruit-Cake-Raw/

Fruitarian Yoghurt Delight

Best eaten on an empty stomach

2-3 Ripe Bananas

1/2 Avocado

1/4 cup Sultanas

Blend all together & serve.

- This one really is filling & a full meal on its own. Am really loving Avacodos at the moment.

http://www.raw-pleasure.com.au/

Raw Chocolate - This is a chocoate sauce mixture & does not set.

1 tablespoon raw unhulled tahini
1 tablespoon raw agave
1 tablespoon raw coco powder
1 tablespoon filter water

- Can add coconut & dried fruit also.

Mix together & serve. This is honestly some of the best chocolate I've tasted.

Organic Red Wine

Sulfites are additives used in wine to extend its shelf life. Just because red wine is organic it does not mean it is produced without sulfites. Lable needs to read no sulfites added or NSA.


http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2007/05/06/red-wine-sulfites/

http://www.skrewtips.com/2007/08/10/drink-wine-without-the-after-affects/

http://www.wineintro.com/glossary/s/sulfites.html

http://www.sallys-place.com/beverages/wine/wine_headaches.htm

http://www.fermentarium.com/content/view/118/59/

http://www.winepros.org/wine101/wine-health.htm

Watties Pasta Sauce

Have a small handful of watties tins left in the cupboard that I pulled out today to check out the ingredients. The packaging claims:

No added colours or preservatives, 99% fat free & rich in lycopene

What they forget to tell us:

Ingredients:

Disodium Inosinate 631 - Not recommended for young children. Gout sufferers & Asthmatic people should avoid. Sometimes found in instant noodles, potato chips, savoury rice, tinned vegetables, cured meats, packet soups.

Monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) 621 - Found in cigarettes and animal food. Adverse effects appear in some asthmatic people, not recommended for infants and young children as it could damage the nervous system. Could kill nerve cells, resulting in diseases such as Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Pregnant women, children, elderly and people with heart disease are at risk from reactions from consuming this.

Disodium guanylate 627 - This is also not recommended for infants and young children. Anyone with gout, hyperactivity or asthmatics should avoid.

Posted by Kim

Preservative 200 or E200 - Sorbic acid
Used as a preservative it inhibits fungal growth but allows for bacterial activity. Used in wine & cheese.
- Side Effects: May cause possible skin irritant, and may cause rashes, asthma and hyperactivity.

Preservative 202 or E202 - Potassium sorbate
Similar to Preservative 200. Found in wine, cheese & lollies.

Preservative 282 or E282 - Calcium propionate
A food additive called calcium propionate use to give food a longer shelf life. Its slows down the growth of mould & other microorganisms. Found in breads, bakery products, dairy products.
- Side Effect: May affect mood, behavior, skin & respiratory systems & effects on digestive systems.

Preservative 220 or E220 - Sulphur dioxide
Food additvive often found in products such as beer, soft drinks, dried fruit, juices, cordials, wine, vinegar, potato products.
- Side Effects: May provoke gastric irritation, nausea, diarrhoea, skin rash, asthma attacks and difficult to metabolise for those with impaired kidney function. It also destroys vitamin B1 (thiamin), and should be avoided by anyone suffering from bronchitis, emphysema or asthma.

bENEFITS fROM..

Red Pepper – Normalizes blood pressure & improves circulation

Radish – Clears sinus & sore throat

Kumera – Reduces ulcers & is a detoxifier

Oranges – Instant source of energy. Works as cleansers & improves the skin

Peas – Rich in protein & helps regulate stomach & liver functions

Garlic – has antibacterial & anti septic properties. Useful for respiratory ailments & lowers cholesterol.

Dates – Useful in anaemia, respiratory & lung disorders.

Walnuts – Improves metabolism. It is a brain food.

Coconut – Regulates the functioning of thyroid gland.

Apricot – Laxative properties & removes toxins from body

Strawberries – Make the blood alkaline – useful for the relief of joint pain. Also is a blood purifier.

Almonds – Good source of protein. Have cancer fighting properties & help underweight people to put on weight.

Papayas – Controls gas formation & acts as a detoxifer.

Sesame Seed – Strengthen the heart & a great source of calcium. Helps to lower cholesterol .

Melon – excellent cleanser & rehydrator

Apple – works as a tonic. Relieves constipation, reduces total cholesterol & removes toxins

Fig – rich source of calcium & has laxative properties

Mango – reduces acidity & helps in gaining weight

Grape – cleanser of the blood & has anti allergic properties

Lemon – works as a bleaching agent & has properties to fight cancer

Pears – helps to increase free flow of urine & good for thyroid glands

Peach – helps to increase free flow of urine also & laxative in nature

Cherries – relief from migraines & headaches

Banana – promotes sleep & acts as a mild laxative. Have antifungal properties lower cholesterol, blood pressure & remove toxins

What is Ayurveda?


Ayurveda means the "science of life". It originated in India more than 5,000 years old and is believed to be the oldest healing science in existence, from which all other systems emerged.

This ancient healing system has three main focuses:
1) Healing illness
2) Prevention of disease and
3) Longevity or age reversal.

Laws of Nature and Spirituality In short, Ayurveda simply explains the laws of nature that cause health or disease. The first cause of illness is said to be the loss of faith in the Divine or experiencing a spiritual lacking. From here illness develops due to internal conditions (e.g., foods and liquids) or external conditions (e.g., seasons, lifestyle). The main factors that cause poor health (also described as imbalance) are
1) poor digestion and
2) Weak immune systems.

When food is not properly digested it sits in the body. Nutrients are not absorbed and the food decays and forms toxins. These toxins cause most diseases in the body. Therefore, it is important to have good digestion.The immune system can become depleted by poor nutrition, overwork, drugs and other excesses. The finest essence of nutrition develops a life sap that protects the immune system; much like the sap of a tree heals the bruises in its bark.

In addition to promoting physical health, it is the life sap that becomes transformed through meditation to produce mental peace and spiritual development. With all the immune disorders that are prevalent these days, it is even more important that persons develop their immune sap.

What Makes Ayurveda So Unique?This spiritual science offers numerous unique benefits:
1. It looks at people as individuals, not as a generic group.
2. It heals from the root-cause of an illness, not merely treating the symptoms.
3. Only natural therapies are offered.
4. No side effects develop from the therapies.5. Therapies are inexpensive and effective.

How Does Ayurveda Work? tridosha Theory:The basic view of Ayurveda is that all of life (people, food, animals, nature, the universe, and diseases) are combinations of three energy-elements: air (called Vayu or Vata), fire (called Pitta), and water (called Kapha). When these elements are balanced, one is healthy. Illness is defined as an imbalance of these elements; all disorders excesses of one or more element.

People and the Elements: A person's constitution (dosha) is predominantly one or more of these elements. Each element relates to certain body types, foods and health concerns. By nature, whatever a person's constitution is, they have a tendency for it to become excessed. For example an air constitution person (Vayu dosha) is thin and bony. Physical symptoms of excess air include dry skin, cracking bones, gas and constipation. Mental symptoms of excess air include fear, worry, anxiety and nervousness.

When an air constitution (Vayu dosha) person is balanced they are creative, adaptable and have no physical health concerns. Ayurveda notes that certain foods increase air and other foods reduce air. In general, eating cooked or steamed foods, and eating every 3 or 4 hours reduces excess air. Foods like carrots, rice and mung beans reduce excess air. Broccoli, baked beans and barley increase air (e.g., they cause gas). Excessive or non-moderate lifestyle also increases the air element.

Fire constitution people (Pitta dosha) tend towards excess heat. When healthy they are strong, make good leaders and are warm and goal oriented. When the Pitta dosha is imbalanced, mentally they become hot tempered, impatient, irritable. Physically they develop heat-related disorders such as acne, rashes, diarrhea, ulcers, toxic blood, liver, kidney, gall bladder, heart and spleen disorders.Water constitutions (Kapha doshas) tend towards excess water.

When healthy they are strong, muscular, calm and loyal. When water becomes excessed, they develop lethargy, and a hoarding or greedy nature. Physically they develop congestion, overweight, edema, heart and kidney problems, etc.

Review: Health means balance. Each constitution has a natural tendency to become imbalanced or excessed. By eating foods and living a lifestyle that reduces the excesses, one remains balanced. Balancing produces healing, prevention, and reverses the aging process.Many people have two or even all three elements in their constitution. In these cases, both elements tend toward excess. Thus foods and lifestyles that reduce both elements need to be followed.

What Diagnostic Measures Does Ayurveda Use?Perhaps the most well-known diagnostic tool these days is pulse analysis. The position and quality of the pulse felt under different fingers tells the Ayurvedic doctor the dosha (Vayu, Pitta, Kapha) that is imbalanced. Further the health of 12 organs are also learned by pulse diagnosis. Vaidyas who have trained in India more than 20 years ago also learned how to read subtler pulses as well.

Other forms of diagnosis include client health history forms, observation of the client's body, movements, voice, and other non-verbal behavior. Diagnosis is also conducted through touch, questioning, and inference/intuition.

What Therapies Does Ayurveda Offer?Using a holistic approach, Ayurveda offers therapies for each of the five senses because different people learn better through different senses. Therapies include,Taste: Herbs and nutrition.Touch: Massage (abhyanga), Yoga, and exercise.Smell: Aromatherapy.Sight: Color therapy.Hearing: Music therapy, mantra meditation, chanting. Spiritual: therapies include meditation, living ethically, and working in a career that one loves or is purposeful.

Environmental factors are also considered from this holistic outlook. These therapies include house, apartment and office structure and astrological effects. These are sciences unto themselves. Vedic architecture (Vastu Shastra) and Chinese Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway) deal with the laws of nature that integrate the earth, the person and the planets and stars. The exterior and interior design of buildings can also enhance balance or cause imbalance. Vedic astrology (Jyotish) is the science of understanding the laws of nature of the planets and stars, and how they influence us.

What Does Holistic Mean? Holistic has two meanings.

1) It looks at the whole of one's life. Health and disease are byproducts of all aspects of one's life: nutrition, career, mental frame, family and social activities and spiritual life. If one area is weakened, all areas begin to suffer. If a person is unhappy at work, it will affect all other areas of life.

2) Holistic means holy. Ayurveda reminds us that to have and maintain true health; persons need to take some quiet time for spiritual development. The goal of life is Self-Realization. This is a state of unshakable Divine mental peace.
This article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prescribe or heal any health condition. It is not intended to substitute for care from healthcare professionals.

http://www.ayurvedahc.com/articlelive/articles/1/1/What-is-Ayurveda-I/Page1.html

The Wonders of Asparagus

Wonderful local organic Asparagus is abundance in the summer months.

A highly prized perennial vegetable considered to as a delicacy in many a country with many health benefits, the high folate content makes it a wonderful food to eating if your pregnant as it will help guard against birth defects & heart disease.

Wonderful served warm with olive oil, lemon juice & salt.

Food Combination

Digestive enzymes are secreted in very specific amounts and at very specific times. Different food types require different digestive secretions. Carbohydrate foods require carbohydrate-splitting enzymes, whereas protein foods require protein splitting enzymes, etc. It is the knowledge of the digestive process that has led many health practitioners to promote efficient food combing, the rules of which are briefly explained below:

1. Carbohydrate foods and acid foods should not be eaten at the same meal. Do not eat bread, rice or potatoes with lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits, pineapples, tomatoes or other sour fruits. This is because the enzyme, ptyalin, acts only in an alkaline medium; it is destroyed even by a mild acid! Fruit acids not only prevent carbohydrate digestion, but they also produce a fermentation. Oxalic acid, for example, diluted to one part in 10,000 completely arrests the action of ptyalin. And, there is enough acetic acid in one teaspoon of wine vinegar to completely halt salivary digestion. Dr Percy Howe of Harvard Medical School states:
"Many people who cannot eat oranges at a meal derive great benefit from eating them fifteen to thirty minutes before the meal". Herbert Sheldon, author of 'The science and fine art of food and nutrition' reports: " I have put hundreds of patients , who have told me that they could not eat oranges or grapefruit, upon a diet of these fruits and they found that they could take them. Such people are in the habit of taking these foods with a breakfast of cereal, with cream and sugar, egg on toast, stewed prunes and coffee, or some similar meal."
Tomatoes should also never be combined with starchy food as the combination of the various acids in the tomato, which are intensified on cooking, are very much opposed to the alkaline digestion of starches. They may be eaten with leafy vegetables and fat foods.
What all this tends to mean is that people who say they cannot eat oranges or grapefruit as it gives them gas, could be blaming the fruit, when the problem may lie with the escape of starches and the bodies release of pancreatic juice and intestinal enzymes to break them down.
In cases where there is hyperacidity of the stomach there is great difficulty digesting starches. Fermentation and poisoning of the body occurs along with much discomfort. This is because the digestion of carbohydrates (starches and sugars) and of protein is so different, that when they are mixed in the stomach they interfere with the digestion of each other. An acid process (gastric digestion) and an alkaline process (salivary digestion) can not be carried on at the same time in an ideal way in the stomach. Before long, they cannot proceed at all , as the rising acidity of the stomach soon completely stops carbohydrate digestion. The highest efficiency in digestion demands that we eat in such a way as to offer the least hindrance to the work of digestion.

2. Do not eat a concentrated protein and a concentrated carbohydrate at the same meal. This means do not eat nuts, meat, eggs, cheese, or other protein foods at the same meal with bread, cereals, potatoes, sweet fruits. Cakes, etc. Candy and sugar greatly inhibit the secretion of gastric juice and markedly delay digestion and if consumed in large quantities can depress the stomach activity.

3. Do not eat two concentrated proteins at the same meal. Avoid nuts and meat, or eggs and meat, cheese and nuts, cheese and eggs, meat and milk, or eggs and milk or nuts at milk at the same meal. Milk, if taken at all, is best taken alone. The reason for avoiding eating these combinations is because each protein requires a specific character and strength of digestive juice to be secreted. Eggs require different timing in stomach secretions than do either meat or milk.

4. Do not eat fats with proteins. This means do not use cream, butter, oil, etc with meat, eggs, cheese, nuts, etc. Fat depresses the action of the gastric glands by delaying the development of appetite juices and inhibiting the pouring out of the proper gastric juices for meats, nuts, eggs or other protein. Fats may lower the entire gastric tone more than fifty per cent.

5. Do not eat acid fruits with proteins. This is to say, oranges, tomatoes, lemons, pineapples, etc., should not be eaten with meat, eggs, cheese or nuts. Acid fruits seriously hamper protein digestion and results in putrefaction. Milk and orange juice, while by no means an indigestible combination, is far from a good combination. Orange juice and eggs form an even worse combination.

6. Do not consume starch and sugars together. Jellies, jams, fruit, butter, sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, etc., on bread, cake, or at the same meal with cereals, potatoes, etc., or sugar with cereal, will produce fermentation. The practice of eating starches that have been disguised by sweets is also a bad way to eat carbohydrates. If sugar is taken into the mouth it quickly fills with saliva but no ptyalin is present which we know is essential for starch digestion.

7. Eat but one concentrated starch food at a meal. This rule is more important as a means of overeating than as a means of avoiding a bad combination. While overeating of starches may lead to fermentation, there is no certainty that the combination of two starches will do so.

8. Do not consume melons with any other foods. Watermelon, muskmelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and other melons should always be eaten alone. This is possibly due to the ease and speed in which melons decompose.

9. Milk is best taken alone or let alone. Milk is the natural food of the mammalian young, each species producing milk peculiarly and precisely adapted to the needs of its young. It is the rule that the young take the milk alone, not in combination with other foods. Milk does not digest in the stomach, but in the duodenum, hence in the presence of milk the stomach does not respond with its secretion. The use of acid fruits with milk does not cause any trouble and apparently does not conflict with its digestion.

A suggested combination of meals is included in the following plan of eating three meals a day :
Breakfast Fruit. Any fruit in season may be used. It is suggested that not more than three fruits be used at a meal, as, for example, grapes, well ripened bananas and an apple. It is well to have an acid fruit breakfast one morning and a sweet breakfast the next. In season breakfast may be made of melons. In the winter months, one or two dried fruits such as figs, dates, raisins, prunes, etc., may be substituted for the fresh fruit.

Lunch A large raw vegetable salad of lettuce, celery, and one or two other raw vegetables plus avocado and alfalfa sprouts or nut and seeds. As an alternative, a vegetable salad (omitting tomatoes), one cooked green vegetable and a starch.

Dinner A large raw vegetable salad (if nuts or cottage cheese are to be used as the protein, tomatoes may be used in this salad), two cooked non-starchy vegetables and a protein.
Fat meats, sour apples, beans, peanuts, peas, cereals, bread and jam, or hot cakes and honey or syrup, are notoriously slow in digestion and are frequent sources of discomfort and putrescent poisoning.

http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/DietandLifestyle/Food_combining.htm

GOAT'S CHEESE

Health Benefits
Goat's milk is a very good source of calcium and a good source of protein, phosphorous, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and potassium. Perhaps the greatest benefit of goat's milk, however, is that some people who cannot tolerate cow's milk are able to drink goat's milk without any problems. Allergy to cow's milk has been found in many people with conditions such as recurrent ear infections, asthma, eczema, and even rheumatoid arthritis. Replacing cow's milk with goat's milk may help to reduce some of the symptoms of these conditions.

Goat's milk can sometimes even be used as a replacement for cow's milk-based infant formulas for infants who have difficulties with dairy products. Unfortunately, goat's milk is lacking in several nutrients that are necessary for growing infants, so parents interested in trying goat's milk instead of cow's milk-based formula for their infants should ask their pediatricians or other qualified healthcare practitioners for recipes and ways to add these important and vital nutrients. For older children and adults, however, goat's milk can be an excellent calcium-rich alternative to cow's milk as, in addition to calcium, it contains many of the same nutrients found in cow's milk.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=131

Healthy Eating, the Natural Way!

You might have heard about Juicing, and the trendy juice bars in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other major cities. But for some, juicing has become a way of life. And now Gram understands why. Energy, weight control, restful sleep, no indigestion (not even one bout of acid reflux) - the overt bonanza of juicing, even in the early stages. And this, during a stressful period on the Day Job! "My, my," thought Gram; "Like a natural tranquilizer in a glass."

And is it tasty! Never mind all the health benefits - terms like natural enzymes and phytochemicals purported to fight disease/ dis-ease in the human body. Well, those, too. Who among us wouldn't like to be healthier and feel better, less lethargic and out of sorts?

But having a background in human services, Gram has long known that a client's mood swings and even a teen's unruly behavior can be improved with a sound, nutritious diet. More people have various food allergies than one might suspect. So it stands to reason that what we eat or don't eat can affect the way we feel. If we think of our bodies as efficient machines, then we are more likely to think of food as fuel.

Since the juicer arrived, Gram has assembled a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables at least once a day. Scrubbing produce with a stiff vegetable brush, lining up the items to go into the juicer, we've aimed for a quart of juice at each session. Some super vegetable combinations: cucumber, celery, spinach, green pepper, a small apple (nothing peeled, mind you - just core the apple and seed the pepper); carrots, apples, yellow squash, celery, lemon (again, nothing peeled except for removing the lemon rind); tomato, carrot, celery, kale. Fruit juices that are very good: cantaloupe, apple, carrot; watermelon, lemon, celery; blueberry, honeydew; pineapple, orange, lemon. Each juicing experiment has resulted in another "favorite." In the vegetable combinations, we've added a tablespoon or two of wheat germ or brewer's yeast, to add protein. Also, an assortment of sprouts - but keep reading for more about sprouting.

In the meantime, we'll be juicing. Is there really a Fountain of Youth? Our juicer just may be the closest thing.

All you need for a kitchen powerhouse of fresh foods and unparalleled nutrition during the winter months: a few Mason or mayonnaise jars, several 4" x 4" squares from old pantyhose (the top part is best), and some rubber bands. You also need a safe source of seeds and dried beans, most likely your local health or natural foods store -- because whatever you use must be organic, e.g., not treated with chemicals.

It's all about enzymes -- and how freshly sprouted foods are loaded with them. It's about vitamins and fiber, too. Here are some choices: adzuki beans, alfalfa, barley, beans of almost any kind, buckwheat, broccoli, clover, kale, chive, chickpeas (or garbanzos), chia, cress, mung beans, fenugreek, lentil (must be whole to sprout, not halves), radish, soybean, triticale, wheat.

Then you place a 1 to 2" layer of seed or bean in a Mason jar, cover the jar with the nylon square, and secure the square over the mouth of the jar with a rubber band. Fill with water a few inches above your layer, and let soak for 2 to 8 hours or overnight (the larger beans need a lot longer than small seed such as alfalfa or clover). Drain the jar and invert at a 45 degree angle in your dish drainer (or in a large plastic margarine tub in your kitchen sink). Rinse with water and drain several times a day. When sprouted in the next few days (again, depending on the size of the bean or seed), rinse and drain, put a lid on the jar, and refrigerate. Use within 3 to 5 days.
What can you do with these dietary nuggets? Use mung beans in eggs foo yung, and certainly in stir-fries. You can toss into soup during the last few minutes, put alfalfa sprouts into an omlet, even make bread. Incorporate in meatloaf or burgers. Throw the sprouts into your juicer with either fruit or veggie blends, for a beverage so loaded with nutrients it might even add spring to your step! But the quickest, easiest way is to include them in a big green salad.

With fast food and packaged frozen dinners which comprise so much of the American diet, people simply aren't getting enough fiber. Our foods are mostly processed. When was the last time, other than salad or an apple, you enjoyed anything raw?

http://www.articlepedia.net/index.php?CatID=26&ArtID=36030

Quinoa

Its protein content is very high (12%–18%). Unlike wheat Wheat or rice (which are low in lysine , quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete food. This means it takes less quinoa protein to meet one's needs than wheat protein. It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten free and considered easy to digest.

Quinoa is like rice - it loves company. It goes well with spicy vegetarian stews, with potato dishes, or in a veggie pilaf. It loves to be sauted and spiced. It cooks very much like rice, in a variety of dishes, but it's at it's best in savory recipes. Quinoa is similar to couscous when cooked, but is more substantial, tasty and nourishing. It's the ideal grain dish for vegetarians and vegans.

4 - 6 Servings: You'll need a 2 quart stainless steel pot with a tight fitting lid for this quinoa recipe - Judy Kingsbury, Savvy Vegetarian

1. Ingredients:
   1 cup quinoa
   1 1/2 cups cold water
   1/2 tsp salt

Helpful Hints:
Quinoa has high oil content, so should be stored in the fridge or freezer to avoid becoming rancid

Quinoa is coated with saponin, which will give it a bitter taste unless you wash it very thoroughly - those tiny flaky bits iA tight fitting lid is essential for even n the rinse water are the saponin

It's better if you soak if first, but if you don't have much time, try five minutes and an extra rinse. You can actually leave quinoa or any whole grain to soak for several hours, if necessary, with no harm done.

Because of it's high protein and fat content, quinoa is a satisfying meal with a few nuts and veggies added (see recipes below)

Directions: The best way to prepare quinoa to remove all bitter taste
Soak the in the pot, add the watequinoa first for 15 min - 1/2 hour in the pot you plan to cook it in.

Soaking loosens up the outer coating of saponin, which is what gives quinoa a bitter taste.
Stir it with your hand, and carefully pour off the rinsing water, using a seive at the last.
Put the quinoa back in the pot, add more water, and rinse again two or three more times.
Drain well in the seive.

Place quinoa & salt - filtered or spring water are best.
Bring to a boil, cover with a tight fitting lid.
Turn the heat down to simmer, cook for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to sit five minutes with lid on.
Fluff gently with a fork and serve.

http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/recipes/basic-quinoa.php

Spirulina

Spirulina, a blue-green algae, is the immortal descendent of the earth's original life form. Over 3.5 billion years ago, blue-green algae produced our oxygen atmosphere so life could evolve. Much later on, wild harvests of spirulina nourished peoples in Central America and Africa.
After decades of extensive research and testing, scientists and doctors worldwide are hailing spirulina as the greatest and most important nutritional discovery in history. This blue green algae offers the most powerful concentration of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients ever seen in any food, plant, grain or herb. Because of this high concentration of easily digestible nutrients, spirulina is preferred as a food supplement by athletes, dieters, convalescents, vegetarians, bodybuilders, health practitioners and people of all ages who are attentive to their health.


Medical research has shown that spirulina produces the following results:Energy Enhancement & AnaemiaSpirulina markedly increases available energy - it is very rich in vitamin E and bio-chelated iron (for enriched blood/cellular oxygenation).SlimmingSpirulina normalises weight with effective natural appetite suppressants, by stimulating glandular functions (youth/sex hormones), increasing metabolism; and by satisfying the body's real biochemical needs by optimising nutrition.Stress/PMT ReliefSpirulina is extremely effective for stress reduction and relief restoring and enhancing our normal biological control systems.



It is the world's richest source of antioxidants and GLA (the active ingredient in Evening Primrose Oil).Cholesterol ReductionA recent medical study has shown that spirulina, taken regularly, has the ability to reduce blood cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL undesirable fat) levels in the blood.Antibiotic, Anti-Fungal EffectsSpirulina inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi.Cancer suppressantA recent study has shown that daily ingestion of a small amount of spirulina maintains or accelerates normal lymphocyte (immune control cell) function to prevent generation of malignancy, such as cancer, or to inhibit its growth or recurrence.Wound healingStudies have shown that spirulina in creams, ointments, and taken orally, accelerates wound healing, promotes skin metabolism and reduces scarring.



HIV/AIDSExtracts from spirulina have been shown to kill HIV - the virus associated with AIDS - in vitro.Vitamin B12The bioavailability of vitamin B12 in Spirulina is in dispute. Several biological assays have been used to test for the presence of vitamin B12.



The most popular is the US Pharmacopeia method using the Lactobacillus leichmannii assay. Studies using this method have shown Spirulina to be a minimal source of bioavailable vitamin B12. However, this assay does not differentiate between true B12 (cobalamin) and similar compounds (corrinoids) that cannot be used in human metabolism. Cyanotech, a grower of spirulina, claims to have done a more recent assay, which has shown Spirulina to be a significant source of cobalamin. However the assay is not published for scientific review and so the existence of this assay is in doubt.



Spirulina is unsurpassed in its power to help enhance metabolism and normalise weight, makes you feel younger, stronger and sharper, give you a powerful sense of potency and aliveness, and a greater resistance to stress, tiredness and disease. Our spirulina is grown organically and spray dried at very low temperature so valuable nutrients are preserved



http://www.purewellbeing.com/index1.html

Bee Pollen

Professor Nicolai Tsitsin, a biologist and experimental botanist of the Longevity Institute of the former USSR, studied centenarians in the Caucasus mountains of Georgia and discovered many Georgians living past 100 years and up to 150 years were beekeepers who eat raw, unprocessed honey with high concentrations of pollen. He attributed this longevity to the action of pollen, and concluded that, taken regularly, pollen will prolong the human lifespan considerably.

Now, pollen is eaten by millions of health-conscious people worldwide. Many international and Olympic athletes from all over the world also eat pollen.What is pollen? Pollen is the male element of flowers. It has enormous nutritive and medicinal properties and forms the ovules, the starting point of the production of fruits, grains, legumes and vegetables. Bees gather pollens which are mixed with nectar to make pellets that are carried into the beehive. A teaspoonful contains approximately 1,200 pellets, each pellet containing 2Ö billion grains of pollen, each capable of fertilising and creating a fruit, a vegetable, a flower, or a stalk of grain. Pollen is a very nutritionally complete food and has the potential to contribute as a major food source for humans.

Flower pollen possesses 185 known nutritional ingredients, including twenty-two amino acids (and more of all the eight essential ones by weight than the traditional high protein foods), twenty-seven minerals, the full range of known vitamins, plus enzymes, carbohydrates, fats, and plant growth hormones and other trace substances not yet identified.

Medical studies have shown the following benefits of pollen:- Allergies: Pollen has an ability to immunize the body against anemophile (wind and air blown) pollens and relieves allergic symptoms.- Anaemia: Pollen has been shown in studies to provoke a rapid increase in blood haemoglobin.- Cancer: A US Department of Agriculture research project concluded that pollen is useful as a cancer preventative and restrictor of tumour development. - Chelation: Pollen allows more oxygen to reach the body and brain cells by acting as an atherosclerotic flushing agent (a chelator). - Stamina and Vitality: were increased for those using pollen on a regular basis.- Convalescence: Pollen brings about a rapid increase in weight and energy during convalescence.Intestinal: Pollen shows a regulatory action on intestinal functions - both on constipation as well as in cases of diarrhoea resistant to antibiotics.- Menstruation: Pollen has been shown to bring relief in cases of painful and irregular menstruation.Radiation: Laboratory animals exposed to high doses of radiation have been shown to have been protected by including pollen in their diet.- Relaxation: Pollen produces a calming, tranquillising, and sedating effect without any side effects.- Wound-healing: Pollen has been shown to increase the rate of healing, reduce scarring and prevent infection.

The United States Department of Agriculture (1992) tested and compared Bee Pollen with other fruit and vegetables and found that Bee Pollen, on a per calorie basis:- has twice as much iron as any other common food type. Iron is essential for the effective flow of oxygen throughout the body. Bee Pollen contains over seven times more iron than beef.- is higher in protein than most high-protein foods. Bee Pollen contains up to 50% more muscle-building protein than beef does- is a valuable source of calcium. Strong bone development depends on high levels of dietary calcium. Bee Pollen contains twice as much calcium as milk.- contains the strong antioxidant vitamins A (beta carotene), C and E, and was found to contain higher levels of beta carotene than all common foods except tomatoes.- is an excellent source of three B Vitamins: Thiamin, Riboflavin and Niacin.Bee Pollen has the highest natural level of folic acid (folate) of any common food, which may support the prostate gland and cell regeneration.

It also contains natural antioxidants, of which the flavonoid quercetin is useful for helping the body’s natural response to allergens. Bee Pollen has also been shown to assist with energy levels, stamina, and athletic performance.

Pollen is becoming popular for curing cases of acne, obesity, lost appetite, weakness, loss of weight, intestinal disorders, psychosis, neurasthenia, retarded growth, cerebral haemorrhage, memory loss, general debility, minimal brain dysfunction in children, convalescence, and general malaise.A study comparing cracked-shell pollen and natural pollen, such as Comvita Bee Pollen, showed there was no significant difference in terms of the bioavailability of a number of key components (Lister 1999)Our pollen is certified organic harvested in New Zealand from native flowers.

http://www.purewellbeing.com/index1.html

Goji Berry

The Goji berry is a deep-red, dried fruit about the same size as a raisin. It's very sweet and tastes something like a cross between a cranberry and a cherry. We love adding them to smoothies, trail-mix, cereals & eating them on just their own or with cacao beans.

Nicknamed the "happy berry" for its ability to restore a person's vitality, Tibet Authentic's goji berry is grown in the wild on the pristine Tibetan Plateau, without pesticides or fertilizers, in earth that is free from pollution, fed by pure snowmelt.

Are you wondering how a tiny red berry can have such a positive effect on your health?

* To start, the goji berry is higher in antioxidants than any other known food.
* The goji berry contains 18 amino acids – the building blocks for protein.
* The goji berry contains over 12 times more protein than apples, oranges, or strawberries.
* The goji berry is a better source of beta-carotene than carrots themselves.
* 21 trace minerals, including Germanium
* 6 essential fatty acids including Linoleic acid, which significantly promotes body fat loss
* Vitamins B1, B2, B6, E
* 500 times more Vitamin C than oranges
* 4 Unique Polysaccharides (Master Molecules) found in no other food source
* 15 times more nutritional iron than spinach
* Beta Sitosterol: An anti-inflammatory agent found to lower cholesterol, and used to treat sexual impotence and prostrate enlargement.
* Zeaxanthin and Lutine: Valued for their role in protecting the eyes.
* Betaine: Used by the liver to produce Choline which assists detoxification reactions in the liver. Betaine is known to protect DNA, enhance memory, promote muscle growth and protects us from fatty liver disease.
* Cyperone: A sesquiterpene used in treatment of cervical cancer.

It is also known to benefit heart and blood pressure problems as well as menstruation problems. * Solavetivone: A powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent. * Physalin: A natural compound that boosts the immune system. Found to be effective in treating leukaemia, hepatitis B and cancer.

Goji Berry Antioxidants Free radicals damage cells and DNA, increase the cancer risk, and accelerate the aging rocess. The more antioxidants, the more effective the neutralizing capacity is in slowing down the aging process. If free radicals go unchecked, they can even attack and damage DNA, possibly causing deformation and mutation of the blueprinted cells.

Immunity Enhancer
Due to aging, the body's immune system often becomes dysfunctional, where in immune cells can have difficulty recognizing the difference between the body's cells and foreign cells. This can lead to auto-immune problems. The polysaccharides found in Goji berries have been known to inhibit three kinds of inflammation. These polysaccharides were also found to stimulate the interleukin-2 and gamma interferon, which are anti-inflammatory and induce immune responses.


http://www.purewellbeing.com/index1.html

Good Oils

Palm Oil
Coconut Oil
Peanut Oil
Olive Oil

Finest Oils on the face of the world.

Guacamole

Flesh of 1 ripe avocado, chopped roughly but thoroughly.
1tsp olive oil
Himalayan rock salt/Celtic sea salt to taste
Finely chopped tomatoes or cherry tomatoes

Simply mix everything together. You can also add fresh lemon juice, herbs or chopped garlic if you desire. Serve alongside salad, use with freshly chopped vegetables as a dip, or wrap in lettuce leaves as a filling

Hummus

*200g Chickpeas (for raw version, soak and sprout chickpeas first, then use directly in recipe. For cooked version, either sprout chickpeas or merely soak overnight, then boil for approximately 1½ hours on a low heat). 3tbsp Tahini
*Juice of half a lemon
*2 cloves of garlic, chopped finely
*Herb salt to taste
*1tbsp olive oil (optional)
*Water to thin

Blend all the ingredients in a food processor, adjusting quantities as necessary until you reach the desired consistency and flavour. Serve alongside salad, use with freshly chopped vegetables as a dip, or wrap in lettuce leaves as a filling

Big Salads

Try to vary your salads to keep them interesting - here are some ideas:

-use a few types of lettuce/fresh spinach/baby leaves/different greens mixed together.
-try different types of tomato, including sun-dried.
-finely grate down vegetables such as carrot, courgette and beetroot for colour and variety.
-use yellow bell pepper for a flash of colour.
-sprinkle seeds on for a nutritious topping, e.g. sesame, ground linseed, pumpkin.
-slice in olives or avocado for some essential fats.
-add pieces of pre-soaked seaweed or seaweed flakes/powder.
-experiment with salad dressings.
-chop nuts in for flavour and fats, e.g. pistachios, brazils.
-grow your own delicious and nutritious sprouts. Alfalfa´s good for beginners.
-add in fresh herbs and edible flowers for something tasty and appealing

http://www.rawreform.com/content/blogcategory/20/99/

Chocolate Ice Cream

• 
  
  
  Frozen bananas (peeled and sliced into chunks)
• Carob/cacao powder

This is so gorgeously wonderful and simple - just mix the ingredients together in a food processor until smoothly whipped (this can take quite a long time) and eat immediately.

http://www.rawreform.com/content/blogcategory/20/99/

Stop Counting Calories &
Enjoy Your Weight Loss

How many overweight wild antelope have you ever seen? What about morbidly obese zebras waddling around the savannah? Wild animals don’t deal with overweight or obesity issues. Wild animals don’t usually eat cooked or processed foods. They eat raw foods, in their natural state and maintain ideal body weight. The human body is designed to run on the clean fuel of raw foods too, just like all the other animals. Through our experiments with cooking and processing foods however, we have moved ever further away from simplicity, towards the so-called “Franken-foods” and we pay for it with our health. Our addictions to processed starches, refined sugars and greasy foods lead to widespread obesity, which we then try to “fix” with yet more processed, chemical pills, powders and packet foods.

The majority of people in the UK and USA are dealing with overweight or obesity issues. The consequences are enormous from increased illness and medical costs, to lost work days, family tensions and more. The obesity epidemic infiltrates all aspects of life. Not surprisingly then, the weight loss market is one of the largest industries in the world and growing constantly. Bombarded with slimming plans, pills, powders, and pre-packaged, processed diet foods, slimmers fret about calories, fat grams, low-carb, no-carb and all number of issues. There are literally thousands of different diets available and a HUGE amount of conflicting information. It can be very confusing to decide how to lose weight.

In contrast, a raw food lifestyle is all about keeping it simple. No more calorie counting or portion controlling it’s about returning to natural, nutrient-rich foods. Choosing to simply include more raw foods daily, as part of a permanent lifestyle change, can help you lose weight, detox and enjoy much more energy.

Stop counting calories ENJOY your weight loss...
The effects of going raw are well-documented we look younger, hair and nails strengthen, skin gets clearer, pores tighten, eyes brighten, depression lifts, diseases heal and we feel energised. People undergo raw-markable’ transformations ;). In addition to all those benefits, swift, sustainable weight loss is one of the primary effects of beginning a diet rich in raw foods. In my first year raw, for example, I lost around 7.5 stone (105lbs). If this lifestyle’s sustained, the weight loss is also easily maintained. I released around 11.5 stone (160lbs) in total and have kept it off for over three years.

This is a completely different approach to “dieting”. It’s not about how many calories something contains, the fat grams or the endorsements on the packaging. It’s about how it feels in your body - do you enjoy it, are you energised by it, are you feeling better?

The raw lifestyle is extremely cleansing. The body goes through an incredible transformation: toxins, including fats that have accumulated over years are released through massive detox. The body always works towards health, so when it suddenly receives potent enzyme and nutrient rich food with which to clean and cure itself, it seizes the opportunity to become much healthier, very quickly. In my opinion, eating more raw is easily the most natural, simple and rapid path to sustained weight loss available.

Most people however seem to look towards those unsustainable “quick-fix” solutions for weight loss like dieting,”miracle” powders/pills or even bariatric surgery. These solutions rarely provide satisfactory results in the long-run.

Diets Don’t Work
The truth is that diets don’t work. Often, people just lose excess water when dieting. They’re thrilled to see a lower number on the scales and soon revert back to previous habits. They then re-gain weight (and often extra), ending up in a "yo-yo" dieting situation. So, how is going raw different? I don’t see this as a temporary patch-up solution, or a diet we go "on", waiting to come off again at some point; for me, it’s a genuinely effective and loving lifestyle choice. We adjust to a permanent new abundance of fresh, raw food, which cleanses the body, nourishes and sustains us.

This path doesn’t chain you to endless diet club sessions and expenditures, nor is it funded by any multi-national pharmaceutical company. There is no big business behind raw fruits and vegetables - it is just simple, natural and effective. The great news too is that you don’t have to eat 100%, completely raw to feel the benefits just eating more raw than cooked food will begin your healing. If you can simultaneously remove the primary "nasties" in your diet i.e. processed starches, refined sugars, pasteurised dairy - your cleansing and weight loss will progress dramatically.

One definition of madness is to keep doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. Yet people comeoff a diet, revert back to previous eating habits and are surprised to find they re-gain weight and feel the same as before. A KEY aspect to understand is that making committed changes to your lifestyle will bring about complete changes in your body and well-being.

You are what you eat. Did you ever wonder what that really means? The foods you eat literally make up your cells. Consider food as messages to your body cells for a moment. The optimal foods for your body are natural things it can easily recognise. Your body canunderstand the message when you eat fresh watermelon for example much more easily than denatured, pre-packaged low-fat ready-meals. The body has to work much harder to unpack the information in the ready meal. It likely contains any number of preservatives, stabilisers, processed starches, trans-fats and so on things that simply don’t occur in nature. There may be all kinds of claims on the box about how it will help you slim down and gain energy, but those aren’t the messages your body receives. With cooked/processed foods, the body isn’t getting the nutrients it needs, so it keeps asking for more, which ironically often leads to eating huge amounts of empty foods, like pasta, sweets and snack foods. When we eat mainly raw foods, the body gets what it needs - enzymes, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients - in a form that’s easily understandable and useable.

The same principle goes for trying to lose weight permanently and successfully using medicines/pills. The body doesn’t recognise such chemicals they only complicate matters in the long run. In the short term they may raise your metabolism and help you burn some fat, but in the long-term it is hard to even know what damage these chemicals may cause. Making long-term, permanent changes to your FOOD intake is the optimal way to natural weight loss, not ingesting chemical pills alongside a life-less diet. As Hippocrates put it Let food be thy medicine.
How do I eat raw for weight loss?

For most people, “going raw” seems like a huge change. I want to re-emphasise that to see real and effective weight loss, there is no demand that you MUST be 100% raw, now or ever, or indeed do anything that doesn’t feel comfortable to you. Try starting with baby steps. Ultimately, the most important message here is to EAT MORE RAW it doesn’t matter if you begin at 50, 60 or 70% raw, as long as you’re eating more raw than you used to, and more raw foods than dead, cooked foods (or at least equal amounts of each), you will start to see results.
In the beginning especially, if you’re coming from a junk food background, like I was, anything is an improvement as you’re moving away from processed foods towards more natural produce. People usually fear that to eat more raw means it’s all carrot sticks and apples from here on. That need not be the case at all. It’s possible to produce incredibly lavish raw meals, as gourmet as you like. The advantage with raw foods is that even if you eat raw cake all day long in the beginning (not recommended ;), you would still likely lose weight, because you’re NOT eating those other toxic foods anymore and you ARE receiving masses more nutrients. When dieting, people often feel deprived, as they’re calorie counting and weighing foods and these restrictions can feel very un-nurturing. As a result, when the diet ends, they often swing into binge eating. Eating raw can alleviate so much of that pattern.

Just go for it, try it out for a day, a week or even a month and see the difference in your appearance, energy and health. The more raw foods you ingest compared to cooked, the more opportunity you have to release toxins/excess weight and regain health. The choice is yours, but the minimum level I suggest starting at is 50% raw (by weight, not volume of the food) and work up from there. That might mean eating only fruits before lunch, salads with all cooked meals, choosing all raw snacks and so on.

Taking it at YOUR pace
Remember: this is about long-term, realistic changes, not about magic-bullet’ solutions or being perfect at being raw, so take things at a pace that’s comfortable for you. Be aware that making a huge change from a very unhealthy diet to very high raw can be extremely demanding in terms of detox and you may experience a healing crisis’ if you push too far, too fast. Your body stores many toxins in fatty tissue, so the faster the fat breaks down, the faster the toxins are released and too many toxins released too quickly can cause discomfort. Be sure to incorporate colon cleansing to aid the elimination process. Going 100% raw has many health benefits, including a clearer system, increased assimilation and greater energy and I certainly recommend it in the long-run, but in the beginning, it’s usually beneficial to take your transition gently.

You might find at first that you feel like eating nuts constantly, along with three avocadoes a day. It’s ok. Avocadoes won’t make you fat. Fats are an area where people tend to feel confusion and fear. Raw fats are completely different to cooked fats. Whereas cooked fats clog up the body with all kinds of toxins, raw fats such as those from avocadoes, olives, coconuts, nuts, seeds and oils nourish the body, soften the skin and actually promote weight loss. This is mainly because raw fats still have enzymes intact, especially lipase, which helps to break fat down, whereas with cooked/processed fats, the enzymes are mostly destroyed.

It is very likely you will eat more food at the start of going raw than you will further along this path, as your nutrient assimilation slowly improves. As you progress therefore, you will likely want to reduce your fat intake, but in the beginning, nuts and avocadoes are very useful and not to be feared/avoided you can easily eat plenty of them and still lose weight ;)

Taking it to the next level beyond the physical
Something that really excites me about people going raw for weight loss is that it tends to foster exploration of many other aspects of themselves not just the physical. Rather than it all just being a weight issue’, people start to examine the emotional suppression and so on, underlying those excess pounds. They begin to unfold more and connect with hidden parts of themselves, reaching out to others for support. Far from being a shallow’ process of losing some fat/water, then reverting to old habits, this is about positive, real life changes. Working through these shifts may feel tough in the short-term, but overall will leave you clearer and less likely to return to self-destructive patterns.

I see going raw as an incredible path for natural weight loss and healing on all levels. If you want to experience genuine, lasting shifts in your health and vitality, I say go for it EAT MORE RAW - there’s nothing to lose but all that weight ;)

Top Three Tips for Successful Raw Weight Loss:

1. GET YOUR GREENS
Green vegetables alkalise and re-mineralise, which is vital for good health. At least one green drink daily is ideal try fresh vegetable juice, a green smoothie or simply green powder like spirulina/green superfood mixture with water. Eat greens too, but know that having them as liquids means you can ingest larger quantities, with more assimilable nutrients.

2. Avoid eating late at night
Key for losing weight and keeping it off. Try not to eat after around 7-8pm, as digestive power is weaker at night. Avoid going to sleep on a full stomach. Foods eaten late at night stick’ to the body much more.

3. ENJOY YOURSELF
I believe we’re here to enjoy ourselves. Avoid feelings of restriction and deprivation’ by being creative and playful with foods. This is a big lifestyle change for many and if you’re not having fun, it’s not likely you’ll sustain it, so ENJOY ;)

Raw food author and lifestyle consultant Angela Stokes lost an incredible 11.5 stone (160lbs) with a raw lifestyle, reversing morbid obesity. 28-year-old Angela started eating raw in May 2002 and has spent the last five years exploring and promoting raw foods and natural healthcare for weight loss. Her website, rawreform.com shares her own incredible story of recovery, along with guidance and inspiration for others. It includes videos, before/after pictures and she also blogs her raw adventures almost daily. Angela offers e-books, retreats, consultations and lectures internationally on raw foods. She can be contacted at angela@rawreform.com.

link:
http://gliving.tv/bodydesign/stop-counting-calories-–-enjoy-your-weight-loss/