Natural Sun Protection From Within

If you live in the Northern hemisphere, you are well on your way towards summer.  This means an increase in the sun’s potency, which means out comes the sunscreen!  Along with topical measures, you can also get a great deal of sun protection from within by consuming a powerful cartonenoid known as ASTAXANTHIN. 

Sunburn Equals Inflammation

We suffer from sunburn when we are overexposed to the sun.  This causes our skin to become inflamed, which in turn causes pain and leads to skin and DNA damage.   Consuming astaxanthin helps to ward off inflammation, meaning that we can spend linger periods of time in the sun without burning or creating other inflammatory conditions.  This also helps reduce the possibility of skin cancer.

Astaxanthin for Brain, Eyes, and Nerves

Astaxanthin’s ability to cross both the blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers helps provide super antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection to the brain, eyes, and nerves. This action is central to reducing the risks of dementia and Alzheimers disease as well as macular degeneration, cataracts, and blindness.

So What is Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin is a very potent antioxidant that is found in the naturally occurring pigments in colorful foods like bell peppers, beets, squash, pumpkin, and the like. When we eat these highly pigmented foods we are consuming more than 700 naturally occurring carotenoids, which contain nutrients that help to destroy free radicals and fortify the immune system.  Astaxanthin is one of these carotenoids helping protect the foods it is contained in from damage due to excess sun and oxygen.  When we in turn eat these foods, we reap the benefits of astaxanthin’s natural sunscreening and antioxidant powers. 

Produced by Microalgae

In addition to being found in colorful fruits and veggies, astaxanthin is produced by a microalgae called Haematoccous pluvialis.  In those moments when its water supply is no longer available, this microalgae produces astaxanthin to help protect it from ultraviolet radiation.  Working thus as a radiation shield, sea creatures consuming this algae such as pink salmon, shellfish, and krill are also ensuring their ability to withstand ultraviolet rays.  Flamingos are another creature getting their pink pigment from eating this microalgae. When we eat these foods, we are helping ourselves reduce the signs of aging as the astaxanthin protects our skin from the sun’s harm.

Free Radical Scavenger Supreme

Astaxanthin is an extremely powerful free-radical scavenger, protecting cells, tissues, and organs from oxidative damage.  Astaxanthin also assists in cardiovascular strength while also boosting the immune system, helping to fight cancer, improving sight, stabilizing blood sugar, and reducing inflammation.  According to the well-known physician and researcher, Dr. Joseph Mercola, it is 5,550 times more powerful than vitamin E in overcoming what is known as singlet oxygen, a highly unstable form of oxygen that occurs in bright sunlight that can be extremely damaging to cells.  Additionally astaxanthin is 54 times more powerful than vitamin C and 54 times more powerful than betacarotene when it comes to general antioxidant benefits.  Interestingly, astaxanthin is the element that is responsible for giving salmon their strength to swim upstream by fortifying their muscles.

Important note on salmon:

Wild salmon is 400% higher in astaxantin than farmed salmon while also containing significantly higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids.  Farmed salmon should generally be avoided as it contains unhealthy levels of mercury and other toxic material. 

Astaxanthin Supplements

If you feel you are not getting enough astaxanthin in your diet, you can usually find a supplement in your local health food store.  Astaxanthin supplements are soluble in lipids, just as they are when you eat them in foods, meaning they easily incorporate into cell membranes.   Make absolutely sure you get a natural brand made from marine algae and not a synthetic imitation that is often made with petrochemical products.  Start off with 2 mg a day and watch for results after a few weeks of regular usage.

Note: to date there have been no reports on adverse reactions to astaxanthin, but it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider before going on any new protocol.

Testimonials and Studies in Brief

The famed dermatologists  Dr. Nicholas Perrocone and Dr. Robert Childs advocate the use of astaxanthin for skin health, immune system assistance, and increased endurance.  In fact, Dr Childs lives in Hawaii and after he began taking astaxanthin, he found he was able to go out into the hot midday sun for long periods of time without getting sunburned!

A 2002 study on astaxanthin in Yamashita, Japan was conducted with 40 year old women.  Each took 2 mgs of astaxanthin every day for a month. After only two weeks, every woman’s skin improved and after four weeks there was increased improvement.

[Yamashita, E. (2002). "Cosmetic Benefit of Dietary Supplements Containing Astaxanthin and Tocotrienol on Human Skin." Food Style. 21 6(6):112-17]

A study was funded by Cyanotech Corporation in order to calibrate the skin’s resistance to UVA and UBV light before and after taking astaxanthin supplements. Subjects involved in the study showed a marked increase in the amount of time it took for reddening of the skin by UV rays after only three weeks of taking 4 mg per day.

Staying in Top Form: Detox Your Kidneys!

Ancient Chinese medicine claims that the kidneys are responsible for our “essence.”   What a huge responsibility these tiny yet powerful organs have!  In this regard, they must be cleansed and maintained in order for us to achieve our deserved overall sense of well-being and health.

The kidneys are found on either side of the spine, protected by the rib cage. Filtering more than 48 gallons of blood each day, they remove toxins and wastes including highly toxic ammonia and uric acid. They also regulate sodium, phosphate, and sulfur levels, help maintain appropriate pH, and assist in the production of blood cells. Active all the time, the kidneys can become overloaded if not attended to with love and care, which means feeding them with foods that keep them nourished and functioning at their best.

Compromising the Kidneys and Liver

With an improper diet, such as one high in fatty and processed foods, the kidneys and the liver become compromised.  When the liver becomes saturated with toxic waste, it passes the excess on to the kidneys in order to help process the materials more effectively.  When both of these organs become overloaded, we can suffer from such nuisances as bloating due to water retention, urinary tract infection, mineral deficiencies, and ultimately painful kidney stones.

Detoxifying with Diet

As with all of our organs, the kidneys respond to a healthy diet that concentrates on fresh, natural foods and avoids an excess of sugar and salt.  We can tell when our kidneys are functioning well by the color of our urine, which should be colorless and odorless.  The more yellow and smelly, the more we need to detox.

Water

Water is the most important factor in detoxifying the kidneys. Drinking at least one liter of pure water a day helps to dilute mineral salts that can ultimately turn into kidney stones. Drinking water at every available moment throughout the day means that the entire system is being flushed, helping the kidneys sweep toxins out of the body. 

Detoxifying Teas

There are many herbal teas that help the kidneys flush the body of wastes while providing the system with needed nutrients. 

Here is a brief list of some:

·      Dandelion

·      Nettle

·      Parsley

·      Milk thistle

·      Lemon balm

·      Meadowsweet

·      Water plantain

 Combining any of the above and drinking a cupful two or three times a day is an excellent way to keep the kidneys clean.  There are also some powerful Chinese teas, including Gravel root, which helps dissolve kidney stones, and Wu Zi Wan, which helps revitalize the urinary tract.

Another great kidney detox is to boil up to 12 slices of fresh peeled ginger root with a few pieces of turmeric, which acts as an astringent.  Drink with a bit of honey to offset the pungent flavor of the ginger.  (This is also a great tea for sore throats.)

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

By incorporating fresh, organic fruits and vegetables in the diet we help the kidneys to cleanse and regenerate. Raw fruits and raw or lightly steamed veggies are easier on all of the organs as they are not robbed of essential nutrients through the cooking process. Fruits bended with pure water or unsweetened apple or grape juice are a great way to detoxify the kidneys. Green leafy vegetable salads with a fresh lemon and apple cider vinegar dressing helps to keep the kidneys and other organs alkalized, which assists in destroying destructive acids in the system.  One of my favorite kidney detox recipes is a mixture of fruits and veggies:

 1 pear, cubed

A handful of fresh parsley leaves, carefully washed

½ squeezed fresh lemon

A knuckle’s length of fresh ginger, peeled and diced

A teaspoon of organic honey

A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

1 cup of water

Blend, drink, enjoy!

A Word About Cranberries

Cranberries are rich in proanthocyanidin, which is a powerful antioxidant.  They also contain hippuric acid, which helps drive out toxic waste from the kidneys. Fresh, unsweetened cranberry juice is easy to find in health food stores, or you can take a cup of fresh cranberries and place them in a blender with the juice of a half lemon and pure water and make your own refreshing detox drink. This is also a great drink for women suffering from cystitis.

Fresh grape juice also helps to flush out excess uric acid from the kidneys.

Magnesium-rich Foods

The kidneys need magnesium to function well. Eating organically grown dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, collard greens, arugula, and dandelion is a great way to get your magnesium.  Additionally, adding whole grains, nuts, and seeds help to maintain healthy magnesium levels.

Foods to Avoid

If you are really serious about cleansing the kidneys, it is best to avoid high protein foods such as red meat and poultry as they put an extra burden on the metabolic system.  Avoid all fried, fatty, processed, and canned foods as well as sugary desserts and overly salted recipes.

Making fresh, organic foods the basis of your diet along with large quantities of water and nutritious teas will help keep your kidneys smiling over their easy job of keeping your body healthy and toxin-free.

Diabetes, Diet, and Determination

More of us than we realize are victims of hypoglycemia, or pre-diabetic symptoms, with  a great portion of the population suffering unnecessarily from diabetes itself.  Allopathic doctors will proscribe a prohibitive regimen that often includes a necessary dose of insulin on a daily basis.  But my research along with that of many others shows that diabetes can be controlled through a joyful re-assessment of permissible foods that can help the body rebuild its insulin requirements naturally.

What is diabetes?

When we eat, the body’s job is to convert food into a substance that provides us with energy and helps us grow. Food is thus broken down into glucose, which is a form of sugar that provides this essential fuel.  Glucose is carried to the bloodstream by a hormone produced by the pancreas called insulin, and it is insulin that permits our cells to absorb glucose properly.  It is also through insulin that blood sugar levels are reduced, as our cells feed upon it to generate energy.  When we have too much glucose in our systems, a condition called hypoglycemia occurs, which overwhelms the pancreas and prevents it from producing enough insulin.

Without sufficient insulin, our cells won’t get enough energy.  All the excess blood sugar we are producing then passes out of the body through the urine instead of being sent to the cells where it belongs.  This causes disorder in the metabolism and increases insulin sensitivity.  The pancreas becomes overstressed as it tries to make enough insulin to cover the increase in glucose, which is generally the result of a diet too high in sugar and refined carbohydrates. 

Diabetes Type 1 is where no insulin is produced whatsoever, and is a very serious condition.  Diabetes Type 2 is where not enough insulin is produced, and is more common and easier to treat.  A pre-diabetic condition is when we first feel the signs of our cells not responding to increased blood sugar, causing symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and cravings for more sweets.

Weight Gain/Weight Loss/Breathing/Exercise

Tune in to the process, not simply the result.

People prone to weight gain are also prone to diabetes.  When the body begins to accumulate fat, insulin levels become less sensitive to glucose levels, which leads to  blood sugar increase and ultimately diabetes.  Losing weight can help bring insulin levels back to normal, allowing tissues and cells to become properly fed once again. 

Losing weight should be respected as a process, rather than an emphasis on  merely the result. Result-oriented thinking can be frustrating if your goal isn’t met in what is often set as an unrealistic amount of time. Thinking of the result  rather than enjoying the process and its benefits can lead to excessive low esteem if your weight  doesn’t come off “fast enough”.  Like anything, results are much longer lasting if the process is consistent and manageable, rather than engaging in for example, a crash diet.  Quick weight loss also stresses the body in unnecessary ways, releasing trapped toxins faster than the body’s waste processing system can handle them, creating physical discomfort and mental distress.  Usually something quick to come off is quick to come on once again, once the “diet” is over. 

Colonics and Steam Baths

Professionally conducted colonics are an excellent way to purge the organs and thus cleanse the liver, pancreas, and spleen of toxins that aggravate diabetic conditions.  I will be writing more about colonics in the future, so stay tuned.  Steam baths and regular massage also stimulate the body to secrete waste products.  When the body can eliminate toxins through healthful protocols it has a better chance of absorbing nutrients that help  produce natural insulin while building greater glucose tolerance.

Ayurvedic Advice

According to Ayurvedic medicine, which is an ancient traditional medicine study from India dedicated to detoxifying and purifying the body through natural methods, diabetics must incorporate complex carbohydrates such as whole grains into the diet.  By  eliminating sugar and fat, which tax pancreatic enzymes, along with limiting certain types of protein such as red meat, which also places a burden on the digestive system, diabetes can be controlled and substantially reduced . 

Changing Habits

Changing our habits comes first with information and then with determination. 

Creating life-long healthy habits is the best way to engage in weight loss and overcoming diabetes.  Eliminating fat-producing foods, engaging in frequent exercise such as walking, swimming, dancing, or anything that gets your body moving, and incorporating deep breathing exercises is a sure way to reducing fat and getting your body back to a weight that is healthy for you.  When hunger hits, before running to the refrigerator or cupboard, sit down and do ten slow and deep breaths and see if you are really as hungry as you thought you were!  There are many breathing protocols that are easy to follow, most of which can be learned in a yoga class.  One online reference that has excellent information is: http://www.yogapranayama.net/

Fast, enriched, and processed foods; carbonated sodas loaded with refined white sugar; snacks full of corn syrup and dextrose; and denatured products that jump out at us because of expert packaging and marketing tricks are quick ways to get us on track for life as a pre or full-fledged diabetic.  Attracted first by the advertising and then by the addiction of taste, it is easy to get hooked on foods that fill us up without giving us much in the way of real nutrition. 

If you suffer from any diabetic symptoms, or want to avoid getting them, look at the labels and run away fast from anything that contains:  refined white sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, white flour, and processed carbohydrates.  

Fruits to avoid if you are diabetic include bananas, grapes, watermelon, oranges, and dates.  Canned fruits in syrup as well as most commercial fruit juices shouldn’t be ingested either as they tend to be high in sugar. 

Turn instead to those foods which, for time immemorial, serve as true companions for a healthy lifestyle: fresh organic foods, healthy herbs, and potent spices that help to energize and revitalize the body by bringing back a natural and proportionate ratio between glucose and insulin.

Foods To Have On Hand

First, you need to toss out all the unhealthy foods you may have collected in your cupboards and fridge.  This means cookies, candies, pastries, sugary cereals, deli foods, chips, fried foods, sodas, and sugared juices.  If they’re not around, you won’t be tempted to dip in.  Keep a stock of healthful foods ready to eat, such as already cut carrots and celery in a jar of water, ready to take out of the fridge for snacking.  Instead of cheese, chips, and crackers, chew on almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.  Fruits rich in fiber such as apples, pears, apricots, blueberries, grapefruit, kiwi, mangoes, guavas, and pomegranates.   

The Basics

Vegetables should be plentiful.  Brown rice, millet, quinoa, and pearled barley should be staples in your pantry.  Whole grain breads, cereals, and pastas are great to have on hand as complex carbohydrates.

Use olive oil as a dressing for salads.  Cook with coconut oil, which is not heat sensitive, meaning it will retain its incredible nourishing factors regardless.

Eat fish instead of red meat.

Add avocado to your sandwiches instead of cheese.  Avocados are high fiber fruits that are rich in monounsaturated fat, which helps lower the risk of cardiovascular problems so common to diabetics.  The American Diabetes Association recommends monounsaturated fat for this reason, as well as the fact that it helps control blood sugar levels.

Steam, grill, broil, bake, stir-fry.  Never fry.

Some Details

Barley is one of the best foods for lowering symptoms of diabetes as it is a known healer for urinary diseases.

Oats help to stabilize blood sugar levels, while also providing anti-oxidant activity and enough roughage to assist in healthy elimination. 

Organic green apples are filled with pectin, which detoxify the body by eliminating harmful substances, fight bacteria and viruses, and decrease the need for excess insulin. Green apples are also very rich in potassium.

Grapefruit helps to control blood sugar levels while decreasing appetite, especially if eaten before meals.  If eaten regularly, they are excellent for helping prevent diabetes for those people who may be at risk.

Artichokes contain large amounts of insulin, along with potassium, calcium, iron, and sulphur, making them  an important addition to the diet.

Broccoli helps to regulate insulin and blood sugar levels due to its chromium content.  It also helps reduce cholesterol and is a strong anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-ulcer food that does its best work when eaten raw or lightly steamed.

Garlic lowers blood sugar levels and helps to increase free insulin.  Full of flavenoids, garlic is a mighty anti-oxidant and anti-viral that helps to lower lipid levels and boost cardio vascular performance.

Onions are powerful anti-oxidants that reduce blood sugar levels in either raw or cooked form.

Beans are high in fiber and vegetable protein and are very good for lowering cholesterol levels. They also help to regulate blood sugar levels, with soybeans being especially efficient in this regard.

Eating organic yogurt is an excellent way to introduce essential bacteria into the digestive system, whereby the pancreas can become stimulated and cleansed of waste products and excess acids.  Yogurt helps the body produce its own insulin while helping to boost the immune system.  Because of its high calcium content, it also strengthens bones and teeth.  

Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices that cleanse the organs are especially powerful for detoxifying the body and thus reducing blood sugar levels. 

Milk thistle is one of the best herbs for cleansing the liver, acting as an antioxidant as it lowers glucose levels.  According to a double blind clinical trial done on patients with Type 2 diabetes, a huge reduction in blood sugar levels was noted after milk thistle was taken on a regular basis for four months.  In other trials, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were also noticeably reduced.  Milk thistle’s ability to cleanse the liver of toxins is well known, and milk thistle tea, tincture, or capsules taken on a regular basis can make an enormous difference in health for not only diabetics, but for all of us who wish to stay on balance.

Turmeric  is one of the staple spices used in Indian cooking.  An anti-carcinogenic supreme, turmeric has cleansing and purifying properties that directly affect all areas of the body and that help reduce insulin dependence in those that suffer from high blood glucose levels.  

Fenugreek, coriander, cardamom, and ginger powder are other spices that help regulate blood sugar and can be liberally added to recipes such as stews, curries, soups, and other foods.

A Happy and Balanced Future

Once you get in the swing of your new habits, you will begin to naturally gravitate towards the foods and protocols mentioned above.  The body wants to be well.  It wants to take in deliciously prepared, organically grown foods that offer the most nourishment.  The body, mind, and spirit delights in exercise and good breathing habits.  Once you’re well on your way, all that other stuff will seem like poison and you will wonder how you ever deigned to pollute yourself with it.  As you gain health and a more robust feeling about life, you will take on a happy and balanced present and future as your given right, which it is.  You are in control so get started and enjoy the process!

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/diabetes/

http://www.naturalnews.com/002035.html 

http://www.diabetesmellitus-information.com/diabetic_food.htm

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Milk-thistle-extract-could-help-diabetes-control

http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/diabetes/diabetes_ayurveda.htm

http://www.diabetic-recipes.com/

The Ecstasy of Feeling Well: A Healing Diet to Bring You Back from the Edge!

Over the years I’m managed to ease myself into an eating strategy that gives a huge boost to my immune system, provides me with enormous reserves of energy, and a foolproof way to keep my body in an ideal alkaline state.  Do I go off the path?  Absolutely!  I’m a fan of breaking the rules, and break them I do… but I suffer for it in the end!  But knowing I have my healing diet to bring me back from the edge, to balance out the seduction and satisfaction of my cravings, to calm the beast inside. This basic formula is a way to get my system back on track before the next onset of hedonistic bliss!  I must say, however, that this approach to eating has become much more of a constant than anything else, as there is no greater ecstasy than feeling well and up for everything because body, soul, and mind are aligned and in top form. 

This being said, here is an example of what I have in my cupboards at all times:

·      Goji berries (extremely high anti-oxidant fruit)

·      Flax seeds (balances all internal systems, roughage, anti-cancer, and more)

·      Bee pollen (complete vitamin content, especially B complex)

·      Organic coconut flakes or powder (fortifying system)

·      Organic chocolate nibs (high in magnesium, no sugar, energy booster)

·      Maca root (root from the Amazon for hormonal function)

·      Organic stevia (natural alkaline sweetener)

·      Raisons (iron)

·      Cinnamon powder (lowers cholesterol, regulates blood sugar, memory)

·      Oatmeal (fiber, reduces toxicity, lowers cholesterol)

·      Brown rice -preferably short grain “yamani” rice (vitamins, minerals)

·      Millet (gluten-free, vitamins, minerals, alkaline)

·      Amaranth (super grain: protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals)

·      Quinoa (gluten-free, super grain: protein, amino acids, antioxidant)

·      Wholegrain bread

·      Apple butter

·      Assorted vegetables: green leafy, root, cruciferous

·      Sea weed: nori, haziki, wakame, etc

·      Garlic

·      Fresh ginger root

·      Organic first pressed virgin olive oil

·      Organic apple cider vinegar (highly alkaline)

·      Coconut oil
    

Alkaline fruits:

·      Lemons

·      Green apples

·      Apricots

·      Peaches

·      Grapes

·      Cantaloupe

·      Watermelon

·      Almonds (E, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, niacin)

·      Cashews (copper, magnesium, tryptophan, phosphorus)

·      Sesame seeds (manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, fiber, protein)

·      Sunflower seeds (E, thiamine, manganese, magnesium, copper, selenium)

·      Chia seeds (weight loss, blood sugar balance, Omega 3, anti-oxidant)

Essential spices: turmeric, cayenne pepper, sea salt, black pepper, cumin, a good curry powder (preferably homemade)

Loose Teas:

·      Horsetail (lots of silica for skin and hair)

·      Ginko Biloba (brain stimulant)

·      Milk Thistle (liver cleanser, diuretic)

·      Organic green

·      Organic red

·       

Make a mixture of these teas and drink throughout the day.

SOLE

Sole is an amazing drink made from Himalayan salt and pure water, with Fiji water being recommended.  Put several large chunks of the salt in a jar and cover with water by about two inches above the chunks.  When the salt can no longer dissolve, you have SOLE.  SOLE helps to remove parasites, is anti-aging, smoothes the skin, and much more.  Everyday before breakfast, on an empty stomach, take a tbs of SOLE in a glass of fresh water.  Wait a half hour and then have breakfast.  You will see what wonders it will bring!

RECIPES

Breakfast

Cook oatmeal with raisons, a pinch of stevia, a tbs of coconut flakes or powder, cinnamon

Add to cooked oatmeal: bunch of goji berries, tsp bee pollen, tsp maca, pinch of chocolate nibs, flax seeds (you have to grind them just before you eat them to get the most out of them.. or buy cold pressed flax oil and put this on your salads)

Optional: Add rice milk and half a banana

Lunch and dinner

Recipe 1:

Brown rice/millet/quinoa (add amaranth to all for extra protein)

Assorted steamed veggies

Recipes can be made as follows:

Grains with steamed veggies topped with flaked nori, olive oil, sea salt, cayenne pepper

Place coconut oil or other oil appropriate for heat in wok or pan.  Add turmeric, cayenne, cumin, curry, salt and heat for a moment to open up the spices.  Add onions, garlic, and grated ginger root and sauté.

Add leafy veggies and cook for only moments, not letting them lose their bright green color.

Or

Add cooked grains to the sautéed mixture and then place sautéed veggies on top along with cooked seaweed or dried nori flakes.

Recipe 2.

Fresh green salads with as many bitter leaves as possible: dandelion, arugula, etc. Fresh fennel is great.  Top with avocado, tomato, and cucumbers along with a handful of shopped cashew nuts.

Dress with olive oil and either apple cider vinegar or half a lemon. Salt and pepper to taste.

Snacking

Whole grain bread with apple butter is a great snack, as are alkaline fruits.

Almonds , sunflower seeds, raisons, goji berries and chocolate nibs make a great snack mix for maintaining energy throughout the day.  Fresh fruits are always good.  Blender drinks made with fruits or vegetables or a combination of the two are great ways to alleviate hunger between meals.  One of my favorites is:

·      A handful of spinach or parsley

·      A whole Bartlett pear

·      A slice of ginger

·      Half a lemon squeezed

·      A quarter cup of purified water

Blend it up at high speed and you have a vitamin/mineral packed pick-me-up that is absolutely delicious.

SUGGESTIONS

Any other recipes based on these simple themes are great.  The idea is to make your diet, especially for the first week or so, as high in alkaline content as possible.  Once your body has less acid and more alkaline, it will not crave sweets and will begin to re-align towards health.  This means you will:

·      Become less anxious

·      Your figure will become more streamline

·      You will not have cravings

·      You will be able to have a more acid meal upon occasion without suffering, as long as you return to the alkaline way.

Bicarbonate of Soda

If you  eat an especially high acidic meal, take one tbs of bicarbonate of soda with half a lemon in a glass of water afterwards. This will immediately alkalize your system.  It is especially good if you have been drinking alcohol.

I will be writing more in detail about the benefits of many of the foods mentioned here in future articles.  Stay tuned!

The Raw Truth

I recently eavesdropped on a debate about the benefits of raw  versus cooked foods, which turned out to be a steamy one… forgive the pun… as my raw foodist friend adamantly defended his five years of eating only fruit and vegetable salads, nuts, and seeds.  My vegetarian friend who eats her foods steamed, broiled, baked, sautéed, and any other way that her culinary tastes dictate, held her ground and in the end we all agreed that every body has different requirements, and that no one diet should be celebrated as the best.

That being said, there are many advantages of going on a raw diet, even if for a little while, to cleanse the system of built up toxins.  If not a lifestyle choice, it can be looked at as a sort of fast, where fresh, organic produce is made into salads and blender drinks to bring the body back to its optimum pH balance.  Going on a raw food fast for even just a week can bring amazing benefits to the system.

Advantages of a Raw Diet Fast

One of the big advantages of a raw diet is that the enzymes, vitamins, and mineral found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouts remain in tact.  When food is cooked above 118F, the heat kills these nutrients, leading to an internal acidic condition. When the body is overly acidic, it holds on to toxic waste, and because an acidic body is attractive to toxins, it is thus more susceptible to illness.  A raw food diet creates a more alkaline environment in the body, which helps the body get rid of the nasty excess acids and other toxins.  According to the US National Library of Medicine/National Institute of Health, alkaline foods also help to create more energy by keeping the system at a healthier pH balance.  

Maintaining Nutrients

Once food is cooked, it obviously cannot recover the enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and electrons it has lost.  When enzymes and other nutrients are destroyed, the body must work harder to produce what is needed to detoxify and fortify the body.

Raw food, on the other hand, maintains its vitamin, mineral, and electron content along with the digestive enzymes that help the body process and eliminate waste materials. 

 Cleansing Effects of Raw Foods

Sometimes a raw food cleanse can cause what seems to be an adverse effect where we feel dizzy, get headaches, lose energy, have bad breath and a coated tongue, and other distasteful symptoms.  The worse we feel, the more we may lose confidence in the benefits of raw food fasting, with that nagging feeling that we may be doing more damage than good. But hold on! These adverse sensations are part of what is called a “healing crisis,” which is natural when the body starts to eliminate toxins that have build up in the system over time. As these noxious wastes are being swept from the body it is normal to feel worse before feeling better. But better we will feel… giving way to a feeling of increased vitality along with a bevy of other benefits like glowing skin, healthier hair and nails, a perkier digestive system, and much, much more.  Drinking lots of water, meaning up to two liters a day, can help offset healing crisis symptoms, but more than likely you will feel some of the effects anyway during the cleansing process as environmental toxins as well as remnants of bad eating habits make their way out of the body. Be patient.  This too shall pass!

Goodbye Cravings, Hello Radiance

Once you’ve completed your raw food fast, you very well may choose to continue eating more raw foods than cooked as a lifestyle.  One thing is sure, your old cravings will be gone and you will have a renewed outlook on what feels right to put in your body.  Fresh, clean, organic foods will definitely be more attractive than ever before, and who knows, you may just say goodbye to your old bad habits in favor of your newly acquired radiance.


**********

I received some interesting reader responses via my Facebook posting of this article, making me very happy that my articles are opening up discussions on health and nutrition. It is true that every body is different, with varying requirements for optimum health:. 

First reader: You didn't really list the harmful effects of eating raw foods. Digesting raw food uses up a lot of energy (which could be good if you're fat I suppose but not if you're thin or sick). Raw vegetables are very harsh on your colon. And raw vegetables can contain harmful bacteria such as salmonella which cooking kills. So I guess my question is - how do you know when these risks on balance justify a "cleansing" and how clean is good?

Second reader response: well, here is another idea about it: raw food does not take energy to digest because it has live enzymes that self digest them so they use little energy. Raw vegetables can be harsh if you have colon problems. so you can blend vegetables and make raw soups and smoothies. ( see green for life by victoria boutenko). Also some cruciferous veggies can be lightly steamed. if you wash your veggies and you use organic vegetables grown with good practices and without manure your chances of getting salmonella will be lower.

First Reader (to me) : Thanks for your postings. There is a lot of blogging on the internet about health and diet and as with everything else, there are no simple answers. Each body is different. And extreme cures, diets, obsessions and trends are not good. Moderation and a Mediterranean-style diet seem best.

Asparagus: Power Vegetable Supreme

Asparagus is a sweet, tender plant that is actually a part of the lily family. Cultivated for over 2,000 years, it gets its name from the ancient Greeks, who chose it to refer to the plant's tender shoots that are picked while they are young. The early Romans grew asparagus and distributed recipes for it, and Luis XIV was so in love with the vegetable that he had special greenhouses built so that he could enjoy it throughout the year. For this, asparagus has been pegged, the "food of kings."

Asparagus is considered one of the most well-balanced of vegetables, with a plethora of vitamins and minerals in addition to anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The National Cancer Institute claims that asparagus is one of the most powerful vegetables for fighting cancer.  High in amino acids, asparagus helps to detoxify the body, making it an excellent food for nurturing the kidneys by stimulating urination and helping to prevent kidney stones. Asparagus's high beta-carotene content helps to strengthen blood vessels, making the plant beneficial for those suffering from problems with their capillaries, including symptoms of varicose veins. As a diuretic, asparagus helps reduce water retention in addition to reducing inflammation due to arthritis and rheumatic conditions, while also working as an anti-viral and antifungal agent.

Asparagus contains fiber, which acts as a natural laxative, protein, and carbohydrates in addition to vitamins vitamin C, which helps with collagen production for maintaining healthy cells and tissues. It also consists of vitamin A, K, iron, calcium, potassium, and is especially high in folate or folic acid, which helps produce RNA and DNA while also fortifying women during pregnancy. Asparagus also contains a substance called glutathione, which slows down cataract growth in the eyes, is a cancer fighter, and is said to fortify sperm in men.

Other attributes of this wonderful vegetable include helping to maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract, fight high blood pressure, reduce symptoms of depression, fight chronic fatigue syndrome, lower cholesterol, minimize menstrual cramp pain, and assist in maintaining fertility as well as milk production in nursing mothers. It is even said that asparagus can be successfully used as an aphrodisiac.

Grow Your Own

Growing asparagus in your backyard is easy with the right kind of preparation and a lot of patience, as it takes up to three seasons for the plants to reach their proper maturity for harvesting. A perennial yielding tender spears every year, once their roots have matured, your asparagus plants will continue to grow from 15 to 25 years.

To grow asparagus at home, it is best to go to your local nursery and find the small one-year-old plants called "crowns," which is much easier than growing the plant from seed. Find a well-drained site on your property where the plants can get partial sunlight. Your soil should be slightly acidic, with the best pH being around 6.5. Asparagus can tolerate more alkaline soil if it has to, going well up to 9.0 pH.

Prepare for planting in the springtime by tilling the soil to get rid of all weeds, as they will compete with the plants for water and nutrients.  Loosen the soil from 12 to 15 inches deep and mix in a layer of compost placing it throughout the area in a two or three inch layer. Then you will need to create trenches or a single trench, depending on how much asparagus you wish to plant. If you are creating several trenches, place them approximately four feet apart with a width of 12 inches and a depth of 6 to 12 inches, or create a single trench with the same width and depth. Once you've prepared the ground, soak the crowns for a short while in tepid water before planting them.

Take your hoe and form a mound in the center of your trenches running lengthwise. Then place the crowns 12 to 15 inches apart on each mound, draping the roots over the sides. Gently cover the crowns with a mixture of one part compost and three parts topsoil, bury them up to two inches deep and water them sufficiently. After about a month when the shoots start to emerge, add more soil to your trenches.

Make sure you keep your asparagus beds well weeded, without disturbing the roots. Pull the weeds out by hand, adding more topsoil around the shoots to keep the trenches filled. Give the plants enough water by irrigating the area so that the soil is wet up to four feet deep. As your asparagus grows, place a 4 to 8 inch layer of mulch around the plants, consisting of leaves or hay. 

During the first year of growth, you won't be harvesting your plants, as they will need to mature. Just keep the dead foliage away when fall comes and keep the area covered with compost. When the second year comes around, you should continue to keep your asparagus beds well mulched, adding compost in the spring and early autumn months. This should be the regimen for the years to come, with the real harvesting of your plants happening in the third year when the spears start thickening. Cut them off just above the ground when they get to be around 6 to 8 inches tall. Make sure you don't pull them out of the ground, as this will disturb their root system. Let the weaker plants enjoy an extra season before harvesting them so that they have a chance to reach their full potential.

There are several types of asparagus, all of which are sweet and tender once they are prepared for eating. Most plants are green, but you can also get the purple or white variety, or you can plant a combination to experiment with the subtle differences in flavor. It is well worth the work and wait to have a garden full of these delicious, and healthful plants once they are finally ready to be prepared and eaten.