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SILENT KILLERS IN YOUR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS - MORE THAN YOU PAID FOR !
Like many trusting people, you believe that you are looking after your family through the products you buy every week at the supermarket. - soap, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, face creams. The Surprise for most families is that most of these products contain chemicals that may cause cancer, eczema, dermatitis, rashes and asthma. WHAT IS TOXIC TO YOUR CHILD ...? Being smaller, children have a bigger total skin area (about 2/1/2 times greater than adults, per unit of body weight) that could be exposed to a chemical. Therefore children are under a greater risk of toxic poisoning from products in the home than adults. Don't use baby bath products that are unsafe. Young children like to sit in bubble baths for hours. But there's an extended duration of skin contact with chemicals which can be absorbed. Warm bath water also increases permeability. Most bubble baths contain Cocamide (DEA) which has been shown to induce liver and kidney cancer in mice. DEA also interacts with ingredients in other cosmetics and toiletries to create another cancer-causing agent or nitrosamine. Baby Lotions often contain Propylene Glycol, a skin softener that can cause skin irritation and hypersensitivity. They may also contain other skin irritants such as Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Toothpaste, specially formulated for children's taste buds are particularly dangerous. Children are less skilful at rinsing and each year many have severe reactions to the fluoride in toothpaste. Talc powder should never be used on babies or children because it has been proven to be carcinogenic and cause acute respiratory distress through inhalation. There are a few conscious companies which manufacture non toxic personal care products. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics.
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18/1/2013 0 Comments Spirulina and ChlorellaSpirulina
Use this nutritious natural green superfood freely. They will do you nothing but good. Queen of them all is spirulina. A near- microscopic, blue-green freshwater alga, spirulina is one of the finest green wholesome foods you will ever find. It is made up of translucent bubble-thin cells stacked end to end to form an incredibly beautiful green helix. 31/2 billion years ago the blue-green algae began to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and to convert it into carbon dioxide and sugars, releasing free oxygen in the process. This created the oxygen-rich atmosphere in which the rest of life was able to develop. Spirulina is probably the single most important nutritional supplement you can use to support high level health. It is unusual in that it is high in protein, which is alkaline forming in the body rather than acid-forming. This can be very important for detoxifying the system and also for helping you deal with high levels of stress. Spirulina is also rich in vitamins E, B12, C, B1, B5, and B6 as well as beta-carotene, and the minerals zinc, copper, manganese and selenium. It also contains good levels of anti-aging anti-oxidants and of phycocyanin – a blue pigment structurally similar to beta-carotene. Scientific studies at UC Davis shows that Spirulina may be the most potent immune boosting food ever studied. After only 2 weeks, gamma interferon and interleukin levels increased by up to 10 times. These are essential for the body to battle a wide variety of cellular imbalances. Finally, spirulina although very low in fat is rich in important essential fatty acids, imperative to the manufacture of hormones in our body. Chlorella Chlorella, also a superfood, is a green alga with pretty amazing properties, and it too is great as a supplement. It gets its name from its high content of chlorophyll. It contains 2-3 times more than other algaes and grasses. In addition it is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, nucleic acids, amino acids, enzymes, something called CGF – chlorella growth factor – and other important compounds. Chlorella is the biggest-selling health food supplement in Japan. Among the green foods, chlorella is known as the great normaliser, thanks to its apparent ability to alter bodily processes that are under – or over-active so that they return to normal. About 60 per cent of chlorella is protein. The vitamins it contains include vitamin C, beta-carotene and other carotinoids, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, vitamin B12, biotin, chloline, vitamin K, inositol and PABA. Chlorella is also rich in minerals and trace elements including phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, calcium, manganese, copper, zinc and cobalt. Japanese scientists have discovered that chlorella can stimulate the production of white blood cells and enhance immunity as well as having anti-viral activity. It can also bind heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, lead, pesticide and herbicide poisons including PCB, and help remove them from the body. Meanwhile it helps protect the liver from toxic injury, and some practitioners claim it can help prevent hangovers by promoting the removal of alcohol from the body. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. In our modern, materialistic, media-saturated society, few people take the time to ponder the questions of meaning, yet doing so is crucial to creating a balanced, purposeful, and rewarding life.
Looking at our priorities and values is a much more immediate process. Values and priorities essentially show up in how we live, not in our concepts about how we wish we could live. This may sometimes be a hard truth to face if we say that spending quality time with our children is a priority, but we continually put dozens of other tasks ahead of spending time with them, then our priorities are skewed, and our values are questionable. While there are millions of good excuses about why we aren't getting to do the things we say we want to do, excuses don't build satisfying relationships. Acting in line with our values and priorities creates personal integrity and gives meaning to our lives. In contemplating what is truly meaningful to them, many people discover that experiencing and expressing love are central to their fulfillment in life. The challenge is to transform the fear that is so rampant in our culture (often expressed as anger or impatience) into love. This can be a lifelong project that propels meaning and direction into every moment of life. CHLORELLA: Discover How this Green Food-Based Supplement Can Help You Reduce Toxins and Energize Your Health at the Same Time Despite most people's best intentions, we still live in a very toxic world... we're surrounded by toxins of all kinds, some worse than others. The good news is -- there are many "green" efforts underway around the globe to help us all make better life choices... to cause less impact to the earth. Let's face it, you're continuously bombarded with toxic influences in your environment. That's why it's crucial for you to use environmentally-friendly products that cause less impact to our planet. But even if you try to "go green" environmentally, you may still end up with unwanted toxins inside your body. Eating all-natural unprocessed foods as much as possible should help limit your future exposure to environmental toxins. Discover All Your Advantages from Using this Pure Green Food 1. Aids your body in its natural removal of potential toxins from your system
Why Phytonutrient-Rich Chlorophyll is so Powerful Years ago in ravaged, post-war Japan, the people faced a serious nutrient shortage. Out of this shortage, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Japanese Government co-sponsored research on growing, harvesting, and processing chlorella on a large commercially-available scale. Why? The chlorophyll-rich green algae showed tremendous nutrient-rich value to help solve the shortage problem. Chlorophyll's nutrient-rich properties can promote growth and repair of your body's tissues.* Japan was not the only country to face nutrient shortage issues after World War II. So, this is more historical evidence as to the extraordinary natural nutrient source provided by chlorella... a pure green algae rich in chlorophyll. But what are the specific benefits that chlorophyll can provide you? Here are just a few benefits you may experience as chlorophyll...
Chlorella's cleansing action on your bowel and other elimination channels, as well as its protection of your liver, helps promote clean blood. * And clean blood helps assure metabolic waste gets efficiently carried away from your tissues.* So, would any old chlorella formula do all this? Pure Planet "fractured cell" chlorella allows for high absorption and digestion of the anti-oxidants, carotenoids, RNA and DNA (nucleic acids), proteins, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients found in chlorella. Don't Settle for Inferior Quality As you probably already know from other supplements I offer on my site, it's not enough that the product itself is superior to others. Pure Planet Wholefood supplements are dedicated to manufacturing 100% pure chlorella tablets made without binders, fillers or tableting aids. High-Quality Means Exceptional Value You Can Rely On Chlorella is one of the most heavily researched algae in the world. Chlorella is also a very popular algae -- with millions of satisfied users. It is one of the most common supplements used in Japan today. The Japanese people frequently take it by adding it to tea, soup, milk, juice, noodles, yogurt, and other foods. There are thousands of research papers on chlorella from medical institutions, scientific journals, and universities. At one time, NASA even earmarked chlorella to be grown on the international space station. The bottom line: chlorella is an amazing green food-based supplement with research backing up its overall safety and effectiveness. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. 18/1/2013 0 Comments The Benefits Of Wheatgrass Excerpts from the Wheatgrass Book by Ann Wigmore. Wheatgrass juice increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure. It cleanses the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract of debris. Wheatgrass also stimulates metabolism and the body's enzyme systems by enriching the blood. It also aids in reducing blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways throughout the body. Stimulates the thyroid gland, correcting obesity, indigestion, and a host of other complaints. Restores alkalinity to the blood. The juice's abundance of alkaline minerals helps reduce over-acidity in the blood. It can be used to relieve many internal pains, and has been used successfully to treat peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, constipation, diarrhea, and other complaints of the gastrointestinal tract. Is a powerful detoxifier, and liver and blood protector. The enzymes and amino acids found in wheatgrass can protect us from carcinogens like no other food or medicine. It strengthens our cells, detoxifies the liver and bloodstream, and chemically neutralizes environmental pollutants. Fights tumors and neutralizes toxins. Recent studies show that wheatgrass juice has a powerful ability to fight tumors without the usual toxicity of drugs that also inhibit cell-destroying agents. The many active compounds found in grass juice cleanse the blood and neutralize and digest toxins in our cells. When used as a rectal implant, reverses damage from inside the lower bowel. Externally applied to the skin can help eliminate itching almost immediately. It also helps skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis. Will soothe sunburned skin and act as a disinfectant. Rubbed into the scalp before a shampoo, it will help mend damaged hair and alleviate itchy, scaly, scalp conditions. Is soothing and healing for cuts, burns, scrapes, rashes, poison ivy, athlete's foot, insect bites, boils, sores, open ulcers, tumors, and so on. Use as a poultice and replace every two to four hours. Sweetens the breath and firms up and tightens gums. Just gargle with the juice. Neutralizes toxic substances like cadmium, nicotine, strontium, mercury, and polyvinyl chloride. Offers the benefits of a liquid oxygen transfusion since the juice contains liquid oxygen. Oxygen is vital to many body processes: it stimulates digestion (the oxidation of food), promotes clearer thinking (the brain utilizes 25% of the body's oxygen supply), and protects the blood against anaerobic bacteria. Cancer cells cannot exist in the presence of oxygen. Turns gray hair to its natural colour again and greatly increases energy levels when consumed daily. Is a beauty treatment that slows down the aging process when the juice is consumed. Wheatgrass will cleanse your blood and help rejuvenate aging cells, slowing the aging process way down, making you feel more alive straight away. It will help tighten loose and sagging skin. Lessens the effects of radiation. One enzyme found in wheatgrass, SOD, lessens the effects of radiation and acts a an anti-inflammatory compound that may prevent cellular damage following heart attacks or exposure to irritants. Restores fertility and promotes youthfulness. What an amazing array of benefits you will receive from adding just this one supplement to your diet. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. 18/1/2013 2 Comments The Healing Properties Of Mastiha.I would like to take this opportunity to thank-you all for subscribing to my newsletter.
I hope you have all had a great week... I know... we all get caught up in the hum and drum of our daily routines... perhaps we should view life in a different way and be more present ... stop and look around us and notice beauty and joy around us, whether it be in the wondrous scent of a bright, red rose, the early morning dew drops on the blades of grass under our feet, our children's smiles, your partner's laugh or your pet's dance of joy. These and many more snippets are what I believe are the precious moments in our lives... I was inspired to write about Mastiha in this week's newsletter as my Grand-mother is from the Greek island of Chios where this evergreen tree grows. It is the only Chia variety of Pistacia lentiscus that cries resin tears that have been sought through millenia for the inherent flavour and healing properties. The resin dries into nuggets -- gum mastic -- that in turn are ground into powder, and ready for use. Its aroma and flavour are unique and reminds one of a pleasant piney, musty quality which adds a mysterious earthy flavour to products. While not well known in the West, mastiha is part of many worldwide cultures in hundreds of forms. Singapore, Pakistan and India import mastiha for use in home remedies. Eastern Europe uses the product as an ingredient in health and beauty products. Tears of Chios. While mastic trees might be grown -- and resin extracted -- in other parts of the world, there is something unique and recognizable about Chios Mastiha. Common lore has it that the mastiha tree grows in other parts of Greece but it only "cries" in southern Chios. The "tears" are a clear sap that dries to a hard, brittle, transparent nugget. Mastiha's place in the Greek kitchen was traditionally in the pastry kitchen, especially as a featured ingredient in ice-cream, breads, cookies and spoon sweets. On a healthier note -- Chef Thocharis Babis of Acqua restaurant located just outside Chios town, serves a salad with mastiha-vinaigrette dressing... sounds delicious ! I will experiment with it this week and come up with a Mastiha salad dressing. If it is a success and has been tried and tested on my close family and a couple of daring friends then I shall send you all the recipe ! Mastiha is unique in that it can be consumed raw, as a gum, or as a processed ingredient with wide applications. When used as a spice, it is usually purchased as crystals, which keep their flavour as all whole spices do, to be ground according to need. There are liquid forms of Mastiha, too. The essential oil mastihelaio shares the same therapeutic, aromatic and flavouring properties as mastiha resin. There is also distilled mastiha water, akin to rose and orange blossom water, which has a subtle flavour. For centuries, mastiha has been recognised for its variety of therapeutic properties. From the first through to the seventh centuries, Mastiha was used by medical practitioners for the treatment of indigestion and stomach disorders. The modern scientific community has come to corroborate and document the therapeutic actions of Chios mastiha. Studies indicate that mastiha displays beneficial action against digestive disorders, contributes to oral hygiene, displays significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties and is a natural antioxidant, and also aids in trauma healing and skin regeneration. A clinical study published in 1984 in Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology magazine concluded that mastiha aided in alleviating symptoms of and curing ulcers with no unwanted side effects. Various studies confirm the antibacterial action of the essential oil of Chios mastiha. A study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology in 2004 indicates mastiha oil is effective against the appearance of botox bacteria in nutrition substrates. The study comes to a conclusion that Chios mastiha and mastiha oil could potentially be used as natural preservatives in baked goods. Relevant studies have shown that the polyphenols and phytosterols in mastiha help fight LDL cholesterol, which contributes largely to the appearance of atherosclerosis. Other studies indicate that Mastiha fights plaque formation and oral micro-flora by eliminating bacterial growth. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. 18/1/2013 0 Comments Spice It Up !Every time you flavour your meals with herbs or spices you are literally increasing the nutritional value of your food. You are making your food turn into something extraordinary by adding colour, flavour, vitamins, and often medicinal properties.
Here are the reasons why ? * Spices and Herbs maximise nutrient density: Herbs and spices contain antioxidants, minerals and multivitamins. * Spices and Herbs Create a More Thermogenic Diet: Due to their nutrient density, they are thermogenic, which means they naturally increase your metabolism. * Some Spices and Herbs Increase your Overall Feeling Of Fullness and Satiety, so you'll eat less: One study conducted at the Maanstricht University in the Netherlands showed that when one consumes an appetizer with half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes before each meal, it decreases their calorie intake by 10-16 percent. * Spices and Herbs Have Real Medicinal Properties. For example. One 2003c trial of 60 people with type 2 diabetes reported that consuming as little as two teaspoons of cinnamon daily for six weeks, reduced blood-glucose levels significantly. It als improved blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, perhaps because insulin also plays its part in regulating the fats in your body. Try Adding the Following Herbs and Spices to Your Food if You Have The Following Health Concerns:
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are Pregnant or Breast feeding, please consult your health care consultant to advise you which herbs and spices you should avoid. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. 18/1/2013 0 Comments Is Soy A Health Food ?Is Soy A Health Food ? Soy is still widely perceived to be a "health food" in the United States, bringing in some $4 billion a year.
Many people consume soy because of claims that it can reduce the risk of heart disease, alleviate symptoms of menopause,lower cholesterol and even cut your risk of cancer. But in reality,when people consume soy products it can eventually lead to health problems ranging from digestive upset and bloating to hormonal disruption. And among infants, the estrogens in soy formula can be devastating, causing problems in their brains, reproductive systems and thyroid glands. There are 100 years worth of studies demonstrating that soy products can be hazardous to your health, but soy is nonetheless found in our food supply and often hidden in processed foods. A Host Of Disorders There are hundreds of studies linking soy with such disorders as :
The Israeli Ministry based its advice on the findings of a panel of nutritionists, oncologists, pediatricians and other specialists who spent over a year looking at the available evidence. They concluded that the phytoestrogens in soy (estrogen-like plant hormones) can be harmful. Their recommendations are in accord with those made by the United Kingdom's chief medical officer and the British Dietetic Association. The panel found that:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has convened a scientific panel to review the safety of soy baby formula and genistein, a plant estrogen found in soy. Genistein can mimic the effects of estrogen in humans, which raised concerns about effects on human development and reproduction. The panel intends to look into these possible effects, such as the research that suggests soy consumption could affect the menstrual cycle. Many people are still convinced that soy is a health food, but it is important to recognise that soy clearly has a downside. Soybeans are high in Natural Toxins, also known as antinutrients. This includes a large quantity of inhibitors that deter the enzymes needed for protein digestion. Further, these enzyme inhibitors are not entirely disabled during ordinary cooking. The result is extensive gastric distress and chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptake, which can result in dangerous pancreatic impairments and cancer.
FERMENTED SOY PRODUCTS like tempeh, natto and miso and soybean sprouts don't have these problems and can be beneficial to your health. I recommend that you avoid all non-fermented soy such as tofu, soy protein products, soy milk and especially soy baby formula, which should never be used for infants, and only eat fermented soy if you choose to eat it. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. Pregnancy is a nine month journey... It is a time in your life to feel happy, excited, serene and joyful. However it is also quite normal to experience anxieties about the birth and worrying about whether you are nourishing yourself properly, exercising, keeping, calm, positive, loving thoughts and emotions within your being. Pregnancy lasts 39 weeks or nine months from conception and is looked at in three stages. Health & Nutrition During Pregnancy To ensure that your baby develops in a healthy environment, you should keep your body as fit and well nourished as you possibly can. Do not think in terms of devising a special diet for pregnancy, it is more to do with eating a good variety of the right foods which are those that are rich in the essential nutrients. Weight Gain The amount of weight put on by women in pregnancy varies between 9 - 16 kilograms, with the most rapid gain usually between weeks 24 and 32. Don't "eat for two". Some 46 percent of women gain too much weight during pregnancy. Diet During Pregnancy You ARE What You Eat therefore Your Baby Is What You Eat! What You Eat affects your baby's future. What you eat in the following nine months can impact your baby's health, as well as your own, for decades to come. A good diet is vital to health during pregnancy, and to the normal development of the baby. The time to pay attention to diet, and if necessary change it for the better, is several months prior to conception and not when pregnancy is confirmed. During the critical early weeks the normal, healthy development of the embryo depends on the mother's state of nutritional health and also her toxic state. Mineral and vitamin imbalances which would probably go unnoticed in a child or adult can have a disastrous effect on the developing baby. This is because the cells in the embryo are growing at such a rapid rate, causing an exaggerated response to any harmful influences. A natural, organic, whole food diet is the only one which will adequately serve during pregnancy. A high quality diet is needed to maintain your own health and the best possible conditions for the baby to develop. As our environment becomes more polluted and the soils more depleted of nutrients, going 100% organic, if possible, is the best thing you can do for oneself, and for a developing fetus, and last but not least; the environment. Pesticides, herbicides, and other forms of pollution interfere with the metabolic pathways of many nutrients and thus indirectly interfere with the development of the immune, endocrine, and neurological systems. Eating as many of our foods in their live, raw form preserves 70 to 80% more vitamins and minerals, 50% more bioactive protein, and up to 96% more bioavailable vitamin B12. Grains, nuts and seeds are the most potent health-building foods of all. Eaten raw or sprouted if possible (some grains need to be cooked), they contain all the essential nutrients for human growth, sustenance, and ongoing optimal health. A well balanced diet is based on whole cereals and grains (brown bread, rice, pasta, buckwheat, rye, oats), nuts and seeds, pulses and beans, fresh fruit and vegetables, pure unrefined oils such as cold pressed olive oil, with some fish and eggs if required. Fruit and vegetables are all excellent sources of vitamins, minerals and trace elements provided they are eaten in the right way. They should be fresh, either raw or quickly cooked, steamed or stir-fried, and preferably consumed immediately after they are harvested. Salt is needed to maintain the extra volume of blood, to supply enough placental blood, and to guard against dehydration and shock from blood loss at birth, (except in cases of kidney and heart problems) Suggested form of salt is Himalayan Pink Salt. Proteins • Form the basic building blocks of all our body tissues, cells, hormones, and antibodies. • Food must fuel the growth of the uterus, which can grow to 30 times its original size over the nine months gestation period Add the development of breasts, placenta, development of breast milk, the baby's body. Proteins are divided into complete and incomplete: Complete proteins contain significant amounts of all the essential amino acids, you find them in meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk and soya bean products. Vegetable proteins are incomplete and contain only some of the essential amino acids. Some vegetarian sources of complete protein are: buckwheat, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, and almonds. Plant proteins are easier for our bodies to digest and produce less toxic waste than animal proteins. The fiber in plants also has a very beneficial effect on the bowel; it ensures healthy bowel movements and the correct bacterial population in the gut, and prevents the buildup of putrefactive bacteria produced by excess animal proteins. Eating meat and meat products also carries the risk from chemical and hormonal residues found in intensively reared animals. Also soya beans or soy products are mostly genetically engineered, hence it is wise to stay clear of them. Pregnant women need about 60 to 75 grams of protein a day. The best and cleanest sources of protein are green vegetables, spirulina, seeds (hemp, flax, sesame, poppy, sunflower, chia, quinoa, amaranth ). Real strength and building material comes from: • green - leafy vegetables, seeds and superfoods. They contain all the amino acids we require. Essential Fatty Acids are vital to : • the development of the baby's nervous and immune systems. They build the cell walls in all our tissues, and so that trace elements and fat-soluble vitamins (A,E,D, and K) can be absorbed. • EFA's are needed to make adrenal and sex hormones, and to maintain a healthy population of bacteria in the gut. • They are also essential to the normal development of the fetus's brain: 70 per cent of all EFAs go to the brain. The Best Fatty Foods include: Avocados, Borage Seed Oil, Raw Cacao Beans (Chocolate Nuts), Coconut oil/ butter, Flax seed and its oil, Grape seeds, Hemp seed and its oil (cold pressed), RAW Nuts of all types (cashews must be soft to be truly "raw"), Nut Butters (almond butter is excellent), Olives and their oil (stone pressed or cold pressed), Peanuts (must be certified aflatoxin free), Poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds and their oil (cold pressed), Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, tahini (sesame butter), or even better if you can get hold of it at a health food store unhulled tahini (an alkaline fat, high in calcium), Young Coconuts (young Thai coconuts are available in the US at Asian markets), Coconut milk, coconuts (mature). SUPERFOODS Superfoods are foods with extraordinary properties. Usually they contain all essential amino acids, high levels of minerals, and a wide array of unique, even rare, nutrients. I have included the superfoods in the nutritional tips below. Some prominent superfoods to include: 1) Himalayan Pink Salt - offers 84 minerals exactly identical to the elements in your body. 2) Spirulina (a spiral algae consumed for thousands of years by indigenous people in Mexico and Africa) -It has the highest concentration of protein on Earth. 60% -It is also very high in Iron, and many other vitamins and minerals. -It is one of the highest sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) on the planet. Only mother's milk is higher. -It is recommended to take more Spirulina during breastfeeding because of the GLA. -Spirulina is very high in human-active B12. 3) Blue-Green Algae (Klamath lake algae wonderful brain food). It is high in protein, chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals and enhances the immune system. I value it in pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and lactation for its enhancing effect on brain function. 4) Bee Pollen (wild pollen, not orchard pollen, should be used and should come from ethically harvested sources where bees are treated respectfully. Bee Pollen is nature's most complete food) All amino acids, immune system, brain, eyes. 5) Flax, Sunflower, Chia, Sesame and pumpkin seeds are the best to use. Flaxseeds are excellent and the highest vegetarian source of omega-3-essential fatty acids, important for the immune system, nervous system, and brain development. I recommend one to two tablespoons daily of the uncooked and unheated oil or three to six tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseeds. (Use a coffee grinder). You may also grind the other above mentioned seeds and add them to salads, and fruit salads. 6) Wild young coconuts (not be confused with white Thai coconuts found in markets, wild coconuts are one of the greatest foods on earth. The coconut water and soft inner flesh are strength enhancing, electrolyte-rich, mineral-rich, youthening and invigorating. Great in smoothies. NUTRITION TIPS Here Are Some Nutrition Tips that will help you both: 1) Get Enough Folic Acid. 400 micrograms (mcg) daily. Folic Acid reduces chance of birth defects such as spina bifida. Especially in the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. 2) Best Food Sources of Folic Acid are: RAW Green leafy vegetables, including spinach, kale, beet greens, beet root, chard, asparagus, and broccoli. Starchy vegetables containing folic acid are corn, lima beans, green peas, sweet peas, sweet potatoes, artichokes, okra, and parsnips. Oats are high in folic acid as well as whole wheat brown bread. Many fruits have folic acid such as oranges, cantaloupe, pineapple, banana, and many berries including loganberries, boysenberries, and strawberries. Also fresh sprouts such as lentil, mung bean sprouts are excellent sources. REMINDER: Folic acid is available from fresh, unprocessed food, which is why it is so common a deficient in our culture's processed, cooked food diet. 3) Eat Your Fish. Getting enough DHA (found in abundance in seafood and flaxseed) is one of the most important things you can do for you and your developing baby's health. DHA is the omega-3 fatty acid that can boost baby's brain development before birth, leading to better vision, memory, motor skills and language comprehension in early childhood. Eat at least 12 ounces a week of low-mercury fish, or take a DHA supplement such as Krill Oil. • Avoid large, predatory fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. (As big fish eat smaller fish, the larger, longer-living ones accumulate more mercury). • Seaweed and Cilantro remove heavy metals and radioactive isotopes from the tissues. 4) Avoid Alcohol - The main risk of consuming alcohol during pregnancy is the development of "fetal alcohol syndrome" (FAS). mother.. NO AMOUNT IS SAFE. AVOID TOTALLY. 5) Avoid Caffeine: In high amounts causes birth defects and still births, miscarriages and premature delivery. 6) Avoid Drugs - As far as possible all orthodox drugs should be avoided during pregnancy, especially in the first three months. Consider natural alternatives and visiting a medical herbalist or nutritionist prior to conception. FOODS THAT MAY CAUSE INFECTIONS Although the chance of contracting one of these rare infections is limited, you will reduce this likelihood even further if you follow the basic guidelines given here. Listeriosis - caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, this is a very rare infection. Its symptoms are similar to flu and gastroenteritis and it can cause still birth. Toxoplasmosis - usually symptomless (apart from mild flu symptoms), this can cause serious problems for the baby. Caused by direct contact with the organism Toxoplasma Gondi, it is found in cat faeces, raw meat, and unpasteurized goats' milk. Soil on fruit and vegetables may be contaminated. Salmonella - Contamination with Salmonella bacterium can cause bacterial food poisoning. This doesn't usually harm the baby directly, but any illness involving a high temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration could cause a miscarriage or preterm labour. HERBS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY. Herbal remedies are for the most part quite safe to be taken during pregnancy; some are useful alternatives to drugs both in chronic illness and acute minor problems such as may arise during pregnancy. It is still preferable to take NO MEDICATION whatsoever in the first three months, unless there is a specific problem that needs treatment. There are many Herbs which should never be taken in pregnancy - their emmonagogue or oxytocic properties may, in large amounts, cause uterine contractions and thereby risk miscarriage: I will only mention a few as there at least twenty on the list. Nutmeg Myristica Fragrans Thuja Thuja occidentalis Calendula Calendula officinalis Sage Salvia officinalis Thyme Thymus vulgaris Marjoram Origanum vulgare Lovage Levisticum officinale Rosemary Rosmarinus Officinalis Rhubarb Rheum sp. Herbs that are safe to eat to take in culinary doses but not as a medicine during pregnancy include: celery seed, cinnamon, fennel, fenugreek, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage and saffron. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. Mediterranean diet is definitively linked to quality of life.
If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. 18/1/2013 1 Comment Watch Out For Weight Loss Scams.The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has estimated that in 2007 alone, 4.8 million Americans were victims of weight-loss scams. In an unregulated, muti-billion-dollar dietary supplement industry magic, weight loss pills are endemic via scams and rip-offs. Have You Fallen Prey To Diet Pill Scams ? Some pills and potions can be manufactured for less than a dollar and are sold for $50 or more. Whether a product works or not, the manufacturer has one agenda: to promote and sell a product to make money. A large segment of the dietary-supplement industry promotes their products in a ruthless, manipulative manner that preys on the gullible. Most people that fall for these scams are misinformed and manipulated. If a product sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true. As an illustration of the severity of the problem, a recent women's health magazine had ads for 37 different diet pills and fat burners, of which each one claimed to be the best or fastest. Some magazines are propaganda vehicles for the products that the publication (or parent company) has a financial interest in. Not only do these magazines take on the appearance of a catalog for a specific brand of products, they also provide editorial bias for the associated product line. This is a highly effective form of consumer deception. Most weight- loss- pill ads contain finr print: "Claims and statements have not been eveluated by the FDA," and "Results not typical". Exaggerated claims are cleverly crafted to catch the attention of gullible readers. They are supported by fictitious testimonials from the weight-loss subjects and the highly, compensated medical "experts", biased or bogus "clinical studies", and manipulated before-and-after photos. Even doctor's endorsements have been found to be a sham. A doctor complete with a picture of the stereotypical white smock and stethoscope, of course - has fine print disclaimer that the doctor in question is but a pen name, and the photograph is of a model not the doctor. One doctor was paid $10,000 to endorse a weight-loss product for an informercial. She fabricated bogus claims without ever even reviewing the product. Real-life dieters do not attribute their successful weight loss to a pill, fat burner, or high-profile weight loss supplement. And if any results do materialise from a pill or potion, it's most likely from a placebo effect. There's no magical weight-loss pill or fat burner that will alone cause you to lose your excess fat. It just doesn't exist. You doctor will confirm this. Healthy weight loss is through proper eating and exercise - that is the real way to lose weight and keep it off ! If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. The World Health Organization estimates that 80 per cent of the earth’s population today depends on plants to treat common ailments. The medicinal use of herbs is said to be as old as mankind itself. In early civilizations, food and medicine were linked and many plants were eaten for their health-giving properties. Herbs are free from toxicity and habituation. They are organic substances and not man made synthetic molecules, they possess an affinity for the human organism. They are extremely efficient in balancing the nervous system, restoring a sense of wellbeing and relaxation which is necessary for optimum health and for the process of self-healing.
Tea Recipe 1 liter of water 3 cinnamon sticks 4 cloves 1 tsp sage 1 tsp thyme 1 tsp marjoram 1 tsp mint Place water in a large pot, add all of the dried herbs and spices. Boil for at least 6 minutes. Close fire and let the mixture sit (seep) for another 5 minutes. Drink it throughout the day. All of it ! Repeat the next day if necessary ! You may add a little bit of honey when you drink it. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. These simple and straightforward healthy eating and weight loss tips are not only for individuals but also for those who work to help others stay healthy : parents, caretakers, teachers and community leaders to list a few. Maintaining optimum weight and health is definitely linked to healthy eating. TIPS: What to Eat
Drink water or other beverages that are naturally calorie-free such as caffeine free herbal teas. Avoid these foods and drinks: NOTE: All processed foods and drinks should make up NO MORE than 2% of your daily diet.
If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. 18/1/2013 0 Comments Heart Health For ChocoholicsA recent study has shown that dark chocolate could prevent heart problems in high-risk people.
A study published in the British Medical Journal has shown that eating dark chocolate on a daily basis can reduce cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, in people with metabolic syndrome. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. To reap the benefits of chocolate, it must be dark chocolate and contain at least 60% cocoa solids. Cocoa is rich in flavonoids which is known to have heart protecting effects. This has only been examined in short term studies. An Australian research team set out to predict the long-term health effects and cost effectiveness of daily dark chocolate consumption in people already at high risk of heart disease; using a mathematical model. The people in the research group had high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome and no history of heart disease or diabetes and were not on blood pressure lowering therapy. The researchers found that with 100% compliance, daily dark chocolate consumption could potentially avert 70 non-fatal and 15 fatal cardiovascular events per 10,000 people treated over 10 years. Even when compliance levels were reduced to 80%, the number of non-fatal and fatal events potentially averted was 55 and 10 per 10,000 people treated over 10 years, and could still be considered an effective intervention strategy. The researchers stressed that only non-fatal stroke and non-fatal heart attack were assessed in their analysis, and that the potential effects on other cardiovascular events, such as heart failure, are yet to be tested. Another important note to add here is that these protective effects have only been shown for dark chocolate containing at least 60 - 70 % cocoa due to the higher levels of flavonoids found in dark chocolate. The researchers concluded blood pressure and cholesterol lowering effects of plain dark chocolate "could represent an effective and cost effective strategy for people with metabolic syndrome (and no diabetes)." Indulge in a daily dose of dark chocolate and it will keep your heart healthy and ticking ! If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. As parents one of our major concerns is feeding our children with healthy, wholesome, nutritious foods. It's easier said than done when you have a child that screws up her face yelling "Bleah! Yuk !" in the younger years. As they get older, the cheeky comments start rolling in "those look like Turd burgers" or "that looks like a pile of cow poop", "I am definitely not eating that !". Hmmm.... hard earned kitchen labour gone down the drain. As we nurture our children, we often allow food to become an indicator of how well we are doing our job. As a result, food turns into a measure of how much our children love us and obey us, rather than a source of energy and nutrients. Food becomes emotionally charged, and mealtimes are a source of anxiety and tension rather than opportunities to relax, interact, and enjoy one another. What we offer children and what they eat have a great deal to do with their health and growth. But whether they actually eat what we serve depends on more than what we choose to lay before them. Their own tastes and preferences, their moods, and - most important - what they learn from people around them in subtle and not-so-subtle ways determine what and how much they eat. As parents, we are responsible for offering a healthful variety of foods. Our children are responsible for deciding what and how much they want to eat from what they are offered. Balance Is Best There is little doubt that childhood diets have an impact on the risk of disease in adulthood. Evidence points towards a protective effect from a diet rich in grains, vegetables, and fruits, and with low levels of fats, particularly saturated fat. Serve at least one green and yellow or red vegetable, plus a starchy vegetable or whole grain, every dinner time and follow a "just-one-bite" policy. That is, even if your child claims not to like vegetables, ask that he try at least one bite of those on the plate. Serve fruits routinely for dessert, either alone or with cheese or yogurt. A habit of eating more than five servings of fruits and vegetables a day may help reduce your child's risk of developing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other serious ailments later in life. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. 18/1/2013 0 Comments Why Weight Loss Is Important.Did you know that the average American male consumes nearly 96 grams of fat a day ? That is a whopping 864 calories from fat alone ! The bad news is that 34 of those grams are saturated fat, implicated in heart disease and obesity.
Being overweight is linked to high cholesterol levels, elevated blood pressure and noninsulin-dependent diabetes, as well as being a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Being overweight also increases the risk for gallbladder disease and some types of cancer, and has been implicated in the development of osteoarthritis. Insulin resistance is a well-known phenomenon among overweight individuals, and affects insulin's ability to act upon specific tissues. Insulin resistance is common among obese persons and may also be the main reason for fat storage. Research shows that if we can improve the way the body uses insulin then we can help diabetes and weight loss. Insulin resistance is well known in diabetes mellitus, lupus, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome and other autoimmune diseases. A study of risk factors for coronary artery disease concluded that healthy persons with hyperinsulinemia and normal glucose tolerance are more likely to develop coronary artery disease, compared with healthy subjects with normal insulin levels. But, insulin resistance can also affect people who are superficially healthy and normal, but have underlying pathological factors at work, according to Dr. Gerald M. Reaven. Dr. Reaven compared plasma insulin levels with blood lipid levels and blood pressure in two groups of 247 healthy, non-diabetic, non-obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance levels. He found that "healthy" persons with elevated insulin levels had:
How do you become insulin resistant ? One explanation for insulin resistance is a deficiency of biologically active chromium caused by:
The body tends to compensate by producing more insulin when insulin cannot work efficiently. The result is hyperinsulinemia (or high blood insulin) which can increase cardiovascular disease risk factors such as elevated LDL cholesterol, decreased HDL cholesterol, hypertension, and increased fat storage. Although not all cases of insulin resistance are chromium-deficient, it appears that individuals who are insulin-resistant due to a chromium deficiency would benefit from chromium supplementation. You may also increase the chromium rich foods in your diet. Foods High In Chromium Are: Brewer's yeast, beef, liver, whole wheat, rye, fresh chilies, oysters, potatoes, wheat germ, green peppers, eggs, chicken, apples, butter, bananas, spinach, black strap molasses If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. Beans are significantly important in the Mediterranean diet. They are consumed on average about twice a week. Beans are one of nature's near perfect foods, containing an abundance of B-vitamins and iron. They are low in calories, sodium, and fat containing calcium, zinc, potassium, magnesium, and copper. A rich supply of most protein-building amino acids, beans also contain more fibre per serving than oat bran. One cup of kidney beans provides 5.8 grams of total fibre and oat bran has four grams of fiber. Possible Therapeutic Benefits Of Consuming Beans
Add more beans to your diet -- combined with rice, wheat or corn they make a complete protein. Just one cup contains fifteen grams of protein. Aunt Maria's Delicious Bean Recipe. Sadly my aunt passed away three days after I had written down this recipe... lucky to have it and share it with you. 1 tin red kidney bean, rinsed and drained 2 tins Cannellini beans (or Haricot beans or a mix of both), rinsed and drained 2 tins tomatoes chopped (OR 8 - 10 fresh, red ripe tomatoes, seeded, peeled and chopped) 4 tbsp olive oil 6 stalks celery, chopped 1 red pepper, diced 1 green pepper, diced 1 yellow pepper, diced 5 onions roughly chopped 1/2 tsp cumin, ground 1/2 tsp cinnamon, ground 1/4 tsp clove, ground 1/4 tsp ginger, ground 1/4 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp oregano, dry 1 tsp curry powder 1 tsp coriander (dried and crushed) 1/2 - lemon juiced 1 bowl of fresh coriander, chopped salt to taste 3 cups water (serves ... an army !) Saute onions in olive oil until clear in colour. Add in the vegetables and tomatoes. Let them cook for about 5 minutes. Add in the beans, spices, salt and water. Cook slowly over a low heat for about 30 - 40 minutes. Be careful so as not to overcook the beans as they become too soft. At the end of cooking, add in fresh coriander and switch off fire. Serve with brown rice. Enjoy ! If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. 18/1/2013 0 Comments Easy Healthy Lifestyle Tips
18/1/2013 0 Comments Toxic Chemicals In Your HomeWhat To Look Out For There are at least 50 cancer-causing chemicals present in the cosmetics, cleaners, personal care products and toiletries we use every day ...
Like many trusting people, you believe that you are looking after your family through the products you buy every week at the supermarket - soap, toothpaste, bubble bath, talcum powder, hair shampoo and conditioner, face cream, lipstick, shaving cream, mouth wash. Then there are the cleaners you use in your bathroom, kitchen and laundry - the detergents, bleaches, powders and scouring agents. Scientific studies in recent years have revealed that the majority of the products we bring into our homes for personal care, cosmetic use and domestic cleaning contain at least one or more of the following:
What chemicals to look out for: Hair Care - shampoo, conditioner, sprays and styling, hair dyes: SLS, SLES, Cocamiopropyl Betaine, glycerin, quarternium, coal tar, DEA, TEA, Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Formaldehyde, Tallow, Isopropanol, BHA, Methylene Chloride, Toluene, Fluorocarbons, Phenylenediamine, Hydroxyanisole. Toothpaste: Fluoride, SLS, Saccharin, Propylene Glycol, artificial flavours and colours. Antiperspirants: Aluminium, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Triclosan Baby products, wipes, lotions, bubble bath, bodywashes: BHA, Propylene Glycol, Talc, SLS, SLES, DEA, TEA, MEA, Quatenium, PEG, Alcohol and fragrances. Soap: Tallow, lye. Shaving Cream: SLS, Propylene Glycol, DEA, TEA, MEA, PEG. Sunscreen: PABA, Benzophenones, Dibenzoylmethanes. Nail Treatments. Acetone, Acetonitrile, Formaldehyde, Toluene, Isoproanol Skin Care Cosmetics and Make-up: Propylene Glycol, DEA, TEA, 2-bromo2-nitropropane1, 3 diol (Bronopol or BNPD), BHA, Coal Tar, Formaldehyde, Glycerine, Alpha hydroxy acids, Lanolin, Mineral Oil, SLS, SLES, Petrolatum, PEG, Bentonite and Kaolin. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. Estimates of the numbers of women who are affected by sexual dysfunction are 43% compared to 31% of men.
The majority of women do not seek a physicians help the main reason being that no pharmaceutical has yet been approved for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction and doctors have no protocol (other than hormone replacement) for this condition. Female sexual dysfunction has many possible symptoms and causes. Fortunately, they're almost all treatable. Communicating your concerns and understanding your body and its normal response to sexual activity are important steps toward gaining sexual satisfaction. There are many problems that can keep a woman from enjoying sex. They include
Female sexual dysfunction isn't uncommon — many women experience problems with sexual function at some point in their lives. Female sexual dysfunction can be a lifelong problem, or it can happen later in life after you've experienced a period of satisfactory functioning. The Mediterranean Diet has ben shown to improve sexual function in women with the metabolic syndrome. The women who had participated in this study had consumed more fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and olive oil. An authentic Mediterranean-style diet is rich in whole grain, fruits, vegetables, legumes, fresh and dried herbs, nuts and seeds, walnut, and olive oil, fish and seafood , red wine and reduces meat, meat products and refined cereals, sugars and other processed and refined foods. Simple Steps You Can Take To Reverse Female Sexual Dysfunction
Four simple weight loss tips especially for children.
If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. 18/1/2013 0 Comments Are You Eating Too Much Fat ?Are You Eating Too Much Fat ? Keep in mind that being overweight is primarily due to how much fat you eat. Most of the fat you eat comes from two sources: animal products and oils.
Because of this, the optimal diet is a low-fat Mediterranean diet where meat is consumed once or twice a week. The only vegetarian products to use in moderation are oils such as avocados, olives, nuts and seeds because these are high in fat. Nonfat dairy products are high in protein, so consume these in moderation because too much protein is not healthful. Whole milk is second to beef as the largest source of saturated fat in the American diet. "Low-fat" products sound fine, but they aren't. "Low-fat" milk is sometimes called "2 percent fat" milk, which sounds pretty good - but it's 2 percent of the total weight, and most of the weight in milk is water. Whole milk is 50 percent of calories as fat, "low-fat" milk is 38% of calories as fat, but skimmed milk or 1% milk is less than 2.5 % of calories as fat. Or put it another way, one cup of whole milk has eight grams of fat, one cup of "low-fat" milk has five grams of fat and one cup of skimmed milk has less than one-half gram of fat - big difference. Fish and chicken are, in general, lower in fat than beef, pork, or veal, but they still contain significantly more fat (and cholesterol) than most plant-based foods. Also fish and chicken are often cooked in oil, butter or margarine, which are very high in fat. If you really want to be able to eat as much as you want until you are full and still lose weight, then you need to reduce fat down to around 10 per cent of calories. This means eating small amounts of fish, seafood, skinless chicken or turkey. Fish such as perch, sole, cod, or flounder are lower in fatthan the more fatty fish such as mackerel or salmon. The ones that don't move, such as clams, mussels, scallops, and oysters, are the vegetarians of the sea, and they consume the phytoplankton, or sea vegetables. Since these shellfish eat a vegetarian diet, their bodies are relatively low in fat and cholesterol. Please keep in mind that all oils apart from olive oil should be avoided. All oils are 100 per cent fat. Consume not more than 2 tablespoons of olive oil a day. The more oil of any type that you consume, the more weight you will gain. You would likely lose weight if you were to do nothing more than eliminate oils and oil-containing products from your diet. Remember, frying food is going to load it with oils. The Table below makes it a little more clear that plant-based foods are very low in fat, high complex carbohydrates, high fiber, and have no cholesterol. In contrast, animal-based foods are high in fat and cholesterol, low in complex carbohydrates, and low in fiber. On average one should consume about 20 to 25 grams of fat per day, this changes slightly depending on your weight, height and level of activity. People who are active may consume larger amounts of fat. Plant Products Food Amount Fat (grams) Apple 1 whole 0.5 Lettuce 1 cup 0.1 Carrots 1 cup 01 Lentils 1 cup 0.8 Brown rice 1/2 cup 0.9 Oatmeal 1 cup 2.4 Animal Products Food Amount Fat (grams) scrambled egg 1 egg 7.1 butter 1 tsp 3.8 cheeseburger 4 oz 15 mackerel 3.5 oz 14 goose, roasted 1.3 lb 75 fried chicken 10 oz 52 Stress - Today's Killer Do you feel stressed now and then ? Or most of the time ? You are not alone. It is impossible to survive without experiencing stress. Stress is the ‘wear and tear’ our minds and bodies experience as we attempt to cope with our continually changing environment. In the future, stress may come to be seen as the primary contributing cause of most disease. Research continues to link stress to more and more symptoms and diseases, both acute and chronic. Stress is the automatic ‘fight-or-flight’ response in the body, activated by adrenaline and other stress hormones, which stimulate a variety of physiological changes, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, faster breathing, muscle tension, dilated pupils, dry mouth and increased blood sugar. In simple biological terms, stress is the state of increased arousal necessary for an organism to defend itself when faced with danger. During times of increased stress our body’s nutrients are used more rapidly to meet the increased amounts of many of these nutrients. Whenever we feel anxious, tense, tired, frightened, elated or depressed, we are undergoing stress. Few aspects of life are free from the events and pressures that generate such feelings, and stress has become an acceptable and unavoidable part of normal everyday existence. In fact, contrary to popular assumptions, stressed lifestyles are not an exclusively modern phenomenon – stress has always been intrinsic to human existence, and life without stress would be unbearable. For example, certain types of stress, such as physical and mental exercise, sex, and intense creativity, are actually very desirable. It is only when real or perceived change overwhelms the body’s ability to cope, that stress becomes harmful (distress), leaving us prone to unwanted physical, mental or emotional reactions and illnesses. When living a healthy lifestyle you adhere to certain healthy habits which help reduce stress symptoms. What is a healthy lifestyle ?
If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. Men and women are built differently which means that they have different needs in terms of nutrition throughout their lives.
Good nutrition for men is even more crucial as they get older, since a man has more than double the risk to getting a heart attack or stroke between the ages of 55 and 74 than a woman of the same age. Once women reach the menopause they are also at greater risk than in their earlier years. Eating For A Healthy Heart A balanced diet including wholesome fresh foods can reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke in both men and women. Increasing the amount of fibre - particularly soluble fibre that comes from oats, beans, apples, bananas, citrus fruits, pears and root vegetables - is a great way to start. Vitamin C is important as it reduces the risk of blood clots, so eat plenty of red, green and yellow peppers, kiwi fruit, oranges and blackcurrants. Garlic, ginger beans and liver help reduce cholesterol. Fresh fruit, carrots and dark green leafy vegetables will increase the amount of nutrients that protect your body against heart disease and keep your veins and arteries in good condition. Throw out the salt and all foods that contain it ! Salt is a silent killer. Reducing your salt intake will help reduce blood pressure. The American Heart Association advises a maximum daily consumption of 6g, which is just over a teaspoon. An average person in the UK consumes about 12g a day. This largely due to salts hidden in processed and ready made foods. Most cardiologists now recommend limiting the amount of table salt to 4g a day. Healthier salt options are Celtic salt and Pink himalayan salt which are rich in minerals. A reasonable amount of exercise, such as a twenty-minute walk three times a week, sensible alcohol consumption (2 - 3 glasses a week), together with a regular intake of raw garlic, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and oily fish will help to keep your heart young and healthy ! Nutrition For Men: Eating For A Longer Life At any age, men have a greater requirement for some nutrients than women. Men need more calories, protein, magnesium, zinc, selenium, thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6) and vitamin A. The diet of the average western man is almost always deficient in betacarotene, vitamins C, D and E, and many minerals, particularly zinc and selenium. Make sure to choose plenty of the foods mentioned below: Brazil nuts: Three brazil nuts a day provide 70mcg of selenium essential for heart health and protection against prostate cancer. Garlic: Protects against heart disease, cholesterol, high blood pressure and blood clots. It also has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. If you would like to avoid the bad breath from garlic you may substitute ginger or take garlic capsules. Globe artichokes: Eating at least two artichokes a week does wonders for the liver and gall bladder. Cynarin found in artichokes stimulates the production of bile and liver function. Good for men with a long history of alcohol consumption or a tendency to gallstones. Yoghurt / Kefir (Airani) : Choose sheep's and goat's yogurt / kefir over dairy. It improves digestion and boosts the immune system, those with Bifidobacterium bifidum or Lactobacillus acidophilus are beneficial. Red Meat: from grassfed animals can be useful in small quantities for its iron and B vitamins, particularly vitamin B12. Muscle strength declines with age in men and the easily absorbed protein and iron in lean red meat helps to maintain healthy blood and strong muscle tissue. Wild Caught Salmon: Essential fatty acids help protect against heart disease. Shellfish: Good source of zinc Watercress: Vital for smokers or ex-smokers, contains the chemical phenyl isothiocyanate, which appears to inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells. Also a good source or iron, vitamin C and chlorophyll to boost the immune system. Choose organic to avoid chemical pollution from the water in commercial watercress beds. Nutrition For Women : Easing Menopause Symptoms There is no real reason to dread the onset of menopause. Symptoms of menopause can be unpleasant and distressing. Simply changing your eating and lifestyle habits may be enough to control them. Hot flushes, headaches, skin problems and sexual problems at this age, are caused by a reduction in the levels of the hormone oestrogen. Vitamin E helps relieve these symptoms. Good sources are olive oil, sunflower oil, almonds, nuts and seeds. Soya beans are rich in plant estrogens, which help to relieve most menopausal symptoms. After hot flushes, depression is the most common menopausal symptom. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium and the amino acid tryptophan may help. They are found in organic dairy, goat's and sheep's milk products, spinach, sesame seeds, almonds, cashew nuts, wholemeal flour, brown rice, chickpeas, fermented, non GMO soya bean products (mi so, nat to, temp eh) bananas, dried fruits and seafood. B vitamins are vital, from liver, oily fish, wholegrain cereals, eggs, spinach and yeast extracts. Try to eat two of these each day. To build strong bones and keep them strong even after menopause has begun you can begin by taking in more calcium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin D. Eat nuts and seeds for their mineral content, as well as sardines, goat's and sheep's yogurt and cheese for vitamin D together with sensible sunlight exposure. Make sure to also add in some form of weight-bearing exercise. Foods For The Menopause Beetroot: has folic acid (B9) which is essential in postmenopausal women, as it improves endothelial function and cures hot flushes. Vitamin B9 is able to improve the metabolism of insulin and lipids, which leads to a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer. The leaves may also be eaten raw or lightly steamed with some lemon juice and olive oil. Chickpeas: Good source of protein, some B vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium and phosphorous. Nuts: Almonds and hazelnuts are a good source of vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Oats: Have easily digested protein, soluble fibre, B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium and silicon. Peppers: Excellent source of vitamin C, the red and yellow ones also provide a good supply of beta carotene. Seeds: (sesame, pumpkin, sunflower, poppy). Good source of protein, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and potassium, sunflower seeds and pine kernels are also excellent sources of vitamin E. Fermented Soya bean foods: Nat to, mi so paste, temp eh, tofu. Rich in fibre, protein, phyto-estrogens and probiotics (miso). Spring Greens: A real life-saver during the menopause, containing potassium, calcium and iron, and a rich source of beta carotene, vitamin C and folic acid. Vegetable Oils: Olive, walnut and wheat germ oil are high in Vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. 18/1/2013 1 Comment Mediterranean Diet FoodsThe Mediterranean region is linked not only by the sea and a temperate climate, but also the long and tumultuous history of conquests and occupations. the Phoenicians, Egyptians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Persians and Romans all wove a part in the fabric of the Mediterranean. The Arabs had a great impact upon the food of the Mediterranean. Travelling along the trade routes, they brought with them fragrant rose and orange blossom waters, pomegranates, citrus fruits, pine nuts, walnuts, eggplants, and courgettes. They also brought spices such as saffron, cumin and cinnamon. There is no one Mediterranean cuisine. Because of the history of the region, it remains one of the most colourful and vibrant collection of cuisines in the world. However you could almost define the Mediterranean landscape by the cultivation of olive trees and the use of olive oil. Other quintessential ingredients are vegetables such as courgettes, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and garlic, as well as fruits, pulses and grains, pasta, fresh herbs, spices, nuts and seafood. Generally, the flavours of the Mediterranean are strong and robust and natural flavours are not drowned or masked by butter or creamy, rich sauces. The Mediterranean diet has received a lot of attention over the past decade from dieticians and nutritionists. At present, there is much research into the theory that the incorporation of olive oil and abundant seafood and fresh fruit and vegetables into the diet, combined with minimal consumption of red meat and animal fats in the form of butter and lard, maybe associated with a low incidence of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer. If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. 17/1/2013 1 Comment Natural Acne TreatmentsAcne occurs most frequently during adolescence. Between the ages of 10 and 19, the sebaceous glands increase their secretion. The gland ducts become blocked by oil and dead skin cells, causing inflammation and attracting bacteria. Acne can affect people of all ages, men as well as women. In women, acne outbreaks are common during the onset of the menstrual cycle.
The most common infectious agents causing acne are staph, strep, and Candid albicans. White blood cells fight off infections, causing inflammation or swelling. Pimples form on the face, back, and shoulders. Constant skin eruptions can cause scars. Stress, poor diet, hormonal imbalances and food allergies can also cause acne. When the liver and kidneys are overloaded and no longer eliminate sufficiently, the body eliminates toxins through the skin. Essential Oils To Help Combat Acne
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If you are aware of any health problem which may compromise your general health, it is important to seek treatment. A Health and Wellness Counselor may help you, to bring you back in balance and to good health through, detoxing, healthy eating and living, create a proper diet suited for your condition, advise natural remedies, herbs, wholefood supplements and organic cosmetics. |
AuthorBarbara is a qualified nutritionist offering Health, Nutrition & Lifestyle Counseling. She gives Healthy weight loss advice and promotes the Mediterranean diet. She is the author of the Med Life Diet - creating healthy lifestyle habits and attitudes for life ! Archives
February 2024
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