Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

THE ANSWER To Your After-Meal Crash...from Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2009-05-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

I wonder how many Americans struggle with the after-lunch and after-dinner "blues". By the "blues" I mean that the after meal crash that hits you like a freight train and sends you drooling to the candy jar and coffee pot to be able to make it the rest of the way thru the day.

Most people think that this drop in energy levels is normal and just part of our hectic day. And it was normal for me too. But quite honestly, after dealing with that problem for untold years, I got to the point that I dreaded eating lunch each day. It seemed that no matter what I consumed for lunch, even a 100% raw lunch, I'd be nearly unconscious with brain fog and drowsiness within one and one half hours. It was so embarrassing and inconvenient. God forbid I should have an important assignment to finish or meeting to attend after lunch. My afternoons would feel so wasted as I tried to get my eyes to stay opened and my mind to re-focus. And forget it if I had any amount of carbs with my meal! I'd might as well check out the rest of the day.

Do I have diabetes?....NO

Do I have hypoglycemia?....NO

So why all the complications?...It's called insulin sensitivity

Well, I've written other articles before about insulin sensitivity here at eating healthy nutritious food. But I am overjoyed to report that I've found the long-awaited, real, true ANSWER to this problem of being insulin sensitive.

Dr. Zhong of Neuliven Health has fomulated an all-natural, stimulant-free product called Glucocil. Mulberry leaf is the primary ingredient in this revolutionary new product. Glucocil is clinically proven to lower post-meal blood sugar levels and clinically shown to reduce the absorbtion of sugars and carbohydrates.

http://www.glucocil.com/ : "The elevation of blood sugar levels after a meal directly corresponds to the amount of carbohydrates being eaten and absorbed during the meal. The more carbohydrates absorbed, the higher blood sugars go. The first 30 to 45 minutes after major meals – that’s when blood sugars are at the highest levels of the day and cause substantial damages. And for millions of Americans living with type 2 diabetes, this is the time window that needs to be carefully watched."

The makers of Glucocil also firmly believe that people who are exhibiting pre-diabetic symptoms can use this product to insure healthy blood sugar levels thereby possibly avoiding full stage diabetes.

That is me, beyond a doubt. I have typical pre-diabetic symptoms but Glucocil has given me freedom that I never thought possible. When taken within one hour prior to my meal, Glucocil controls the spikes and plunges of my blood sugar and I eat my lunch (now with joy, and not dread) and I have a wonderful, focused, non-drowsy afternoon. I feel alive and not in a fog. It is truly remarkable. This is something I think needs to be shared with others.

I've been in touch with Neuliven Health and they are willing to give my readers a FREE 2 week supply of Glucocil. You'll only have to pay for the shipping charge which is only $4.95. Dr. Zhong is serious about helping people live a quality, healthy life. That's why he created Glucocil. I can't speak enough accolades and cheers for Glucocil!

If you'll go over to the right margin and click the link to receive this special offer, they'll get it out to you asap! You are going to be amazed at the results.

Merry K.

THE FRUIT GUYS make Eating Healthy Nutritious Food Easy and Simple!

2009-04-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago, I returned to the "work world", as I call it. After 14 years of staying at home and caring for a family and homeschooling, I put all 5 of my children in public school and landed a job outside of the home.

In my office of 6 people, it didn't take me long to figure out that I was the odd man out when it comes to eating healthy nutritious food. This hasn't surprised me much, as this is usually the case in my family and church circle as well.

Just about every day as I bring my lunch from home and sometimes even prepare and cook it in our little kitchen at work, I get the same old question, "What is THAT?". The question of course, comes with a look of nearly total disgust.

My snacks consist of fruit, veggies, nuts, and the like. I eat about every 2 hours, which really makes them all crazy. Plus, I tote a half gallon jug around full of water so that I remember to drink all day long. Now, none of this is contrived, mind you. It's just the me that's developed over years of integrating new, healthy habits into my lifestyle.

I was pondering the other day that it would be a novel idea to have an abundance of healthy snacks in the office that people could choose from. You know how vendors love to keep those machines heaped full because the people sitting there on their rumps all day in their chairs at their desks "need" sugar, caffeine (to the max), nutrasweet, msg, artificial color/flavor, etc...
Why isn't there a vendor with an alternative?

Well, no sooner had I been thinking this than I found out that there IS indeed such a vendor.

You absolutely MUST, MUST, MUST go and check out my new friends...
http://www.thefruitguys.com/

Get this...they deliver a fresh fruit crate each week to homes and OFFICES nationwide. They get their fruit from locations in your region and the fruit you receive is only 3days off the farm!

There are 3 differently packaged crates to choose from. The prices are affordable and your office folk can finally get an alternative to the junk that surrounds them.

You're probably thinking, "Yeah, but will my office folk actually choose the good stuff?"
I know, I was a little skeptical too. However, I had a deluxe crate delivered to my office. When it arrived, we just happened to be having a meeting in our facility that had just dismissed.
Let me tell you, I was shocked beyond words to see those people wanting a piece of fruit and one to save for the next day! They went "bananas" over The Fruit Guys. I was so proud and happy. I almost wanted to shout..."WAIT, SAVE SOME FOR ME!". But I just sat back and smiled with much contentment as I saw the power of suggestion working for the cause of nutrition.

The quality and variety of the fruit they sent me just blew me away. Not a bad piece of fruit in the bunch. There were various kinds of apples, pears, oranges. There were even exotic-type fruit that I'd never tried before. Oh I was in heaven!

Okay, I'm not gonna hold you up any longer reading my account...go and click on that link for yourself. Give them a try. You have my word and promise that you'll not be disappointed.

Merry K.

Irradicate Inflamation by Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2009-03-21T19:36:00.000-07:00

Inflamation is an epidemic in our nation. This is obvious when you examine the numbers of people with different types of arthritis (joint stiffness and inflamation) and the ever-growing population of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia (mild to chronic muscle inflamation).

Today, I want to help you understand the role that essential fatty acids, namely, Omega 3 fatty acids, play in irradicating inflamatory disease.

Omega 3 fatty acids are in a category called "Essential Fatty Acids" (EFA). Why?....Because they are absolutely ESSENTIAL to maintain health. The body does NOT just make it within. The essential fatty acids must be obtained by eating healthy nutritious food.

Omega 6 is another EFA. Both O3 and O6 are used by the body to control tissue function in the body. However, Omega 6 fats tend to have pro-inflammatory effects and Omega 3 fats have anti-inflammatory effects. We have to have a balanced intake of both for optimal health.

Omega 6 fatty acids are the type contained in your common vegetable oil and products made from livestock raised on grain. Omega 3's are in flaxseed oil, wild ocean fish, wild game, products from livestock raised on green vegetation, and fish oil. Most people consume way more Omega 6 fatty acids in their diet and insufficient Omega 3's.

Think about your typical American diet. We eat foods cooked in vegetable oils, crackers and snacks containing vegetable oils, and dressings/mayos with vegetable oils. The meat we eat comes primarily from grain fed animals as well. So our daily intakes of Omega 6's are outweighing our intake of Omega 3's.

Our bodies are faithful to alert us of diffeciencies in the right balance of EFA's. Some of the following disorders can stem from a lack of essential fatty acids, especially Omega 3's:

-Fatigue, lack of endurance
-Constipation
-Maldigestion
-Depression
-Forgetfulness
-Hypertension
-Chronic Arthritis
-Dry Skin, cracked nails
-Fibromyalgia

So how can I get more Omega 3's in my diet? I want a healthy lifestyle, but I want simple steps to getting and staying healthy.

There are a few options, and some are easier to implement than others.
-You can buy organic meats made from animals that are free grazing and fed little grain. Sometimes you can find local meat from a farm who butchers their free-range animals.Or eat wild game.

-You can consume extra large amounts of fish because that has high levels of O3. However, there is the danger of high mercury levels in fish. So that's also a concern.

-You can take fish oil supplements.

-You can include flax seeds as a nutritious food choice. They come either whole or milled. Your body can use the milled seeds easier and you can sprinkle this over cereals, yogurt, salads, and nearly anything you eat.

-You can purchase flax seed oil capsules or take flax seed oil in liquid form which can be added to anything you add oil to, like salads, pastas, and the like.

I have a personal experience that made me a believer in the effects of flax seed oil...I had "heard" about the health benefits of Flax Seed Oil for quite some time. But I had not done any research of my own. So, I decided to include this in my daily life. I bought the flax seed oil (not in capsules). The day I began using it I also started reading up on it.

Forty-Eight hours after taking it, I noticed that my muscles no longer ached. I'd had problem with unexplained achy, tense muscles in my thighs and legs for the last couple of years.As I continued to read my printed research that night I read that "Omega 3 fatty acids regulate the inflammatory response in the body." Suddenly, it all made sense! I'd actually been suffering from a defficiency in Omega 3's!! I was so pleased to know this and to realize that I was not going to have to continue in pain forever. It was a simple solution. I easily include the liquid flax seed oil daily in a nutritious, fruit filled smoothie. I can also put it in yogurt and I use it instead of olive oil on my salad. There are so many creative ways to use it.

**Please note**All flax seed oils are NOT equal in purity. Flax seed oil goes rancid quicker than other oils so the processing of the seeds into oil is of special signifigance. For a pure, organic flax seed oil I recommend http://www.barleans.com/. This site will answer more in depth questions about this awesome part of a natural, whole foods diet.**

MERRY KAMMERER
Nutritional Encourager

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food...Hip Hop Style

2009-01-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

I just have to share this cool, new thing that Mike Adams has done!

If you don't know who Mike Adams is, he's the HEALTH RANGER and creator of http://www.naturalnews.com/.

This guy is passionate about eating healthy nutritious food and reaching the world with the truth about the food supply in America.

He's also very outspoken against the use of behavioral drugs and vaccines for children which is why he's just released a new hip hop CD that addresses the drugging of your youth. This CD will reach kids in a way that a book or email will not.

I am so glad to see someone who doesn't just rant and rave about what we "should" be doing...instead, he DOES it.

I am placing his debut song with printed lyrics on my sidebar. I hope you'll listen and read what he's proclaiming. It's a message we need to all hear.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food Asks: What's So Bad About MSG?

2009-01-10T14:18:00.000-08:00

I must admit that even though I knew for years that I should be eating healthy nutritious food, there seemed to be something inside still driving me towards the foods that I knew were ultimately detrimental to my health.

I used to wonder "Why is that? I KNOW it's not a good choice I am making, but I don't care. I WANT IT !!"And I would, of course, choose the "bad" stuff. I guess that proves that knowing what to do, and doing it are two different things...and just knowing the information isn't enough to keep us from those old, familiar food items that we still pant after and long for.

So what is that DRIVE that sends us back to the proverbial pit of poor food choices?

I honestly think our tastebuds have to be re-trained (for lack of a better word).And, there are certain ingredients that manufacturers intentionally place in foods to keep you coming back for more.

One of those is MSG.
I remember hearing about this ingredient as a teenager. We thought the Chinese restaurants were the only ones using it. I figured, "well, I don't eat a whole heap of Chinese so I guess eating it once in a while won't kill me!"
I guess that might be true if Chinese foods were the only place you could find MSG.

But I want to urge us all to look at the truth about this ingredient that we call a "flavor enhancer". As the FDA continues to vouch for its safety, scientists have known that MSG causes obesity since the 1960s! MSG makes you want excessively more of whatever it's put in or on.

MSG is an excitotoxin, which means that it overexcites your cells to the point of damage, acting as a poison and creating apparent "explosions" in the cells of the brain. The cells are damaged quickly upon consumption of MSG...not slowly over a long period of time. MSG has been linked to Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Lou Gherig's Disease.

The second part of the equation is that MSG can be literally hidden in food labels, under names like broth, casein, hydrolyzed, autolyzed, and more, making it extremely difficult to identify.

It is clearly not worth a few bites of tasty junk food to give your body the green light to produce visceral fat, the most dangerous type that surrounds your organs and increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, insomnia, type 2 diabetes, and more.

Yet, that is exactly what we're doing when we eat foods that contain MSG. Eliminating MSG from your diet is a wise choice for everyone, including pregnant women. An easy step to eliminating MSG is to stick to natural, unprocessed foods.

And, if you do eat processed foods, be on the lookout for the many hidden names for MSG on food labels. They include (but are far from limited to):

GelatinHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP)
Yeast Extract
Malted Barley
Rice Syrup or Brown Rice Syrup

** see http://www.mercola.com/ for more detailed information on MSG and a video featuring a neurosugeon that exposes this deadly chemical for what it is**It's hard for our minds to grasp that the "foods" that we thoughtlessly consume are laden with toxic chemicals.

Get out there and start reading those labels. Some of that stuff reads like rocket fuel or something! Time and time again you'll return to the realization that nutritious eating means REAL FOOD in it's natural state.

It's simple nutrition and it's not supposed to be hard.

Ask yourself..."Is my body meant to use this unidentified chemical as fuel?"

Time to re-train our tastebuds, our minds, and our bodies!

Does this mean you or I should become paranoid about each bite we consume? Absolutely not! Just be aware and make the healthiest choice you can when you can.

Merry K.

New Hemp Seed and Hemp Protein Powder for Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-12-05T17:45:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard of Hemp Protein Powder in your smoothies or eating Hemp seeds? I just received the following information from BOB'S RED MILL NATURAL FOODS. You'll see why hemp is such a valuable whole food to add to your repetoire of eating healthy nutritious food.

I've used Bob's Red Mill products for many years. One of my favorite have been their organic ground flax seed to add to breads, yogurts, and cereal. As well as their rolled oats, wheat germ, and wheat bran. I am excited to try the hemp products Bob is offering. Read on....

Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods Launches Hemp Products. Hulled Hemp Seed and Hemp Protein Powder derived from nature’s most “perfect” food. (released 11/2008)

Bob's is pleased to announce Hemp Protein Powder and Hulled Hemp Seed, both derived from one of the world’s most nutritionally complete food sources. “The hemp seed may be one of nature’s most perfect foods,” said Bob Moore, Founder of Bob’s Red Mill. “And like all of our hundreds of products we wanted to provide our customers with something that is fully nutritious and delightful to eat.”

Hemp contains all 20 known essential amino acids, including the 10 amino acids that our bodies cannot produce and must be supplied through food.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are necessary for building and repairing muscle tissue and are vital to the maintenance of a healthy immune system. Hemp Protein Powder from Bob’s Red Mill is high in protein (43%), fiber, and it contains all the essential amino acids the body needs.

Adding hemp protein powder to smoothies, shakes and yogurt is also a simple way to make a quick meal – and to boost energy.

Hulled Hemp Seed from Bob’s Red Mill is high in Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids, and is also an excellent source of protein. Hemp seed is a nutritious addition to cereals, salads, and baked goods.

The hemp plant is one of the world’s fastest growing plants. The hemp sourced by Bob’s Red Mill is grown in Canada under the supervision of farmers well-versed in its cultivation. According to the Hemp Industries Association, hemp food sales in the United States have averaged 41 percent annual growth over the past three years.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Statistics Canada data have also shown the quantity of hemp seed exports increased 300 percent from 2006 to 2007.

ABOUT BOB’S RED MILL

Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods, a distinctive stone grinding miller of whole grains, was founded in 1978 with the mission of moving people back to the basics with healthy whole grains, high-fiber and complex carbohydrates. Bob’s Red Mill offers a diverse line of all natural, organic and gluten-free flours, cereals, meals and mixes for pancakes, breads and soups, with more than 300 products available throughout the U.S. and Canada. With its dedicated gluten-free manufacturing facility and strict organic protocols, the company has emerged as a leader in providing safe and delicious natural, organic and gluten-free products. For more information visit http://www.bobsredmill.com/.

100% Natural Cold/Flu Remedies That Really Work - Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-11-25T06:17:00.000-08:00

At the onset of the changes I made towards nutritious eating habits, I was only 25 years old and yet my body had very little strength to fight off sicknesses. I had allergies to every known tree, weed, and plant and I seemed to get every virus that "went around".

But can you guess what happened when I got the "Junk" out of my food? I noticed that my allergies literally began to vanish as if they never were and I didn't get sick as often.

Eating healthy nutritious food made me stronger. It appears to me that this one, simple truth about our existence as humans...REAL FOOD=REAL HEALTH AND STRENGTH has been somehow lost. We've replaced healthy eating with chemical, synthetic "miracle" drugs. We plug along thru life eating garbage and cross our fingers in the hopes that we won't get sick, age prematurely, and die prematurely.

A healthy lifestyle means integrating as many natural components into your life as possible.
There are several tried and true remedies for colds that I have learned to rely upon over the years, both for me and my children.

#1 - If you are one who tends to easily get colds and flu, you'll want to use a Vitamin C supplement that will provide you with 1000 mg of vitamin C a day. It also will benefit you to use Echinacea in 2 week increments, using it 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off.

#2 - SUNSHINE is a must in the wintertime. Just 10 minutes in the sunshine a day will provide you with adequate Vitamin D. At http://www.mercola.com/, Dr. Mercola has good information about Vitamin D and he reports that if folks got their daily amount, naturally, then Flu Season would be a thing of the past. This is somewhat impossible for some parts of the nation where Winter is dark, long and cold. He also has suggestions and ways to deal with that problem as well.

#3 - If you do begin to feel a cold/flu coming on, I suggest you get some ZICAM from any drugstore. This is a homeopathic zinc supplement that I've experienced results with 100% of the time. It really works.

#4 - For mucus drainage and fluid in the chest, use Goldenseal Root powder in capsule form. This is a drying agent and is great at drying up congestion and drainage.

#5 - For an illness that you just can't shake, Black Elderberry is not only an anti-bacterial but an anti-viral as well. This plant originated in central Europe. Since ancient times this juice extract has been used as a remedy for flu, colds, coughs, and respiratory infections. It is put into a syrup form and safe for kids and adults. There is one made by Dynamic Health that I highly recommend. See http://www.dynamic-health.com/ . Usually a whole-food supermarket or an herb shop or health food store carries some sort of black elderberry syrup.

#6 - Now...the next thing I am going to list here is the "heavyweight fighter" in the battle with a cold. But I will tell you now...It's not for the faint-hearted. It REALLY works. I am not kidding!It's GARLIC.

You take off a clove, from the bulb of raw, whole garlic. You peel it, and chop it into the smallest pieces possible. Then you get a spoon, fill it half full. Hold your breath and open wide. As soon as you get it into your mouth, you chase it with water or juice and then I follow with a spoon of applesauce or honey as well. It takes about 3 spoons, half full, to get that clove down. But honestly, you feel better AS SOON AS you do it. It even seems to numb the throat. You'll be ASTONISHED at how quickly it worked for me.Do a quick search on the "benefits of raw garlic". You will be surprised at what you find out about it and what medicinal, anibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-viral properties it has!

And of course, I am NOT a medical proffessional. From one friend to another, I am sharing some natural options to give you a better chance of combatting a cold- without the use of toxic, chemical medicines.

However, if you feel you have a serious medical condition, you should always consult a qualified health specialist for treatment.

MERRY K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food But Lacking Energy

2008-11-14T21:24:00.000-08:00

Have you ever said, "I wonder why I'm SO tired?".

There are so many factors to getting and staying healthy! And while eating healthy nutritious food is FOUNDATIONAL, you may find that it simply does NOT cure EVERYTHING that ails you.

If we lived 200 years ago, we might be able to safely assume that our food intake and good honest work were enough to keep us in pretty decent shape. However, because of our modern lifestyles, and modern farming techniques and chemicals...man cannot be made ship-shape by food alone.

Wholesome nutrition and an evaluation of the foods we are consuming is THE place to BEGIN when launching out into a new way of healthy living. And again, I say...it is the FOUNDATION!

But, here, I want to address a challenge that most women- and most especially mothers- will be able to really identify with.Fatigue and tiredness are a huge fire that our society fuels very well. Because we are so busy and undernourished we are typically stressed out, maxed out, and generally overdone!

We keep the caffeine pushers in business for sure. I'm not against caffeine, really. But you get the idea, right?

When the stresses of your daily life (and we ALL have them) stack up against you, your ADRENAL GLANDS have to work super hard to keep up the pace.

As a mom who... had 5 children in a span of 7 years, breastfed every one of them, homeschooled, moved every other year - even back and forth to Israel twice, and stayed passionate for my husband...I can tell you that my Adrenal Glands are crying out for MERCY!!!

Here are the symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue:
-A short fuse ("You did WHAT?!")
-A tendency to catch viruses easily
-Light-headedness when going from sitting to standing
-A tendency to avoid stressful situations by ignoring them (Like when the kids are fighting for the 800th time in an hour and you pretend like you don't know it!)
-Depression
-A need to eat frequently to ward off shakiness and spaciness
-Chronic Allergies
-An inability to get going in the morning. You're more alive and awake at night...your typical nightowl.Ha! That's funny to me...as I sit here typing this at 12:33 am while my hubby and children sleep. I am ready to party! Do ya think I might have adrenal fatigue?

Acute stress can cause your adrenals to produce an excess of stress hormones. If the stress persists long enough, the adrenals can be fatigued to a point at which they don't produce enough stress hormones, like a car running out of gas.

Here are some natural fixes:
-Boost your B vitamins. Vitamin B5 found in whole grains, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and salmon is essential to the production of adrenal hormones. If needed, supplement with 500mg of B5 a day. But please, remember to get a quality supplement...not the cheapest one at the Wal-mart or Eckerd. Go to a health food store or quality herb shop or order online. Nature's Sunshine is an awesome, well known company with a history of quality.
Also adding 100-150 mg of B6 a day...even above what is in your multivitamin (if you take vitamins...I just drink THE FEAST (www.uriinternational.com/food4thejourney)

-Taking Vitamin C will help manufacture adrenal hormones. 1,000 mg twice a day.

-Eat foods salted with a full mineral blend salt like Himalayan Salt. (http://www.krystalsalt.com/) My post on salt a month or so ago will tell you more about the need for the right salt. Even drinking that salt brine will bring balance to your adrenal system. You need a quality salt because depleted adrenals often don't signal the kidneys to retain salt.

-Try Licorice. Liquid licorice extract (not the candy or tea) or capsule licorice extract is an herbal remedy that will increase the body's ability to utilize cortisol, one of the major adrenal hormones. However, licorice extract can cause high blood pressure, so consult a physician if this is of concern.

I am in much need of help in this area myself. I share this with you so you know that I too am on the same journey. Don't get discouraged if your health is not at the level you desire yet. It takes time to wear your body down (as we do with our bad food and lifestyle choices), and it takes time and diligence making nutritious food choices to restore us to good health.

Keep eating healthy nutritous food and keep desiring more and more of the truth about nutrition. You are gaining ground. Don't look back now!!!

Merry K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food Introduces You to YERBA MATE

2008-11-05T19:34:00.000-08:00

A couple of months ago I reported here on eating healthy nutritious food that I was breaking the caffeine habit and published an article for my readers with tips on how to quit the vicious cycle of caffeine use that only results in more tiredness and stress on blood sugar levels.

Since then, I have discovered NATIVA YERBA MATE. This is a Brazilian Tea with only 20 mg of caffeine. I am surprised how Yerba Mate gives me mental clarity and a "wake up" feeling without making me jittery. I also do not experience any after-effects or any drops in energy. And best of all, Yerba Mate does not make me hungry (I'm referring to the hunger experienced as a result from blood-sugar lows caused by caffeine).

The Nativa company has the smoothest and purest Yerba Mate on the market. Just leaves...no stems. This cannot be said about all other brands.
They also offer various other loose herbs to add to your tea infusion such as Chamomile, Ginko Biloba, and Gotu Kola.

The photo above will link you to the site where you can check out all of the benefits, testimonials, and products offered thru NATIVA YERBA MATE.

They also feature a 1 lb. bag of the new Suave/Mild blend which is popular in South America among the women Materas. This blend is perfect for new Mate drinkers who may not want the bolder, regular Mate. I personally still put cream and Agave nectar in mine...whether bold or mild. (Must be my British ancestry!)

Merry K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food and the Benefits of Drinking Red Wine

2008-10-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

If you are in pursuit of eating healthy nutritious food you may be delighted to know that drinking moderate amounts of red wine on a daily basis is extremely beneficial to your health.

In the book "What Would Jesus Eat" by Don Colbert, MD he states that no other food or beverage decreases the overall mortality or the incidence of heart attacks more than wine.

A major scientific study done in the 1990's called THE FRENCH PARADOX shocked the American medical community. Although the French consume approximately 1/3 more fat, including saturated fats, than Americans and smoke more than us and excercise very little, they have one of the lowest heart attack rates in the world! They also have one of the lowest incidence of stroke.

The conclusion...because the French consume moderate amounts of red wine daily they had lower instance of coronary heart disease because the red wine causes less stickiness of platelets in the blood.

The consumption of red wine has also been shown to decrease the risk of developing ischemic stroke. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clott. And the flavenoids of red wine- especially quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, and reversatrol- all decrease the clotting tendency of the blood.
The flavenoid quercetin has been found to have powerful anticancer properties.

Red wine also helps stimulate digestion. Moderate amounts of it stimulate the acid secretion in the stomach without injuring the mucosal lining. HOWEVER IF A PERSON HAS GASTRITIS OR ULCER DISEASE THEY SHOULD DEFINITELY AVOID ALL FORMS OF ALCOHOL.

Dr. Martin Weisse of West Virginia University found that drinking one to two glasses of wine with a meal may also help prevent food poisoning and dysentery. This is certainly great to know while dining out. Both red and white wines were found to be more effective in killing bacteria associated with dysentery than other forms of alcohol.

In the late nineteenth century, a cholera epidemic broke out in Paris. Those who drank wine generally avoided the dysentery associated with cholera. Frequent travelers abroad have discovered from practice that drinking a glass of red or white wine with each meal is a great antidote for traveler's diarrhea.

An interesting note for those who absolutely CANNOT drink alcoholic beverages -Don Colbert, MD states that purple grape juice with absolutely no sugar added has many of the same health benefits of red wine.

Merry K.

Pointing The Kids Towards Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-10-17T19:27:00.000-07:00

As a mother of 5, I've always wanted my children to be eating healthy nutritious food but with the mass marketing of junk food directed at children...I always felt like I was making a steep, uphill climb to get there. Plus, I nor my husband consistently made nutritious food choices all of the time either.

Our children are ages 13,11,9,7 and 5 years old. They have usually viewed me as the mean old nutrition natzi and would whine and complain about having to eat food that was good for them. And like most parents do, I'd give in and just "give 'em what they want", dang it!

But about a year and a half ago, I tried THE FEAST whole food juice powder(see http://www.food4thejourney.com/). And because the taste of this drink was so berry delicious, I gave it to the kids. And lo and behold, they really liked it! They began drinking it daily.

Well, immediately, I noticed that my children quit asking for junk food. It seems that as their bodies received real nutrition, they instantly wanted more of it. One day, after having taken THE FEAST consistently for a week or so, my former pasta/dough lover came inside from playing and asked "Do you have any bell peppers, Mom?". He wanted to eat one!!! I was shocked. Then, the next day, he came in and went into the fridge and grabbed a raw squash and started chomping on it!!! This was all just because he was craving REAL food instead of the junk he'd previously been attracted to.

My children just don't snack as much when they drink THE FEAST. And they're now happier with healthier snacks like fruit, nuts, carrots, or a rice cake and natural p-nut butter. WHAT FOOD-WISE MOM WOULDN'T LOVE THAT?

This one scoop of powder made from the juice of 30 fruits and 30 vegetables, plus seeds, nuts, and sprouted grains provides my child with an equivalent of 4 servings of fruits and veggies. This juice is dried to powder without pasteurization or high temps that would damage the nutrient denseness of the juice.

Honestly, I must confess that they still want junk food when it's offered. The one thing we moms all have within our power, though is that we ABSOLUTELY CAN make sure we bring only nutritious foods into our homes. This is one thing we forget that remains within our control.

If you're trying to institute change, realize that it first starts with you! Make small changes to begin with, like choosing different snack foods and breakfast cereals. Pay attention to how much sugar/high fructose corn syrup is in what you're feeding them at breakfast and snack times.

Believe me, if the junk isn't there, they'll soon decide to try the good stuff. Don't worry so much about their whining and belly-aching over the changes. You have a goal in mind, remember? Pick one area to change and stick with it.

I did this several months ago regarding breakfast cereals. I simply quit buying the junk they so desperately wanted. It was not easy, at first. They would go to grab some and realize, once again, that IT wasn't there and they'd pout and cry and accuse me of starving them! I said, "Oh well, you don't have to eat. It won't bother me if you don't". I'd offer them a healthy alternative like whole wheat homemade toast, or oatmeal. They'd pout some more. Then, while I wasn't looking, they'd sneak back into the kitchen and get that good-for-you breakfast food and go on about their day!

FINALLY, they are eating healthy nutritious food! We are getting there one step at a time. But I am honest when I say that THE FEAST was a HUGE yet VERY SIMPLE step. It was the thing that helped us all cross over into a lifestyle of healthy food choices. It's where I'd always hoped we could go.

Merry K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food and Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar

2008-10-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

I remember growing up and hearing "Vinegar is so good for you!". I thought my grandma was a fruitcake to suggest actually drinking something that was that sour. But I must say a big "I'm sorry" to those old folks of my past and admit that they were 100% right.

I know the health benefits of apple cider vinegar (ACV) are very far reaching. There is much evidence to support it. And while I cannot report any miracle cures as of yet because I am really only beginning to implement this into my daily routine now and I am sure that my energy level and overall health will increase and stabilize as a result.

Understand that not all ACVs are the same. The clear vinegar that looks like apple juice is not to be sought after. You'll want to find the ACV containing "the mother". This is described as "floating objects" by my children! Ha!
But these floating objects settling in the bottom of the bottle are what insure you're getting the ACV with the most beneficial properties.

I've mentioned Paul and Patricia Bragg in an earlier post. Their ORGANIC, ACV "with the mother" is the top quality you'll find. Even at top retail price it is very affordable and usually not more than $5.00 for about 22 oz. Even better pricing can be obtained thru wholesalers online.

The Bragg family site, http://www.bragg.com/ lists some of the benefits of ACV:

INTERNAL BENEFITS:
Rich in enzymes & potassium
Support a healthy immune system
Helps control weight
Promotes digestion & ph Balance
Helps soothe dry throats
Helps remove body sludge toxins

EXTERNAL BENEFITS:
Helps maintain healthy skin
Helps promote youthful, healthy bodies
Soothes irritated skin
Relieves muscle pain from exercise

There are countless testimonies of folks writing in to the Bragg family reporting how their health problems have been rectified by simply drinking a tablespoon of ACV every morning.

I have a friend who uses it in the morning and afternoon. She's a mom of 5 who homeschools, like myself, and she relies on the ACV to keep her going.

With all of the choices we can make in the area of eating healthy nutritious food and the countless "products" we could all throw money towards, I believe that it is pure wisdom to utilize the simplicity given us by nature.

Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar is economical and effective. If you don't want to be pulled this way and that way anymore and you want simple - then let live, whole foods and apple cider vinegar be your medicine. I'll be joining you in that!

Merry K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food Offers Thoughts About SALT

2008-10-05T18:42:00.000-07:00

Have you been advised by your healthy practitioner to CUT SALT from your diet?? Well, take heart - I want to let you know that SALT is a necessary part of eating healthy nutritious food.

Since the beginning of recorded history, salt was exalted and synonymous with virtue. Salt was so precious and valuable that people actually got paid wages in Salt. And spilling it was considered bad luck!

Depending on where salt came from and how it was produced it would vary in color, taste and cleanliness. Then, with the industrial revolution, modern man learned how to chemically clean salt and used high temperatures to purge it. However, these extremely high temperatures removed vital, important minerals that were considered impurities - thus yeilding a pure white sodium chloride.

Salt manufacturers also added other chemicals like aluminum hydroxide to prevent caking and then a chemically made iodide (which we are told is necessary nutrient) but it is not usable in a synthetic form...only usable as it's found in nature.

So today, our table salt is actually unusable by our bodies and therefore our system responds by flooding the salt molecules in table salt with water from your body in an effort to rid you of this foreign salt causing excessive water retention, hypertenstion, and formation of cellulite.

But I am pleased to say that you don't have to go on eating poisonous sodium chloride. Himilayan Crystal Salt is healthy and nutritious and a viable source of minerals that are 100% usable to your body. In fact it has 84 minerals, giving you a full spectrum of naturally occurring minerals.A healthy lifestyle must include salt. And this goes contrary to what modern medicine will tell us. But it must be a salt that when taken into our bodies, is recognized as food.

Himilayan salt is in it's natural form as rock crystals and is found in high elevation atop of the Himilayan mountains in Tebet. Unlike sea salt, which most folks use to replace typical table salt, it has not been exposed to the hazards of the sea such as chemical dumping and pollution. The salt from these mountains is over 200 million years old...untainted and unharmed by modern industry.

People suffering from edema and hypertension, even those on blood pressure medicines have reported drastic changes in their conditions when eliminating our normal table salt and using the Himilayan salt. One of the most commonly reported changes is a very noticable decrease for sugar and alcohol cravings.

Read for yourself about this astounding natural resource for your health. Go to http://www.powerorganics.com/mks.htm There is a wealth of information provided there that will answer any questions you may have, especially by reading the FAQ part of the site and reading the testimonials. You'll also learn how drinking a brine made from this salt is a highly effective detoxifier and how bathing in the crystals will restore moisture and suppleness of your skin....honestly.I am astounded that salt water leaves my skin softer than moisturizer! But it truly does.

Add this salt to your live, whole foods being assured that you are blessing your body with the absolute best source of minerals on the planet.

MERRY K.

Making Eating Healthy Nutritious Food A Priority

2008-09-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

This photo so reminds me of myself ...

I am remembering those first few weeks and months that I began to make eating healthy nutritious food a priority. It was a matter of re-training my mind. Each day, I had to be keenly conscious of what I would eat.

I worked as a secretary and would take my food with me, as opposed to eating out. This way, I knew that I could really control what I was eating. As time progressed, however, I could eat out because choosing wisely had become second nature to me.

Eating healthy does not mean constantly depriving yourself of food and starving all the time. As I have stated before, your body will decrease it's demands for chemical-laden "foods" and you will find yourself craving real, live, whole foods. And even upon occasion I allow myself the cheeseburger and fries. That is a rarity now because I feel SO very bad after doing it. My body just drags and has a real hard time digesting it.

I also remember that I lost between 10-15 lbs. those first 2 months of cutting sugars and refined/processed foods out of my diet. I was startled to find that nutritious eating meant eating as much REAL FOOD as I wanted, and butter, and nuts (previously thought a no-no) and STILL loosing pounds! What a revelation!

Nutritious eating must stay a priority in your mind. Look at each meal and ask, "How can I choose wisely this time?". Don't get overly perfectionistic either! If you have a meal where you did not choose wisely, remember that there's always another one coming that you'll have another chance make a good choice.

You want to keep it simple, simple, simple. Remember to stay as close as possible to food in it's natural state. I want to recommend a book to you that is probably the best book available on nutrition.

"The Bragg's Healthy Lifestyle" was written by two pioneers in the health and nutrition industry. That's not just an exaggeration. Paul Bragg was a health crusader in the early 1900's and beyond...before healthy was "in" and he lived to be in his 90's and died in a surfing accident as a healthy, strong man. And you will be inspired to continue on your journey to victory in developing a healthy lifestyle!

Merry K.

Tell-Tale School Experiment Offers Support for Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-09-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

Oh Boy! Was I ever happy to read about the following elementary school experiment that loudly demonstrates the truth about junk food.

If you are a believer in eating healthy nutritious food, you're going to LOVE reading this one. Courtesy of http://www.organicconsumers.org/:

Schools in Wisconsin are showing kids the dangers of genetically engineered (GE) junk food with some unique science class experiments.

Sister Luigi Frigo repeats the experiment every year in her second grade class in Cudahy. Students feed one group of mice unprocessed whole foods. A second group of mice are given the same junk foods served at most schools.

Within a couple of days, the behavior of the second group of mice develop erratic sleeping schedules and become lazy, nervous and even violent. It takes the mice about three weeks on unprocessed foods to return to normal.

According to Frigo, the second graders tried to do the experiment again a few months later with the same mice, but the animals have already learned their lesson and refuse to eat the GE food.

LEARN MORE and READ THE ARTICLE HERE...
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_14507.cfm

Do I ALWAYS Have To Choose Organic When Eating Healthy Nutritious Food?

2008-09-08T16:05:00.000-07:00

Buying organic isn't just a fad for the few anymore. And thankfully, eating healthy nutritious food is much more of a focus now than even 10-15 years ago.

Awareness for organic growing and buying is continually building. Slowly, many Americans are waking up to the truth that our conventionally grown produce and meats are not providing us optimal nutritional value. And not just that, they are causing serious detriment to our health.

If you are one who likes to buy organic here's a little guide below that will show you which foods have the lowest and highest pesticide residues. The ones that are lowest are ones that you don't necessarily have to buy organic. If cost is a concern, I hope this will encourage you to know which ones you'll especially want to put your dollars toward.

(from http://www.mercola.com/)
Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories in the Guide to Pesticides, the following twelve foods had the lowest pesticide load when conventionally grown. Consequently, they are the safest conventionally grown crops to consume:

Broccoli
Eggplant
Cabbage
Banana
Kiwi
Asparagus
Sweet peas (frozen)
Mango
Pineapple
Sweet corn (frozen)
Avocado
Onion

(However, let me, Merry, add here-- The vast majority of the corn grown here is now been grown from genetically modified seed. The detrimental health effects of this are potentially far reaching. This list is relating to pesticides only)

Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories tested, these 12 fruits and vegetables had the highest pesticide load, making them the most important to buy or grow organic:

Peaches
Apples
Sweet bell peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Lettuce
Grapes (imported)
Pears
Spinach
Potatoes

Conventionally-grown strawberries, in particular, were found to be highly toxic due to a poisonous blend of pesticides in a previous 2007 EU study as well.

But be VERY careful as the list above is for fruits and vegetables. Non-organic meats have far higher concentrations of pesticides than all of the fruits and vegetables. And the highest concentration of pesticides is actually in non-organic butter.

So if you can only buy one organic food item it should be butter. Next priority would be meats and once those are addressed, you will want to focus on the fruit and vegetable list above.

Locally-grown organics are your absolute best bet, but bear in mind that many times buying locally-grown food is your best choice even if it’s grown conventionally, as the environmental impact of shipping organic produce across the globe can cancel out many its benefits. Organic farming standards are also questionable in many parts of the world.
_____________
This information was very helpful for me. To see Dr. Mercola's entire commentary on this, here's the link: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/08/12/12-foods-you-don-t-have-to-buy-organic.aspx

There are other awesome organic food links located in the right margin here on this site.

Merry K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food wonders...How Does Caffeine Affect Blood Sugar?

2008-08-31T13:11:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been an exciting and challenging few days for me. Earlier this week I decided to take myself off of caffeine...once more. I say "once more" because I've been down this road MANY times before.

This is the way the cycle usually works for me:

It all begins with an occasional cup of tea or coffee to "get me thru" when I am exceedingly tired or needing energy for something.

Then, I am drinking coffee or tea every morning to get the old gears ready to go. I think, "Hmmm, not too bad, I'm not really dependent on it like so many others are!"

Next, I am feeling that I could use another cup or two in the afternoon or early evening.

By the time my caffeine consumption is up around 2-3 cups per day of coffee or tea, I cruise along like that for a few months with no apparent problems.

The only drawback is that it ALWAYS catches up with me! Eventually, I find myself with aching muscles, more frequent headaches, and a digressing loss of energy. By this time, the 2-3 servings a day aren't giving me any stimulation or increase in energy for the long run...A quick jump start, but a quick let-down as well will follow.

I am one who drinks at least 1/2 gallon of water a day, so I know that my problems stem from much more than simple hydration.

This is where I was when I finally decided, on Friday morning, to detox and crept thru the day just praying that the withdrawal headache wouldn't be too bad. Today is the 3rd day, and I can say that I feel better than I have in so many months! My muscles are more relaxed and, though I had a slight headache the first 2 days, I am rejoicing, because it could have been much worse. I also feel more rested when I awaken and do not wake up in a fog like I did when using caffeine.

One interesting thing I noticed...I seemed to struggle more with my blood sugar dropping way low when I used caffeine. This was one thing that kept me going back for "another round". I would get so very groggy and low and need more caffeine to counteract it...which in turn would just cause the same groggy, lowness a few hours later, until I was just a rat on a wheel waiting for the next fix, so to speak!

So, if you're planning a caffeine detox anytime soon I suggest you take these hints on making that transition as smooth as possible:

1) The first day you'll want to drink about a gallon and 1/2 of water. Keep it room temperature so that you'll drink more and add 1/4 lemon wedge per serving to help detox your kidneys and liver.

2) If you're wanting a hot drink, try lemon wedges in hot water with added honey, stevia, or agave sweetener--but use these only in VERY small amounts. Find an herbal tea you like too.

3) DO NOT USE SUGAR OR HEAVY STARCH for 3 days. You'll want to focus on fresh fruits and vegetables every time you eat. AVOID snacking on junk snacks like crackers and chips.

4) DO NOT let yourself get overly hungry. A good target is to eat about every 2 hours. This will keep your blood sugar levels normal and keep you from crashing and running to the caffeine.

5) Scheduling this detox will be easier for you if you have the time to sleep when you feel like you need to. Do not be overly active the first day or
you'll get stressed out and give up.

Finally, here's an article I found online that discusses the link between caffeine consumption and insulin sensitivity:
http://diabetes.webmd.com/news/20020206/caffeine-disturbs-blood-sugar-hormone

Let me say, I am NOT morally opposed to caffeine or anything like that. I am glad to finally be off of it, but I am not writing this to tell you what to do. I'm just here, as always, to encourage you should you decide to discontinue consuming caffeine...and to encourage you to keep eating healthy nutritious food.

Merry K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food and Self-Styled Fruit Salads

2008-08-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

I have a favorite fruit salad recipe that is just plain, simple nutrition and I usually start just about every day with this combo.

Eating healthy nutritious food is NEVER boring. I know when we're not doing it, we tend to think that it's too difficult to implement and too boring to maintain. Eat this fruit salad and see if you're bored or if it's too hard to make!! And don't just limit it to breakfast. It's great any time of day.

Ingredients used:

APPLE, PINEAPPLE, GRAPES, CANTALOUPE OR HONEY DEW MELON, BANANA, STRAWBERRIES OR BLUEBERRIES, (whatever is in season and available)

RAW PECANS OR WALNUTS, VANILLA YOGURT(Stoney field Farms is superb because it's only sweetened with natural cane juice)

A SPOONFUL OF LOWFAT COTTAGE CHEESE (adds protein)

SMALL SPOONFUL OF WHEAT GERM & MILLED FLAX SEED (excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acid)

Now, all you do is cut up these fruits in a serving appropriate to the number of folks you're feeding. Add the nuts, yogurt, cheese, and wheat germ/flax seeds.

Mix it up with a spoon, spreading the yogurt and cheese to cover the fruit. You won't believe how delicious this is! And...you will be amazed at how long you will remain satisfied after this.

And you can use this nutritious combo with any fruit that you like. Customize for your personal taste. This is a very easy step to healthy eating.

Enjoy the remaining warm weather fruits in abundance while you can.They luscious berries, etc will soon enough be but a distant memory of summer once again!

Super Juices - Part 2 -Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-08-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

In part 1 of our look at "Super Juices" on the market today (last post), we featured Beyond Berries whole-food juice powder from URI International.

A few more specifics about Beyond Berries are quite notable and should be mentioned here.

Antioxidants are something that most Americans have at least heard of and indeed most of us also know that the more of these we have in our foods, the better.

ORAC has become the latest "buzz" word in the nutritional industry. ORAC is an abbreviation for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity - a method of measuring the overall antioxidant activity of the particular ingredient, food or product being tested.

The higher the ORAC value, the more antioxidant power. The ORAC test was developed once scientists became aware that phytonutrients such as antioxidants found in fruits & berries have such powerful health benefits.

In fact berries were found to be the highest on the ORAC scale! The greatest protection is provided when a variety of foods high in these nutrients are combined, like those found in Beyond Berries.

An intake of 3,000-5,000 ORAC units per day is recommended. Because most people are already getting a portion of this value from their diet, research suggests supplementing the diet by at least 1000-2500ORAC units per day.

Beyond Berries Powder boasts an amazing ORAC value of 2,460 per daily minimum suggested use! Beyond Berries ORAC value is naturally occurring and is not artificially increased through the addition of isolated or synthetic additives.

Here's a list of the specific fruits and berries found in this remarkable super juice:

POMEGRANATE
Has 3X the antioxidant ability of green tea and a substantial amount of potassium, polyphenols, fiber, Vitamin C & Niacin.

BILBERRY
Has outstanding antioxidant properties. Rich in vitamins C & A.

RASPBERRY
Rich in anthocyanin antioxidants and phytochemicals: ellagic, coumaric & ferulic acid. Contains fiber, calcium, manganese, enzymes, vitamins A, B, C, E, & folic acid.

PURPLE GRAPE
Contains over 12 antioxidants including polyphenols, quercetin, resveratrol & proanthocyanidin flavanoids. Contains Vitamin C, K, quercetin, manganese, fiber & potassium.

ELDERBERRY
Rich in nutrients, polyphenols, antioxidants, amino acids, flavanoids, tannins & carotenoids.

CRANBERRY
Rich in potent antioxidants - polyphenols, procyanidins & resveratrol. High in Vitamin C & dietary fiber.

STRAWBERRY
Excellent source of antioxidants & phenols. Contains vitamins B, C & K, manganese, potassium, iodine, magnesium, copper & omega-3 fatty acids.

APPLE
Provides vitamin C, B, iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium, folic acid & fiber.

NONI FRUIT
Contains Vitamins A, B, C & E, amino acids, calcium, linoleic acid, selenium, xeroinine & proxeronine.

MANGOSTEEN
High in antioxidants, potassium & Vitamin C.

WOLFBERRY - GOJI
Extraordinary antioxidant & nutrient value. Contains polysaccharides, 18 amino acids, 21 trace minerals, 6 essential fatty acids, flavanoids, Vitamins B1, B2, B6 & E, with 5X more Vitamin C than oranges & more Beta Carotene than carrots.

ACAI BERRY
Provides a complete range of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, plant sterols, essential fatty acids & essential amino acids. Contains fiber, protein and over 16 antioxidants & phytonutrients. Rich source of flavanoids including anthocyanins & proanthocyanidins. A super-antioxidant with an incredibly high ORAC value.

BLACK CURRANT
Rich source of antioxidants & essential fatty acids. Provides iron, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and Vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B3 & B6, and 3X more Vitamin C than oranges.

BLACKBERRY
High antioxidant/ORAC value. Contains Vitamin C, E, calcium, folic acid, potassium, iron, anthocyanins, enzymes, ellagic acid & fiber.

BLUEBERRY
Provides high antioxidant values. Contains vitamins A, C & E, resveratrol, zinc, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium & fiber.

Whew! What a list of "who's who" among good fruits and berries! You know, I have to be quite honest with you...I've been using Beyond Berries for over a year now and I never really sat down and evaluated each ingredient and it's benefits until now.

It's no wonder why I feel so healthy since integrating this into my life! I've just been drinking it for the sheer joy and taste of it but I've been truly made stronger for it. I will also add that my family (hubby and kids) consume this regularly as well and we've honestly had a year of so little virus, flu, or illness that it is shocking to realize.

If you're wanting to try this true SUPER JUICE for yourself just email me at food4thejourney@gmail.com and I'll send 1 packet of BEYOND BERRIES per household... FREE.

Beyond Berries is the perfect compliment to eating healthy nutritious food.

Merry K.

Just HOW Super is Your Super Juice? - Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-08-13T21:01:00.000-07:00

The "Super Juice" trend is an obvious voice in the realm of health and nutrition today and it is maintaing a steady interest in the eyes of the health-concious individual.

With the same vigor, the "Whole-Food Supplement" category is right up there at the top with the super juices. These are a vital part of eating healthy nutritious food since the vast majority of even the "healthy" Americans struggle to give their bodies large quantities of fresh, live fruits and vegetables.

As I've stated before, I believe juices are an extremely viable way of getting nutrients in your system quickly and effectively. Unfortunately, not all juices get an A+ rating from me. I feel strongly that pasteurization is a detriment to them, as pasteurization means heat, which means there are no living components found there (live food is what your body WANTS!). And, you'll be hard pressed to find a super juice product on the market that can sport "NON-PASTEURIZED" on the label. However, there is ONE company that has one...

Recently, in an interview with Brett Rademacher, of Uri International - an up-and-coming name in whole food based, unpasteurized juice powders, I had opportunity to have him lay out to me the REAL difference between Uri's BEYOND BERRIES and the leading berry juice powder.

If you are currently taking or considering integrating one of the popular "super juices" into your daily life, you'll be interested in this excerpt from that interview...

It is really hard to compare URI's products one on one with another company because there are a lot of variables.
Plus a number of the superior advantages need to be pointed out.

But when you analytically compare the proprietary processing, the quantity, the quality, and the variety- no other product can really compare to overall value.

Especially at a retail value, since URI is the formulator, manufacturer and grows a nubmer of the ingredients too. Those they don't grow they buy farm direct from an established network of farms for the lowest possible cost.

To that URI's products deliver incredible value for the money in the open marketplace, I am going to compare Beyond Berries with Garden of Life's Fruits of Life.

Garden of Life is one of the premier whole food based nutritional companies in the market place.

I think Garden of Life is a GREAT company. So I am not comparing to bash them, just to show you how competitive URI really is in the open marketplace.

I am going to compare the 150 gram container of Beyond Berries because that is the size Garden of Life's "Fruits of Life" comes in.

Comparison 1: Garden of Life "Fruits of Life" 150 gram retails for$44.95
Our new 150 gram size Beyond Berries retails for $32.95

Comparison 2: Fruits of Life has 7 basic, good, organically grown fruits.
Beyond Berries has 15 different fruits and berries from around the world. Some are the most exotic, nutrient-dense and more expensive fruits on the planet, and either certified organic organic or organically grown. The fruit is allowed to fully ripen and processed within hours of harvest for maximum nutrient delivery.

Comparison 3: Fruits of Life has 40% basic oat bran per serving. That is FOURTY PERCENT!
So not only is the price over 25% more than Beyond Berries, 40 percent of the Fruits of Life product isreally just an inexpensive filler. Using inexpensive fillers is quite common in the superfood and green drink category.
Beyond Berries adds a fulvic mineral blend, enzyme blend and probiotic blend, for making it an even better product than just fruits alone.

Comparison 4: Garden of Life uses Freeze Drying. Freeze Drying does produce a level of heat.
Freeze drying sounds cold but in fact they take frozen ingredients and then use varying levels of heat to dry the ingredients depending on the company.
But it does involve some level of heat. No idea how high for Fruits of Life, but many freeze dry processes involve heat as high as 130 degrees or more.

URI uses a low temperature process (no heat), under 100 degrees (except for 30 seconds where the temp reaches 100), so for most of the process the temperature averages 65 degrees. This has asignificant impact on maintaining the nutritional integrity of the fruits.

These are the 4 main product comparisons and you can easily see that Beyond Berries is a superior product at a superior value. (end quotes)

Next post, I'll be giving a bit more information about the exact names of the fruits and berries contained in this Super Juice called Beyond Berries, from Uri International.

If you'd like to check it all out yourself, go to http://www.food4thejourney.com/

Merry K.

Fresh Salsa--Perfect for Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-08-07T19:19:00.000-07:00

Here's an easy recipe to give you a spark of creativity. I like simple and easy, as I find that the majority of us do also.

I am more motivated towards eating healthy nutritious food when I have a new recipe sitting in front of me. I get bored easily and gleaning from others' healthy food creativity makes me keep pursuing new ways to eat naturally and nutritiously.

Simple Salsa
by Marc Ramsey
4 servings 10 min 10 min prep

2 red bell peppers
2 green bell peppers
1 chili pepper (hot or mild)
1 onion
2 tomatoes
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper

-Seed the bell peppers, tomatoes and chile pepper.
-Dice the bell peppers and tomatoes and put in a bowl.
-Finely chop the chile and add to bowl.
-Chop onion finely and add to bowl.
-Mince garlic and add.
-Add cumin and garlic.
-Then add lemon juice and mix.
(recipe from http://www.recipezaar.com/ THANKS!)

NOW...Take that awesome salsa recipe and add a couple of avacados to it.

For those who don't know, Avacados are what Guacamole is made from. You cut them open, removing the large seed within and spoon out the "flesh" of the avacado. Then you can either eat it in chunks or mashed with a fork and mixed in directly with the salsa.

Avacados are the fat your body really needs. If you ate this for lunch or dinner you would feel satisfied for many hours and you would not feel weighed down by a heavy meal.

Use this as a dip with tortilla chips but don't go crazy with the chips. Too many of those could give you excess carbohydrates that turn to glucose in your body and WILL give you that weighed down feeling.

A side note....Avacado smashed up with Banana is a SUPERFOOD for babies and toddlers. I also like it myself spread on rice cakes!

Many people I know are turned off by the greeness of Avacado, especially when mashed. If so, close your eyes and taste it anyway!!!Don't get hung up on looks. There's much more to good whole food than looks.If you've never purchased avacados before, you need to know that they are not ripe until very, very dark green on the outside. And they should not be firm to the touch. They are ripe and ready to eat when dark and less than firm.

Merry K.

Healthy Hot Dogs? - Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-07-31T20:40:00.000-07:00

No matter how much I keep eating healthy nutritious food, I still crave an "All-American" hot dog from time to time. (Even though I usually regret it later!)

And it seems that wherever we may roam in the summer time, every get together calls for grilled weiners and hamburgers. Because we have children, it's pretty much assumed that they're gonna want a hot dog, or 2, or 3, or more!

Are hot dogs a tasty and convenient food to keep those kidos happy ? Yep, you bet!
Are they harmful? OH YES! How harmful could they be? READ ON...

Here's some info I just found and it REALLY got my attention! Three studies have been published this year that give statistical findings pertaining to the link between hot dog consumption and childhood cancer.

Would you have ever guessed that consuming 12 or more hot dogs a month would make children 9 times more likely to get leukemia? And if you're eating hotdogs more than once a week while pregnant you're doubling your chance of having a baby that will develop a brain tumor.

Are you and your family consuming hot dogs at least once a week? This will increase your child's chances of getting brain cancer.

Nitrites are the preservatives used in the processing of hot dogs to keep them looking nice and pink/red in the package and also to combat botulism. Nitrites are known carcinogens, and are especially known to bring on cancers of the oral cavity, urinary system and bladder, esophagus, stomach and cancer of the brain.

Though some vegetables naturally contain nitrites, they are not cancer forming because of the other compounds, like vitamin C, that cause the nitrites to be "ineffective", so to speak. Vegetables ARE cancer-fighting!

We also must keep in mind that ALL processed meats contain nitrites. That goes for your deli meats, breakfast meats, pizza meats, etc. Pick up the labels and start looking for it.

Now, there are a few manufacturers that make hot dogs without nitrites.
I found one such thing at TRADER JOE'S. If you've got a Trader Joe's in your area and have not visited it, I highly encourage you to do so!
Their hot dogs are nitrite-free and so very flavorful. They are inexpensive at only $3.99/8 pk., and 100% beef.

I also want to encourage you that if you're needing extra help getting the veggies and fruits into your children, then you should consider THE BERRY FEAST. See the post before this one and find out how you can give your kids the nutrtitional equivalent of 4 servings of RAW fruits and vegetables in one serving of berry drink a day.

Merry K.

**for more info on these studies see: http://www.ghchealth.com/

Eating A Feast of Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-07-27T19:03:00.001-07:00

If you've visited me before you've invariably noticed the photo of THE FEAST over on the side bar. THE FEAST whole-food juice powder has been the single catalyst for long-term change in the health and nutrition of me and my husband and children. This is the testimony that we who use it daily all share. My desire for eating healthy nutritious food was hugely increased by this one product.

I've never consumed anything like it. I don't know of ANY other "super juice" or "green drink" on the market that has the wide range of fruits and vegetable juices that THE FEAST contains...
30 fruits and berries
30 greens and veggies
11 seed nuts and sprouts
plus- enzymes, minerals, and probiotics

NOTHING synthetic and NO isolated vitamins. Just food- plain and simple, with an astoundingly good taste!

And now...there's a new FEAST in town!
This one's THE BERRY FEAST. This juice powder was created as a result of a request for less probiotics and even more berry taste. Some people who are not accumstomed to probiotics can have a hard time when they first integrate these into their lives by taking THE FEAST. Probiotics are important to maintain the friendly bacterium in the colon and digestive tract. Using probiotics can, at first, cause loose stools if taken in large amounts.

THE BERRY FEAST solves that problem, making the same quality whole-food nutrition available to you, but giving you fewer probiotics for easier integration into your daily routines.

For more information on THE BERRY FEAST go to
www.uriinternational.com/food4thejourney

Look under "products" then under the heading "whole-foods".

Merry K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food In Community

2008-07-21T15:54:00.000-07:00

I don't know whether you can identify or not...but I hold the opinion that a healthier lifestyle is easier to achieve and maintain when you have a community of folks around who hold the same values and interests. There's a certain synergy that exists in the presence of many who are focused on the same thing.

I have the awesome privelege of living in a small town where I am surrounded by others who are very health conscious, family focused, and community minded. We are not necessarily the majority here but the unity we experience makes us feel empowered to "greatness"!

We love sharing our resources for eating healthy nutritious food. When one of us finds a great source for obtaining healthy foods at affordable prices, we share the info so we all can benefit.

We participate in co-op buying from organic sources and we'll often buy in bulk to get the best price, dividing up the purchase among those interested.

We share recipes, home remedies, herbal treatments, child care, general tips for healthy living, and fun and fellowship. There is not a doubt in my mind that any of these folks would be there for me in a moment's notice should I have need.

The reason I share this with you is to encourage you in the same way. Even being in relationship with 1 or 2 other people who value your choices in keeping you and/or your family in health will add momentum to your success.

Let's face it...going back to old habits is soooo very easy to do! I have found much more success since becoming part of this close-knit, caring group of people. It's sort of like an alcoholic being part of a support group. Really, accountability works!

Another great way to keep me at my nutritional best is for me to keep blogging! I have to continually research and find pertinent health information to share with my readers. This keeps my eyes open and keeps me sober about making good, healthy eating choices. And I also use social networking sites for health-concious individuals. These give me an online community to relate to.

This has been awesome for me and it keeps me out of the "Oh well, this ONE time won't hurt me" mode. Do you believe that all the one time exceptions we make can really add up? Of course, we all do!

Eating healthy nutritious food has to become a priority if we're going to make it a way of life, and not just a fad. Keeping it ever-before your eyes will ensure success.

Last tip: Visit my site often!...as well as all the other great ones I mention throughout my articles and in the list of links to the left. Leave a comment when something helps you or when you have a suggestion or question.

COMMUNICATE with other folks whom you feel are successfully walking in health the way you want to be....(notice the root word here, COMMUNE, as in community!)

Let no man be an island unto himself!!

Merry K.

The Diabetes Miracle - Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-07-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

I just quickly wanted to share a site that I found that I think is a great resource for my readers who have Diabetes or loves someone who does.

http://www.diabetesmiracle.org/

I personally believe that when we pay attention to our bodies, we will know when we're at risk for this disease. And I also believe that we can be cured of it, even without traditional meds.That's one of the reasons I continue to keep this EATING HEALTHY NUTRITIOUS FOOD site going.

For instance, my husband and I both do not do well when we eat much carbohydrates, and refined sugars,like high fructose corn syrup, do a real whammy on us. I know for a fact that it was our poor eating habits of younger days that have caused a sensitivity to carbs and sugar.

When the mainstay of your diet is refined carbs and sugars for a continual cycle of 20, 30, or 40 years, your pancreas gets extremely overworked in insulin production. I have a friend who is 39 years old and used to live off of carbonated sugar drinks, snack foods, sweets, and pasta and potatoes. He developed diabetes about 4 years ago. Do you think his diet may have been a contributing factor?...YOU BET!!

The DIABETES MIRACLE and the LIFESTYLE CENTER OF AMERICA is offering entry into a drawing to win the following:

• All-expenses paid travel to one of LCA’s campuses this fall
• A 12-day residential stay to kick-start the new diet and lifestyle
• Continued long-distance health coaching for the entire year
• A digital video camera which will be used to chronicle the journey

The LCA also has a new cookbook, The 30-Day Diabetes Miracle Cookbook. It has a ton of healthy recipes designed to keep a diabetic eating properly.

Give it a look. There is a better way up for Diabetics!

Merry K.