In his book, The Maker's Diet, Jordan Rubin devotes a chapter to 27 recommendations on how to GET sick and suggests that if you want to remain as healthy as possible, go AGAINST these 27 suggestions if at all possible.
6. Use Artificial Sweetners and Avoid Sugars.
As bad as sugar can be in its various forms, artificial sweeteners are worse! Some are downright deadly because of their carcinogenic properties and their use in such high-volume products as diet soft drinks and sugar-free foods. Chief among sinners is aspartame, which is marketed as NutraSweet or Equal. Renowned diabetes expert Dr. H.J. Roberts believes there is a clear scientific link between aspartame and increased incidence of brain tumors, seizure disorders, chronic headaches, and hyperactivity in children. As for saccharin, the cancer-causing labebls that accompany its use still apply. The newcomer on the block is sucralose (used in Splenda), but the jury of scientific research still seems to be awaiting further testimony on this one. (If the Maker didn't produce it "as is", then it probably isn't much better than the other synthetic sugar substitutes.)
My own thoughts about products that are man-made go hand in hand with Jordan's comment. I personally believe that, as a rule-of-thumb, it is better to just stay natural in all things. The processes that our sugar, food, etc go through are not natural or good for our bodies. At my old place of employment, ladies drank several diet sodas throughout the day. They would then complain of headaches (and then rush to get another diet soda so that the caffein could 'help' their headache), that they felt tired and sluggish and that they were gaining, not losing weight. HELLOOOOOOOOO???? I tried and tried to tell them that the aspartame and chemicals in these sodas were the culprit of all of the above symptoms. They wouldn't listen to me when I said that Diet sodas are actually more harmful and make you put on more weight than a regular soda. They still drink Diet and they still complain. Whatever. Water, people!!! It's what your body craves, needs, and wants. And...no aspartame! What a bargain.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Leeks
Not too many people know what these giants are, even less eat them.
Leeks look like a giant green onion and that would be because it belongs to the garlic and onion family (Allium vegetables).
Leeks are a good source of manganese and a good source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, and iron. This particular combination of nutrients would make leeks particularly helpful in stabilizing blood sugar, since they not only slow the absorption of sugars from the intestinal tract, but help ensure that they are properly metabolized in the body.
Regular consumption of Allium vegetables, as little as two or more times a week, is associated with a reduced risk of prostate and colon cancer. The research focused on colon cancer suggests that several of the compounds found in these foods are able to protect colon cells from cancer-causing toxins, while also stopping the growth and spread of any cancer cells that do happen to develop. Ovarian cancer is also shown to be reduced.
A high intake of Allium vegetables has been shown to reduce total cholesterol and LDL, or "bad" cholesterol levels, while at the same time raising HDL, or "good" cholesterol levels. Allium vegetables have also been shown to lower high blood pressure, another risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
So how do you eat Leeks?? You want to trim about 1/4" from the root bottom and a good portion of the dark green top. I like to remove the outer layer. Dirt will get stuck in between the many layers of this vegetable so you want to wash it thoroughly. You can toss sliced leek into an omelet or frittata, or use them to garnish.
Thanks to a wonderful vegetarian cookbook author, Mollie Katzen: The Vegetable Dishes I Can't Live Without, I am incorporating leeks and other more interesting, less noticed vegetables in my diet. Here is her recipe for "Leek Chips".
After trimming off the roots and dark greens so that you are only using the white and light green portions, slice the leek into 1/4" pieces. Put them in a bowl of cold water to rinse the dirt off and seperate all the layers into several rings. When they are all seperated, transfer to a colander to drain. Pat dry.
Line a try with tin foil and drizzle 1-2 tablespoons olive oil. Dump the leeks onto tray and using tongs, toss the leeks with the olive oil. Bake in a 250 degree oven. Times of baking will vary. Some of the leeks will be done in thirty minutes and some may take an hour. When they are golden and crisp tender, remove them as they are done. Season with salt and wallah!!
Heavy Weight Training vs. Light Weight Training
I am a big believer in weight training. It's important for muscle and bone. I found an article that hits on points that I would like to say but have less expertise to say them. I know that women are encourage to do light weight with more reps, that that is how they will burn the fat and become trim. I say nay. Although it is beneficial for your short-twitch fibers, there is more benefit from heavy weight training in conjunction with a proper diet.
"For years, one debate that has been tossed back and forth in just about every gym and fitness center across the country is; which is better, heavy resistance training or light resistance training? A variety of factors play into this debate, and the answers may not be as obvious as it may seem.
For years (and still today) many weight training enthusiasts thought that the key to getting stronger and building bigger muscles was simply to perform heavy resistance training by lifting big weights. Conversely, it was also thought that if an individual wanted to increase muscle tone or improve weight loss, heavy weights were the enemy and one must aim for higher reps with lighter weight. Years of experience have shown us that this is not always the case.
Muscles grow when they are forced to compensate for extra work. Think about when you first began lifting weights. Within a few months, the muscle growth you experienced was phenomenal, but after a while it dramatically slowed down. This initial explosion of muscle growth was due the fact that your body was not accustomed to lifting weights. Therefore, your muscles rapidly began to grow in size to keep up with their newly acquired task of weight training.
Let’s say you always follow a heavy resistance training program when you go to the gym. You will undoubtedly hit a plateau when you can no longer push any heavier weight. Your muscle growth has stalled. You decide to incorporate a higher rep range instead of your normal one, and suddenly your muscle growth once again takes off. This different training style has caused your muscles to adjust for their newfound workload.
On the flip side, if you constantly train with lighter weight and higher reps, then you switch to lower reps with heavy weight, the same spurt of new muscle growth may happen.
Muscle fibers are categorized into two classes: fast twitch and slow twitch. When you consistently train with heavy weights at lower reps, you focus more on your fast twitch fibers. Fast twitch fibers are excellent at generating short bursts of strength or speed. Slow twitch fibers are more efficient at generating continuous muscle contractions over longer periods of time, perfect for light resistance training with a high rep range. When you switch up your training, you can hit both of these muscle fiber types instead of focusing on one.
Of course, we cannot forget about the all-important role that nutrition plays in muscle growth. You can spend all day in the gym, training with both heavy and light weight and still never gain another ounce of muscle if your don’t consume enough calories to fuel growth.
Let’s go back to our scenario of our first few months in the gym. Back then, it didn’t really matter what you were eating, it seemed that everything was helping you to gain more muscle. This approach no longer works after a few months, and to keep adding muscle, you must consume adequate protein and calories.
Now, as far as the idea that light resistance training with high reps will help tighten up and tone muscles, think about this; when a bodybuilder begins their contest preparation, they don’t all of the sudden switch to lighter weight to help strip body fat. The entire outcome of their contest prep depends on their nutrition plan. They could do sets of 100 reps, but if all they consumed were cheeseburgers, their physique will not come in looking its best. Since this is true of a bodybuilder preparing for a contest, wouldn’t the same rule apply to the average person who wants to look better? Absolutely.
The human body is remarkably adaptable. In order to keep muscles growing, you must challenge them in different ways, and be sure to consume a proper diet. Try not to fall into the trap of doing the same workout day in and day out. As the saying goes, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” "
Author's Bio
Tim Mielke
Author and Supplement Expert
"For years, one debate that has been tossed back and forth in just about every gym and fitness center across the country is; which is better, heavy resistance training or light resistance training? A variety of factors play into this debate, and the answers may not be as obvious as it may seem.
For years (and still today) many weight training enthusiasts thought that the key to getting stronger and building bigger muscles was simply to perform heavy resistance training by lifting big weights. Conversely, it was also thought that if an individual wanted to increase muscle tone or improve weight loss, heavy weights were the enemy and one must aim for higher reps with lighter weight. Years of experience have shown us that this is not always the case.
Muscles grow when they are forced to compensate for extra work. Think about when you first began lifting weights. Within a few months, the muscle growth you experienced was phenomenal, but after a while it dramatically slowed down. This initial explosion of muscle growth was due the fact that your body was not accustomed to lifting weights. Therefore, your muscles rapidly began to grow in size to keep up with their newly acquired task of weight training.
Let’s say you always follow a heavy resistance training program when you go to the gym. You will undoubtedly hit a plateau when you can no longer push any heavier weight. Your muscle growth has stalled. You decide to incorporate a higher rep range instead of your normal one, and suddenly your muscle growth once again takes off. This different training style has caused your muscles to adjust for their newfound workload.
On the flip side, if you constantly train with lighter weight and higher reps, then you switch to lower reps with heavy weight, the same spurt of new muscle growth may happen.
Muscle fibers are categorized into two classes: fast twitch and slow twitch. When you consistently train with heavy weights at lower reps, you focus more on your fast twitch fibers. Fast twitch fibers are excellent at generating short bursts of strength or speed. Slow twitch fibers are more efficient at generating continuous muscle contractions over longer periods of time, perfect for light resistance training with a high rep range. When you switch up your training, you can hit both of these muscle fiber types instead of focusing on one.
Of course, we cannot forget about the all-important role that nutrition plays in muscle growth. You can spend all day in the gym, training with both heavy and light weight and still never gain another ounce of muscle if your don’t consume enough calories to fuel growth.
Let’s go back to our scenario of our first few months in the gym. Back then, it didn’t really matter what you were eating, it seemed that everything was helping you to gain more muscle. This approach no longer works after a few months, and to keep adding muscle, you must consume adequate protein and calories.
Now, as far as the idea that light resistance training with high reps will help tighten up and tone muscles, think about this; when a bodybuilder begins their contest preparation, they don’t all of the sudden switch to lighter weight to help strip body fat. The entire outcome of their contest prep depends on their nutrition plan. They could do sets of 100 reps, but if all they consumed were cheeseburgers, their physique will not come in looking its best. Since this is true of a bodybuilder preparing for a contest, wouldn’t the same rule apply to the average person who wants to look better? Absolutely.
The human body is remarkably adaptable. In order to keep muscles growing, you must challenge them in different ways, and be sure to consume a proper diet. Try not to fall into the trap of doing the same workout day in and day out. As the saying goes, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” "
Author's Bio
Tim Mielke
Author and Supplement Expert
Monday, February 1, 2010
Flaxseeds
These little guys are abundant in Omega-3 fatty acids. They help prevent and control high blood pressure, are rich in beneficial fiber, and recent studies have shown to lower risk of prostate and breast cancers.
Flaxseeds can be purchased either whole or ground. Try a serving in a protein shake, oatmeal cereal or on a salad. It's health benefits are great!
Flaxseeds can be purchased either whole or ground. Try a serving in a protein shake, oatmeal cereal or on a salad. It's health benefits are great!
More information can be found at whfoods.com
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
5. Use Fluoride Toothpaste and Mouthwash, and Drink Fluoridated Water
In his book, The Maker's Diet, Jordan Rubin devotes a chapter to 27 recommendations on how to GET sick and suggests that if you want to remain as healthy as possible, go AGAINST these 27 suggestions if at all possible.
5. Use Fluoride Toothpaste and Mouthwash, and Drink Fluoridated Water
Fluoride is extremely poisonous - especially the salt-based form used in toothpaste and mouthwash. (Besides, its effectiveness is questionable at best). A top EPA scientific advisor voiced the opinion that "since recent federal government tests have shown that fluoride appears to cause cancers at levels less than ten times the present maximum contamination level, this would ordinarily require that all additions of fluoride to water supplies be suspended and treatment be instituted to remove naturally occurring fluoride." That would be enough warning for me! (By the way, I have no evidence that the EPA ever suspended fluoridation operations). Choose nonfluoridates alternatives for oral hygiene and be safe.
5. Use Fluoride Toothpaste and Mouthwash, and Drink Fluoridated Water
Fluoride is extremely poisonous - especially the salt-based form used in toothpaste and mouthwash. (Besides, its effectiveness is questionable at best). A top EPA scientific advisor voiced the opinion that "since recent federal government tests have shown that fluoride appears to cause cancers at levels less than ten times the present maximum contamination level, this would ordinarily require that all additions of fluoride to water supplies be suspended and treatment be instituted to remove naturally occurring fluoride." That would be enough warning for me! (By the way, I have no evidence that the EPA ever suspended fluoridation operations). Choose nonfluoridates alternatives for oral hygiene and be safe.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
I Eat Healthy!!
Paul and I were talking the other night about healthy lifestyles and food choices. To us, it's easy to see through the false advertising and dishonest campaigns telling us that their food is healthy...even though it can be bought at a drive-thru or it comes as a frozen meal or it claims to be made with whole grain!! My favorite is "It's wheat bread, so it's healthy". Ha ha ha ha ha. I think "Come on, people!!" It is alarming how many people have not been taught one tiny ounce of proper eating and nutrition and therefore believe the 'health industries' hype as true.
As we are discussing this, Paul mentions a lady who he works with (I don't know names) that was complaining about not being able to lose weight. "I eat healthy!," she says. Paul said: "You're kidding, right?? Just because the canned soup you eat every day says Healthy Choice, doesn't mean it is. You are consuming loads of chemicals and preservatives and hello, have you ever looked at the sodium content?? It's not hard to see why you retain water." Right to the point, my husband.
It's hard to know what is really good for you when people claim something has all of these health benefits and such. But, things like canned soup - "Come on, people!!"
As we are discussing this, Paul mentions a lady who he works with (I don't know names) that was complaining about not being able to lose weight. "I eat healthy!," she says. Paul said: "You're kidding, right?? Just because the canned soup you eat every day says Healthy Choice, doesn't mean it is. You are consuming loads of chemicals and preservatives and hello, have you ever looked at the sodium content?? It's not hard to see why you retain water." Right to the point, my husband.
It's hard to know what is really good for you when people claim something has all of these health benefits and such. But, things like canned soup - "Come on, people!!"
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sorry for Slacking!
Okay, So I apologize for the huge lag in my posting. With the holidays upon us and catching some crappy sickness, I have been in no mood for blogging. I haven't been sick like that in years and it was not fun. I like to think that my diet of raw foods and lack of dairy consumage has contributed to that fact, ha ha ha.
With the Holidays coming to an end, I am pretty happy to report that for three years in a row now, all of the Holiday junk that comes my way has not been an issue for me. Chocolates were unappealing, candy was not a temptation and overeating is sooo yesterday. One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is workout. For some reason, even though a workout must get skipped here or there due to parties or busy schedules, I don't have much trouble keeping up with my schedule and even got my workout in on Christmas Day - something I have been able to do for several years now and I love it!! Right now however, I have to work up my stamina again because being sick for a week really affects your performance :(
So - while I work on some posts, please enjoy this article posted on my cousin's health blog, A Healthier, Happier Me. She has dived into the health industry with such excitement and enthusiam!! And she is now teaching Turbo Kick classes - how I miss teaching!! It makes me jealous of her :)!!
Now, I have said this before but I am not big on New Year's Resolutions. I believe you can make your resolutions for a better you at any time. However, so many people are big on New Year Resolutions so I hope this article can give you some incentive on your weight loss goals. I am a big fan of the P90X, however, I do not know much of the Shakeology that she mentions and which my cousin currently uses.
Anyway!! God bless you all on your health endeavours.
With the Holidays coming to an end, I am pretty happy to report that for three years in a row now, all of the Holiday junk that comes my way has not been an issue for me. Chocolates were unappealing, candy was not a temptation and overeating is sooo yesterday. One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is workout. For some reason, even though a workout must get skipped here or there due to parties or busy schedules, I don't have much trouble keeping up with my schedule and even got my workout in on Christmas Day - something I have been able to do for several years now and I love it!! Right now however, I have to work up my stamina again because being sick for a week really affects your performance :(
So - while I work on some posts, please enjoy this article posted on my cousin's health blog, A Healthier, Happier Me. She has dived into the health industry with such excitement and enthusiam!! And she is now teaching Turbo Kick classes - how I miss teaching!! It makes me jealous of her :)!!
Now, I have said this before but I am not big on New Year's Resolutions. I believe you can make your resolutions for a better you at any time. However, so many people are big on New Year Resolutions so I hope this article can give you some incentive on your weight loss goals. I am a big fan of the P90X, however, I do not know much of the Shakeology that she mentions and which my cousin currently uses.
Anyway!! God bless you all on your health endeavours.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Dub Youth
dub Youth provides a balanced combination of super antioxidants, natural energy boosters, skin revitalizers, tissue repair, toxin cleansing, nutrient delievery system and wellness support to take the guess work out of acomplishing your goals. dub Youth can help you look and feel younger from the inside out.
Sweet Potato
Did you know that these little orange potatoes populary labeled as yams in U.S. grocery stores are actually sweet potatoes?? Sweet potatoes have yellow or orange flesh and their thin skins may be either white, yellow, orange, red or purple. A true yam is the tuber of a tropical vine, has brown or black thick skin comparable to the bark of a tree, very difficult to peel and is unrelated to sweet potatoes at all.
Sweet potatoes:
- Unique proteins with potent antioxidant effects.
- A sweet source of good nutrition
- Anti-oxidant rich and an anti-inflammatory food.
(chart adapted from whfoods.com)Chew Your Food!!
Did you know that digestion begins in your mouth, not in your stomach?? It begins the moment we start chewing. The act of chewing mechanically breaks down our food. Our saliva contains enzymes that contributes to the chemical breakdown of our food. And while we chew, we are telling the rest of our digestive system to get ready. When food is not chewed well enough, and we swallow large portions of food to big to be broken down, incomplete digestion occurs. Nutrients do not get extracted as they should!! AND! Undigested food becomes a source for bacteria in the colon. We do not want this!! Health comes from out gut. Our gut is not just another organ, it is more like it's own brain!! If we aren't chewing, we aren't helping the gut to do it's job - which is to extract from our food the nutrients we need to stay healthy.
Stop and think about when you put food in your mouth. How many times would you say you chew before you swallow? Two or three? Five? Ten?? Most of us chew our food only about seven times before we swallow. It should be closer to the number 35! Usually our modern day busy and stressful lives contribute to how fast we wolf down our food. Other times it's just because that is what is ingrained in us and we never took the time to teach ourselves to chew more and eat slower. Eating slower can help you chew more. Also, put your fork down in between bites and grind that food down to dust!! You don't have to count how many times you've chewed each forkful, but chew that food until you can't tell what it is you put in your mouth. Your bowels will thank you!
Stop and think about when you put food in your mouth. How many times would you say you chew before you swallow? Two or three? Five? Ten?? Most of us chew our food only about seven times before we swallow. It should be closer to the number 35! Usually our modern day busy and stressful lives contribute to how fast we wolf down our food. Other times it's just because that is what is ingrained in us and we never took the time to teach ourselves to chew more and eat slower. Eating slower can help you chew more. Also, put your fork down in between bites and grind that food down to dust!! You don't have to count how many times you've chewed each forkful, but chew that food until you can't tell what it is you put in your mouth. Your bowels will thank you!
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