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.

Juicer Free Juicing from Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-07-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

As you take a closer look at eating healthy nutritious food and begin to actively pursue good nutrition, it's not long before you hear other health conscious individuals praising the benefits of juicing. I also surely believe in the unsurpassed benefits of juicing fruits and vegetables for optimum nutrients.
Back when I found out that I could get the nutritional benefit of 6-8 fruits and veggies at a time without having to actually chew them and eat them! I thought that would be awesome!!!

I bought the best quality juicer that I could to fit my budget and proceeded to juice large quantities of carrots and apples. At first, it was FUN! Unfortunately the fun wore off after a couple of weeks. The un-fun part was the pre-washing of the fruits and vegetables and then the dreaded clean-up of the juicer after I was thru. That got old quick!!! I also could not bring myself to drink the juice from veggies that were good for me but that I simply didn't like the taste of yet. (I was new to the the healthy eating idea, and was coming from a past as a junk food addict!)

So I stuck with the carrots and apples which wasn't doing a whole lot for me, nutritionally. So, needless to say, juicing ceased to be a priority for me. In the following years I tried countless numbers of "green drinks". These are touted for high levels of nutrients, especially nutrients from green, leafy vegetables which are, of course, very, very good for us all. The only problem was that I could not find one that actually had a good taste....until NOW!

About a year ago, I discovered an amazing drink called THE FEAST. This is like no "green drink" known to man! For 13 years I pursued health and nutrition, without the interest of my husband and children....until NOW!

When they tried THE FEAST and LIKED IT, well, I knew I'd found THE ONE that I'd been searching for.

What's in it? It's a live whole food nutritional supplement that's loaded with 30 fruits and berries and 30 powerful greens and vegetables.
It's also got 11 seeds, nuts, and sprouts, living probiotics, and 83+ active enzymes and fulvic minerals.
It's simply the easiest and best way to ensure that you and your family are getting your daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. Of course, you still want to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to get all the fiber your body needs, but this super juice is one simple way to fill in the gaps when you're not getting the full recommended 5-13 daily servings.

What did you say, Merry K ??? 5-13 daily servings of fruits and vegetables a day???

Yep, you read that correctly. I would like to give you the link to The Harvard School of Public Health that recently published findings on this topic. It is copyrighted 2007 and has a long list of references at the end of the article.

One of the conclusions they came to after much research was this:"The latest dietary guidelines call for five to thirteen servings of fruits and vegetables a day, depending on one's caloric intake.(1) For a person who needs 2,000 calories a day to maintain weight and health, this translates into nine servings, or 4½ cups per day."There's hardly anyone that I know that's getting that per day. Is there anyone you know who's eating that recommended amount?

But I'll bet I am closer than most, thanks to THE FEAST.Look into it a little closer...I have a link at the top left of this posting that you can click on to go to the website and look into this amazing whole food based juice powder.

THE FEAST is juicing without the mess of a juicer. The fruits and vegestables are harvested, juiced, and dried to powder within just a few hours. So when you add that powder to water, you are getting a juice with a variety of nutrient rich fruits and vegetables that you'd probably never get in your diet normally.THE FEAST really is one extremely SIMPLE step towards nutritious eating.

Merry K.

Olive Oil Massage and Salves - Today on Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-07-09T19:02:00.000-07:00

From time to time I like to put in a plug or two for 100% Natural products that stay true to purity. I especially like it when these products are made by families.

WWW.BRANCH-OF-ISRAEL.COM is one such source. They offer amazing olive oil and herb massage oils and salves.

The Boer Family who live on the shores of the Galilee, have combined their love and education of herbs with their love for the richest and best source of olive oil...ISRAEL. That's how Branch of Israel came to be.

I had a friend whose child had a severe skin rash that refused to dissipate with any known remedy for rashes. After using the Branch of Israel Salve, the rash cleared and never returned, as she kept using the salve for protection of the delicate skin.

Debi and the Boer family do this together...as a family. She and I met back in 2006 while we were living in Israel. We were fast friends as eating healthy nutritious food was our common denominator! As a side note...Debi was diagnosed with colon cancer and very sick several years ago, however, after switching to a 100% raw diet for a year, she regained health and has been well ever since!!

Visit their web site and see just how much heart and quality goes into the pure, virgin olive oil products they produce. You'll even get to see a video of the process.

Merry K.

The Salad Challenge on Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-07-02T19:27:00.000-07:00

I hope you're visiting because you want to begin or keep up the journey to eating healthy nutritious food. I want to challenge and spur you on towards optimal health. So here's a worthy goal -

EAT ONE BIG SALAD A DAY. Simple enough?

This salad should be full of leafy greens. If you eat Iceberg Lettuce, you need to know that it has no nutritional value whatsoever. It's main component is water and many folks complain of indigestion and excessive belching after eating an Iceberg Lettuce Salad. Romain Lettuce and Baby Spinich go great together, as well as, a mixture called "Spring Mix". These are usually packaged in a plastic box and offer beautiful color and flavor and taste.

Be as creative as you can. Throw a myriad of raw veggies in there with those greens. Try ones that you've never ventured to try before. One of my personal faves is SUGAR SNAP PEAS. These are sold, usually in a bag, as a snack food...similiar to carrot sticks. They are a great crunchy snack and fit well in any salad.

Give avacados a try. Cut into chunks. The fat contained in it is GREAT for you. It keeps you full and your body can run on this fat, using it for fuel.
For extra protein in your salads, try adding black beans, or another cold bean salad. Try cottage cheese or boiled eggs. And for crunch....sunflower seeds or other nuts are excellent!

Try different cheeses. My personal fave is chunked, Feta Cheese. If you are not used to the smell, it may turn you off at first. But you'll be pleasantly surprised by the taste! Don't be afraid to venture out into unchartered waters. Nutritious eating means trying new things.

If you've never made your own salad dressings before....now is the time to start!

Try using a base of olive oil, balsamic or apple cider vinegar and a little fresh lemon juice.
Add some salt, fresh pressed garlic, fresh or dried basil and oregano, and fresh or powdered onion.
Perhaps you'd like some honey in it to sweeten in up a bit. Some even like adding mayo or mustard. Let your personal preference guide you.

Shake it up and taste it. Play around with different mixtures to discover what you like. You'll be surprised what you can create!

It's so rewarding to make it all yourself then sit down and enjoy it. You know that this is REAL nutritious eating becuase you made it yourself with nutritious ingredients. You have chosen wisely.

**A personal note** In my opinion, bagged lettuces are not first choice. They all seem to have an undesirable scent and flavor. Experiment with both bagged and non-bagged to see what you think. Non-bagged always tastes fresher to me. The boxed mixtures, as mentioned before seem to be fine as far as taste and smell. Sam's club or other wholesale clubs sell a large box of "Spring Mix" that I really like!

Now that I've shared all of this, I'm just itching to get in the kitchen and make a nutritious salad creation myself. If you like to dine with friends and share foods, why don't you have a SALAD PARTY. Tell everyone to bring some sort of salad. It will be fun to see what varieties will appear there. Send me your comments and give me new ideas for salad creations. I would love to hear from you!

Merry K.

Avoid Kidney Stones by Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-06-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

I thank God I've never had a kidney stone. If you're one of the unfortunate ones who have you can be encouraged! Just like many diseases, kidney stones form in the bodies of those who generally do not choose eating healthy nutritious food.

And like many diseases, kidney stones can be prevented by changing our choices in food and drink.

This week an acquaintance of mine, a 19 year old female, had to have surgery to have kidney stones removed. Though not an incredibly difficult procedure, I am sure she would have rather not had to face it.
She's had the stones (that she's aware of) since March. And unfortunately, the doctors reported to her that there was actually damage to one kidney because it had been inflamed and irritated so long.

It's becoming more and more common for young people to develop kidney stones. I used to think that only old men got them! Not the case...at least not anymore.

We all can recognize the declining health of our youth in America today. They are marketed non-nutritive, junk food from the time they are old enough to open their eyes! And, most parents easily comply with their "requests" for what they want. Water is not a beverage most kids would say they would choose first when thirsty. Many times I've been shocked at children who visit my home and refuse to drink because I won't give them juice to drink. Oh well, if you get thirsty enough....and eventually they do if they're here long enough.

I encourage you to think of the future where the children in your life are concerned. I don't mean be a control freak and keep them hidden away from life. But if you've grown up with awful habits and food choices and have known the struggle to "rewire" yourself, then you'll have mercy on them and point them in the direction that will help them not have to backtrack to get healthy later.

Whether you have or haven't had to experience the pain of kidney stones, chances are you know someone who has.

Take a look at the food list below. These are the foods you'll need to consider consuming to insure the health of your kidneys, and the foods you'll need to consider avoiding to prevent kidney stones in the future.

CONSIDER AVOIDING:

beans
beets
green peppers
spinach (seems to produce the most oxalate)
cocoa, chocolate
tea
peanuts, peanut oil
salt - causes more excretion of calcium in urine
lots of meat
soft drinks (have phosphoric acid)
wheat bran

CONSIDER EATING MORE OFTEN:

- magnesium (dry milk in homemade yogurt increases the percent of magnesium content through food)
- 2 cups of calcium fortified orange juice a day provides:
protective citrate, a substitute for potassium citrate, a drug used to prevent kidney stones
- additional calcium which research shows actually help break up the kidney stones.
- 6-10 8oz. glasses of water a day
- Vitamin C - ONLY 500 mg a day. Ascorbic acid can inhibit urinary pH (which lowers urinary citrate, a natural inhibitor of kidney stones).
- potassium foods, such as fruits and vegetables
- small amounts of meat (about the size of a deck of cards), and, if possible, the elimination of red meat from the diet
- standard 800-1,000 mg of calcium per day from foods, not supplements. - Low calcium may allow absorption of oxalates.
- Having overindulged, drink 2 full glasses of water.
- Get 10 mg of Vitamin B6 from food. One source of Vitamin B6: eat the tip of a banana, the dark part lodging between the banana and the skin.

Above info courtesy of http://www.foodandlife.com/ . Certainly, this is not an exhaustive list and there are many other good sources of info out there to assist you.

There are actually 3 types of kidney stones. But calcium stones are the most common. As the above list shows, avoiding calcium is NOT the answer.

If this is a topic you need more information on, do some research and educate yourself about the different ways kidney stones form. And of course, I can't stress enough, the importance of drinking water!

Preventing kidney stones is definitely possible. But it's up to you to make the decision to change old, bad habits into life-giving, healthy ones!

Merry K.

Refreshing Summer Recipe Here-Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-06-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

Part of my quest as a nutritional encourager is to find recipes that I think others will benefit from and when I tried COWBOY CAVIAR, I knew I'd found a winner.

I have no idea of exactly where this one originates from. I got it from a girl who just moved to town and brought it to a multi-family function for all to share. We all went ga-ga over it.

Eating healthy nutritious food is so much more fun than boring, same-old, fast/processed food. I admit, there are times when preparing food of any sort just doesn't appeal to me. But those times are generally only once in a while... and those times tend to coincide with my monthly hormonal changes...at least I know what to expect!

This recipe is really an easy one. All ingredients are easily obtained and sure to impress. COWBOY CAVIAR:

1 drained can (or 1 1/2 cups) black beans
1 drained can (or 1 1/2 cups) garbanzo beans
1 drained can (or 1 1/2 cups) black eyed peas
1 can shoe peg corn, drained
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 bunch green onions, chopped
Cilantro, as much as you like
Zesty Italian dressing as much as you like
2-3 cloves minced garlic

Mix together in a large bowl, and add one large chopped tomato before serving.
You can make this ahead of time, even freezes well before adding the tomato.Serve with tortilla chips.

Hope you enjoy it!

Merry K.

Here's The Story of My Journey To Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-06-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a little story and testimony about an unexpected journey....

What began as a venture into an herb store for some trendy, energizing, natural stimulants that my friends were raving about became a serious course correction.

I was a newly married 25 year old...married to a much older and wiser man of 42 years. I had an affinity for junk food and would have withdrawals when too far away from McDonalds and out of reach of my beloved Big Macs. I had been a flight attendant and had been living a very fast-paced lifestyle, chock full of poor choices. At that time, I would have said that a nutritious meal was a meat and 2 over-cooked, boiled-to-death servings of vegetables and a couple of buttery biscuits on the side. Hey, I am from the South- what else would I think?

I was also suffering from extreme headaches almost daily. My remedy for these? A headache powder on the tongue chased by a large bottle of Coca-Cola. (Headache powders also extremely "southern"). As one would expect, I was constantly fatigued.

So many of my friends were getting natural stimulants from a local herb shop. They testified of energy levels beyond my imagination. So I sent my sweet husband to the store to get these things for me, as I was sure "it" was the answer to all of my woes.

He came back a few hours later with a book and a box of tea bags for colon cleansing, of all things!!! What?

"That's not what I requested!!!", I proudly protested.

Being the nice guy that he is, he struck up a conversation with the store owner. And began asking her questions about MY HEALTH! She suggested a "clean-out" with the colon cleansing tea and an immersion in the truth about what I was eating and how I'd been living (hence the book). And while I could have easily been offended at this, something happened to me when I opened the pages of that book.

I saw specific health problems named with corresponding info about herbs and foods that aggravate those issues and herbs and foods that help heal them. I immediately began to see, in print, many of my "ailments" and many more such that I could identify being present in members of my family.

It seemed that I'd been wearing blinders for a long time and suddenly they were removed and I got a real dose of truth. My mind began to absorb this information like a sponge. I realized how far I had to go but determined that day, at that very moment of revelation, to change my eating habits. I wanted to LIVE, not just exist. At 25 years old, I could have had a life of degenerative diseases ahead of me.

Today, I am overjoyed to report that I no longer suffer those many aches and pains of my younger years! Our bodies certainly respond to the right fuel!

Eating healthy, nutritious food is my PASSION. My goal is to help the average guy or gal start making baby steps toward that concept. For some, it is just information...for others it will become REVELATION.

Do YOU want to simply eek out an existence, constantly looking for ways to get by? Or do you believe that you were made for MORE?

Merry K.

Uh-Oh...Tomato Outbreak--Eating Healthy Nutritious Food, and Wondering About Tomatoes!

2008-06-12T21:53:00.000-07:00

I had a fellow comment on my last couple of posts, asking me if I'd heard about "the outbreak" regarding tomatoes. Seems that I hadn't. And if tomatoes are in your repertoire of eating healthy nutritious food, then read on...

In case YOU haven't "heard" about this outbreak of Salmonellosis in our beloved tomatoes, the FDA has had 167 cases of Salmonellosis reported from tomatoes since April. There have been 23 recorded hospitalizations as well.

This tomato warning apparently concerns roma, and round,red variations.
But the FDA specifies that there are no concerns or links to Salmonellosis with cherry/grape tomatoes and tomatoes still "on the vine".

Of course we must also be aware of the raw tomatoes consumed while eating out, as well as at home. We're all being encouraged to find out which exact state our raw tomatoes were grown in. The list of states that have NO linkage to the outbreak is much larger than the ones that do, thankfully.

For that list, and FAQ about this health threat go to
http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html

We'll be trying a different, more promising topic next post!
Merry K.

More on Tomatoes from Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-06-04T21:48:00.000-07:00

By now we all have heard of lycopene, right? It's the antioxidant researchers have discovered is contained in tomatoes and anything made from tomatoes. This finding revved up the marketing for ketchup and spaghetti sauces when it was first anounced.

Lycopene has also been found to have tremendous protective effects against certain cancers, specifically colorectal, pancreatic, endometrial, prostate, breast and lung cancers.

Need a good reason to "fatten-up" your homemade tomato sauces with olive oil? Well, lycopene works synergystically with fat for maximum absorbtion. And using organic ketchup over conventional, will deliver 3 times the lycopene to you.

Another amazing tomato fact from CANCER RESEARCH...tomatoes and broccoli together produce awesome protectivity from prostate cancer, specifically. This is even true for older men with a lurking prostate problem who've chosen to "wait and see" regarding cancer treatment...it's recommended that they seriously increase their broccoli/tomato intake. And chopping and heating make the cancer-fighting constituents of the two more bioavailable than consuming them raw. This fact surprising to me as I tend to think that raw is "always" best.
Ha! You learn something new each day!

For even more extensive medical findings and benefits of tomatoes visit my favorite food website (next to mine, of course) http://www.whfoods.org/ -whfoods means WORLD'S HEALTHIEST FOODS.

Now for an eating healthy nutritious food tomato recipe I'll bet you've not yet tried:

TOMATO SALAD...6-8 tomatoes cut in pieces and seeded
2 boiled eggs chopped fine
1/2 bell pepper chopped fine
1/2 sweet onion chopped fine
Real Mayo according to amount you prefer (Duke's brand if you're southern)
1 sleeve saltine crackers
MIX all together with a FORK, not a spoon (important...so the donator of the recipe, Suzie Beall, tells me)

This recipe is simple, I'd say. Go try it and let me know how you like it!

Merry K.

In Love With Tomatoes--Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-05-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

Here in the Southeastern United States we're all busy getting our summer gardens planted.And whether you have a farm or a small lot, one thing all gardeners agree on...You gotta have a few tomato plants, even if that's the only thing you plant! Summer just isn't summer without this luscious fruit.

Here, sliced tomatoes go with every meal, even breakfast! I am so thankful when they are in season and growing outside my back door in abundance. In times past I've had to do a patio garden and just grow them in pots because I couldn't plow a garden in the tiny lot we lived on. But they were good, nonetheless.

I recently learned something about tomatoes that I'll pass on to you. It's found in REAL NUTRITION NEWS (see the left side bar to get your copy).

The longer a tomato stays on the vine, the higher it's sugar level, better it's taste and higher it's nutrient content. But, out-of-season produce in the U.S. is often shipped up to 2,500 miles before being sold--so you can't pick a fully ripened tomato and expect to sell it cross country.

This is why many farmers in Florida, California, and Mexico pick tomatoes at "mature green" state and artificially ripenthem with ethylene. Ethylene is a hormone derived from petroleum and natural gas. The problem is, these tomatoes are deprived of optimum nutrient content.

Tomatoes injected with Ethylene...YUCK!

So, now that we're on our way to summer, I encourage you to please take full advantage of it and grow your own tomatoes (and other produce) if at all possible. It really is easy and fun. And if you've never ventured out as a part-time gardener, get a few tomato plants and give it a go! There's plenty of helpful advice available at the library about organic gardening and the like.

Eating healthy nutritious food is even more enjoyable when it's been planted and cared for by you, yourself. There's a peculiar satisfaction that comes from that, I think.

Next post...more on tomatoes and their nutritional attributes.

MERRY K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food and NOT Skipping Meals

2008-05-22T19:30:00.001-07:00

Have you ever been around folks who you know don't eat huge amounts of food (in fact they eat less than everyone else) but are still overweight? This used to be a strange phenomenon to me. Even stranger still, I'd hear about these diets where people reported very noticable weight loss while eating way more than they normally would. What's the catch? How does it work?

Well, it's all about metabolism, friends. And if you've been skipping meals to get skinny, it's time to back up and hear the truth about why this doesn't work. This pattern is especially found in people who skip meals and then aren't eating healthy nutritious food when they do eat.

This habit is a road to metabolic mayhem and obesity. Fellow blogger, Jeff Archer, wrote an awesome article on this subject. You can read it below, and then visit him at www.instantfeelgood.blogspot.com.

Truth About Skipping Meals

While we’re talking this week about how to get a small waist it seems like a good time to mention how your eating pattern will play a part in achieving a million dollar mid section.

If I had £10 for every time a client has asked me why they skipping meals is so bad and why if it works for models, why can't it work for them, I'd be retired and living in Mauritius by now!

So here it is, the definitive answer about why it's bad for you and can even make you fat.

Why Skipping Meals Doesn't Work

1. We all need energy to survive. If you consume more energy than your body requires you will store it around your body as fat. These fat stores are almost limitless.

2. If you don’t consume as much energy as your body requires, your metabolism will slow down. Your body does this in order to cling onto whatever energy it has stored. This is the body in starvation mode. This is what it does if it thinks there is no food around. It goes into this mode after only a few hours of you not eating.

3. If you skip a meal and put your body into starvation mode and then eat something later in the day, your body is grateful. It’s crying out for energy. But it’s not yet convinced that danger has been avoided or that food is now in abundant supply. So it won’t yet snap out of starvation mode. Instead it will store as much of the energy you now give it as possible. This energy will be stored as fat.

4. If you follow the same routine tomorrow and the day after you will train your body to become really efficient at storing body fat. Your stomach may appear flatter, but I can't stress enough, YOU BECOME A FAT STORER.

Why eating regularly does work

1. On the other hand, if you eat regular amounts of the right food, your body will be comfortably persuaded that there is plenty of food around and it does not need to be in starvation mode. It will happily use the energy you consume as there is no need to store it because your body knows the next meal or snack will never be too far away.

2. If you eat regularly you will train your body to use what you eat and drink efficiently and you will minimise the amount of body fat you store.

So, please, no more skipping meals but remember:

Eat right

Eat regularly

Eat a variety of foods

Eat the right portion sizes

And for those of you with short memories, don't skip meals. It plays havoc with your memory.

PS - the reason that some models are able to skip meals and stay rake thin is because they skip A LOT of meals and for a long period of time. If they were to start eating normal portions, they'd gain weight, like the rest of us. Theirs is a long road to starvation as opposed to occasional skipped supper. You don't need me to tell you just how bad that is.

What's Your Plan For Eating Healthy Nutritious Food In The Case Of National Disaster?

2008-05-18T19:33:00.001-07:00

It's an unusual time, this era we live in. I'm sure other generations that have come and gone have thought the same. I used to be unable to imagine that in my lifetime, that we'd have to be concerned with terrorist attacks in our nation, possible food shortages, serious financial crises, etc, etc.

I am, however, an eternal optimist! My personality is one of those who can almost always find something to cheer about...indeed even cheer others on about as well.

Because my family and I have travelled a lot in the last several years and haven't owned our own home during that time, we've been unable to really do the recommended disaster preparations that our country's government has suggested. At one time, we did attempt to gather a few things like canned goods and certain non-perishables that would be able to hold us over for about a week in the event of a national disaster that could make obtaining food difficult, if not impossible.

But as I gathered these survival foods, I marvelled at how nutritionally bereft these items really are. Canned vegetables and fruits lack the nutrition that we'd REALLY need if we were living in "crisis mode". This left me with a big question in my head, "How could we keep eating healthy nutritious food in the wake of disaster". I mean, if there's any time you're going to need your strength, it's then. Devitalized foods won't give you the length of endurance to make it through.

Shortly after we stockpiled those goods, I began taking THE FEAST whole food juice powder(unpasteurized) with water. I noticed how much less-hungry I was when I drank it. And then I realized that I could LIVE on this stuff if I had to. With 70+ ingredients including 30 varieties of fruits, 30 different greens and veggies, as well as, seeds, nuts and sprouts...THIS IS FOOD! It's not your typical gross-out, green drink, either. I can promise you that. If I can get 5 kids to drink it and not blink an eye, then anyone should be able to drink it!!! And just so you know...my kids are NOT into the "health thing" like me. Their just like other kids who want the junk food they've learned to crave.

Then I also realized that it takes up a heck of a lot less room to store cases of THE FEAST than pallets of canned goods (that don't have much nutritional value anyway). And, it's shelf life is 2 years.

So....if all we had was THE FEAST and water, we'd do better than survive. We'd actually maintain our health too!

I also recommend storing dried beans and brown rice for a good source of protein, as well as cans of tuna and natural p-nut, almond, or cashew butter also.

If you'd like more information or a sample of THE FEAST, take a look at http://www.food4thejourney.com/

How will you be eating healthy nutritous food if/when we can't get to the local healthy food store and get it? Think ahead, choose wisely.

Merry K.

Getting Iodine While Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-05-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

I must apologize for taking so long to post again. Travel kept me away from my computer. A much needed break!

If you're just logging on to my blog at this post, you'll want to read the one prior to it, as this is sort of a continuation.

Last post we talked about the relationship between thyroid problems and consumption of soy.
And I noted how soy is an inhibitor in the absorbtion of the nutrient, iodine. That, in turn, causes hypothyroidism, or under-active thyroid.

Here's some helpful info about iodine from the World's Healthiest Foods...
http://www.whfoods.org/

In the early part of the 20th century, iodine deficiency was quite common in the United States and Canada. However, this problem has since been almost completely resolved by the use of iodized salt. In addition, iodine is now added to animal feed, which has increased the iodine content of commonly consumed foods, including cow's milk.

Unfortunately, in countries where iodized salt is not commonly consumed, iodine deficiency remains a signficant problem. Dietary deficiency of this vital mineral results in decreased synthesis of thyroid hormone.

Iodine deficiency may eventually lead to hypothyroidism, which causes a variety of symptoms including fatigue, weight gain, weakness and/or depression. Interestingly, iodine deficiency can also cause hyperthyroidism, a condition characterized by weight loss, rapid heart beat, and appetite fluctations.

The absorption and/or utilization of iodine is inhibited by components of certain foods. These food components, called goitrogenic compounds, are found primarily in cruciferous vegetables (for example, cabbage and broccoli), soybean products, cassava root, peanuts, mustard, and millet.

Over consumption of these foods may lead to thyroid problems by reducing the amount of available iodine for the manufacture of thyroid hormones. It is believed that cooking can inactivate the goitrogenic compounds in these foods, thereby eliminating their negative impact on iodine status.

Iodine may play a role in the prevention and/or treatment of the following health conditions:

Cognitive impairment
Cretinism
Fibrocystic breast disease
Goiter
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Multiple miscarriages

Sea vegetables are an excellent source of iodine. In fact, you'll find that KELP tops the list as the most well known iodine supplement. Yogurt, cow's milk, eggs, and strawberries are very good sources of idone. Good sources include mozzarella cheese.

(End WH Foods info)

I actually found an iodine supplement that is made from a formula that's many decades old. It's called "Atomidine". I got it at my local health food store because the clerk told me that he'd had a customer just that day who takes it regularly for thyroid. You only use 1 drop per day. The bottle will last me a very long time. It costs $16.99, and I've had absolutely wonderful results with this supplement. I am so very happy to have found this help! I feel like a real and normal person again!

I hope this bit of info is as helpful to you as it was to me. Eating healthy nutritious foods that are rich in iodine and limiting soy intake seems to be important in preserving the health of the thyroid.

A NOTE TO MOMS (especially those with 3 or more children)...Symptoms of hypothyroidism seems to be a common thread that I've noticed with moms of multiple children, notably multiple children born less than 2 years apart. We have many large families within our circle of friends and the majority of the mothers complain of the symptoms mentioned here.

MERRY K.

Insuring Proper Thyroid Function and Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-05-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

Hey!!! WELCOME TO MY 100th POST.
You showed up just in time for the latest in

EATING HEALTHY NUTRITIOUS FOOD !!
______________________________
Recently, I shared about the dangers of soy (scroll down a bit to see that article). I had someone ask me what I knew specifically about the connection between soy and thyroid problems.

Her question caused me to really delve deeper into the matter; especially since I have had increasing symptoms of hypothyroidism (slow thyroid). In fact the women in my family on my mother’s side have all had issues with that same thing and have struggled with weight gain as they aged.

Though I’ve never been technically diagnosed with the problem, I knew of that I was experiencing the symptoms that are typical of the disorder, such as very noticable hair loss, steady weight gain, moodiness, and fatigue.

Here’s the interesting part that I just realized when that reader asked me the question I mentioned above…
In my early thirties I got on the “soy train” and consumed HUGE amounts of soy products daily for about 2 years. I indeed thought I was eating healthy nutritious food!
I got thinner living on soy shakes, soy milk, soy cereal, soy burgers, and soy bars. I tried to shove soy products down my kids’ mouths too…and all my friends’ as well.
And guess what? The symptoms of hypothyroidism started during that time. I started taking some herbs for thyroid function but NEVER knew the link between that and soy…until now!

Why do I now know that soy is the culprit? Because, as I found in my research, soy inhibits the absorbtion and utilization of IODINE. Iodine deficiency is the main cause of improper thyroid function.

I recently got wise to iodine. One day while at an hour long exercise dance class at the YMCA, I stated to another woman there, “Why is it that I don’t seem to be able to work up a sweat? Everyone else in the room is dripping, and I don’t look like I’m DOING anything!”

She then suggested that I should try taking an iodine supplement, and that not sweating was related somehow to thyroid function. So I did a little research on that and found an iodine supplement to try and let me say that I am so very pleased with the results. I now have more energy, more hair (since it’s not falling out by the handfuls), more sweat, and less moodiness! Even the other thyroid herbs I was taking didn’t do what the iodine did.

So I am wondering now, “How many women in their late 30’s and beyond are eating soy and thinking the're doing themselves a healthy favor?” And, just how many of them are also moody or depressed, slightly overweight, and excessively tired? And on a side note, another side-effect of eating excessive soy is decreased sex drive. I don’t know about you, but those things I just mentioned describe a good number of nearly middle-aged women I know! Do you think they might be confused as to why they are eating the almighty and healthy SOY but they feel terrible most of the time?

In my next post I will cover more detail about the essential nutrient, iodine, and the foods that contain the most of it.

Merry K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food And The Problem of Today's Biotech Culture

2008-05-01T22:10:00.000-07:00

To every reader and health-conscious individual...

There is a very pressing matter on my heart right now. It's the middle of the night here on the east coast, but I am compelled beyond normal limits right now to share with you all.

Eating healthy nutritious food and telling others about it is my passion. I just finished watching a French film released in March of this year and exposes the truth about genetically engineered foods. This reveals in shocking honesty how 1 single company could be the biggest threat to your future health...1 company!

Folks, you are not going to believe your eyes and your ears! Most Americans will never see this film. And you may be saying, "What's the big deal about eating foods that have had DNA inserted into their seeds?"

If you truly want to know and are ready to explore the real ramifications of this expose, please go to:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/05/01/this-company-may-be-the-biggest-threat-to-your-future-health.aspx?source=nl

You truly should not miss this, my friend.
The seriousness of this subject is farther reaching than we have known.
I hope you will take a look.

Merry K.

Clean Out Your Pipes (Colon)...Then Move On To Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-04-27T13:42:00.001-07:00

I can't stress enough the importance of regular colon cleansing. Just ask any man or woman over about 40 years of age who goes to a traditional physician...colonoscopies are now standard for everybody from that age onward.

Colon Cancer is deadly and increasingly common. But unfortunately it's not just the colon cancer that is a concern. Toxins lining the walls of the colon cause a myriad of other fatal diseases and many non-fatal ailments as well. Things like muscle and joint aches can be alleviated by regular colon cleanses.

When your colon is not clean, your body will be unable to fully benefit from eating healthy nutritious food. Bringing the body into balance and making it ready to receive the good stuff you're trying to provide is akin to weeding your garden before you plant new seeds or seedlings. A new growth or plant that's put in an overgrown, messy garden is not likely to survive.

This topic goes hand-in-hand with what I wrote about in my last post. Because most people shy away from colon cleansing and shy away from the most beneficially healthy foods because of the stomach upset they experience when attempting to do those 2 things.

But honestly, if you ignore the problem of a dirty colon, it will not go away. In fact, it's only going to get worse.

The place for the most comprehensive info and testimonies of colon cleansing is http://www.drnatura.com/.

Take a look at the photo that comes up right there on the first page. This is what that toxic waste that lines your colon looks like when it's eliminated! And this was from a young, active man in his 20's. Can you imagine if he'd have been 50 or 60 yrs old?

Dr. Natura's COLONIX that is the #1 colon cleanse product on the market. This site contains 100's of testimonies from users that will be such an encouragement to you.

I challenge you to be bold enough to go for it! Most users of COLONIX state that they don't even change their diets intentionally while on the cleanse, but when the old gets eliminated, they begin to desire eating healthy nutritious food instead of the old fare. They also testify that it's a very gentle process and they see results right away.

Merry K.

FLATULENCE...Is It Aggravated by Eating Healthy Nutritious Food?

2008-04-22T19:35:00.000-07:00

Oh how often I hear these words..."I can't eat THAT because it gives me GAS!!"

That comment of course referring to eating healthy nutritious foods like broccoli, cabbage, beans, spinach, and many other greens.

And while I agree that these foods are typically known for being gaseous, let me suggest that there is a way that you can avoid the intestinal upset of gas and flatulence from these extremely healthy foods...

Before I began to change my diet from one that contained mostly processed "food" products and lots of sticky, white flour, I complained of the same distress when I consumed anything fibrous or any cruciferous veggie (like broccoli and such).

However, fortunate for me, I didn't just change my diet, but I "cleaned house" (my gut) in conjunction with introducing the new, more nutritious and fibrous foods.

You've got to remember that your plumbing (equivalent to your intestines and colon) have most likely been piling up toxins along their walls since you were a wee child. It's not intentional, but a naturally occuring thing that happens when we ingest the STANDARD AMERICAN DIET (SAD).
And the statistic is that the average American has 7-25 lbs. of excess fecal matter hanging out in there. This "fecal matter" is waste from foods that never got eliminated.

Why?...Because our SAD is poor in live, raw food and low in fiber. And the waste that can't come out (usually because it's too sticky) just sticks to the linings of our colon like tar and the toxins in the waste begin to enter the bloodstream.

So, when we DO ingest fiber or a cruciferous veggie like cabbage or greens, we get TOXIC Gas. That nasty, old waste smells HORRIBLE! Our systems aren't used to that much stimulation and we get gas cramps, etc. Therefore, we just continually stay away from those "irritating" healthy foods...and ingest more sticky gunk and we get heavier, more constipated, more sick and more tired!

But, our bodies are MADE to run on live, whole foods. Consequently, if we clean our "plumbing" we could then put in those foods and not have upsetting results.

Next post...I will talk a bit more about getting it all cleaned out. Stop by for more!

Merry K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food and Dental Health

2008-04-17T06:27:00.000-07:00

Eating healthy nutrtitious food is more than just a DIET...it's a way of life!
Here's a subject that is about a real-live health concern. As you know, I have 5 children, and their dental health is of great concern to me. Though I will admit, it's hard keeping up with all that! And my 5 year old thinks he's 14 so he doesn't want me checking after him when he's already brushed.

The following article is from http://www.healingdaily.com/
I liked it so much I decided to share it...I couldn't have written it any better myself!

PREVENTING CAVITIES USING NATURAL METHODS:

As a child I had a mouth completely full of mercury-filled amalgams and a serious problem with cavities. I sure wish my parents would have known the information which appears on this page and applied it.

While brushing and flossing are key to preventing cavities and gum disease, avoiding the sugars and wide variety of processed junk foods that make up the bulk of America's typical diet, is also a major factor in dental health.

Soda and sugar-filled juice increase cavities in children

A 2001 Centers from Disease Control (CDC)-sponsored screening (1) of 3rd grade children attending 26 New Hampshire public schools found that 52% had tooth decay, or dental caries, and about 22% had untreated cavities.

Children are heavy consumers of soda, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A study (2) of about 3,200 Americans 9 to 29 years old conducted between 1971 and 1974 showed a direct connection between soft drinks and cavities.

Studies (3) clearly show that consuming soda and powdered juices increases children's risk of cavities. Dentists also report that tooth decay is higher in soda-drinking children despite ingesting recommended fluoride.

But sugar is not the only ingredient in soft drinks which causes cavities. The acids in soda are also known to disolve tooth enamel in ways which can lead to cavities.

In my opinion, there is absolutely no justification for drinking soda. Sugar and aspartame are deadly to your health and will gradually affect your well being. Better stick to pure water.

Unhealthy lifestyles responsible for poor dental health in adults

Smoking, infrequency of dental visits and lack of brushing and flossing are usually the main contributors to tooth loss and decay in adults. Studies (4) show that smoking causes tooth loss and decay by hindering blood flow to the gums.

We would all be well-advised to take a proactive approach to dental care and maintain regular brushing and flossing habits, as a preventative measure to tooth and gum disease. It's also obviously a good idea to quit smoking.

My favorite source for affordable dental plans is dentalplans.com.

Merry's comment...Also check http://www.worldental.org/ for more help with dental health. And to keep my mouth clean and free of bacteria, I use a half water/half hydrogen peroxide mixture to rinse 2x a day.

TRUE STORY ABOUT PEROXIDE:
I have a friend who did not visit a dentist for 15 years because of financial difficulties. However, she rinsed 2x daily with Peroxide. When she finally went to see a dentist, he said that her mouth was one of the healthiest he'd ever seen! He told her that it was the PEROXIDE that had saved her teeth and gums from serious disease.

Merry K

ALL JACKED UP... about Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-04-13T16:43:00.000-07:00

Many of you may remember SUPER SIZE ME...the award-winning documentary film that stunned us all with the real truth about the fast food industry. The impression made by that film was indellible!

Well, get ready to be motivated to stick with eating healthy nutritious food!

This BRAND NEW documentary film is going to make it's mark and awaken us all once again.

ALL JACKED UP is a revealing expose about the sad condition of our children and youth who've literally spent their entire lives being marketed a lie.

I promise, you're going to be on the edge of your seat just watching the trailer for this film, which can be viewed at http://www.alljackedupmovie.com/.

I believe this will bring truth to American Youth that is so desperately needed. I can't wait to get my copy!

Merry K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food Informs You of The Dangers of Soy Products

2008-04-08T19:49:00.000-07:00

THE GREEN SMOOTHIE GIRL (you'll find her link over in the left column) is a woman who knows her nutritional information. I'm never disappointed when I read her emails and I always benefit from her encouraging advice.

Below, you will be stretched to think outside of your "health food box". What she writes can be backed a million times over by other sources as well...If you're consistently attempting eating healthy nutritious food, please consider the info below:

The Danger of Soy Products

Myth: “Soy products are a health food (especially for women).”

As more and more data has emerged in recent years about the dangers of eating a diet rich in animal products, soy product offerings have exploded at health food and other grocery stores as a “wonder food.”

They include soy protein powders and bars and meat replacements (hot dogs, burger patties, and more). America’s soybean growers have hit the motherlode and now sell waste products of the soybean as “soy isolate protein powder”: this food is refined, processed, and separated from the whole food. Even the whole food is problematic, and the danger of soy product must come to light.

We have been told the Japanese have lower rates of breast, uterus, and prostate cancer, and that is attributed to high soy consumption. Unfortunately, Japanese people (and Asians) have higher rates of esophageal, pancreatic, liver, and stomach cancers. Soy causes these cancers in lab animals. Also, the Japanese tend to eat fermented whole-soy products such as miso, tempeh, and tofu-not refined products made from soy oil and isolated proteins.

The isoflavones in soy cause toxicity in estrogen-sensitive tissues and depress thyroid function, causing decreased metabolism as well as other thyroid diseases. Soy products now in virtually everything at the grocery store (breads, spaghetti sauce, cookies, even canned tuna) contribute to the epidemic of both diagnosed—and an estimated 10 million undiagnosed—thyroid problems.
Most thyroid problems are in women over 40, and soy’s thyroid-depressing effects are likely contributing to the rise in obesity.

Soy lowers testosterone levels in men and causes malnutrition, especially in babies and children drinking soy milk or soy formula. Dozens of studies show that soy causes reproductive problems, immune problems, and cognitive decline. Doctors and researchers including Andrew Weil, Mary Enig, Kaayla T. Daniel, FDA advisors, and many others caution against soy consumption.

Fact: Soy is not a good alternative to meat and should be avoided because it promotes disease. Of particular concern are soy formulas for babies, soy protein powders and bars, soy-based hormone creams for women, and anything that features “soy isolate protein powder” or other non-fermented, refined products.

The danger of soy product is coming to light, but many operate under the assumption that it is a nutritious food, especially for protein.

Merry K.

A Break-feast for Breakfast - Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-04-04T07:17:00.000-07:00

For some reason, I've always thought it is so cool how when you actually break down a compound word, it gives you an idea of what the word really means...

Like the word breakfast. It's a compound word made up of 2 words - Break and Fast.
When we eat in the morning, we are "breaking a fast". We've been sleeping, letting our bodies rejuvenate and therefore, it's extremely important how we treat our bodies upon arising.
The first things we put in will certainly be quickly absorbed and enter our bloodstreams fast because the body is in "ready to receive" mode after fasting.

This is one reason why eating or drinking sugars (this includes natural sugars as well) first thing in the morning leaves us feeling tired not long after consuming them. The sugar races thru us causing spikes in blood sugar levels, thus great plummets in blood sugar levels right after.

Fresh fruit has naturally occurring fructose, but because it has to be chewed and digested differently due to the fiber in it, the fruit won't cause the same reactions to our energy levels.
Fresh fruit in the morning gives sustained energy.

Lots of folks don't want to actually eat in the morning. Many busy, working people prefer to have a convenient way to get something nutritious in their stomachs first thing. For them, I always suggest THE FEAST (http://www.food4thejourney.com/) whole-food based juice powder to mix in water and get going. This gives the nutritional equivalent of 4 servings of fresh fruits...AND VEGETABLES! It's a combination of 70+ varieties of fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts, and sprouts. It's flavored with the dried juice of berries contained in it and slightly sweetened with Stevia (an herb sweetener causing NO changes in blood sugar at all).

Then, you can wait a bit and eat other things that you might like for breakfast...but be aware, after drinking this you may find that you don't crave certain unhealthy foods, but actually begin to make different choices. You'll be eating healthy nutritious food more because you're body will respond by asking for it.

Even if you like a BIG BREAKFAST of the traditional sort with eggs, meat, and toast...starting first with THE FEAST is wise because you'll give your body real fuel to use right off instead of just cooked proteins and carbs that are harder to digest and use.

THE FEAST SUPERCHARGED is the same as THE FEAST but has added green tea, green coffee bean, and energizing herbs. This is a caffeinated version and perfect for drinking in the morning...or anytime you need energy + nutrients.

Consider what you're starting with each day. Morning is the best time to make a huge difference in your health and nutrition.

Get a sample of THE FEAST or THE FEAST SUPERCHARGED at http://www.food4thejourney.com/

Blessings to you!
Merry K.

Dried Plums (formerly known as prunes) - Perfect for Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-03-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

Eating healthy nutritious food doesn't have to be inconvenient. Nature has made "fast food" easy for us all. Here's one option:

(** nutritional info and write-up on the prune offered by http://www.whfoods.org/ **)

PRUNES

Sweet with a deep taste and a sticky chewy texture, prunes are not only fun to eat but they are also highly nutritious. As with other dried fruits, they are available year round.
Prunes are actually the dried version of European plums and recently had its name officially changed to dried plum.

Prunes are a good source of potassium, providing 9.0% of the daily value for this mineral in a quarter-cup. Potassium is an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Since a quarter cup of prunes contains a whopping 316.6 mg of potassium and only 1.7 mg of sodium, those diced dried prunes on top of your breakfast cereal may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Prunes are widely known as a good source of dietary fiber, a reputation that was confirmed in our ranking system in which prunes were found to supply 12.1% of the daily value for fiber in just a quarter-cup.

Prunes' soluble fiber helps normalize blood sugar levels by slowing the rate at which food leaves the stomach and by delaying the absorption of glucose (the form in which sugar is transported in the blood) following a meal. Soluble fiber also increases insulin sensitivity and can therefore play a helpful role in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. And, prunes' soluble fiber promotes a sense of satisfied fullness after a meal by slowing the rate at which food leaves the stomach, so prunes can also help prevent overeating and weight gain.

Dried plums come in different flavors now...like "Cherry, Lemon, or Orange Essence". This makes them yummier to kids than the traditional prune.

Give a prune a chance!

And if you or your children are struggling to get your 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day (as are most of us), THE FEAST from Uri International provides the nutritional equivalent of 4 servings of fruits and veggies in one 4 oz drink. This whole food juice powder contains 30 different fruits and berries, and 30 different greens and veggies and has a natural mixed berry flavor. If you'd like a sample, go to the area on your left and follow the link.

MERRY K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food for Children and Teens

2008-03-26T06:15:00.000-07:00

THE FOLLOWING IS AN OUTSTANDING SERVICE BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

THE WHOLE FOOD FARMACY http://www.wholefoodfarmacy.com/.

If you are a parent, or even an aunt, uncle, god-parent, grand-parent, or friend to a child or teenager you know how very difficult it can be to gain inroads to get them eating healthy nutritious food. I believe the offer below will help tremendously, giving you a little more education towards their health. It's not just for right now, but we are to set an example of a healthy lifestyle and eating choices for their futures.

READ ON...

Attn: Parents of Children & Teens

In today’s fast paced society, it’s plain to see that the health of our nation’s children is in crisis.

Obesity rates are at the highest levels ever putting millions of children at risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes. Sadly, obesity and many of these chronic diseases will follow them into adulthood – and it’s the children who will end up paying the ultimate price as they grow older. The junk food industry spends $33 billion dollars per year to convince your children that it’s normal to consume several servings of sodas, junk food, fast food, candy and other processed foods each day. At the same time, the increased use of computers and computer games has drastically reduced the levels of physical activity that our children get – and this is a recipe for disaster.

The Wholefood Farmacy is now offering a complementary email based educational program for parents that we call “15 Days To Wellness For Parents”.

After you subscribe you will receive one short email per day for 15 days that includes all of the latest scientific research, important health issues and helpful tips for parents of children and teens. One minute per day for 15 days can change your child’s life forever!

Click Here To Subscribe: http://wholefoodfarmacy.com/2005/nap_web.asp As a parent in today’s society you should be able to answer all of these questions with 100% confidence. If you can not – then this educational program is for you.

1. By what age do children build 50% of their bone mass?

2. By what age to children build 100% of their bone mass?

3. What are the 3 most important factors for building healthy bones in children?

4. Would a 6 year old boy 3 feet 9 inches tall weighing 55 lbs be underweight, the correct weight, overweight or obese?

5. How many hours of sleep does a 3rd grader need to significantly reduce their risk of becoming overweight or obese by 6th grade?

6. How many hours of TV per day will increase a child’s risk of high blood pressure by 330%?

7. How many hours of TV cause a child to consume 167 extra calories worth of junk food?

8. What foods and lifestyle habits can cut your child’s risk of asthma by 50%?

9. How many minutes of daily exercise will cut your child’s risk of obesity by 50%?

10. What natural food is scientifically proven to work better than over-the-counter cough syrup?

11. What internal organs are damaged when children have high blood pressure?

12. How is exercise related to behavior and academic performance?

13. What’s the correct way to fuel young athletes before a game? One minute a day for 15 days can improve the health of your children and teens offering lifelong health benefits to them.

**I know I can't answer all those questions with confidence! Can you? This is worth every minute of reading to me! Just like REAL NUTRITION NEWS. Education is important for not just us, but the upcoming generation. And I'm not just talking about book smarts.

I hope you'll take the WHOLE FOOD FARMACY up on their email offer!

Merry K.

The Dark Plague Against Eating Healthy Nutritious Food (Part 3)

2008-03-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

In Tony Isaac's article entitled "The Four Horsemen of the Health Apocalypse", he reveals the hidden dangers that are compromising our health in this nation...indeed in the world. This is especially true in nations that have been "westernized" and infected by an attitude of greed and gain.

Part 3 of my coverage of this article (found on http://www.naturalnews.com/), completes the story of what's happened to the 4 cornerstones of our previously natural society.

Industry

Since the beginning of the industrial age and the coal burning plants, every year an increasing amount of literally thousands of metric tons of chemical pollutants, including carcinogens and thousands of other highly toxic chemicals and compounds such as mercury, lead, PCP, arsenic, etc., are spewed into our environment, polluting the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. While the National Institute of Health has recognized 133 chemical compounds which are, or may be, carcinogens, well over ten thousand industrial compounds have not been tested for safety either singly or in combination, and the number of new compounds introduced to the environment grows by leaps and bounds each year.

Not only have the vast majority of our industries resisted having their growing list of thousands of chemical compounds properly tested for safety, they have resisted controls on the use and emissions of the ones known to be harmful. Shamefully, it has been revealed that the medical industry that benefits financially from increased illness has often supported industry efforts to control their chemical contaminants that make us ill (see Devra Davis important new book, The Secret History of the War on Cancer). Virtually all of our industries, including the food and medical industries, have for the sake of profits corrupted the agencies entrusted with their oversight into agencies that serve their profits first and the citizens they should serve second. No one outside of industry should begrudge them making a reasonable profit; however, no one inside industry can reasonably argue that they should not make their profits while operating morally and being good neighbors who strive to protect the health and welfare of the consumers.

Government

The government should be the greatest protector of the health and well being of its citizens, but the influence and money of the greedy have corrupted it to a government of the corporation which gives mostly lip service to actually serving its citizens first and foremost. The United States of America was founded as a constitutional republic to protect and insure the unalienable rights of every citizen to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. All levels of government, with the federal level having the least powers of all in most areas, were supposed to derive their powers from the consent of the governed. Thanks to the relentless pursuit of wealth and power, and the use of that wealth and power to buy votes and influence, our government has become a top down corruption that our founding fathers would surely rise up against in renewed revolt.

No greater example of this corruption of masters and priorities can be found than the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration). Although the public widely believes that the FDA is out to protect them, what it actually does is run a protection racket for mainstream medicine, especially the world pharmaceutical empire. Who the FDA really serves and protects becomes crystal clear when you examine their actions. On the one hand, they twist the rules and impose their own definitions of what constitutes a drug to keep safe and natural competition off the market by actions such as persecuting and threatening cherry growers, and the makers and sellers of products like bitter melon, Stevia and colloidal silver, none of whom have ever caused a single death and each of which has hundreds of Pub Med and other studies vouching for their effectiveness. On the other hand, they foully delay action, hide studies and outright lie about the safety of products like Vioxx, Bextra, Alleve, Aspartame, Avandia, Fosamax, Gardasil, and a host of others which have been blamed with hundreds of thousands of deaths and illnesses in order for their big pharma and big chemical industry masters to reap billions in profits while the public suffers.

In the words of the last FDA commissioner to stand up for the safety of the citizens and resist the lobbying and pressure of Big Pharma:

"The FDA 'protects' the big drug companies and are subsequently rewarded, and using the government's police powers they attack those who threaten the big drug companies. People think that the FDA is protecting them. It isn't. "What the FDA is doing and what the public thinks it is doing are as different as night and day." Dr. Herbert Ley
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**Tony Isaacs notes at the end of this article that this is really just an "introduction" to what will become a book.** And truly it does just graze the tip of the iceberg.

For those of us wanting to live daily eating healthy nutritious food, we definitely have a challenge before us in this modern culture where we reside.

Difficult...yet not impossible!

Merry K.

The Dark Plague Against Eating Healthy Nutritious Food (Part 2)

2008-03-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

Today, we continue with the article from health author, Tony Isaacs.
*Article gathered from http://www.naturalnews.com/ entitled: THE FOUR HORESEMEN OF THE HEALTH APOCALYPSE.*

Last post we looked at how the food industry has changed for the worst in the last several years.
Now, we're going to get a little quick understanding of the apparent changes in the field of medicine:

Medicine

For 6000 years, mankind used nature as the primary means of preventing and controlling illness. In the early 1900's, there were more natural health and homeopathic practitioners, and as many alternate medical schools as there were "germ theory" doctors and universities. But the natural and homeopathic practitioners and schools were persecuted and prosecuted into virtual extinction after the rich and powerful Rockefellers and Carnegies teamed up with the American Medical Society to make germ theory medicine the ONLY acceptable form of medicine and increase profits by weeding out competition by means fair or foul. Such actions continue to this very day, but nowhere in history was the abuse of power and persecution more criminally blatant than during the reign of terror and personal enrichment of Morris Fishbein, who persecuted such leading alternative giants as Royal Raymond Rife and Harry Hoxsey.

More information on the misdeeds of Morris Fishbein can be found in this informative and factual article: (http://www.rense.com/general19/enemy.htm) .

About the same time the AMA was conspiring to eliminate competition, the world pharmaceutical giants, then located in Germany, were conspiring to replace all natural remedies and healing plants with drugs made in their labs. In the early 1900's, these companies formed the I. G. Farben cartel, with the express purpose of seizing control of the world's medical drug trade, and their plans have been successful beyond even their own wildest dreams of greed.

For generations now, we have been inundated with a never ending avalanche of propaganda telling us to "ask our doctors" about the benefits of drugs while warning us away from natural alternatives that are safer, more effective and far less expensive.

For generations, our doctors have been taught at medical schools whose largest source of funding by far is the world pharmaceutical empire. They have been taught precious little about the role diet, nutrition, exercise, lifestyle and natural plants have to play in prevention and healing. Instead, they have been taught that the way to treat illness and disease is to prescribe medications - medications that just happen to be made by the same people who fund their education. As a result, safe, effective and less expensive natural healing methods, with hundreds and even thousands of years of proven success, has been chastised and made illegal and has been replaced by patentable and hugely profitable synthetics and isolates. An even darker result is the millions of lives and billions of dollars that could be saved if alternative and natural treatments were allowed for cancer, heart disease, liver disease, diabetes and a host of other conditions that mainstream "approved" medicine has been unable or unwilling to cure.

From the very first, these lab created drugs have had significant and often life-threatening side effects, and, when effective at all, have mostly managed symptoms instead of effected cures. Often, their prolonged use leads to new illnesses and more medications in a never ending cycle so that by the time a man reaches 65 years of age in the United States, he takes an average of 15 prescribed and over the counter medications daily - when it all began with one or two conditions that could have been treated naturally. When your only marketplace is the human body, it is a wonderful plan to protect and increase profits, but a horrible one for humanity.
_____

Thank you, Tony. What's amazing to me is that so many people truly don't know this!! The vast majority of Americans, and citizens worldwide are like zombies who's response to natural, herbal remedies is "Well, I have to ask my Doctor".

I get so saddened by this travesty! I guess it's true that if you tell a lie long enough and often enough it will be believed as the truth.

And, if you want REAL NUTRITION NEWS, don't hesitate to leave me a comment, and I'll get a copy of it in your hands!

Come back for Part 3 of this series on the dark plague against eating healthy nutritious food.

Merry K.

The Dark Plague Against Eating Healthy Nutritious Food (Part 1)

2008-03-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

In my search for real nutrition news, I've found an article that I whole-heartedly agree with from nutrition author, Tony Isaacs. He exposes the reality of the battle we are in for whole food nutrition.

Now, it's not a "we against them" thing. I am not looking to go to war with anyone. I do, however, believe that if I am consistently striving for eating healthy nutritious food, then I need to also educate myself and others on how we can all more effectively do that. Sometimes we need to look "behind the scenes" to understand the force at which me must pursue what we know to be right and best for ourselves and our loved ones.

It's quite lengthy so I will seperate it into parts with a little each post. At the bottom of the article, I'll list Tony's background and other works. My source for this write up was http://www.naturalnews.com/, with the health ranger, Mike Adams.

THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE HEALTH APOCALYPSE

(NaturalNews) A dark plague has crept across the land, operating largely in shadow for generations and set upon us by an evil master whose footsteps have fouled the earth for as long as man has walked upon it. Led by four evil horsemen who have been corrupted and enslaved by the master, the plague has cast its shadowy tentacles from sea to sea through towns and cities large and small, sparing no one. Almost no location has proven remote enough to escape its reach and it has visited death, illness and suffering on young and old alike.

The plague is Bad Health. Its master is Greed. And the Four Horsemen who have been corrupted and perverted into servants of greed who spread the plague are our Food, our Medicine, our Industry and our Government. The effects of this evil plague can be measured in terms of the dollars and the lives it cruelly affects - billions of dollars annually in ill gained profit at the expense of deaths that run into the hundreds of thousand and suffering that affects millions.

Throughout history, men have existed whose greed and lust for wealth and power has driven them to put their own selfish interests above those of humanity itself. Such greed has been behind most of the evils in the history of mankind and caused untold human suffering. Today the very health of modern man itself is under attack by the greedy elite who willingly trade profits for the ability of their fellow men and women to enjoy good health and live long enjoyable lives.

Through a process that began in the late 1800's, those who place personal gain and wealth above health and humanity have corrupted the four most important cornerstones that should be our shining benefactors and guarantors of providing mankind with good, nutritious food to drink, air to breath and water to drink: our food supply, our medicines, our industry, and our government.

Today, instead of marshalling their efforts to benefit humanity, these cornerstones we depend on have been corrupted to benefit an elite few, turning them instead into just the opposite of what they should be - darkly corrupted purveyors of illness which rob us of our health and our wealth, take years off our life spans, and force us into a lifetime of managed illness and poor nutrition. If allowed to continue, the downward spiral in health may ultimately threaten the ability of mankind to even continue as a species.

Here then are the four fallen cornerstones of health and a brief overview of how greed has turned them from providers and protectors of our health into vassals that provide profits at the expense of health and humanity:

FOOD
Our soils have been depleted, our food crops have been genetically engineered to produce higher yields and more bulk with less nutrition and to withstand more pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilizers that ensure higher profits at the cost of multitudes of health problems for those who consume them. Furthermore, the food on our grocer's shelves has had the nutrition processed out, with harmful additives processed in to enhance shelf life, color, taste and texture, with the same result. The advent of large scale industrial farms favored with government subsidies has changed the emphasis from good nutrition coming from a local human face to good production and poor, contaminated nutrition from faceless industries. Thanks to over-farming and the advent of chemical fertilizers, our soils are rapidly being stripped of valuable minerals, including trace minerals. Only the three primary minerals plants need to grow are being replaced - from artificial chemical fertilizers, but not the 60 or more they need to have optimum nutrition.
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*Next Post we'll delve into the other 3 fallen cornerstones: medicine, industry, and government.*

Don't forget to request your FREE copy of "Real Nutrition News" (pictured above) by commenting on any post and letting me know how to get it to you!

Merry K.

About the author
Tony Isaacs, is a natural health advocate and researcher and the author of books and articles about natural health including "Cancer's Natural Enemy" as well as song lyrics and humorous anecdotal stories. Mr. Isaacs also has The Best Years in Life website for baby boomers and others wishing to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. He is currently residing in the scenic Texas hill country near Utopia, Texas where he is working on a major book project due for publication later this year.

My Own Recipe for Exotic Asian Style Dressing - Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-03-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

I recently created this dressing out of boredom with my typical vinegar/oil combinations.
I've given it to several friends to try and one called me the other day to get the recipe...which I didn't have!

I don't cook by measurements, when I'm creating, that is. I want to get on with eating healthy nutritious food, not labor over how I made it, ha! That's why this site isn't a cooking site. I love to cook and am very proficient at it, but I'm sort of like an abstract artist in that way, or a doodler with a notepad. I NEVER have any idea what I'm doing while I'm doing it. And 99.9% of the time, it turns out fabulous. I'd share all my wonderous recipes here if I only knew exactly what/how much goes into each thing.

But my friend's call challenged me to get in the kitchen (even in the midst of 5 kids and husband making their own lunches) and figure out what I'd done the first time to make this dressing.
I'd feature a photo of it here, but unfortunately, it just looks, well, white!

Here's the ingredients. I hope you'll make and enjoy...

MERRY'S DELIGHTFUL ASIAN DRESSING:

-1 cup of plain yogurt

-1/4 cup of sour cream

-1/2 tsp each of salt, ginger, onion powder, garlic powder

-2 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar

-2 Tbsp of honey

-1/3 cup of coconut oil. (If the oil is not melted, heat on the stovetop.)

**Let me add here that not all coconut oils are created equal! They vary GREATLY in taste depending on their purity. And since that is the featured ingredient in this recipe you'll want
the purest and best. ** My source:

"COCONUT PURE" from Uri International. It's extra virgin, raw, and organic.
Order from www.uriinternational.com/food4thejourney. It's listed in the
"whole foods" product line.

I began making my own salad dressings years ago by experiment. That was even before I knew anything about what MSG was and what it does to you. It's in just about every salad dressing out there; although, not all of them. It just seems that the homemade version always tastes so much better to me.

Hey, did you notice the REAL NUTRITION NEWS up there on the left? This news magazine is so very informative. I have read it over and over again and been educated more and more each time. Request your copy by leaving a comment on this post and I'll get with you and mail your FREE copy out right away!

Bountiful Blessings!
Merry K.

I Am Eating Healthy Nutritous Food But My Family Refuses!

2008-03-11T18:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I marvel (and not in a good way) at how self-righteous I am. It's plain and simple pride. We ALL have it about something or other!

Have you noticed yet that eating healthy nutritious food and changing your unhealthy lifestyle is like going to a party where there's drugs and you are not a drug user? You're the odd man out, the black sheep, the goody-two-shoes.

Truth is the whole world is marketed products that are sold as food but they really are not food at all. And the vast majority of the consumers buy the lie.

Now before you think I am down on all of those ignorant folks who are wrecking their lives with poor nutrition, let me assure you...I am not down on them. I am DOWN ON MYSELF!!

It seems that in my perfectionistic way of doing things most of my life, I will tend to judge those "other" folks. The thought goes something like this..."I've been able to overcome in this area of my life, what in the heck is his/her problem. It's as plain as the nose on their face! Can't they SEE what their doing is harmful?"

And even if I don't SAY it, my actions will show it. Do any of you know what I mean, here?
Let me put it to you this way, I am a believer in THE BIBLE and hold it to be the true words my Father in Heaven, my creator.
There's a statement contained there that expresses this thought, "You will become like that which you judge."

And I must say that it IS true! Every time I notice myself looking at my husband in judgement for the food he chooses, I will begin to crave equally unhealthy stuff. And sometimes not just one craving, but a week of cravings and non-nutritious food choices. I then am not only disgusted with him but also with myself. I fall in the same ditch he's in.

Where does that attitude come from? It is from SELF-RIGHTEOUS PRIDE. Really, the thing I criticize is the very thing I am guilty of.

What should my position be? To live my life in health, love, and support extending grace and patience with whomever I hope to see changed. Will badgering and criticizing EVER produce results. NO, NEVER!! It only produces negative results in the one we criticize and in ourselves...you become like what you judge, remember?

Our lives are to be "lived out loud" for others to be encouraged and blessed by. I couldn't share this with you if I weren't on the same journey. It blesses me just to be able to confess even my own weakness to you. I want to operate in a different spirit that of self-righteousness. I want a heart of love towards my family, friends, and others.

I can preach THE FEAST from Uri International all day long, and tell of the wonders it contains. I can go on for hours about the eminent dangers now in our food supply. I can harp on remedies for this and cures for that. But if I don't have love...I am nothing.

Merry K.

Very Practical Tips to Avoid Over-eating...from Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-03-09T16:27:00.000-07:00

There are lots of little tricks we can all learn to sort of re-train ourselves not only for eating healthy nutritious food, but for HOW we eat the food as well.

Now, if everyone of us ate totally raw fruits and veggetables ALL OF THE TIME, then we could eat boatloads of that and never have to be concerned with over eating.

Below is an address of a site authored by fellow blogger, Marie. She shares her journey to health. It's an inspiring blog and filled with real, down to Earth humor as well.

http://nourishourselves.blogspot.com/

Marie shares:

· I take very small bites and chew them thoroughly. I chew them to death.

· I use a salad fork and a small plate so I will eat smaller portions.

· I brush my teeth and wash my hands as soon as I’ve eaten something to get rid of any traces of food.

I agree with you, Marie. Even putting those 3 steps into practice would probably mean a great decrease in the size of our stomachs. Good suggestions!

I also recommend:

~Drink 10-12 oz of water right before eating

~DO NOT drink while you're eating (this interferes and inhibits the digestive process causing more stress on your GI tract and inhibits proper elimination later)

~When the 11pm or midnight hunger strikes...drink a small cup of water and GO TO SLEEP. (This tip for those who have fairly normal schedules who's days and nights are not opposite!)

We all know that snacking late at night is a terrible thing to do. I admit, every once in awhile it's fun to share time with friends, or family, into the night and have a little PM snack party. However, snacking at night should never be the norm. And if you are hungry in the evening, try a piece of fruit instead of something starchy.

I remember as a kid (even young adult) my favorite thing to eat at 9pm or later was a bowl of cereal. It just seemed like a fit. Do you or anyone you know pig out on starches late at night? What's their waist size?

Our stomachs will fool us. They like that full feeling, because we've stretched them to that size, they think that's normal. Well, it's just time to let our stomachs know we won't be ruled by that any longer!

Now, if hunger comes calling in the 10-12midnight range, I just place a scoop of THE FEAST from Uri International in 4 oz of water and drink it down.

With 70+ unpasterurized juices from fruits, berries, greens and veggies...plus seeds, nuts, and sprouts, enzymes and probiotics, my hunger ceases immediately.

It nourishes without filling without any effort to digest. And I am getting a tremendous boost of nutrition for my body to process while sleeping...which is the time of regeneration and restoration to make healthy bodies.

Merry K.

Is Eating Healthy Nutritious Food Too Big For My Budget?

2008-03-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

This is a common "objection" I hear from folks who plain don't feel like they have it in them to put forth the effort to improve their eating habits.

I know, the tyranny of the familiar is to keep us on the same rat wheel forever and a day. Our comfort zones are also our excuse zones. Hey, nobody can make any of us change, can they?

My hope is that someone will read this and declare, "I am done with whining, complaining, and moaning about my weight, my life, my aches, and my pains. There MUST be an answer...I think I'll find out!"

If you're one of "those" then I am happy to meet you! Have YOU ever thought that eating healthy nutritious food is too costly?

Well, it can be; however, it doesn't have to be. If you totally quit buying junk food snacks, and boxed, frozen and overly processed meals, you'd actually see your grocery bill shrink...as well as your waistline!

Look, I have 5 children and I feed my family on a $135.00-$150.00 a week grocery bill. We eat nearly every meal at home and when we're going to be out, I bring along nutritious snacks to offset our hunger until mealtime. I make sure I don't get low on raw fruits, veggies, and nuts because these are staples in our home.

So if you know you need to make a change and you don't know where to start, consider this....

My family was eating quite non-nutritiously about a year ago. Here I was, the "Nutrition Encourager", and I could not seem to get them to WANT healthy food consistently. I was real tired of fighting that on-going battle for 13 years!

Then a friend sent me THE FEAST whole food based juice powder from URI INTERNATIONAL. My kids said, "Mmmm, this isn't TOO bad, Mom."
And in no time flat (about 3 weeks) they were all saying yes to live, whole foods on a more consistent basis! Totally blew my hair back!

And when I went to the grocery, I noticed that my bill consistently came down as I switched them from their favorite junk food snacks to more raw fruits and vegetables for snacks. I was spending about $40.00 less per week. This difference justified the purchase of THE FEAST for my family.

Now, if you think that all nutritional products are overpriced, I'll have to disagree. The cost for 1 person to ingest 1 scoop of THE FEAST a day, giving them the equivalent nutrients of 4 servings of fruits and vegetables, is a mere $1.50 a day.

Wouldn't you say that most everyone you know spends at LEAST that on coffee, soda, or snacks a day. So hey, there goes that excuse!!!

And Uri Int'l has an unconditional 100% money back guarantee within 90 days of purchase. You don't like it, you return it, no questions asked. .. Say goodbye to excuse number whatever!

Go to the link over there on the left to order. Don't want a whole 300g can to start with? Then order a few low-cost samples and give it a test run.

Eating healthy nutritious food has never been easier!

Merry K.

Eggs and Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-03-03T19:32:00.000-08:00

If you are a regular visitor to Eating Healthy Nutritious Food, then you know that I am a huge encourager towards a living food diet, including gobs of fruits and veggies. However, in the same breath, I am NOT a vegetarian or a vegan. So, if you like visiting us here, and you are a vegitarian, please just bear with us today while we explore the benefits of EGGS. Come back by next time, and I'm sure you'll be admonished and encouraged...per my usual fare!

Eggs are available year round to provide not only delicious meals on their own but as an essential ingredient for the many baked goods and sauces that would never be the same without them. They are perfect for eating healthy nutritious food.

Composed of a yellow yolk and translucent white surrounded by a protective shell, the incredible nature of the egg is partially found in their unique food chemistry which allows them help in coagulation, foaming, emulsification and browning.

Eggs are a good source of low-cost high-quality protein, providing 5.5 grams of protein (11.1% of the daily value for protein) in one egg for a caloric cost of only 68 calories. The structure of humans and animals is built on protein. We rely on animal and vegetable protein for our supply of amino acids, and then our bodies rearrange the nitrogen to create the pattern of amino acids we require.

Another health benefit of eggs is their contribution to the diet as a source of choline. Although our bodies can produce some choline, we cannot make enough to make up for an inadequate supply in our diets, and choline deficiency can also cause deficiency of another B vitamin critically important for health, folic acid.

Choline is definitely a nutrient needed in good supply for good health. Choline is a key component of many fat-containing structures in cell membranes, whose flexibility and integrity depend on adequate supplies of choline. Two fat-like molecules in the brain, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, account for an unusually high percentage of the brain's total mass, so choline is particularly important for brain function and health.

Eggs are high in cholesterol, and health experts in the past counseled people to therefore avoid this food. (All of the cholesterol in the egg is in the yolk.) However, nutrition experts have now determined people on a low-fat diet can eat one or two eggs a day without measurable changes in their blood cholesterol levels. This information is supported by a statistical analysis of 224 dietary studies carried out over the past 25 years that investigated the relationship between diet and blood cholesterol levels in over 8,000 subjects. What investigators in this study found was that saturated fat in the diet, not dietary cholesterol, is what influences blood cholesterol levels the most.

A Few Quick Serving Ideas:
Hard-boiled eggs are fun to eat and easy to pack for on-the-go lunches.
Mix chopped up hard-boiled eggs with fresh lemon juice and olive oil, leeks and dill (and salt and pepper to taste) to make a healthy egg salad.
Instead of Eggs Benedict, make Eggs "Buenodict." Place a poached egg on top of a whole grain English muffin lined with steamed spinach. Top with salsa or any of your favorite seasonings and enjoy.
Say olé to the day with a huevos ranchero breakfast. Add chili peppers to scrambled eggs and serve with black beans and corn tortillas.

(above info found on http://www.whfoods.org/ - The World's Healthiest Foods website, and one of my absolute favorite sites too!!)

**Allergy Warning(merry's comment)**
Eggs seem to be a common allergen, especially in infants. You won't have to go far to find a mom who can testify to giving her hungry 9 month old scrambled eggs, only to turn around and find their face all blotchy and red after they gobbled it down gladly!
If you have known food allergies, eggs can be a possible cause. Be carful (especially with those little ones). My kids outgrew that allergy and all eat eggs without problem now.

Merry K.

Toxic Thoughts Make You Sick-- Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-02-28T06:16:00.000-08:00

Would you be surprised if I told you that there's actually proof that 87% of all disease are actually caused by the things you are thinking, while diet, excercise, and genetics only contribute 13%?

Because I am obviously an outspoken proponent of eating healthy nutritious food, I was more than a little suprised by this.

But Dr. Caroline Leaf has written the book WHO SWITCHED OFF MY BRAIN?, where she explains in "layman's" terms, the science behind the mind/body connection. Her work is absolutely fascinating. This book will so increase your understanding of why we must take control of our thought life. She explains what chemicals are released in the brain when we allow anger, rage, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, irritation, etc. to rule our minds. Then she exposes the physical manifestations that these chemical releases produce.

As she states so well, "Now you have a medical reason to FORGIVE!"

Her book has now given me a total, all-encompassing view on health. I am committed to continuing to educate people on the benefits of a live, whole food diet but I am now just as committed to sharing Dr. Leaf's work with others so that we all can really see how intricately detailed the human systems are and how we can cooperate with THE CREATOR to insure a full quality life here on this earth on our journey.

This is a real easy read. (You must know that science was my worst subject in school!)

The book is under 200 pages. I breezed thru it. It comes in a handy hardback, and a DVD can be ordered as well. ORDER AT : http://www.drleaf.net/

DR LEAF'S BIO:

Since 1981, Dr. Caroline Leaf has researched the human brain with particular emphasis on unlocking its vast untapped potential.

She has been received all over the world by a variety of audiences due to her unique ability to link the scientific principles of the brain to intellectual and emotional issues in a simple and practical way.

Through years of research she developed the Geodesic Learning® theory (brain-compatible learning) which is a scientifically and statistically proven approach to thinking, teaching and learning.

She has also developed the unique Metacognitive-Mapping Approach® as a learning tool and she has presented her learning theory and Metacognitive-Map® courses to over than 100,000 students worldwide.

She has published articles in academic journals and consumer magazines and has been widely interviewed in newspapers, on radio and on television about her research and theories.

She frequently lectures to both Christian and secular audiences worldwide on diverse topics relating to optimal brain performance including:

-thinking and learning
-controlling your thought life
-managing stress
-eradicating toxic thoughts
-overcoming mental, emotional, and spiritual strongholds
-understanding male and female brain differences
-wisdom application
-identifying your unique gifts

http://www.drleaf.net/

Headaches andConfessions! - Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-02-25T11:06:00.000-08:00

The subject of headaches is an extensive thing to try and cover. And honestly, I don't think I'm up to the challenge.

After my last post, about cold and flu remedies, I got a headache that has not let up in 5 days!!!

So, I've not posted like I normally do. And what's worse, there's not a remedy that I know that has proven to erradicate this darned thing!

So, why am I telling you my story of woe? Well, I guess I just felt like sharing the struggle with someone. In the last several days I have not felt like eating healthy nutritious food. I've just gone to the easiest food available...sometimes a boiled egg (not too bad), sometimes bread (which I try to resist most often because it can become a major junk food for me).
But ugh!!!, when I have to cook for my family. Do you think I've been slaving in the kitchen creating healthy dishes that they'll rave about. NO NO NO NO!!

The other day, I bought them frozen pizzas, frozen chicken nuggets, and tater tots, hoping they'd be so happy to have it that they'd leave me alone awhile and let me rest. Oh well, like I've said before..."none of us will be perfect 100% of the time". Don't you feel encouraged now? See, you're not the only one who has that struggle. I think I'm beginning to sound like an alcoholic confiding in another one and hoping for validation of his problem!! Ha!

But I must say, I do have one major saving grace----
THE FEAST.
It's times like these that I value that whole food juice powder more than ever. THE FEAST is my peace of mind that me and my family are receiving real whole food nutrition. I know that if we have nothing else of nutritional value in our day...drinking a scoop of it in water is delivering the nutritional equivalent of 4 servings of fruits and vegetables, plus seeds nuts and sprouts, enzymes and probiotics. It's the next best to going in the kitchen and preparing the stuff myself.

Because THE FEAST is NOT pasteurized, it is live food. It's not a gimmick or a miracle cure, just the live whole food I need. (for more info, go to the link to your left there)

Stay tuned...my next post will be a book review about toxic thoughts. We've talked about toxic foods before, but our thought life needs to be addressed as well if we're going to bring truth to our whole person!

Merry K.

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food--Reminders of Natural Cold and Flu Remedies

2008-02-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

Eating healthy nutritious food is one good insurance policy against having a weakened immune system. Lately, as friends and family all around me are being stricken with viruses, colds, and flus, I am certainly glad that I have not been severely hit with these same things.

Many stressors on our bodies can contribute to an inability to ward off sickness, even though we are eating right. Lack of proper, routine rest and sleep is one of these stress factors, and there are numerous others.

But here are a few home and herbal remedies that I have found to be effective. It's important to note that these are the MOST EFFECTIVE at the ONSET of symptoms. (like feeling unusually tired or weary, chills, or sinus drainage):

-Obtain a quality Echinacea/Goldenseal combo and take 2 caps every 2 hours

-Cut up a clove of garlic, mix it in a tsp of pure honey and swallow it (I have to chase it with juice or sweetened tea!) Do this every 3 hours as well.

-Drink a cup of raw juice of some sort every 3 hours and limit your solid food intake. If you don't have a juicer, then use a powdered juice drink like, THE FEAST, from Uri International. This is much more convenient than a juicer too. It's berry flavor is delicious and it contains the juice of 30 fruits and berries and the juice of 30 greens and veggies.

-Drink hot water with lemon wedges squeezed in and a tsp of honey.

-Take an over the counter zinc supplement for colds like "Cold-eze or Zicam". These have proven to be extremely successful for me and my family.

-And last but not least....GO LIE DOWN AND REST!! If you keep pushing yourself you may loose the window of opportunity to fight this thing with natural remedies. Once it really settles in and becomes full blown, it usally won't leave as easily.

Merry K.

How Many Servings of Fruits and Vegetables are Required for Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-02-14T18:48:00.001-08:00

Well, the US Government recommends 5-9 and lately I heard that a new study had been done at Harvard that said the optimal is 9-11.

Now I don't have anything to substantiate that claim. And it's pointless to do so, really, when the average American isn't even getting 5-9 a day. I mean, if we were now needing 9-11, most of us are done before we ever get started in this quest to better ourselves by eating healthy nutritious food.

Also, the US Gov says that you can count juice as one of your servings. It is clear, however, that fruit juice from concentrate (what you'll find on your grocer's juice aisles) is the least nutritious choice. As a matter of convenience, most of us choose juice to replace the actual eating of the fruit and veggie. I agree, juice is more convenient for sure.

So, here's a juice for you to try. It requires no refridgeration, and can be carried in a single serving packet anywhere you may roam:

The Feast:
Is the one and only concentrated, whole food supplement on the planet that delivers a full, synergistic spectrum of over 176 natural ingredients.

The Feast:
Does not contain isolated, synthetic or inorganic vitamins and minerals.
Dried at temperatures below 100°F. Fresh live whole foods to powder concentrate in seconds.
Non-pasteurized. Preservative free.
More variety, quality and quantity than any other concentrated wholefood supplement.
Nutritious and Delicious! Tastes great!
The most powerful, nutrient dense nutritional product on the market today.
Each serving contains naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, antioxidant compounds, amino acids, enzymes, essential fatty acids, fiber & phytonutrients.
The Feast provides a quality, quantity and variety of ingredients that is superior to synthetic, pasteurized or preserved liquid and powder supplements.

Every Scoop Provides:
1000’s of naturally occurring nutritional compounds from fresh wholefood concentrates.
70+ nutrient dense concentrates from fresh live whole foods.

Our proprietary low-temperature InstaFresh™ concentrates live whole foods and fresh, raw juices into nutrient dense, great tasting, juice powders for the ultimate in all natural convenient nutrition.

All of this in one, all natural, convenient, nutrient dense live whole food based supplement!†
Typical ORAC value:*
Per Scoop: 1,990. Per 300 Gram Jar: 59,700
*The typical ORAC value may vary slightly from batch to batch due to natural changes in growing and harvesting conditions.

The Feast contains no fillers, dairy, preservatives, additives, excipients, chemical residues, pesticides, animal products or GMO. 100% Vegetarian.

Stop struggling to get your 5-9. I promise that URI INTERNATIONAL'S FEAST, will give you a greater desire to eat more fruits and vegetables. You give it to your body and it responds with a resounding "MORE PLEASE!"

Merry K.

Sleeping, Obesity, and Eating Healthy Nutritious Food

2008-02-11T19:22:00.000-08:00

What would you think if I said that not getting enough sleep at night is a contributing factor in the problem of obesity?

It's true, for both adults and children. Concerning children, a recent study published November 2007 in the Pediatric Journal reports that increasing sleep in greatly reduces obesity in children.

How? It's simple. When the body doesn't get regular, restorative sleep, it is thrust into a state of stress. When our bodies are stressed from lack of sleep, we feel stressed. How do most folks deal with stressful feelings...EATING. And we usually aren't eating healthy nutritious food when we eat for comfort.

Common sleep robbers both for adults and children: caffeinated beverages, too much stimulation before bedtime, inconsistent bedtimes and wake-up times, watching TV or playing video games in the evening.

Solutions to these unhealthy habits: DO THE OPPOSITE!

Obesity in children is a very, very serious issue. But we can do something about it when they are young. We can set and stick to consistent bedtimes and waketimes, we can cut down or cut out caffeine for our kids, we can read to them or talk with them quietly in their rooms before sleep time, and we can TURN OFF THE TV AND VIDEO (also games) in the evening.

And to greatly reduce the craving your children are having for unhealthy, non-nutritive foods you can give them the URI FEAST. This whole food based juice powder, when mixed in water and consumed daily, will jump start their body on real, live whole food nutrition. This will give them a huge advantage in the battle against unhealthy habits of the young and obese.

Merry K

Eating Healthy Nutritious Food And Warnings About Artificial Colorings

2008-02-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

One of my all time favorite places to find amazing, all natural whole food snacks is The Whole Food Farmacy. http://www.wholefoodfarmacy.com/
I want to share an article with you that they sent me regarding artificial colorings in food, especially as it relates to kids:

The possibility that artificial food colorings and chemical preservatives could affect your child's behavior has been a hotly contested issue for decades.

Research reported in the September 2007 issue of the Lancet Medical Journal now provides a clear demonstration that changes in behavior can be detected in three-year-old and eight-year-old children who ingest these artificial processed food additives. Psychology Professor James Stevenson of the University of Southampton and colleagues conducted tests on more than 300 children. They found significant differences in the children's behavior when they drank fruit drinks with a mixture of common processed food additives including artificial food colorings and chemical preservatives.

"These findings show that adverse effects are not just seen in children with extreme hyperactivity (such as ADHD) but can also be seen in the general population and across the range of severities of hyperactivity," the researchers wrote in their study. The team of researchers commented that "the implications of these results for the regulation of food additive use could be substantial".

Many parents today feel pressured by doctors and school officials into treating their children's symptoms with narcotic medications. After witnessing the side effects, many wish they had not.

On the other hand, we have wonderful non-profit groups like The Feingold Association that has a 30 year track record and a 90% success rate in alleviating such symptoms by simply changing the child's diet.

If you are a parent who is concerned about your child's behavior, please visit The Feingold Association's website for more information at http://www.feingold.org/

We also encourage you to offer your children Wholefood Farmacy foods which contain NO artificial colorings, NO artificial flavorings, NO artificial sweeteners and NO chemical preservatives. Maybe A.D.D. should really stand for Artificial Diet Disorder - we encourage parents everywhere to give nature a chance.
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Our kids really do deserve better than the mega "food" distributors offer them. What kind of future are we offering them when we blindly give them chemical-laden foods that actually are causing them to want more of that garbage. Not only are they habitually gaining unhealthy eating habits now, this will carry them into adulthood. One day, their bodies won't be able to withstand the pressure, and that's where chronic disease takes up residency.

Check out the link to the left for THE FEAST whole food, unpasteurized juice powder. This powder's flavor is derived from natural berry juices...from the farm in Utah, then juiced and dried at low temps. I give this powder mixed in water to my kids every morning and in drinking this they receive the nutritional equivalent of about 4 servings of fruits AND vegetables. This is the simplest and most effective way I've found to meet their need for real nutrition.

Merry K.