Saturday, May 24, 2008

Organically Grown Foods And Your Health

Growing your own organic food is a good choice. Growing organic foods is better for both the environment and also healthier for our bodies. However, it is not an easy task. It is a standard known fact that the land we use to grow organic produce should be at least three years without pesticides.

Health benefits include higher nutrient levels and lower pesticide residue. Also you can be assured that there are no additives, such as, preservatives and food colorings which cause chemical imbalance in the body. The soil, water and air are likewise benefited.

During animal feeding trials, it was discovered that animals that were fed with organically grown food had noticeable improvement in overall health and recovery from illness. It would be very beneficial to have more organically grown food as an option in our stores to choose from, which would provide for a much healthier lifestyle for many people.

As people are becoming more and more conscious of their health, organically grown foods are becoming more available. An organic diet will improve overall health in more ways than one. You will have the benefit of extra fiber in a natural diet of unrefined foods which helps the digestive system and the complete body to function more naturally. Organic grown produce has greater nutritional value than those grown commercially.

It can often get more expensive to eat healthy organic foods in the short term, but in the long term it could save from expensive hospital and doctor bills and you will more than likely experience a longer, healthier life span. By changing your lifestyle and eating healthy foods, you will improve on your health, giving your body the ability to enhance the immune system, which in turn, helps to ward off illness and disease caused by toxins in the body.

Organic food is natural and very delicious to the taste, without all the pesticides that are present in commercially grown foods. You should choose to eat mostly fruits and vegetables, as there is much nutritional content that will work together to keep a clean and healthy colon. We are constantly surrounded with environment of fast and processed foods which are so lacking in the nutrition that is found in nature. It is also considered that obesity may be caused in great part by a lack of good nutrition. Those that are concerned with fighting against diseases already know that the human body was designed to fight off diseases before they establish themselves.

Consumers,by a large part, are not aware of all the chemicals and pesticides that are in commercially grown foods. Therefore, they are not aware of the enormous benefits of organically grown food. There are more and more horror stories that should cause people to be aware of the danger of the poisonous chemicals that are killing our children and families.

In Northeast Portland, there is a place called, Wholefoods Market Fremont, which offers a large selection of healthy foods grown organically. Then in the Midwest you can find a wholesaler known as, United Natural Foods. Concern about farming practices among large farmers, has caused a huge demand for organic and health food staples.

By Clara NoltClara Nolt

Robin Plan

Superfood For Health

What is a "superfood"? It is a whole food. And whole foods are foods that are unprocessed or are minimally processed in such a way that none of the nutritional characteristics have been intentionally modified.

For example, canned foods are processed.

Not only have apples been proven to be potent weapons against cancer, heart disease, asthma, and type 2 diabetes but other fruits and vegetables have some remarkable health benefits as well. For instance, strawberries and raspberries contain a compound called ellagic acid. One of the best cancer fighters Mother Nature ever created. When eating these fruits this compound enters the bloodstream to help vanquish cancer cells on contact.

Other "Superfoods" that can improve your health and even boost your immune system to a healthy level:

Avocados are believed to help lower cholesterol and they are rich in magnesium (an essential nutrient for healthy bones)
Beans such as pinto beans, black beans and lentils are another series of foods to lower cholesterol, combat heart disease, stabilize blood sugar, reduce obesity, relieve constipation and lessen the risk of cancer.
Blueberries are a small but mighty nutritional force. They combine more powerful antioxidants than any other fruit or vegetables. Although they have many health benefits, the one thing they are known for most is the ability to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Broccoli is a great cancer fighter and very beneficial in many other ways as well.
Dark chocolate is a real surprise to most as being a healthy food. It's a source of phytonutrients which act as an antioxidant that helps protect our DNA and inhibits the growth of unwanted blood vessels. Make sure you buy the right kind of dark chocolate, one that isn't as processed and has a high cacao content. I'll be writing a post about Healthy Chocolate soon.
Garlic is a great food for fighting cancer.
Honey is beneficial in maintaining optimal blood-sugar levels.
Kiwi is an antioxidant all-star. It offers an unusual array of health-promoting substances. One very important thing it does is it promotes heart health by helping to lower triglycerides levels and reducing platelet hyperactivity.

Other superfoods that display health promoting properties are - oranges, pomegranates, pumpkins, wild salmon, soy, spinach, tea, tomatoes, turkey (skinless breast), walnuts, and low-fat or nonfat yogurt.

I'm not a doctor or nutrition authority, I have become very well-informed about nutrition and healthy eating habits in the last nine years. My Mother died of cancer at age 68, she never got to see her grandson. I made the decision I would feed my family real food as often as possible. We aren't perfect so I can't say I'm a total health nut, but I do the best I can.

Today, I'm cautious about the food we eat. I do a lot of research on the Internet, subscribe to several newsletters about alternative health issues.

I'll end by suggesting that you become more informed about you and your family's health. If your doctor practices conventional medicine and is prescribing prescription drugs, scrutinize his decisions. Have a serious talk with him about nutrition and preventative care. If you don't get the answers you want, get a second opinion, preferably from a naturopathic doctor. And always remember "you are what you eat".

We do try to eat right, but we aren't prefect and food isn't always perfect so we take a daily supplement for preventive and to detox.

By Robin Plan

Robin Plan

Eating Smart For Better Health

When it comes to nutrition, it's easy to spend a lot of time worrying about what to eat. But how much you eat puts an even greater stamp on your long-term health than picking the right kind of fat or choosing the right mix of vitamins.

Low-fat diets are routinely promoted as a path to good health. But they haven't fulfilled their promise. One reason is that many people have interpreted the term "low-fat" to mean "it's OK to eat as much low-fat food as you want." For many people, eating less fat means eating more carbohydrates. To the body, calories from carbohydrates are just as effective for increasing weight as calories from fat.

It's easy to eat more than you plan to. In our society, food is everywhere-the mall and gas station, the ballpark and drug store. Super size meals in fast food restaurants are almost too good a bargain to pass up, and servings in all but the most trendy restaurants are often enough to feed two. In the face of such plenty, it's important to learn how to avoid overeating.

Here are some strategies that help defend against eating too much:

• Stop before you are stuffed. Learn your body's signals and practice stopping before you feel full.

• Be selective. It's easy to eat food just because it's put in front of you. Be mindful of what you are eating, and make sure that you are choosing what to eat. Don't just eat out of obligation or simply due to the occasion.

• Select small portions. Portions in most restaurants are over-sized. If you are eating with someone else, try sharing an entrée, or order two appetizers instead of an entree. If you're eating alone, eat half and take the rest home for another meal.

• Beware of desserts. A single slice of a well-know brand of cheesecake packs almost 800 calories and an incredible 49 grams of fat. Either share such a rich dessert several ways or skip it altogether and finish your meal with a piece of fruit or other lower-calorie option.

• Slow down. Eating fast short-circuits the signals that your digestive system generates to signal that it's getting full. Slowing down gives your stomach and intestines time to send these messages to your brain.

• Spoil your appetite. Having a snack or appetizer before a meal can dull your hunger and help you eat less at the meal.

• Be aware of why you are eating. Sometime we eat when we're bored, anxious, or angry. Try not to soothe your negative feelings with food. Dealing with them in other ways talking to friends, listening to music, taking a walk, meditating, or working can help you relieve stress without gaining weight.

It just makes good sense to eat the best diet you can. The effort it takes to make wise food choices can bring big rewards in terms of general health and fitness, weight control, and an enhanced sense of well being.

By Archie Lawhorne

What's In A Food Label?

Any food on the shelf in America must be labeled; otherwise it won't even be allowed to be sold. The question would be: do you read the labels before reaching for the item and going to the counter?

Let me ask you this, how credible are those food labels? Well, don't have a fit and tell me it's been tested by the government, food labels can be deceptive, whether we like it or not. Many companies are using simple tricks nowadays to keep information from the consumer, for a while before it was discovered people didn't know that trans fat in their food would do more harm than good.

Let's start with the basics. How can you decide whether to buy this product is an answer that relies on many steps:

1. Trust your gut feeling if it says "new" or "magnificent". Remember not to judge a book by its cover, those are all marketing ploys.

2. Read the label. Turn the item and look at the white label that has everything you need to know: minerals, calories, fat (saturated, unsaturated), and many more. You should be able to find what you need easily, if you notice the usage of big fancy words that really wouldn't belong on your skimmed milk, move on to the next brand.

3. Check the servings. Servings tell you what's in there. Don't be fooled by the size, it could be air or anything for that matter. You can compare the prices by checking the number of servings in each item. This step saves your budget from dangerous spending trends.

4. If you're not so sure, give them a call. Most labels have a toll free number you can call if you have any inquires about the product. If in doubt, make sure to ask. A good example would be fat, most labels won't tell you properly what's saturated and what's not, give them a call if you're on a diet; don't be shy, it's your right as a consumer.

5. What if it doesn't have a label? The chances are that you're looking at an item in the farmers market or a private bake sale. Again, like with the toll free number, you can ask whoever is selling in the booth whatever you need to know.

6. Pick items that suit your diet. If you're allergic to eggs, don't buy an item that says explicitly it has 5 eggs in it. Make sure to pay attention to your allergies, diet, and medications before taking anything that could do any harm.

I just gave you the skinny on food labels and how to pick an item off a shelf. Make sure you know what you're eating, and if you don't, don't be afraid to ask.

By Jonathan Jenkins

Top 10 Reasons To Drink Aloe Vera Juice

1. Body "Building Blocks"

Amino acids are our body's building blocks. Eight of which are essential and cannot be made by the body, are found within the aloe plant! Drinking Aloe Vera Juice on a regular basis allows you to help maintain your health by replenishing your body naturally with these essential amino acids! An analysis of the aloe vera plant shows that it comes closer than any other known plant to the duplication of essential amino acids.

2. Anti-inflammatory Properties

Aloe Vera Juice has 12 natural substances that have been shown to inhibit inflammation without side effects. Aloe may also support proper joint and muscle mobility!

3. Daily Dose of Vitamins

Aloe Vera Juice includes Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E, Folic Acid and Niacin!

4. Daily Dose of Minerals

Some of the minerals found in the Aloe Vera Juice include calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, chromium, magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc!

5. Collagen and Elastin Repair

Aloe Vera Juice can add a rich supply of building materials to produce and maintain healthy skin. The skin replenishes itself every 21 to 28 days. Using the nutritional building blocks of aloe vera, the skin can utilize these nutrients daily to help combat the effects of aging!

6. Regulates Weight and Energy Levels

Aloe Vera Juice naturally, and with regular use, allows the body to cleanse the digestive system! Our diets include many unwanted substances which can cause lethargy and exhaustion. Taken regularly, Aloe Vera Juice ensures a greater feeling of well being, allowing energy levels to increase and helping to maintain a healthy body weight.

7. Immune Support and Function

Aloe Vera Juice provides natural support for the immune system. Since the immune system works around the clock protecting the body, aloe vera, with its natural immune enhancers, gives the body a continual arsenal from which to draw.

8. Aids in Healthy Digestion

A healthy digestive tract ensures that nutrients from the foods we eat are absorbed into the blood stream. Aloe Vera Juice has natural, detoxifying abilities. Drinking Aloe Vera Juice regularly may improve bowel regularity and increase protein absorption, while at the same time decrease unfriendly bacteria and yeast - all done naturally! Aloe Vera Juice has also demonstrated its ability to assist in soothing heartburn and other types of digestive upset!

9. Provides Rapid Soothing

Aloe Vera Juice enhances fibroblast function. Fibroblasts are those remarkable little cells responsible for collagen formation. They also assist in the soothing of minor burns, cuts, scrapes and skin irritants!

10. Dental Health and Hygiene

Aloe Vera Juice is extremely healthful for your mouth and gums!

So now that you know WHY Aloe Vera is a key success factor to healthy living, the question is, what are you going to do about it?

By Yanna Semenova

Eating Whole Foods For A Full Body Detox

Think carefully back to the last time that you felt really awake and refreshed. How long ago was it? Many people think about that question and blink when they realize how long its really been since they really felt whole and healthy, and one of the leading reasons as to why that might is due to the toxins that are building up in their bodies. When you think about why you are feeling so tired and lethargic, you'll often find that one answer that you encounter will be that the food that you eat is building up toxins your body and that whole foods are providing the answer to that; this is something where a full body detox can be very healthy.

When you think about eating healthy in other words, trying a body detox diet, chances are you will think that fruits and vegetables are the best way to do this. This is the correct impulse, but what if the fruits and vegetables that you get from the store are bad for you? If you think about it, you'll find that most of the fruits and vegetables that you eat are shipped quite a long distance. Because of this, they will be covered with protective waxes or preservatives to make sure that they get to the store looking great, and that's not even including all of the pesticides and steroids that are pumped into them to make them look better!

With whole foods, you are getting foods that have not been tampered with in any way. For a product to be able to say that they are whole foods, you will find that they have only had the most natural pest removal techniques used, and that they will be shipped in such a way as to not require a great deal of preservatives. Not only will this keep many different toxins out of your system, it will help your body cleanse itself as well. When you are considering eating whole foods, you'll find that there are a number of different benefits. Take a look around to see what body detox recipe you will enjoy the most.

When you are eating whole foods in a body detox program, you'll find that you will also end up getting a lot more in the way of vitamins and nutrients as well. The processing that most food goes through will actually strip a great deal of the nutrition away, even if it is a perfectly happy vegetable or fruit. Many people, when they start eating whole foods, end up deciding that whole foods taste a great deal better as well. You'll find that once you start eating whole foods that this can go a long way towards pepping up your diet and making you more enthusiastic about healthy food as well.

To find whole foods, you can start by looking at your grocery. Look in the organic sections and see what you can find and if you are disappointed by the selection, make a mention of this to the manager; this is the best way to start a natural body detox. You'll also find that when you are looking for whole foods that you can go to special grocery stores, or you can simply head to your local farmer's market. Your farmer's market is a great way to figure out how to get foods that are grown as naturally as possible. Take some time to see what whole foods can do for your total body detox!

Natural and Healthy