April 9, 2016

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TICKTOCK NATURALs in the press

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December 7, 2015
what to eat to cleanse your “gut” !!!
A healthy gut is the foundation of a healthy body. Unfortunately many of us feel less than vibrant and vital and struggle with digestive issues or food sensitivities and a tendency to catch every cold that pass...

what to eat to cleanse your “gut” !!!

A healthy gut is the foundation of a healthy body. Unfortunately many of us feel less than vibrant and vital and struggle with digestive issues or food sensitivities and a tendency to catch every cold that pass us by. Interestingly about 70% of the cells that make up our immune system are in the wall of our gut. Yet a sluggish digestion, poor diet, stress (a big trouble maker!), environmental toxins and food toxins can really take it’s toll.

That’s when it’s time to clean up your act and lighten the load on your system. Making sure to include some gut-cleansing herbs to your diet along with the following gut-cleansing foods can really help boost the cleaning of the gut. The hope is that all this will indeed flush the colon of any toxic build-up, help you lose weight, improve digestive function and re-energize you.

1. Dark, Leafy Greens

2. Chia Seeds

3. Psyllium Husk

4. Herbs

5. Cayenne  

6. Prebiotics

7. Probiotics

Probiotic foods are fermented foods that contain beneficial bacteria. They tend to have a slightly (or intense) sour taste and are also known for helping to curb cravings! Try sauerkraut, kimchi, natural yogurt and kefir! These foods help populate the gut with more good bacteria, giving our gut a stronger fighting power and ability to function well. It’s also a good idea to take a probiotic supplement. Switch up the brand (and strains of bacteria) from time to time to give your body a variety of bacteria.

Photo credit: Vanessa Rees.

source.

my healthy reading list.

(Source: mindbodygreen.com)

December 6, 2015
HEALTHY eating on a budget

The lower your income is, the more difficult it is to be particular about what you eat.  This probably isn’t an earth-shattering revelation to anyone, but if you feel like experimenting, try to buy a week’s worth of healthy food for a family on a budget of, say, $50-75.  Food manufacturers that target lower income shoppers with more affordable products tend to include more GMOs and toxic ingredients in their offerings.

It just isn’t possible to stick to my usual food restrictions.  Generally speaking I avoid:

  • Non-organic dairy because of the hormones and antibiotics as well as the GMO feed given to the animals
  • Non-organic meat because of the hormones and antibiotics as well as the GMO feed given to the animals
  • Anything containing corn, soy, or canola in any form because it is almost certain to be GMO
  • Anything with chemical additives like artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
  • Anything that is likely to have been doused in pesticides
  • Anything containing neurotoxins like MSG, fluoride, or aspartame (along with other artificial sweeteners)

It is a matter, then, of weighing the pros and cons, and figuring out what things, for you, are the most important, while also deciding which standards can be sacrificed.  These decisions will be different for everyone, based on their personal health concerns, their genetic propensity for certain diseases, and the members of the family for whom they are buying the food.

Sometimes, when you’re looking at someone else’s situation while you are comfortably backed by a loaded pantry, it’s easy to be judgemental and tell them what they “should” do. The thing that we  must all remember is that when times are tough, a person may be down to these two options with a two week grocery budget:

1.) Buy strictly healthy organic foods and feed your family for perhaps 8 out of the 14 days.

2.) Carefully select which standards you will relax to keep the tummies of your family full throughout the wait for the next paycheck.

Very few people are going to choose option one.

Usually, I have an enormous stockpile of non-GMO dried foods and a flourishing garden to serve as a back-up for whatever non-toxic items are being offered at a reasonable price that week.  Because I’ve recently moved and am rebuilding my pantry from the ground up, I have no such stockpile right now. I am at the mercy of the food manufacturers.

SOURCE.

my healthy reading list.

December 6, 2015
This is What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Meat and Potatoes Together

Do you eat your meat and potatoes together at the same meal? If you’re a vegetarian that answer is obviously a resounding “no,” but for millions of people it’s something they’ve probably never even thought twice about.

“He’s a meat and potatoes kind of guy” is of course a common phrase and just one example of how eating these two favorite foods together has become ingrained in our DNA.

It’s a practice that hasn’t been questioned much, but the truth is that eating meat and starches like potatoes together could be doing serious harm to your body’s systems.

Should you really abandon your favorite Sunday meal of meat and potatoes? If you truly care about your health then the evidence is pretty clear.  

The Problem With “Meat and Potatoes”

The science of food combining is not well known, but many naturopathic doctors have discovered some surprising patterns and rules for better health.

One of the biggest no-no’s is actually combining meat such as steak with high starch carbohydrates such as potatoes, or even buns with your hamburgers.

Dr. Wayne Pickering, a longtime friend of fitness legend Jack Lalanne, tells us why in this article

source.

my READING list.

December 5, 2015
There’s a common — and unfortunate — belief that healthy eating costs too much money to be sustainable. That an entire paycheck is required to foot the bill for a diet made up of real, whole foods.
Well, I’m here to tell you that eating healthy is...

There’s a common — and unfortunate — belief that healthy eating costs too much money to be sustainable. That an entire paycheck is required to foot the bill for a diet made up of real, whole foods.

Well, I’m here to tell you that eating healthy is totally attainable, millionaire or not. Here are some of my favorite tips to keep your grocery bill low and even save money on your meals.

1. Track your spending.

Set aside a specific amount of money you’re willing to spend on food for the week. Withdraw that amount and store it in an envelope. Don’t charge any food for the week: any extras will come out of that envelope, groceries come out of that envelope, even your coffee run comes out of that envelope. Once the money is gone, your spending for the week is done and you’ll have to get creative with what you already have in your kitchen.

To ease into this, try a test run for a week or two. Write down every cent you spend on food and then create a budget around that number. Make it sure it’s reasonable in terms of your income and also your basic needs.

2. Run a “kitchen sweep.”

Every once in a while, I hold a “kitchen sweep” week. I don’t buy groceries, instead using up what I have left in my kitchen. Typically this means that I use any frozen meals or vegetables, cook bulk whole grains and beans, clean out the fridge and raid the cupboards. This does take a little more creativity than usual, but it’s definitely worth it to save that grocery money for the week. It also ensure I’m using everything I buy in a timely manner so nothing goes to waste.

3. Shop locally.

Explore your local farmer’s market or join a CSA. Organic foods tend to be less expensive when bought locally. Foods that are in season are also cheaper (and usually of better quality) than out-of-season produce. Take advantage of stores known to be less expensive (for me, this means places like Market Basket or Trader Joe’s) and keep in mind that you don’t have to shop all in one place. If meat is cheaper at one store but fresh vegetables are cheaper elsewhere, go to both places and stock up on what you need.

4. Go semi-vegetarian.  

Organic, hormone- and antibiotic-free meat is always your healthiest option when it comes to animal protein. But this stuff is pricey. To cut back on costs, make two meals a day meatless. Experiment with a “meatless monday” dinner if you’re up for it, instead focusing on alternative sources of protein like beans, tofu, whole grains and eggs. (You’ll see health benefits from this in addition to saving money!) Figure out how your body thrives and make it work for you.

5. Buy in bulk.

Stores often have great deals on buying foods like grains, nuts, legumes and spices in bulk. They’re typically healthier and usually have no added ingredients or preservatives. These are all foods with a long shelf life, so stock up when you can and keep them stored for a quick, easy, cheap meal.

6. Shop the sales.

Pay attention to sales, local deals and coupons, and take advantage when you’re able. Stock up when non-perishables are cheaper so you have them on hand for later use. Meats, herbs, fruits and vegetables often freeze well. Grains, nuts, beans and spices will last a long time in your cupboards. Sales are also a great time to stock up on packaged items such as almond butter, canned pumpkin and vegetable stock.

7. Buy frozen.

Don’t be afraid of the frozen food aisle. For some reason, we typically associate frozen produce with less nutrition but this is simply untrue. Not only is frozen produce often less expensive than fresh, it’s often flash frozen to retain more nutrients than fresh fruit or veggies would.

8. Enjoy your leftovers.  

Never throw food away! Spice up day-old meals to make a brand new dish you’re bound to save money. Turn last night’s healthy dinner into today’s lunch. Not only will this cost you less money, but it’ll also save you time and keep you healthy.

9. Plan your meals.  

Before you do your weekly grocery shopping, make a plan for the week. By thinking ahead to what you’re going to cook for each meal, you’re way more likely to stick to only the ingredients you need and not spend money on unnecessary items and impulse buys. Take stock of what you already have on hand so you’re only buying exactly what you need.

10. Cut back on restaurants and delivery.  

Eating out can seriously add up over time. It may seem like a no-brainer, but the less you order food, the more money you’ll save. This means dinner, snacks, lunch … even your morning coffee. Start bringing lunch from home (see #8) and make coffee in a to-go mug every morning. Store snacks in your desk and invest in a reusable water bottle. Additionally, preparing your own meals ensure you know exactly what’s going into them, making it that much easier to follow a healthy eating plan.

So there you have it. I challenge you to implement these tips and let me know how much you save!

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

source.

more health stories to read.

(Source: mindbodygreen.com)

December 5, 2015
5 Surprising Facts That You Need to Know About GMOs
Seeds In recent years, grocers such as Trader Joe’s have been answering increasing consumer demand for non-GMO products. “We’ve had more calls from food processors wanting to know if we can arrange...

5 Surprising Facts That You Need to Know About GMOs

Seeds

In recent years, grocers such as Trader Joe’s have been answering increasing consumer demand for non-GMO products. “We’ve had more calls from food processors wanting to know if we can arrange for non-GMO supplies,” Lynn Clarkson, founder of a grain supplier, told The New York Times. However, for the majority of Americans, going GMO-free isn’t easy. About 90 percent of four major crops in the U.S.—corn, soybeans, canola, and sugar beets—grow from genetically engineered seeds. (Photo: Getty Images).

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more to read here.

(Source: drsusaneisen)

December 4, 2015
Until recently, science had no answer for why we sleep. Their best guess? Because we get tired.
Recently, research has shown us that channels open up in the brain and clear away waste during sleep to help keep our brains healthy.
So we need sleep to...

Until recently, science had no answer for why we sleep. Their best guess? Because we get tired.

Recently, research has shown us that channels open up in the brain and clear away waste during sleep to help keep our brains healthy.

So we need sleep to stay healthy … yet sometimes this natural and necessary bodily function eludes us.High sleep index foodsYou’ve probably heard of tryptophan, the amino acid that many people blame for their lethargy after Thanksgiving dinner. The body converts tryptophan into neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and melatonin, that help us relax. As a result, tryptophan-rich foods help us feel sleepy.

Turkey, hummus, lentils and kelp are naturally high in tryptophan and contain many other beneficial nutrients.Bananas are also a great “sleep index” food: They contain tryptophan, potassium and magnesium, all of which are natural muscle relaxants.

Cherries are a good source of melatonin, which can help us get more restful, reparative sleep.And did you know that in one study, people who ate two kiwi fruits before bed got an extra hour of sleep at night? They woke up later and took less time to fall asleep.Carbohydrate-rich foods are often excellent at promoting better sleep.

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that high-glycemic carbohydrates, which increase sugar levels rapidly, encourage sleep when eaten about four hours before bedtime. Jasmine rice, potatoes, carrots, corn and honey are healthy options.Calcium helps the brain use tryptophan to create melatonin.

Specific food combinations, such as whole grain cereals and milk, peanut butter sandwiches, or cheese and crackers contain balanced amounts of calcium and carbohydrates. Calcium is also a natural muscle relaxant.

source.

HEALTH reading list

December 4, 2015
Seafood companies are responding to the public’s increased interest in whether fishing practices deplete tuna populations.
San Diego-based Chicken of the Sea, one of the largest U.S. distributors of packaged seafood, recently issued its corporate...

Seafood companies are responding to the public’s increased interest in whether fishing practices deplete tuna populations.

San Diego-based Chicken of the Sea, one of the largest U.S. distributors of packaged seafood, recently issued its corporate sustainability report. The company boasted numerous ways it has increased its commitment to corporate sustainability—decreasing waste through recycling, cutting water use, becoming more energy efficient at its facilities, reducing its carbon footprint through better transportation logistics and continuing to evaluate its packaging for its environmental impact. It announced a series of goals it plans to meet by 2020.

“While we’ve made good progress, looking ahead, we face very real challenges in several of our key areas,” said David Roszmann, the company’s COO and leader of its sustainability efforts. “On the environmental front, we must be aggressive about identifying and implementing new technologies and behaviors to improve our energy efficiency. We must also continue to pay close attention to our supply chain and its impacts.”

source.

more health related stories to read here.

(Source: eatlocalgrown.com)

December 4, 2015
Seeds

In recent years, grocers such as Trader Joe’s have been answering increasing consumer demand for non-GMO products. “We’ve had more calls from food processors wanting to know if we can arrange for non-GMO supplies,” Lynn Clarkson, founder of a grain supplier, told The New York Times. However, for …

December 3, 2015
kyttenjanae:
“ love wins…//
@kyttenjanae
”

kyttenjanae:

love wins…//

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