Toxins bombard us everyday. It is impossible to avoid them because they are found in the air we breathe and the food we consume. Stress, negative emotions, drugs, tobacco, alcohol and personal care products can also create toxicity in the body. Our bodies work daily to process and rid these toxins from our system. If the body is not able to effectively remove the toxins, they begin to damage our body.
A few signs of body toxicity are:
Constant fatigue
Stubborn weight gain
Bad breath
Constipation
Sensitivity to scents
Muscle aches or pains
Skin reactions
To minimize our toxic load we must balance our digestion (enzymes and probiotics), lower our stress levels and intake of environmental toxins. When our digestive tract is off course our body cannot properly assimilate the nutrition we are putting into our bodies. The body will not effectively remove the toxins when the pathways are damaged or clogged. The average American is walking around with 10-20 pounds of mucoid plaque in their gut. It is important to consistently cleanse and detox the body.
I recently completed a 7 day liver, gallbladder, kidney, parasite and juice cleanse after recognizing the signs of toxicity in my body. It was intense and well worth it. It consisted of a juice cleanse, 3 enemas a day, parasite detox and liver/gallbladder/kidney flush. You can watch my journey here:
After completing the cleanse these are the benefits I experienced:
A boost in energy
I felt lighter after getting rid of all of the excess waste
I lost 12 pounds
My immune system feels stronger
My skin and hair are glowing
I reset my body and have a new start
Improved mental clarity
I affirmed my strength and dedication
If you have questions about this cleanse please contact me.
To make the sauce, whisk together mayonnaise, honey and rice vinegar in a small bowl; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, hot sauce, salt and pepper, to
taste; set aside. In a large bowl, combine Panko, onion and garlic salt, basil, oregano, salt and pepper, to taste; set aside.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
Working one at a time, dip shrimp into buttermilk mixture, then dredge in Panko mixture, pressing to coat. Working in batches, add shrimp to the skillet and cook until evenly golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve immediately, drizzled with sweet & spicy sauce.
Vegetable Fried Quinoa
What You’ll Need:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
3 large eggs, beaten
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
1 small zucchini, diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
4 cups cooked quinoa
2 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 green onions, sliced
What You’ll Do:
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over low heat. Add eggs and fry until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Let cool before dicing into small pieces.
Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook, stirring often, until onions have become translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add mushrooms, broccoli and zucchini. Cook, stirring constantly, until vegetables are tender, about 3-4 minutes.
Add carrots and quinoa. Cook, stirring constantly, until heated through, about 1-2 minutes. Add ginger and soy sauce, and gently toss to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Stir in green onions and eggs. Serve immediately, drizzled with.
The Benefits Of Matcha Green Tea – Why you should ditch traditional green tea and switch to Matcha.
Through a Japanese tea ceremony, I was introduced to the benefits of matcha green tea. “Matcha” as it is called is a special type of green tea made of the entire leaf. Consuming the whole leaf provides 100% of the nutrients and 137 times the antioxidant power of regular green tea. One cup of matcha = 10 cups of regularly brewed green tea in terms of nutritional content.
Benefits of Matcha Green Tea – How It’s Made
The benefits of matcha green tea come from the use of the whole leaf. The leaves are pulverized, creating a green powder. The green tea powder is then whisked with hot water in a bowl creating a frothy beverage. In traditional ceremonies, Geishas serve the warm beverage in traditional style. The preparation and enjoyment is meditative.
The resulting high levels of chlorophyll in Matcha Green Tea not only give this tea its beautiful vibrant green color; matcha is also a powerful detoxifier, capable of naturally removing heavy metals and chemical toxins from the body.
Benefits of Matcha Green Tea – Awaken Mental Clarity
One of the benefits of Matcha green tea is that it creates calm alertness. l-theanine (an amino acid found in green and black tea) produces a state of relaxation without drowsiness. With three times as much caffeine than a cup of steeped tea, matcha has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee. Switching your morning coffee for the benefits of Matcha green tea will give you the caffeine you are accustomed to without the jitters and mid-morning crash.
Benefits of Matcha Green Tea – Antioxidant Support
Catechins are phytochemical compounds, vital antioxidants which provide the body with metabolic support and stamina. We know that with it’s potent antioxidant properties, a bowl of matcha provides over five times as many antioxidants as any other food. The EGCg catechins, which make up 60% of matcha tea, have also shown to hold antibiotic properties which promote overall health.
Benefits of Matcha Green Tea – Promote Relaxation
The L-Theanine in matcha promotes the production of alpha waves in the brain, which induces relaxation without the inherent drowsiness caused by other “downers.” The L-Theanine also promotes the production of dopamine and serotonin.
Studies of different populations have shown that people who drink Match Green Tea on a regular basis have lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol while at the same time displaying higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
Benefits of Matcha Green Tea – Become A Fat Burning Machine
Drinking Matcha Green Tea has also been shown to increase metabolism and help the body burn fat about four times faster than average.
Benefits of Matcha Green Tea – Prolonged Energy
While all green tea naturally contains caffeine, the energy boost received from Matcha is largely due to its unique combination of other nutrients. The increased endurance from a bowl of Matcha Green Tea can last up to 6 hours and because of the effects of L-Theanine, Matcha drinkers experience none of the usual side-effects of stimulants such as nervousness and hypertension. It’s good, clean energy.
Benefits of Matcha Green Tea – Save $ By Making It At Home
If you buy matcha in a cafe, you’ll spend somewhere around $4 a cup. You can make it at home for pennies—here’s how:
1. Heat spring or filtered water
2. Add a few drops of hot water to matcha powder and mix into paste with a spoon
3. Add more hot water to paste mixture and stir. Try 1 teaspoon to 6 ounces of water. Adjust measurement to suit taste.
4. Enjoy!
Benefits of Matcha Green Tea – There’s One Exception
Since the whole leaf is used in the production of matcha green tea, lead contamination could be a concern. Even organically grown green teas have been shown to contain trace amounts of lead. As long as you are not drinking the tea all day every day, you should be okay. We must weigh the benefits vs. the risks and make a decision for ourselves if we want to drink matcha.
Yerba mate benefits the mind and body. Yerba mate or mate as it is often called is traditionally consumed in the central and southern regions of South America, where it is often a social event to drink mate.
Yerba Mate Benefits – The Social Aspect
It’s not unusual to see people walking down the street sipping mate while carrying a thermos of hot water to refresh their drink. When you are asked to share mate with someone, it is a sign of friendship and bonding.
Yerba Mate Benefits – A Physical Impact
Yerba mate is made from the dried leaves of the evergreen holly, a plant native to South America. Due to the high quantity of polyphenols found in mate, many health promoting claims have been made about it. Studies have concluded that Yerba mate benefits include improved allergy symptoms, reduced risk of diabetes mellitus and high blood sugar in mice.
Yerba Mate Benefits – A Weight Loss Tool
Mate also acts as an appetite suppressant and could be effective as a weight loss tool. It increases energy expenditure, improves insulin sensitivity, and burns stored fat. Athletes have been known to use it to enhance physical performance. This tea has been shown to increases mental energy and focus, improves mood, and promotes deeper sleep. Yerba mate benefits include being used as a digestive aid, its use as a general nerve tonic for pain, fatigue, and depression.
With a powerful nutrient profile Yerba mate benefits the body. It is said to have the strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the euphoria of chocolate all in one beverage. That is a big claim; lets look more deeply at the benefits and side effects of consuming Yerba mate.
Yerba Mate Benefits – A Powerful Mood Enhancer
Providing gentle, clean and calm energy replacing your morning coffee with Yerba mate will bring about alert wakefulness with out the jitters or crash often associated with coffee. Mate stimulates the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain which is the cause for increased motivation and productivity.
Yerba Mate Benefits – Nutritional Impact
Each serving of mate contains the following vitamins and minerals:
•vitamin A
•vitamin C
•vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B5
•vitamin E
•calcium
•iron
•magnesium
•manganese
•phosphorus
•potassium
•selenium
•sodium
•sulfur
•zinc
This doesn’t include the beneficial phytonutrient tannins, trace minerals, chlorophyll, flavonols, polyphenols, and 15 amino acids. The polyphenols in Yerba mate exhibit more antioxidant power than any other tea-based drink. These potent antioxidant compounds protect the cardiovascular system as the theobromine in mate relaxes the blood vessels allowing for better flow.
Yerba Mate Benefits – Boost Your Immune System
Yerba mate is high in compounds called saponins which boost the immune system. These natural anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to be useful for treating bladder infections. This compound is also helpful in modulating an overactive immune system. Helpful in treating constipation, diarrhea, indigestion and parasites it’s natural antibacterial properties fight against E. coli, one of the most common causes of food poisoning. It’s also useful for both preventing and treating bladder and kidney stones.
Yerba Mate Benefits – Enjoy A Cup Today
Traditionally, you would drink Yerba mate out of hallowed out gourds packed with the loose leaves. Leisurly you would sip the mate through a “bombilla”, a special metallic drinking straw. The easiest way to get started is using Yerba mate tea bags and drinking it out of a regular mug. Some find the taste earthy, like grass. The tea can be diluted so that you can build your way up to a stronger cup. Add some honey to your mate to make the taste more palatable.
Jade green stalks of rice shoot up from the murky waters of the terraced landscape. The sapphire sky contrasts the scene creating a sense of balance. On my scooter I putter through the rice fields soaking up the mystical beauty of Bali.
A place that beckons travelers from around the world, often you hear visitors explain they are on a spiritual retreat. I came to Bali to learn about the cuisine and take the flavors home with me to share with others. I believe eating is a spiritual act. The best way to experience a culture is through their food.
Navigating the bustling local markets with our instructor, we picked up fresh spices, along with produce that was fresh from the farm. I watched as a young man gutted and descaled our fish in no more than 15 seconds, his catch from earlier that morning would end up in our meal. It was amazing.
One of the best things about traveling is sharing the experience with others. These are recipes we cooked while in Bali. I hope you will try them for yourself and enjoy these authentic Balinese dishes.
Indonesian Food – Recipes From Bali
Pindang Serani
Yellow Fish Soup
What You’ll Need:
2 pounds of fish tuna, mackerel or other fish of your preference
1 handful of fresh basil
2 Kemangi Salam leaves or bayleaf
3 thumbs of galangal, peeled & sliced
1/2 onion, chopped
1 thumb of ginger, sliced
3″ piece of turmeric, peeled & sliced**
2 Kafir lime leaves, torn into pieces
2 lemongrass stalks, crushed, then tied into knots
1 red pepper, deseeded & sliced
7 cloves of garlic
8 small shallots, sliced
14 Canbera Wit – Thai chilies, destemed*
3 green onions, sliced
1 lime, juiced
3 tablespoons of coconut oil
1 tablespoon mushroom stock pearls*
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
What You’ll Do:
In a soup pot over medium high heat add the coconut oil. Add the galangal, onion, lemongrass, red pepper, shallots and green onion to the pan and sauté until tender. Combine the garlic, turmeric, and ginger with 2 tablespoons of water in a blender and purée. Pour this sauce into the soup pot. When the soup pot becomes fragrant add the chopped fish to the pan. Pour 2 cups of water into the pot. Toss in the whole chilies and ripped Kafir lime leaves. Add mushroom stock. Sprinkle in the salt and sugar and simmer over medium high heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Add the lime juice and basil. Remove from heat. Serve.
*Do not chop the Thai chilies. Keeping the chilies whole minimizes the heat they give off. If you chop them the dish may become inedible.
*If you cannot find mushroom stalk, substitute with vegetable broth concentrate.
Jackfruit Curry
What You’ll Need:
1 pound young jackfruit, chopped*
1 thumb of fresh turmeric, peeled & chopped
5 red peppers, deseeded & sliced
7 cloves of garlic, sliced
3 green onions, sliced
3 thumbs of white ginger, sliced thick
2 Romano tomatoes
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 tablespoon curry powder
1 tablespoon mushrooms stock pearls*
2 tablespoons coconut oil
Optional garnish: 1/4 cup fried shallots
What You’ll Do:
Boil ginger, turmeric and red peppers for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Blend this mixture together with the garlic and 3 tablespoons of water until smooth. Pour the contents of the blender into the pot and reduce the sauce for 10 to 15 minutes.
In a medium soup pot add the chopped jackfruit, cover with water. Boil until tender and then drain.
Add the reduced curry sauce to the jackfruit pot. Mix in the green onions and coconut oil. Stir in the curry powder. Add 1 cup of water and coconut milk. Segment the tomatoes into the curry and stir. Add mushroom stock pearls and salt to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with steamed rice.
*If you cannot find young jackfruit you can use potatoes or meat instead.
*If you cannot find mushroom stalk substitute with vegetable broth concentrate.
Pepes Tahu
What You’ll Need:
1 thumb sized piece of palm sugar
1 red pepper, deseeded & sliced
1 thumb size galangal, peeled & sliced
5 small shallots, sliced
4 green onions, sliced
1 Kefir lime leaf, destemed
1 Romano tomato, chopped
16 ounces Tofu
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 eggs
1 tablespoon mushrooms stock pearls*
1/2 teaspoon salt
banana leaves
What You’ll Do:
In a sauce pan over medium-high, heat the coconut oil. Add the palm sugar, red pepper, galangal and Kefir leaf. Reduce heat and simmer until the palm sugar melts. Remove from heat.
Squeeze the tofu dry.
In a medium sized stock pot add the shallots, green onions and tomato and tofu. Stir in eggs. Remove the Kefir leaf from the sauce pan and pour the contents into the tofu mixture. Cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Place water in your food steamer and bring to a roaring boil.
Scoop one cup the tofu mixture into a banana leaf and roll it up. Skewer the ends with bamboo picks. Steam for 15 minutes. Serve.
*If you cannot find mushroom stalk substitute with vegetable broth concentrate.
Easy pickles
What You’ll Need:
1/2 onion, chopped
2 large cucumbers, segmented
10 Canbera Wit – Thai chilies, destemed*
1 large carrot, peeled & julienne
1/2 cup hot water
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons sugar
What You’ll Do:
Add all ingredients in an airtight container. Shake. Serve.
*Do not chop the Thai chilies. Keeping the chilies whole minimizes the heat they give off. If you chop them the dish may become inedible.
**Tip: To quickly and easily peel ginger or turmeric use the edge of a spoon to remove the skin.
This Kabocha Kale Salad with Sweet Potato Cakes and Avocado Lemon Mousse is packed with real food nutrition to sustain you while delighting your senses.
Let’s be candid this recipe is highly involved. This is not the dish you would prepare if you are in a hurry to get something on the table for the family to eat. This is a meal that takes time. The pay off is the mingling of delightful flavors swirling over your tastebuds thanking you for the effort you put into preparing it.
The Sweet Potato Cakes freeze well. Prepare enough so that you can have them on hand for futures meals. Simply warm them in the oven or lightly fry them in a skillet and serve.
Kobcocha Kale Salad
Ingredients
1 small kabocha squash (2 pounds)
1-2 bunches of lacinto kale (dinosaur kale) 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup wheat berries or farro, cooked
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
With a vegetable peeler remove the outer rind of the kabocha. Cut the kabocha squash in half and scrape out the seeds. Cut the squash in 1-inch cubes, toss with a little olive oil and salt. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, turning at half way mark. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
Remove the thick stems from the kale and discard. Stack the leaves, roll them into a tight bundle, then slice thin. You should have about 4-5 cups of kale. Toss kale with a tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Set aside.
In a dry pan toast walnuts until fragrant, 7-8 minutes. Allow to cool.
Add farro, walnuts, cranberries and pumpkin seeds to the kale. Gently toss in the roasted kabocha until combine. Set aside.
Sweet Potato Lentil Cakes
Ingredients
3 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes (2 medium sweet potatoes) 1 cup split red lentils, rinsed
2 cups water
1 cup rolled oats, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
black pepper, to taste
1 cup chopped lacinto kale (dinosaur kale) 1⁄2 cup shelled pumpkin seeds
1⁄4 cup shelled hemp seeds
1⁄4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Steam the sweet potatoes in a steamer or roast in the stove for 30 minutes, until fork-tender. Set aside to cool.
In a small pan bring the rinsed lentils to a boil in 2 cups water. Reduce heat, and simmer 25 minutes or until tender. Drain, set aside.
Add the sweet potatoes, lentils, 1⁄2 cup of the rolled oats, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, paprika, cumin, sea salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is combine. There should still be chunks in the sticky mixture.
Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add in the reserved 1⁄2 cup rolled oats, kale, pepitas, hemp seeds, cilantro, and chives. Gently stir to incorporate.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Form the mixture into patties. Place each on the baking sheet. Bake the patties for 30 minutes, flip them at the 15-minute mark.
Avocado Lemon Mouse
Ingredients
1 avocado
1 lemon, juiced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons sour cream (optional)Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth.
Plate a generous portion of the kabocha kale salad, add 2 patties to the plate. Serve with a the avocado lemon mouse. Enjoy!
The health benefits of spirulina are undeniable. Spirulina is hailed as a superfood that promotes body and brain health. This blue-green “miracle” algae grows naturally in oceans and salty lakes in subtropical climates.
Health Benefits Of Spirulina – Abundant Nutrients For The Body
Spirulina is rich in nutrients, some of which aren’t found in the average daily vitamin. According to the FDA, the health benefits of Spirulina include significant amounts of calcium, niacin, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and iron. Spirulina is a great source of B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium and antioxidants. It also has essential amino acids (compounds that are the building blocks of proteins). In fact, protein makes up about 60 to 70 percent of Spirulina’s dry weight.
Health Benefits Of Spirulina – An Antioxidant Powerhouse
One of the health benefits of Spirulina comes from its antioxidant properties. Spirulina protects our cells by warding off inflammation and other dis-eases in the body. Spirulina has been shown to positively reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering “the bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the body while promoting HDL “the good” cholesterol. In higher doses, spirulina could reduce blood pressure.
Health Benefits Of Spirulina – It’s Full Of Protein
Anemia is a fairly common aliment which can lead to fatigue due to a reduction in hemoglobin or red blood cells in the blood. When one’s diet is supplemented with spirulina, it has been documented that hemoglobin content of red blood cells increase.
Spirulina has 4 grams of protein in a single tablespoon making it a more concentrated source of protein than red meat and only 20 calories. With a high concentration of bio-available iron it is excellent during pregnancy and for those with anemia as it will not cause constipation. The health benefits of Spirulina are compounding in the body as the proteins and nutrients are bioavailable and easily absorbed.
Health Benefits Of Spirulina – Detox The Body
The health benefits of Spirulina include its ability to detoxify the body. It is great at cleansing the body of heavy metals by binding to them and removing them from the body. Evidence suggests that it can bind to radioactive isotopes and may be useful for radioactivity exposure or radiation therapy. A combination of zinc and Spirulina may help the body clear arsenic in people whose drinking water has unusually high levels, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).
Health Benefits Of Spirulina – Prevent What Ails You
Many people promote Spirulina as a treatment for a range of metabolism and heart health issues, including weight loss, diabetes and high cholesterol, according to the NIH. The health benefits of Spirulina help a range of eclectic health problems, including premenstrual symptoms and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), according to the NIH. People also recommend Spirulina as an aid for various mental and emotional disorders, including anxiety, stress, depression and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Health Benefits Of Spirulina – It’s Nontoxic
Toxicological studies of the effects of spirulina consumption on humans and animals, including feeding as much as 800 mg/kg, and replacing up to 60% of protein intake with spirulina, have shown no toxic effects. Fertility, teratogenicity, peri- and postnatal, and multigenerational studies on animals also have found no adverse effects from spirulina consumption.
Doctors consider Spirulina to be safe in general, especially in light of its long history as a food. Spirulina may become contaminated with toxic metals, harmful bacteria and microcystins — toxins produced from some algae —if it is grown in unsafe conditions. Be sure to buy Spirulina from a trusted source and always buy organic when possible.
Health Benefits Of Spirulina – Get Some Today
Spirulina is available in tablet, flake and powder form. Adding a tablespoon a day to your fresh green juice or to 8 ounces of water will kill the sugar/carb cravings you have and keep you full for hours. For those that want to reap the benefits of this powerhouse but can’t hack the flavor, capsules are a great way to go as spirulina has a very strong taste. A little experimentation will help you find the way you will most enjoy adding Spirulina to your diet. Here is a recipe to try:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper. Place potatoes on the parchment paper and toast in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes. Mix all spices thoroughly in a bowl. Sprinkle spices over potatoes. Place back in the oven and bake until crisp, about 30 minutes. Store in an air-tight container.
Nature provides many herbs, plants and foods that heal us. Turmeric is one of the most versatile healing spices in the world with over 600 experimentally confirmed health benefits. This brightly colored spice from India has been a staple in Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian cuisine. Chinese medicine has used turmeric for ages. Though turmeric is just now gaining mainstream popularity it has existed throughout history.
When we breakdown the turmeric plant we find it is made up of curcuminoids. Curcumin could be argued as the most important component of turmeric. Curcumin is most commonly known for giving curry its yellow color. Turmeric can be used in a variety of recipes from soups and curries to a marinate for meats or simply sprinkle it on veggies. With a mild flavor this spice makes for an easy addition to any diet.
Turmeric Health Benefits – How it works…
The antioxidant properties of turmeric reduce the damage free radicals have in the body and alleviate inflammation says a University of Maryland’s Medical Center. Studies at the University of Arizona have suggested that adding turmeric to the diets of lab rats significantly reduced the symptoms of those suffering with rheumatoid arthritis. This is great news for people suffering with joint pain as is works rapidly.
It is so effective that it matches some anti-inflammatory drugs on the market. In that way, curcumin delivers a one-two punch against free radicals. It blocks them directly, then stimulates the body’s own antioxidant mechanisms.
Chronic, low-level inflammation is known to play a role in almost every chronic dis-ease. This includes heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s and various other degenerative conditions.
Recently, doctors at UCLA found that curcumin could block the enzyme that promotes the growth of head and neck cancer, inhibiting and preventing the spread of malignant cells. Curcumin works to stimulate the growth hormone of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Alzheimers patients have decreased levels of BDNF. Increasing curcumin in the diet may be effective in delaying and possibly reversing many brain related dis-eases. It could also improve memory and brain function.
Over time curcumin improves the endothelium, which is the lining of the blood vessels and the major driver of heart dis-ease. The endothelium regulates blood pressure, blood clotting and other factors in the optimal functioning of the body.
Randomized controlled trials conducted by Department of Pharmacology at the Government Medical College in India have found that turmeric health benefits include: treating depression, producing anti-depressant effects in the brain and raising the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that are known to cause depression.
This spice is so beneficial to our bodies, it behooves us to incorporate it into our daily routine. Add turmeric to your diet either through supplementation or using it as a seasoning in meals. Here is an easy to make tea that can be substituted for your morning coffee or added as an afternoon treat.
Turmeric Health Benefits – Tea recipe
What You’ll Need:
1 cup Coconut Milk (or almond)
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
1/8 teaspoon Nutmeg
Dash of Cayenne Pepper
Raw honey or maple syrup to taste
What You’ll Do:
Put coconut milk, spices and honey in a sauce pan heat up slowly on low heat. If you put it on high heat the coconut milk will get too thick. Pour and enjoy.
This recipe makes one serving. Modify the ingredients to the number of people you are serving.
The use of glyphosate, a broad-spectrum herbicide more commonly referred to as Roundup, is coming under fire yet again. It’s environmental impact in 160 countries is raising questions as to its safety. According to a U.S. Geological Survey, farmers in the U.S. have sprayed 2.6 billion pounds of Monsanto’s glyphosate herbicide on agricultural land between 1992 and 2012.
How do tampons cause cancer?
The potential dangers this herbicide has on farmers and the food they produce for our consumption is alarming. The staggering number of products that have been proven to contain glyphosate is also concerning. The National Pesticide Information Center reports that “There are over 750 products containing glyphosate for sale in the United States”. Our skin is the largest organ of our bodies, and highly permeable. Preservatives, pesticides, fragrances and dyes can be transferred through our skin and mucous membranes and contribute to our toxic load. The World Health Organization (WHO) concluded glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
As women we must address the feminine hygiene products we use monthly that increase our exposure to glyphosates and other questionably unsafe chemicals. Feminine hygiene products are marketed and sold with little to no data as to the ingredients contained with in them. Tampons and pads are considered medical devices per the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). For this reason manufacturers are not required to disclose their ingredients. This makes it is nearly impossible for consumers to know what is in the products they are using.
Dr. Damian Marino, a member of the Socio-Environmental Interaction Multidisciplinary Space (EMISA) UNLP reported that, “According to a recent study out of the University of La Plata , 85 percent of all samples of tampons tested positive for glyphosate, and 62 percent also tested positive for AMPA, the environmental metabolite.”
On average a woman will use approximately 17,000 sanitary care products in her lifetime. We know that the skin and mucous membranes are highly permeable, we also now know that there are chemicals in the feminine hygiene products we use monthly, what we did not know until now is that, “The chemicals absorbed through the vagina are easily and effectively distributed throughout the body, without being metabolized. For example, when estrogenic drugs are administered vaginally, the resulting systemic levels of the drug in the body can be 10-80 times higher than when the very same dose is given orally.” as reported by a Chem Fatale Report outlining the potential health effects of toxic chemicals in feminine care products. This means the glyphosate laced tampons we have been using could be spreading carcinogens, reproductive toxins, endocrine disruptors, and allergens through the permeable mucus membranes of the vagina at dangerous levels.
When researching the issue “do tampons cause cancer?” It is important to know how we can reduce our risk.
Eight years ago, after watching the documentary Earthlings, I made the decision to make Meatless Monday an every night occurrence by becoming a vegetarian. At the time I didn’t know any other vegetarians. Friends and family were confused as to why I would give up meat. They joked I would not be able to resist bacon for more than a week. I was on a new path. My energy levels increased, I was focused and not turning back.
I noticed that my food budget began going father, eating a plant based diet was less expensive then buying meat for each meal. This got me thinking about how affordable eating healthy could be. If I could save so much money changing my diet I was curious as to why the price of meat was to high. The fact is livestock requires so much more food, water, land, and energy than plants to raise and transport.
The environmental impact food production has on our planet is one reason I have continued my vegetarian lifestyle.
A Case For Meatless Monday
In America, on average we eat 270.7 pounds of meat per person a year. That is more than almost every other country except Luxumbourg. There are quite a few resources that are consumed to get that piece of meat on the table. Meat eaters consume 160% more land resources than people who eat a plant-based diet.
A case for Meatless Monday – What’s the fuss about?
Climate control regulators have been focusing on the beef industry as the leading contributor of methane gas production in the world. Cows, sheep, goats, yaks and giraffes acquire nutrients from a plant-based diet by fermenting it in a specialized stomach prior to digestion. The byproduct of this fermentation is methane. This methane gas has twenty times the heat-trapping ability as carbon. One cow can produce approximately 100 kilograms of methane gas which would be like you or I burning 235 gallons of gasoline in our car.
Livestock in the U.S. also produce 2.7 trillion pounds of manure each year. That’s about ten times more waste than was produced by all the American people. This waste can and has in many instances leeched into the water supply.
With more than 17 billion livestock in the world huge amounts of water are utilized to irrigate the grains and hay fed to the animals. It takes 6+ pounds of feed to make one pound of beef, 3.5 pounds for pork and 2 pounds for chicken. 1/3 of the crops grown worldwide go to feed animals.
The water it takes to produce one ton of beef is equilivant to filling your bath tub 140,000 times says the Pacific Institute. That breaks down to 53 gallons of water per burger. In California for example it takes 2,464 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef according to the Water Education Foundation. To put that in perspective it takes 25 gallons of water to produce one pound of wheat. With California and many other states and nations in a drought this is something to reflect on.
The United States Geological Survey reports that 40 percent of fresh water used in the U.S. is used for livestock while 13 percent was used for domestic purposes. When a person chooses to switch to a plant based diet they will save 162,486 gallons of water annually. Switching to a plant-based diet or reducing the amount of meat in your diet is by far the most important choice you can make to save water.
There are also issues with the humane treatment of livestock. The contribution the meat industry is adding to deforestation. The hormones and antibiotics used on our meat are also a concern. According to an analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration data by the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for a Livable Future, 80 percent of the antibiotics sold in 2009 were for use on livestock and poultry, and only 20 percent was for human medical use. Our oceans are being over-fished, devastating our marine ecosystems. There are a multitude of concerns to deal with.
A case for Meatless Monday – So what’s the solution?
A popular trend call “Meatless Monday” has begun. “When a family of four takes meat and cheese off the menu one day a week, it’s like taking their car off the road for five weeks or reducing their daily showers by three minutes” states the Environmental Working Group.
A case for Meatless Monday – But meat is essential to a healthy diet.
Unlike essential vitamins and minerals the body needs to functional optimally there are no essential proteins. There are essential amino acids the body needs which can be converted into protein for the body and there are plant and legumes that supply these nutrients to our bodies.
There are plenty of plant-based items that provide protein to our bodies. Hemp tops the charts as it can produce up to 293 pounds of usable protein per acre which is more than seven times more protein per acre than meat.
Skipping the meat is not only environmentally friendly it could improve your personal health. For many meat is an important aspect of their diet providing iron, zinc and vitamins B-12, B-6 and niacin to the body. Inversely scientific evidence is associating the high meat consumption levels with a wide range of health problems including obesity, cancer (for the most up to date information on the over 7,000 clinical studies of the links between diet and cancer, visit the World Cancer Research Foundation and National Cancer Institutes websites), cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes.
The American Cancer Society advises people to limit consumption of red meat and all processed meats. If you are eating red meat you should limit your consumption to 2-3 small portions per week and no more then 3 ounces of meat at a sitting.
You might be thinking what will I serve for dinner if I don’t serve meat? We have the solution. Sign up for our 9 irresistible vegetarian recipes and our weekly update which includes new recipes for you to try. Click here to subscribe: Our Wellness Revolution
The bottom line is our demand for animal based products is diverting precious resources like land, water and fossil fuels to produce farmed animals instead of feeding the estimated billion plus people that are malnourished in the world. Everyone has the ability to positively impact our environment. We can change the environment one meal at a time. Consider taking on the challenge of Meatless Monday.
