The Health Benefits of Cilantro

List of Cilantro Benefits

•        Powerful anti-inflammatory capacities that may help symptoms of arthritis
•        Protective agents against bacterial infection from Salmonella in food products
•        Acts to increase HDL cholesterol (the good kind), and reduces LDL cholesterol (the bad kind)
•        Relief for stomach gas, prevention of flatulence and an overall digestive aid
•        Wards off urinary tract infections
•        Helps reduce feelings of nausea
•        Eases hormonal mood swings associated with menstruation
•        Has been shown to reduce menstrual cramping.
•        Adds fiber to the digestive tract
•        A source of iron, magnesium, and is helpful in fighting anemia
•        Gives relief for diarrhea, especially if caused by microbial or fungal infections
•        Helps promote healthy liver function.
•        Reduces minor swelling
•        Strong general antioxidant properties
•        Disinfects and helps detoxify the body
•        Stimulates the endocrine glands
•        Helps with insulin secretion and lowers blood sugar
•        Acts as a natural anti-septic and anti-fungal agent for skin disorders like fungal infections           
• Contains immune-boosting properties      
• Acts as an expectorant
• Helps ease conjunctivitis, as well as eye-aging, macular degeneration, and other stressors on the eyes.

***Add it to your next shake!

 Read more about OUR friend Cilantro – http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/benefits-of/cilantro

Why Does Organic Cost More?

Why it costs more

The biggest criticism of organic food is its cost. There are several reasons it’s more expensive. Organic farmers pay more for organic animal feed, and the farming is more labor intensive, since farmers avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Because farmers don’t use herbicides, for instance, they rely more on hand weeding. And since they avoid chemical fertilizers, they use compost and animal manure, which is bulkier and more expensive to ship. This also means their crop yield is usually lower. Conventional farming also uses every acre of farmland to grow crops, while organic farmers rotate their crops to keep soil healthy.

All of these production costs mean organic farming tends to be more expensive than conventional farming, and this is reflected in how much you pay at the grocery store. However, when you take into account the true “cost” of food production from conventional farming, including replacement of eroded soils, cleaning up polluted water, health care for farmers who get sick, and environmental costs of pesticide production and disposal, organic farming might actually be cheaper in the end.

Probably the most “green” way to acquire your weekly provisions is through a local farmer’s market. The food travels a shorter distance, which means less carbon emissions and food that hasn’t been shipped hundreds of miles or processed to keep it preserved during transport. The food comes from small farms where the farmers are usually conscious of their impact on the earth and care about the food they’re producing. By purchasing food from them, you also support the local food economy and know where your food is coming from. According to the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, food in the United States travels an average of 1,500 miles to make it to your refrigerator. Why take an apple off the truck when you’re a step away from plucking it off the tree?

 

 

Is Organic Better?

Is organic better?

Shoppers may choose organic foods for a variety of reasons. There are certainly environmental reasons to go organic. According to USDA guidelines, organic farming practices are designed to reduce pollution and conserve water and soil. They do not release synthetic pesticides, which can harm wildlife, and they also seek to preserve biodiversity and local ecosystems.

Many people choose organic foods to avoid any risks associated with the pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals used in conventional farming. Parents may be concerned that exposure to these chemicals might harm the development of their children, and therefore they choose organic. Studies appear to support the fact that organic diets lower children’s exposure to pesticides.

As for organic food being healthy, some studies, including one at UC Davis, have demonstrated higher amounts of nutrients in some varieties of organic foods. Another study from Newcastle University in England showed organic milk contained 67 percent more vitamins and antioxidants, as well as more Omega-3s and Omega-6s (“healthy” fat) than conventional milk. Organic foods do not contain any additives or preservatives, and are not genetically modified. And when you buy organic, you’re also bypassing antibiotics and hormones given to animals in conventional methods, added to the fact that these animals are also treated in a more respectful and humane way under organic standards. Controversy exists over whether all organic foods carry substantial benefits over their counterparts—organic onions, for example, might not be much different from their conventional cousins when it comes to health benefits—but in all cases, organic means the foods were grown on farms with USDA guidelines.***

***Center for American Progress

Foods You Don’t Have to Buy Organic

Foods You Don’t Have to Buy Organic – everyone is trying to save a buck these days$$$ 

Onions – Onions don’t see as many pest threats, which means less pesticide spraying

Corn – Sweet corn may take a lot of fertilizer to grow, but you’re unlikely to end up with any pesticides on the kernels.

Pineapple – You won’t be eating the tough pineapple skin, which protects the fruit from pesticide residue. As with all your produce, you should rinse the pineapple before cutting.

Avocado – Avocados have thick skins that protect the fruit from pesticide build-up

Asparagus –  Asparagus face fewer threats from pests such as insects or disease, so fewer pesticides need to be used.

Sweet Peas – Sweet peas are among the least likely vegetables to have pesticide residue, according to the Environmental Working Group’s latest survey of government data.

Mangos – Sweet mango flesh is protected by its thick skin from pesticides. Still, you’ll want to rinse under water before cutting open.

Eggplant – Maybe it’s the thick skin, but eggplants are among the least likely to be contaminated by pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group.

Cantaloupe – With that rind, just like the watermelon has a natural defense against the onslaught of any chemical

Kiwi – Kiwi peel provides a barrier from pesticides. Give them a rinse before cutting.

Cabbage – Cabbage doesn’t hold on to so many pesticides because a ton of spraying isn’t required to grow it. What it does hold onto is beta carotene: It’s a super food!

Watermelon – With that rind, watermelon has a natural defense against the onslaught of any chemical

Sweet Potato – Not only are sweet potatoes unlikely to be contaminated with pesticides, they’re also a super food, packed with Vitamin A and beta carotene.

Grapefruit – With that rind, it has a natural defense against the onslaught of any chemical

(source The Daily Green)

Until next time….    OH with TASTE!

Foods you should buy that are organic…

Potatoes – Potatoes often retain pesticides even after they are washed and peeled. Almost 80 percent of potatoes contain pesticides

Peanut butter – Non-organic peanut butters are high in pesticides and fungus

Milk – Dairy cows are routinely fed hormones, antibiotics, and pesticide-covered grains, all of which can end up in your milk. The higher the fat level of the milk, the higher the level of pesticides.

Apples – Apples are near the top of the high-pesticide-level list. They’re also a favorite of kids; apples, apple juice, and applesauce are among the most common foods eaten by children ages 1 to 5, according to a USDA survey. So buy organic if you can.

Meat – Animal feed is often laced with antibiotics and synthetic growth hormones. Residue from these chemicals may still be present in meat. The use of antibiotics in food production could contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Nectarines – About 97 percent of nectarines have been found to contain pesticides, according to the USDA

Spinach – Spinach and lettuce have lots of surface area for pesticides to cover. More than 83 percent of spinach contains pesticides.

Peaches and Pears – Nearly 94 percent of peaches and pears contain pesticides. Peaches are number one on the Environmental Working Group’s list of foods with the most and the highest concentration of pesticides

Strawberries – Thin skins make fruits particularly vulnerable to pesticides. Some 90 percent of strawberries contain pesticides.

Bell peppers – Peppers absorb pesticides like a sponge. About 68 percent of peppers contain pesticides and many are imported from countries with looser standards than the US has

Eggs – Pesticides may pass from chickens to eggs, and from there to the many foods you make with them. Organic eggs com­e from birds that eat organic feed and are not pumped up with growth hormone or dosed with an­tibiotics

Celery – 94.5% of celery sampled were found to contain pesticides.

USDA’s own tests show that most non-organic produce contain residual pesticides even after washing. 

(source from reader’s digest)

 

 

Until next time….    OH with TASTE!

 

Time to SPRING CLEAN your kitchen….

Time to SPRING CLEAN your kitchen…. 

FIRST and most important eliminate EVERYTHING with the ingredient High Fructose Corn Syrup or Corn Syrup – this is the #1 thing that leads to stored body fat… it DOES not metabolize, even after a workout and just gets stored as BAD fatty tissue. This means any processed food containing HFCS – salad dressings included. (READ THE LABELS GET EDUCATED) 

Make sure your refrigerator is STOCKED all the time with things to make a salad… this will also force you to get creative and hit up the produce aisle a little more – pick out everything GREEN you can find: avocado, broccoli, sugar snap peas, cabbage, peppers, onion, edamame (its good soy), cauliflower, cucumber, spinach, romaine, red leaf lettuce to start. Mushrooms, zucchini and squash, and asparagus cook up really quickly for a side to any meal.

Eliminate useless grains chips, bread, wheat pasta, white rice, cereal (waste of calories) Substitute: quinoa (keen-wa), SPROUTED bread (hemp is my favorite) gluten free/rice pasta, and brown rice as your healthier grains only to accompany meals in small portions Grains can be debated– but yes, too much leads to stored fat as well.

Get free range eggs (not cage free), free range chicken, and grass fed meats. I know they are a little expensive.  But you either pay upfront or on the back-end with the Doctor Bills!

Keep these things on hand: sea salt, almonds! coconut oil, cold pressed olive oil, cinnamon, raw honey, grape seed oil, organic almond butter or cashew, tons of spices, rice vinegar, fresh garlic and basil, and seasonal fruits.

Do we even have to talk about the soda and the juices? Wasted calories and LOTS of SUGAR.

(source Kat Eden-body incredible)

Until next time….    OH with TASTE!

Avoid Artificial Sweeteners Like The Plague

Avoid Artificial Sweeteners Like The Plague

 

Ever heard of NutraSweet, Sucralose, Aspartame, or Saccharin?

If you have been trying to lose weight, chances are you have relied on these artificial sweeteners to cut calories.

Well, I’m sorry to be the one to tell you, but you’ve been literally shooting yourself in the foot! Here’s why:  Artificial sweeteners not only present your body with an acidic waste removal problem, but they also affect other parts of your body in seriously adverse ways.

NutraSweet, the commercial name for Aspartame, has been linked to nervous system damage and neurological problems through countless studies.

The other artificial sweeteners are not much better. Saccharin manufacturers tell you right on the package that their product can cause cancer! But that couldn’t happen to you, could it?

What’s the bottom line?

If you are eating or drinking any artificial sweetener, you are not only making your weight loss efforts a virtual impossibility, but you are damaging your body in ways that may not be repairable.

The only natural sugar substitute I have found that has been used for hundreds of years without any reported side effects is Stevia.

 

(source Michael Murray) 

Until next time….    OH with TASTE!

 

Suggestions for a healthier YOU!

Suggestions for a healthier YOU!

~Detoxify your body

~Go Organic

~Eliminate GMO’s from your diet

~Buy foods the way they come from nature (avoid packaged foods)

~Keep on hand (rice, beans, lentils, quinoa and soups in the freezer, ready to eat)

~Replace one meal a day with juicing or a smoothie

~Cook consciously and eat mindfully (read the labels)

~Get educated on what foods are good and which are not

~Fast one day a week

~Control your thoughts (in with the good out with the bad)

~Learn to Give/Learn to Forgive

~Be at Peace

 

Mind~Body~Soul aligned = HAPPY, HEALTHY YOU

 

***resources from Detox and Revitalize

 

Until next time….    OH with TASTE!

Are you Balanced? OH with TASTE!

Reasons To Be Balanced

 Better Immune System

 Higher Energy Levels

Lower Risk of Chronic Disease

Weight Control

 If these reasons are good enough for YOU…then read on!!!!

When it comes to Health, balance is everything.

All you have to do is take a look around you to see that most people with our modern lifestyles are suffering from imbalance. They are obese. Tired. Prematurely aging. Are fruits good for me while I am on an alkaline balance diet? In fact, contrary to what most people think, fruits can torpedo an alkaline diet. This is because while they are high in fiber, they are also high in sugar. Sugar then converts into alcohol and other mycotoxins. You can eat lemon, lime, avocado, tomato and watermelon (though watermelon should be eaten sparingly). After your system has balanced, you can resume eating fruits sparingly.

What is Alkaline Water?

Tap water has a PH balance that sits between 9 and 11. You can neutralize your water with a distiller, an ionizer or you may simply use a ph booster and add lemon or lime to it as well. The lemon and lime also help the flavor.

What happens if I skip a day on the alkaline diet and resume my regular eating habits?

Things happen and everyone understands that not every person can stick to a diet plan. Family events, work events and social events can throw you off your plan very easily. However, that does not mean that you are going to  torpedo your diet. If it is merely one day (or two) you have the option of doing a mini-cleanse to help rid your body of the toxins you introduced.

How do I keep my PH level up to 8?

Sometimes it seems like it is erratic and I feel like I am doing something wrong. The first thing you should know is that when you test your PH with your saliva it should be done one hour before you eat or two hours after you eat. Other times your saliva may contain bacteria that could cause a bad reading. If you test your PH levels using your urine, make sure that you allow the flow to start before you test to get a good reading. When you first start it is a good idea to test a couple of times a day, and to keep in mind that testing first thing in the morning may result in a bad reading.

Will I lose weight on an Alkaline Balanced Diet?

In general, body fat is there to protect your organs from toxicity. Some people will find that they will lose weight on the Alkaline Diet mainly due to the system being flushed out better from drinking lemon water and alkaline foods as we rid our bodies of excess acids. An alkaline diet can help you feel invigorated and have more energy over time. It will also be a healthier eating pattern which many find helps them lose weight.

(*resources from Michael Murray, The Alkaline Diet Guy)

 Tips for Starting an Alkaline pH Diet

To follow and live by the alkaline pH diet plan requires that one does their homework. The more you learn about the benefits of changing your eating habits and lifestyle to follow this type of diet can give you the motivation to get started. Learning how everything you’ve been doing up till now has caused an extremely acidic environment within your body can give you the determination to make some much-needed changes and stick to them.

 1.) First take a look at how you view food itself. The alkaline diet teaches you that what we put in our bodies has a direct link to how well our body functions. The types of foods and how they’re combined affects all systems from the digestive process to the lymphatic system. Once you get a hold of a list or chart that identifies different foods as either alkaline or acidic, you will see that you really don’t have to make drastic changes. If you’ve already been trying to eat healthy food following a pH diet food list can help you build on those good habits.

2.) Drink plenty of pure water. This is vital for a number of reasons. The body needs enough water to function properly and metabolize stored fat in an efficient way. When there is a lack of water the body responds by setting some aside for later, also known as water retention. So if you want to get rid of excess weight caused by retention you need to drink more water so that your body feels secure enough in letting stored water go. Lots of water also helps dilute salt to reduce retention even more.

3.) Basically you don’t need any specialized diet foods. Just look at what you already have in your fridge and pantry and you can fit the alkaline diet into you already existing food supplies. Using an acid/alkaline food chart can help you as you go about your grocery shopping. There are also many recipe plans where the work of proper food combination per meal has already been done for you. There are also creative and healthy ways to add flavor to your meals with throwing off ph balance. Use herbs frequently in your recipes. Drizzle on beneficial oils such as olive oil, grape seed oil, or extra virgin coconut oil. The omega fatty acids in these oils will help alkaline the body and increase vital energy.

 4.) Continuing with the great idea of searching for delicious alkaline diet recipes, start slowly incorporating two to three a week. Choose food combinations that your family already enjoys and is use to eating. Each week add a few more recipes until you have about ten to twenty tasty meals that truly satisfy and curb your cravings. Many of these recipes are easy, simple and will get you to feeling energized and renewed in no time.

Below is a link to the different foods:

http://acidalkalinediet.com/listofalkalinefoods.pdf

 

Until next time….    OH with TASTE!

Water, Water, Everywhere…OH with Taste!

WHY DRINK WATER?  Happy you asked…

Water. Water helps flush our systems of waste products and toxins, yet many people go through life dehydrated—causing tiredness, low energy, and headaches. It’s common to mistake thirst for hunger, so staying well hydrated will also help you make healthier food choices.

Drinking Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids. Your body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature.

Water Helps Energize Muscles. Cells that don’t maintain their balance of fluids and electrolytes shrivel, which can result in muscle fatigue. When muscle cells don’t have adequate fluids, they don’t work as well and performance can suffer

Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good. Your skin contains plenty of water, and functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss

Water Helps Your Kidneys. Body fluids transport waste products in and out of cells. The main toxin in the body is , a water-soluble waste that is able to pass through the kidneys to be excreted in the urine. Your kidneys do an amazing job of cleansing and ridding your body of toxins as long as your intake of fluids is adequate.

Water Helps Maintain Normal Bowel Function. Adequate hydration keeps things flowing along your gastrointestinal tract and prevents constipation. When you don’t get enough fluid, the colon pulls water from stools to maintain hydration — and the result is constipation.

(resource webmd.com)

Brain – Staying hydrated keeps your memory sharp, your mood stable and your motivation intact. When you’re well-hydrated, you can also think through a problem more easily. Researchers hypothesize that not having enough water could reduce oxygen flow to the brain or temporarily shrink neurons-or being thirsty could simply distract you.

Mouth – Water keeps your throat and lips moist and prevents your mouth from feeling dry. Dry mouth can cause bad breath and/or an unpleasant taste.

Need more reasons?  Water is absolutely essential to the human body’s survival. A person can live for about a month without food, but only about a week without water. So drink up…CHEERS!

 

Until next time….    OH with TASTE!