Creating Meals to Heal?

Let's take a journey together down a side path that not many Americans travel.  I lived in Asia for many years and find their cultures fascinating and so much more advanced (or should I say steeped in history) when it comes to food than ours. 

MOST Americans eat for pleasure.  There is no other way to put it.  We don't eat for nutrients, we don't eat for health, we don't eat for healing.  If we have a craving - we fulfill it.  Managing how we eat, and what we eat is quite important for that second pillar of health - diet. 

I guess part of the reason I love Asian food so much is that they don't use a lot of fillers, sugars, or straight salt in their foods.  No substitutions.  Lots of herbs, fish, and fresh vegetables.  They eat very little in the way of "bread" and instead eat quite a bit of rice - rice is their base in almost every meal.  Their deserts are based around fruits and enhancing their flavors. 

Asians shop daily for the freshest foods - both meat, freshly slaughtered; and fruits and vegetables, pulled in fresh from the fields.  They have small refrigerators, because they have no need to store things for long periods of time.  Everything is eaten fresh.

We have known for a LONG time that Asians live longer than Americans.  They have far less heart disease, obesity, strokes, cancer, ADD / ADHD, and high cholesterol.  Part of it can be contributed to the fact that most Asians live a much less hectic lifestyle than Americans, but that is only a small contribution.  Their diet plays a much larger part.

Vegetables should be the core to all our meals.  If you are like my nieces that only eat "certain color" vegetables - and none of them are green, you are weakening your system.  It is important to remember that we have one body - and however we feed it will be returned to us when we get into our 60s - 70s - 80s - and hopefully beyond.  If you feed your body processed foods, processed sugar, processed pre-prepared foods - you are not giving your body anything to help it heal itself - grow new cells - help your existing cells live longer... we all would love to look 10 years younger - but if you feed your body trash - it has no way of rejuvenating itself to create a longer life for your body.  Not only do these vegetables help your physical body - they help your mental well being too.  They make you happier, calmer, energized, relaxed... all the things you need to live a long healthy, happy life!

Try your vegetables in different preparations.  Try them raw - all of them.  Even the ones you aren't used to eating raw - you may like them better this way.  There are certain vegetables I won't eat cooked, but I will raw.  Try both baby vegetables and fully grown to see if you like the sweetness of the young vegetables better than their robust flavor when fully grown.  Try them stir-fried or sauteed - again all of them.  I love stir frying my vegetables.  I prepare in the morning - julienning my carrots, chopping my vegetables, and setting them aside in three separate bowls - foods that take 2 - 3 minutes (cauliflower / broccoli / carrots / asparagus), foods that take 1 - 2 minutes to cook (mushrooms, pea pods, red cabbage), and then foods that just need to get a kiss of heat (bok choy, Chinese cabbage, spinach, bean sprouts).  Add some fresh cilantro, basil, garlic, onion, or any other herbs that you might like to try.  Experiment!  You will know that you have cooked them long enough as soon as they change color.

Try vegetables that you didn't like as a child.  Our taste buds change constantly.  And as you remove the processed foods, artificial colors and flavors, you may find that certain foods you didn't like five years ago, you now crave!  Asparagus and Avocados are two of them for me.  I can't get enough of them now - but I use them very differently than I did many years ago too. 

Herbs are just as important for your diet.  The more herbs you use the less salt and flavorings you will need.  I am quite heavy handed when it comes to herbs in my foods.  I also like lots of heat - cayenne is a standard in almost all my meals. 

Dr Hyman also has some good reasons to try the Asian diet style.  In this article he provides detailed benefits of certain Asian vegetables, herbs, roots.  http://drhyman.com/eat-your-medicine-food-as-pharmacology-7716/?utm_source=Publicaster&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=drhyman%20newsletter%20issue%20#37&utm_content=Get+the+story

Blessings... E

Diabetes Type 2 - Can It Be Reversed?

Diabetes is a growing problem in this country.  With all the sugary treats and drinks available to our youth that disease has spread like wildfire into our young.  Diabetes was a rare thing in my generation - but to see how it has spread with the addition of so much sugar into our culture concerns me greatly. 

This has concerned doctors for quite some time and there are several studies going on that may influence the way this disease is managed.

Let's start with sugar - we have had several conversations now about sugar.  Do NOT listen to the marketing hype on TV that states that all sugars are the same - THEY ARE NOT.  Every sugar is broken down differently and could even overload different organs.  As I have stated before, refined white sugar is the worst.  Stick with darker sugars if you must go with refined, if not raw sugars, and honey are far better.  The best is honey as it has already been broken down by bees - it is by far the gentlest on your system.

Additional Reading: http://finallyhealing.com/sugars-affect

What organs can be affected by sugar?  Obviously, the pancreas, but also the liver, heart, and the kidneys.  Sugar (that includes fake sugar) is one of the biggest causes of excess weight, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and pancreatic failure.  Sugar is an additiction that must be faught daily to be controlled. 

Additional Reading: http://www.sooperarticles.com/health-fitness-articles/sugar-disease-articles/organs-affected-diabetes-646683.html

Obviously, the pancreas is one of the most important organs, initially in this discussion because it is Pancreatic failure / overload that is the trigger for diabetes.  How do we help strengthen and heal our Pancreas once the damage of sugar has been done?  REDUCE your sugar intake.  I know it sounds silly for me to say this - but it is step one and it might take a while for you to get there.  Toss out all the sugar and sugary foods in your pantry and fridge.  I will tell you, this takes time - reducing slowly is typically much easier than going cold turkey.  Step two, is to get rid of most (not all) of your starchy foods (bread / pasta) as these quickly break down into sugar in your body.  And don't forget your alcohol - not saying you need to quit that all together as some wines are quite healthy for your heart when taken in moderation. But alcohol also turns almost immediately into sugar in the body.  Next, you need to start eating more fish (Omega 3), nuts, beans, raw vegetables, and fruit.  Yes, I did say fruit.  As your body adjusts to the lower levels of sugar in your system, your taste buds change too - things that weren't sweet at all - now taste sweet.  For example, when I started removing sugars from my diet I LOVED chocolate (even though I am lactose intollerant) but couldn't stand dark chocolate - it was too bitter.  Now, I can't eat milk chocolate it is WAY too sweet and dark chocolate is PLENTY sweet enough for me.  Another recommendation is to do a detox.  Get rid of tobacco as it also leads to pancreatic overload.  Finally, you will need a good active exercise regimen.  Start slow if you aren't currently working out regularly - you have to walk before you can run! 

LiveStrong has a good list of foods that help promote a healthy pancreas: http://www.livestrong.com/article/36490-foods-heal-pancreas/

Dr Hyman has a great article on how to begin the reversing of diabetes and that if done properly it can be reversed in two weeks.  This means a radical change in your diet.  Now, I will remind you to take every bit of information I provide with a grain of salt - and THINK.  If it doesn't sound right - do your own research and come to your own conclusions. 

Dr Hyman's article: http://drhyman.com/new-research-finds-diabetes-can-be-reversed-6187/?utm_source=Publicaster&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=drhyman%20newsletter%20issue%20#27&utm_content=Get+the+story
Here is the site that is doing the diabetes trials / studies.  It provides some good info.  Just remember is is based on allopathy and naturopathy not just naturopathy: http://www.diabetologia-journal.org/

Blessings... E

SUPER foods - Vegetables

We are hearing more and more about "super fruits" and "super vegetables" but what does "super" mean? And why should we care? 

Super Vegetables - vegetables are very important to keep our bodies alkaline, and give us energy.  There are several vegetables that are important to well being.  Vegetables have been known to help you live longer, have better brain function, sleep better, maintain a healthy weight, fight disease, and help you look younger.

Asparagus - is the number one superfood, in my opinion.  Asparagus, eaten daily, has found to destroy cancer cells, remove tumors, aid in sleeping, aid in female hormone balancing, promoting fertility, aid in weight loss, healing the liver, and stimulating and healing the kidneys among other things.  As a child I couldn't stand asparagus, I had only had it canned or frozen.  I absolutely LOVE it now... put fresh stalks in a frying pan with a little butter, sesame oil, garlic and pepper... grill until just bright - it doesn't take long.  Or put on the grill when cooking burgers, chicken, and/or steak. 

This link has a great description of asparagus and its uses / benefits - http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/asparagus.html

Kale / Spinach - Dark green vegetables have so many health benefits.  Always try to eat your greens at lunch and take a walk afterwards.  The sun helps convert the phytoneutrients and provides the body a wonderful energy boost.  As for the benefits of Kale - Lessens occurrence of cancers (100’s of studies done worldwide), high in glucosinolates. (anti-carcinogens), excellent known cell detoxifier, lowers cataract risk, promotes lung health, protects against arthritis, slows loss of mental function.  Benefits of Spinach - fights blindness, helps prevent anemia, prevents tooth decay, prevents bladder disorders, aids in longer life, reduces the risk of diabetes, and prevents respiratory disorders.  Spinach was another of my "icky" vegetables as a child / teen.  I absolutely can't stand the taste of it cooked... even now.  But I have found a way to "cook" it and enjoy it.  I take a flavored tortilla (jalepeno & cheddar is my favorite) and put it in an omelette pan.  Spread half with feta cheese, pepper, and cayenne.  Turn on heat to medium and let the feta get warm.  Top with mushrooms, avocado, and spinach.  Fold the tortilla in half.  Cut into 1/3s and serve! Yumm..

Watercress - is a little known, easily grown green leafy vegetable.  You can find it naturally along lake and river beds.  It's taste is milder than spinach.  It's benefits are staggering - increases mental function / memory, helps to normalize cholesterol levels, helps to clean the blood of toxins, increases fertility, helps to fight cancer / kill cancer cells, helps fight eye disease, helps clear skin, helps strengthen bones, helps to fight lung disorders, and helps normalize thyroid function.  I like my watercress fresh and try to eat it in salads. 

Avocado - Another of my "icky" vegetables from my youth - is now one of my favorites.  In truth it is a fruit not a vegetable, but since most people think of it as a vegetable, we will put it here.  In the spring and summer I eat one a day.  Avocados help promote healthy skin, increases metabolism, known to fight several types of cancer (oral, prostate, and breast), fights heart disease, helps prevent strokes, lowers cholesterol levels, helps promote healthy eyes / vision, and helps fight diabetes. I shared my favorite way of serving avocado above.  It is also fabulous in GOOD guacamole with lots of lime, chile, and cilantro.

Mushrooms - Specifically Shitake... again I KNOW... not REALLY a vegetable... :)  But will be added here.  Mushrooms as a whole are very benefitial to the body.  Shitake mushrooms are known for promoting long life, reducing cholesterol numbers, promoting a healthy heart, fighting cancer, fighting HIV and Hepatitus B, fighting nutritional deficiencies, and promoting a strong immune system.  Shitake mushrooms are usually found in good hot and sour soup... mmm...

Onions - Oh yes! They are a "super vegetable" for sure!  Onions have been used for centuries as a medicinal vegetable.  They fight colds and lung conditions, repel bugs, lower blood pressure, help promote a healthy heart, fight cancer and tumors, increase bone density and the health of all connective tissue, reduce obesity, reduce allergies, promotes long life, reduces inflammation, and promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails among other things.  French Onion Soup is AH-MAZING!  I have a great recipe if anyone is interested. :)

The best way to get the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals out of vegetables is to lightly saute or stirfry your vegetables until just bright.  "Just bright" means that they have changed color.  This usually means they are still crisp or barely wilted.  Never overcook your vegetables or you will lose most of the nutritional value. 

You are my SUNSHINE!

Good Morning!
What a glorious day!!  I woke up this morning thinking about how much I love a sunny day... don't we all?  Do you get kinda blue on cloudy days?  Do you get cabin fever in the winter?  I know I do... that is why I moved south!  :)  I LOVE a sunny day. 

We NEED sunshine to prosper and flourish.  Not to survive... but to be happy and healthy, yes!  We hear all the time that we need to drink more milk to get our vitamin D, right?  WRONG!  The sun actually helps your body produce vitamin D.  It also reacts with our pineal glands behind the eyes helping to release our natural happy drug - serotonin.  So in reality, the sun DOES make us happy!

If you have a hard time sleeping, one thing to help is to change your lighting in the evenings.  If you are used to having all the lights on in your house, start to turn them off a couple hours before you want to sleep.  Turning down or off the lights will affect your internal clock.  It make take a couple days, but your body will eventually realign itself and you should start to feel sleepy earlier. 

We are told constantly that the sun will give us cancer.  If you are a person that goes into the sun and habitually gets burned, then my response would be... DUH.  However, if you are a person that is in the sun a LOT and uses sunscreen EVERY time you go out, you are JUST AS LIKELY to get skin cancer.  It isn't the sun, it is how you treat your body and what you put on your body.  Measure your time in the sun - don't over expose yourself.  Don't use sunscreen, have you ever read the ingredients?  How many people in Africa or the Middle East have skin cancer?  VERY FEW.  The US has the highest cases of skin cancer.  Ok... off my soap box again... sorry.

Back to the sun.  The sun and our food.  During one of my classes, I read that you should always eat your dark leafy greens at your mid-day meal and then to go walk for 30 minutes after.  The sun hitting your skin actually activates the phytosterols from the plants giving you more energy.  It also allows you to eat less, and absorb the vital nutrients better.

I like my greens combined with herbs for my lunch salad - I try to get as many different types and colors as I can... and the herbs not only smell and taste divine, they are healers as well... So grab a dark green salad for lunch and then go for a walk.  Expose as much skin as you can to absorb all the wonderful rays of the sun!  Be HAPPY!  E