A month ago I got a UTI. Getting sick and being 100% raw is like a slap in the face! But I had to admit there were several things I could improve in my diet. The number one thing is WATER.
Water consumption should be THE most important thing you think about consuming in your day. Ignoring this will not only make you susceptible to illness, but will also result in you weighing more.
Other things I needed to improve on is eating sprouts and seeds everyday, eating less nuts and dried fruit, getting more organic foods. One example is that I'd eat a lot of non-organic raisins. I'm not going to get everything organic (I've tried that expensive route before) but that is one highly treated food item!
After having the UTI, I got a virus. This is the one that gives you a fever for a week! I've had it before and always had the wost headache as well. This time I learned that the headache was from dehydration. I was in the hospital almost all night getting 4 bags of IV fluids. The headache immediately went away.
That's how important water is! Drink it everyday. Carry a water bottle with you everywhere. It's the most important Superfood!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wet Sock Treatment
I am always amazed when I learn something I have never heard before...
http://www.vsnaturopathy.com/Wet-socks.html
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16995&id=1457542773
http://www.vsnaturopathy.com/Wet-socks.html
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16995&id=1457542773
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Are nuts bad for you?
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/diet_and_fitness/article6114556.ece
"...Brazil nuts are particularly high in the mineral selenium, which acts as an antioxidant and is vital for making a potent antioxidant enzyme that helps to protect our cells against pollutants. Although no firm links have been established, even mild selenium deficiency has been linked to infertility and increased risk of eye problems in later life, such as cataracts and age-related blindness...
...A daily handful of almonds is recommended in the portfolio diet, which scientists in Canada have proven can be as effective as statin drugs at reducing raised cholesterol. This “portfolio” of heart-healthy foods also includes oats, soya, pulses and plant stanols and sterols (found in cholesterol-lowering yoghurts).
Almonds also seem to have a satisfying effect on hunger; probably because of a combination of the fibre, protein (each handful contains 6g of protein, about the same as a small egg) and oils they contain. This makes them a good substitute for more calorific snacks such as cakes and biscuits.
There also appears to be a relationship between regular consumption of walnuts and a reduced risk of heart disease. This may be down to the plant version of omega-3 oils, their super nutrients (which seem to help to stop bad cholesterol from oxidising - the process that makes it dangerous to our arteries), the high monounsaturated fat content of walnuts or a combination of all three.
Health nuts
Almonds also give us bone-building calcium. A 50g serving contains 170mg; almost the same as a 150ml glass of milk.
Peanuts give us folate, the B vitamin that is crucial for helping to prevent spina bifida in a newly conceived foetus and for helping to lower the amino acid homocysteine, which when raised can clog arteries.
Chestnuts have just 170 calories per 100g and only 3g of fat, while coconuts give 351 calories and 36g of fat per 100g.
Cashews are the best for the energy-boosting mineral iron. A 50g portion provides 3mg. You would need to eat a hefty 200g serving of spinach to get the same amount."
"...Brazil nuts are particularly high in the mineral selenium, which acts as an antioxidant and is vital for making a potent antioxidant enzyme that helps to protect our cells against pollutants. Although no firm links have been established, even mild selenium deficiency has been linked to infertility and increased risk of eye problems in later life, such as cataracts and age-related blindness...
...A daily handful of almonds is recommended in the portfolio diet, which scientists in Canada have proven can be as effective as statin drugs at reducing raised cholesterol. This “portfolio” of heart-healthy foods also includes oats, soya, pulses and plant stanols and sterols (found in cholesterol-lowering yoghurts).
Almonds also seem to have a satisfying effect on hunger; probably because of a combination of the fibre, protein (each handful contains 6g of protein, about the same as a small egg) and oils they contain. This makes them a good substitute for more calorific snacks such as cakes and biscuits.
There also appears to be a relationship between regular consumption of walnuts and a reduced risk of heart disease. This may be down to the plant version of omega-3 oils, their super nutrients (which seem to help to stop bad cholesterol from oxidising - the process that makes it dangerous to our arteries), the high monounsaturated fat content of walnuts or a combination of all three.
Health nuts
Almonds also give us bone-building calcium. A 50g serving contains 170mg; almost the same as a 150ml glass of milk.
Peanuts give us folate, the B vitamin that is crucial for helping to prevent spina bifida in a newly conceived foetus and for helping to lower the amino acid homocysteine, which when raised can clog arteries.
Chestnuts have just 170 calories per 100g and only 3g of fat, while coconuts give 351 calories and 36g of fat per 100g.
Cashews are the best for the energy-boosting mineral iron. A 50g portion provides 3mg. You would need to eat a hefty 200g serving of spinach to get the same amount."
Grow your own drugs: a medicine cabinet in your garden
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/features/article5817587.ece
Sage honey for sore throat
Pungent sage leaves (Salvia officinalis) contain antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties. The herb that it takes its name from the Latin verb “to save”. Combined with the antibacterial and healing properties of honey, this makes a great soother.
Ingredients
1 large bunch fresh sage leaves
Enough runny honey (buy sage honey if you can) to cover the leaves
Method
1. Wash and dry the sage leaves and place in a small pan with enough honey to cover. Simmer gently for 1 hour. Allow to cool to a temperature you can handle. (Be careful; sugar solutions and honey can become very hot and cause scalding.)
2. Strain the honey into a sterilised jar containing a sprig of sage, if desired.
Use
Take 1 tsp whenever needed to soothe a sore throat. You can also use to sweeten and medicate hot lemon drinks for colds and flu; take 3-4 times a day when needed.
Neem nit treatment for head lice
This recipe, free of organophosphates, uses plant extracts with known insecticidal properties to kill lice and nits.
Ingredients
20 tbsp (100g) fresh rosemary leaves
20 tbsp (25g) fresh lavender flowers
200ml neem oil
200ml almond oil
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp tea tree oil
Method
1. Strip the leaves and flowers from their sprigs.
2. Combine the neem and almond oil in a measuring jug.
3. Crush half the rosemary and lavender with a mortar and pestle with a little of the oil. Place the mashed-up herbs in a saucepan. Repeat with the second half of the herbs, again adding oil for crushing.
4. Place the crushed herbs, neem and almond oil in the pan, and add the chopped garlic. Heat gently for about 20 mins.
5. Strain through a sieve lined with muslin. Add the tea tree oil to the reserved oil, stir, then filter into a sterilised 500ml bottle.
Use
Apply to dry hair, making sure that the hair is covered and that the oil penetrates to the scalp. Cover with a towel and leave on for at least 1 hour, or overnight if possible. Then wash off with two applications of shampoo. Apply conditioner and comb through with a nit comb. Use the next application 7 days later to deal with any new nits.
Goji Berry and Shitake Soup to boost your immune system
In China, soups rather than teas are the traditional way of administering health-giving herbs. This one is packed with nutrients that help to boost immunity and generally ease the symptoms of colds and flu. Eat this soup as soon as you feel a cold coming on.
Ingredients
2 tbsp dried Echinacea root
200 ml water, freshly boiled
5 tbsp goji berries, fresh or dried
2 litres chicken stock (homemade or from stock cubes)
3 chicken thighs or drumsticks (preferably organic)
2 large onions, peeled and sliced
12 shitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
10 cm root ginger, peeled and shredded
2 fresh medium-sliced chillies, finely sliced
8 garlic cloves, chopped
Extra sliced ginger and chillies, to serve
Method
Combine the dried echinacea root with the water in a bowl to make a simple infusion. In another bowl, pour just enough cold water over the goji berries to cover, and leave to rehydrate. Set the echinacea and goji berries aside and leave to stand.
Place the stock and chicken pieces in a large pan or slow cooker. Add the sliced onions, mushrooms, ginger and chillies and place around the chicken in the pan. On a very low heat, simmer gently for 1½ - 2 hours, or until the chicken is tender and falls apart. Take off the heat.
Five minutes before serving, add the goji berries and chopped garlic. Finally, strain the Echinacea infusion and add this to the soup, reheating if necessary.
Use
Serve by ladling into bowls and garnishing with sliced ginger and chilli for an extra kick.
Sage honey for sore throat
Pungent sage leaves (Salvia officinalis) contain antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties. The herb that it takes its name from the Latin verb “to save”. Combined with the antibacterial and healing properties of honey, this makes a great soother.
Ingredients
1 large bunch fresh sage leaves
Enough runny honey (buy sage honey if you can) to cover the leaves
Method
1. Wash and dry the sage leaves and place in a small pan with enough honey to cover. Simmer gently for 1 hour. Allow to cool to a temperature you can handle. (Be careful; sugar solutions and honey can become very hot and cause scalding.)
2. Strain the honey into a sterilised jar containing a sprig of sage, if desired.
Use
Take 1 tsp whenever needed to soothe a sore throat. You can also use to sweeten and medicate hot lemon drinks for colds and flu; take 3-4 times a day when needed.
Neem nit treatment for head lice
This recipe, free of organophosphates, uses plant extracts with known insecticidal properties to kill lice and nits.
Ingredients
20 tbsp (100g) fresh rosemary leaves
20 tbsp (25g) fresh lavender flowers
200ml neem oil
200ml almond oil
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp tea tree oil
Method
1. Strip the leaves and flowers from their sprigs.
2. Combine the neem and almond oil in a measuring jug.
3. Crush half the rosemary and lavender with a mortar and pestle with a little of the oil. Place the mashed-up herbs in a saucepan. Repeat with the second half of the herbs, again adding oil for crushing.
4. Place the crushed herbs, neem and almond oil in the pan, and add the chopped garlic. Heat gently for about 20 mins.
5. Strain through a sieve lined with muslin. Add the tea tree oil to the reserved oil, stir, then filter into a sterilised 500ml bottle.
Use
Apply to dry hair, making sure that the hair is covered and that the oil penetrates to the scalp. Cover with a towel and leave on for at least 1 hour, or overnight if possible. Then wash off with two applications of shampoo. Apply conditioner and comb through with a nit comb. Use the next application 7 days later to deal with any new nits.
Goji Berry and Shitake Soup to boost your immune system
In China, soups rather than teas are the traditional way of administering health-giving herbs. This one is packed with nutrients that help to boost immunity and generally ease the symptoms of colds and flu. Eat this soup as soon as you feel a cold coming on.
Ingredients
2 tbsp dried Echinacea root
200 ml water, freshly boiled
5 tbsp goji berries, fresh or dried
2 litres chicken stock (homemade or from stock cubes)
3 chicken thighs or drumsticks (preferably organic)
2 large onions, peeled and sliced
12 shitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
10 cm root ginger, peeled and shredded
2 fresh medium-sliced chillies, finely sliced
8 garlic cloves, chopped
Extra sliced ginger and chillies, to serve
Method
Combine the dried echinacea root with the water in a bowl to make a simple infusion. In another bowl, pour just enough cold water over the goji berries to cover, and leave to rehydrate. Set the echinacea and goji berries aside and leave to stand.
Place the stock and chicken pieces in a large pan or slow cooker. Add the sliced onions, mushrooms, ginger and chillies and place around the chicken in the pan. On a very low heat, simmer gently for 1½ - 2 hours, or until the chicken is tender and falls apart. Take off the heat.
Five minutes before serving, add the goji berries and chopped garlic. Finally, strain the Echinacea infusion and add this to the soup, reheating if necessary.
Use
Serve by ladling into bowls and garnishing with sliced ginger and chilli for an extra kick.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Q&A
A question came in today...
Hello and congratulations on such a wonderful resource for raw pregnancies! During my first pregnancy, i was 100% raw, 99% vegan, for the first five months. There were really no online resources. I'm starting the 2nd trimester of my 3rd pregnancy. What I've discovered is that i can be 100% raw or so for the first and last trimesters, but second trimester, i crave cooked starches- quinoa, potatoes, rice pasta. I just started my second trimester and thought that i could maintain my salads and smoothies and fruit, but sure enough, my stomach is rebelling against greens. i've not had morning sickness, but have started throwing up after raw meals- and i crave cooked veggies and grains (i can still do smoothies- but i don't want to live on those alone)- any suggestions?
peace-
Cassi
Cassi,
You have to do what you feel is right for your body and baby. It sounds like you've accomplished something I have yet to.
I have been amazed at thegardendiet.com, Jinjee has had raw pregnancies...which is my hope.
Sprouts, seeds, spirulina, Maca, coconuts, ginger, carrot juice are some good things to get too, how much of these do you eat? Do you take a supplement ("whole food")?
Interesting David Wolfe clip...
http://www.dietinfocare.com/david-wolfe-raw-food-pregnancy-kids-2.html
Debbie
Hello and congratulations on such a wonderful resource for raw pregnancies! During my first pregnancy, i was 100% raw, 99% vegan, for the first five months. There were really no online resources. I'm starting the 2nd trimester of my 3rd pregnancy. What I've discovered is that i can be 100% raw or so for the first and last trimesters, but second trimester, i crave cooked starches- quinoa, potatoes, rice pasta. I just started my second trimester and thought that i could maintain my salads and smoothies and fruit, but sure enough, my stomach is rebelling against greens. i've not had morning sickness, but have started throwing up after raw meals- and i crave cooked veggies and grains (i can still do smoothies- but i don't want to live on those alone)- any suggestions?
peace-
Cassi
Cassi,
You have to do what you feel is right for your body and baby. It sounds like you've accomplished something I have yet to.
I have been amazed at thegardendiet.com, Jinjee has had raw pregnancies...which is my hope.
Sprouts, seeds, spirulina, Maca, coconuts, ginger, carrot juice are some good things to get too, how much of these do you eat? Do you take a supplement ("whole food")?
Interesting David Wolfe clip...
http://www.dietinfocare.com/david-wolfe-raw-food-pregnancy-kids-2.html
Debbie
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