Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Food Combos To Avoid

Over the years, I've informed many relatives and friends to not drink liquids with their meals, etc. Did they believe me or listen? No, not necessarily so, as they were probably wondering if the things that I was sharing with them were actually true, or they thought maybe I was just too young to have such a broad knowledge foundation. Moreover, back then, being so young with such information and understanding, and as it seemed - controversial topics and advice against the norm, was a bit off-putting for many and may have had me looking like a "Miss Know-It-All"; however, not the case, not as far as I was thinking.  I quickly realized that being well informed simply wasn't a common attribute of many in the community in which I lived - sad but true. However, the thing with knowing is that I started reading and researching at a very early age. In fact, I was once a pre-med student right after high school. So, of course, eating and staying healthy peaked my interest. It's something that was introduced to me, as I was born and raised on the island of Jamaica, where we had nothing but healthy and fresh foods, that we would harvest each day from the backyard in preparing our meals. Healthy living was and is something I've always been curious in knowing more about. So, I would either join forces with people of like mind to discuss such topics and then conduct my own research to validate it all.

Well, ever heard the saying, "Each one teaches one"? It's true, because I learned a lot over the years from observing and listening to others, and I not only took in the information, but I also applied it to my daily life routines. I became very disciplined at doing what I know is best for me, and I was more than happy, actually overjoyed, to go and share it with my loved ones, as I wanted to be sure that they'd also be able to partake in the enlightening journey that I was and still is on to living a healthier and wholesome life in fullness thereof it. I knew how it made me feel when I discovered and/or learned something new, and I felt even more compelled in letting them in on it. It's what love does - share, for sharing is caring. Right? I do hope you agree with me on that and have made it a habitual part of your life. :-)

Anyhoo, I chose this topic today while browsing through the pages of a very reliable and credible magazine, "Experience Life", which was a subscribed bonus through my gym membership. So, most of the info on the attached chart I put together came from the magazine article itself, titled "Healthy Eating: Nutrients". While reading it, it was like one of those "Ah ha moments" that Oprah Winfrey often speaks about and that clicked in my head as being pertinent need-to-know info and also as a way of now going back to my fam and friends and saying, see, I told you so...lots of laugh - nah, just kidding. :-) Though, that would be a feel-good-moment, but I'm not the type to rub dirt in peoples face in wanting to make them feel bad or small in anyway in order to sing praises unto myself. So, the truth is simply that I find information like this as one of the most common mishap-misinformed habit that has been formed over time, and now, while we're in the period of renewal of Earth and mind, body, and spirit, it's a great time to definitely undo the errors done and make it right - set it straight for the record so to speak. How else will we evolve as people? It is the absolute truth that is required to do so. Therefore, read and be liberated and be sure to pass this vital info on for a long healthy living to your friends and family, etc. within your social circle by clicking on one or all of the social media widgets at the bottom of this post.

Alright then, I hope this information reaches you in great health. If not, be sure to start on the journey of taking a more wholesome approach of being absolutely good to yourself and your loved ones.

Take care until next time. Chow! :-)


Here's a bit more added info about each category of food combos to avoid:
  1. FRUIT WITH OR AFTER MEAL: "Sugars are actually not easy to digest, according to Ayurveda (alternative healing practice), because they are heavy and require good fire to process. That is why fruits should be eaten alone. Fruits (especially fresh, seasonal fruits) are also energetically purifying foods and complete foods, and to combine them with proteins and carbs takes away their pure energy". Additionally, "Water rinses and hydrates the tract, fiber sweeps and cleanses it, and enzymes activate the chemical process of digestion. It is why eating fruit first makes the digestive tract more capable of absorbing nutrition." So, "It's best to eat most fruits on their own - especially melons, because they are high in sugar and enzymes specific to each melon. If you want to experiment with food combining, eating fruit alone is a great first step."
  2. ANIMAL PROTEIN PLUS STARCH: "Adding protein enzymes and carb enzymes into the same space and time basically makes everything *unclean*." Though,"Many people's bodies are suited to traditional foods like rice and sushi, and, yes, meat and potatoes. And combinations like beans and rice, which make a healthy, complete protein, don't apply to this bad combo category. Rice and beans have a synergistic effect, promoting better assimilation of each when they are together."
  3. FATS WITH WRONG FOODS: "Fats and oils need to be combined according to the digestive fire of the person eating them. When combined with foods properly, fats build a little fire and induce foods to be carried to the liver better. Fats are to be avoided when the fire is too low in the gut, as they douse the fire." Moreover, "Protein fats like avocados, seeds, and nuts should be combined only with non-starchy vegetables." Also, be sure to "Always include a raw leafy green vegetable when eating fats."
  4. LIQUID WITH MEALS: there's no additional info to mention for this category.
  5. TWO CONCENTRATED SOURCES OF PROTEIN: "Combination of different meats with fish is to be avoided." In addition, "Meats should be the last course, as digestive fire and enzymes are at their peak."
Cited sources: Experience Life magazine, "Healthy Eating: Nutrients", November 2013 - Drs. Battacharya and Alder

Friday, October 25, 2013

Fast Fact Friday #5 - Avocado vs. Banana

Hey, Awesomes!

It's another fast fact Friday! Please be sure to share this bit of info with your circle. It may save or improve one's health/life. You just never know. Click on any of the social media widget share buttons below this post to share it with others. Have a wonderful weekend and take great care of yourselves until next time! Chow! :-)


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Aspartame: The Skull & Bones Death Delivery Artificial Sweetener

If ever you've seen the skull and bones symbol over a label on a product, it's a sure warning and danger sign that it's a toxic and poisonous substance that is guaranteed to deliver you to either a quick or slow but sure death. Sadly though, that is not the transparent case for most products on the market today that are comprised of harmful ingredients. You really have to be educated or well informed to be aware of the things that are detrimental to your health in order to avoid them at all cost, and this is where this sort of information comes in  very handy, as people who truly cares about the health and well-being of others are and have been conducting extensive research over the years and here and now, to be sure that you know the truth about the make-up ingredients of the foods and liquids that you consume on a daily basis. Hence, the topic of aspartame. Aspartame is also known as NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. It is a highly toxic ingredient comprised of 10% methanol, which is a wood alcohol, and when excessive levels are reached within the blood stream, it can kill neurons and lead to chronic neurological diseases; 40% aspartic acid, which breaks down into formaldehyde - a deadly neurotoxin that wreaks havoc on sensitive proteins and DNA; and 50% phenylalanine, which causes depression and emotional disorders when high levels are present within the blood and brain. Therefore, if you've noticed that your child may be acting a bit strange, moody, and have out of control and hyperactivity behaviors, then look to the beverages that he/she may be consuming, including that of sodas, especially diet sodas and products where aspartame is commonly used and found, in addition to sweeteners that may be used around your house for coffee, teas, baking, especially those used to produce public school meals. It would be highly recommended to discontinue the usage of those sweeteners containing aspartame, and if you simply can't do without a sweetener, then at least be sure to replace it with ones that are overall natural and safe, like stevia and luohan, etc. See my post on "Quick Facts: Agave vs. Stevia" to learn more about stevia being a healthier choice, and as with any sweetener, you want to be sure that you use them in moderation.

Nonetheless, there have been over 10,000 reported adverse side effects complaints to the FDA regarding aspartame, with over 91 different symptoms reported due to its consumption. Some of those symptoms are migraine headaches, dizziness, seizures, depression, death, memory loss, weight gain, and mood swings to name a few. Aspartame is highly toxic and deadly artificial sweetener that is being marketed as being healthy by the Coca Cola Company and Pepsi , that uses aspartame in their sodas and diet sodas. See attached chart and video for more in-depth details on this super toxic and deadly ingredient.



Cited sources: Dr. Mercola - "Artificial Sweeteners Gaining Increasingly Bad Press—and for Good Reason" and Healthy Holistic Living - "Aspartame Poison: The Silent Killer"


Monday, October 21, 2013

Why Coconut Oil & What You Should Be Looking For To Identify It As Being A Good Brand To Buy

I could go over a dozen or more reasons why you should use coconut oil, and as you can see from my previous posts about it, I'm pretty wild about coconut oil, and no, it's not because I'm from the island of Jamaica, where coconut grows abundantly and to which we had one growing in our front yard. It has more to do with the fact that I use it every single day in my foods when cooking and all over my skin, so much that my skin now has an even more youthful complexion and a silky smooth feel to it all. It's been absolutely a miracle oil for me. However, it's important to know what to look for when purchasing coconut oil. The key terms that you should look for and that are of the most importance on the label in selecting a truly healthy brand are:
  • Unrefined
  • Organic
  • Whole Kernel
  • Cold and/or Fresh Pressed Virgin
  • Island Fresh Flavor or Aroma
Those terms simply states that it's been produced in a quality way, without any chemical treatment or artificial processing. Therefore, allowing it to retain it's naturally derived nutrients that's extracted from the flesh of the coconut.

Coconut oil is specifically rich in medium chain fatty acids (MCFs), like caprylic and capric and is especially high in lauric, the powerhouse of the three. Lauric acid is what makes coconut oil so super potent and especially beneficial to our health in curing a slew of skin/body ailments, viruses, bacterias, funguses, etc. Lauric acid is unique to coconut oil and breast milk. It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-virus, and anti-imflammatory. It protects against cancer, supports and boosts our immune system, simulates metabolic activities, lowers the risk of heart disease by increasing our HDL - another name for good cholesterol, great for the skin and hair, as it leaves them both looking absolutely amazing.

Coconut oil is also a saturated fat and a stable oil great for cooking, but it's the healthy kind that our body needs, as its saturated fat, is the real whole foods fat that does not change composition when heated. They don't oxidate easily and go rancid, nor produces free radical within the body when heated, unlike that of extra virgin olive oil and some others. It actually handles heat really well. So, it's super great for stir frying, baking, sauteing, as a spread for toast too - so delicious I must say, and such a versatile oil! It's a lowfat fat. It has nearly 2.2 less calories per gram than any other fat out there. Coconut oil also melts at 76 degree fahrenheit and begins to solidify below that degree. A good note to remember is that if the brand you're buying is without the smell or flavor of the coconut, it has definitely been bleached or refined, which means it's depleted of all or some of its nutrient. Therefore, the beneficial value of it has been reduced and can be harmful if chemically processed and infused with harmful additives.

Here are a few of the brands that I use for cooking and for skin, Dr. Bronner's and Whole Foods very own - 365. Their labels show those keywords that I mentioned above being specific to ensuring that it's the authentically good stuff, and I can assure you that they both hold the scent and taste of a coconut. Therefore, it has not been refined. See also the label showing how powerfully packed coconut oil is in its lauric acid content - a antioxidant powerhouse!

Ok - enjoy! Take great care of yourselves until next time. Chow! :-)




Friday, October 18, 2013

Fast Fact Friday #4 - Metabolism Boosters

Hey There!

Hope you are having a fantastic day!

Today's fact is about boosting one's metabolism, and in order to burn those unwanted or excess fat and calories, it requires us to eat foods or drink fluids that'll aid the body in this process. We also want to stay away from foods and liquids that may inhibit the body from doing what it's meant to do, take care of us,  when we do our part in caring for it too. So, it's a win-win situation if done diligently and correctly, and while there are many foods, etc. out there for boosting one's metabolism, like citrus fruits, hot peppers, foods high in omega-3s, green tea, just to name a few, here are two that are super important in my opinion, and since I consume on a regular basis, for breakfast - whole wheat oatmeal, I find that it works absolutely well when it comes to amping up the metabolism of the body. It works and fast too! Of course, water is a must as well, and a sufficient amount of it on a daily basis is absolutely necessary to get things moving the right way. Well, enjoy this tidbit of info, and remember, take great care of yourselves until next time! Have a wonderful weekend too! Chow! :-)


Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Herb - Savor Pod by Prepara

Hey, Guys!

Hope your week has been lovely thus far!

Anyhoo, I found this extremely, really cool gadget that is a definite must have for the kitchen. It keeps your herbs, like parsley, basil, cilantro, rosemary, etc., even asparagus fresh for up to three weeks. Who couldn't use a cool little gadget like this? I know I could and just about everyone I believe, as I know we all would like our foods to last longer, the natural way of course, and voila, here it is, the "Herb-Savor Pod". I guess we weren't alone on that thought.  While I'm on the subject of being thoughtful, I solemnly believe it would also make a great gift for the food lovers and green lifestyle folks out there. See more details about this neat little gadget at Prepara. See also video demonstrations for more info about this neat little kitchen/refrigerator gadget, that I'm sure will be very useful for all of you. Alright, enjoy and take care great care of yourselves until next time! Chow! :-)                                                                                   

Saturday, October 12, 2013

A Vegan's Delight!

Hey, Guys!

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend thus far! As for me, I'm enjoying every creative moment of it, as I love being hands-on and making the things that are beautiful in my eyes, whether it's jewelry, designing/writing a book, editing a photo to be posted, and/or cooking a truly delightful meal - it's all a joy and fun for me! Here's to one that I whipped up today. It's definitely vegan, as I'm more a vegan type of gal than not, and when I'm not, I'm a vegetarian - still no dairy though. I've dropped dairy altogether early on upon my move here to the States, and that's over twenty something years ago.

Anyhoo, this meal was truly delicious! It's made up of Indian madras lentils, organic carrots, avocado, and red potatoes, as well as sweet potatoes! I pretty much came up with this carrot, plus mash potato blend when I was having a hard time deciding what to eat for lunch one day. At a whim's decision, I concluded to boiling some potatoes and carrots. Well, after they were cooked, while pulling them from the pot and onto my plate, it came to me suddenly to just mash the two together w/a tad bit of vegan butter and topped it off with some crackled pepper, and it was an instant hit! It was so darn delicious! My taste buds were having a grand ol' time...laughing hilariously :-), but it was so delectable!  So, here we are. I made it again and decided to post it for you to see. Enjoy! Be sure to do something creative each day. Fire up your imagination! You may just be surprised with what it may deliver to you.

Alright, please subscribe to my blog and share it with your circle of friends, acquaintances, and family members too. Also, would you be so kind and let me know what you think about it all. Stay tuned for more of my healthy meal concoctions! Take great care until next time! Chow! xoxo


Friday, October 11, 2013

Fast Fact Friday #3 - Cucumbers

Hey, Guys!

Here's to another Fast Fact Friday! I find these bits of information to be very helpful and valuable upon discovering them. I hope they're of some sort of value for you too. Please feel free to leave me a comment and/or feedback about your thoughts on it all. Btw, I absolutely love cucumbers. It's been one of my favorite veggies from when I was a girl growing up on the island of Jamaica. I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but my grandma used to, she passed on some ten years ago, may God - our Creator continue to bless her beautiful and generous soul, but she used to grow them, among many other fruits, veggies, etc. in our backyard, and up to today, cucumber is still a favorite must have in my salads and smoothies/juicing too! Anyhoo, have a wonderful weekend! Take great care of yourselves until next time! Chow! xoxo!!! :-) 



Thursday, October 10, 2013

The Wonderful Facts About Coconut Oil

Hey, Guys!

Here are some amazing facts you need to know about coconut oil and all its glorious properties. I know I've written about this topic before, and of course, I'm nuts about everything coconut, but I want to share some more pertinent details about it outside of my personal experience from it all. Ok, here it is! Take great care of yourselves until next time! Chow! xoxo!!! :-)


Friday, October 4, 2013

Fast Fact Friday #2 - Lemon Water

Hi All! Here's to another fast fact friday! Wishing all of you a wonderful weekend! Enjoy! :-)


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Learn more! Watch the attached video this moment - priceless information that can lead to a healthier you if you act right now! Enjoy and take great care of yourselves until next time! Chow! xoxo! :-)