Food

Anyone losing weight should be encouraged to base snacks and meals from whole food, which refers to food that has not been processed or manipulated with preservatives and chemicals. The food on your plate should resemble its source as closely as possible, like fresh chicken breasts instead of crispy chicken fingers with ranch dipping sauce.

I know what you are thinking. Whole foods taste kinda bland at first, right? And sweeteners add more calories so what is the point? Your first instinct would be to use something like Sweet & Low, or a similar sweetener that claims to be a healthier alternative to refined sugar. Even though it is not thought of as a food on your plate, it still goes into your body. You need to know how to sweeten your food safely.

Refined white sugar is harmful for any diet simply because it is so devoid of nutritional value of its own, it actually robs your body of nutrients to metabolize it evenly. Just like anything else, a little bit will not hurt too much, but your health will greatly improve with a significant reduction of white sugar in your diets.

How do you sweeten food safely without it being detrimental to your health and weight loss efforts?

Sweeten Food Safely Tip #1: Use Natural Sugars
Nutritionally complex natural sugars such as honey, molasses, and syrup are healthy alternatives to using any kind of sugar or artificial sweetener. Remember, these things come from the earth just like fruits and vegetables, and we all know how good those foods are for us on a daily basis.

Honey is sugar, but since it is natural and unrefined, it contains a host of nutrients and enzymes that have a multitude of beneficial attributes.  It will not cause the rapid rise and fall of blood sugar levels as does white sugar, and there are many varieties and flavors to choose from.

Sweeten Food Safely Tip #2: Choose Nature’s Candy
Ever wonder why you do not have to pour sugar over apples, grapes, blueberries, strawberries or raisins? It is because these foods are the candy of the produce department. They can be used as sweeteners in a variety of foods such as soy-based protein shakes, cereal, yogurt and oatmeal.

Just like everything else, unfortunately, our diets are often compromised by our willingness to bring these natural foods down to the American diet level. Dipping fruits into high-fat chocolate and caramel will not help your weight loss. It is no healthier to eat a Raisinet than it is to eat any other candy, despite the claim on the wrapper that is contains antioxidants. Stop falling for these sales gimmicks. Keep your foods natural and your taste buds will eventually revert back to the days before these altered snack foods even existed.

Sweeten Food Safely Tip #3: Limit Artificial Sweeteners
Anything containing aspartame is not a healthy choice for sweetening your food or drinks. Studies show that products containing aspartame can lead to poisoning, seizures, blackouts, headaches, memory loss, blindness, nausea, and gastrointestinal disorders. With even just one of these potential side effects, why risk your health let alone your weight loss efforts?

Just as drinking alcohol will not solve any of your emotional problems, fake sugar will not feed your body’s needs. Your body needs proper nutrition in order to perform at optimum performance, and that includes weight loss. The more you focus on working toward healthy nutrition, the more you will find your cravings for junk foods disappearing.

Even worrying about sweetening your food is not really the kind of mindset you need to live a healthy lifestyle. It is useful when trying to change your eating habits, but your long term goal is getting to the core of the problem by avoiding sweet foods altogether. But if you must sweeten… sweeten food safely! Keep a bowl of fresh ripe fruit nearby at all times to snack to to relieve your sugar cravings.

If you are craving something sweet, do not feel guilty. Over the years the American diet has slowly made us become dependent on sweet treats. The more time rolls on, the sweeter we want our food. This would be alright if becoming overweight was not a side effect, but it is taking its toll on society. Losing weight is about making small changes on a daily basis toward a healthier lifestyle…and for things to change, you have got to change.

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There is some concern about whether raw cat food is safe. Some feel that raw meat may contain salmonella, toxoplasmosis or another equally troublesome bacteria or parasite. And that the only way to be certain that your cat does not get these potentially fatal diseases is to cook the meat.

At first glance, this line of argument does appear to have some merit. But look a bit deeper.

Wild cats eat nothing else but raw meat and bones. Domestic cats, along with all other cats, have evolved on a diet of raw meat. Their digestive system only knows how to cope with this.

Cats, along with bears, are the only true carnivore. Their teeth show this very clearly. They are spiky for catching prey and powerful to crunch up bones. Their digestive track is short as raw meat is easy and quick to digest.

Humanity is generally under the illusion that they have improved on nature. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Holistic vets, as a body, can tell you that when you feed raw cat food, chronic degenerative disease melts away. Diseases like feline leukaemia, heart problems, sterility and tumours.

As Richard Kearns DVM puts it “I believe all cases of spinal myelopathy are caused by poor nutrition, sometimes going back to the mother’s nutrition during pregnancy”.

Richard Pitcairn DVM brings things into perspective. “Foods are so complex, we still don’t understand them. For example, researchers discovered that cats need taurine, an amino acid only found in animal tissue, which is lost through cooking. Now it is added to cat foods and supplements. Rather than wait for more such discoveries, it is better to provide animals with the diet that most closely resembles their evolutionary history”.

When you consider that cats have been evolving for hundreds of thousands of years, how could it be possible to have improved on their diet in the mere decades that commercial cat food has been available?

Lets look at salmonella. This is basically food poisoning by eating infected food. However, wild cats only eat the prey they have just killed. So the meat is super fresh, still warm in fact. Super fresh food does not carry infections. Infected food come from inadequate storage.

This is one reason why you will find cats are very fussy eaters. It’s because they know bad food when they see it. But because they still need to eat, domestic cats are left with little alternative but to eat the cat food they are given, if they are to survive.

The general guide here is to keep your cat’s raw meat super fresh.  Don’t keep it in the refrigerator longer than between two to four days, depending on the temperature of the refrigerator, how many times it is opened, the ambient temperature, etc. Freeze the rest and thaw out each meal as necessary.

Toxoplasmosis is rarely a serious illness in healthy individuals. It can be a major cause of serious illness in those with a damaged immune system or those on medication which lessens the effectiveness of the immune system. This is true for both cats and humans.

Wild cats can only survive with a very strong immune system. So their diet of raw meat and bones seems to serve them well.

Nino Aloro DVM confirms this to be the case. “Diet seems to be at the base of about 90% of the cases of cystitis that I see. When my clients observe the proper diet after initial treatment, there are rarely any of the normal relapses. If they put the pet back on commercial pet food, then the cystitis comes back.”

Only buy the freshest meat and be as sensible about the handling and storage of your cat’s raw meat as you are about your own. If your cat doesn’t like the food, suspect a problem. This could be meat starting to decompose or a chlorine wash on the meat, a process some butchers use to extend the life of the meat.

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Itâ??s unbelievable what youâ??ll find in commercial cat food these days. In fact, I think itâ??s ridiculous to call it food at all. Commercial cat food consists mostly of synthetic fillers and grains because they are cheap. As a result of eating such low-quality food, your cat can develop urinary problems because the pH level of his urine is altered and the mineral content in his urine increases. If you want to give your cat food for urinary tract health, steer clear of commercial cat food.

Of all commercial cat food, dry food is the worst. It is grainy and can alter the pH of your catâ??s urine, making it easier for bacteria to flourish in the urinary tract. It can also cause the formation of bladder stones because of its high magnesium content. If you want to keep your cat healthy, give him urinary tract health cat food.

You might be wondering what cat food for urinary tract health is. If you want to help your cat have a healthy urinary tract, give him raw, unprocessed food and homemade food. These foods contain no preservatives or artificial ingredients such as flavoring and coloring. You will also want to make sure he gets enough water to drink in order to flush out all of the harmful bacteria and keep his urine from thickening.

What else can you give your cat besides urinary tract health cat food? Cranberry juice and Vitamin C are very helpful in preventing and treating urinary tract problems. Cranberry juice prevents bacteria from adhering to the lining of the bladder and it acidifies the urine. Vitamin C is a natural anti-inflammatory and it strengthens bladder lining.

You may also want to sprinkle a homeopathic remedy into cat food for urinary tract health. Homeopathic remedies are very effective in treating and preventing urinary problems in cats. They are 100% safe and natural and help your cat maintain a healthy bladder, urinary tract, and urine flow.

When it comes to urinary tract health cat food that is free of artificial ingredients should be given to your cat on a regular basis. Donâ??t just wait until your cat starts to show symptoms of a problem to help him lead a healthier lifestyle. Make all natural, unprocessed food the centerpiece of his regular diet if you want to prevent problems in the future. The same goes for homeopathic remedies, which are effective as treatment but most effective as a preventive step.

Your goal? Take this information and use it to help you plan a healthy diet and lifestyle for your kitty. The hands down best way to treat and prevent urinary problems in cats is by giving them cat food for urinary tract health along with a homeopathic remedy. Make these steps a regular part of your catâ??s routine to help him achieve optimal urinary tract health.

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Health food stores have always been mysterious places. Back in the late 1970’s, early 1980’s, health food stores occupied a small niche in society that was close to being underground. They came along on the heels of the hippy movement of the 60’s and often served as a place for communes to sell their homegrown wares. The health food stores smelled of herbs, incense and a few other things that generally defied description. There were strange and exotic foods from all over the globe, all of them claiming to be organic or free range. There were things like granola, soymilk, goat’s milk, tofu and wheat grass juice. You could find books on such subjects as natural healing, crystal therapy and composting.


Wild Oats is a franchise in many cities and when you go into the store, you can tell right away that the basic Mom and Pop operation had changed. This particular chain began eighteen years ago in Boulder, Colorado and has expanded over the years to include more than 110 stores in 24 states and British Columbia. It is clear to see how this company became the standard for the organic market industry.


At first glance, their store looks like any other large grocery store, and you can probably find many of the same items that you would in a standard grocery store – but with one twist. Everything is organic. Usually when you hear the word organic, you might think two things; bland and expensive. However, with all the options and improvements in the way of organic foods are produced, there are many items that are very tasty, and the prices have become comparable to those of a conventional grocery store.


The overall concept of the health food store hasn’t changed. They still offer a wide range of organic foods and herbal remedies. They are filled with all kinds of products to heal the body, mind and spirit. You can find aromatherapy candles, essential oils, books, tapes, and DVD’s on meditation and yoga. You can take cooking classes and learn how to make your own herbal remedies. There are still aisles dedicated to environmentally safe products for household cleaning and recycling.


Some additions are a pleasant surprise, though. There can be four different “deli” counters. There is usually a butcher counter with free-range chicken and beef and a plethora of fresh seafood. Another counter may display an array of amazing baked goods (bagels, cakes and pastries), and in many stores there is yet another section that caters full meals for a quick healthy lunch or a dinner party. The modern health food store also had a section for wine and beer, an astounding array of cheeses, and an extensive frozen foods section.


It is good to see how far the basic health food store has come. Sure you can still find the small ones if you look for them, but like so many other things these days, big corporations have taken over and created franchises that offer more for less. Buying in bulk allows the stores to get better discounts and pass the savings on to the consumer.

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The pH level (the acid-alkaline measurement) of the internal environment affects every cell in the body. Extended acid imbalances as well as an imbalanced body pH are not well tolerated by it.

 

The Entire Metabolic Process Depends On An Alkaline Environment

 

As a matter of fact, the entire metabolic process depends on a balanced internal alkaline environment. A chronically over-acidic pH corrodes body tissue, slowly eating into the 60,000 miles of veins and arteries like acid eating into marble. If left unchecked, it will interrupt all cellular activities and functions, from the beating of the heart to the neural firing of the brain. 

 

Above all, the acid-alkaline balance is a well known theory of the cause of overweight. It has shown that fat is actually an over-acidification problem. Why? Because the body creates fat cells to carry acids away from vital organs, so these acids literally don’t choke the organs to death. Fat is saving life! Fat is actually a response from the body to an alarming over-acidic condition. 

 

The 4 Rules Of New Levels Of Health, Wellness And Energy

 

The solution is to alkalize and energize the body and its cell system. Changing to an alkaline lifestyle can result in a lean, trim body, while experiencing a new level of wellness, energy and fitness. These rules guide on how to become healthy, well balanced and fit again.  

 

1. More Green and Yellow Vegetables and Grasses: Fresh vegetables and grasses are an excellent source of the alkaline salts that are anti-yeast, anti-fungal, and anti-mycotoxic. The chlorophyll (or “blood of the plant”) contained in plants and grasses is identical to the blood of humans, except for one atom. Green foods such as wheat grass and barley grass are some of the lowest-calorie, lowest-sugar, and most nutrient-rich foods on the planet. Also juiced, green vegetables are very cleansing. Vegetables and grasses are also loaded with fiber.   

 

2. More Healthy (and NOT animal) Proteins:  Broccoli, spinach, sprouts, garbanzo beans, tofu or fresh fish with scales and fins carry the sub-cellular units and the amino acids to make proteins in amounts that are congruent with the body’s needs. Also, all green vegetables are high in calcium. Animal protein foods are unhealthy and provide more protein than is required by the human body. Our bodies are only 7 % protein. Animal protein foods often contribute factors to the body that are unneeded and then represent a challenge to dispose of (e.g., saturated fats).   

 

3. More Alkaline Green Food Supplements: In case one shouldn’t be able to completely change the diet to green and alkaline food, taking powdered alkaline supplements sprouted for maximum cell absorption is an option, like, for instance, Supergreens. With powdered greens the need to constantly eat healthy vegetables and greens disappears. Taking alkalizing, pH balancing and highly energizing SuperGreens is an easy way of adding 49 different grasses, vegetables, sprouted grains and leaves, as well as 125 vitamins, minerals and amino acids to your diet. If taken daily, they even allow to not changing eating habits, although it is recommended, of course. 

 

4. More Alkali-forming Foods: Good alkali forming foods include fresh sprouts, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, avocados, lemons, limes, cucumbers, celery, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, asparagus, green beans, eggplant, broccoli, fresh tomatoes, zucchini, green/red/yellow peppers, onions, okra, garlic, parsley, watercress, cabbage, squashes, soy beans (tofu), garbanzo beans, raw almonds, Brazil nuts, hazel nuts, sesame seeds, flax seed, sprouted grains and legumes. Green juices from all green vegetables and their tops are highly alkaline. Also, vegetable broths are extremely alkalizing to the body. These need to be yeast-free and preservative-free.

 

Changing to an alkaline, healthy diet low on calories and the increased intake of alkaline food and alkaline supplements supports vital cellular activities and functions and will create new levels of healthiness, energy, wellness and fitness.

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Today’s New York Madison Avenue marketing push is all about natural skin care products for beautiful skin. Did you know the Japanese have simple food secrets for beautiful skin?

The leading Japanese food secret for beautiful skin starts by staying extremely hydrated. It has been reported they drink 8-12 cups of green tea daily and significant quantities of spring or mineral water. Western cultures recently recognize hydration as critical to the facial beauty we all desire. Unfortunately, many of the products on the market are loaded with sugar and other sweeteners. Japanese women have unequaled beauty as they age in their skin tone as a result of hydrating properly with simple mineral water and green tea.

European spas, on the other hand, have as a leading food secret for beautiful skin fasting at least monthly, but preferably weekly (if you have health problems consult a medical professional; but the absence of food is itself a food secret for beautiful skin). Fasting may further aide other health problems such as overweight, acne, menopause symptoms, and glucose levels.

Food secrets for beautiful skin from many non-western cultures, is to totally avoid fried foods. Skin that has lasting beauty and ageless beauty just cannot be maintained on a diet of fatty, greasy, fried foods.

Japanese food secrets for beautiful skin are largely driven by eating fresh, organic foods. Stay away from packaged/processed/manufactured foods, refined sugars, and white flour, eat small quantities of meat, do eat mostly fish, and consume dairy in moderation except organic yogurts with active cultures, which should be consumed once daily.

One of the most significant Japanese food secrets for beautiful skin is in their consumption of raw fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. It has also been said using sesame oil for cooking, and even the consumption of one tablespoon per day directly, has mystical properties, which are the secret to the facial skin beauty Japanese women enjoy as they age.

It goes without saying that eating fast food, and certainly on any regular basis, could be the most unhealthy food consumption habit practiced by western cultures.

To summarize, Japanese food secrets for beautiful skin start with staying extremely hydrated by consuming green tea and mineral waters. Totally avoid fast and fried foods, processed and manufactured foods at all costs. Menopause symptom relief and skin that has natural and lasting beauty are clear side benefits of Japanese food secrets for beautiful skin.

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We take utmost care to keep our outer body in perfect condition and shape, but there is one thing that most of us often tend to neglect, that is our inner body. The way you take a bath regularly to keep yourself clean and hygienic, in the same way it is very important to clean your internal organs, in order to keep your body fit and healthy.

In recent times, it has been observed that body detoxifying programs have become very popular among people worldwide due to its many significant health benefits. With toxins entering our body in large amounts from various sources like, junk food, aerated drinks, tea, coffee, alcohol, etc. it has become a necessity for each and every one of us to follow a detoxification program in order to lead a healthier life.

As the title suggests, in this article we will be focusing on the various body detox recipes that you may follow in order to detoxify your body. But before we move on to recipes, I feel it is important that you should know what these body detoxification programs do to help improve your health.

Body detoxification is a method that helps in cleaning our internal organs like kidney, liver, lungs etc. and flushing out harmful toxins. There are many detox recipes that are available therefore, depending on your taste, preference, and organ you can pick one particular recipe that is likely to suit your needs the best.

There are several medicines found on the market that can help in body detoxification, but I personally would never recommend my readers to go for market bought medicines when there are several home remedies available that do not have any adverse side effects unlike most commercially bought medicines.

Below are a few body detox recipes that you may consider using:

1) Recipe 1: 1/2 cup of warm water 2 tablespoons of pure lemon juice 1 tablespoons of olive oil 1 tablespoons of black-strap molasses A pinch of cayenne pepper. Mix the ingredients properly and gulp it down first thing in the morning for about 10 days.

2 Recipe 2: 1 carrot 1/2 beetroot 1 stick celery 1 cucumber How to prepare this particular recipe: Wash the vegetables properly, peel their skin, cut them into pieces, put them in a juicer, and have the fresh juice for breakfast every day.

3 Recipe 3: Gazpacho Soup 3 cups seeded and diced red ripe tomatoes, red ripe 2 cups medium diced red bell pepper 2 cups medium diced red onions 1/2 cup medium diced celery 2 cups medium diced cucumber 1 teaspoon of minced garlic 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 2 cups organic vegetable juice pinch of cayenne 1 teaspoon cumin (optional)

Method of preparation: All you need to do is put the diced tomato, peppers, red onions, celery, and cucumber in a bowl and mix them together. Then divide the mixture into two bowls. Add garlic to one of the bowls and transfer it to a blender. Make a puree of the mixture until it becomes smooth. Next, add vegetable juice, cayenne, and cumin to the puree and run the blender again. Now add this freshly made mixture into the other bowl of diced vegetables and put it in the refrigerator for the night. Next day, before serving, you can garnish it with cilantro and lemon and voila, you have your Gazpacho Soup ready.

Abovementioned are a few effective body detox recipes; there are many more that you can find on the internet. So do your research and find out the right body detox recipe for yourself today.

On a last note, feel free to include these recipes in your daily diet and help your body function better than before.

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