What you really need to know about grains...

I'll assume you've gotten the basics of avoiding white flour like the plague. (And I mean as an ingredient called "wheat flour" not just as white bread.) Let's talk about why people are tossing out grains, for the latest health trend or even b/c of allergies.

Let's go back to the beginning and think what grains might have been. According to my world view, there were gardeners in the first generation of people, and farmers by the second. SO, I don't buy that grains were not what our early ancestors ate (the basis of some diet philosophies.) But according to research by Weston A. Price, native populations all either soaked or sprouted their grains. AND they ground the grain shortly before they made it. The closest the modern diet comes to this is sourdough bread, which is usually white bread.

This process neutralizes the phytic acids and start breaking down tannins and gluten, and increase the amount of nutrition the body can absorb. For my husband it has helped with his grain sensitivities. But many don't know about the difference of simply soaking grain before cooking. Others don't want to do the work of planning ahead or cooking from scratch.

So, next time you hear about avoiding bread, remember that this because most Americans have white flour even in their "wheat bread". And breads and grains include: muffins, pancakes, pasta, croutons, corn chips, tortillas, and on and on.

Come back soon for how to make this ideal a livable reality. In the meantime, those of you research oriented people might want to read more details at: http://www.westonaprice.org/foodfeatures/be_kind.html
Or if you are not quite ready for all this, you can read more on white flour: http://www.westonaprice.org/transition/whiteflour.html

If you think you are lazy, you may need a check up!

I want to confess that for several years I struggled with laziness. I would know I should do something, but couldn't seem to make myself do it. Do you know what I learned? It wasn't laziness--it was Lyme disease! Actually, it may have been Epstein Barr virus as a co-infection (Chronic Fatigue.)

It's amazing how suddenly a day will come where I do a TON without guilting myself in to doing it. The fact that those days come remind me that it's not a heart problem, but a physical problem. But for many people who struggle with big or small health issues, the motivation does not overcome the physical barriers. If you find yourself there, don't assume the motivation is the problem!

The next time you think you are lazy, you might need to take a closer look at your health. When your body starts giving you signs of a problem, you know it's time to start lifestyle changes, one step at a time.

Genetic Engineering Explained

This video is pt. 3 of the "Future of Food". Skip the first minute and watch the rest to get an overview of how genetically modified food is made. You'll learn how e-coli and antibiotic resistance are related to GMO's.

Or go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvLBMXC_D0Q and watch all 7 parts of the movie. You'll learn about a corn plant that can kill a bug that eats any part of it. Wonder what it does to the humans who eat it? You'll learn a lot of other things that make you go "hmmmm..."

What kind of food do you really eat?

Do you know how much pesticides you are eating? Do you know how your food has been altered from it's natural state?

Here's a couple of resources to help you make good choices:

First learn what genetic engineering is. See next post for a quick video.

If you aren't willing to eat genetically modified foods, then check out the lists of foods that have genetically modified foods at: http://www.truefoodnow.org/shoppersguide/guide_printable.html

Warning: A large majority of processed foods do contain genetically modified foods, as a majority of our corn, soy, cotton, and canola are genetically modified, and derivatives of these are in most processed foods (high fructose corn syrup, soy lecithin, vegetable oils.)

By the way, organic foods can not be genetically modified, so they are never a concern.

Another area to consider is pesticides. Check out this handy pocket list of what foods have the highest amount of pesticides (ie, you don't want to eat unless its homegrown or organic) and which are have the lowest amount (but I would ignore corn in the list, unless it is labeled No Genetically Modified Ingredients.) Even if you don't think you can't afford organic, you can change the food you select.

Our bodies are overwhelmed with toxins. So, we need to help them out. But don't let your mind get overwhelmed. Just pick a few things you CAN change based on this new information. And think about how to eat one less processed meal this week. Find one recipe you fix at home without processed foods and plan ahead so you don't eat out. Slow and steady, we can build our health.

Drink to your health

Let's talk about what we drink. I don't think there are any doctors or scientists who would recommend drinking sodas. Or any of them disagree we need more water. But the first step is to do what we know is healthy.

Colas are one of the worst foods for us. Just learn a little about high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners, not to mention carbonation, artificial flavors, etc.

But let's talk about what we do drink...First, we need pure water. You want a good water filter, preferably something better than just a carbon filter. But remember, it's not helping if you don't change the filter. I have one from RBC Life Sciences, b/c we are members there. It attaches on the faucet. One day I'd like the reverse osmosis under the counter.

But do you know there are lots of other drinks that are like taking supplements. As I said early, I drink a couple oz. of Ningxia Red from Young Living every day. It really helps me have an energy boost that isn't followed by a low. I've also been hearing about a couple of other super juices on the market. But don't expect anything great from the grocery store. Apple juice is over filtered and is too high in sugars. Orange juice often contains mold (get one moldy orange in the machine and it affects the whole batch.

At our house we drink only raw milk. It's a big debate about whether milk is healthy, but few ever consider if the way we process it could be the problem. One doctor use to have a "raw milk cure", where raw milk was the main food you ate to find healing from various disease. Want to know more about raw milk (safety, where to get it, why, etc.) See: http://www.realmilk.com/

I also drink Kombucha. It's this great fermented tea. You can make it yourself, but right now I'm just buying it from the health food store. Don't drink too much at once though--it's pretty powerful, so they say you should ease into it.

Or you can make an Apple Cider Vinegar Drink (see my post "First Steps"). I also like to make Lemonade or Limeade with: 2 Tbsp. fresh squeezed organic juice (about 1/2 a lemon or lime) and 2 Tbsp. Organic Grade B Maple Syrup.

And of course if you want hot drinks, I suggest Red Tea sweetened with honey. Or herbal teas can benefit you in different ways.

As my daughter was learning in science, 2/3 of your body is water. So, pay attention to what's in your glass.

Still eating a little margarine every once in a while?

Even you need a little help getting motivated to avoid margarine, read the following about where it comes from. When I learned this information, I was motivated to ask at every restaurant. I'll eat something dry before I put margarine on it.



http://www.stop-trans-fat.com/how-is-margarine-made.html



On the other hand, we're all just taking one step at a time, so feel free to put off reading this article till your ready to make another change!



The moral of the story is accept no substitutes!

Musings on suffering

You know I used to think the big bad diseases people got were just sorta bad luck. But what is luck? For the Christian, is it just an indirect way to say, "God's will". Or is it based on some sorta unseen lottery system? As in God didn't will it, but he didn't stop it either--is God a hands off God? Well, the correct Biblical answer is suffering is b/c of sin. Did sin somehow create the disease bacteria? So, now you just wait around and how you don't get hit?

Let me tell you my experience and how I've worked out this concept of "God's will", disease, and sin. I got Lyme disease while overseas, so I was in the midst of the adjustment period to a new country and language. And as usual, I was pushing my body without any regard to rest (what's a Sabbath?) to keep up with full-time language study, a 2 year old, and my part our company, which was more than usual at that time. So, that's where I missed the mark.

But also, I believe I was deceived. There is a lot of misinformation on health and diet in our world. I believe a lot of our health mistakes are because we idolize convenience. So, we "have" to eat fast food, b/c we cram our schedules so full we are too tired or too busy to cook. I definitely am guilty here. But a lot of the deception comes because of companies' greed for money. So, they mislead or downplay negatives in their advertisements and press releases. Just investigate into the pharmaceutical industry or pesticide companies a bit. Or read how margarine is made. So, our culture (here and in Europe) is as a whole mislead and their contribution to my disease. But I am responsible for not thinking for myself!

Lastly, I come to where was God. Well, he could see that he could use it for my good and to allow me to help others. So, I feel as if He said, OK, you left yourself vulnerable in this area and are getting attack. I will carry you through this path you chose and set you up on a high rock where you will be stronger than when you began.

So, now I feel as if I have a new mission to help other people see past the deceptions and make good choices without having to go through the hard path. While I have lamented the losses of several years, I look forward to seeing the restoration of the "years the locust have eaten". I want to be and feel fully alive well past the average age. And I want the full energy level God created me to have so I can run again.

I can tell you that you don't need to fear Lyme Disease. You won't get it unless your body is worn down and your in the midst of a hard emotional season. (In fact, the CDC says 85% of diseases have an emotional element.) Don't fear--prevent. Not with DEET, but with wisdom that builds a strong foundation.

First Steps

Well, now that I've spent several years getting more healthy, I've started trying to help other people figure out where to start. So, for those of you who are interested in starting a health journey, here's what the ideal first stage might look like.

First, eliminate the worst offenders: artificial and highly processed sweeteners (sugar, corn syrup, etc.), white flour, hydrogenated oils, and vegetable oils. (see previous post). Instead use honey, whole wheat flour, extra virgin coconut oil, and extra virgin olive oil. Also, watch for corn, soy, cotton, and canola derivitives--most of which are genetically modified and not labeled as such. Get rid of the cokes and limit your eating out and processed foods. Avoid breakfast cereals (puffed and shaped foods don't digest well), as well as donuts, french fries and potato chips (the oils they are fried in are awful). Don't even look at margarine!

Then, start adding in a few healthy foods. One of my favorites I learned from the Amish: the Apple Cider Vinegar tonic: Add 2 tsp honey and 2 tsp of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar to an 8oz glass of water. Now, that might scare you a bit for a couple of reasons. First, you may have heard vinegar is acidic. Most is, but the raw ACV works just the opposite in your body. Second, you might be like me, and scared of the tastes---but when I finally got up the guts to try it, it wasn't bad! You can always add more honey until you like it. I add it to room temp. water and it mixes well. Others add a bit of hot water to dissolve the honey and then add the chilled water.

There are all sorts of super foods you can add, but I often recommend the ACV drink for a couple reason. One is that it is extremely cheap!!! Also, I like that it has enzymes to help you digest the other over-processed food in your diet and that it has good bacteria (like yogurt). This is the strands you see in it (when you shake the bottle up they usually break in to tiny pieces you don't even notice in a single serving). I also drink a juice called Ningxia Red. I've been looking at some other juices, so I know there are lots of good things out there, but not everyone is ready to invest the money.

Use this vinegar in any recipe calling for vinegar. Use it with some olive oil to make a salad dressing.

Also, change some of the products you use. Replace your salt with "Real Salt" or "Celtic Sea Salt". Use real butter, preferably organic. Use organic Tamari instead of soy sauce.

If you've got these basics down, come back soon and we'll take it to the next level. But remember, stress is bad for your health, so just take it slow.

Have a healthy day!

Questions welcome

I love helping people, so if you have health questions or comments feel free to leave them. I'd love to target my posts to specific needs.

Today, I'm keeping it short as I'm having computer problems. Hopefully I can write more soon.

PS--Our computer has been down for almost 2 weeks! So, I'm testing out the principle of fasting and health! But this time I'm "fasting" computer use. But a time of rest is always helpful.

Do you have a health philosophy?

When you enter the world of natural health, you can be overwhelmed by the claims and studies and people selling wonder products. So, I've realized I need a way to filter what to believe--my health philosophy. Some people's philosophy is to accept whatever is "standard" (do you really want the health of the average American?) or whatever is the lastest, greatest, and best marketed. But if you think about it, you probably want to take more ownership of your health than that. I'll share my philosophy, so whether you agree with it or not, it may help you determine your own. And it will help you decide whether you agree with the advice I offer or not.

I believe that we started out in the world with everything we needed to be healthy and that God-made food is incredible and the more man tampers with it, the worse it is. I also think that eating healthy should not be complex. It should be something that would have been possible before the advent of modern nutritional studies.

So, I'm never surprised by the lastest studies on how wonderful some new fruit is, nor am I surprised to hear that some juices made from the wonder fruits are not as helpful as the fruit itself. When I hear that coconut oil is incredible (anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and on and on) but that corn and soy oil are not at all healthy because it takes so much processing to make them--I can easily accept that. When I read about how natives foods also included raw animal products like raw milk, butter, or sometimes eggs or meat (yuck!) I agree we probably need raw animal products today (milk or butter please!) But not milk from a typical dairy, from cows or goats that are raised the old fashion way on pastures and hand milked, so it problems with the milk are immediately observed.

But sometimes I hear that we need to do food combining or need to eat for our metabolic type or cut out meat or cut out carbs or fats or whatever. But I don't think these things are truly necessary b/c they are too complex or unnatural. These are things usually based on science not readily apparent to the average native person. (By native I mean, not a part of our modern culture.) But eating more raw food IS a good thing and eating vegetarian can be good as a type of fasting to cleanse the body.

Let me give you an example of how easy God made things. Tomatoes are good for your heart (and what do they look like?) Carrots are good for your eyes (and when you cut them, what does the shape remind you of?) And a good way to get calcium is making a chicken broth out of chicken bones (though to get maximum benefit add raw Apple Cider Vinegar). So much of health is actually intuitive.

As a Christian, I also look at the Bible. During the Black Plague, the Jews had a relatively low death rate, and where persecuted as having purposely spread the disease. I think this is due to following a God-given health plan. (Jews and early Christians did not separate out the religious from health, psychology, education, etc as we do today.) The Bible adds lots of important ideas to my health philosophy such as hand-washing and sanitary practices and a list of unclean foods. These include things like pork, shellfish, and catfish. It makes sense b/c both catfish or raw shrimp actually look digustingly dirty. Hmmm... And what do you buy to clean your fish tank? A little catfish. Just b/c you can eat the food and "still go to heaven" doesn't mean it was created to be eaten, ya know.

Well, enough philosophizing for today. Take some time and figure out how you are filtering all the lastest health info coming your way. It's worth the time b/c it keeps your from getting overwhelmed and giving up. Hang in there! Your health is worth it.