Facts
DID YOU KNOW…?
Statistics show a constant growth in the number of people interested in vegetarian and healthy diets.
It’s alarming to see the amount of pages and blogs in the internet with carnivore recipes. ¡Please! Try to be more creative and copy that which is really healthy. There are many talented chefs and expert cooks from the high cuisine that could set an example if they could offer us more vegetarian recipes. Do they know how to cook…? Of course they do! but they have stayed in the same mindset. This is only a courteous invitation for them to use their talents in other areas.
More tan 25 thousand million animals are sacrificed for consumption in the United States in one year. Can you image what statistics may be like in other Countries? Animal breeding in farms is cruel and ecologically devastating for the environment.
Hens, calf, pigs, cows, turkeys, ducks, geese, rabbits, fish and other animals are held in captivity, defenseless.
Animals are mere consumer products, exploited and sacrificed for the sake of the economy, egoism, progress and a society’s palate without scruples.
There is an important connection between our diet and the quality of our lives.
To raise animals in farms is one of the most serious environmental problems we face today in a local and global scale. It’s the main cause for soil degradation, environmental pollution, water poisoning, shortage of food producing lands, water shortage and most importantly, global warming.
Feeding animals for consumption and the production of milk, milk derivates and eggs require cultivating tenfold compared to the land needed to plant natural food sources. In addition, animals have to be taken to slaughterhouses, sacrifice them, freeze their meat and distribute it across the World. We need to burn ten times more fossil fuel and throw ten times more carbon dioxide to our atmosphere to produce one calorie of meat protein than to produce one calorie of vegetable protein.
Are you impressed by these facts? I think you don’t have an idea where the counter might be today. That’s why I am presenting these facts in order to impress you in such way that your consciousness can be moved.
Other Facts
• The decomposition process in meat starts as soon as the animal is killed. Supermarkets then add preservatives (carcinogenic) like sodium nitrate to give meat that red color and to retard its putrefaction. That’s why meat packages in the markets are placed upside down (pork chops for example), so light can not make its color fade again.
• When you eat meat, the digestive process in your body is heavier and takes longer. More acid is produced in the mouth, bad breath; toxic gases and heavy sweat are also produced. You can suffer from constipation problems and be over weight by default. That is without counting on potential colon problems in the near future.
• Humans can not assimilate to much animal fat. Excess cholesterol is accumulated in the arteries and diseases like arteriosclerosis, heart attacks, gout, rheumatism, arthritis and other related conditions arise as an effect. Meat contains a high level of saturated fat and iron, which have been related to carcinogenesis.
• There is a close relation between colon cancer and red meat consumption. The best prevention to avoid colon cancer is a balanced diet based on vegetables and fruits.
• Chemicals, tranquilizers, antibiotics, hormones and some types of drugs used to feed animals also end inside the meat eater’s body. Most cows suffer from Mastitis (puss in the udders) due to their prolonged contact with the milking machine devices. That’s the reason why antibiotics are administered to cows in order to combat these bacteria clusters and prevent trespassing into the milk product.
• When an animal is sacrificed, its meat becomes highly contaminated with toxins, urea, excrement and uric acid which are liberated due to the pain, anguish and agony they have gone through before dying. These elements are then transmitted to meat consuming humans and consequently manifest in forms of aggressiveness, insensibility, cruelty, selfishness and other undesirable traits.
• Eating meat shortens your life and leads you to premature aging.
• Red meat is harmful to your organism’s DNA. Studies reveal that risk of cancer, especially lung and colorectal cancer, increase considerably in people that consume red and processed meat. In addition, consumption of red meat and high risks of contracting esophagus and hepatic cancer has been related.
• A study made with samples taken from beef, chicken and pork meat, revealed the presence of small amounts of parasites. That’s the reason why consumers are advised to cook meat well, in order to kill those parasites.
• Meat is an inefficient food source because it lacks important essential elements for a good nutrition. Meat is poor in vitamin contents. Vitamins are abundant in vegetables and they are found only in small quantities in meat.
• Irradiation of meat products – In addition to everything that implies meat eating, there is also the need to decontaminate and irradiate it. That’s the reason “cold pasteurization” technology is used; to reduce the risk of transmittable diseases found in meat when it’s processed, manipulated and prepared for the markets. This technology kills bacteria and parasites in order to retard decomposition of meat products placed in the food racks. The presence of bacteria like Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes or Yersinia enterocolitice is a problem that has been controlled with this process.
• All nutrients that you may find in meat are present in the more than a thousand products of the plant kingdom.
• The danger of contracting disease increases tenfold when you eat meat.
• For the meat eating people, renouncing meat is compared to an alcoholic person trying to quit drinking alcohol.
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Myths and Reality about Soy and Soy Beans.
“The meat from the country” – its origins go back to the Chou dynasty from China, in the time before Christ.
There are those who adore it, and there are those who hate it. But, we should all be careful and wise in regards to extreme positions.
My Position: In my Blog, I make a distinction for each human being. What is right for some, might not be so for others. Well it’s the same for soy. How many times we have known people who are allergic or who cannot tolerate gluten, eggs, flour, pollen, certain oils, cheese and so on? There are people who can assimilate soy and there are others who don’t. I can tell you, if you type the word “Soy” in your internet browsers you will see a huge amount of articles praising soy and others who wouldn’t use it, even for washing their cars. Nevertheless, I found something interesting that must be informed. Meat industry is a multi-billion business whose interests and investors will not permit the commercial development of this un-restful bean. That’s because from soy beans you can obtain milk, imitation meat, tofu cheese, soy sauce and many other derivates. Can you imagine if the same would happen in the future to chickpeas, that they would also be declared hazardous to your health? I have also found articles from physicians that tell you about their investigations on soy and they put it down. There are even videos in “YouTube” in which supposed vegetarians leave their comments to these physicians, telling them they are afraid of having consumed soy for such a long time and that it may have affected their health adversely. My God!!!! But we go through the same issue again and that is, the difference in tolerance capacity of people who consume this benevolent bean. What I will not tolerate is unscrupulous people telling others that soy is unacceptable to human diet, only to disclose its hazards. If all that were true, not even markets would be selling it. We have to recognize that many people who write articles against soy in magazines, the internet and books are been patronized and well paid by owners and investors of the meat industry. Any argument brought forth by these writers will emphasize on the supposed hazards of soy, leaving the benefits aside. Meanwhile, they prefer to recommend meat consumption even if we all finish with colon cancer and who knows what else. On the other hand, you can read about gastroenterologists’ recommendations to patients with carcinogenic polypus, about avoiding meat in their diets in order to combat the disease and prolong their lives. So, be watchful… with articles. It’s better to be balanced, use your wisdom and experience, above all. You are been advised by a vegetarian who has been consuming soy products for 35 years now, who brought up her 3 children with soy milk since they were babies once they quit breast milk, and has an enviable healthy family nowadays. Health plans are very happy with us, because we seldom use them. But be careful… this experience doesn’t lead me to be a soy fanatic. I don’t eat soy every day because I have learned to be balanced; I like to add variety to my menus and not to repeat. Your body needs to receive food from different sources and we achieve this through diversity. If carrots may be declared hazardous in the future, (ha, ha!) we would be careful not to abuse them also. Use your judgment and don’t be carried away by the unlimited consumerism of the human flock, where everybody does the same, eats the same and wears the same. Become a free thinker and reach for your own conclusions.
And who is this conflictive Bean?
Soy:
An herbaceous plant from the leguminous family that is widely consumed in Asian cuisine since antiquity. Soy has a high content of fiber, calcium, lecithin, nitrogen, oleic acid, linoleum acid, vitamins B, C and E and other nutritious components. Calories and saturated fat are very low in soy.
Soy has been attributed with healing properties used for some types of diseases like colon cancer, prostate cancer, memory loss, heart disease, osteoporosis, high cholesterol and menopause disorders. Asian women are seldom diagnosed with these health disorders or any tumors during mature age, because soy bean nutrients in their diet compensate for the lack of estrogen during that period. This happens because soy contains phitoestrogens, which are molecules that perform like natural estrogens without causing the usual symptoms of dizziness, sweat and depression.
Would you ask more from a bean??????
Products derived from soy:
• Temphe – fermented
• Miso – fermented
• Tofu- without fermentation
• Soy bean oil
• Soy sauce
• Soy milk
• Dry soybeans to produce soy processed as burgers, hot dogs, salami or bacon strips and textures imitating ground beef, chicken, beef and pork.
Soy grains can be used for sprouts, cooked, fermented and toasted.
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Types of blood and our diet
This subject is brought up in order to inform you about other theories and studies on how fruits and vegetables products that can be suitable according to people blood groups. It’s not intended to justify the need to consume meat of some blood types. A tendency to eat higher quantities of meat was demonstrated for O positive blood type persons. By the way, all my children are O positive. They were born from a vegetarian mother and they don’t like to eat meat.
• Some studies indicate that nutrition should be based on each person’s blood type.
• Peter D’adamo published a book about nutrition and its relation to blood types, titled “Blood groups and Nutrition”.
• Many diseases can be owed to the consumption of food that is not suitable for our blood type. There are other food sources that can heal us. This could also explain why not all diets can make you loose weight.
• Some types of food agglutinate cells of certain but not all types of blood, which demonstrates that some food products are beneficial to certain blood type persons and harmful to others.
• There is a relation between nutrients and certain blood types because when we eat, there’s a chemical reaction in our blood that is determined by family genetic inheritance.
• Then, food should be classified according to how it may act with each blood type as positive, neutral or not recommended. If it is a positive food, it strengthens the body. Neutral foods neither help nor harm. Non recommended foods are harmful to your organism and cause or extend diseases.
Here you will find some videos where information related to your blood type is disclosed. Take the necessary measures to start and maintain a vegetarian diet. Not all systems lead to the same response, but they all respond equally well when we take care of ourselves. Very interesting…
* Type O – The Hunter: Consumes considerably large amounts of meat and assimilates it well. His immunological system is good but he doesn’t adapt well to the environment and diets. He must exercise to balance stress.
* Type A – The Farmer: Vegetarian who consumes that which the soil produces. He does not eat meat due to a weak digestive process. His immunological system tolerates the environment and food very well. He must do low impact exercises. A vegetarian diet helps invigorate his body.
* Type B – The Nomad: He has a more balance diet. His immune system is strong, enjoys a good digestion and has a more flexible diet. He likes dairy products. He’s not fond of hard exercise and looks for physical and mental balance in order to feel well.
* Type AB – The Enigma: a combination of A and B. He responds to diets and adapts to the environment very well. He possesses the strongest immunological system of all blood types,including the A type. He has a delicate digestion and prefers to relax slowly with easy exercises.
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Relation between DEPRESSION and NUTRITION
Food has an effect over our well being. If you want to combat depression, you need to eat in a special way.
Depending on your diet, some food products can heal you. Others can fill you with sadness and finally make you sick.
Eating healthy meals helps you get rid of depression.
Even if you are under anti-depressive prescriptions, a nutritional boost must be included.
Change your diet… and you will be happier.
Facts:
• Medical investigations are relating “junk food” to depression and Alzheimer disease.
• When you are depressed it’s hard to take care of yourself with healthy menus and physical activity due to despondency.
• Preservatives in food, additives, fat and the lack of nutrients in Western diet have a harmful effect in the brain’s function.
• Depression is higher in those Countries where food containing Omega 3 component is scarce. The lack of folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium and tryptophan amino acid is related to this disease. Antioxidants and fatty acids that contain Omega 3 like dry fruit, help relieve lack of sleep, anxiety and sadness.
• Lack of essential fats and antioxidant vitamins are factors that have been considered in studies on squizofrenia.
• Many people don’t invest their money in healthy meals now, but in the long term they have to spend large amounts of money in mental health hospitals and anti-depressants.
• Anti-depressant prescriptions must go hand in hand with a sound advise on nutrition.
• Treatments with anti-depressants will not work without its correspondent diet
improvements.
Diet against Depression
• Serotonin is the chemical in our brains that makes us happy. Carbohydrates help increase levels of serotonin in our body. It is very important to eat good carbohydrates and avoid refined sources of carbohydrates when you suffer depression. A diet based on good carbohydrates includes wholegrain rice, pastas, vegetables, bread and be consumed with moderation.
• Diets that include green vegetables, dry fruits rich in selenium and are high in tryptophan (amino acid present in protein) give you the advantage needed to combat depression.
• Diet is very important in the treatment of sadness, depression, melancholy, lack of interest and the incapacity to enjoy the normal activities of life.
• Breakfast is the most important meal for those who suffer depression.
• Searching your refrigerator or food closet is an indication that your body is looking for the appropriate food sources to heal your depression or unbalance. While doing this may be correct, we need to learn to separate impulse from logic. That which attracts us, even though it may be from our own nature, is not necessarily convenient.
• Nutrients used to loose weight or increase your mood level, like tryptophan (amino acid) are turned into serotonin “the love hormone”. That’s why we need to consume kiwi, almonds, cereals, wheat, green vegetables and honey.
• Leucine, a component found is protein is important to avoid sadness.
• Consuming foods high in iron helps in healing depression.
• Doing daily exercise in open spaces increases the levels of endorphins and reduces the stress hormone (cortisol). You must sun bathe daily for least half an hour.
• Eating products like strawberries, avocado, spinach, lentils and cabbage reduces depression due to its folic acid contents.
• Eating wholegrain cereals, nuts and chocolate, which are high in selenium, improves your well being. The same applies to tea, ginger infusions, rosemary, ginseng and licorice.
• Sadness leads us to avoid exercise and be sedentary, that which brings obesity, insomnia, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol as consequences. These diseases can be healed with an appropriate diet and not necessarily with prescription medicines.
• Each person owns a body, different from others, with different vibrations and different energy. A regime or diet based nutritional charts can not be applied for all persons equally. People need to have different diets according to their temperament or vibrational energy.
Ayurvedic nutrition to combat Depression
Ayurveda –Sanskrit term that means “Science of life”. Refers to an ancient practice that comes from traditional Hindu medicine whose healing applications include medicinal plants, special diets, meditation, massage and yoga. It is based on the harmony between mind, body and spirit.
• The Ayurvedic nutrition regime is fundamental to combat depression. Diet based on rice is an essential part of this detoxification. Ayurvedic medicinal herbs used to combat hypertension are: sarpagandha, arjuna, gokshura, rose, purnava, praval bhasma and triphala.
Yoga, asana, meditation and exercise are much beneficial for patients suffering from hypertension because it regulates the blood flow and improves cardiovascular health.
Inside the Ayurvedic science of nutrition there are
three types of bodies or three doshas:
1) Pitta 2) Vata and 3) Capha: Each one has different needs and food influences them differently. Food must always be fresh, be nutritious and be alive.
Each type of body is attracted to similar kinds of meals by nature. When we eat something different, we are breaking the balance. Dosha must be in equal proportion to our body.
Ayurvedic flavors are: sweet, salty, acid, bitter, astringent and stringent. Species like coriander are bitter and astringent.
Types of food by dosha (body)
Pitah is fire – Attracted to hot meals. Pitah people need to balance their meal with fresh food.
Vata is air – Attracted to light meals. Vata people have a thin body constitution. They should eat enough protein.
Capha is earth- Attracted to heavy meals. Capha people should keep their balance with light meals like green vegetables and fruits. There is a need to control fat and carbohydrates.
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ORGANIC FOODS
They are available in most markets and identified with labels. These are fruits and vegetables that have not been exposed to high levels of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, genetically altered seeds or artificial ingredients. Organic products are cultivated under “organic” standards that guarantee these products to be healthy, free from contaminants to the human body nor harmful to the environment. This is achieved thanks to the use of natural compost as fertilizer and the “planting terrace” method, which controls soil erosion while keeping its natural nutrients. In these fields no agrochemicals, pesticides or toxic substances are used. Even packages used are ecologically safe. The goal of these plantations is to protect our health and keep us free from consuming damaging substances for our bodies and vital organs. Sensitive persons that consume products that have been treated with high levels of pesticides can present a significant number of ailments from the nervous system like headaches, allergies, intestinal, kidney and bladder complications.
Benefits of consuming organic products:
• They are more nutritious that regular crops for their high content of live matter. This means that you don’t need to eat large quantities to be well fed.
• They don’t contain high levels of pesticides or toxics and are not treated with artificial or synthetic fertilizers.
• Their flavor is more concentrated and delicious.
• They don’t spoil the environment or harm the farmers’ health because pesticides are not used.
• There are organic animal farms that exclusively produce eggs, milk, butter and cheese. In these farms, animals are raised with natural food, they are not kept captive, no hormones or antibiotics are injected to them and a more humane treatment is given.
Disadvantages: Organic products are more expensive, which limits this market to a higher purchasing power sector. Presence of pesticides is very low, but it still exists. Not everyone thinks that organic products are much different than normal commercial ones, and many doubt their alleged quality standards. There is also something else that outshines the benefits of these products. There are some articles that denounce exploitation of field workers by owners of organic plantations in the U.S. Allegedly, these workers are been submitted to harder labor conditions, poor salaries and no benefits compared to workers in commercial crops. (Look up more information related to organic crops.)
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The Macrobiotic Diet
This diet comes originally from Japan. Its founder, Michio Kushi, created a philosophy of life that searches for a permanent balance and well being between body and mind.
• Nutritional regime that seeks to heal every kind of disease and pacify the mind.
• A less processed traditional type of cuisine, more natural and family wise.
• Fruits and products that are organically cultivated in the region where you live are the ones that should be consumed.
• These include wholegrain cereals, leguminous plants, rice, vegetables, fruits and algae.
• Vegetables are included to make this diet more alkaline and healthier.
• Also, fermented soy products are sponsored.
• A balance between food with Yin and Yang properties is looked for.
Yin & Yang
Yin: Non natural foods like sweets, dairy products and alcohol. Meals rich in vitamins from the B and C group are included.
Yang: Salted meals like red meat, poultry, eggs with salt and cheese, also coffee. These products are seldom consumed in the macrobiotic diet. They are lipo-soluble (adipose tissue is needed to accumulate) and they come from products rich in vitamin B6.
• Macrobiotic diet can be summarized as 50–60% of wholegrain cereals, 30% of green vegetables and 5% of soup like Miso. Nuts, seeds and fish are included. Broccoli, cauliflower and beets are also included. Garden produce like tomatoes and potatoes are not recommended.
• Food preparation can be steamed, cooked, raw, oven roasted, tempura or fried.
• People who follow a macrobiotic diet believe that each person has different nutritional requirements due to different body and environmental conditions.
• In this diet, calories and energy are believed to change the way human beings think.
• Red or white meat is not consumed because it obstructs the quality of our spiritual life.
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Here are some videos about the vegetarian movement, health issues and energetic exercises.
Although meat is mentioned in some interviews, we must be clear about our position regarding the acceptance of a vegetarian diet. I bring them up to support certain information, but this doesn’t mean I support their views about meat consumption.
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Vegetarian Diet and Cholesterol
Being a vegetarian doesn’t mean we will have low cholesterol. There is much more we have to take care of.
In order to be able to control fat in our blood it’s necessary to keep a diet without fat from animal sources and eat lots of vegetables and fiber. Vegetarian diet is not always designed to control high cholesterol. We control the use of dairy products with small and less frequent doses. If dairy products like cheese are used, you may not exceed 300 mg. The same applies to nuts. It’s a better alternative to a meat diet. Meals that are oven roasted, steamed, grilled or salted are better options when you want to cook healthy. There are many options for meals to be cooked in their juices, for cooking cereals and for cooking vegetables with steam. There are also options for daily exercise and walking routines. There are some natural products and herbs like garlic that can help you control bad cholesterol levels. An Ayurvedic, raw or vegan diet gets you closer to low cholesterol levels. But, a vegetarian diet is the starting point for every beginner who wishes to quit eating meat, control cholesterol levels and attain a healthy body. Let’s not forget that besides wrong eating habits, there are other factors that exist which can trigger high levels of cholesterol. These can include living a stressful life, family genetic inheritance or simply because the body produces it in excess. Here, I not only give ideas on how to identify those products that elevate our cholesterol, but also real solutions for eating healthy, eating good, low fat and vegetarian. Educating others on how to cook and what food products to combine, is an art we all can and should learn. Men, women and children are becoming more aware each day of the importance of taking care of their health. I advise you to go through a periodical blood test and check your cholesterol. Don’t wait until this condition manifests (heart attacks or brain hemorrhage), because high cholesterol doesn’t show any symptoms and can only be detected through lab blood tests. If you work away of home, keep up with your diet by taking lunch with you, unless the restaurant you go in agrees in preparing a boiled, steamed or grilled meal for you…
A vegetarian, raw or vegan diet is the best alternative and the solution to your health issues.
What is Cholesterol?
The liver is the main producer of cholesterol in our bodies. This is a wax type substance that helps produce certain hormones, form cell tissues and protect our nervous system. Cholesterol is found mainly in animal source products like dairy (milk, butter, cheese) egg yolks, liver, brain, red meat and muscle.
Cholesterol levels
The body always needs some amount of cholesterol, but high levels of cholesterol can lead to heart attacks and brain hemorrhage. Excess cholesterol concentrates in arteries that take blood from the heart to the body, forming a plaque (arteriosclerosis) that eventually obstructs the blood stream and creates complications. A heart attack arises when the coronary artery is blocked. When the artery takes blood to the brain in amounts beyond its capacity, a brain hemorrhage is imminent. Never go beyond 300 mg of cholesterol in your daily diet.
• Normal cholesterol level – 200 mg/dl, (HDL+LDL).
• Risk level- 240 mg/dl.
• Normal levels of HDL in the blood – 50-60 mg/dl.
• HDL/LDL – if it is less tan 35mg/dl, there is a cardiovascular risk, even with 200mg/dl.
* LDL is bad cholesterol and HDL is good cholesterol.
Cause of high cholesterol:
• Consumption of eggs, meat, dairy products and saturated fat.
• Heredity – a healthy diet doesn’t always control high levels of cholesterol, that’s why we need to exercise.
• Bile stone
• Impotence
• High pressure
• Brain damage (arteriosclerosis)
• Relation between cancer and cholesterol
Advantages of having some levels of cholesterol:
• Generates vitamin D, for calcium.
• Stimulates sexual hormones: progesterone, estrogen and testosterone.
• Stimulates cortico-steroidal hormones: cortisole and aldosterone.
• For bile salts and lipids
How can you reduce cholesterol?
• Get rid of “fast foods” in your diet
• Quit smoking
• Keep a good weight.
• Use small amounts of salt in your meals
• Eat fruits, vegetables, wholegrain cereals with fiber on a daily basis: leguminous plants, oats, oat bran, barley, apples, wholegrain rice, and fruit juices to reduce bile fat and lower cholesterol.
• Use olive and soy vegetable oils without cooking or heating them too much.
• Consume small quantities of dry fruits – raisins and dehydrated fruits.
• Get rid of alcohol, sweetened beverages and sodas.
• Drink less coffee (creams and powdered imitations), candy.
• Avoid tension and stress
• Get rid of saturated fat found in greasy meats, hot dogs, pork, animal guts, coconut oil, and mayonnaise, all type of prawns, sausages, margarine, whipped cream, pâtés, butter and cheese. These will eventually block your arteries.
• Avoid fried, battered or breaded foods.
• Don’t eat too much cake or pastries.
• Avoid processed or precooked meals.
• Use chromium picolinate to reduce cholesterol, burn fat, define muscles and diminish appetite (controls insulin).
• Find CQ-10 antioxidant co-enzyme and lower your cholesterol.
• Consume raw garlic on a weekly basis.
• Soy lecithin: also lowers cholesterol in blood.
• Take vitamin B complex, vitamin C and vitamin E which help the circulatory system.
Most importantly…learn to meditate every day to control blood pressure and level your body cholesterol.
I am including here a miraculous and excellent combination that has helped me lower bad cholesterol and get rid of heartaches. Results can be seen around a month after taking the following, along with a small amount of oats made with reduced fat milk and no sugar. I take one (1) serving daily in the morning. Ask your physician or look up for more information in the internet.
Chromium Picolinate – makes insulin metabolism more efficient, helping you to burn fat and not muscle. Helps you maintain an adequate weight, control unmeasured appetite, accelerates metabolism and suppress sugar cravings.
CQ-10 – is a co-enzyme that produces small reductions in artery pressure. It can reduce dementia in Alzheimer patients, reduce angina symptoms and improve tolerance for exercise in persons with blood clots found in heart’ arteries. It also helps combating muscle degeneration (arthritis) and other heart conditions. You can find CQ-10 in the vitamin section of stores and the internet.
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Dairy
Perhaps if we concern ourselves with the proper use of logic and reason, cow’s milk is perfect for the calves and human milk for humans. But not many women ready to milk for commercial consumption and are the cows that have had to bear the responsability. If there is milk bank for mothers who do not produce milk or are on medication and unable to breastfeed their babies. It is now recognized that there is no commercial formula that can match the maternal milk, which has antibodies that prevent infection or allergies, it contains nutrients, minerals, vitamins, digestive enzymes and hormones. Fat milk contains a lipase, an enzyme that helps digest milk. Breast milk also prevents obesity, diabetes type 1 and 2 and prevents skin diseases.
Cow’s milk does not contain enough vitamin E, iron and essential fatty acids. and if excessive amounts of protein, sodium and potassium, which can damage the kidneys. In addition, proteins and fat in cow’s milk are more difficult to absorb for a baby than breast milk.
Exited a countless number of controversies about the consumption of dairy products, but to be honest, I think their use should be extremely moderate, or none, unless fermented milk such as yogurt and kefir, ghee or clarified butter. I maintain my position that the goat milk and cheese is healing and its use should be moderate as well. I am of those who firmly believe that to be vegans, we must first be vegetarian, because down the road we can live with almost no milk and keep eating grains, flour, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seaweed, roots and medicinal herbs. Meanwhile, let the meat will be the biggest challenge as we wrestle with the milk.
But although we know that the animal protein we can get the milk and vegetable (soy, tofu, seitan, beans, nuts, lentils, nuts) and calcium. in plant foods, with dark green, like cabbage, broccoli, turnips and fresh soy beans are rich in calcium and is absorbed similarly to milk, then we can live healthy without milk. Today we use supplements to enhance absorption of calcium and vitamin D.
And what are the milk?
Dairy has been known since ancient times as “white meat” becoming one of the most important sources of fat, calcium and protein. It’s everything that comes from milk and milk products processed (usually fermented).
We can mention among the top milk, raw milk. cream, milk powder, skimmed milk, Fermented milk (sour cream, yogurt and kefir), cheese, butter (clarified butter or ghee) ice cream, and others. Margarine although classified under the milk is not milk (it deriba vegetable oils). For my part or consume ever, I recommend it not be harmful to health.
Dairy products derived from the cultivation of bacteria used in the lactic fermentation of the most popular is the buttermilk and kefir cultures employing various bacteria: Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, the Acetobacter and yeasts that provide flavors and aromas. These products are classified with probiotics and prebiotics very beneficial for colon health and intestinal flora.
Dairy contain biological agents including bacteria and the possibility of viruses or parasites. The pasteurization is usually good control of these hazards when they come from milk as raw material, but the cheese or milk powder can be a source of cross contamination or environmental pathogens.
The most common chemical hazards to consider are the dairy waste pharmacological substances known as antibiotics given to animals to keep the waiting period required and to treat mastitis.
Dairy products tend to be high in calories due to fat and there is emerging-fat products or low-fat that comes representing a reduction of calories a day. 200 to 300 for those who want to take using dairy diets.
There are factors that have linked dairy to cancer of the colon or breast and here’s an interesting article about the possibility of awarding a dairy breast cancer. Well now my advice is to maintain position and varied diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and flour integrals used very sparingly and dairy products, sugar, salt and flour is not comprehensive. Of which I am the way vegan, macrobiotic, ayurvedic and raw foodist.
See the case of Dr. Jane Plant on breast cancer and here the direction of his article in Spanish or English on the web:
or : http://www.ecoportal.net/Temas_Especiales/Salud/El_cancer_y_los_productos_lacteos
http://www.taringa.net/posts/noticias/5066401/Lacteos-y-el-Cancer-de-Mama—por-Jane-Plant.html
English: http://www.cancersupportinternational.com/janeplant.com/
1- Fill yourselves with facts about the hazardous effects that eating meat does to your health. Look in the internet for subjects like: cancer and nutrition, presence of bacteria in animal meat products, animal meat, perishing of animal meat, meat additives and contemporary diseases like the mad cow syndrome and avian flu. You will find so many horrible things that you will quit eating meat in a few days, for sure.
2- Visit sites in the web in “YouTube” and look for subjects on animal cruelty, animal slaughter, animal fur and skin extraction, PETA, and other. These will illustrate you about the reality of where and how the process of obtaining meat sources starts, taken to your known supermarkets and end in your refrigerator. You can see various links here, whose content you have already been advised about, but is necessary to watch them.
Links: videos to support references to this subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ8iL3sx60M&feature=PlayList&p=61AE37E68BB0D690&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM-cpwgfMPg&feature=PlayList&p=272ACE3FD658542E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=16
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQA-FoktP8E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAYkO-_Dm5I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cf5FZo-8UQ
3- Try not to eat meat for 2 or 3 days and consume fruits, green vegetables and grains. Watch how your digestive system works during those days.
4- Visit any vegetarian restaurant nearby and ask for a good menu to start adapting your palate. Ask questions about what you are eating.
5- Visit a natural products store or supermarket and watch the kind of groceries that are been placed. This will help you get in touch to the atmosphere of the natural world. Many health food stores include a restaurant, which is a very practical concept. I added a video about a visit to a natural products store in the Facts section of this Blog. Open up your mind to the flow of your ideas.
6- Buy magazines and read articles about vegetarianism. There are videos and documentaries about this subject, and there is the internet, above all.
7- Visit your favorite book store and go to the diet and menu section. You will be amazed of the great variety of books that exist about vegetarianism, veganism, macrobiotics, Ayurvedic and much more.
8- Visit your favorite supermarket and break your “buy the same products” routine. Avoid the meat section of course, and spend more time looking for cereals, grains, wholegrain flour, nuts, vegetables and fruits.
9- Make sure your refrigerator and groceries closet is filled with “craving” options like: nut varieties, dried and fresh fruits, granola bars, yogurt and water.
10- Now, cook!!!!! Try to cook something vegetarian. You can either follow me or write one of my recipes for someone that can cook for you, so you can try it. This is when your real effort to change your consciousness, and respect for animal life begins. Congratulations for your effort!!!!!!
Note: Remember the tags that identify this blog: • vegetarian recipes • healthy foods • natural recipes blog • vegetarian food blog • nutritious feeding blog • vegetarian recipes blog • vegetarian nutrition blog • vegetarian diet blog • vegetarian menu • healthy menu • natural foods • natural feeding • vegan recipes • vegan • simple vegetarian recipes • fast cooking • easy recipes • creative meals • Caribbean recipes • nutritious recipes • natural diet • organic recipes • macrobiotic diet • Ayurvedic recipes • raw food diet • raw food recipes • become a vegetarian • 10 steps to become vegetarian • how to be a vegetarian • high protein diet • vegetable protein • alternative medicine • naturism • vegan • macrobiotic recipes • steps for becoming a vegetarian • energetic foods • loose weight with a healthy diet • nutrition regime • vegetarian news • become a vegetarian • kitchen products • kitchen lovers • soy recipes
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Swine Flu (A-H1N1)
The swine flu pandemic (A-H1N1) subject occupies the #1 position in world tv news, radio, written press and the internet. The viruses derived from this flu are divided in A, B and C. There are 4 types of this flu virus: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2 and H3N1. H1N1 is the most active at this moment.
When you look for information about this flu virus in the internet, you will find a flood of word expressions like: A influenza, influenza, pandemic, the flu, flu virus, flu treatment, swine flu, flu pandemic, cold, virus, viruses, anti-virus, antivirus, influenza virus, the virus, human virus, influenza protection, flu pandemic, flu shot and other, which denotes that people are desperately searching for answers, solutions and prevention methods to this menace. Everyone talks about how to avoid the risk of contracting this disease, but few talk about how to bee physically fit to be protected from this virus.
Considering that this is a blog for healthy, vegetarian and natural foods, is logical to offer you tools and fast solutions to prevent this virus from taking over your body. It is very probable that all of us will be exposed to this virus at some time and place during our daily routine. But most importantly, our bodies must be fully resistant before it. Following, I will give you some general facts about this influenza and also some solutions, products and the adequate diet to be prepared against it.
Facts about influenza or swine flu
This is a swine respiratory disease, usually caused by the A type influenza virus which attacks them near winter season. Contagion surges from virus infected swine that have contact with people that work with these animals in farms. When their hands are in contact with the source, these people touch their mouth or nose afterwards and get contaminated. This virus can be alive and active for about 10 hours in any surface.
Those more susceptible of contracting this virus are: children, the elderly, pregnant women, terminal or chronic illness patients, people with weak immunological systems (body defense system), persons with heart, lung or kidney conditions, cancer patients, diabetics, anemic, those with HIV/AIDS and overweight people.
Symptoms: Symptoms can be confused with influenza. These can include nose secretions, headache, shivers, respiratory problems, dizziness, fever, sore throat, some diarrhea, vomit, dry cough, muscle and joint aches, eye irritation, loss of appetite and general body ache with low spirits. Complications start when pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis and ear infection appears. Only lab tests of respiratory tract secretions can detect virus contagion. There already are some prescription drugs that have been effective in treating swine flu. This virus is not in the air. It is contracted through nasal secretions, sneezing or cough from an infected person.
Clues for prevention:
• Use disposable antiseptic tissues at all times when going into bathrooms, when handling telephones, when in contact with handrails, doors, computer keyboards and other similar objects.
• Stay away from people with respiratory infection or symptoms that look like this condition.
• Avoid eating meat, even when someone tells you that eating pork does not propagate the virus. All meat carries virus and bacteria colonies.
• Avoid being exposed to sudden temperature changes.
• Wash your hands frequently with anti-bacterial soap, mostly when contacting sick children or elderly.
• Don’t smoke or expose yourself to environmental contaminants.
• Avoid being in direct contact with dippers, clothes or leftovers from contaminated persons.
• Control fever symptoms with prescriptions that don’t contain aspirin.
• If you feel having some of these influenza symptoms, call your doctor immediately and follow instructions in order to avoid infecting friends and family. You must stay in bed and rest; keep your body hydrated and a balanced diet.
• Breastfeed your baby whenever possible.
• Avoid crowded places like commercial malls, cinemas, theatres, restaurants, hospitals, bars, collective transportation or trains.
• Avoid greeting people with kisses or shaking hands.
• Ask for disposable lunch plates and plastic table settings whenever possible.
Nutrition advice for keeping a healthy immunological system:
• Beware of anemia or low levels of hemoglobin in your body because these conditions are the main enemies of the immunological system defenses (look for hemoglobin in the menu section).
• Reduce products with fat in your diet for an optimum functioning of the immunological system.
• Eat fruits and green vegetables rich in vitamins A and C – carrots, papaya, guava, oranges, mandarin oranges, lemon, lime, pineapples, cranberries and other citric fruits.
• Reduce your weight to avoid heart diseases related to irregularities in the immunological functions of the body. Go for a walk on a daily basis.
• Consume fermented dairy products like yogurt or kefir to heighten your immunological defenses and strengthen resistance to microorganisms that intoxicate the system.
• Take your daily units of vitamins, minerals and natural supplements like: ginseng, acai berry, spirulina, flaxseed or linseed, Tibetan goyi seeds, dried fruits, olive, sunflower or soy oils, royal jelly, tea herbs like equinacea, maca, camu-camu, cat’s claw or Noni juice.
• Propolis – substance produced by bees derived from flowers. It must be consumed at least three (3) times a week if you feel that your defenses are low.
• Important vitamins: Vitamin C – helps in combating infections. Sources of vitamin C are found in lemons, oranges, acerola, guava, kiwi, mango, pineapple, melon, strawberries, blueberries and green vegetables like cabbage, tomatoes, peppers and other garden produce.
Vitamin E: soy oil, cereal germs or grains, bread and wholegrain pastas.
Vitamin A: helps in the relief of nasal mucous related diseases. It is present in butter, whipped cream and whole dairy products.
Beta-carotene: is found in green, orange or yellow vegetables, pumpkin and carrots. Also Beta-carotene is found in fruits like apricots, peaches, strawberries and melons.
Vitamin B complex: is present in green vegetables, fresh fruits, dry fruits, cereals and leguminous plants.
• Red wine – take one glass each day. Grapes contain antioxidants; helps in having good cholesterol and combats hardening of the arteries.
• Dried fruits and nuts – like almonds, hazelnuts, raisins, cashews and walnuts. Due to their poly-saturated fat content, they help in diminishing bad cholesterol in the body and help avoid heart attacks and cancer. They are antioxidants because of vitamin E content. They should be consumed with moderation due to their calorie amounts.
• Olive oil – is an antioxidant that helps with good cholesterol and fight arteriosclerosis.
• Fruits – They help in preventing infectious diseases and stimulate the immunological system. They are also helpful in fighting cardiovascular ailments and cancer. Fruits are antioxidants, high in fiber, vitamin C, folic acid, B complex, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus.
• Garlic – it is an antiseptic, cleans the system, contains anti-infection properties and combats cancerous cells. It should be consumed in the most natural way possible.
• Cereals – high in carbon hydrates as a source of energy. Consume them whole as a live food source or lightly cooked. Oats, quinoa grain, corn and rice are included.
• Leguminous plants – they are low in fat, high in protein, carbohidrates and fiber. Lentils, kidney beans or green beans combined with rice or corn form a full meal.
• When bathing, changes in water temperature stimulate blood and lymphatic circulation and strengthen the organism.
• Alternative medicine and medicinal herbs help in strengthening body immunity. Garlic is an excellent revitalizer.
• Sleeping the necessary hours, daily walking and exercise keeps our immune system high.
• Avoid stress and live more relaxed through meditation, yoga, music and hobbies. Being in contact with nature, flowing water streams, beaches, trees and mountains is a must. Pets play an important role in our lives because they give us happiness, make us laugh, free us from stress, and therefore balance our systems.
