Get Benefits of Bee Pollen

Author: Corwin Brown

Bee pollen consists of plant pollens collected by worker bees combined with plant nectar and bee saliva. Bee Pollen is gathered from pollen laden bees by a special device placed at the entrance of the hive. The device is designed to brush the material from the bees' legs.

Bee pollen is believed to rejuvenate the body, stimulate organs and glands, enhance vitality, and bring about a longer life span. Bee pollen's purported ability to consistently and noticeably increase energy levels also makes it a popular substance among many world class athletes and those interested in sustaining and enhancing quality performance.

Bee Pollen benefits are improved when taken with other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Health benefits of bee pollen are linked to the fact that it is high in concentrations of Vitamin B complex and also vitamins A, C, D, and E.

Myricetin helps white blood cells soak up the "bad" LDL cholesterol out of the bloodstream. Quercetin is a natural antihistamine-the right kind of pollen can be beneficial for your allergies! Rutin is best known as the remedy for varicose veins. Rutin protects veins throughout the body and may help prevent cancer as well. Your body uses trans-cinnamic acid to make its own antibiotics, and this potent nutrient also powers the detoxifying processes of the liver.

The bee pollen benefits and medicine are infinite. Every passing year there are more uses and needs for requiring bee pollen medicine. Although there is no scientific proof, bee pollen benefits far outweigh the chemical alternatives to treating disorders and diseases. Some of the bee pollen benefits in medicine are that it is used to treat a wide variety of medical issues.

Propolis is a resinous substance that bees collect from certain trees to produce a cement-like substance. Bees use it to construct and repair the hive, blocking invasions of fungi, bacteria and viruses. It has a similarly beneficial effect in the human body. As a salve or tincture it has germicidal effects and can be used to speed the healing of wounds. When taken internally, it stimulates the immune and circulatory systems.

Bee pollen benefits your body with a number of vital trace elements that it can't manufacture, but needs in order to stay healthy. Those trace elements include iron, zinc, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, and potassium - all minerals that have proven health benefits.

Bee pollen may also protect against wind-borne allergens that cause hay fever and even asthma. Ullrich Wahn, M.D., a researcher at Heidelberg University Children’s Clinic in Germany, studied 70 children with hay fever and allergy-related asthma. He fed them a solution of bee pollen and honey daily during the annual hay fever period and three days weekly during the winter. Most of the children presented fewer symptoms after following this regimen.

Bee Pollen contains 27 elements, 18 of which are amino acids and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E, RR, D also vitamin K. Elements such as iron, calcium, calculi, phosphorus, folic acid, microelements such a manganese, chromium, zinc, iodine and much more. Bee pollen is also rich in protein which is very similar to proteins found in the blood. It is also important to know that bee pollen cannot be recreated in a laboratory.

Pollen is considered an energy and nutritive tonic in Chinese medicine. Cultures throughout the world use it in a surprising number of applications: for improving endurance and vitality, extending longevity, aiding recovery from chronic illness, adding weight during convalescence, reducing cravings and addictions, regulating the intestines, building new blood, preventing infectious diseases such as the cold and flue.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/get-benefits-of-bee-pollen-388272.html

About the Author:Read about Herbal Remedies, Natural Cure, Natural Supplements, Home Remedy. Also read about Breast Enlargement and Breast Enhancement and Health Questions Answers Discussion Forum

How Are Your Reducing Your Environmental Footprint?

One way to reduce our environmental footprint is to eat less processed foods. This includes boxed crackers, pre-packaged snacks, and junk food.

Did you know many packaged snacks (including crackers!) on the store shelves contain sugar, HFCS (high fructose corn syrup), salt, additives and artificial flavors? For example, look at the ingredients in Nabisco Ritz Crackers and then check out the Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup.

This is reason enough to make homemade snacks at home!

Get recipes at my whole food eater blog here.

Are You GMO Savvy? You Need To Be

Author: Susan J. Wojcik

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) are as usual a hot topic in the natural food and natural medicine world. But what are GMO's and why should the general population be concerned about them?

GMO is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides, drought tolerance, pest resistance, ect. For this reason, GMO's have gained popularity in the farming community. The down side is the effects that GMO's have on the human population and other organisms.

The dangers associated with eating GM foods are increased allergenicity, increased toxins, carcinogens, the formation of new diseases, antibiotic-resistant diseases and nutritional problems. Food allergies are on the rise, soy allergies in particular have sky rocketed by 50% in the UK after GM soy was introduced there.

Milk from rBGH-treated cows contains an increased amount of the hormone IGF-1, which is one of the highest risk factors associated with breast and prostate cancer.

One would believe that before GM foods were FDA approved, several research studies would have proven GM foods to be safe. Unfortunately, the only feeding study done with humans showed that GMOs survived inside the stomach of the people eating GMO food. No follow-up studies were done.

Various feeding studies in animals have resulted in potentially pre-cancerous cell growth, damaged immune systems, smaller brains, livers, and testicles, partial atrophy or increased density of the liver, odd shaped cell nuclei and other unexplained anomalies, false pregnancies and higher death rates.

Soy, cotton, canola, Hawaiian papaya, alfalfa, zucchini and yellow squash are currently commercialized GM crops in the US. Other GM products include: dairy from cows injected with rbGH, food additives, enzymes, flavorings, and processing agents, including the sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet®), meat, eggs, and dairy products from animals that have eaten GM feed.

I urge all of you to really take a look at what you are eating. 60-70% of the food in the US contains GM ingredients and the FDA currently does not require it to be labled as GMO (although President Obama did make a campaign promise that he would change this). Print out the "Non-GMO Shopping Guide" and do what to can avoid these genetically modified foods.

References: http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/Home/index.cfm

Lakeshore Wellness Center: Naturopathic Holistic Medicine and Acupuncture in Chicago.
http://www.lakeshorewellnesscenter.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/are-you-gmo-savvy-you-need-to-be-894447.html

About the Author:
Susan J. Wojcik is a Naturopathic physician and board certified acupuncturist in private practice at Lakeshore Wellness Center in Chicago, Illinois.

She has been practicing Naturopathic and Integrative medicine at Foothills Neurology in Phoenix, Arizona since 2002 and has only recently settled down in Chicago to begin her own private practice. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin—Madison, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture. She is also affiliated with such organizations as the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), the Illinois Association of Naturopathic Physicians (ILANP), the Naturopathic Academy of Therapeutic Injections (NATI), the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and the Homéopathe International (HI).

The modalities employed in her Naturopathic practice include: clinical nutrition, homeopathy, functional medicine, botanical medicine and traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

Eating Unprocessed in a Processed World.

Follow me on my whole foods journey!
Visit me in the kitchen to see what I'm eating, baking, and cooking here.

Oprah isn’t the only one loving Steel Cut Oats for breakfast!

ABOUT OATS: Unlike quick rolled oats, steel cut oats haven't been steamed, rolled, or toasted. Nor have they been pre-cooked, dried, or sweetened, like instant oatmeal. Steel cut oats are whole grain goodness->the innermost part of the oat kernel. The most natural, least processed, making them the healthiest oat choice.

Can I just say that when this is baking, your whole house will smell devine.

How I made it:

I preheated the oven to 400 degrees F. Put *2 cups of Bob’s Red Mill Steel Cut Oats in a large baking dish. Added 7-8 cups of water. Sprinkled some sea salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Stirred. Covered with foil and baked for 35 minutes. I then checked and stirred it and put it back in the oven for additional 10 minutes, or until done.

*SERVINGS:

I like to make enough oats to have a muffin size portion every day for a week. This works with 2 cups of oats. If you prefer fewer servings, use 1 cup of oats and 4 cups of water.

WHAT TO ADD TO STEEL CUT OATS once it's cooked? When you are ready to prepare your individual serving, anything goes! Fruit, spices, peanut butter, nuts, seeds, natural sweeteners. Experiment and find your fave mix.

WHAT DO I LIKE IN MY OATS? When I pop the muffin size serving out of the freezer (see HOW TO FREEZE below), I throw on a dollop of organic peanut butter and heat it in the microwave. Once it's ready to eat, I'm heavy on the spices (I stir in some pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg), add some nuts (walnuts, pecans or almond slices) and seeds (hemp or ground flax) and sliced banana.

HOW TO FREEZE: Put the cooked oats in a muffin tin to freeze. Once frozen, pop them out and transfer to small freezer bags. That way you can take one out at a time to enjoy for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

COUNTING CALORIES: If you are counting calories, a 1/4 cup of dried Bob’s Red Mill Steel Cut Oats is one serving and is 140 calories.

Green Your Life with Beans!

It's never too late to incorporate beans into your daily diet.

Beans = superfood!

Health Benefits of Black Beans

Below is my recipe for the spicy bean & rice dish shown above.
Instead of a sandwich for lunch, eat beans and rice instead!

Spicy Black Beans

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound (8 0z) dried black beans
• 4 oz can diced Jalapeno peppers
• 14.5 oz can Chili Ready Tomatoes
• dribble of Cayenne Hot Sauce
• 1 Onion
• 4-5 cloves of garlic
• 2 Cans Beef Broth
• Lundberg Long Grain Brown Rice Gluten Free (get $5 off when you use Code CEL445 at iherb.com)
  

How to Make:

• Wash and sort dried beans. Place beans in bowl and cover with cold water plus a few extra inches (I use a large glass canister with cover on my counter). Soak beans for 8 hours.
  
• Rinse beans again, discard water.
  
• Put beans in crockpot and cover with fresh water plus a few extra inches of water.
  
• Cook on LOW in crock for 10-11 hours or until beans are almost cooked.
• Add Jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, onion, garlic cloves, and hot sauce and cook on HIGH for 1 1/2 hours longer, or until beans are tender.
• Cook Lundberg rice. I replace the water with Beef Broth and this gives it a delicious taste. I like to make 8-10 servings of rice at a time to last throughout the week. Which is=2 cups of rice PLUS 4 cups of Beef Broth. Read directions on package. This rice takes atleast 50 minutes.
  

My Liquid Breakfast. Are YOU a calorie counter?

I whip up this quick liquid breakfast almost daily. It packs a powerful punch to start the day! Normally, it's a banana blueberry smoothie but since the raspberries were ripe on our bushes in our yard, I picked them fresh and made a banana raspberry drink. YUM!

I've never been a calorie counter but I was curious to know how many calories were required to maintain my current weight. I can't believe I've never looked this up before! If you are looking to lose a few pounds OR curious how many calories it takes to maintain your current weight, look here.

My morning smoothie consists of 362 calories. Compare this with a McDonald's Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuit which has 440 calories, I think I'll stick with my healthy breakfast smoothie. To maintain my current weight, I have 1,349 calories left today. OMgosh! I'm counting calories!

Ingredients:

• 1 Banana (average size, 108 calories)
  
• 1/2 Cup 100% Juice (60 calories)
  
• 1 Cup Raspberries (64 calories)
• 1/2 Cup Organic Stoneyfield Fat Free Vanilla yogurt (90 calories)
• 1 tablespoon Flax Seed (4o calories)
  
• Ice cubes

Beans And Their Great Health Benefits

Author: Cole D. Carson

Beans are an often-overlooked source of incredible health benefits. - They have a lot of carbs, leading people to believe they should be avoided and seen as a weight gain risk only. Nothing could be farther from the truth though, as research has shown that the carbohydrates found in most beans are of the complex variety. Complex carbohydrates are not contributors to any sort of weight gain, instead providing the brain and muscles with a lot of good, stable energy supplies.

Beans actually contain a wider variety of healthy nutrients than most foods. These include calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium, folate, and alpha-linolenic acid. These nutrients work together on several key areas of the body promoting total health. Beans also happen to be good sources of complete proteins, which is rare in plants. Plants, while having many different nutrients, often lack complete proteins of any kind. This is unfortunate, as protein is a vital ingredient to the healthy and normal functioning of the human body, and the most readily available sources of protein have negative effects on the heart. Beans, however, are plentiful in protein.

More important than their simple nutrition, beans are generating a lot of talk because they offer protection from many illnesses found in America today. Extensive studies have shown that regularly consuming beans can help you significantly lower your risk for heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and even cancer. How much? A study done at Michigan State University found that people eating beans regularly had as much as a 22% reduction in their likelihood to suffer from a cardiovascular disease, and the powerful energy-providing nutrients in beans can help the body more effectively manage its energy sources, aiding in weight-loss. This also can help boost your energy levels throughout the day, making you more active.

Also contributing to beans increasing popularity with the health-conscious is their high amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidants, of course, are nutrients that guard the body against free radicals. Free radicals are agents that attack and damage the body, causing many undesired illnesses and effects. The most extreme of these, of course, are premature aging, and cancer. This means that beans, while protecting you from the development of cancer, may also help you both look younger and feel younger with increased energy and the benefits of antioxidants.

So which beans are the best for you? Studies done at Michigan State University have concluded that "dry" beans are the best. Overall, though most all beans contain similar nutrients and benefits, some of the best are considered to be Lima beans, Navy beans, Kidney beans, and Pinto beans. Ideally, it is recommended that you get about 3 cups of beans per week in order to maximize their wonderful health benefits, but scientists have shown that as little as 1 cup of beans consumed each week will yield impressive results.

Beans are wonderful sources of nutrition that haven't truly been recognized until now. Once thought of as a fattening food that gives you gas, beans are now being correctly hailed as nutritional giants that pack a lot of benefits in a tiny package. New science and extensive research has done a lot to increase our understanding of the bean, and fortunately for us, beans come in limitless varieties. This makes it easy to get them in your diet, and you can find them anywhere.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/beans-and-their-great-health-benefits-290576.html

About the Author:
Cole Carson is a successful entrepreneur and internet marketer. Why drink Goji Berry Juice? It tastes great and is good for you! Check out our Goji Health Juice resources!

Benefits of Himalayan Salts

Author: Juliet Cohen

Himalayan Salt is condensated by hand from the deepest and farthest levels of the mines, located in the biggest salt range of the world. The salt range is located at the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. Himalayan salt contains all the minerals and trace elements of which our bodies are made. The Himalayan Salt comes in transparent, whitish, reddish or pinkish color and can be found on Salt Mountain and comes together where there is adequate pressure for it to form into a perfect crystalline constitution.Natural salt is crucial for maintaining vital functions in the body. Himalayan salt has no preservatives or additives.

Himalayan salt is the cleanest salt accessible on the planet to present extraordinary health benefits. Himalayan stone salt is pristine and normal. It consists of the almost ideal geometric system potential in stone crystals. The outcome of millions of years of compression under the Earth’s surface. Its has exact mesh with our system's inner workings. Himalayan stone salt can be consumed as a mineral water by dissolving in water, dissolved in a warm tub for a robust drench and detox, or it can be place it on your nutrient or in cooking, instead of the basic board salt. All of these things assist to preserve the bodies normal equilibrium.

Table salt however is primarily sodium chloride with accumulative and consumed in excess which is very easy to do with today's lifestyle, when used in excess is detrimental to health and generally not recommended by doctors to be added to food.As most foods contain enough salt. Himalayan crystal salt is suitable for those who require a low sodium diet or those who want to enhance their health with a healthier alternative rich in minerals. Himalayan salt and water (sole) will help detox the body and balance the bodies pH. Eating common table salt results in the formation of edema, or excess fluid in the body tissue, which is also the cause of cellulite.

It allows for best food concentration in the intestinal parcel and it promotes respiratory and sinus health. It is too used to comfort menstrual cramps, strengthens our bones, helps heal insomnia, boosts libido, and encourages vascular health. In combination with water, it regulates our blood force. Himalayan Salt is however pre-pollution and without environmental influence. It is indistinguishable in minerals to the old primordial sea with all the minerals and retrace elements our system needs. These normal minerals are indistinguishable to the minerals, which our bodies have evolved with and are too earlier establish existing in the primordial sea.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/benefits-of-himalayan-salts-376024.html

About the Author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for Health Problems. She also writes articles for Blackheads and Melasma.

Slowcooker Recipes for Easy, Tasty, and Economical Meals

Author: Linda Wilson

Busy lives! Aren't we all busy, busy, busy? Bring out the crockpot or slow cooker and you can
make some tasty, economical meals for your family and cut down your kitchen time too. For these recipes, all you have to do is add a salad, perhaps a bread, and you've got dinner. Dessert can be elaborate or as simple as sugar-free cookies or a bowl of sugar-free ice cream.

PORK ROAST WITH ONIONS AND POTATOES

This recipe requires a 4-quart slowcooker for best results.

Approximately 3 lb boneless pork loin roast, trim off fat

1 large garlic clove, sliced

5 medium potatoes, washed, cubed, unpeeled

1 large onion, sliced

3/4 cup water (or tomato juice, if desired)

1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp cold water

Make slits in roast in insert slices of garlic. Place roast under broiler to brown. Put potatoes in slow cooker. Add 1/2 the onion slices. Place roast atop vegetables and cover with remaining onions. Combine water or juice with soy sauce and pour over roast. Place lid on slowcooker and cook on low about 8 hours. When ready to serve, remove roast and vegetables from cooker. Combine cornstarch and cold water. Add to the liquid in the slow cooker. Turn cooker to high until liquid is thickened. Slice meat and serve thickened liquid over the meat and vegetables.

This recipe has a few more protein grams than carbs so it is excellent for diabetics who want to enjoy some good old "meat and potatoes".

COWBOY CASSEROLE

1 medium onion, chopped

1 1/4 lbs 90% lean ground beef

6 medium potatoes, unpeeled, sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

16 oz can kidney beans

15 oz can diced tomatoes

2 tbsp flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

In a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef, rinse with hot water and drain. Mix flour into diced tomatoes, stir until flour is smooth.

Layer into slow cooker in the following order; onion, beef, potatoes, garlic and beans. Pour tomatoes over all and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low 5 to 6 hours or until potatoes are tender.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/crockpot-recipes-articles/slowcooker-recipes-for-easy-tasty-and-economical-meals-528172.html

About the Author:
A grandmother with diabetes along with other autoimmune diseases, Linda likes to share with others what she has learned about dealing with her health issues. For more of her writings and recipes, go to her website at http://diabeticenjoyingfood.squarespace.com

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

Lisa Ackel Judge forwarded this recipe to me for a 5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake. I had to try it immediately! I didn't have chocolate chips so I added some Hershey's chocolate syrup in the cake batter and drizzled it on top of the cake & ice cream. Yum! This can easily serve 2 people.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE recipe

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise. Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds – Get Rid of Health Problems

Author: peterhutch

Pumpkin seeds are one of nature's almost perfect foods. They are a natural source of beneficial constituents such as carbohydrates, amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids. They contain most of the B vitamins, along with C, D, E, and K. They also have the minerals calcium, potassium, niacin, and phosphorous. Pumpkin seeds have mainly been used to treat prostate and bladder problems, but they have also been known to help with depression and learning disabilities.

Pumpkins are very high in potassium, and have good amounts of beta carotene and vitamin C. They are also a good source of calcium and fibre, and as well as other vitamins and minerals. Pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc and unsaturated fatty acids (good fats).

Fresh and cooked pumpkin is chock full of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, potassium, alpha-carotene, zinc, beta carotene, and lutein. It’s easy to add pumpkin to your favorite baked goods and dishes during the colder months, and the vitamins and minerals can help keep your health in tip-top shape during the winter. Pumpkin is rich, satisfying, and can be used in a number of recipes as a meal or in dessert; if you cook it in a healthy way, it might also give you an excuse to indulge in an extra slice of pumpkin pie this year! Still, eating pumpkin isn’t the only way to enjoy its natural benefits.

Nutritional Value of Pumpkin Seeds

Snacking on ¼-1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds can deliver the nutrients mentioned at the outset of this article, as well as calcium, vitamin K, protein and important omega-3 fatty acids. Pumpkin seeds can be eaten raw, baked, roasted or toasted.

Because pumpkin seeds and good health share such an important relationship, plan to make pumpkin seeds a regular part of your diet. Keep a supply on hand and store the seeds in a tightly sealed container in your fridge.

Pumpkin seeds and onions mixed together with a little soy milk make a great remedy for parasitic worms in the digestive tract. To make this remedy, liquefy three tablespoons of pumpkin seeds that have been soaked three hours, one-half of a small onion, one-half cup soy milk, and one teaspoon honey. Take this amount three times daily, three days in a row.

Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are flat, dark green seeds. Some are encased in a yellow-white husk, although some varieties of pumpkins produce seeds without shells. Like cantaloupe, cucumber, and squash, pumpkins and pumpkin seeds belong to the gourd or Cucurbitaceae family.

Nutty and salty with a crisp-chewy texture, pumpkin seeds make a nutritious and flavorful snack. Boiled, baked, or even raw, pumpkin seeds are packed full of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Just one serving (about 1/4 cup) gives you almost half the recommended daily amounts of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, vitamin K, and zinc. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein and monounsaturated fats.

Pumpkin seed oil has an excellent ratio of those Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Often flax and hemp oils are rated as the best with pumpkin seed also offering a great source of these valuable plant fats important for cellular function and many of the systems in the body. Basically keeps your coat glossy, skin clear and a puts a spring in your step.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/health-benefits-of-pumpkin-seeds-get-rid-of-health-problems-395992.html

About the Author:
Read about Home Remedies, Natural Home Remedy . Also read about Body Building Tips Guide Body Building Supplements and Hair Loss Treatment

Healthy Cooking- Starting With Organic Ingredients

Author: Craig Stanford

These days there are stories almost every day on the TV news and in the newspapers about food that has been recalled because of E. coli or some other contamination. This has spurred many of us to shop and cook more carefully for our families. If you want to take a step beyond buying just safe ingredients for your family's cooking, then you'll investigate truly healthy cooking with organics.

When I talk about organics, some people think that I'm just talking just about produce. That's not true; there are now organic versions of many animal products available also.

I advocate switching to organic ingredients for your cooking because most produce is sprayed with pesticides and grown with chemical fertilizers, Animal foods can contain growth hormones and antibiotics.

The hormones can cause premature maturing of children. Also, it's a fact that bacteria are increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics. Scientists say that one of the reasons that bacteriia have become so resistant to antibiotics is because of all the antibiotics in our food.

Before buying organic ingredients, it's normal for people to ask one or more of the following questions;

1) How can I replace my whole menu with organic ingredients overnight?

2) Won't I pay a premium for organic ingredients?

3) How can I determine that an ingredient that I'm looking at is a genuine organic?

The short answer to question #1 is, "you don't have to". I recently read a book by Kevin Trudeau called," Natural Cures (they don't want you to know about)". In it, Kevin recommends changing one ingredient in your meals at a time to organic until eventually all of your cooking is with organic ingredients. I experimented with this technique and discovered that the my family made the transition to organics a lot more easily then I expected. So far, everything that I eat for breakfast is organic and my other meals are made up of more than half organic ingredients.

The answer to question #2 is that unfortunately, organic ingredients usually will cost more. The number of people that buy organic products has increased, but the numbers haven't increased enough to cause economies of scale in the production and sale of of organic ingredients.

Even though organic ingredients cost more, there are ways to bring these costs down.

A good way to save money is to do as much shopping as possible at a farmer's market. Almost every town has a seasonal farmer's market. Some big cities even have a year round farmer's market. Prices are lower because you are buying directly from the farmer. Usually, you can only buy fruits, vegetables, spices and eggs at these markets, but you should be able to beat the non- organic prices in the supermarkets.

Another way to get your costs down is to shop at discount chains because many of them now have organic departments. Even the big guys like Wal-Mart have jumped on the organic bandwagon.

Another sure way to cut costs of your healthy cooking is to scratch cook more often. A good example is soup. Canned soup in the store usually has a lot of salt and other non- organic ingredients. Don't buy the package of chicken thighs. Buy an organic bird and cut it up yourself. Don't buy the salad in the bag. Whenever possible, don't cook your vegebles, instead steam them if you have a recipe that says that they should be cooked. Steaming them will leave in more of the vitamins and minerals than high heat cooking.

Remember, every time someone touches your food, it will cost more.

The answer to question #3 is simple. To know if an ingredient you're looking at is organic look for the label that says, " USDA Organic ". This means that the food has been certified by the USDA as being organic in origin.

This article has been meant to show you the logical starting point in your quest to provide healthy cooking for yourself and your family. In follow up articles I shall talk about such things as more reasons why you should buy organic ingredients and how to get refined sugar out of your cooking.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/healthy-cooking-starting-with-organic-ingredients-230788.html

About the Author:
Craig Stanford suffered a stroke in 1994. This event has caused him to research how he can achieve better health. He has put some of his research into the Healthy Cooking Guide. To read the Guide and read about other kinds of cooking, check out his website at:http://cooking-party.com/healthy

Healthy Children By Amy Todisco

Healthy Children

By Amy Todisco

www.greenlivingnow.com

Aren't there laws to protect our children from foods contaminated with toxic chemicals? Yes, but they aren't enforced. The Delaney Clause, found in Section 409 in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, states, "No substance found to cause cancer in man or animals may be added to food." Unfortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency still allows many toxic chemicals into our food system. Why? Because they claim that the benefits outweigh the risks.

In 1993, two studies ("Pesticides in the Diet of Infants and Children", by the National Academy of Sciences, and the Environmental Working Group's study, "Pesticides in Children's Foods") gave us evidence that pesticides used in food production are dangerous to human health, most especially children. According to the book, The Safe Shopper's Bible, "both (studies) concluded that infants and children are at high risk for future cancers because of their exposure to carcinogenic pesticides, quite apart from neurotoxic, teratogenic, and other toxic effects."

There are several factors that make children more vulnerable than adults. First of all, the majority of pesticide studies are conducted using adult male bodies. Secondly, the pesticides are tested one at a time. Consider the fact that pesticides rarely occur by themselves, for instance multiple pesticides may be used on a fruit or vegetable. Pound for pound, children eat more fruits and vegetables than adults do. They have less detoxifying enzymes than adults, making it more difficult for them to break down the toxic chemicals in their bodies. They breathe faster and have immature organs. Their playing habits put them into contact with toxic chemicals more frequently (down on the carpet and pesticide laden lawn, or hugging pets doused with anti-flea and tick products, or wearing chemical collars).

At this time in history, following the events of September 11th, 2001, it is imperative that we do everything that we can to keep our children and ourselves healthy. The added anxiety, grief, and stress that we are all experiencing takes it's toll on our bodies. One way that we can counteract those factors is by eating whole (ideally local) certified organic foods.

Here are ten more reasons to choose certified organic foods:

1. Protect Future Generations
Children receive 4 times the exposure of adults for at least 8 widely used cancer-causing pesticides in food. The food choices you make now will impact your child's health in the future.

2. Prevent Soil Erosion
The Soil Conservation Service estimates that more than 3 billion tons of topsoil is eroded from U.S. croplands each year. That means that soil is eroding 7 times faster than it is built up naturally. Soil is the foundation of the food chain in organic farming. In conventional farming, the soil is used more as a medium for holding plants in a vertical position while they are doused with synthetic chemical poisons and fertilizers.

3. Protect Water Quality
Water makes up two thirds of our body mass and covers three fourths of the planet. Despite its importance, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that pesticides (some cancer causing) contaminate ground water in 38 states, polluting the primary source of drinking water for more than half of the country's population.

4. Save Energy
Modern farming uses more petroleum than any other single industry, consuming 12 percent of the country's total energy supply. More energy is now used to produce synthetic fertilizers than to till, cultivate, and harvest, all of the crops in the U.S. Organic farming is still based on labor-intensive practices, such as: weeding by hand, rotating crops, and green cover crops, rather than synthetic chemicals.

5. Keep Chemicals Off Your Plate
Many of the pesticides approved for use by the EPA were registered before extensive research linking these chemicals to cancer and other diseases had been established. Now the EPA considers that 60 percent of all herbicides, 90 percent of all fungicides, and 30 percent of all insecticides are carcinogenic. The bottom line is that pesticides are poisons designed to kill living organisms, including humans.

6. Protect Farm Workers Health
A National Cancer Institute study found that farmers exposed to herbicides had a 6 times greater risk than non-farmers of contracting cancer. In California, reported pesticide poisonings among farm workers have risen an average of 14 percent a year since 1973, and doubled between 1975 and 1985. Pesticides poison an estimated 1 million people annually.

7. Help Small Farmers
Most organic farmers are small in scale and 48 percent gross less than $15,000 per year. Join an organic community supported agriculture (CSA) group, and/or purchase from organic farmers at farmer's markets and farm stands.

8. Support A True Economy
The price of organic food represents the true cost of raising healthy food. Conventionally grown food does not reflect the hidden costs borne by taxpayers, like hazardous waste disposal and cleanups, environmental damage, pesticide regulation, health insurance hikes, etc. In 1988, nearly $14 billion in federal subsidies were given to conventional growers. Why?

9. Promote Biodiversity
Between 1950 and 1970, the practice of planting large plots of land with the same crop, year after year (monocropping), initially tripled farm production. The bad news is that this lack of diversity of plant life has left the soil lacking in natural minerals and nutrients. In an attempt to replace the nutrients and ward off the increasing number of pests, chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticide use has increased. In fact, between 1947 and 1974, crop losses due to insects have doubled.

10. Better Taste and More Nutrition
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen recently reported that organically grown produce has higher levels of nutrients, like vitamins and secondary metabolites (which are thought to lower the risk of cancer) as compared to conventionally grown produce.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amy Todisco is the owner and President of Green Living Now, LLC. She was the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit, the Consumer's Healthy Home Center (CHHC). CHHC was created to hire independent toxicologists to test a variety of household products for their potential inhalation health effects, and recommend the safest choices to consumers. Amy closed down the nonprofit to create the Green Living Now web store as she felt she could positively impact and inspire more people with the store.

Amy is also a professional life coach (Catalyst 4 Change Life Coaching) and is creating a group teleclass on several topics of green living, beginning with organic food on a budget. She's also created three green living ebooks that are going on sale by 8/1.

Contact Amy here: amy@greenlivingnow.com
www.greenlivingnow.com

Changing Your Fridge to a Healthy Fridge

Author: Jude Simons

You don't have to give up all the foods you're used to eating to become more healthy and to start eating raw, organic and live foods. You know the best place to start changing your life and your diet? It's at the grocery store, of course. Even if you're at a good weight and pretty healthy, take a tip from dieters. Go shopping with a list and don't go to the grocery store hungry. Make sure this shopping trip you can resist those Oreos and potato chips.

Clean out your refrigerator and your cabinets. Throw out the half-empty bags of snack foods. Put any microwaveable foods in a dark bag and stash them somewhere in the back of the freezer. Out of sight, out of mind.

Do stock up on dried fruits and nuts for snacking. Transform your kitchen from a processed food haven to a healthy kitchen. Invest in a good juicer. Clean out those crisper drawers to get them ready for an influx of new organic and raw foods.

Load up on fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. If you can't give up meat and fish, consider getting super fresh tuna that you can just sear and serve with sesame seeds and a small amount of soy sauce. (I'm getting hungry just thinking about this!)

Make eating this way fun. Invest in those big, white square dishes that are good for serving sushi. It's easier to arrange small portions of different foods that way. And getting new white dishes will be symbolic of this new, purer way of eating. Get some good chopsticks so you can take your time eating. This is really fun!

Go to a bookstore and get a cookbook or a food book so you can learn about eating raw foods. Buy a big vase and a bunch of sunflowers to symbolize letting the sun into your diet.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/changing-your-fridge-to-a-healthy-fridge-642841.html

About the Author:
Read about alphonso mango and mango tea at the Mango Fruit website.

The Health Benefits of Seeds, Nuts, Fish and Oils

Author: Scott Meyers

Sunflower seeds are not just fun to eat; they are also very nutritious to the body. While sunflower seeds contain approximately the same amount of polyunsaturated fats as their counterpart nuts, they are much richer in antioxidants that ward off cancer, cataracts and heart disease. Sunflower seeds are also high in vitamin E content. It has been shown by research studies that consuming high amounts, which is to say in the area of 100 IU (the RDA is presently at 15 IU on a daily basis) of vitamin E on a daily basis helps to cut the risk of developing heart disease by approximately 40 percent.

Fish and fish oils contain the very important omega 3 fatty acids that the body requires to help lower the blood fats, and in particular triglycerides. It is believed that high amounts of triglycerides in the blood are more dangerous for females than they are for males. Eating regular portions of fish is also beneficial for lowering blood pressure and for easing many of the discomforts that arthritis brings with it. The fish highest in omega 3 fatty acids include salmon, blue fish, anchovies, sardines, mackerel, herring and lake trout. It is recommended that an individual eat two to three servings of fish per week. It is not recommended that you start taking fish oil supplements unless you first discuss it with your physician.

Nuts are very good for the heart. In particular, walnuts have been found to lower levels of bad cholesterol a great deal. By getting rid of saturated fats in the diet and instead substituting polyunsaturated fats that are contained in nuts you can do a great deal of good for your heart. Nuts, listed in order of those containing the highest levels of monounsaturated fatty acids to the least include macadamias, hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, pistachios, Brazil nuts, peanuts, pine nuts and walnuts.

Olive oil is very rich monounsaturated fat, which helps to decrease the level of cholesterol in the blood. Olive oil is a mainstay of those living in the Mediterranean region. Oliver oil can be purchased in regular, light tasting, virgin and extra virgin. If you do not particularly like the taste of olive oil then reach for canola oil as it contains plenty of monounsaturated fats and is low in saturated fat content. Other types of oils that are healthiest because of their monounsaturated fats include flaxseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, grape seed oil, soybean oil and walnut oil. If you want to decrease your bad cholesterol (LDL) by anywhere from seven to ten percent then substitute either olive oil or canola oil fro butter or margarine (more so if you are replacing butter which contains more fat than margarine). Be aware however that all oils have at least 144 grams of fat, not to mention 120 calories for every tablespoon.

Flaxseed oil is another oil that is beneficial for health. This type of oil comes the flax plant and is an "oilseed." Flaxseed oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as lignans. Eating a diet rich in lignans helps to decrease the risk of developing many different kinds of cancers, not to mention osteoporosis and circulatory disease.

Seeds, nuts, fish and oils have many health benefits and if you are looking to live a healthier life they should become a staple in your diet.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-health-benefits-of-seeds-nuts-fish-and-oils-394628.html

About the Author:
Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

Tips to Eat Sugar-free

Author: Brian Jenkins

If you have decided to eat a sugar-free diet, whether due to medical reasons or personal preferences, you probably need some help getting started. Most foods contain either processed or natural sugars, even if they do not taste particularly sweet. You can use the following tips to make your transition to a sugar-free diet much easier:

Tip #1: Cut back slowly on your sugar consumption - If you currently eat a lot of sugar, it can be hard to stop eating it all of a sudden. Not only is it more of a challenge to find good, healthy foods to eat, but it can also have a negative effect on your body. Someone who goes from eating a lot of sugar to no sugar at all can feel irritable, drowsy, and nauseated. So, step down your sugar consumption slowly. In general, quitting anything cold turkey can have very unpleasant side effects. There are healthier ways to go about things.

Tip #2: Learn to read food labels - It might seem easy enough to choose healthy foods, but did you know that most no-fat and low-fat items are loaded with sugar? That is how they get flavor without fat! Do not assume that “health food” is healthy. Instead, get into the habit of looking at the label and making a healthy choice that way. Keep in mind that comparable food items labeled as “sugar free” may be surprisingly high in fat. By law, the labels have to be correct, and although they are confusing to read at first, learning to look at the nutritional value can really help you cut back on the sugar in your diet.

Tip #3: Watch what you drink, not just what you eat - Drinks, even those that sound healthy like apple juice, are often loaded with sugar. Most people know to avoid soft drinks, but you should be mindful of the amount of sugar in your tea, coffee, and juice as well. Keep in mind that sugar can be found even in “diet” drinks and some kinds of flavored waters. Read the labels of everything you are ingesting, not just your foods. Finally, keep in mind that wine, beer, and mixed alcoholic drinks all typically contain sugar, and usually in high amounts. Cutting back on the amount of alcohol you consume can really reduce the amount of sugar you consume on a daily basis.

Tip #4: Make your own foods - Cooking and baking are not as hard as you may think, even if you are a beginner. The problem with processed foods is that they contain preservatives and massive amounts of sugar to prolong the shelf life and make them taste good. Buying fresh ingredients to prepare snacks and meals does not take that much more time and it is typically a lot healthier for you than buying food in a box or can. You can control the amount of sugar you use, and you can even find recipes that use sugar substitutes instead of granulated, powdered, or brown sugar.

Tip #5: Learn how to decode the word “sugar” - Just because something is labeled as sugar-free does not mean that it does not have some form of sugar in it. This is where things get tricky. The following terms are all words to describe various forms of sugar: honey, lactose, fructose, corn syrup, glucose, dextrose, and galactose. Fruits (and their juices) also are a source of sugar. While some options, like honey, might be slightly healthier for you than other alternatives, if you are trying to avoid sugar altogether, make sure you learn the terminology. Products are legally allowed to be labeled as sugar-free if no sugar has been added, but that does not mean that the foods do not naturally contain sugar.

Tip #6: Cut the carbs - Sugar is a type of carbohydrate, and as such, carb-heavy foods contain sugar. White breads, pastas, and so forth might not taste sweet, but they are full of sugar. Choose healthy carbohydrates instead, like whole grains, potatoes, and other foods high in fiber. Remember that your diet should be full of proteins and green vegetables if you want to cut as much sugar as possible from your diet.

Tip #7: Talk to your doctor - Simply put, even if you are diabetic or have another medical reason for wanting to cut the sugar out of your life, you should not suddenly switch to a drastic diet to avoid all sugars. This is unhealthy for your body and, in the long run, the body does need sugar – just not in the forms so prevalent in our everyday lives. Instead, choose healthy carbohydrates, natural forms of sugar, and other healthy foods to fill your meals. Your doctor or a professional nutritionist can help you come up with a great sugar-free plan that will fit your lifestyle.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/drinks-articles/tips-to-eat-sugarfree-694736.html

About the Author:
tBrian Jenkins is a freelance writer and blogger who offers tips about health, diet and fitness. Mr. Jenkins also writes about specific issues and products such as sugar-free cooking and" target="_blank">www.splendidlife.com/ancillary/samplingprogram.do"> Splenda

SuperFoods RX--Green Your Life with These 14 Nutritious Powerhouse SuperFoods!

If there is one book everyone should read today, it's this one!

According to the book: SuperFoods RX by Steven Pratt, M.D., and Kathy Matthews, the fourteen nutritious powerhouse SuperFoods that will change your life are:

• Beans (peas, green beans, lima beans, lentils, chickpeas, black beans, dried bean family)
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Oats (super sidekicks-wheat germ & ground flaxseed)
  
• Oranges
• Pumpkin
• Wild Salmon
• Soy
• Spinach
• Tea
• Tomatoes
• Turkey (skinless breast)
• Walnuts (sidekicks-peanuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, almonds,pumpkin seeds)
  
• Yogurt
  

Are You A Locavore?

From Dictionary.com we bring you the word locavore!

Definition:	a person who attempts to eat only foods grown locally
Example:	Locavores grow their own food or buy foodstuffs grown within their region.

Which one are YOU?
Post your answer in the comment section!

• I am a locavore
• I want to be a locavore
• I don't want to be a locavore
  

Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Eat Veggies By Amy Todisco

Green Living Expert, Amy Todisco
http://www.greenlivingnow.com

Most of us eat veggies because we know that they are healthy for us, and most of them really taste good. At least we thought they were healthy for us. Well, guess what? A recent University of Minnesota study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality found that antibiotics given to animals could end up in your veggies (gasp!).

Here's the problem:

Raw and/or lightly composted manure is often used as fertilizer on conventional farms. In contrast, manure used on organic farms must be composted or applied at least 90 days before harvest. No such requirements exist on conventional farms.

In the study, researchers found that corn; cabbage and green onions all absorbed the antibiotic, chlortetracycline from the manure fertilizer from pigs that were given the antibiotic. Chlortetracycline is a member of the tetracycline class of antibiotics used in human medicine. It's used to treat upper respiratory tract infections and other illnesses. When humans ingest antibiotics, especially unnecessary ones, it can make bacteria in the intestines become drug resistant. So, if you really needed that antibiotic at some point, it wouldn't be effective. Also, all antibiotics (as I understand it) kill off both the good and bad bacteria in our bodies leaving us more vulnerable to yeast infections, and other health issues. Beyond the immediate effects to our bodies, resistant bacteria created on a farm can contaminate air, water and soil, and travel significant distances.

Did you think antibiotics were just used to treat disease? I did. Apparently they are also fed to animals to make them grow faster and to compensate for overcrowded, unsanitary conditions on industrial scale farms. Not good for the animals, and not good for the consumers of those animals either.

Sadly consumers have no idea that they are consuming antibiotics in their food, there isn't any label requirement to reveal this information. I guess it's just like genetically engineered organisms, pesticides and other toxins in conventional food. That's not to say that it's impossible for antibiotics to appear in organic food too. It would seem unlikely though due to the requirement to compost the manure and apply it 90 days before harvest. But who knows? I'll continue to put my money on the organic stuff, what about you?

P.S. Occasionally I get asked what a person can do who cannot afford organic food. I usually suggest the following: (1) grow it yourself and freeze and can it for the winter. No land? Grow your own in a community garden plot, or in a neighbor's garden (get the soil tested for heavy metals. Call your local extension service for more information). Shop at local farmer's markets (fresher and usually more affordable). Join a community supported agriculture group (perhaps some farmers will barter your share of the harvest for something of value to them). I've heard that big box stores, like Costco's and Big Lots, carry some organic food. So, if you already shop there, choose the organic.

Health Benefits of Eggs

Here are just a few reasons I'm going to eat more eggs!

Source:
http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-eggs.html

• One egg contains 6 grams of high-quality protein and all 9 essential amino acids.

• Eggs are one of the only foods that contain naturally occurring vitamin D.

• Eggs may prevent breast cancer. In one study, women who consumed at least 6 eggs per week lowered their risk of breast cancer by 44%.

• Eggs promote healthy hair and nails because of their high sulphur content and wide array of vitamins and minerals. Many people find their hair growing faster after adding eggs to their diet, especially if they were previously deficient in foods containing sulphur or B12.

To see all 10 Health Benefits of Eggs, go to:
http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-eggs.html

Technique for hard cooking eggs:
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/BoiledEggs.htm

How To Peel Hard-Cooked Eggs Easily:

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Q-A/eggs.htm

How To Make A Perfect Deviled Egg
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/DeviledEggs.htm

FAQ's about Eggs
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/FAQ.htm

Garden Vegetable Omelet
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/GardenVegetableOmelet.htm

Taco Quiche
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/TacoQuiche.htm

Linda's Favorite French Toast
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/FrenchToast.htm

Spinach Cheese Squares
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Appetizers/SpinachCheeseSquares.htm

Breakfast Tacos
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/BreakfastTaco.htm