Sunday, October 19, 2008

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:

Microwave Popcorn Health Scare

Author: Jaci Rae

A recent news piece on CNN Prime News Tonight with Erica Hill revealed evidence that microwave popcorn could be harmful to your health. In the news piece it was discovered that Fluorooctanoic Acid was shown to be in high levels in microwave popcorn bags.

Fluorooctanoic Acid, which is added to the microwave-popcorn bags as a resistant coating, releases onto the popcorn when the bag is heated up and is then absorbed into the bloodstream and stays there for a long time. This chemical appears to be carcinogenic in lab animals. The FDA is now studying the affects of this chemical in greater detail.

In addition to the problem above, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is studying a different problem associated with the butter flavoring in microwave popcorn. NDTV had this to report: "Exposure to vapors from butter flavoring in microwave popcorn has been linked to a rare lung disease contracted by factory workers in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska." The companies who manufacture the harmful Teflon chemical stated they will eliminate the chemical by the year 2015.

Here is a recent headline:

Possible Health Concerns Over Popcorn Bags

05-02-06 at 4:56PM

"A Health Alert has been issued for microwave popcorn. Scientists are now taking a closer look at some of the popcorn's packaging.

A study by the FDA found that a coating, used to make microwave popcorn bags grease resistant, is seeping into popcorn.

"So what we're finding is that even before we cook the popcorn the butter is already contaminated with a paper flurochemical that will be absorbed into your blood and stay in your blood for a long, long time," said scientist Glenn Evers.

An independent scientific review board found an acid, which can be extracted from the chemical, causes cancer in animals and is likely to be carcinogenic to people."

So what can you do in the meantime? Popcorn has become a staple and is also an affordable luxury in these troubled economic times. Recently I discovered all was not lost and I would still be able to enjoy a newer brand of microwave popcorn. A new company has come up with an affordable, practical and convenient solution that will help ensure you and your family isn't being exposed to toxic chemicals when eating this delectable treat.

Granny's Natural Microwave Popcorn comes with natural FDA approved microwave popcorn bags, a recipe booklet and more. There are no additives, preservatives and/or chemicals that are now being found in the microwave-popcorn you're used to. You and your family deserve to know you are safe before 2015.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/microwave-popcorn-health-scare-31310.html

About the Author:
Jaci Rae is the author of The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money and Winning Points with the Woman in Your Life One Touchdown at a Time. Book Jaci for your next show: and hit contact button for her publicist.

Are Egg Whites or Whole Eggs Healthier For You?

ites or Whole Eggs Healthier For You? Author: Michael Geary

It's not uncommon for the majority of people to think that egg whites are healthier for you than whole eggs. I'm going to show you here why that is a major false belief, and why whole eggs are MUCH better for you than egg whites.

I was on a vacation recently with some friends & one of my friends was cooking breakfast for the entire group. I went over to see what he was cooking and saw he was preparing a large batch of eggs.

Unfortunately, to my shock and horror, I noticed that he was cracking the eggs open and screening the egg whites into a bowl and throwing the egg yolks out down the drain. I asked him why the heck he was throwing out the egg yolks, and his reply was something of the sort...

"because I thought the egg yolks were horrible for you... all of the nasty fat and cholesterol is in the yolks I thought".

And I replied something like, "you mean that's where all of the nutrition is!"

This is a perfect example of how confused the majority of society is about nutrition. In a world full of food marketing misinformation and deception, somehow most people now mistakenly think that the egg yolk is the worst part of the egg, when in fact, the yolk is actually the HEALTHIEST portion of the egg!

By throwing out the yolk and only eating the egg whites, you are basically throwing out the most nutrient dense, vitamin and mineral loaded, antioxidant-rich portion of the egg. The egg yolks contain so many trace minerals, B-vitamins, vitamin A, choline, folate, lutein, & other powerful important nutrients... it is not even worth trying to list them all.

In fact, the egg whites are almost devoid of nutrition when compared to the egg yolk.

Even the protein in egg whites is not as powerful and bioavailable without the yolks to balance out the amino acid profile and make the protein more useful to your body. Not to even mention that the egg yolks from free range chickens are chock full of omega-3 fatty acids.

The egg yolks contain more than 90% of the phosphorus, calcium, zinc, iron, thiamin, B6, B12, folate, and panthothenic acid of the egg. In addition, the egg yolks contain the entire amount of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K in the egg, as well as ALL of the essential fatty acids (EFAs).

And now the typical objection I get all the time when I say that the yolks are the most nutritious part of the egg...

"But Mike... I heard that whole eggs will skyrocket my cholesterol through the roof, and they are high in fat"

No, this is FALSE thinking!

First of all, when you eat a food that is high dietary cholesterol such as eggs, your body down-regulates it's internal production of cholesterol to balance things out.

On the other hand, if you don't eat enough cholesterol, your body simply produces more since cholesterol has many important functions in your body.

And here is where it gets even more interesting...

There are indications in scientific studies that eating whole eggs actually raises your good HDL cholesterol to a higher degree than LDL cholesterol, thereby improving your overall cholesterol ratio and blood chemistry.

And 3rd... high cholesterol is NOT a disease! Heart disease is a disease... but high cholesterol is NOT. Cholesterol is attacking the wrong problem... The real problem is the underlying internal inflammation that is signaling your body to deposit cholesterol as a healing agent. Attacking the root cause of the internal inflammation (smoking, stress, poor diet of refined sugars, trans fats, etc) is the real solution to heart disease... not trying to lower cholesterol.

And the fat argument is simply ridiculous... despite the popular erroneous belief, the fats in free range eggs are good for you and will actually help make you leaner via appetite control and hormonal balance.

So I hope we've established that whole eggs are not some evil food that will wreck your body... instead whole eggs are FAR superior to egg whites. Egg whites are basically just a processed food since you've messed up what nature intended.

Also, your normal super-market eggs from mass factory farms just do not compare nutritionally with organic free range eggs from healthy chickens that are allowed to roam freely and eat a more natural diet.

I recently compared eggs I bought at the grocery store with a batch of eggs I got at a farm stand where the chickens were free roaming and healthy.

Most people do not realize that there i s a major difference because they have never bought real eggs from healthy chickens... The eggs from the grocery store had thin weak shells and pale yellow yolks.

On the other hand, the eggs from the healthier free range chickens from the local farm had deep orange colored yolks and strong thick shells indicating much higher nutrition levels and carotenoids, and just a healthier egg in general.

So the next time a well-meaning but misinformed health or fitness professional tells you that egg whites are superior, you can quietly ignore their advice knowing that you understand the REAL deal about the nutritional supremacy of egg yolks.

One more interesting tidbit about eggs...

I read a study recently that compared groups of people that ate egg breakfasts versus groups of people that ate bagel or cereal based breakfasts. The results of the study showed that the egg eaters lost or maintained a healthier bodyweight, while the cereal/bagel eaters gained weight and had more body fat.

It was hypothesized that the egg eaters actually ate less calories during the remainder of the day because their appetite was more satisfied (from the healthy fats and quality protein) compared to the cereal & bagel eaters who would have been more prone to wild blood sugar swings and more frequent food cravings.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/are-egg-whites-or-whole-eggs-healthier-for-you-357536.html

About the Author:

If you have stubborn belly fat, learn several proven techniques to get rid of it at Lose Your Belly Fat Fast, Abs Diet Tips

Attention Skiers - learn the most effective way to prepare your body for skiing at Best Skiing Workouts, Skier Exercises for Legs & Core




Saturday, October 18, 2008

Diet: Is Meat Really Good for Us? What Happens When We Eat Meat? Find Out.

Diet - is Meat Really Good for Us? What Happens When We Eat Meat? Find Out. Author: Patrick Hamouy

Meat

When we look at our diet and what is good and bad for us, it is always beneficial to look at the way our ancestors used to eat. What has been eaten for 100,000s of years has determined the ability of our body to digest certain food. It will take another few thousand years (at best) before our body is able to digest the junk food some people ingest nowadays.

Prior to the Second World War, meat was expensive and most people only ate it on special occasions or at weekends (if they could afford it). Nowadays, some people eat meat several times a week. Sometimes, several times a day. Mr Richard McDonald and Ray Kroc have probably killed more people than were killed during the Second World War by introducing their fast food restaurants.

Should we really eat meat?

To answer this question, let's consider the following facts:

* Our teeth tell us that we should not eat much meat. Our molars and premolars are for grinding and crushing. Carnivores have teeth that are sharp and pointed, made to tear the flesh of other animals.

* Our saliva contains ptyalin and is alkaline for the digestion of starches. Carnivore's saliva is acid for the digestion of animal food.

* Our digestive system is 30 feet (10 metres) in length to allow the slow absorption of all the nutrients we eat. A carnivore's digestive system is short (only about 3 times the length of their trunk), meat does not get a chance to stagnate and stick to the walls.

* A carnivore's stomach generates ten times as much hydrochloric acid as ours does for the digestion of meat.

* The digestion of meat generates Uric acid. Our liver cannot easily eliminate Uric acid. A carnivore's liver can eliminate ten to fifteen times more Uric acid than ours can.

Where will I get my protein?

This is a standard question when I tell people to cut down or entirely give meat. First, we must learn that we do not just absorb protein from meat. In order for our body to create protein from meat, it must first break the animal protein down into amino acids and then manufacture human protein with these. This procedure is very tiring on the body and extremely inefficient.

Where do you think horses, elephants, cows, sheep etc.. get their protein from? Yes, you've got it: from the grass, vegetation and all the plants they eat.

Secondly, let's clear the misconception about the importance of protein in our diet. The information originates from tests that were conducted on rats. Rats need up to eleven times as much protein as we need in our diet as is illustrated by analysing rat mother's milk. So relax, you are not going to die from a lack of protein if you stop eating meat.

One of my main Macrobiotic teacher, Denny Waxman, used to tell us that the body manufactures protein from just about any food and that we could not be lacking protein unless we stopped eating or were malnourished. This is confirmed by research done in 1957 (Rose, W. "The amino acid requirements of adult man" - Nutritional abstracts and reviews) confirming that nearly all the complex carbohydrates, such as those in whole grains, beans or potatoes, have amino acid profile adequate for human protein needs.

On the subject of protein, it is interesting to learn that in Macrobiotic, we are also told that cancers feed on protein and that we always restrict the amount of protein in a cancer patient's diet.

Some will argue that fat is necessary because it is a source of linoleic acid. As this acid is also contained in brown rice, the body will get an ample supply by following the diet described in this book and this will not be a problem.

Where else can I get protein from?

If you are still worried about your protein intake, the following food has a high content of easily absorbed amino acid suitable for the production of human protein: Peas, lentils, chick peas, kidney beans, fish, tofu, green grapes, iceberg lettuce, collards and kale.

What is the effect of meat on the body?

These days meat is usually frozen, overcooked and as such stripped of all its goodness. It gives an immediate burst of energy and strength. This is OK in colder and Polar Regions if you do not mix the meat with sweet (Yin) food, otherwise it is deadly.

An excess of meat will cause problems of accumulation of matter: clogged vessels and organs, putrefaction and infection. As soon as the animal is killed, meat starts to putrefy. This process is nowadays controlled by the use of freezing that allows us to eat animals killed several days, weeks, months or years (as recent TV programs informed us).

Putrefaction resumes when the meat is unfrozen i.e. just before you start eating it. To properly digest meat takes 3 to 5 days and as much as two weeks in the elderly. This is compared with a proper digestion time of one to one and half day for non-meat eaters.

Should you eat meat on a regular basis, your intestines are never clear and the meat putrefies in your digestive track. Putrefaction produces toxins and amines that accumulate in the liver, kidneys and large intestines, destroys bacterial cultures (especially those that synthesise vitamin B complex) and causes degeneration of the villi of the small intestine.

Saturated fatty acid accumulates in and around vital organs and blood vessels, often leading to cysts, tumours, and hardening of the arteries. Saturated fat also raises the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Over a period of several years, putrefied meat is going to adhere to the lining of your intestines and cause various problems such as IBS, stomach cramps, prolapsed colons, haemorrhoids, constipation, diverticulosis, appendicitis, varicose veins, atherosclerosis and colon cancer etc...

To compensate for eating meat, the body needs more oxygen in the bloodstream. The breathing rate rises after eating animal food making it difficult to maintain a calm mind. Thinking becomes defensive, suspicious, rigid and sometimes aggressive. A very analytical view is often the result.

It makes the muscles slack and the joints stiff. Daily consumption of meat and dairy food, is at the core of our excessive protein intake, which has been associated with de-hydration and heat-stroke in athletes, fatal exacerbation of kidney and liver malfunctions, increased acidity of body fluids, infant deaths, premature ageing, heart disease, and cancer. A high protein intake creates toxic by-products in the form of unused nitrogen; excreting these can seriously overtax the kidneys, unless large amounts of water are taker to flush them out.

The saturated fat content of meat will then start circulating in your blood stream and start coating your arteries and eventually various organs eventually leading to the development of serious disease such as cancer or heart problems.

In the United states these days, 2 out of every 3 person suffers some form of serious problems related to that very high intake of fat.

"The average American & European intestine carries within it over 5 pounds of putrid, half digested red meat, plus another 5-10 pounds of foul toxic mucous waste impacted of years in the folds of the colon and small intestines."

When the actor John Wayne died, an autopsy revealed that his intestines had grown to 12" (30 cms) in diameter with only a small opening in the middle to allow the digestive process to painfully carry on.

What else is in the meat I eat?

This is one of the problems. Nowadays, the meat that you buy contains a lot of chemicals that you end up eating when you consume your favorite dish:

Antibiotics and steroids in the feed to prevent infections and increase weight quickly. This has had the effect of causing the development of new disease breeding bacteria, resistant to many form of antibiotics and causing a threat to human life.

Sex hormones such as androgens, progestogens and estrogens to promote faster growth. The long term effects associated with the consumption of these are:

Obesity, infertility, diabetes, dwarfism, gigantism, kidney disease, hypertension, precocious puberty, hypoglycaemia, masculinisation of females, feminisation of males and cancer.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/diet-is-meat-really-good-for-us-what-happens-when-we-eat-meat-find-out-223357.html

About the Author:
Patrick Hamouy teaches Reiki Healing, Indian Head Massage, Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT), Anatomy & Physiology, Oriental Diagnosis & Psychic Development. He sees customers for consultations.in Macrobiotic, Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT) and Removal of toxic products from the home environment Full information on his web site at: http://www.therapies.com



Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Dr. Bronner's Organic Magic Soaps Really Are Magic: Save on iHerb.com

Here are some of my favorite Dr. Bronner's organic magic soaps.
If you haven't yet discovered these all-in-one soaps--do try them!

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps
NEWSFLASH! Order Dr. Bronner's magic soaps and SAVE $5 on your first iherb order when you use my Coupon Code: CEL445. YES!

Click on link to order and learn more about Dr. Bronner's magic soaps.
http://www.iherb.com/Search.aspx?c=1&kw=dr%20bronner

My Experience with Dr. Bronner's Castile soaps: I fill my hand dispensers with diluted castile soap and also keep some in the shower to use as body wash. Works beautifully and doesn't dry out hand/body like conventional soaps do. I sometimes also add a little to some of my homemade house cleaning solutions. There are many other uses too!

My Experience with Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds:
Forget conventional laundry detergent--this cleans your laundry! Forget conventional dish soap--this cleans your dishes! Forget the toxic floor cleaner--this cleans floors too--plus a whole lot more. Safe and naturally WITHOUT the toxins. Why buy 10 bottles of different cleaning solutions when one bottle does it all. Save money and the environment. Keep toxic waste and packaging out of landfills. Keep your house safe & clean (which in turn will keep your family and pets safe too) by only using natural products.

PACKAGING:
All cylinder bottles are now made from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, a marketplace first pioneered by Dr. Bronner's. The bar soaps are wrapped in Living Tree Paper's Vanguard Recycled Plus (10% Hempflax/ 90% PCR) paper.

Natural Crystal Rock Roll On Deodorant: Greenify Your Pits!

Why do I love this deodorant?

It's safe! It's natural!

NEWSFLASH! You can get this deodorant for discounted price of only $2.79 on iherb and SAVE $5 on your first time iherb order when you use my Coupon Code: CEL445. YES!
Click on link to order:
http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=5647&at=0

SOURCE:
http://www.thecrystal.com/rated_safest.cfm

Crystal Body Deodorants have been rated #1 by the Environmental Working Group in a safety assessment test of ingredients used in all deodorants!

In a searchable product guide called "Skin Deep" (A Safety Assessment of Ingredients in Personal Care Products), Crystal Body Deodorant occupies up to the first 10 slots in the category of deodorants with the lowest concern. You may also find this information on The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website (www.safecosmetics.org).

See the report:

Compared to other leading "natural" deodorants

Compared to leading mainstream deodorants


Know the facts! More about Crystal Roll on Deodorant:
  • The Original all natural deodorant
  • NO Aluminum Chlorohydrate
  • Hypoallergenic, non-sticky, and environmently safe
  • Fragrance and paraben free
  • Roll on deodorant 2.25 oz
Read The Crystal Story below
SOURCE: (http://www.thecrystal.com/crystal_story.cfm)

The Crystal Story

Consumers would be surprised to learn that over the years eight different common ingredients found in deodorant products have been banned for posing a health hazard to users. Many deodorants also contain aluminum chlorohydrate, a harmful chemical still found in 85% of deodorants on the market.

Crystal Body Deodorant, the all natural alternative to mainstream deodorants, is hypoallergenic, fragrance free, non-sticky, non-staining, and is made of 100% natural mineral salts with no artificial coloring or ingredients. It is free of chemicals or dyes and contains NO Aluminum Chlorohydrate, helping us stay odor-free safe and naturally.

Since 1984, when it was first discovered in France, Crystal Body Deodorant has been a leader in healthy, natural deodorant protection. When first released it was sold only in a limited number of stores in the U.S. under the name, "Le Crystal Naturel", but today these products can be found in over 10,000 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Latin America.

Crystal Body Deodorant products are the #1 best-selling leaders in healthy, natural, deodorant protection. They have a committed following of loyal customers and are on the shelves of retailers worldwide.


Is YOUR deodorant safe?

check to see now www.cosmeticsdatabase.org.


Eco Colors Hair Color: Non-Toxic Permanent Color

If you are looking for a safer alternative when it comes to permanent hair color, consider EcoColors, a non-toxic permanent hair color.

They do NO animal testing and don't use sulfites as a preservative.

Where has EcoColors been featured?
  • EcoColors is featured in "Gorgeously Green" , the latest book by Sophie Uliano.
  • EcoColors Haircolor Featured on the Environmental News Network - November 14 2003. Visit ENN at www.enn.com
  • EcoColors Haircolor Featured in E/The Environmental Magazine - August 2002 Issue. Visit E/The Environmental Magazine at www.emagazine.com

MY EXPERIENCE: I tried the medium ash brown and it's not as messy as the conventional home color kits and the smell is minimal. I first did the strand test (which is recommended) and although I wanted my hair a few shades lighter than my dark (black/brown) color, the strand test proved that it wasn't going to lighten my hair. I still went ahead with it. The overall color was not much different than what I started out with.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I probably would. I'm happy to use something that I know is not as toxic as the conventional hair colors out there.

Here is some text taken from their website (www.ecocolors.net):

A) EcoColors Haircolor was formulated with non toxic in mind. With the addition of the highest quality ingredients such as lecithin, vitamin E, Vitamin C, nettles, rosemary, flower essence and grapefruit seed extract, EcoColors surpasses it’s competitors in performance with super conditioning coverage that is natural looking and shiny.

Check out the colors & order here:
http://www.ecocolors.net/index.cfm?pg=HomeHaircolorKit2

Price per kit $17.50 plus S&H.

If you've tried EcoColors--would love to hear from you--please post a comment below! And if you've tried another safer alternative hair color, what did you use and how was your experience?
Post in the comment section below--no registration required!