Change to Vegan

Every day I read articles about how nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables can protect you from illnesses or decrease symptoms of diseases such as cancers, diabetes, MS, etc.   Every day I read articles about how eating dairy and meat  can cause health problems.  Why are people so determined to be unhealthy, just to please their palates?  That makes an assumption that eating a plant-based diet is not satisfying.  On the contrary, eating a plant-based diet makes the palate sing with delight and increases the well-being, health, energy and positive vibes of the body.

“The vast majority of all cancers, cardiovascular diseases,
and other forms of degenerative illness can be prevented
simply by adopting a plant-based diet.”

T. COLIN CAMPBELL, Ph.D.,
former Senior Science Advisor to the American Institute for Cancer Research
Director, Cornell-China-Oxford Project on Nutrition, Health and Environment 1983-1990

“An unrefined plant-based diet, together with
appropriate exercise consistently followed,
would eliminate most of the degenerative
diseases that curse our western world.”

RAY FOSTER, M.D., FACS

You become what you ingest. You become what you put into your mouth.  The food that you put into your mouth helps make you who and what you are.

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Turmeric is one of nature’s most powerful healers. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.

The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.

Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.

2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.

3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.

4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.

5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.

6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.

7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.

8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.

9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.

10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.

11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.

12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.

13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.

14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.

16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.

17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.

18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.

20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.

Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it’s fun to find new ways to use it in recipes.

I have been really busy lately, dealing with my Mom’s Alzheimer’s, etc.  It has used a lot of my energy.  One thing that it has enforced in me is how important it is for us to live healthy, eat healthy and exercise.  Alzheimer’s is now thought to be caused by high cholesteral.  If this is really the case, we can absolutely control it through diet and lifestyle.

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I have been visiting my Mom for a bit, who has Alzheimer’s.  One of the pieces of information I gleaned from my travels was that high cholesterol is now considered one of the roots of this horrible disease.  People asked me if I am worried that I might have Alzheimer’s too.  My answer is, “No.”  I eat no bad cholesterol.  I exercise daily.  My diet primarily consists of vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.  I eat some grains, but no gluten.  I am not worried about Alzheimer’s.  But, if you subscribe to the “normal” N. American diet, you should be worried.  And, I will tell you that you do not want to lose your mind, the way my Mother is losing hers!

http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/news/20090804/high-cholesterol-linked-to-alzheimers

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/health/dementia05.html

http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/04/18/linking-alzheimers-and-cholesterol.html

There is something that I have discovered through some of our guests that is an absolutely amazing addition to my life.  The Shatki Acupressure Mat, or bed of nails,  helps cure stress, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, muscle pain, muscular tension, sciatica, insomnia, poor circulation, digestive problems, arthritis, TMJ, tension headaches, migraines, fatigue and depression.

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Greens & Zucchini

Carrot & Goji Berry Salad

The best way to fill your tummy is with crunchy, raw veggies.  I love any kind of raw salad, like these.  This is so much better for you than heavy foods.  We all need to eat more raw foods.  You receive more energy from the food and do not ever feel as full and weighted down.  Salads are easy and delicious.  Buy your favorite veggies and chop them up, season them and enjoy.

My new favorite food is Raw Green Energy Soup.  We have a lovely family staying with us for awhile.  The man is from the states, the woman is from Sweden and they have a 5-year-old son.  They have introduced us to their green soup and we are loving it.  There are many variations but this is what it usually winds up looking like.

Green Energy Soup

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Raw foods are rich in enzymes. Enzymes are needed for the digestive system to work. They are necessary to break down food particles so they can be utilized for energy. The human body makes approximately 22 different digestive enzymes which are capable of digesting carbohydrates, protein and fats. Raw vegetables and raw fruit are rich sources of enzymes.

While all raw foods contain enzymes, the most powerful enzyme-rich food is sprouted seeds, grains, and legumes. Sprouting increases the enzyme content in these foods enormously.

Raw Hummus is less likely to give you gas, for example, as the enzymes help you digest it much more easily.

Sprouting Garbanzo Beans

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