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Let Food Be Your Medicine!

Food Industry vs Health Industry

7 Tips to Living A More Healthy Lifestyle

 

 

1.   Take control of stress. When you’re under stress, your body releases cortisol, known as “the stress hormone.” Cortisol accelerates your bodily processes, speeding up aging. Focus on relaxation in your daily life. Events themselves are not stressful – it is your response that makes you tense. For example, if you’re stuck in traffic, don’t spend the time whipping yourself into road rage. Instead, listen to the radio, meditate, or pray – you’ll get there in the same amount of time, but you won’t be stressed out.

 

2.   Get plenty of sleep. There is a myth that older people need less sleep. But adults need seven or eight hours, no matter their age. However, as you age deep, restorative sleep can become more elusive. A few hours before bedtime, avoid caffeine or alcohol, relax quietly, and avoid activities that are stressful or require high alertness. Investing in a good-quality mattress and bed linens can also make a difference.

 

3.   Laugh a lot. A good belly laugh reduces blood pressure, clears the lungs, and produces endorphins, the so-called “happy” hormone that reduces pain. The average child laughs 300 times a day. Adults: 17 times. Research shows that keeping laughter alive keeps you alive. Make it priority to look for humor in life.

 

4.   Exercise daily. Your body craves movement. The worst thing you can do for your health is sit around and do nothing. Even if you’re 80, it’s never too late to start exercising, research shows. In fact, exercise benefits “late bloomers,” even more than people who have been active their entire lives. That’s why someone who is 80 and starts a conditioning program can suddenly put on some muscle. The mistake people make is in treating exercise like it’s torture. The key is finding an activity you enjoy and making it part of your routine.  

 

5.   Find a companion. Studies show that people live longer if they are married, part of a couple, have close friends, or have pets. Make it a goal to meet people. Volunteer at church or community groups. Don’t be afraid to be alone, but beware of social isolation.  

6.   Use your brain. Years ago, doctors believed that, unlike other organs, the brain could not regenerate. Now we know this is not true. Important connections between brain cells can be re-established. When your brain is stimulated, more connections are made, no matter your age. Stimulate your brain by learning new things. Take up a new hobby, learn a new language, or just break out of your routine. Take a different route home, explore a different neighborhood, and try eating with your left hand instead of your right.

 

7.   Live in the moment. No matter how perfectly you live your life, you are not going to live forever. So pay attention to what is happening in the moment, and don’t waste valuable time mourning the past or worrying about the future. No matter what you’re doing, whether it’s spending time with your friends, being with your co-workers, or even just getting ready to go to sleep, relish every moment. Treat everyday as a gift – that’s why it’s called the “present!”

 

 

 

source:

Dr. Jones

15 Powerful Memorial Day Quotes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

source:

 

Sunny Chanel

 

 

 



Antioxidants - Phytonutrients - ORAC

What exactly is a free radical?

Free radicals are atoms, molecules or ions that have lost an electron due to oxidation rendering them ”unstable.” When free radicals interact with certain chemical reactions in the body, they can create significant damage to healthy cells. In fact, free radicals are believed to be a major contributor to the accelerated aging process of organs and tissue.So what is oxidation?
Actually, oxidation is not unlike the process we know as “rust” on automobiles. When metal interacts long enough with oxygen it becomes weak and flaky. It degenerates and decays. A similar process takes place in our bodies when free radicals are formed due to external factors such as pollution, radiation, smoke or through internal processes such as digestion and metabolism. An abundance of free radicals can weaken our immune system that can lead to diseases like cancer, senile dementia, heart disease, macular degeneration, osteoarthritis and chronic pulmonary disease to name a few.
So what is an Antioxidant?
Simply put , an antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Often times you will hear antioxidants referred to as phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are chemical compounds that occur naturally in plant foods. It is true, some antioxidants are phytonutrients and vise-versa.
High-ORAC Foods?
The trick is to find foods high in both antioxidants and phytonutrients. Where can we find such foods? You got it – fruits, vegetables and greens! These foods are packed with phytonutrients and antioxidants among other nutritional compounds. The richer the color, the greater its phytonutritional power; sometimes referred to as "ORAC" which stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity.

ORAC specifically measures the ability to absorb free radicals in the body. Free radicals have been linked to oxidative stress in the body which has been known to accelerate the aging process in cells, body tissue and blood vessels. Thus, the higher the ORAC score the higher its antioxidant strength.

You might be telling yourself: "Ah, I can get that with my over-the-counter multi-vitamin." Guess again, these powerful plant compounds are not found in vitamin capsules or pills. You have to eat the real deal and a whole lot of them if you want to see a noticeable impact on your health. 

Here's where my promo of the "Green Smoothies" comes in!  If you are not eating vegetarian and/or you are not drinking a green smoothie EVERY DAY, you are not getting enough anti-oxidants and phytonutrients!  Key "smoothie" into the search box for some great recipes!


source:

Whole Nutrition

People

Beauty

Four Steps to Healthy Digestion and A Healthy Body

Follow these four simple steps to begin rebalancing your digestive flora.

1. Eat a diet of primarily raw, whole foods: fiber-rich, beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables--all of which feed good bugs. Light on grains.  Use more spices on your food!  Cayenne, Turmeric, Thyme, Sage, Cinnamon, etc...

2. Eliminate or greatly reduce sugar, processed foods, animal fats, and animal protein--these provide food for unhealthy bugs.

3. Avoid the use of antibiotics, acid blockers, and chemical anti-inflammatories--they create an acid environment which leads to disease.

4. Take probiotics daily--these healthy, friendly flora can improve your digestive health and reduce inflammation and allergies.

Hugging is Good Medicine

Be The Person Who Appreciates, Accepts, Comforts and Loves

Dream The Impossible

Conscious Words to implement into your life:

I can... 

I am... 

I will... 

I have... 

I choose... 

I love...

I create... 

I enjoy...

Lacto-Fermented Kimchi

This is my next great adventure!

I have been hesitant to try this but I am finally ready!

Lacto-Fermented Kimchi

Kimchi is a delicious fermented food. Full of great probiotics, it helps with digestion and overall health. Though Kimchi isn't as simple as making sauerkraut, it's totally worth the extra work to get such wonderful flavor.

Kimchi is Korean Sauerkraut. It has a great bite, and depending on how hot the chili peppers are, it can be pretty spicy. My absolute favorite way to eat it is mixed with chicken and peanut sauce, either in a wrap or as a stirfry.

Traditionally, it is made with napa cabbage, but in central Montana, that is not always easy for me to find, so I've used regular green cabbage and find it works just as well.

Lacto-Fermented Kimchi

Ingredients:

1 cabbage

1 bunch of green onions

3 carrots

1 bunch radishes

1 tablespoon fresh ginger

4 cloves garlic

2 tablespoons dried chili peppers or 3 fresh chili peppers

4 teaspoons sea salt

I use a skinny glass to compress the veggies as much as possible.

1 teaspoon whey per mason jar (optional, if not using whey, double the salt)

4 pint jars with lids

 

Directions:

Thinly slice cabbage and green onions. Grate carrots, radishes, ginger and garlic. Dice peppers, if you are using fresh.

Combine everything, except the whey, stirring and mashing. Allow to rest for an hour, this lets out more the juices, which is helpful.

Evenly pack 4 pint jars. Add 1 teaspoon why per jar. I use a skinny glass to compress the veggies as much as possible.

Add a little water, if needed, so that the veggies are covered with liquid.

Set at room temperature for 3 days and then transfer to the refrigerator. 

And the kimchi is ready to eat!

Add a little water, if needed, so that the veggies are covered with liquid.

If left unopened, kimchi should last a couple months, once open, use within 2 weeks.

As with any ferment, if there is mold or unpleasant smell, discard. (I've never had my kimchi mold.)

Makes 4 pint jars full

Set at room temperature for 3 days and then transfer to the refrigerator.

And the kimchi is ready to eat!

source: 

nourishingminimalism 

Smoothies and Juice for Weight Loss

Smoothies for Weight-loss

Weight loss is a journey. It takes time, thought and effort. There are no quick fixes. No flab to fab in 45 minutes. Still, we want to help you succeed. 

At KISST Organics we want you to succeed but more important than weight loss, we want to see you achieve your ultimate health goals.  Our blog and recipes are here to empower you with knowledge and healthful tips and our KISST products are always products that you can trust.   
Fresh fruits and vegetables are  one way to improve your health, nourish your body and lose weight.

Aside from the fact that fruits and vegetables are very low in calories and contain no fat, they are loaded with a variety of high quality vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes that help your body function at its best. Our bodies spend a good deal of time trying to repair, detoxify and protect cells. 
When we are undernourished our bodies go into protection mode and store fat for survival.  When your body is functioning at it’s peak condition and being nourished it can then focus energy on fat loss. 
By consuming smoothies, you deliver healthy fruits and vegetables to nourish your body and provide the necessary fiber to keep your digestion regular.  
Why smoothies?  Why not a big organic salad?  Well, you can eat that salad!  In fact we encourage you to do just that!  The fact is most people find drinking a smoothie much more beneficial in that you can get loads of nutrient dense produce packed into a smaller portion and your jaw won't get tired trying to get it all in.

Keys to weight-loss success

Use mostly vegetables and herbs while limiting fruit. Yes, fruit covers up the taste of the greens, etc and masks some of the taste and fruit sugar is better than refined table sugar… but it’s still sugar and when consumed in large amounts will cause spikes in your insulin.  Insulin converts sugar to fat therefore defeating the purpose of weight loss.   

Consider consuming more fruits before and/or after workouts. For the same principle as above, when you work out your body uses more sugar glucose.   

Skip snacking and start drinking smoothies!  Juices are excellent too!  Just make sure you are making your own and not wasting your money on pasteurized juices.  

It seems that most of us get hungry between meals and this is the downfall of many diets. One solution to avoid snacking on less healthy foods just before eating dinner is to drink up a rich, wholesome green smoothie. Generally a smoothie will tide you over until your next meal or at least gets your brain thinking about health-conscious snacks.

Healthy Snacks are great - Cheese and crackers do not fall into this category. Neither does anything that is processed or pasteurized.   Good choices are vegetables, some nuts and seeds (in limited amounts).  Our brains correlate chewing with the digestive processes and helps to build saliva and bile in the liver and gallbladder for improved digestion.  Not only that but chewing releases seratonin, a feel good hormone.  That is why many people turn to food when they are depressed or down trodden.  

Start some healthy habits:   The most difficult part is getting started.  Make the commitment and jump in!  Whether you commit to drinking 1 smoothie each day or several,  that is only a portion.  Make it your goal to eat healthy all day long.  Eating a big bowl of sugary cereal, pizza, burgers or fries defeats the purpose of having the smoothies in the first place.  Granted if you add smoothies to your regular dietary program without changing anything else, at least you will have the benefits of receiveing more nutrition.  It is unlikely however that you will see any long term weight reduction.

Enjoying a fresh juice or smoothie prior to going out or even prior to eating a meal at home will help quench your hunger, provide additional nutrition and help stop you from overeating.   

Change it up!  Get a lot of variety!  Two ways that this works: you don’t get bored and you get a variety of nutrients.

Healthy fats are ok! Nuts, seeds, chia, flax, avocado, coconut oil these all add fiber and fat that will help satisfy your hunger.  Healthy fats and fibers are not only good for you, but will keep you feeling satisfied or fuller - longer. 

Create lasting healthy habits:  Remember, it's not a diet.  It's a healthy choice for a lifestyle change.

Some people start cold turkey.  Others like to test the water with one, slowly adding more as they feel necessary. If you prefer to start with a balanced, nutrition-rich eating plan, you will find that you will have more energy, feel better and lose that unwanted weight.  

As a side note:  Most people agree that smoothies taste better when you drink them through a straw.
There are many smoothie recipes listed on this blog.  Key "smoothie" into the search box for a complete list. 

Intuition

The Holy Spirit speaks in a still, calm voice.  Quietly giving guidance and direction.  He does not shout, he is not loud.  Call it intuition if you will, the sense of knowing what is right and wrong, good and bad.  We all have it, that spit second thought, " I shouln't do this" and you do it anyway.  Just to say next, " I knew better!"  Learn to hear it, pay attention and abide by it's wisdom!  You won't be sorry! It has kept me out of more trouble than I would ever admit.

Courage

Mindful Breathing

An Apple A Day

Kale

Foods That Boost Your Energy