How Much Meat Should We Eat

The average American eats about 200 pounds of meat per year. Let's see, that would be 15 cows, 24 hogs, 900 chickens, 12 sheep and 1000 lbs of other assorted animals in their lifetime..

Eh, I suppose it could be worse. Its been years that I've become shocked by statistics. I remember having some Filipino friends, whose mother would cook at least two bonified meat and or fish loaded meals per day, if not three. In my mind, I find meat a lot less harmless than carbohydrates, which in my old age, I avoid like the plague. I'm one of the few who completely got the Atkinson's Diet. Anyway, I think its good time that I look into the actual amount we need to eat, if any. Oh yes, I must add, that I was a vegetarian throughout the entire 90's. So let's check out the scoop...

In England, the World Wild Life Fund, is in the process of instituting the practice of grocers to include warning labels on meat limiting its consumption to three [4oz.?] portions per week. The explanation being that Britons are consuming some 70% over the recommende amount, as well as 40% over the recommended amount of dairy intake.

Now on the other hand, and I mean the one way to the left, British Master Chef now based in Australia, John Torode ezplains that beef is 'chockfull of protein, monounsaturated fats, vitamins such as B12, niacin, B6, and trace minerals such as phosphorus and zinc.

Our bodies need these nutrients to keep us healthy, build strong muscles, give us energy and help us fight disease.

Vitamin B12, in particular, can be obtained only from animal protein. It is essential in the production of red blood cells and, scientists in the magazine Nature have just revealed, vital for preventing brain shrinkage and dementia. And with two out of five Britons deficient in B12'.

For all practical purposes, I will surmise that the chef is referring to the highest quality, grass fed organic beef or something along those lines.

Really, there are countless view regarding the appropriate amount of meat to eat. I suppose when it really comes down to it, maybe people should eat as much meat as they can catch.

Stay tuned,
mb

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1058758/Why-need-eat-red-meat-MasterChefs-John-Torode.html#ixzz0ODDDIxPJ

Sticks and Stones May Break Your Bones, But Are You Immune To The Rest?

What it takes to avoid catching a cold has a lot less to do with keeping a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your handbag than it does with the basic health and function of your immune system.

Within the body, it is the immune system that fights off disease causing microorganisms that abound the environment outside and within the body. It is said that even the aging process itself may be related closer to the weakening of the immune system than it is to the passage of time.

Weakening of the immune system results in susceptibility to all types of disease and illness. Indications of impaired immune system include fatigue, listlessness, infections, inflammations, allergies, slow wound healing, chronic diarrhea, vaginal yeast infections. Generally, an adult with a health immune system has one to two colds a year. Individuals who have continual bouts with colds and other chronic infections are believed to have some impairment within their immune function.

Within the last 20 years much research has been conducted by physicians and immunologists to understand specific details to various aspects of this complex system.

In addition to health conscious eating, exercise, being kind to others etc., a regime of nutritional supplements are believed to assist in maintaining and strengthening it. My recommendation would be Ageless Xtra from Univera Life Sciences. This is a product with which I have long-term personal experience. I particularly like the supplements because they are a rather comprehensive comgination of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are essential to maintain cell structure. I also take a chewable vitamin B-12 tablet by Naturally Prefered, Omega-3 fish oil soft gel, and the Chinese herb, Yin Chioa, at the first of a cold. It really works. Of course, whatever type of health and wellness regime you follow, it is important to continue to research, study and assess your own personal nutrition.

Happy healthy living,
mb

These Ol' Bones Will Tell Your Story

Did you know, that the United States is the largest consumer of dairy products and foods high in calcium content - well over double any other country in the world? However, in the same vein, the current US population still manages to take in less bone-growth stimulating calcium, than previous generations. Instead Americans consume high rates of animal protein and phosphate rich such as carbonated drinks. An excess of phosphate in the blood can potentially cause damage to the kidneys. Further, the US also has the highest rates of osteoporosis, and bone fractures in later life. As appears the tradition of 'choices', many health stores, and apothecaries stock virtually an endless array of vitamin and mineral supplements to 'regenerate' bone density and strength. While many of these supplements may be beneficial to some degree, it is important that the compound be adequately soluble to absorb into the body. The test for this is to place a tablet into a glass of vinegar and stir it. Within one half hour the tablet should be completely dissolved. If not, it will neither dissolve in the stomach. This test could be applied to other types of supplements and medications, as well. Current US health information clearly indicates that the best way to absorb sufficient amounts of calcium to maintain and increase bone density is to consume foods that high in calcium.Some excellent non-dairy (readily absorbed) sources of calcium include:

• Almonds – 1 oz. (about 23 nuts) - 75 mg.
• Blackstrap Molasses – 1 T. – approximately 137 mg.
• Beans
  • White beans 3/4 cup has 120 mg
  • Navy beans 3/4 cup has 94 mg
  • Black Turtle beans 3/4 cup has 75 mg
  • Chickpeas 3/4 cup – 58 mg
  • Tofu 150g – 350 mg
• Brazil Nuts – 2 oz. (about 12 nuts) - 90 mg.
• Broccoli – 2 cups boiled - 124 mg.
• Canned Salmon with bones - 3oz - 200 mg.
  
• Celery - 2 cups raw - 81 mg.
• Collard Greens - 1 cup boiled - 266 mg.
• Flax Seeds – 2 T. - 52 mg.
• Instant Oats - 1 packet – 165 mg
• Kale – 1 cup boiled - 94 mg.
• Kelp - 1 cup raw - 136 mg.
• Oranges - 1 medium - 52 mg.
• Papaya - 1 medium - 73 mg.
• Sardines - I can - 100 gr.
  
• Sesame Seeds – ¼ cup - 351 mg calcium.
• Spinach – 1 cup boiled - 245 mg.
• Swiss Chard – 1 cup boiled - 102 mg.
• Tahini(sesame seed butter) – 2 T. raw – 126 mg.

Among the calcium supplements that contain the most essential components, here are a few*.
Bone Builder from Ethical Nutrients Bone Defense from Kal Bone Support from Synergy Plus Osteo-B-Plus from Biotics Research


* Resource: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 1st Ed

Diet Philosophy - My Experience

Recently Kirsti Alley has received attention in the media for 'falling off ' the wagon again. Personally, I don't think she looks that bad. What's sad is that she feels so bad about it. She's a great comedian, a talented actress and a stunning beauty. She doesn't deserve to have her weight concerns as the major focus of her life. Many women, including myself have had to contend with issues associated with various aspects of our looks, and particularly our size. In college, I gained what I considered, quite a lot of weight. This severely impacted my self esteem for the worse. For years, I go on fasts, took diet pills, which in the 1980's contained amphetamines (I'll never forget the alternating heart palpitations, clammy sweats, nausea and the shakes). I tried all the popular diets of the day: Atkins, Scarlesdale, etc, but didn't try Jenny Craig. I also became very adept at concealing my perceived bumps and bulges via layering my clothing just right. Throughout this period of dieting my weight simply coasted up and down. On a whim I became a vegetarian in the early nineties, then moved back to Europe. Over time I developed an ability to limit my consumption of food, and learned more about nutrition. Living in Italy, I picked up some habits such as 'not eating out of schedule', staying away from fast and fried foods, and my favorite, replacing soda pop with a glass of vino, drinking lots of water, too. Italians have a certain secret that allows them to enjoy delicious multi-course meals while remaining a surprisingly svelte, as a nation; finishing a meal with a nice hot espresso. That's it (of course, the traditional Mediterranean based, olive oil rich diet, and all the walking, may have a bit to do with it, too). After my 'diet journey', I returned full circle to my old high school weight and size American 5/7 Jr's, which I've maintained well over 15 years.

I believe that completely changing your attitude toward food, focusing more on nutrition and incorporating regular exercise into your lifestyle as a philosophy is the only way to consistently achieve and maintain an ideal weight. In other words, I'm not a fan of packaged meals or (those ghastly) drinks.

Have a sunny day,
Marcia

The Immortal Kombucha - Time to Try

Its been a busy day, and I really haven't got as close to appropriating the omni health encompassing kombucha tea as I had planned. However, as stated in yesterday's post I did discover some essential details in terms of properly preparing and ingesting the 'tea' in order to benefit from its curative, if not thoroughly preventive properties.

Before delving into the recipe, lets briefly review a bit about the organism-based infusion. Kombucha can be traced back some 2000 years to regions in China, Russia, Japan and Korea. Word has it that -

the name 'kombucha' originated in Japan in 415 AD. Reportedly, a Korean physician called Kombu or Kambu treated the Emperor Inyko with the infusion. It became known by a combination of the name, 'Kombu' and the word, 'cha,' meaning tea. However, in modern Japan, kombucha tea is known as 'kocha kinoko' which translates as tea mushroom. Kombu means ' 'kelp' in Japanese and the name 'Kombucha' is used to refer to a hot drink made from powdered kelp. Now that we're thoroughly confused, I suppose I can begin with the recipe...

I found this particular recipe at:
The Happy Herbalist Website - http://www.happyherbalist.com/ Refer to the site for photos and special instructions on making the infusion.

1.Heat a good three quarts of water.
Boiling is not recommended as it tends to reduce the oxygen and carbon necessary for proper kombucha fermenting. Use water of known quality. Heating the water to dissolve the sugar and extract the tea

2. Add Tea. 5-7 tea bags or 2-3 tsp. loose tea usually 15 grams

3.Steep 15 minutes. NOTE: refer to the specific tea brewing recommendations inside

4. Add Sugar 1 cup Sugar (6-8 ounces / 200-300 grams)

5.Allow to cool to room temperature Keep
Covered and careful of contamination at this stage as the brew is a highly Sweet and Appetizing
Be Sure everything is at the same temperature

6. Pour cooled, room temperature liquid into fermenting container

7. Add Kombucha Mushroom (which is also at room temperature)'

8. Add 2 cups Previously Fermented Kombucha Brew as a Starter. (25%)
[use the liquid that came with the mushroom starter ] or use 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar. (to reduce the pH and protect the ferment from pathogens). Do not use un-pasteurized non-distilled apple cider

9. Cover with a clean cloth, paper towel or coffee filter Set aside in a quiet undisturbed spot. Every time the liquid is disturbed the mushroom will begin to start forming over again and not form properly. (K-Tea may still be good)

10. Ferment. 6 - 8 days normal brew cycle at 80F constant temperature, 8-14 days in the 70�s). 60F or below is not recommended. First time may take longer. Temperature Range: 68-83 degrees Fahrenheit. (20 - 26 degrees Centigrade) K-Tea should be sparkling semi-sweet cidery taste. The pH 2.7 to 3.2.

Save 1-2 cups (8-16 oz/240-500 ml) to begin another batch. Each batch should produce another mushroom (SCOBY). Save one mushroom and tea safely away in the event of some disaster. Use either mushroom to start another batch.

Well, if nothing else, its worth a try. Also soon as I find out who sells it, I'll let you know.

Best to all

Green Tea? No, I Only Drink Kombucha, its the ' Immortal Health Elixir'.

Actually, it was the ancient Chinese who called kombucha tea-drink the 'Immortal Health Elixir' as they believed that the mixture balanced the spleen and stomach (referred to as the 'Qi), and aided in digestion and metabolism, which were thought to be helpful in healing. Indeed, throughout the ages, the kombucha plant form has been used as a curative in a number of areas within and around Asia, from Manchuria to Russia. In more recent times, beginning in the 1950s, Russian scientists examined the kombucha 'mushroom'. The organism actually is not mushroom or fungus, but a lichen, bacterium xylinium and natural yeast growth combination.

What scientists found was that a specific komboucha derived fermented drink, or 'tea' contains a numbers of substances that are beneficial to the body such as gluconic acid, which has the capacity to dissolve gall stones, and combat viral infections; hyaluronic acid, a component of connective tissue; chrondroitin sulfate, present in cartilage; and mucoitin-sufuric acid, an element that makes up the stomach lining and the vitreous humor of the eye. The 'tea' also contains B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (folic acid), lactic acid; dextrogalyal and usnic acid, which is an element with strong anti-bacterial and anti-viral functions.

At the present, modern researchers have provided evidence that shows kambucha tea significantly strengthens the immune system and can be essential to the treatment and cure
of acne, aging skin, AIDS, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, cancer, candidiasis, chronic fatigue, constipation, diabetes, diarrhea and other digestive disorders, hair loss, hemorroids, high chloesterol, hyppoglycemia, incontinence, kidney and gall stone problems, menopausal problems, multiple sclerosis, PMS, prostate problems, psoriasis, and weight problems. It has also been said 'to increase energy and promote a general feeling of well-being. Hmm, where can we find this stuff?

Come back tomorrow and I'll have the sources where the item can be found as well as the recipe.
I'm actually looking forward to learning a lot more about kombucha, too.

Take care All

Sources:
'Prescription for Natural Health', JF Bauch, MD, PA Bauch, CNC - Avery Publishing, New York, 1997
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombucha

Clean Your Colon, Slim Down and Live Healthy

Did you know that everything we eat ends up in our colon as toxic materials. Eventually these toxins can, and will, in many cases develope into diseases such as candida, obesity and cancer. Another serious threat to colon health are parasites. Indeed, at any given moment, illness causing parasites are present in the body.

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, famous surgeon and the father of Kellogg's Corn Flakes, believed that the bowel could be the origin of most health problems, hence his creation of a bran cereal to aid in colon function. He maintained that 90% of disease is due to improper functioning of the colon.

- And me, basically, a nobody believes the same thing. In the late 1980's I ventured to Milan and Pavia, Italy on a kind of vacationa nd decided to try to make a life of it. The consensus among the Italians that I met on my travelled appeared to be was that fried foods and carbonated beverages were 'male, male per il fegato' - Bad, bad for the liver. Over the years, I've come full circle to understand their view as truth. However, I further beg to consider such anti-nutritional poisons equally dangerous to the health of the colon. If one is to think of indigent cultures whom do not rely or even have access to the near nutrition absent inventions of greedy corporations to feed the privately funded medical industry, and you will find that they enjoy optimal health and long life. Gee, go figure.

Probably the most simple way to begin to cleanse the colon is to begin to drink Senna tea in the evening. Many cultures, such as the Chinese and Italian encourage the gentle cleansing of the colon by ingesting a hot beverage after the evening meal such as an espresso or green tea. Senna is the active ingredient of most laxatives so only a small amount of leaves are needed.

An additional way to cleanse the colon with the gaurantee of the absorption of vital minerals, antioxidants and vitamins, is to institute a daily regime that begins with a supplemental drink by the name of Meta Greens, by Univera Life Sciences. While there are a number of so called colon cleansers on the market, natural Senna and Meta Greens are the two with which I am familiar and trust.

Knowledge is Power in the end.

Take good care,

Marcia