Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Should I soak nuts and dates?
by jay reaser
(Laurel, De USA)
Q Should I soak nuts, dates and the like for smoothies?
A Yes, it’s always best to soak any dried fruit before you consume it because if you don’t it will rehydrate with water taken from your body, which can lead to your dehydration. Use the soak water in your smoothie.
As for nuts, they should be soaked as well to inactivate enzyme inhibitors. Enzyme inhibitors allow nuts to be stored for long periods without spoilage. When the nuts are soaked it’s like the spring rains in nature that bring life back to the nut (seed that it is) so that it may sprout and grow a great tree.
Nuts are much tastier and easier on the digestive system after soaking. If nuts are eaten in their dry (dormant) state then our own digestive enzymes must do the work that nature should be doing. One reason health fails in so many eating a primarily cooked food diet is because sufficient digestive enzymes required to digest such foods cannot be made by our bodies long term. The soak water from nuts should be discarded and the nuts rinsed quickly before eating.
Maximize Your Health Nov 25, 2012
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
8 Natural Ways to Manage Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system resulting from the death of dopamine-containing cells. It’s believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Characteristics include tremors, muscle stiffness, poor balance and difficulty walking. Simple tasks like getting dressed in the morning can become a chore. While there is no cure, there are medications available to boost dopamine in the brain and help manage symptoms. Over time though, symptoms will stop responding to traditional drugs. It’s important to take extra measures to slow down the progression. Below are eight of the top ways to manage parkinson’s disease naturally.
Eat Healthy
It’s important to eat a whole food diet that includes fresh fruit, vegetables and organic meats and remove processed foods and grains completely (for more, check out my Healing Foods Diet). Constipation is common among Parkinson’s patients, so be sure to eat plenty of fiber and stay adequately hydrated. Increasing omega-3 intake can help elevate dopamine levels and reduce inflammation.
Drink Green Tea
Green tea contains polyphenol antioxidants that help fight free radicals. It also contains theanine, which elevates dopamine levels in the brain. Try drinking three cups a day to reap the most benefits.
Move With Caution
Parkinson’s can throw off your sense of balance and make it difficult to walk with a normal gait. Try not to move too quickly. When you’re walking, try to make sure your heel hits the floor first. If you find yourself shuffling, stop and adjust your posture. Look straight ahead as you walk, not down at the ground. When turning around, resist the tendency to pivot at your feet. Instead, make a U-turn. Try to avoid leaning or reaching and keep your center of gravity over your feet.
Prevent Stiff Muscles
Gentle exercise and stretching make everyday tasks easier. Here’s a simple four-step sequence you can do daily to keep your muscles loose:
1. Stand eight inches away from a wall and reach your arms upward. Place your hands on the wall for balance and stretch out the arms and back.
2. Next, turn around and place your back against the wall for balance. Gently march in place, lifting your knees as high as possible.
3. Sitting in a chair, reach your arms behind the chair, bringing your shoulders back as far as possible. Lift your head toward the ceiling as you stretch.
4. From the chair, stomp your feet up and down while pumping your arms back and forth at your sides.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is the Chinese martial art of slow, rhythmic movement. It’s great for maintaining strength and balance. Long recommended as a way for seniors to stay active and fit, research is now suggesting it can help manage Parkinson’s symptoms. An hour of Tai Chi twice a week is enough to help with stability and walking.
Water Aerobics
Balance problems and stiffness can make traditional exercises difficult. Water aerobics can have the same benefits as conventional exercise without the risk of falling. Be sure to use the shallow end of the pool. Joining a group class might be beneficial for emotional support and additional motivation.
Acupuncture
Eastern medicine can often be looked down upon in the West, but some scientists argue it’s worth a closer look. Research has shown acupuncture can relieve symptoms by generating a neural response in areas of the brain that are particularly affected by Parkinson’s such as the putamen and the thalamus.
Coenzyme Q10
Mitochondria are responsible for the production of energy for our cells. During production, a by-product of spare electrons is created. When these electrons escape the cell, they are known as free radicals. They are responsible for oxidative damage to the brain. To combat the damage, every cell of the body contains a powerful antioxidant called Coenzyme Q10. Studies have show very low levels of Coenzyme Q10 in the brain and blood of Parkinson’s patients, which is why a supplement might be helpful. I recommend Coenzyme Q10 by Garden of Life.
Let me hear from you:
Do you have a loved one with Parkinsons? What have you found most beneficial in helping managing the disease naturally?
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Maximize Your Health – February 16, 2013
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Best Times to Eat for Weightloss
What is the Best Time to Eat for Weight Loss?
If you’ve ever dieted, you’ve probably asked yourself this question at least once. What is the best time of day to eat in order to lose weight?
Some experts believe eating small portions of food every two – three hours throughout the day will keep your metabolism active, and therefore you will burn more calories. This thinking could be true, except the success of this reasoning’s effectiveness would depend on a number of factors.
What you’re eating, your age, your overall health, your oral health, portion size, your body’s chemistry makeup, the amount of exercise you get and your family health history can all play a role in how your body functions relative to what you do to, and with it as you try to lose weight.
If you’re eating sugary foods that are nothing more than empty calories, or you’re consuming processed foods, you may be defeating the purpose. Foods that are full of sugar or preservatives can cause your blood sugar levels to spike and then, soon after, to plummet. This leaves you with a feeling of being hungry and you reach for food again, sooner than expected.
Additionally, if you don’t give your body time enough to digest what you’ve already eaten before you consume more food, your body doesn’t have time to complete a very important process called protein synthesis; a process by which your body naturally breaks down protein into valuable amino acids. If you’re not a real active person, this could be happening to you in between meals, and your dieting efforts could be getting thwarted.
Another view is the idea that if you eat a big breakfast, you don’t need to eat again until your midday meal. Again, the logic of this depends on what you had for breakfast, your level of energy use throughout your morning, as well as your overall health, and body chemistry.
So, When is the Best Time to Eat for Weight Loss?
The best time to eat for weight loss is first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach. Eating a well-balanced morning meal can jumpstart your metabolism, which will help you burn more calories. Not eating a morning meal will actually slow your metabolism down which results in less caloric consumption.
I recommend a berry smoothie with coconut milk, frozen berries and a raw egg (or a scoop of RAW protein powder).
If you don’t feed your body properly it will go into survival mode. Your body will believe that it has to survive on the minerals and vitamins that are left inside of it. Your body’s reaction to this is to slow down your metabolism in order to consume less calories as a means of being able to sustain itself longer.
When Not to Eat
Eating 2 hours or less before bedtime isn’t good for weight loss.
Though it actually depends on the type of food consumed, it takes on average at least a couple of hours for the human body to break down food. This process is sped up when you are active, and slowed down when you’re not. Because we become less active as the day wears on, our metabolism slows down. Therefore, eating food, and then being inactive by going to bed will slow down the digestive process, which in turn, slows down the time it takes your body to remove the good stuff in the food and discard the waste, which can result in inadequate weight loss, and even weight gain.
Definitely reduce or completely eliminate the amount of empty calories you consume each day, eat a well-balanced meal each morning, and refrain from consuming food before bedtime. Remove processed grains and sugars from your diet as well.
You might also consider consulting a nutritionist who can help you identify what eating habits will work best for you relative to your age, health, family health history and other mitigating factors.
Additionally, get 20 – 30 minutes of daily exercise, drink plenty of water, and larger portions of vegetables; all of which will help you in your efforts to lose weight. I recommend burst training exercises, as you can burn up to 3-9 times more fat than traditional cardio. My new burst training program is now available for preorders! Get a special savings if you preorder today.
Click HERE to preorder now
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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