A Few Good Reasons to Go Veg!

In November I reached my 2 1/2 year anniversary of eating only plant based foods! I have never felt better and have lost many pant sizes to boot! It is no longer a diet, nor does it have a label, it is simply a way of life. Going vegan is kinder to animals, the earth, and your body. Below are facts and figures that reinforce how important it is to consider a plant based diet

# Human population of United States: 270,000,000 (and counting)
# Number of human beings who could be fed by the grain and soybeans eaten by U.S. livestock: 1,300,000,000
# Sacred food of Native Americans: Corn
# Percentage of corn grown in United States eaten by human beings: 20
# Percentage of corn grown in United States eaten by livestock: 80
# Percentage of soy grown in United States eaten by livestock: 90
# Percentage of oats grown in United States eaten by livestock: 95
# Percentage of protein wasted by cycling grain through livestock: 90
# Percentage of carbohydrate wasted by cycling grain through livestock: 99
# Percentage of dietary fiber wasted by cycling grain through livestock: 100
# How frequently a child dies of starvation: Every 2.3 seconds
# Pounds of potatoes that can be grown on 1 acre of land: 20,000
# Pounds of beef that can be produced on 1 acre of land: 165
# Percentage of U.S. agricultural land used to produce beef: 56
# Pounds of grain and soybeans needed to produce 1 pound of feedlot beef: 16
# Pounds of protein fed to chickens to produce 1 pound of protein as chicken flesh: 5 pounds
# Pounds of protein fed to hogs to produce 1 pound of protein as hog flesh: 7.5 pounds
# Number of children who starve to death every day: 38,000
# Amount of total U.S. grain production consumed by livestock: 70%
# Amount of U.S. grain exports consumed by livestock: 66%
# Amount of world grain harvest consumed by livestock throughout the 1980s: half
# Number of pure vegetarians who can be fed on the amount of land needed to feed 1 person consuming meat-based diet: 20
# Number of people who will starve to death this year: 20,000,000
# Number of people who could be adequately fed if Americans reduced their intake of meat by 10%: 100,000,000
# Amount of increase in global cattle population during the last 40 years: 100%
# Amount of increase in global fowl population during the last 40 years: 200%
# Ratio of livestock to people on Earth: three to one
# Amount of Earth's land mass grazed by livestock: half
# Amount of U.S. cropland producing livestock feed: 64%
# Amount of U.S. cropland producing fruits and vegetables: 2%
# Percentage of original U.S. topsoil lost to date: 75
# Amount of U.S. cropland lost each year to soil erosion: 4,000,000 acres, the size of Connecticut
# Percentage of U.S. topsoil loss directly associated with livestock raising: 85
# Amount of original U.S. cropland permanently removed from production due to excessive soil erosion: one-third
# Pounds of topsoil lost in the production of one pound of feedlot steak: 35
# Current annual topsoil loss on agricultural land in the U.S.: over 5 billion tons
# Current annual topsoil loss on agricultural worldwide: 26 billion tons
# Time required for nature to form one inch of topsoil: 200 to 1000 years
# Historic cause of demise of many great civilizations: Topsoil depletion




Sources:
Facts and Figures : Vegan Facts on Our Impact
Pictures:
cow : Farm Sanctuary - Gluttonize
veggies : Dallas News

Simple Tempeh Burgers

I have to admit, as a vegan I miss hamburgers. I do not miss the nasty hamburger patty, I just miss the act of preparing and eating hamburgers. I have experimented with many things to create a good vegan hamburger, but have been disappointed many times. The common meat substitute options made by Boca, Amy's, and others are full of preservatives and things I do not want to eat. Falafel works ok but it does not hold together that well as a patty. The other night we thought we would try tempeh. We use it a lot but have not ventured into patties. It worked! We cut the packaged tempeh below in half and then sliced each half into two slices, ending with 4 patties. We fried it in grapeseed oil and the rest is tempeh burger history. I suggest using the tempeh in the last picture - it cut the easiest into 4 patties.

Raw Garlic at the Onset of a Sore Throat

It is cold and flu season and there are some nasty bugs out there. Three days ago I woke up with a very painful sore throat and knew I was in for it unless I got aggressive. I am a believer in the healing powers of garlic, but that was at the back of my for some silly reason.

DAY 1
I started with a warm tonic of cayenne pepper, honey, and apple cider vinegar to no avail. I drank many cups of green tea and sucked on throat lozenges. By the afternoon of day one it was hard to swallow and I started to feel the weak and warm, I was losing hope. I then went to Earth Clinic, a great website full of natural remedies for everything you can imagine including testimonials from faithful users. There it was! My cure! Raw Garlic! I nearly kicked myself as I have used garlic as a remedy for years - why did I wait! It was 4pm, many hours of a painful sore throat, I cleaned two cloves of garlic and immediately put them in the garlic press. I put the pressed garlic into my mouth and started chewing,sloshing it around, and reluctantly swallowed. Within SECONDS my sore throat had diminished 75%! Not only did my sore throat subside, I had an instant burst of energy and the weakness was gone. Throughout the rest of the night the sore throat waxed and waned, but the weakness and body temperature was gone. Before going to bed I pressed 2 more cloves and ingested them.

Day 2
When I woke up I could feel the sore throat, but it was a 50% change from the morning of Day 1, the weakness was completely gone. Throughout the day I took good care of myself with soups, vitamin C, vitamin D3, green tea, and my cayenne tonic. Over the course of the day I consumed 4 raw cloves of garlic. Around 7pm my sore throat reared its' ugly head and gave me a good scare, I went to bed with hope - mind over matter right?

Day 3
This morning I woke up with glee as my sore throat is only 10% there! I have normal energy levels and feel confidant that I am safely out of the woods.

Garlic was an instant cure for me, I feel that I killed the nasty bugs that were inside of me trying to take over my body and give me a full blown cold. I eat garlic in one form or another several times a week so it was easy for me to eat it raw, this may not be the case for others. Raw garlic will burn but the burn will fade. Throughout all of this raw garlic consumption I did not get heartburn or any kind of stomach aches. Contrary to common assumptions garlic does not CAUSE heartburn, some have had luck with it aiding heartburn.

Garlic has many potent properties and one of those is Allicin - it kills bacteria on site! The pungent smell of garlic is just a hint as to how powerful it is on the human body when taken internally. I did a blog on garlic and its' anti-cancer properties back in March Garlic Consumption a Key to Longevity? , I wish I would have taken my own advice before suffering through a whole day with a sore throat.

I saved hundreds of dollars by avoiding the mainstream doctor mill as well as skirting a nasty round of antibiotics. Yes, I panicked and wanted it to go away, but I always go to the natural cures first. I encourage everyone to visit Earth Clinic, it is a great "go to" website for ideas and testimonials on natural cures.

***I am not a doctor, if your symptoms are worsening visit your doctor.
***too many raw garlic cloves can make some light headed...tread lightly if you are not a usual garlic consumer.
***garlic will burn going down but the burning should subside.
***If a sore throat is severe for more than 3 days you should visit your doctor.
***If you do not have a garlic press you can just chew the cloves or slice the cloves.

Stay Healthy!


***********UPDATE 11/11/09
It is now day 4 from the onset of the super sore throat and when I woke up this morning there was no sore throat. I have no symptoms of a cold. I must add that I took 6000 IU of D3 on day 2 and day 3. I must say that Garlic stopped my sore throat from developing into a nasty cold.

Many Health benefits of Cherries!

The health benefits of cherries are as sweet as they taste! It is that time of the summer when Cherries are in season and abundant in the grocery stores and farmer's markets. I am not talking about the dyed red cherries in a jar, I am talking about Rainier, Bing, and Chelan Cherries of the Northwest. While living in the Northwest I would look forward to this time of the year when I could get my hands on the freshest cherries around! While consuming mass amounts of Rainier and Chelan Cherries I was unaware how healthy they are. I keep a big bowl of cleaned cherries in my refrigerator as long as this party lasts - through August :)

There are two categories of Cherries - sweet and tart, both packing health benefits. Cherries grown here in America are a great Super Fruit alternative to tropical berries we do not have great access too. Cherries are often overlooked for a sweet treat but they are much more than that, showing promise in weight loss, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, and much more.

Cherries (both sweet and tart) contain a compound called anthocyanins, which is of growing interest to scientists because of its' anti-inflammatory effects on the body. A study at John Hopkin's University shows that anthocyanins can reduce painful inflammation in animal studies. Cherries were shown to reduce oxidative stress, which is a cause of autoimmune disease.

Cherries are being recognized as a "Super Fruit" based on recent research indicating they have powerful cancer fighting qualities. Tart cherries were studied and found to be beneficial in reducing the risk of colon cancer. In a study with mice prone to colon cancer it was found that adding cherries to their diet resulted in a reduction in colon tumors and sizes. The compound anthocyanins may inhibit mammary cancer in rats, reducing the risk of breast cancer.

Sweet Cherries (and of course tart ones) are a good fruit for people with diabetes because even sweet cherries are lower than other fruits on the glycemic chart at only 22. The compound anthocyanins may also help those with diabetes. "In early laboratory studies using animal pancreatic cells, the chemicals, called anthocyanins, increased insulin production by 50 percent, according to a peer-reviewed study scheduled to appear in the Jan. 5 issue of the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." - Science Daily. Some people have reported checking their blood sugar before eating cherries and found that it actually went down after eating cherries!

Cherries also contain:
-Antioxidants
-Vitamin C
-Vitamin A
-Bioflavonoids
-Ellagic acid
-Perillyl
-Melatonin
-Potassium


When I do not have access to fresh organic cherries I eat Raw Cherry Pie Larabars. You can also find dried cherries or organic cherry juice in the off season :) Enjoy!



References and Interesting Links
All About Northwest Cherries

Recent John's Hopkins Cherry Information

Cherry Growers of Australia

Raw Pumpkin Seeds - The Superfood I Eat Everyday!

For a couple years now raw, organic, unsalted, pumpkin seeds have been a daily part of my life. They are versatile, delicious, vegan friendly, low fat, low calorie, and most importantly a true superfood. The word "superfood" is being thrown around a lot lately, in the case of pumpkin seeds they are a PERFECT superfood! Recent studies are showing that pumpkin seeds are a vital food for that man in your life due to the protective power they have on the prostate gland. I make it a habit to have at least a handful each day as if it is a medicine. There are many health benefits of pumpkin seeds, enough to deserve their own blog post.

NUTRITION RUNDOWN
Pumpkin seeds are naturally rich in protein, zinc, essential fatty acids, magnesium, iron, and fiber. To boot they contain most of the B vitamins, along with C, D, E, and K! Pumpkin seeds are rich in the amino acids alanin, glycine and glutamic acid.

1/4 Cup Raw Pumpkin Seeds
182 Calories
10 Grams Protein
15 Grams of Fat (essential fats)
13.000 mg Iron
1.000 mg Calcium

DISEASE PREVENTION
- Native American were among the first to notice the health benefits of pumpkin seeds. They referred to them as cucurbita and used them to treat kidney problems and to eliminate parasites from the intestines.
- The high zinc level in pumpkin seeds is good for the prostate. The high zinc level is also good for the bones and protecting against osteoporosis.
- The essential fatty acids in pumpkin seeds can kill parasites and provide many other benefits. Parasites and worms are paralyzed with pumpkin seeds.
- The high protein load can provide an excellent source of protein for vegans and vegetarians.
- The fiber content helps the digestive system
- Pumpkin seeds contain L-tryptophan, which helps keep depression at bay.
- Pumpkin seeds can help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol. The seeds have phytosterols, a compound that not only helps lower cholesterol but helps protect against certain cancers.
- Pumpkin seeds help with urinary health.

TIPS
- The way to get the most out of pumpkin seeds is to eat them raw and organic
- Sprinkle them on top of a salad or cereal for extra crunch and protein
- Roasted Pumpkin seeds can actually raise cholesterol with the very high bad fat content ...just eat them raw
- You can find them in your bulk aisle at most grocery stores.
- Some mainstream grocery stores have them in their bulk aisle raw BUT made in China and not organic. I stay away from those.
- Pumpkin seeds can be enjoyed year round.
- Pumpkin seed oil is available in capsule and packs a super punch of nutritional value.
- The cost at my organic grocery store is 3.99/lb and that can last me a week,
- Add them to raisins, nuts, and coconut flakes and you have your own trail mix.
- Make it part of your daily life!

LINKS
Pumpkin Seed Oil and Prostate Health

An Ode to Peas - Protein for Vegans

Eat your peas! Grandma was right! Many times I am asked "How do you get any protein???" as if I am going to fall over from lack of protein at any moment. First of all, there is a debate as to how much protein we actually need. Where did this obsession with protein come from, it is not as if we are all hunters and gladiators? Second, vegans have plenty of resources for protein in plant based foods- this brings me to peas. When I read about the health benefits of peas I was shocked, especially with the high protein content.

Peas are of the same family that beans are - Legumes. Legumes are high in folate, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium, and selenium, and B6. Peas pack a super punch with 8 vitamins, 7 minerals, dietary fiber and protein (lots of it). I had no idea that peas contained fiber OR protein! In one cup of peas you can pick up 35% of your daily fiber and 6.4 grams of protein - that is more protein that 2 tbsp of peanut butter! Many foods high in fiber and protein are also high in calories, peas are a great source of protein and fiber without adding pounds.

There are now studies being done on protein in the diet and in particular too much protein. In the December 2006 Issue, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, findings indicate that those consuming less protein have lower levels of certain hormones that have been linked to cancer. If you are concerned about protein do some research and most important - relax and eat your peas!

TIPS
- Canned peas are not only gross but they also contain a ton of sodium and most of the nutrients are missing after all the processing - best to eat them raw.
- Dried peas retain their fiber and protein content and are still very nutritious.
- Yellow peas are a must try
- Asian markets are a great source of snap peas all year round

MEDICAL RESEARCH
Medical Study on Peas and High Blood Pressure
Too Much Protein Increase Cancer Risk?

Pineapples - Powerful Digestion Aide Full of Enzymes

Pineapple is one amazing fruit often taken for granted. I had a photo shoot with my pineapple the other night and thought I would share. In the process of turning away from western medicine I find it important to dig deep into the health benefits and scientific evidence of plant based foods put here on earth. Nature did not intend for humans to heal in the form of a pill from a warehouse - everything we need comes from the soil and the ocean. In my research I found out many things about Pineapples that make me love them even more and include them more in my life. This fruit is more than a Vitamin C load!

What stood out the most for me is the enzyme load in pineapples over many plant based foods. . I did a post a few weeks back on the power of raw foods to deliver the enzymes our bodies need to stay alive. Food Enzymes Biggest Cancer Fighter While doing research on enzymes I found out that Papaya and Pineapple are the top two fruits for enzymes due to Bromelain. Bromelain has widely been investigated for its' digestive enzymes. These enzymes particularly target the breakdown of protein which eases digestion. A raw cup of pineapple is full of this goodness! Pineapple enzymes are also good for the blood and are thought to be anti-inflammatory. It is suggested Pineapple enzymes limit the tendency for blood clots and also improve circulation through the arteries.

PINEAPPLE SOURCES & LINKS
Research Shows Promise of Pineapple for IBS
WHFoods: Pineapple

TIPS
-Pineapples are in season May - June
-Let your pineapple ripen before eating
-Select a pineapple that is already turning golden
-1 Cup of pineapple has 94% DV of Vitamin C
-Organic tastes better and is better for you
-Frozen Pineapple still contains the enzymes
-Do not eat it out of a can.
-The health benefits of Pineapple are plentiful!

Ignite Weight Loss and Glowing Skin with a Sauna Detox!

Time to sweat! I have been using the sauna 3-5 times a week for the last 6 months and the health benefits are remarkable. My skin is radiant, my weight loss has accelerated, and my work out capacity has increased. Yes, it is possible to speed up weight loss by sweating and the sauna is the best place to do it. This is not about the water weight you lose during the session, it is about detoxing your body over time creating a great atmosphere to lose weight. During a sauna session one can lose up to 10 pounds of water weight but as soon as you drink water it comes right back - this is not about the water loss. The documentation on the health benefits of saunas is immense and goes far beyond weightloss. I encourage you to check out the links at the bottom of my post.

BLOOD PRESSURE
What happens in a good sweat out in the sauna is the awakening of all of your capillaries to dilation which actually lowers blood pressure - one might think it would raise blood pressure but that is not the case. Finnish people are known sauna users and they do not suffer from high blood pressure at the rate of westerners.

DETOXIFICATION
Our bodies have a few ways to dispel toxins but the biggest vessel is the skin. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and the sauna is the best way to make that organ work for you! A sauna session actually puts you in fever mode which forces the body to dispel toxins through your pores, similar to what happens when you are sick. Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine wrote more than two thousand years ago "Give me the power to create a fever, and I shall cure any disease." During a fever the functioning of the immune system is stimulated, and the growth of bacteria and virus is forced to slow down. Fever is the body's defense against bacteria, microbes and consequent infection. It is believed that the sauna can also remove heavy metals from the body and this is more important than ever with all of the sources of mercury that surround us now (high fructose corn syrup). When you detoxify your body of all of the pollutants of everyday life you create a great environment for accelerated weight loss and good overall health.

CALORIE BURNING & CARDIO EFFECTS
A good 30 minute sauna session will burn between 300-500 calories similar to rowing for 30 minutes. Some may say "what about the cardio" - the sauna works your heart! Your heart rate increases in a 30 minute session similar to running or speed walking but without the stress on joints.

FAT DETOX
Some of us plateau with weight loss and will need the extra boost by detoxing those fat cells. Perhaps it is the build up of toxins in our fat that prevents further weight loss. Weight loss occurs because body fat becomes water-soluble at 43ºC and the body can sweat it out. Sweating removes fat stored (lipophilic) toxins. Often weight loss cannot be accomplished unless these toxins are first removed.

SKIN
The sauna stimulates a deep cleansing of the pores which results in clean, glowing, radiant skin. This keeps acne at bay as well as giving a more youthful appearance. Sweating is truely the best way to clean your pores. Cleansing does not come from the outside, it has to come from the inside pushing out!


HEALTH BENEFITS OF SAUNAS LINKS
In Depth article on the Health Benefits of Saunas
Sauna & Health: Sweat Bathing...
Sauna - Wikipedia (History and Tons of Info)

******Steam bathing in a hot tub or bathtub have similar health benefits because of the sweat level.
******Please check with your doctor before beginning a sauna program.
******If you don't have access to a sauna you can still get the benefits of sweating through a hot bath in your own bathroom. Grab a good book and sweat like crazy for 30 minutes.
******If you start feeling dizzy or light headed get out of the sauna.
******Start small with 10 minutes.
******Hydrate well before going in and upon coming out of the sauna.
******Do not drink alcohol before a sauna session.

Cantaloupe - Super Fruit packed with Health Benefits

I eat cantaloupe at least four times a week for vision health, lung health, and a super dose of vitamin A, C, and B6. The cantaloupe originates from the Italian village of Cantalup and was cultivated around 1700 A.D. This powerful fruit was put here on earth for the many natural healing properties it contains. I can only imagine the wonderful surprise when the human first cracked open a cantaloupe and saw the sweet bright orange flesh! I was not aware of all of the health benefits until I researched it. Cantaloupe is a great cancer fighter!
CANTALOUPE FACTS
1 Cup = 56 Calories
1 Cup = 112.5% daily value of vitamin C
1 Cup = 103.2% daily value of vitamin A
1 Cup = 15% daily value of vitamin B6

*Cantaloupe is a natural source of fiber, folic acide, niacin, and thiomine.
*Cardiovascular! -Cantaloupe contains adenosine, which is used in patients with heart disease as a blood-thinning agent, and also as a relief from angina.
*Cancer Fighter! - Cantaloupe contains SOD (Superoxide dismutase)and studies have shown that SOD promotes a healthy cellular environment by protecting against oxidative cell death (that is cancer!)
*Diabetes Fighter! - The Superoxide dismutase properties of cantaloupe help diabetes by reducing oxidative stress and kidney cell damage.
*SMOKERS NEED CANTALOUPE! - Because of the high amount of Vitamin A, smokers can benefit from eating cantaloupe. Many studies have been done on the relation of Vitamin A to lung health, smokers that had a rich diet of Vitamin A had a much lower incidence of emphysema. Cantaloupe everyday may save a smokers life. No hating on smokers here - we all have our vices, if not we are NOT human.
*Menstruation problems! For women, eat cantaloupe around the time of menstruation and it will help reduce heavy flow and clots. It has natural blood thinning properties.
*Cataracts! The Beta-Carotene in Cantaloupe provides natural Vitamin A which is vital to eye health and preventing Cataracts.

TIPS
1.Wash the outside of the cantaloupe well before cooking
2.Once you cut the cantaloupe you start losing nutrients - eat up!
3.Immediately store uneaten cantaloupe in the fridge to conserve nutrients.
4.Cantaloupes are in season June - August

Kombucha - Super Health Elixor

Two years ago I saw a new drink stocked at the Metropolitan Market in Seattle called Kombucha (pronounced kom-BOO-cha) and my curiosity was instantly in action. There were many flavors - grape, guava, green, plain, etc. My attention was grabbed by this statement on the bottle:

"G.T. Dave began bottling Kombucha in 1995 after his mother's success from drinking it during her battle with breast cancer....".

I took the green one home and began googling Kombucha and was amazed at what I was reading, the health benefits are immense. Kombucha is a handmade tea that is cultured for 30 days and during that process something magical happens. Kombucha is essentially sweetened tea or tisane that has been fermented using a macroscopic solid mass of microorganisms called a "kombucha colony". Kombucha is alive! Kombucha is a colony or culture of yeast and other microorganisms embedded in a pure cellulose "pancake." When the "pancake" is grown in a blend of tea and sugar, it transforms the liquid into a refreshingly lightly sparkling, sweet and sour drink with a fruity fragrance full of health giving acids and nutrients. The Kombucha culture feeds on the sugar and, in exchange, produces other valuable substances which change into the drink: glucuronic acid, glucon acid, lactic acid, vitamins, amino acids, and antibiotics. Kombucha is also great for vegans because it provides natural B12 which is lacking in the vegan diet. The bottle above contains 40% of the daily value of B12.

Reading straight from the bottle:
KOMBUCHA SUPPORTS:
Digestion
Metabolism
Immune System
Appetite Control
Weight Control
Liver Function
Body Alkalinity
Anti-Aging
Cell Integrity
Healthy Skin & Hair

There is more demand for Kombucha now more than ever so it is appearing in natural sections and natural stores everyday. Last week the grocery store near my house just added it, I was driving 1.5 miles to get it before. There are a few companies to choose from but I prefer G.T.'S. or High Country out of Colorado. The price varies from $2.75 - 4.20. Many people make it by hand but there are many precautions to take in that process. My goal is to make my own and I would love to hear from others that do :)
****Don't be afraid of the floaties, drink them up!
****The picture below is handmade kombucha with growing organisms it. I found this picture at google images here.\

Quinoa - Superfood packed with Health Benefits

         Quinoa (pronounced "keen wah") is truly one of the most spectacular grains on the planet. Most grains are good for you but Quinoa is a step above all and I am gradually turning to Qunioa as my main grain source. This grain was used by ancient Incas and was referred to as "the gold of the Incas". Quinoa has also been referred to as the "Grain of the Gods" and "Mother Grain".
         Quinoa is considered a complete protein which means that it includes all nine essential amino acids (including lysine, which is essential for tissue growth and repair). The World Health Organization has actually stated that the protein in Quinoa is as complete as the protein in milk! The protein content in Quinoa is 16% which is the highest of all grains - 2% more than wheat. In medical reports it has been found that women eating grains more than 6 times a week cut their heart problem and Quinoa is the best grain there is. Quinoa also packs in fiber, antioxidants, manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus.
         At first I was shy with quinoa but once you start using it you reaize how easy it is to use. I cooks up a lot like rice and you can turn it into a hot or cold dish. I have been substituting it for couscous in my favorite salad to make Fresh Easy Cous Cous Salad. I am also trying to eat mostly alkaline foods and Quinoa is up there on the alkalinity chart. You can find Quinoa in your bulk aisle and you can also get it boxed at Natural Markets or online. Don't be shy - cook it, eat it, and enjoy the health benefits!

Garlic Consumption a Key to Longevity?

          To me garlic is not stinky and pungent. To me garlic is aromatic and a strong healer. I eat tons of garlic! I try to eat it everyday and I try to consume it mostly raw. Everytime I unwrap a clove of garlic I remember a story my mom told me about my Great Great Aunt and her long life with garlic. This woman consumed several cloves of garlic a day, apparently the smell of garlic would seep through her pores and be on her breath. She was stinky but she lived into her 90's healthy and doctor free. I am sure that her garlic consumption gave her the longevity that we would all love. This is not new news of course...several books have been written about garlic and it is sometimes referred to as "the stinking rose".
          The source of the stench and bite of garlic is exactly what makes it so good for us - sulfer compounds. Garlic is in the Allicin family along with leeks and onions. Scientists are very interested in Allicin in regards to cardiovascular health, cancer, and bacterial issues. Garlic is excellent for the cardiovascular system and our blood as well as being very powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. The reason books have been written on garlic alone is no mystery. I was very happy to find a lot of info about garlic as a cancer fighter. It is truly stunning how much garlic can shave down the chance of getting cancer. I am taking the following stats from a study of Southern European populations (Galeone C, Pelucchi C et al, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition):

Study participants consuming the most garlic had a 39% reduced risk for cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, 57% reduced risk for esophageal cancer, 26% reduced risk for colorectal cancer, 44% reduced risk for laryngeal cancer, 10% reduced risk for breast cancer, 22% reduced risk for ovarian cancer, 19% reduced risk for prostate cancer, and 31% reduced risk for renal cell cancer, compared to those eating the least garlic. Similarly, those eating the most onions showed an 84% reduced risk for cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, 88% reduced risk for esophageal cancer, 56% reduced risk for colorectal cancer, 83% reduced risk for laryngeal cancer, 25% reduced risk for breast cancer, 73% reduced risk for ovarian cancer, 71% reduced risk for prostate cancer, and 38% reduced risk for renal cell cancer, compared to those eating the least onions.

          Eating garlic raw is the best way to get the benefits. Some people may be sensitive to this so make sure to check with your doctor before starting daily consumption. I put raw garlic in anything you can think of or sometimes just pop a clove in my mouth and eat it!

Source:
WHFoods: Garlic

Grapeseed Oil - a Super Oil with many uses.

          When trying to lose weight many people fear oils for the high calorie content and saturated fat content, but are missing out on a vital source of lubricants and nutrients for the body. Good oils will not make you gain weight - some of them actually promote a healthy atmosphere in your body to lose weight. I left the world of the standard oils for cooking over 2 years ago and found out about other oils that have a high cooking temperature and are not as harmful as the standard oils.
          Canola and vegetable oil are common in the western kitchen but they are the worst! Canola is not even an oil! It is a Genetically Modified Organism from the Rapeseed plant which is in the mustard family. Worse yet, the Rapeseed plant is toxic to all living things but makes a great pesticide. One would wonder why Canola oil is used so heavily at home and at restaurants if it is actually toxic to humans. Hmmmmmm....
          I now cook almost entirely with Grapeseed Oil. It has no cholesterol and low saturated fat. It is one of the highest oils in Linoleic Acid - Linoleic Acid is an omega-6 essential fatty acid which is good for your heart. Some people even take Linoleic acid as a supplement but you can get it right here in Grapeseed oil. Grapeseed oil is also mild tasting as compared to Olive Oil. Because of the high level of Vitamin E it is stable under a high cooking temperature, it can be heated to 485 degrees. Beyond cooking you can also use Grapeseed oil as a body massage oil or all over moisturizer.
          Grapeseed oil is more expensive than the usual oils but anything that is good for you is expensive these days. I order it online at Vitacost because they usually run it at 40% off at $6.72 for 16oz which is much cheaper than your local stores. It is worth it in the end to get a better oil and use it sparingly.

Malt -O Meal all Jazzed up a Vegan comfort food!

If you want an easy, delicious, nutritious comfort food for vegans then Malt-O Meal is a great way to start or end the day! This is often thought of boring but it can be played around with in many delicious ways. Malt-O Meal or Cream of Wheat contains wheat farina. Wheat Farina is so good for you as it is a good source of Folic Acid, Calcium, and Iron. Folic Acid is a great heart protector and calcium and iron are a plus too. In just three dry tablespoons of wheat farina you get 60% Iron, 20% B6, 100% Folate (Folic Acid). It is satisfying and easy to make. In the picture is my jazzed up version. I replace water with chocolate soy milk or regular soy milk. In this case I used chocolate which colored the farina brown. Here are the ingrediants for the picture:
1 handful of raw pumpkin seeds
1 handful of coconut shreds
2 tbsp walnuts
2 drizzles of honey (there is a hot debate amongst vegans whether this is vegan or not- I have to eat it while in the healing phase of losing weight and getting back to normal. I do not think bees are harmed in the process)
2 cups cooked Malt-O Meal
1 good splash of soy milk
Notice no dairy milk or butter - still yummy farina but without the dairy!

The Mathematical Vegetable - the Romanesco

Look carefully at this beautiful vegetable...you will see patterns, spirals, and perhaps fractals. The Romanesco is not only beautiful and nutritious, it is also mathematically perfect. What you are looking at is Fibonacci's code. Fibonacci was a mathematician from the 1200's also know as Leonard Pisa. Fibonacci's code is rather simple but complex in that many things on earth and the universe contain it. Fibonacci's code goes like this - The first number of the sequence is 0, the second number is 1, and each subsequent number is equal to the sum of the previous two numbers of the sequence itself, yielding the sequence 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc. (Wikipedia). It is perfect in itself and so is everything that contains it. Anything that is spiraled - look at a picture of the galaxy, a daisy, a pine cone, leaves, seeds, and many more. Something this perfect and beautiful was put here for us to consume. Compare this vegetable to the label on a bag of Doritos, Doritos were not put here for us to consume...nothing about them is perfect or good for you. The Romanesco is in the cauliflower family and extremely good for you. Cauliflower, as well as other cruciferous vegetables, such as brussel sprouts and cabbage, contain indole-3-carbinol, a substance that can affect the metabolism of estrogen in the body, and prevent breast and other female cancers. My suggestion is to just eat it raw and put Fibonacci's code and the rest of the galaxy in your stomach!