Your Family History Does Not Determine Your Health Destiny

Baby Bella is already beginning to create her own health destiny by eating yams for lunch!

Did you know that diseases that "run in families" are in fact primarily caused by lifestyle habits that are passed on from generation to generation, rather than genetics?  From the study of epigenetics, we have been gifted the knowledge that only three percent of our DNA is genetic and 97% of our genes are epigenetic.  Epegenetic means affected by everything (diet, attitude, and habits of all types).  

By engaging in positive lifestyle habits and eating a healthy diet, you can literally turn on longevity genes and never manifest any of the diseases that "run" in your family.  

“There is a choice. You have to be willing to change your life. You have to love yourself enough to heal yourself”

~ Dr. Gabriel Cousens

For further study, read Spiritual Nutrition by Gabriel Cousens or check out one of Bruce Lipton's books or his Youtube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/biologyofbelief).  

Alchemy of the Heart Meditation Practice

Deva Premal posted this on facebook today, and I wanted to pass it along to you as well!  It is a powerful meditation and understanding from Osho. 

"Try this method from Atisha.... When you breathe in, breathe in all the misery and suffering of all the beings of the world -- past, present and future. And when you breathe out, breathe out all the joy that you have, all the blissfulness that you have, all the benediction that you have. Breathe out, pour yourself into existence. This is the method of compassion: drink in all the suffering and pour out all the blessings.

"And you will be surprised if you do it. The moment you take all the sufferings of the world inside you, they are no longer sufferings. The heart immediately transforms the energy. The heart is a transforming force: drink in misery, and it is transformed into blissfulness... then pour it out.

"Once you have learned that your heart can do this magic, this miracle, you would like to do it again and again. Try it. It is one of the most practical methods -- simple, and it brings immediate results. Do it today, and see."

-Osho

Raw Vegan Tomato, Basil, and Ricotta Pizza with a Simple Strawberry Salad

My Simple Strawberry Salad

Matthew Kenney's Raw Vegan Tomato, Basil, and Ricotta Pizza from Everyday Raw

I have to say, this was the perfect meal to eat on the porch in the Springtime!  The salad was my own creation, while the pizza was a more complex recipe from Everyday Raw by the raw food genius and NYC restaraunt-owner, Matthew Kenney. 

Strawberry & Spinach Salad:

Spinach
finely chopped white onions
diced strawberries
a drizzle of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt and pepper to taste to dress

Instructions:  Layer the spinach, onions and berries neatly onto your plate.  Finish by drizzling olive oil and squeezing a bit of balsamic vinegar on top.  Add a pinch of sea salt and fresh ground pepper, and your salad is complete! 


Everyday Raw is Available from the Raw Food World Super Store:

Does the U.S. Government Subsidize the Wrong Foods?

Why is it that highly processed foods that require a lot of labor and manufacturing steps cost the least amount of money by the time they reach your local grocery store's shelves?   Fruits and vegetables require zero processing and yet them often cost more money.  The reason is:  government subsidies. 

At this time, government subsidies are not given to farmers producing anti-oxidant rich, organic fruits and vegetables.  Subsidies are given to the foods that now make up the majority of the American diet.  These foods are also the top three foods which can improve health dramatically by their omission from the diet.  They are sugar, wheat, and conventionally raised livestock. 

Corn in the form it is eaten today, which is in sodas as high fructose corn syrup or even off the cob if it is genetically modified corn, is linked to devastating diseases.  The majority of the corn in America is fed to livestock, and the meat from that livestock is very imbalanced in omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids, also causing inflammation and disease in those who consume it regularly.   

The sugar industry received 1.2 billion in 2005
The wheat industry received 1.1 billion in 2005
The livestock industry received 2.7 million in 2005

The cheap cost that corporations are allowed to purchase these raw materials to produce their goods, such as corn in the case of soda,  also leaves them a surplus of money to heavily advertise their products.  That is why you will see more commercials ($2 billion/year) for Coke and Pepsi than any finished organic product.  The Coke itself costs almost nothing to make and its value is entirely created by its image rather than its ability to replenish the human body in any way. 

What is the real cost of processed foods made with wheat, corn, and conventionally raised livestock?  Socially and ecologically, this is only a partial list. 
Some environmental activist groups, who also point to the fact that these crops are destructive to the land and environment, estimate that without the impact of subsidies on price, a quarter pounder with cheese would cost around $50.

Natural health aducators remind us that the ripple effect of the high consumption of subsidized foods include unnecessarily high healthcare costs and pain and suffering of individuals.  According to the American Diabetes Association, in 2007, Americans paid $174 billion for diabetes care.  That is more than the war in Afghanistan and Iraq that year combined with the cost of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.  Recall that diabetes is easily preventable and Type II is reversible from a previous health tip. 
You may have heard that livestock production is responsible for more pollution than cars in the U.S.  Outside of the U.S., there is also an ecological effect that is important to note.  The U.S. imports 90% of all Central American beef exports for burgers each year.  Each burger takes 55 square feet of tropical forest permanently cleared for grazing land. 

Vote for sustainable, healthy food choices with your dollars.  Continue to shop locally and organically.  Choosing organic foods pays HUGE health, energy, and ecological dividends.

References:

"The burger that ate a rain forest."  London Times, Feb 26. 1989.
Government Subsidies: The Reason Why Cancer-Causing Foods Are So Cheap and Readily Available.  Friday, October 12, 2007 by: Sarah Aitken, www.naturalnews.com.

Guarana: A Unique Energy-Boosting Herb

Guarana

Guarana is a South American plant that has very unique energy boosting properties.  Aside from being a natural energy-booster, guarana has many other health benefits.  Historically, the Amazonian Indians used guarana just before entering the jungle in order to sustain themselves during long periods of hiking.  They would also use the herb medicinally, to combat fever, headaches, and pain. 

What makes guarana different than other natural energy boosters like coffee?

Guarana contains guaranine, which is similar to caffeine but differs in a few key ways.  Guaranine is released slowly, over as much as six hours, making the energy boost it provides long lasting rather than short-lived.  This is very different than caffeine, which provides a short energy burst but overexcites the body.  Guarana's effect is revitalizing and relaxing rather than stimulating and depleting.  This is because guarana contains other components that modify the activity of this substance.  Note, however, that when guarana is over-consumed, it produces the same undesirable effects that caffeine does (like insomnia, anxiousness, etc.). 

Research indicates that Guarana gently stimulates the adrenal system to alleviate fatigue without producing harmful adrenaline shots.  In contrast, caffeine consumption does produce adrenaline shots that can damage the adrenal glands over time.  This is the reason the continuous use of caffeine can lead to chronic fatigue issues. 

Guarana also contains theobromine- the stimulant and euphoriant substance found in chocolate.  Its theobromine content adds depth to guarana's uses as an herbal medicine.  Just like raw chocolate, it is useful for improving mood and sharpening your mental faculties. 

In summation, guarana is useful for: 

- providing a natural energy boost
- reducing fatigue
- stress related conditions including anxiety and depression
- improving mental and physical stamina
- use as a general tonic and stress reliever
- assisting with illness recovery
- slowing or reversing aging
- as a natural diuretic, to rid the body of excess fluids
- to relieve menstrual pain
- as a non-addictive natural anti-depressant
- as a natural appetite suppressant
- aiding in smoking cessation
- providing natural pain relief

A good starting dose of guarana is 1/8 tsp. powder, which can be mixed with fruit juice, punch or herbal tea.  I recommend cold-processed guarana rather than heated varieties.  Daily intake should not exceed 3 grams. 

* Guarana is not recommended during pregnancy.  Check with your physician before adding herbal remedies to your health regimen. 

References:

http://www.mazatecgarden.com
Moritz, Andreas.  Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation.

Morning Citrus Tonic with Blue Green Algae

Orange Citrus Tonic

Ingredients:  

3 freshly squeezed oranges

1 freshly squeezed grapefruit

1 tsp. blue green algae

For extra cleansing power and flavor:  add a few drops of Citrus Fresh essential oil to the mix

Variation:  For a Goji-Citrus infusion, add 2 T. goji berry juice (like Ningxia Red from Young Living) to the mix.  Keep the blue-green algae in or leave it out!

This orange-citrus is a wonderfully cleansing and energizing drink that works well in the morning or on an empty stomach anytime of the day.  The blue green algae is excellent for boosting your mood in the morning and phenomenal for increasing mental power and agility.  Citrus, including and especially citrus essential oils, keep the lymphatic system flowing- which is key to the health of every single cell in your body!  Naturopathic Doc. Robert Morse has a video series on YouTube detailing the significance of the lymphatic system in health: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-R2JMbXCLY


What is Citrus Fresh?

Citrus Fresh™ is a relaxing, calming blend loved by children and adults alike. Rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene, it supports the immune system and overall health* while bringing about a sense of well-being, creativity, and feelings of joy.  It is available from www.youngliving.com.  Kindly use my distributor number, 820049 when ordering or signing up.  Goji berry juice, with essential oils, Ningxia Red, is also available from Young Living. 



 
The Culture of Life store carries a recommended brand Blue Green Algae:

Juicing's Health-Transformative Power

A Delightful Green Juice to Begin the Day!

Juicing as a regular health practice energizes you at a cellular level and helps your body deeply detoxify.  In short, its therapeutic value has the power to transform your health from the inside, out! 

What is juicing?
The type of juicing I am referring to involves the extraction of juice from raw, organic fruits, vegetables, greens, and fresh herbs, in a variety of combinations. 

Juicing makes it easy to consume a lot of fresh produce at once, which gives your body a concentrated infusion of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, and biophotons. 

Biophotons are a newly discovered "light" component of foods.  Research by Professor F.A. Popp and Dr. H. Niggli shows that light energy (biophotons) is an important factor in food value.  The more light a food is able to store, the more it is capable of energizing cells by supplying fuel for the mitochondria. On a practical level, this means a person feel more energized and their metabolism revs up after eating biophoton rich foods such as raw juices.

Most foods require digestion in order to make energy and nutrition from the food available to your body.  However, juicing breaks down the cell walls of foods to liberate their nutrients for nearly instantaneous digestion.  Your cells receive this nutrition within 15-20 minutes of you drinking the juice.  Without having to expend energy on digestion, the body uses the extra energy for healing and rejuvenation. 

Juicing and Weight Release

As a result of modern living and the consumption of unfit foods, most people have a great deal of toxic matter stored deep in their tissues.  This matter not only causes health issues, but it causes the accumulation of "impossible to lose" weight.  The alkaline nature of juices, especially those that include chlorophyll-rich greens, magnetizes this
toxic matter from deep within the tissues of your body.  The more deeply detoxification occurs, the healthier a person becomes and the more easily their body lets go of extra weight. 

Many people who have tried to lose weight through calorie restriction and exercise without success find that juicing, along with a clean diet high in raw foods works for them.  An excellent documentary that goes more deeply into this science is available on Netflix, called "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead."  It documents the progress of several people as they turn to juicing and fresh foods to assist their bodies with shedding extra pounds and recovering from painful health conditions. 


*  I recommend drinking fresh juice on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning before any other food is taken.  This allows the juice to most effectively alkalize your blood and detoxify your body. 

Sources: 
Raw Food Diet Study http://www.iowasource.com/food/lenkastudy_0806.html Accessed April 22, 2011.
McDonald’s and Biophoton Deficiency http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/cienci/ciencia_industryweapons78.htm Accessed April 22, 2011.