Just Good Energy » Product Reviews

My Staple: Green Superfoods

Rebekah — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:05:09 +0000

I thought it was time for another callout to my favorite food: Green Super-foods! These still are and always will be a staple for me and my family. Super-foods are one of the missing elements in the Western diet today…

If foods could wear a cape and fly around saving people, they would be the foods that are classified as Green and Red Superfoods. You should be aware that the average American ingests at least 300 lbs. of chemicals/pollutants/pesticides per year. Think about all of the chemicals and preservatives in our foods and the toxic gases and carcinogenic chemicals parading through the atmosphere. That is where our “Powerful Antioxidant Superfoods”, such as wheat grass, spirulina, algae, barley grass, kelp, alfalfa, chlorophyll and berries, charge in. They have been proven by health professionals and scientists to fight and deactivate the hundreds of pollutants and pesticides we inhale and ingest daily.

I like this quote by Dr. Tony O’Donnell who created “Radiant Greens”, “Super-foods are a concentrated potent source of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, fiber and the essential amino acids, which reputedly add alkalinity to our system, balance us, increase our energy, improve stamina, sharpen mental activity, and deodorize and cleanse the cells and colon. Super-foods are a return to the basics of the food chain.”

These foods are heroic in the sense that they are designed exclusively for the purpose of improving and maintaining a healthy balance of body and mind. There is nothing not to like about superfoods and whether red or green, I highly recommend them. They are the perfect cleansing food in the morning to cleanse from the day before and satisfty your body’s nutrient cravings. I can’t be without my greens – even my son has his morning green drink with the Amazing Grass Kidz Superfoods mixed with coconut water and hemp milk.

I personally have been taking my greens daily, for the past 15 years, instead of taking a multivitamin, along with eating very balanced. These blends should include a variety of green grasses and sea vegetables, as mentioned above. These are high in vitamins, minerals, aminos, proteins, omegas, and enzymes and are extremely alkaline. Make sure they are organic and raw products, dried at a low temperature (105-120 degrees) to preserve the enzymes and nutrients. I recommend 1 scoop daily on an empty stomach (mixed in water or juice). The “green drink” is best taken first thing in the morning when the stomach is in the mode of cleansing and absorbing. It is also the perfect boost of energy that your body needs when you feel that late afternoon lull – mix with Matcha green tea and you feel amazing.

Some of my favorite Greens include:

Amazing Grass www.amazinggrass.com
Green Magma Plus http://www.greenfoods.com/
Ormus Greens
Vitamineral Greens http://www.healthforce.com/

Now that is Just Good Energy!

Coconut Water is Tops in My Book!

Rebekah — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:53:55 +0000

I have been receiving many questions about coconut water so I thought it would be good to post this article again about the health benefits. There are so many amazing super foods on the market right now. The water from Young Thai Coconuts is one of these amazing power houses of nutrition and unfortunately gets overlooked too often. I knew from experience that coconut water was great for digestion, constipation and high in electrolytes, but once I dug deep into scientific studies and research, I found how healing this food truly was.

Coconut water got me through my 1^st trimester of pregnancy because it helped assuage my nauseousness. When my son started eating solid foods and consequently would get constipated, I decided to give him the coconut water in his cereal and even mixed in the young coconut meat (I first pureed it). It really worked for him and he absolutely loved it. Now that he is weaning himself from nursing, I created a formula for him with goat milk, coconut water, hemp milk and Kidz Superfood (I add the powder twice daily). He thrives on this combo and gets so excited every time I make him his bottle. Watching my son drink an entire young coconut over a 48 hour time period made me wonder how many other health benefits young coconuts possess. There are days where 70% of his daily intake is my homemade “formula”, by his choice, and he has great energy and focus. Plus, he has not had even a cold since he was a little baby.

Let me share with you some of coconut water’s (and the meats) amazing properties:

· Coconut water is the only universal donor! The water has the same electrolyte balance as our blood. Back in WWII coconut water saved thousands of lives. Any wounded soldier needing a blood transfusion received a coconut water IV. Yep that’s right, the coconut water is naturally distilled and was placed straight into their body through an IV. Even today in 3^rd world countries, coconut water is used as a universal blood and has saved thousands more lives.

· Coconut water is the new sport drink! Since coconut water mirrors blood so well, it should be drank in place of the sugar and chemical-laden sport drinks. Coconut water is very high in the 5 essential electrolytes potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus and calcium. No sport drink on the market comes close to the electrolyte balance in coconut water. It has over 10 times more of each electrolyte than commercial sport drinks. Young coconuts even have 3 times more potassium than bananas.

· Coconut water is great for the digestive tract. Whether you have constipation, bloating, upset tummy, acid reflux or a hard time digesting a meal, coconut water is one of the best aids to that entire area, loaded with raw enzymes.

· Coconut water is an amazing cleanser. Whether you need to cleanse your colon, bowels, blood, kidneys and other organs, coconut water is great for everything.

· Creates healthy, moisturized skin. The oil is the best moisturizer for the skin and hair – does not clog the pores (I use it on my face and body daily and it is great for baby eczema)

· Great for regulating blood pressure.

· Extremely alkaline and can help alkalize the body.

· For those watching their weight, coconut water is the beverage of choice because it is very low in calories, essentially fat free, has only 5mg of sugar, and helps digest heavy foods. In 1 cup of coconut water, there are about 45 calories, 2 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and .5 grams of fat.

· High in trace minerals and B vitamins

· More nutritious than whole cow’s milk and the minerals are much more easily absorbed.

· Beneficial to pregnant women : Helps alleviate nauseousness, vomiting, mild laxative for common pregnancy constipation, and very nutritious.

· Beneficial to nursing moms: Creates healthy lactation. Coconut water is the only other food besides breast milk that contains Lauric Acid – the main fatty acid in breast milk. Therefore coconut water is much healthier than processed formula from a can.

· In most Asian cultures, coconut water is the first liquid, besides breast milk, that is given to babies for the nutrients and the meat is pureed and offered as the baby’s first food – easiest to digest, loaded with enzymes and packed with protein, lauric acid and minerals.

· Cools the body and keeps it very hydrated. That’s why coconut water is such a great drink for athletes!

I think that we could all benefit from this amazing food. You can either buy the coconuts fresh (usually called Young Thai Coconuts) and cut them yourself (ideally drink the water within 24-48 hours), or there are a few companies that sell fresh/frozen coconut water to health food stores.

Also, I know there are claims out there that young coconuts are sprayed with formaldehyde and dipped into strong pesticides/herbicides. This is partially correct. I have spent hours and hours researching this topic and found that yes, young coconuts have to be dipped in these pesticide/herbicide chemicals when being shipped from Thailand and have to travel far distances – otherwise the coconut would go bad almost immediately. The good news is that I have found reports where labs, including Michelson Labs, have tested the coconuts and found that none of the chemicals can penetrate into the coconut water or meat – fortunately the outer husk and hard shell is enough to prevent the chemicals from entering. The labs also showed that randomly tested coconuts from Whole Foods, health stores and Asian markets showed no signs of formatdehyde anywhere on the coconut. My recommendation is to keep the plastic wrap on the outside and never remove it so you don’t have to touch the chemicals on the husk.

MATT AMSDEN CEO and author of RAWvolution: Gourmet Living Cuisine posted their experience with working with Michelson Labs and coconut testing: http://www.giveittomeraw.com/profiles/blogs/1407416:BlogPost:431900

References:

1. The Coconut Industry Board reports

2. Rawna LLC

3. Book by Dr. Vermen M Verallo-Rowell MD

Kombucha Tea: Detoxifier, healer and Alkalizer

Rebekah — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:00:57 +0000

Let me share a health secret with you that has become a daily part of my families lives… The Kombucha culture is a colony of yeast and bacteria (the friendly type which naturally exists throughout our digestive tract), which makes it probiotic, detoxifying and energizing. It helps build up immune systems, aid in digestion, cleanse, alkalize the body, fights yeast infections and helps joint problems.

Kombucha Tea is made by combining the culture with a mixture of black or green tea and raw sugar. The ingredients are then allowed to “ferment” for about 15-30 days. Kombucha tea has been used as a healing elixir, known as “Miracle Fungus” or “Cure-all”, by the Chinese for over 2,000 years and has become increasingly popular over the past 4 decades.

The tea is a great addition to cleansing and weight loss and will help your energy, nutrition levels, cleansing process and will assist in alkalizing your body. It is very satisfying and filling, suppressing the appetite. Try drinking it after a meal for optimal digestion and to reduce bloating. One 12 oz. bottle is best consumed in 4-6 oz. intervals throughout the day.

Kombucha may not be the direct answer for the various diseases and illnesses but it can be an important player when it comes to alkalizing, cleaning out toxins and waste, and adding to your pool of good bacteria that keep your digestive tract healthy. Especially over the next few months when we are more susceptable to colds/flu, Kombucha tea can be a simple drink to incorporate into your daily routine to help keep your body clean and healthy. As I have said many times previously, it is very difficult for germs and disease to grow in an alkaline environment so any natural product that aids in alkalizing the body is worth trying. It costs less than going to Starbucks and ordering a chai latte or espresso.

The tea can be purchased at health food stores or made right at home. If the tea is bought, make sure the label says “Raw” and not “Pasteurized”. Some of my favorite brands include Synergy (they are back on the market), Brew Dr. Kombucha and Garden of Life even sells raw kombucha in a capsule.

The taste can produce a slightly sparkling drink that tastes like an apple cider or a wine cooler. Because Kombucha is fermented, there is alcohol in it, but there is less than 0.05%, which allows commercial producers to label it as “non-alcoholic”. Sugar is used as part of the recipe but it is not used as a sweetener. The sugar is broken down and converted into different components of the finished drink.

I had a great tip from one of my readers: Try adding a couple drops of stevia to your Kombucha, which gives it a sweeter flavor, and then add pieces of fruit such as blueberries. Adding stevia is a great way for beginners to adapt to the strong flavor. I personally love adding stevia to my Kombucha, even after 10 years of drinking it. I tried the suggestion of adding fruit – yum! I added frozen blueberries and it definitely seemed like a wine cooler with the stevia and fruit combined. Thanks for the recommendation!

So Drink up and enjoy the benefits!

Why do our bodies need “whole” sea salt?

Rebekah — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:50:06 +0000

A healthy, active lifestyle demands a reasonable salt intake. In the uterus, an embryo grows more than three billion times its conception weight in the salty environment of amniotic fluid. From the time of conception we are never without a need for salt. I am not talking about overly processed table salt which is actually a poison internallty but whole food salt. Our body craves whole, unprocessed salt that is rich in nutritious minerals

Our bodies contain three internal oceans that closely resemble the ionic balance of ocean water — the blood plasma, the lymphatic fluid, and the extra-cellular fluid. Each one of these complex solutions surrounds our cells and circulates through our bodies. Ocean salt contains all of the precious salts that our bodies require and it is because of these minerals that salt is a necessity.

Unfortunately, America has been saturated with the use of sodium chloride, also know as table salt. This harmful chemical is a concentrated, unbalanced source of sodium. Common table salt and most sea salts lacks many trace minerals. In order to make salt white, it is washed in an bleach-wash many times, and in this process the valuable trace minerals are lost. Now, the salt is no longer a whole food. Following this refining process, the minerals are removed and sold to the chemical industry, or to pharmaceutical companies to make dietary supplements.

Food becomes deficient and can even become toxic when ingredients are removed from it. Without the other minerals to balance it, salt becomes deadly when consumed excessively — as in the typical American diet. Salt is the most common preservative used today. Many foods are laced with this non-whole food salt — especially fast foods. French fries, milk shake beverages, sauce mixes, canned foods, and cured meats are major sources of salt.

Celtic Sea Salt, which comes from the coasts of France, along with Himalayan Crystal Salt are the only salts I have found that contribute to a healthy body. Unlike other “sea salts,” these whole salts have all of the necessary minerals and nutrients intact, providing over 80 essential minerals including magnesium, potassium and calcium. Nothing has been extracted, so therefore it is a whole food. As a complete food, the body can easily absorb the nutrients from the salt and evenly distribute them throughout the body, without creating dehydration. These are the only salts I recommend and personally use daily.

Why do our bodies need “whole” sea salt?

Coconut Oil is the new Butter

Rebekah — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:00:47 +0000

True, Coconut oil is a type of saturated fat, however, there are two types of saturated fats and coconut oil belongs to the healthy variety while animal saturated fats are the harmful ones. You can’t get fat on raw cold-pressed coconut oil. Your body does not store coconut oil instead it burns it as fuel, cleanses out the bad stored fats and helps your skin radiate. Not to mention it tastes delicious – very buttery & perfect for raw desserts, baked sweets, popcorn, and even eggs!

Long Chain Saturated Fats (LCSF) – These are the 2^nd most harmful next to hydrogenated fats. “Long Chain” is the culprit behind unhealthy saturated fats. They are the reason saturated fats have such a bad reputation. When LCSF’s are consumed, they are directed to the small intestine where toxic fat cells are produced. These acidic fats flow throughout the veins and arteries creating storage and blockage.

These have been proven to raise “bad” LDL blood cholesterol levels, contributing to heart disease. These “bad” fats are extremely concentrated, a key to obesity, carry many toxins, and are difficult to break down. They are found most commonly in animal and dairy products. They are highest in beef, pork, chicken and dairy products. Other sources are palm oil and cottonseed oil – all oils used extensively in processed foods. Saturated fats such as butter or margarine are solid or semi-solid at room temperature and should be omitted from your diet as much as possible.

Medium Chain and Short Chain Saturated Fats (MCSF & SCSF) – Although we do need a certain amount of saturated fats in our diet, they should come from “Medium and Short Chain” saturated fats, such as cold-pressed coconut oil. What makes these saturated fats so vital to health is their ability to be absorbed directly by the liver, where they are immediately available to the body and are sent out as a pure source of energy. These types of fatty acids are unlikely to cause unhealthy weight gain due to their quick digestion and energy conversion, never having the opportunity to be stored as body fat.

Key functions of Coconut Oil…

The coconut is highly nutritious and has fed and nourished people around the world for generations. It is classified as a “functional food” because of its numerous health benefits and nutritional content. Coconut oil is a combination of short- and medium-chain saturated fats. Nearly 50% of the fatty acid in coconut oil is lauric acid. Lauric acid helps the body to fight against bacteria, yeast, fungi, and other viruses and immune disorders. Lauric acid also increases the metabolic rate, aiding in weight loss.
Coconut oil has been long used for its healing properties in traditional medicine among the Asian and Pacific populations. They consider it as a cure for all illness. Modern medicine has finally caught up to and confirmed the wide range of health benefits. Some such benefits include: anit-viral, -fungal, and –bacterial; improves endurance, energy, digestion, bowel function, immune system function, cholesterol, free radical protection, thyroid function, loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate, the prevention of obesity and related problems, skin and hair health, and many more.
Coconut Oil is a stable cooking oil, with a smoking point above 400 degrees – meaning that you can heat it up to 400 degrees without it losing it’s nutrients or changing chemically. Therefore, it is one of my favorites along with macadamia nut oil for cooking instead of olive oil because olive oil has a low smoking point around 200 degrees and really should not be heated. Cooked olive oil actually takes away its healthy properties, makes it acidic and difficult to digest. Coconut oil tastes great in deserts, stir fry’s, breads, melted on hot grains, on popcorn and used in the place of butter.

Try using it in place of butter for every recipe or even just to spread over bread. Coconut oil with Celtic Sea Salt sprinkled over toast tastes just like butter but even better!

Powerful Hemp Seeds

Rebekah — Wed, 18 May 2011 19:53:51 +0000

Chinese Records dating back to 16^th century B.C., document hemp seeds as one of their primary and most consistent crops. Hemp has also been an important nutrient to many other cultures throughout history, such as the Egyptians and Aztecs. What is it about these amazing tiny seeds that make them so important and necessary in ancient cultures….

Hemp seed is a little over one third protein, about one half fat, and just over ten percent carbohydrates (mostly from the fiber). Hempseeds are one of the “good” fats that I always encourage my readers to eat. They are an excellent source of Essential Fatty Acids, particularly in Linoleic Acid, or Omega 6, and GLA.

Hemp seeds also provide an excellent complete protein source, and are balanced in all of the essential Amino Acids. Hemp is available in the forms of oil, seed butter, hulled seeds, and protein powder (ground up hempseeds). Hemp seed protein powder is one of the most natural and easily digested protein powder available, far superior to soy protein.

Hemp seed oil definitely deserves the spotlight. This oil is a non-cooking oil, but it is a polyunsaturated fat relatively high (about 57%) in linoleic acid, or Omega 6. It is third highest to Borage and Primrose oil in the essential GLA. GLA is a fatty acid that is vital to proper functioning of hormones, skin, hair, cell health, and much more. Manitoba’s Harvest, Nutiva, and Ruth’s are all great sources of raw, cold-pressed organic oils.

Although Hempseed oil is higher in Omega 6 than the popular Flaxseed oil (higher in Omega 3), it is one of the best sources and very easily absorbed. It has one of the most ideal ratios of Omega 6 to Omega 3. It is true that Omega 6 & 3 fats, when heated and processed, are harmful, which is why most diets are lacking not only in Omega 3, but also a raw and natural source of Omega 6. The solution is taking raw, cold-pressed Hempseed oil regularly. I like to mix up my oils and take Flaxseed and Primrose oil one day and Hempseed oil the next. Like all aspects of nutrition, diversification is the key to finding balance.

Omegas, Fish Oil & DHA…

Rebekah — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:09:39 +0000

I have had numerous questions/emails regarding supplementing with omegas and DHA. Yes, I do recommend supplementing with various Omega 3 and DHA rich oils regularly, especially during pregnancy and for your babies/kids. Let’s talk about the only way they should be consumed, specific brands and vegan versus fish sources…

First of all, what makes them important? Experts agree that the typical western diet is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids because most people do not eat enough omega-3-rich foods. One of the most beneficial actions you can do to help prevent disease and other health problems is to increase your intake of the omega-3 fats. Omega-3 fats are high in two essential fatty acids (which means your body does not produce them and must receive them from foods): DHA and EPA. EPA and DHA are the noteworthy components naturally provided in algal DHA, raw, cold-pressed fish and flaxseed oil. Omega-3 is also found in chia seeds, flaxseeds, macadamia nuts, walnuts, coconut oil, and dark green leafy vegetables, among many other foods.

“Algal DHA is a healthier form of pure DHA and Omega 3 (fish get their DHA up the food chain from algae), and it does not endanger fish populations. It also does not contain any mercury or any other contaminant found in fish. The special algae are grown in environmentally sustainable tank farms, just as they grow spirulina. Several studies have shown that algal DHA is more easily utilized by the body. Also algal DHA does not have the saturated fat content that fish oil has, so algal DHA is actually better for the heart and arteries than fish (or krill) oil.” This was C Admas’ comment on Algal DHA who is a Naturopath who holds a Ph.D. in Natural Health Sciences, a Doctorate of Sciences in Integrative Health, and a degree in Traditional Naturopathy, and more. He is part of the writing team for a great site: www.realnaturalhealth.com

DHA is important for the brain, focus, sensory and central nervous system function and ADD. Omega 3 is important for child development, hair, skin, cells, a balanced central nervous system, strong immune system, hormone regulation, brain function, mood control, heart health, and much more. I highly recommend taking 2-3 grams of algal DHA and/or flaxseed oil.

Recommended Companies: When taking Fish oil, make sure the oil has been tested for mercury and other metals such as lead, PCGs and dioxins; is from a very good source of cleaner waters using fish such as salmon, sardines, anchovies, krill; and has been molecularly distilled. Ideally the oil should be in a dark glass to prevent oxidation. I generally prefer oils in a jar versus capsules because it is more cost effective and capsules are generally stored in hard plastic-type containers. The following companies follow these guidelines and I have used personally and for my son, beginning at 10 months.

Nordic Naturals - They not only have an entire line for adults but have a very vast line for babies and kids. From liquids to gel caps to even gummy omegas. Their newest product was featured at a recent health/supplement show I went to called “Baby’s DHA“. It gives the right amount omega 3′s needed for infants beginning at 5 pounds up to 35 pounds. It is a great product and could easily be added to your baby’s bottle or simply given in dropper form. I wish it had been available when my son was a baby! My son currently loves their Children’s DHA which has a berry after taste – he drinks it by the spoonful!
Health from the Sun/Sea uses fish that is wild from the Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas and is 3^rd party tested. They have a very clean line of fish, flax and hemp oils and have a new product called “Eco DHA” which was impressive and looks like a great source of omegas.
Carlson’s (Norwegian fish oil) – When I was pregnant this was the only oil I could stomach for some reason. I love that their oils are also in a dark glass bottle and I never once had that “fish burp” that you sometimes get with some fish oils. I used their lemon fish oil every day, about 1-2 Tbsp daily, my entire pregnancy. I added it to my morning baby green shake and it added a nice after taste.
Barleans – They have a new yummy Omega Swirl line featuring flax oil, fish oil and plant-based DHA that is tasty and amazing in green drinks and smoothies. I also like that they have the vegan source of DHA because most companies only use DHA from fish oil but for vegans out there you can purchase Barlean’s flax oil that has an algae-based DHA added!
Algal DHA: Companies that provide good sources include Barleans, Udo’s Choice and Deva – But there are many more companies making it right now because it is becoming more popular. I am actually currently taking 400mg of Algae DHA from Spectrum and for women who are pregnant and nauseous I can say from experience that it doesn’t add to sickness and digests easily compared to fish oil

Specialty Energy Cocktails

Rebekah — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:12:22 +0000

Green drinks start my day and energize me in the afternoon when I need that extra boost of energy. They are a powerhouse of nutrition that you could literally live on for a month if you had to! They are naturally packed with green grasses, sea veggies, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, amino acids, and more. My drinks are like my “whole food” multi vitamin but even better…yummy and easily digested

This delicious cocktail is not only energizing, but extremely nutritious, antioxidant-rich, high in omegas, aminos, minerals, and phytonutrients, and a great source of chlorophyll. It even assists in your body’s daily cleansing needs! This cocktail is best consumed in the morning on an empty stomach, aiding in absorption and cleansing. However, it can be drunk later on if desired and even a 2^nd time during the day. This is my multivitamin/mineral/antioxidant drink that I have every morning for the past 15 years!

Morning Jumpstart

12-14 ounces water or part coconut water and part water
1 scoop GreenSuper Food blend of choice (I like to buy ones with the maca, acai and protein already added otherwise I often add a scoop of raw hemp protein powder ).
1 1/2 tsp Matcha Green Tea powder (available online – www.gotmatcha.com has best price and quality)
I like to alternate between 1 Tbsp ground chia seeds and 1 tsp flax or algae DHA oil
8-10 drops Liquid Vanilla Stevia, depending on desired sweetness (prefer Whole Foods brand or Sweet Leaf)
if you add a few dashes of cinnamon it helps cut any strong flavors
Optional: add about 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond, hemp or Coconut Milk to make it a bit creamier and less strong in flavor.

1. Pour the ingredients into a 16 or more ounce container, beginning with the water first.

2. Shake the mixture vigorously for 10-20 seconds. Drink up!

*Option: If the greens are a little strong for your taste, try using ½ apple juice and ½ water, or making a smoothie/shake

**The Cinnamon and vanilla are not essential to your green drink; however, they add an amazing pizzazz of flavor to the greens. Tastes like vanilla chai! Yummy!!

Afternoon Lift

This uplifting cocktail was created as an answer to that afternoon lull that many people experience. Not only is Matcha Tea energizing, but it creates mental clarity, focus, and brain stimulation. It is no wonder the Japanese call it the “Ceremonial Tea”. It also keeps your metabolism going at a natural rate, keeping your appetite satisfied and preventing the munchies. Matcha is jitter-free, unlike coffee, and stabilizes energy so that it wont crash.

1 cup coconut water or coconut milk
12-14 ounces water
1 – 1 1/2 tsp Matcha Green Tea powder
1 Tbsp Hempseed Protein powder (or other protein powder variety of choice), such Amazing Grass’s Amazing Meal – this is optional but a great addition if you want to make it more into a meal.
8-10 drops liquid vanilla stevia drops
1/2 Tbsp raw cacao powder

Pour the ingredients into a tall shaker cup and shake vigorously until well mixed. Drink up!

*The ingredients can also be added to a blender along with frozen mango, banana, blueberries and shredded coconut – for a delicious smoothie!

Invest in your Health: The Cleanest High Energy Source for your Day

Rebekah — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 21:26:12 +0000

One of the most important investments you could make is to incorporate green and red superfoods into your daily regime, such as wheat grass, spirulina, sea vegetables, alfalfa, acai and goji berries, etc. The importance of these superfoods is one of the first things I educate my clients on…

The average American ingests at least 300 lbs. of chemicals, pollutants and pesticides per year. Think about all of the chemicals and preservatives in our foods and the toxic gases and carcinogenic chemicals parading through the atmosphere. Plus, there are plenty of germs, bacteria and viruses that spread around through contact and internal acidity. That is where our green and red “Powerful Antioxidant Superfoods” charge in. They have been proven by health professionals and scientists to fight and deactivate the hundreds of pollutants and pesticides we inhale and ingest daily. Think of these powerful foods as preventatives. By eating them daily, you are constantly detoxifying, cleansing and healing the body, thus hopefully preventing illness’s and premature aging.

Most people complain that buying these green and red superfoods is out of their budget. It is true that they aren’t cheap, but each time you buy that $30-$40 greens container, it lasts a minimum of 1 month. If you can spend $100+ per month on cable, eating out, or your morning coffee at Starbucks, why not redirect some of that money towards your health. Think about this, a one month supply of greens and reds (Catie’s Vitamin C or other red superfruit combinations) totals to about $70-$80, which breaks down to about $2.35 per day. That is a very small investment on a daily basis which has a huge impact on your health and will hopefully cut back on doctor and medication bills.

Take a look at the comparison between Starbucks and a green/red superfood drink:

Starbucks (the average coffee/tea costs are 3.50-5.00 & food cost avg is 3.00-4.50)

Mocha frappuccino blended coffee, grande: 380 calories, 15g fat (9 saturated), 55 g cholesterol, 47g sugar
Café latte: 190 cal, 7g fat (4.5 saturated), 30 g cholesterol, 17g sugar
Chai tea latte: 240 cal, 4g fat (2.5 saturated), 15 g cholesterol, 41g sugar
Banana Bran Muffin (healthiest muffin on menu): 400 cal, 14 gram fat (3 sat), 45 g cholesterol, 46g carbohydrates & 21g sugar
Total monthly cost average at 20 days per month is $130 on the low end.

Superfood Shake

Green Superfood blends (Vitamineral Greens or Amazing Grass): 30 calories per serving, 2g protein, 0g cholesterol, 0g sugar, rich in chlorophyll, vitamins and minerals (average cost is $30 for 30 servings) combined with…
Red Superfood berry blends (: 25 calories per serving, 1g fat, 2g sugar, and rich in over 10 high antioxidant berries and foods, such as gogi berries, acai, blueberries, kamu kamu, pomegranate, etc. (average cost is $40 for 30 servings.
Or You only take one product that has the greens and red superfoods combined and even hemp protein such as the Amazing Meal by Amazing Grass. This costs $70/month.
Total monthly cost average of both options is $70, at $2.33 per day; or you could keep it more simpe and buy a one month supply of greensuperfood blend without the protein and spend about $30 or 1.00 per day

The Season for Strengenthing Your Immune System

Rebekah — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 22:00:12 +0000

There are many amazing healing herbs that are great for this flu season that boost the immune system and help to protect you whether you are traveling, feeling sick, are surround by illness, or are maintaining. Here are my top 24 herbs and what they are used for…

Many of these powerful herbs protect against environmental toxins. Did you know that we ingest over 300 pounds of toxins yearly? Such toxins include pollution, pesticides, herbicides, carbon monoxide, tar, ash and many more.

Our helpful fighters include:

Mushroom complex’s (Maitake, Shitake, Cordyceps) – My favorite as a preventative, immune booster and protector
Don’t forget Vitamin D – studies have been showing how crucial vitamin D is for the immune system – possibly more affective than than Vitamin C. Either spend 15-20 minutes in the sun daily or in areas with little sunlight you could supplement with a D3 that is ideally food-based and at least 1,000 IU’s. I like the Garden of Life’s Vitamin Code Raw D3.
Briar Rose (homeopathic remedy by Boiron) – amazing for preventative and treatment of symptoms and durations of colds, flus and other respiratory infections.
Grape Seed extract – a healing antioxidant and works hard to destroy those free radicals
Grapefruit Seed extract -antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial (great to take before a plane ride)
Vitamin C – best sources are Kamu Kamu and berries such as acai and goji berry (Try Catie’s Vitamin C powder blend – amazing!)
Quercetin – bioflavonoid that benefits the immune system, attacks sinus infections and reduces inflammation
Olive Leaf extract – preventative to take regularly and great for killing bacteria and germs
Turmeric – amazing antioxidant and is also great for inflammation
Stinging Nettle – amazing for sinus’s and allergies
Echinacea – acts as a natural antibiotic when combined with goldenseal & is best used as a preventative
Ginger – boosts immune system, antioxidant, prevents sickness, creates heat within and is also great for digestion
Oregano Oil – great for traveling to prevent unwanted germs and sickness, and great for parasites and food poisoning
Goldenseal – natural antibiotic when combined with echinacea
Bromelain – Sinus, Allergies, Colds, Inflammation, lungs
Yerba Santa – great for sinus’s, asthma and throat
Elderberry & Wild Cherry Bark - Elderberry should be taken daily right now because it is a great flu preventative. It is also safe for kids to take every other week and even for pregnant moms whether they have a cold or the flu or just used as a preventative.
Garlic – antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, etc.
Astragalus – great as a preventative, antiviral and a strong healer when sick
Green Tea, especially Match Green Tea is an extremely high antioxidant
Bio K – the most potent, living acidophilus
Lomatium & Osha – kills the sore throat and deep lung congestion

These are some of my favorites and many come in combinations or singularly. They are most potent in the liquid or dried extract form! See what works best for you.