The traditional food pyramid has been revised and updated in 2005 by the USDA and do you know who modified the food pyramid? The USDA paid $2.5 million to a PR/marketing group to help design this new food guide pyramid, and that group is best know for doing work for the dairy industry. In fact, historically, the food guide pyramids that the USDA has created have always been about eating more food, drinking more milk and basically consuming larger and larger quantities of everything that the American food industry has produced.

Since the food pyramid was published, the rates of obesity have only continued to climb in the United States. The traditional food pyramid suggests that the “healthy” diet consists of a liberal amount of grains in the form or breads, rice, and pasta. Then you should eat a healthy amount of vegetables(3 servings) and fruits (2 servings) Third tier,lean meats,eggs and beans (3 servings) and dairy (3 servings). Eat sparingly, fats, oils and sweets.

This model is extremely misleading to the general American population as generally eating a diet high in grains and carbohydrates, is not the best for maintaining a lean, healthy mind and body.

Myth of Fat

The biggest mistake that many of us are making in our diets is we have cut out all fat, and substituted it with “low” fat substitutes. We have sacrificed many of the “good” fats, such as olive oil, buts, avocados, flax seed and fish oils, that our bodies and brain need for healthy functioning and have replaced them with “low” fat processed substitutes.

Wheat and Gluten

The standard diet is full of wheat and gluten. A typical American diet consists of toast, pancakes, a muffin, scone for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch and pizza and pasta for dinner. Today, wheat is not what it was a hundred years ago. What has been genetically modified which has increased its gluten content to 90 percent. In their book Dangerous Grains, James Brady and Ron Hoggan, describe gluten as a protein that the immune system reacts to pathologically, producing inflammation. Their assertion is that gluten destroys healthy tissue through molecular cross reaction.

Empty Calories

We live in the land of plenty, we have plenty of food and plenty of calories, but what we have are foods that are nutrient deficient and full of empty calories. If you take corn or wheat out of the field and refine it, you strip away all the good nutrition. You’re left with this empty carbohydrate, and it still fits the food guide pyramid to say, “Eat more grains.”

The science of food is big business, and many companies have invested millions if not billions of dollars to create foods that #1 filled with preservatives so have a longer shelf life so they don’t need to be replaced as often, #2 are filled with additives to entice the taste buds and actually create an addictive quality. Companies are figuring out how to rearrange the molecular structure of food to make you the consumer what to buy it over and over again. They are pouring extra salt, refined sugar, and chemical taste enhancers into food as to give it an enhanced addictive flavor.

We need to stop buying into the notion that our government is taking good care of us. It is time to become aware of what you are putting into your body on a daily basis.

The Caveman Diet

I also recommend going back to the cave man days. When you think about eating something, ask yourself, “did this come directly from nature?” None of us are perfect and change happens slowly over time. Be gentle with yourself and start making small changes in your diet. Do you eat scones and coffee for breakfast? Try eggs and turkey bacon instead. Rather than have a sandwich for lunch try the salad, or have them take off the bread. I still have my moments, but in general I try to be good 80% of the time. Good health is about making good choices, but not feel like you are depriving yourself. Start where you are at and just become aware of what you are eating.

Resources:

The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book, by Jessica Black

The Honest Food Guide: Honestfoodguide.org

Though cholesterol is essential for many functions in the human body, high levels of it may contribute to anything from high blood pressure to coronary heart disease, and lowering your cholesterol now by eating healthier, exercising and avoiding sugars, saturated fats, and starches may prevent a lot of serious health problems down the road and play a role in decreasing them as you get older.

Healthy cholesterol levels act as a precursor to certain hormones and vitamins, and is a component to generating healthy cell membranes and nerve cells. However, elevated levels of total blood cholesterol or other blood lipids contribute to developing a number of health problems including coronary heart disease. It has been researched that probiotics significantly reduce harmful lipids by assimilating cholesterol in the digestive tract and reducing the absorption of dietary cholesterol from the digestive system into the blood.

Cutting down on calories and reducing saturated fat and bad cholesterol (LDL) in the diet will increase optimum health, and adding probiotics and beneficial bacteria to your regular diet aids in food absorption, keeping cholesterol levels within healthy ranges. Cultured dairy products have been shown to reduce serum cholesterol, as well as triglycerides that are harmful to the body, and probiotics such as yogurts and kefir grains offer a safer way to clean up excess cholesterol without the side effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Cultured dairy products such as yogurt decreases serum cholesterol levels in humans and rabbits and every one percent reduction in serum cholesterol concentration is associated with an estimated 2-3% reduction in risk for coronary heart disease.. Regular intake of fermented milk, which is what kefir originates from, contains an appropriate strain of L. acidophilus has the potential of reducing risk for coronary heart disease by 6-10%. Lactobacillus acidophilus, present in probiotics such as kefir, decreases serum cholesterol levels as well.

Food absorption and liver functions improve beneficial bacteria, and when consumed on a regular basis help keep cholesterol levels within healthy ranges. Assimilation of cholesterol in the digestive tract, such as the small intestine, may be important in reducing the absorption of dietary cholesterol from the digestive system into the blood.

Probiotics offer a safe way to clean up excess cholesterol without the side effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs, which, like many strong medicines,may be indiscriminate in targeting the root problem, much like a tactical nuclear missile which wipes out the problem but also results in a lot of collateral damage. A good way to assist probiotics in lowering your serum cholesterol is to reduce the intake of both alcohol and saturated fats, processed sugars, and to exercise on a regular basis in addition to the intake of probiotics such as water kefir to your diet daily. This is preventative medicine, which offers many benefits to aid you in the long run as opposed to being short-sighted and creating many health problems you don’t need.

In short, though many different behaviors contribute to lowering your cholesterol such as a healthy diet and exercise, probiotics such as kefir grains as an addition to your daily food intake will help you in this endeavor and provide many other benefits to your health as well.

Learning how to make carrot juice is a great idea, especially if you want to be healthy. Many people have already experienced the benefits which include a reduction in cancer risk and lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Making carrot juice with a blender will work, though you may not get as much juice as you want. Try using an electric juicer if you’ve got one, or otherwise, just use this method. Either way, you’ll feel great afterwards.

How to Make Carrot Juice in 5 Steps

To get a sizable amount of juice you’ll need around a kilo (2 pounds) of carrots.

1. Place the carrots in your blender or food processor and hit the on switch. Keep it going until all the carrots are finely chopped or mashed. Add a little water if it’s too dry.
2. Pour the blended carrots into a large jug and add at least half a liter of water.
3. Leave for 30 minutes to soak.
4. Strain the mixture and hopefully, you’ll have yourself a good amount of tasty carrot juice.
5. Pour into a few glasses over ice and enjoy.

If you want to make the recipe more interesting, add a couple of oranges.

Also, the best way to make the juice go further is to add water. You’d be better off with a proper juicer, but water will be fine for now.

What are the benefits?

The benefits are numerous and have long been enjoyed by people who know how to make carrot juice.

They are one of the richest sources of vitamin A that is available for use in our diet. This contributes to strong bones and teeth, higher immune function and resistance to sickness.

Vitamin A is also great for pregnant mothers and it is an effective promoter of strong health in both mother and child.

Quick facts about how to make carrot juice.

• Early or unripe carrots are pale and low in carotene, so there is not much point in juicing them.
• The darker the color of the carrot the better it is for you.
• Carrot has a high concentration of sugar, so diabetics should be careful with their consumption.

If you can add this juice to your diet, you will experience a much higher level of health than you are used to.

Now that you know how to make carrot juice, you’re set to give jump start yourself in the middle of the day.

The beauty of living in the countryside offers the experience of eating organic chicken, but it is also available in the cities in small quantities. Organic chickens usually just roam around to find food. People raising these chickens use rice, corn or any food available to feed them. They simply call the chickens in some distinct way and the chickens come racing as if panicking for the food. They then throw the grains or any food and each chicken picks as many as it can. When the regular meal is over, the chickens roam around and search the ground for any available food which may be plants, insects, seeds, and if the area is coastal, small fish and live small shellfish.

Organic chickens have high beneficial fats that lower cholesterol, and higher amount of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin A. Their eggs taste much much better than those from commercially-raised chickens which receive regular dose of antibiotics, vaccines and other medications. Though it takes longer cooking time for the meat of most native chickens, its taste is incomparable with 28-day broiler confined in overcrowded poultry houses where they also release their wastes.

Native organic chickens are much smaller in size and grow much slower. While it only takes 28 days for a broiler to be harvested, native chicken usually needs at least six months. That is why, native chickens cannot be grown on commercial basis. Since the supply cannot meet the demand requirements of the chicken meat eating population, no big poultry raiser is interested in venturing into this kind of poultry raising. Organic chicken vendors usually rely on groups of small farmers for their supply and could not at this point meet the growing demand of organic chicken consumers.

For organic chicken consumers, eating organic chicken does not only provide health benefits but also better ecosystem. Chickens raised in the open catch insects that may be harmful to the plants, scavenge crop residue and help in fertilizing the soil through its organic manure. By the way, farms using chicken dung as fertilizer do not necessarily produce organic crops. Chicken dung are bought from commercial poultry farms that use chemicals and medications which are proven to be harmful to the human body.

Since most suppliers of organic chicken are small farmers, organic chicken consumers also help build the rural economy and the income potential of small farmers. Consumers also indirectly contribute to the protection and conservation of the environment because growing organic chicken does not produce air pollution that is common in poultry farms. There are also no flies to spread germs and organisms that cause diseases to the people.

More than half a century since the big war, we still find ourselves fighting the Battle of the Bulge only now it is around our waist. We will do just about anything to shed a few kilos including following surgical options. Before you go that far, however, take a long look at the safer dietary supplements that might be able to provide you with healthier, more natural results.

Staying healthy

By its very nature, weight loss will be partially achieved through the lowering of calories. That is both good and bad. While you will be eliminating many bad things from your diet, you will also be eliminating the body’s sources of nutrition. For this reason, when you cut back on your intake of food you need to use weight loss vitamins. Your body still needs those, just not so many chips! The addition of a weight loss vitamin supplement can help your body efficiently and effectively lose the extra kilos while still keeping you healthy.

HCA

Many people want to avoid supplements along with their weight loss vitamins because they have fears of “popping pills”. That does not need to be the case with HCA as many of them are completely herbal and/or organic. HCL (hydroxycitiric acid) is a natural way of helping the body convert carbohydrates. It also functions as a natural appetite suppressant, telling the body it is full faster than it really is. No worries, however, as the weight loss vitamin supplement will still make sure your body gets the nutrition that it needs.

CLA

One of the other great appetite suppressants is CLA. (Conjugated Linoleic Acid). This is often called “the fat that makes you slim”. It is found in animal and dairy products and is a very natural part of our diet, you are just taking it in larger amounts but along with weight loss vitamins has been shown to be safe and effective. In fact, it is now being studied as part of cancer treatment as CLA is toxic to cancerous cells. There are two small drawbacks with it however. One, you will need to periodically have you HDL (the good cholesterol) checked as it can lower it. Also, it can lead to insulin resistance so you will want to see how it will affect your blood sugar.

In short, it is not just about losing kilos, it is about staying healthy while you do. A little study and the right supplements will go a long way for you.

Iron is a mineral needed by our bodies. Iron is a part of all cells and does many things in our bodies. For example, iron (as part of the protein hemoglobin) carries oxygen from our lungs throughout our bodies. Having too little hemoglobin is called anemia. Iron also helps our muscles store and use oxygen.

Iron is a part of many enzymes and is used in many cell functions. Enzymes help our bodies digest foods and also help with many other important reactions that occur within our bodies. When our bodies don’t have enough iron, many parts of our bodies are affected.

Key Functions of Iron

Iron is an important mineral. It is needed to help our red blood cells deliver oxygen to the rest of the body. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron.

1. Transport and storage of oxygen.
2. Aid in energy production and cell diffusion.
3. Helps the immune and central nervous systems.

Iron absorption refers to the amount of dietary iron that your body obtains from the food you eat. Healthy adults absorb about 15% of the iron in their diet.

The actual amount of iron your body absorbs depends on the amount of iron already stored in your body. When your body has low amounts of iron stored, it will absorb more iron from the foods you eat. When your body has a large amount of iron stored, the amount of iron it absorbs will decrease.

If the body absorbs too much iron, a condition called hemochromatosis will occur.

Food Sources of Iron

• Excellent Source (3.5mg+) – cooked beans such as white beans, soybeans, lentils, chick peas, clams, oysters, pumpkin, sesame, and squash seeds, breakfast cereals (enriched with iron), tofu
• Good Source (2.1mg) – beef, ground or steak, blood pudding, canned lima, red kidney beans, chick and split peas, cooked enriched egg noodles, dried apricots
• Source (0.7mg) – chicken, ham, lamb, pork, veal, halibut, haddock, perch, salmon, canned or fresh shrimp, canned sardines, tuna, egg, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, roasted almonds, roasted cashews, sunflower seeds, cooked pasta, egg noodles, bread, pumpernickel bagel, bran muffin, cooked oatmeal, wheat germ, canned beets, canned pumpkin, dried seedless raisins, peaches, prunes, apricots

Boiling vegetables can reduce the iron content by 20%.

Caffeine interferes with the iron absorption in the body. Avoid drinking caffeine along with iron-rich foods or supplements.

Absorbability of iron from foods varies widely:

• The “organic” iron found in red meats is considered the most absorbable (10 – 30%).
• Plants contain “inorganic” iron, of which only 2 – 10% is absorbed in the digestive tract.

Recommended Daily Usage

• Children (girls & boys): Ages 1-3 (7mg), Ages 4-8 (10mg)
• Girls & Women: Ages 9-13 (8mg), Ages 14-18* (15mg), Ages 19-30** (18mg), Ages 31-50 (18mg), Ages 51+ (8mg)
• Pregnancy (27mg)
• Breastfeeding:

* Vegetarians need 26 mg ** Vegetarians need 33 mg

Nutritional Safety

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body doesn’t have enough iron.

Iron is important because it helps you get enough oxygen throughout your body. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a part of your red blood cells. Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your body. If you do not have enough iron, your body makes fewer and smaller red blood. Then your body has less hemoglobin, and you cannot get enough oxygen.

Women are usually at a higher risk of iron deficiency because of blood loss through monthly menstrual cycles.

Iron is one of the top six nutrients that are found to be commonly deficient in people globally. Iron requirements increase for pregnant women, who produce more red blood cells to supply the growing fetus with oxygen and nourishment. My next article entitled “The Function of Magnesium in our Life” will examine the role of Magnesium in good nutrition.

See you on the Beaches of the World,

Kevin McNabb

Don’t let one more ounce of fat get anywhere near your body. You can reverse the fat build process beginning today.

If you seeing lady lumps appearing in places you definitely don’t want them… You probably need to decongest your digestive system and detox your body after all the stress and low budget fast food you had been eating for lunch.

How do you know if you need a cellulite fat flushing purifying cleanse?

In order to experience a long-term lean body you must eat a perfectly balanced nutritious diet. One of the great advantages of achieving that lean body is high energy and mental clarity.

It is difficult sometimes to start a program so my suggestion is to jump in lips first. It’s looking at everything that passes through your lips into your mouth and down into your stomach for digestion.

Proper nutrition is the basis for boosting your metabolic system and the extra energy you will feel from the detoxifying effects of fresh juices, super foods, herb teas and healing broths.

Most weight loss diets have little nutrition to offer so they leave you feeling tired and lifeless. In the end, even if you lose weight, you feel so deprived that it starts ravenous cravings for foods that zap your energy and put the weight right back on. You end up feeling worse than when you started.

A cellulite fat flushing purifying cleanse is one of the best ways to jump-start your weight loss, which can lead to total healing and anti-aging. Dangerous fats such as saturated fats in processed meats and dairy foods, trans-fats like those found in many dairy foods, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils found in margarine, shortening and many quick snack foods, and oxidized fats, like those in all fried foods, collect in the excess body fat you already have. They all make your fat worse and makes cellulite even more dimply!

Sugary foods and highly processed foods (like fast foods) are void of digestive enzymes that they end up collecting as excess fat, too. When your system is congested, your body tries to dump its metabolic wastes to get them out of the way and one of the places that receive this horrific metabolic waste is excess fat.

Is your body showing signs that it needs a cellulite fat flushing purifying cleanse?

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to find out….

First of all… what is Cellulite? Cellulite is a combination of fat, water and trapped wastes beneath the skin. It is concentrated areas of fat that appears dimpled when you squish it in your hands.

Is it collecting on your hips, thighs or tummy?

Are your upper arms flabby?

Is your waistline noticeably thicker this year than last year this time?

Does your face look jowl-y or puffy?

Have your wrists and ankles thickened?

Today is the day when you begin this process. No, not next week, or after your next final exam. There’s no better time to give your body a healthy, fresh start than right now! You can start lowering your weight this very day by eating clean, upping your liquids and thinking fresh.

Benefits of a Cleanse

Energy levels rise almost every day as your system becomes purified.

Your weight will drop consistently as you become more serious and committed.

Your digestion will noticeably improves as toxins are flushed and high-quality nutrients are more quickly absorbed. This helps to strengthen your immune system and boost your metabolism.

Elimination problems often associated with weight problems begin to clear up.

Circulation will noticeably improve, as will all cardiopulmonary performance.

Your heart becomes healthier as well as your other vital organs.

Quick Steps for a Cellulite Detox to Jump Start Your Weight Loss Program

Step 1 – DRINK

Drink plenty of bottled or filtered water!

Eight to twelve glasses of purified water each day. This can include herbal teas that do not have caffeine. Water can help an overeater get past weight loss plateaus; decreasing water intake causes increased fat deposits. Drink all liquids before eating, to suppress appetite and maintain a high metabolic rate. Make sure at least 50 percent of your diet is composed or fresh foods and fresh juices.

Step 2 – GO Keep it Moving!

Rev up your fiber intake. Fiber plays a major role in weight control and fat detoxification.

Fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains and legumes are great forms of fiber.

Stop the bad fats! Unhealthy fats make you gain weight… healthy fats like olive oil, flax seed oil and canola oil assist weight loss as long as they are used in moderation. The healthy oil is also good for digestion.

Step 3 – EAT

Eat Foods that are Alive, Fresh and Organic!

Here are some suggestions:

Green leafy vegetables. Eat them raw, put them into a broth, add them to your juices. Their chlorophyll helps remove environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides) and it is a great liver protector. Fresh food calories are relatively non-stimulating to glands and tend to stabilize weight. Add sea vegetables to your diet everyday.

Lemons. Fluids are vital. They help flush the body. Freshly squeezed lemonade is ideal. Its vitamin C – considered the detox vitamin – helps convert toxins into a water – soluble form that is easily flushed away.

Watercress. Add a cupful to your salads, soups, and whole grain and fat free sandwiches. This peppery green leaf has a diuretic effect that helps move things through your system. And watercress is rich in minerals too.

Garlic. Add it to everything – salads, sauces, spreads. In addition to the bulb’s cardio benefits, it activates liver enzymes that help filter out toxic debris.

Broccoli sprouts. Buy them at a health-food store. They pack 20 to 50 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable.

Cabbage. There are two main types of detoxifying enzymes in the liver; this potent veggie helps activate both of them. Coleslaw, anyone?

Water based fruits. Melons, kiwi, oranges, grapefruits, apples and berries. They’re full of almost all full of fiber, vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and all kinds of antioxidants. Nothing tastes better and is more refreshing than fresh honeydew melon, fresh berries, or a juicy apple.

Green tea. This antioxidant-rich brew is one of the healthiest ways to get more fluids into your system. Bonus: It contains catechins, which speed up liver activity. I like the decaf because I can’t handle too much caffeine.

Psyllium. A plant that is rich in soluble fiber, like oat bran, but more versatile. It picks up toxins (cholesterol too) and helps clear them out. Stir powdered psyllium into juice to help cleanse your colon, or have psyllium-fortified Bran Buds for breakfast.

Sesame seeds. They’re credited with protecting liver cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a concentrated form, try tahini, the tasty sesame seed paste that’s a staple of Asian cooking.

Working out during a cellulite fat flushing purifying cleanse What Exercise Should I Undertake While Cleansing/ Detoxing?

As you can imagine, during a detox it is not a good idea to put your body under too much strain or stress through exercise. However, this does not mean that all exercise is forbidden during a detox (you don’t get out of it that easily!).

The detox process aims to give your body an opportunity to cleanse itself, flushing any toxins from your system and therefore you want to know which exercise can help with this process and is recommended while detoxing. Aerobic (fat burning) exercise is one of the primary exercises to focus on when detoxing. Aerobic exercise increases your heart-rate into your ‘fat burning zone’ (intensity of around 6-7 out of 10 rate of perceived exertion) and encourages deep, diaphragmatic breathing that helps flush your lymphatic system while you are burning fat.

While resistance training is fantastic for you, it’s better to not do heavy mass building workouts while you are in the first seven days of a good detox. This type of exercise (along with high intensity aerobic training (HIT) can be quite stressful on the body during a detox and can therefore inhibit the body’s ability to repair itself effectively. After the first seven days, you can go back to your heavy training.

Amelia, I recommend this type of focused programmed for seven days. Once you have kicked your body into purification, you can gradually add in more carbohydrates that are moderate to low glyemcic and natural.

If you like the way you feel and your body is responding well and your energy is high, keep going until you can achieve a modified version that will be easily maintained. This is one of the methods I used for several of my artists who had to look good fast in a bikini or less for a photo shoot.

I am so passionate about getting rid of cellulite that I made an entire program about it. I outline the foods, and celebrity secrets that cost many actresses thousands of dollars to find out. It’s called my Quick Start Energy Program [http://www.quickstartenergyprogram.com/] and it contains my Special Cellulite Solution MP3 Audio that goes into specific detail about cellulite reduction!

I wish you well with your career and with your life. I strongly encourage you to design your perfect life. Don’t settle for anything less than the best of everything. Only accept the perfect job, only date perfect men and most of all make yourself happy before you even think about getting married. Make sure you marry someone who celebrates You and all that you are and all that you desire to be.

God Bless and make it the Best Week Ever!

Quinoa bread provides your system with fiber and other important nutrients like Vitamin E, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc and B vitamins. Magnesium is an important mineral that regulates more than 300 enzymes, most importantly those related to the body’s consumption of glucose and secretion of insulin.

Quinoa provides a good source of vegetable protein and it is the seeds of the quinoa plant that are ground to make flour for the bread. It has significantly low quantities of saturated fatty acids. It contains phenolic acids, lignans, phytoestrogens and certain phytochemicals and all these elements help lower the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

To make quinoa bread you need to start from zero, otherwise you can mix quinoa flour (usually 5% to 10%) with other flours to make your favorite bread recipes. What you mix with quinoa flour is dependent on any special dietary needs you might have.

You don’t have to worry about calories when consuming quinoa bread. As another benefit of this type of bread is its complex carbohydrates which helps keep your stomach full for a longer period of time, and because it is complex it has properties that regulate the steady release of energy in your body. If you have a weight problem, you could go on a diet to see satisfying outcomes in losing that extra weight. And those who will stick with a bread diet would see significant effects when it comes to thinning their size and weight.

Quinoa bread has a lot of fiber in it. Fiber helps you digest food better as the nutrient increases bowel movement, assisting you to burn those fats easier and faster. Fiber is also known to eliminate bad cholesterol which will reduce health threats like constipation, hemorrhoids and colon cancers. Fiber has been proven to be effective in lowering the risk of diabetes.

Quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa) is considered as the most nutritious grain in the world. It is one of the main food crops in South America, but recently has raised interest in North America, Europe, and Asia. Quinoa has a variety of uses in food processing industry. Both the seeds and the leaves of the Quinoa plant can be eaten. The leaves are naturally cooked and served as a salad or side dish, similar to spinach or beet greens. The seeds are processed to produce quinoa flour to create your nutritious quinoa bread or use the whole quinoa grain as a major ingredient in your whole grain quinoa bread. Compared with other commonly consumed bread, it has excellent nutritional value and tastes great too!

The right healthy foods will not only perk up your daily living but add precious years in your life. Conditions such as cancer, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. are all attributed to a lack of whole grains in our diets. Increasing your consumption of whole natural grains and its byproducts is one of the best ways to speedily improve your health and well-being without any major effort. It only requires a change. A change in the way you eat, and feed your body with natural foods like quinoa so your body can better perform its natural functions.

So make that switch now! Switch to a healthier bread! Switch to quinoa bread!

Cinnamon is one of the world’s oldest known spices. The tree is native to Sri Lanka where it was found thousands of years ago. It is the best spice available in terms of its nutrition and health. It contains unique healthy and healing property comes from the active components in the essential oils found in its bark. Cinnamon has extremely high anti-oxidant activity due to which it has numerous health benefits. Aside from being used as a medicine by other cultures since ancient times, the health benefits may also come from eating it which can be listed as follows:

1. Lowers Cholesterol:

Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon included in a daily diet can lower cholesterol.

Also Cinnamon may significantly lower LDL “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides (fatty acids in the blood) and total cholesterol.

2. Reduces blood sugar levels and treating Type 2 Diabetes:

Several studies have shown improved insulin sensitivity and blood glucose control by taking as little as ½ teaspoon of cinnamon per day. Improving insulin resistance can help in weight control as well as decreasing the risk for heart disease.

3. Heart Disease:

Cinnamon strengthens the cardiovascular system thereby shielding the body from heart related disorders. It is believed that the calcium and fiber present in cinnamon provides protection against heart diseases.

Including a little cinnamon in the food helps those suffering from coronary artery disease and high blood pressure.

4. Fights Cancer :

A study released by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland showed that cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

Besides, the combination of calcium and fiber found in Cinnamon can help to remove bile, which prevents damage to colon cells, thus prevents colon cancer.

5. Tooth decay and mouth freshener:

Cinnamon has traditionally been used to treat toothache and fight bad breath. Small pieces of cinnamon can be chewed, or gargled with cinnamon water which serves as a good mouth freshener.

6. Cures Respiratory Problems:

Cinnamon is very useful home remedy for common or severe colds. A person suffering should take one tablespoon of honey with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.

Cinnamon also found to cure flu, influenza, sore throat and congestion.

7. Brain Tonic:

Cinnamon boosts the activity of the brain and hence acts as a good brain tonic. It helps in removing nervous tension and memory loss.

Also, studies have shown that smelling cinnamon may boost cognitive function, memory, performance of certain tasks and increases one’s alertness and concentration.

8. Infections:

Due to its antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-parasitic and antiseptic properties, it is effective on external as well as internal infections. Cinnamon has been found to be effective in fighting vaginal yeast infections, oral yeast infections, stomach ulcers and head lice.

9. Eases menstruation cycles:

Cinnamon has also been found useful for women’s health as it helps in providing relief from menstrual cramping and other feminine discomforts.

10. Birth Control:

Cinnamon also helps in natural birth control. Regular consumption of cinnamon after child birth delays menstruation and thus helps in avoiding conception.

11. Breastfeeding:

It is also believed that cinnamon aids in the secretion of breast milk.

12. Reduces Arthritis Pain:

Cinnamon spice contains anti-inflammatory compounds which can be useful in reducing pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

A study conducted at Copenhagen University, where patients were given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month

13. Digestive Tonic:

Cinnamon should be added to most recipes. Apart from adding flavor to the food, it also aids in digestion. Cinnamon is very effective for indigestion, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea and flatulence. It is very helpful in removing gas from the stomach and intestines. It also removes acidity, diarrhea and morning sickness. It is often referred to as a digestive tonic.

14. Reduces Urinary tract infections:

People who eat cinnamon on a regular basis report a lower incidence of urinary tract infections. Cinnamon is diuretic in nature and helps in secretion and discharge of urine.

15. Anti clotting Actions:

A compound found in Cinnamon called as cinnamaldehyde has been well-researched for its effects on blood platelets. [Platelets are constituents of blood that are meant to clump together under emergency circumstances (like physical injury) as a way to stop bleeding, but under normal circumstances, they can make the blood flow inadequate if they clump together too much]. The cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon helps prevent unwanted clumping of blood platelets.

16. Natural Food Preserver:

When added to food, it prevents bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

17. Headaches and migraine:

Headache due to the exposure to cold wind is readily cured by applying a thin paste of powdered cinnamon mixed in water on the temples & forehead.

18. Pimples and Blackheads:

Cinnamon helps in removing blood impurities. Therefore it is often recommended for pimples.

Also external application of paste of cinnamon powder with a few drops of fresh lemon juice over pimples & black heads would give beneficial result.

19. Thinning of the blood and improves blood circulation:

Cinnamon is a blood thinning agent which also acts to increase circulation. This blood circulation helps significantly in removing pain. Good blood circulation also ensures oxygen supply to the body cells leading to higher metabolic activity. You significantly reduce the chance of getting a heart attack by regularly consuming cinnamon.

20. Toning of tissues:

Considerable anecdotal evidence exists to suggest that cinnamon may have the ability to tone and constrict tissues in the body.

21. Muscle and joint pain relief:

Those who eat cinnamon on a regular basis often report that their muscle and joint pain, as well as stiffness, is reduced or even eliminated.

22. Immune System:

Honey and cinnamon paste is good for boosting the immune system, removing regular fatigue and increasing the longevity of an individual. It is also known to have anti-aging properties.

23. Itching:

Paste of honey and cinnamon is often used to treat insect bites.

24. It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

25. Healing: Cinnamon helps in stopping bleeding. Therefore it facilitates the healing process.

Indeed, cinnamon has several health benefits as highlighted above that can be used to improve one’s health and boost one’s immune system. This is a great reason to keep some cinnamon around. Sprinkle it in your tea or coffee, over oatmeal or a sweet potato and, this will do wonders to your health.

[However, there’s a word of warning to be taken that over dosage of cinnamon may be unwise. Also it is not recommended for pregnant women.

Also, people who have been prescribed medication to manage their blood sugar should not reduce or discontinue their dose and take cinnamon instead, especially without consulting your doctor.]

Every day we are bombarded with information about food products that are healthy, all natural, have no artificial ingredients, no preservatives, low fat, no fat, no cholesterol, sugar free, vitamin fortified and provide 100% of your daily vitamin requirements. Are these foods as healthy as the advertising tries to make us believe they are?

Let’s look at the facts. There are more than 3000 different chemicals added to our food. The company that wants to produce the chemicals or use the chemicals in the foods they produce usually does the testing for safety. Safety testing has only been done for individual additives, not for combinations of additives. Nobody knows the effects of the many different additives used in the thousands of different combinations. To make matters worse, because of political pressure, the FDA allows manufacturers to add small amounts of cancer-causing substances to our food. So, not only are many of our foods not healthy, they’re unsafe.

The FDA has even approved, as safe, additives it has known to be unsafe. Take, for example, Olestra, the fat substitute which was approved by the FDA over the objections of many leading food scientists. Olestra can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping and may even contribute to cancer, heart disease and blindness. Foods containing Olestra must have a warning label on the package.

Then there’s the artificial sweetener aspartame, also known as Nutrasweet. Aspartame was approved and claimed safe by a specially appointed FDA Commissioner after his own Board of Inquiry that investigated aspartame claimed it unsafe. Aspartame can cause birth defects, central nervous system disturbances, menstrual difficulties, brain damage in phenylketonurics, seizures, death and a long list of other reactions too numerous to mention. It may cause irreversible health damage over the long term.

Fats are another story. A certain amount of the right kind of fat is necessary for your nervous system, your immune system, the formation of cell membranes, and the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins. The problem is that over 90% of the food produced today contain hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil, which contributes to heart disease, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, non-insulin dependent diabetes and cancer. Research even shows an association between attention deficit disorder and hydrogenated oils.

The next time you grocery shop, look at the label of every item before you buy. Unless you already buy all organic and natural foods, almost every item you pick up will contain hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Instead, choose products that say no hydrogenated oils. Use raw organic butter instead of margarine, and extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil or flaxseed oil (flaxseed oil should never be heated).

If you’re eating more chicken, turkey and fish, because it’s healthier, you may be surprised to learn that sliced chicken and turkey from the deli contains nitrites. And nitrites cause cancer. Nitrites are found in almost all processed meats, including luncheon meats, hot dogs, sausages and bacon. Then there’s tuna, a healthy choice if it only contains tuna and water and is only eaten occasionally. But, most tuna contains broth or hydrolyzed vegetable protein, which contain MSG. And MSG is not required to be listed on the label because it is an ingredient in the broth, not directly added to the tuna. This is the way food manufacturers hide MSG in the food they produce. And hidden MSG can be a very serious problem to those who are sensitive to it. MSG can cause a wide variety of symptoms including migraines, numbness and tingling, asthma, seizures, diarrhea, panic attacks and heart problems.

Other sources of hidden MSG include autolyzed yeast, boullion, stock, malt extract, malt flavoring, barley malt, maltodextrin, natural flavors, pectin, seasonings, carrageenan, soy sauce, soy protein, whey protein, anything enzyme modified, fermented, protein fortified, or ultrapasteurized, fast foods, chips, condiments, salad dressings, lunch meats, sausages and soups. In fact, most processed foods contain MSG according to Kathleen Schwartz of the nonprofit group NoMSG.

So, buyer beware! Even if the label says “all natural ingredients” and “no preservatives,” the product could contain harmful additives. So, how do you know which foods are really safe to eat? You need to read the labels and know how to interpret the information on the label.

Here’s a few hints on what to eat and what to avoid: Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, good quality protein and healthy fats. Avoid these additives:

Aspartame or Nutrasweet

Saccharin

MSG and Free Glutamates

Artificial colorings

Nitrites and Nitrates

Caffeine

BHA and BHT

Brominated vegetable oil or BVO

Olestra or Olean

Sulfites

Here’s a general rule of thumb: If the list of ingredients is long, there are probably a lot of chemical additives in the product, and you’re risking your health by eating it. If the list of ingredients is short, it may or may not have harmful additives in it, so you need to read the label carefully before you purchase it.

Dr. Christine Farlow has made it easy for you to identify which additives are harmful and which are not. In her handy pocket-sized book, FOOD ADDITIVES: A Shopper’s Guide To What’s Safe & What’s Not, now in its 2004 revised edition, she classifies 800 commonly used food additives according to safety, whether they may cause allergic reactions and if they are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. In just seconds, you can find out if an additive in the food you’re buying is harmful to your health. It’s clear, concise and easy to use. Make this book your constant grocery shopping companion and you’ll never again wonder about the safety of the ingredients listed on the package. You’ll know.