Hernia

 July 17th, 2012 

A hernia is a condition in which tissue protrudes through an opening in the muscles. It commonly occurs in the groin and navel areas and may happen at a previous surgical incision site. Surgical treatment repairs the hernia using mesh or by closing the opening in the muscle. Consult your doctor for specific diet recommendations after surgery.  The type of surgery also depends on how quickly the recovery will be.  Some hernia operations can be done  laproscopic and recovery is faster.  If the surgery is going through the abdominal cavity recovery will take longer. The location of the hernia also determines what you will be able to eat.

Immediately following surgery, you may feel nauseous or not have much of an appetite. As a result, your doctor will typically have you follow a clear liquid diet. You will be able to drink small amounts of clear liquid, including tea, broth, or gelatin. If you do not feel nauseous, you can progress quickly to a full liquid diet.  Juicing is a great option.  Juicing will give you the vitamins needed without causing stress on your system.  Important anti oxidants will help you start healing.

As your stomach feels better, appetite increases, and nausea subsides after surgery, you can slowly add solid foods to your diet. The timing of this transition varies. There are no dietary restrictions, and you can eat regular foods as tolerated.

Incorporate high-fiber foods into your diet to keep food moving through your intestine. Fiber helps your digestive tract’s functioning. Raspberries, pears, whole-wheat pasta, cooked barley, beans, broccoli and artichoke are good sources of fiber.  A great way to get fiber in the diet is drinking home made  smoothies.  Protein  is also important  for healing.

High Fiber Berry Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 cup kale
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup almond milk or use cold green tea
• 1/4  of an avocado
• 2 teaspoons hemp
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in blender and whip until smooth. If berries are not fully ripe, add a little honey or Stevia  for sweetness. serves 2

This will add anti oxidants, protein , fiber and the cinnamon with help stabilize your glucose levels.

Drinking eight to 10 glasses of fluids each day  also helps you stay hydrated and prevents constipation by keeping the stool moving through your intestine.

Resource

Live Strong

The Cave Man Diet or the Paleo Diet

 July 13th, 2012 

Nutrition science continues to reveal new findings — almost daily — about healthy eating. But some experts say all we need to do is eat like our Stone Age ancestors to be healthy.

The Caveman Diet, also called the Paleolithic (or Paleo), Stone Age, and Warrior diets, is a plan based on eating plants and wild animals similar to what cavemen are presumed to have eaten around 10,000 years ago.

Looking at the diet of other Mamals it makes sense to eat a higher protein/ fat based diet. Since adding more carbohydrates (processed foods in to our diets the brain has decreased in size and more modern dieseses have occured.

In biblical ages meat and fat were highly respected. The Greeks in the Iliad  write about fats and meats.  The Aborigines of Australia eat only meat and only eat plants in an emergency.    So how can a old fashioned food cause so many healthy problems in the modern world?  We don’t eat like our ancestors did.

The diet is based on the foods that could be hunted, fished, and gathered during the Paleolithic era — meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, tree nuts, vegetables, roots, fruits, and berries. At best, you can eat a modified version of the original diet that’s gluten-free and includes lean meat, organ meats, fish, poultry, eggs, vegetables, fruit, and nuts.

You won’t find any dairy, grains, sugar, legumes, potatoes, processed oils, and any foods that were grown after agriculture started.

On this diet, you’d skip salt and any drinks other than water, coconut water, or organic green tea.

You can satisfy your sweet tooth with raw honey or coconut palm sugar, but only in limited quantities.Supporters suggest eating organic plant foods, wild-caught fish, and grass-fed meats because they’re closer to the nutritional quality of the foods of our ancestors.

Like any diet I think this is a great concept but most people are not ready to eat such a rigid diet.  For example add raw milk to your diet. Raw milk helps with asthma, diabetes, and digestion.  Find what works best for you.

KALE, CARROT AND AVOCADO SALAD

 July 12th, 2012  Kim

Kale  is important for skin and detoxification of the liver. It is high in sulfur and helps reduce lung, breast, colon, ovarian, and bladder cancer.  Kale is high in iron as much as red meat. It is high in vitamin C that also helps absorb iron.  The vitamin K in kale helps in blood clotting and bone health

Serves 4

Avocado provides rich flavor and creamy texture in this simple salad.

Ingredients

1 bunch kale, stemmed and finely chopped
2 cups grated carrots
1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
1/2 teaspoon reduced sodium soy sauce

Method

Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Use your hands or the back of a large spoon to thoroughly mash avocado into kale. Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to allow kale to soften.

Nutrition

Per serving: 160 calories (60 from fat), 7g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 23g total carbohydrate (6g dietary fiber, 3g sugar), 6g protein

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Foods to Eat for Liver and Gallbladder Health

 July 11th, 2012  Kim

Things to reduce or avoid for gallbladder health:
Foods from the cabbage family: broccoli, cabbage, lettuce
Reduce Sodium
Reduce cholesterol rich foods such as red meats, dairy products and eggs
Reduce foods known to be common allergens such as gluten-containing grains, soy products, corn, peanuts and citrus.
Avoid large meals especially before bed time. Try not to eat 3 hours before bed.

Tips for supporting the liver and gallbladder:
Eat foods that promote bile formation such as: raw shredded beets, organic apples and ginger.
Eat bitter foods such as dandelion greens and other dark leafy greens. Bitters stimulate the flow of bile in the gall bladder, helping us digest fats. Try adding them in salads, or even eating a few leaves while preparing a meals so that the bile is ready to emulsify whatever fat you consume.
Take fish oil capsules – It contains omega 3 oils which are known to block cholesterol formation in bile
Vitamin C rich foods such as papaya, red bell peppers, strawberries, oranges and lemons.
Hydration: Drink at least 8 glasses of mineralized water a day. We recommend 1 liter per 50 lbs of body weight.
Foods rich in pyridoxal, folate and cobalamin are three effective nutrients that support the livers biochemical pathways. (see below)
Pyridoxial rich foods: Potatoes, bananas, garbanzo beans, and chicken breast.
Folate rich roods: Beef liver, spinach, and asparagus.
Cobalamin rich foods: Trout, salmon, beef, clams, and oysters.
Eat foods high in minerals: copper, zinc, selenium and potassium such as: squash, avocados, shellfish, and spinach.
Stress management: Breathing, yoga, regular exercise
Support the pancreas by stabilizing blood sugar.
Increase antioxidants: Raw cacao, acai berry, blueberries, prunes, pomegranates, kale brussel sprouts, beets and red bell peppers.
Avoid hydrogenated fats and oils

The Liver Tincture:

This is a powerful detoxing combination of herbs that purifies the blood, contains high antioxidant values, nourishes and aids in rebuilding the liver, helps to level the hormones, and stimulates the digestive system. You can purchase the following herbs formulated for this this special liver tincture at http://www.bulkherbstore.com

Herbs:
Indian gooseberry/amalaki
turmeric
ginger
dandelion leaf
licorice root
burdock root
milk thistle seed
hawthorn berries
ginseng root
astragalus root
St. John’s Wort
Directions:
Fill a clean glass canning jar 1/3 full with dried herbs. Add vodka up to one inch to the top. Screw lid on tightly and store in a cool, dark place. Shake 3-7 times a week. The tincture needs to sit at least 2-6 weeks. Strain tincture and pour into a colored glass bottle, closing the lid tightly. Alcohol tinctures will last 2-3 years. Tinctures need to be kept in a cool, dark place such as a cabinet.

Why use vodka? Water rolls off the liver, where alcohol goes straight to it, taking the herbs with it.

To support and regenerate the liver: Take one dropper full (1/2 tsp) 3 times a day for 3 to 6 months.

Liver and gallbladder cleansing juice recipe:
3 kale leaves
1 handful dandelion greens
3 stocks of celery
1 handful of parsley
1 large beet
1” section of ginger (peeled)
2 green apples
1 cucumber
2 lemons

Source

The Whole Journey

Foods to improve cardiovascular health

 July 9th, 2012 

Dietary suggestions to improve cardiovascular health:

Dark leafy greens such as kale, broccoli sprouts, spinach and collards help detox the bloodstream.
Garlic: Powerful anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial food.
Green tea and dandelion tea
Walnuts: help regulate blood sugar and are a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids
Maitake mushrooms: increase immune function as well as increase excretion of cholesterol in stool.
Increase anti-oxidants: Raw cacao, acai berry, blueberries, prunes, pomegranates, kale brussel sprouts, beets and red bell peppers.
Increase nutrients that support healthy fat metabolism such as: coconut oil, leeks, green onions, radish. The sulfur compounds in onions help to maintain platelet aggregation, blood pressure and total cholesterol.
Add in more fiber: Beans, peas and legumes are important complex carbohydrates that stabilize blood sugar.
Decrease saturated fats: Animal fat as well as hydrogenated fats and oils.
Increase unsaturated fats: Olive oil, hemp oil, high-lignin flax oil, salmon and sardines.
Ginger: Helps balance blood viscosity
Tumeric: Contains curcumin, which reduces inflammation.
Vibrant Turmeric and Ginger Tea

1 tsp. of turmeric and 1 tsp. of ginger powder. Add boiling water and let steep 8 to 10 minutes. Add honey to taste and a slice of lemon. The honey and lemon will make the tea a bit more palatable.

Myths on eggs, coconuts, and fats busted

 July 6th, 2012 

Myth #1:

Eating egg yolks raises cholesterol Like most cholesterol-rich foods, eggs are packed full of important nutrients, especially carotenoids, fat-soluble Vitamins A, E, D and K, and essential fatty acids. The main thing to know about eggs is that they contain lecithin, a fat emulsifier, which actually helps your body break down cholesterol, not hold on to it. Pastured eggs are the best kind of eggs to eat. That means eggs from chickens that are free to forage for grass and insects.

Myth #2:

Coconut products should be avoided.  Coconut, once regarded as unhealthy, has made a comeback as it helps manage diabetes and aids in weight loss. Coconut oil is now considered one of the healthiest oils to cook with; coconut milk adds flavor and creaminess to foods, and coconut water is full of electrolytes and hydrating power. All in all, coconut is proving to be a wonder fruit. Diabetics can eat coconut oil because it actually helps regulate blood sugar. Coconut puts less demand on the enzyme production of the pancreas, allowing the organ to function more effectively. The oil also helps supply energy to cells because it is easily absorbed, without the need for insulin or enzymes. Coconut oil raises metabolic rate, causing the body to burn more calories and lose weight. The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are sent directly to the liver for conversion into energy and not into body tissues as fat.

Myth #3:

Fat makes you fat. Fat is a critical part of a healthy diet and body. We have a lipid or fat layer on the outside of our cells which protects and informs our immune system. So, it is essential to eat the right kind of fats to keep that layer strong. Examples include avocado, flax oil, hemp oil, raw nuts and seeds. Including healthy fats in your diet increases metabolism and optimal function of all body systems. Eat a small amount of healthy fat with every meal to support weight and immune system management.

Myth #4:

Cow dairy is necessary for calcium.  75% of the human population cannot digest milk products. Milk is not necessary for a balanced and nutritious diet. It is hard to digest, mostly because of the pasteurization process, and leads to an over-acid condition. In this state, the body leaches minerals from the bones to buffer excess acid (a leading cause of osteoporosis). Leafy green vegetables, legumes, whole grains and sesame seeds are a superior source of calcium.

Myth #5:

Cereal or oatmeal is the best way to start your day. To bring balance to the stress hormones it is essential to have healthy fat and protein within an hour of waking. Oatmeal or cereal provides complex carbohydrates, but no healthy fat or protein. If you are going to start your day this way, add a handful of nuts or seeds and a scoop of high quality protein powder to your cereal bowl.

Myth #6:

Soy milk is a better alternative to cow’s milk. Too much unfermented soy can negatively affect your health, from thyroid problems to hormonal imbalance. It can cause too much estrogen in the body which leads to problems such as weight gain, inflammation, and cancer. Soy products increase the risk of thyroid disease. This danger is particularly great for infants on soy formula. Instead use unsweetened almond milk, hemp milk, rice milk or coconut milk.

Myth #7:

Avoid root vegetables because they are too high in sugar. Root Vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, yams and butternut squash are high in complex carbohydrates, which take longer to digest than simple carbohydrates. They are a great source of sustained energy and beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals. Don’t be afraid of complex carbohydrates because of their sugar content. They will help you ultimately crave less sweets and are a critical part of any healthy diet.

Source

The Whole Journey

Turn to nature for relief with spices

 July 5th, 2012 

Society is a bit too quick to reach for over-the-counter (OTC) meds for relief of everyday ailments like an upset stomach, headaches or muscle aches. We look at these types of drugs as safe because they were not prescribed, but there are plenty of things in them that thin the lining of the gut, add a burden to the liver or kidneys and just overall don’t need to be in our bodies.

Instead, why not turn to nature for relief? Within your own kitchen, you possess all you need to calm, soothe and relax whatever minor ailment may arise.

1) Cinnamon: Listed first because cinnamon is truly a power spice. Just half a teaspoon daily can dramatically reduce blood glucose levels in those with type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon is also proven to reduce triglycerides, LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and total cholesterol, as well as ward off urinary tract infections. The cinnamon we buy in stores is usually called cassia and is not real cinnamon, which is called “Ceylon.” The two spices don’t come from the same plant, but they do both offer an anticoagulant (anti-blood clot) property. The best way to tell that your cinnamon comes from Ceylon is to buy sticks that have multiple layers to them and to grind them yourself with a coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle. The sticks that are one solid piece are cassia.

2) Basil: This herb can be used on skin infections and insect bites. Basil is high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, phosphorus and calcium. It is also a source of iron, magnesium and potassium. It is thought to help eyesight and the cardiovascular system, and to ease digestive distress. Basil tea can also soothe a headache, calm the nerves and lower a fever.

3) Cayenne: Cayenne’s claim to fame is that it promotes circulation and boosts metabolism as well as offering relief from menstrual cramps and fibroid tumors when consumed internally. Externally, it can be used in a compress and creams as a pain-killer.

4) Cloves: This delightful fall spice is a powerful anti-fungal and anti-microbial, making it a clear choice to promote digestive health. While it tastes fantastic in chai tea, you can also use it externally for dental pain (apply the oil) or add it to a footbath to get rid of athlete’s foot.

5) Parsley: When used externally, parsley relieves itching. Taken inside the body, it is one of the most nutrient-rich, detoxifying herbs we have. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, an anti-spasmodic and a diuretic, helping conditions from colic to indigestion. Whenever you make or get a green juice, be sure to add parsley to it!

6) Sage: Externally, sage is very beneficial in treating acne, gum and throat infections, breast pain and oily hair. Internally, sage is great for mental health. Sage tea has helped ease depression and anxiety for generations.

7) Thyme: We can never have enough thyme, a wonderful anti-parasitic agent that can improve poor appetite, diarrhea, stomach cramps and indigestion. Thyme is a cure for a hangover and doubles as an aid to alleviate symptoms from colds and bronchitis.

8) Cardamom: Cardamom is the “”queen of spices”", second only to black pepper, the “”king of spices”". It is one of the most valued spices in the world. Cardamom is used internally for indigestion, nausea, vomiting can help to cut back excessive phlem. It is also used to prevent stomach pain and flatulence. In ancient Ayurvedic traditions, the cardamom seeds are chewed to sweeten the breath and help reduce the acid effects of caffeine in coffee.

9) Cumin: Loaded with phyto-chemicals, Cumin is high in antioxidants, minerals like iron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium, zinc and magnesium and contains high amounts of B-complex. The active principles in the cumin may increase the motility of the gastro-intestinal tract as well as increase the digestion power by increasing gastro-intestinal enzyme secretions. Cumin is also used to help with sleeplessness, and because of it’s antiseptic properties is great to take when you feel a cold coming on.

10) Cilantro: Cilantro is rich in nutrients and is a good source of iron, magnesium, phytonutrients and flavonoids and is also high in dietary fiber. Cilantro has been used for thousands of years as a digestive aid as it stimulates the appetite and aids in gastric juice secretion. It can also aid in lowering blood sugar having hypoglycemic properties, possibly the result of  stimulating insulin secretion.

11) Ginger: The root has a stellar reputation for controlling nausea of all types. Studies have shown ginger to be especially effective in curbing motion sickness, morning sickness, and postoperative and chemotherapy-induced nausea. Ginger is an excellent digestive, aiding in the absorbtion of food, and elimination of gas and bloating. Ginger stimulates circulation so it is good for cold hands and feet.

12) Turmeric: This is a powerful dietary spice for auto-immune-related inflammation and pain. Turmeric is also a fantastic source of indirect antioxidants, which means that it boosts and stimulates the body’s own production of antioxidants for hours after consumption. Some of the longest-living people in the world are in Okinawa, Japan. Their longevity is credited to their ability to manage the inflammation process. They do this by drinking turmeric tea daily.

source

The whole Journey