Nutritional Ideas and Offerings

Currently, I am searching  for ways to expand my dietary repertoire  with more plant-based whole foods, based on the insights Colin Campbell offers in the China Study.  Campbell was a lecturer in the  c program I completed to be certified as a holistic health counselor.  I am currently following a wholefood, primarily plant- based diet.  I’m aware of numerous doctor-created,  plant-centered nutritional programs that even ameliorate and/or cure chronic diseases, such as Dr. Gabriel Cousen’s and Dr. Neal Barnard’s programs to cure diabetes, and Dr. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet (he and others link inflammation as a primary cause of chronic disease).  I recently heard a call-in segment on Sirius Radio’s Dr. Radio with Dr. Garth Davis  advocating of a plant-based diet.  Also, books I’ve been exploring on this topic include

• Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappe,
• Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition, a new book by Colin Campbell
• Longevity Now by David Wolfe
• Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates
• My Beef with Meat by Rip Esselstyn

Please let me know if you have a nutritional book you would recommend or like me to review

Countering the negative impact of the cooking process

Since there is firmly scientific understanding that cooking destroys enzymes naturally found in foods that when viable aid us in digesting the specific foods they are found in, I include raw foods, organic fruits and vegetables in my diet. I am also aware, though, of research that certain foods improve in digestibility when cooked. See for example http://www.arthritis.org/raw-or-cooked-food.php and http://bodyecology.com/articles/cook_vegetables_maximum_nutrition.php.  It is important to realize that the “modern” fast, highly processed food lifestyle that many of us follow robs most kinds of food of their inherent vitality. Here is one article about the benefits of a raw food diet.

Staying Hydrated

I have encountered research by Dr. Batmanghelidj revealing that chronic dehydration is a key culprit in the manifestation of many diseases. Based on this awareness, I am currently following his recommendation to drink a glass of water 1/2 hour and again 2-1/2 hours after each meal, as well as additional water in the evening, including his suggestion to add 1/4 tsp of sea salt to each quart of water, as the salt helps hydrate the areas outside the cells.  A reasonable-sounding rule of thumb I ran across is to drink, in ounces, half of one’s body weight. If you engage in cellular cleansing, though (see below), you may need to drink more than that.

Sufficient Sleep

According to the Sleep Foundation, lack of sufficient sleep is linked to the following problems:

* Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents

* Increase in body mass index – a greater likelihood of obesity due to an increased appetite caused by sleep deprivation

* Increased risk of diabetes and heart problems

* Increased risk for psychiatric conditions including depression and substance abuse

* Decreased ability to pay attention, react to signals or remember new information

Some Nutritional Supplements I Use

I have been consuming superfood supplements for about 15 years now – currently this includes blue-green algae, chlorella, spirulina, medicinal mushrooms, and sprouted greens– and I consider them to be an important part of my nutritional foundation. A number of these products are available for online ordering, at this link. If you decide to place an order, please enter my distributor #, 469025.

 Exercise

Don’t neglect this important component to good health after consulting with your doctor!! There are many approaches in vogue, such as achieving your ideal heart rates for 3-4 times a week, 20 minutes/session, getting moderate exercise 30 minutes a day, finding activities you enjoy doing so that it is self-reinforcing, and/or pairing up with a buddy to keep you motivated. Moderate weight lifting offers great benefits, too. A 2008 CNN article shared ideas on targetting belly fat, associated with “increased risk for many health problems — diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.”  For weight loss, I have heard from multiple sources that interval training (alternating between sprints and walking until recovery) is ideal. For lymph circulation (unlike blood, lymph does not have a pump system to circulate it) and general health as well, I kept encountering recommendations to use a mini-trampoline, so have purchased a Bellicon rebounder.  

Cellular Cleansing: An Important Health Practice

Some years ago, I learned of the importance of periodic cleansing. My first exposure to this is from Scott Ohlgren’s website, www.howhealthworks.com. It is amazing how much more energetic I felt from this effort. Cleansing also assists in activating the lymphatic system .  I subsequently received health coaching from Russell Mariani, whose own insights furthered my awareness and health (visit his website, “Healing Digestive Illness“)

 

 

 

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