Monday 17 June 2013

The Truth about Aspartame

Aspartame is used in over 6,000 products worldwide, and is consumed habitually by millions of people every day. When aspartame is digested by the human body, it is broken down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. The phenylalanine is synthetically modified to carry a methyl group which provides the sweetness. Methanol causes all types of biochemical health problems in humans with many symptoms unrecognized as associated to aspartame use. This is because aspartame builds up in the frontal lobe of the brain, and is cumulative over time. We cannot metabolize or break it down enough to limit its damage.

Peroxisomes are small structures within each cell that work to detoxify methanol. Humans do not have enough of these structures to convert formaldehyde to the less harmful, formic acid. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin. Human tissues are damaged and symptoms occur that include; vision problems, dizziness, headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, vertigo, weakness and memory lapses to name just a few.
 
Artificial sweeteners trigger pleasure centers in the brain, even though less pleasure is experienced by ingesting them. The reason for this is, while artificial sweeteners give immediate pleasure, they do not actually satisfy the brain because they deliver no caloric value, leaving the user wanting even more. Because there is little actual satisfaction associated with the use of artificial sweeteners, weight gain also occurs. Those who habitually use aspartame are known to gain more weight over time than those who use real sugar.

Aspartame is referred to as an “excitotoxin”, because it actually excites the neural cells to death. The chemicals and amino acids in aspartame have been known to get through the blood brain barrier and damage neurotransmitters, while decreasing serotonin levels, leading to depression and other mental disorders.
 
Other chronic conditions such as; brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and diabetes are worsened by the use of aspartame. Some scientists and doctors suspect that aspartame may be responsible for the development of certain types of cancers, too.

Many symptoms of aspartame poisoning go undetected for years because they are confused with another diagnosis. If you’re curious as to whether you’re experiencing any symptoms or reactions to aspartame, just stop using it for a few weeks and see what changes occur.
 
courtesy of fitlife

Saturday 15 June 2013

5 Alternatives to Your Everyday Antiperspirant


While some people are concerned about common deodorant chemicals like parabens, formaldehyde and triclosan, most concerns focus on aluminum, the ingredient in antiperspirant that blocks pores and fights wetness. Aluminum is rumored to be linked to breast cancer and other diseases, but the National Cancer Institute says this research is inconclusive. In addition to these potential health risks, aluminum mining is also destructive and polluting. If you’re thinking twice putting such ingredients on your body, check out these deodorant alternatives.

1. Natural deodorants
Deodorant stones are large, smooth crystals of potassium aluminum sulfate that must be wetted and applied like a regular deodorant stick. The difference between potassium alum and aluminum chlorohydrate is that potassium alum is a much larger molecule that's not thought to be absorbable through skin. However, if you want to completely eliminate aluminum from your armpits, there are many natural deodorants on the market. Burt's Bees, JASON, Trader Joe's, Kiss My Face and several other companies all offer an all natural alternative.


2. Baking soda and cornstarch
Using baking soda as a deodorant is a simple way to combat body odor without subjecting your pits to a variety of chemicals. Mix an eighth of a teaspoon of baking soda with a little bit of water — don't dissolve it — and rub it under your arms. You can also create a baking soda and cornstarch mix to fight odor and help prevent wetness. Simply mix one part baking soda with six parts cornstarch and dust a little on your underarms.


3. Lemon juice
The citric acid in lemon juice can kill odor-causing bacteria, and there are people who swear by the lemon deodorizing method. Swipe the armpits with a sliced lemon on a daily basis. Just be sure not to apply lemon juice to recently shaven armpits — ouch!


4. Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is another inexpensive and easy deodorant that kills odor-causing bacteria. Simply fill a spray bottle with alcohol and spritz your underarms with it. You can even add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to give it a scent — witch hazel absorbs oil and is mildly astringent, and tea tree oil can help relieve body odor.


5. Homemade deodorant
Making your own deodorant is a simple process that allows you to customize your deodorant to your needs and preferences. The Web abounds with DIY deodorant recipes, but here are two from popular bloggers.


Tammy Luna's deodorant
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrow root powder or corn starch
5 tablespoons coconut oil


Combine baking soda and arrow root powder in a bowl and mix with a fork. Start with about 4 tablespoons of coconut oil and add it to the baking soda mixture, working it into a paste. You can store the deodorant in a small, air-tight container or put it into an empty deodorant stick dispenser.

Amy Karol's deodorant
3 tablespoons shea butter
3 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons corn starch
2 tablespoons cocoa butter
2 vitamin E oil gel caps (squeeze out the oil)
Essential oil


Melt all the ingredients except the oils and stir. Then mix in the oils, pour the mixture into a container, and place the container in the fridge to set. This recipe filled a 1/4 pint jar.

courtesy of mother nature network

Thursday 13 June 2013

Simply Delicious White Bread

My recipe for the bread machine that makes simple, delicious white bread.

1 cup of warm (not boiling) water
3 cups of flour
2 tbsp of vegetable oil
3 tbsp of honey
2 tsp of sugar
1 tsp of salt
1.5 tsp of bread machine yeast


1. Place water, honey, oil, bread flour, sugar, salt, and yeast into pan of bread machine.
2. Bake on White Bread setting. Cool on wire racks before slicing.


(NOTE: while the bread is still warm take a slice and spread honey on it. This is my favourite part about making bread because it brings out the sweetness of the bread and it is absolutely delicious.) 

enjoy my little herbivores.

Sunday 9 June 2013

Chocolate Covered Kiwi Pops

recipe courtesy of oh desserts
 
Kiwi – peel and cut into 1 inch thick rounds, with a popsicle stick in each round. Freeze on a tray in the freezer.

Chop 1 cup dark chocolate and 1/2 cup Coconut oil – melt over a double boiler. Cool down to room temp.

Dip each Kiwi-pop into the chocolate mixture (it will immediately turn crispy) and place on a tray to refreeze

enjoy my little herbivores.

Thursday 6 June 2013

Fruity Organic Salad

 
Today I made a pledge to eat healthier than normal and made myself a delicious salad for dinner. It had a pleasant but not overwhelming sweetness that I just had to share.
 
To make this particularly tasty salad I used:
•A mixture of organic fresh greens
•Organic blueberries
•Freshly picked strawberries from my garden
 
The dressing was made using a Dark Chocolate Oil with a splash of white wine vinegar. The ratio between oil and vinegar is determined by personal taste.
 
enjoy my little herbivores


Monday 3 June 2013

Tofu "Egg" Salad Recipe

With a tablespoon of mustard to give it a yellowish hue, this tofu egg salad recipe really looks and tastes like egg salad. Serve on bread with lettuce for a vegan "egg" salad sandwich.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 block firm tofu, drained
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise (use Vegenaise for a vegan version)
  • 1/3 cup sweet relish
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 stalk celery, diced
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • dash paprika for garnish (optional)

Preparation:

In a medium-sized bowl, mash the tofu with a fork. Add remaining ingredients and stir together until well combined. Sprinkle with paprika for garnish, if desired. Serve on bread with lettuce for an "egg" salad sandwich, or spread on crackers for a casual hors d'ouerves

enjoy my little herbivores

courtesy of vegetarian.about