Hidden Aminal Ingredients

Check out this link for hidden animal ingredients in your food

http://www.cyberparent.com/nutrition/hiddenanimalsfoodproducts.htm

Vegetables

Have you ever purchased bundles of ingredients at the farmers’ market only to arrive home and wonder what on earth to do with your bag of fiddlehead ferns, zucchini flowers, bamboo shoots, or cactus pads? Treat yourself to an in-depth education with Vegetables, acclaimed author and teacher James Peterson’s comprehensive guide to identifying, selecting, and preparing ninety-five vegetables—from amaranth to zucchini—along with information on dozens of additional varieties and cultivars.

Peterson’s classical French training and decades of teaching experience inform his impeccable presentation of every vegetable preparation technique and cooking method. You’ll begin by stemming, seeding, peeling, chopping, slicing, dicing, mincing, crushing, and pureeing, then explore less familiar but no-less-useful skills such as turning turnips, charring chile peppers, and Frenching French green beans. Once the prepping is complete, Peterson explains the intricacies of the many methods for cooking each vegetable, from the most straightforward boiling, braising, steaming, and stir-frying techniques, to the more elaborate and flavor intense grilling, glazing, roasting, sautéing, and deep-frying. The text is further enhanced with handsome full-color photography and useful extras, like time-saving workarounds, tips on seasonal purchasing, storage recommendations, and suggestions for kitchen tools you’ll really use.

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

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.

Calories

Myths vs. Facts

Roughly 20 million Americans are vegetarians, from partial vegetarians who limit the amount of animal flesh they eat, to vegans, who eat only plant foods—no meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, or eggs.

A vegetarian diet may take a little extra planning—especially at first—but it is easy to learn how to ensure your diet is healthy.
As with any diet, you have to make the right choices. Here are some myths surrounding vegetarian diets.

Myth: Vegetarian diets are always healthy.

Fact: People who follow a vegetarian diet are relatively healthier than those who don't. Vegetarians tend to have a lower incidence of obesity and fewer chronic health problems, including some cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

It's difficult to determine, however, whether the vegetarian diet or the overall lifestyle deserves the credit for better health. Vegetarians tend to exercise regularly and not smoke or drink.
Moreover, if you make the wrong food choices, a vegetarian diet can be downright unhealthy. A steady diet of ice cream sundaes and french fries, which technically are vegetarian, won't lead to good health. Teenage girls who are vegetarians often are deficient in iron and may get too little calcium as well. Teenage girls and women who are vegans may be deficient in vitamin B12.

Your best bet: Daily, eat a variety of plant-based foods, including: fortified whole grains, fruits, dark green leafy vegetables, beans and legumes, tofu, and fortified soy milk or low-fat dairy products.

Myth: You shouldn't follow a vegetarian diet if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Fact: You can meet the nutrient needs of pregnancy and breastfeeding through a plant-based diet if you choose wisely. Your health care provider may advise you to take an iron, B12, or folic acid supplement.

Myth: It isn't safe for infants, children, and teens to be vegetarians.

Fact: Infants, children, and teens can meet their nutritional needs through vegetarian diets, although
meeting those needs is more difficult than with a standard diet.

To ensure a child receives all the necessary nutrients, a parent must plan and follow the child's diet carefully. In addition, a health care provider or a dietitian can provide additional assistance.

Myth: A vegetarian diet is always low in fat.

Fact: If your vegetarian diet contains dairy products, you can still get plenty of saturated fat from whole milk, cream, and cheese. If you're a vegan, you won't consume as much, if any, animal-derived saturated fat, but you can still overdo it on unsaturated vegetable fat, such as olive oil and canola oil. Although unsaturated fat tends to be heart healthy, it still contains as many calories per tablespoon as butter and can lead to weight gain if you consume too much.

Myth: Eating a vegetarian diet always reduces your risk for heart disease.

Fact: Although vegetarians tend to have a lower risk for heart disease than meat-eaters, simply following a vegetarian diet might not be enough.

Because of the genetic factors associated with heart disease, a person may be predisposed to high cholesterol or high blood pressure. These risk factors may require medication—no matter how heart-healthy the diet.

Courtesy of the University of Rochester Medical Center

The Vegan Survival Guide

 

Here is a Vegan survival guide I received from Love-Vegan. She has a lot of vegan recipes, articles and advice. Go check her out for more information!

1.Read ingredient labels – You will find that you buy foods time after time. You will obviously know what’s what in these foods.  When you buy new foods however, ALWAYS check! You often get an allergy warning too. That won’t always tell you, if it contains meat, but will usually tell you about dairy and eggs. Once you have checked for the obvious things – like meat, fish, dairy and eggs don’t forget – honey and gelatin  I usually stay away from “Natural Colourings / Flavourings  Natural can mean anything including cochineal which is crushed bugs (YUK). But the “Natural Flavorings” could be meat of fish. Don’t risk it!

2.If in doubt ask! – I recently asked at my local supermarket about an in-store baked loaf of bread which had what looked like butter and garlic on the top. I asked if it had egg or dairy in it. They checked all the ingredients and I found out that not only could I eat this loaf but the entire in store baked breads were dairy and egg free! Bonus!  When you go to a restaurant, ask if the “fries” are fried in the same oil as fish or chicken are fried. However, if you are not bothered about this then don’t worry!

3.Show compassion! – I believe we shouldn’t preach to people about their food. Unfortunately Vegans are given a bad rap because we can be quite militant in our beliefs. I believe there is a time and a place for this and out for a nice relaxed meal with your friends, family or colleagues is probably not it.  People may find it difficult to respect your diet but make sure you rise above it and show compassion for them! Kill them with compassion!
 
4.Eating Out – When I’m planning to eat out, I usually research the restaurant well so that I know what I can and can’t eat. It’s also a good idea to call the restaurant and let them know before you go that you are Vegan and confirm what that means. A few days before is great and that way the chef will have chance to order any extra ingredients in. However, I’ve called an hour earlier to pre-warn the restaurant and they were still able to accommodate. If you are off to a movie or show you may find yourself hungry afterwards so it means popping into the local restaurant. This can be a total worry for us wonderful vegans. I’ve taken a great tip from the great Kris Carr of Crazy Sexy Cancer. Order a huge salad and then take either the rice, cous cous or lentils from this dish or the sweet potato fries, pasta or broccoli from that dish, burger without the meat even!? There is always something you will be able to find – just think outside the box

5.Bring your own! – If you’ve been invited to a BBQ or a party, make a dish to bring. Prepare yourself if it’s incredibly vegan, your friends might not eat it but hey more for you!

6.Answer questions – This is a fine line of being informative without preaching. People are often interested in how you can take on a Vegan diet. The cries of “I could never do that!” forever ring in my ears.  From my experience I have found it is easier to avoid confrontation by just saying I am doing this for health reasons. People can understand a diet change for health (Many have done more difficult diets than a vegan one!) My advice is start people slowly you can then move on to other parts of being vegan. My favourite question is “Where do you get your protein!?” Ever heard the expression – STRONG LIKE BULL! Bulls are Vegan you know!

7.Substitute, substitute, substitute –                                                                                                                                                                                   
Butter – Olive Oil or Dairy free Margarine
Eggs in baking – banana or applesauce, baking powder or you can get egg re-placer 
Chicken or Beef Flavor – Onion, Garlic or vegetable stock cubes   
Milk – Soya milk, Almond milk, Oat milk, Rice milk, hemp milk and even Hazelnut milk – There are loads just try and pick a favourite
Cheese – There are many different types of non dairy cheeses. Nut cheeses and even soya. Some of the Soya ones melt too – great for vegan pizzas.  
Meat and Fish – You can buy so many different fake meats and fish.

8.Snacks – Take snacks everywhere you go! 

 A Bottle of filtered water (essential)
 A Herbal teabag
 A piece of fruit
 Some nuts
 Chopped veggies (carrots, celery) with hummus.
 
9.Vitamin B12 – I  usually have fortified rice milk with B12 in or marmite but, you can also have supplements.

10.Eat your greens! – Leafy greens are natures intended food they have loads of protein, iron, vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll. All essential for a healthy diet!

11.Soya – It can cause health problems.  Its great in moderation just don’t rely on it as your main food. I have it 2 or 3 times a week but you should decide how much you want it. Err on the side of caution.

12.Ignore negative criticism – Always do that, which you know to be right. You will get negative criticism here and there but, you will become a great judge of what you can and cannot say in the right situation. Quietly lead by example.

13.Find like minded vegans – You can Twitter other Vegans; join forums or even a local Vegan society. You can find out about it on the Internet.

14.Don’t make it more difficult than it is! – Take it 1 meal at a time! This is an evolving process. However, don’t kid yourself that it’s the most difficult thing that you will ever do because it’s not. The more you tell yourself how difficult it is, the more difficult it will be! This is what stops people from giving up smoking and giving up meat for just 1 meal!

15.Plan, Plan, Plan! – Again another obvious one but so worthwhile! In the beginning its really essential. Fail to plan – Plan to fail! – Winston Churchill

16.Try Everything! – As long as its Vegan! If you don’t you may miss out on a delicious morsel! If you hate it, don’t eat it again.

17.Whoops! – If you have an accidental mistake, don’t beat yourself up! Just pay attention, learn from it and move on! Its unlikely you’ll be caught out by meat but you may have the odd occasion of dairy or egg.

18.Research – Research everything! The Internet is an amazing tool and if you are equipped with lots of knowledge you will find your journey a lot easier!

Not Just A Weed

9 reasons why you should incorporate dandelions into your diet

#1. High in Calcium: Dandelion greens are loaded with calcium. Just one cup of chopped dandelion greens has 103 milligrams (10% of the recommended daily value) of calcium! That’s slightly more than kale!

#2. Rich in Iron: Next to fresh parsley, dandelion greens have a high iron content. One cup contains 1.7 milligrams of iron.

#3. Low Calories: Like all leafy greens, dandelions are low in calories. One cup of chopped dandelion greens has only 25 calories.

#4. Loaded With Antioxidants: Dandelion greens are high in vitamin A in the form of antioxidant carotenoid (beta-carotene) and vitamin C. Vitamin C also helps facilitate iron absorption.

#5. The Ultimate Detox & Cleansing Green: If your goal is detoxification and cleansing, dandelion greens should be the ones you use! They are said to help cleanse the liver and many detox recipes call for them.

#6. Lots Of Minerals: Dandelion greens are rich in minerals. Besides calcium and iron, they are a good source of copper (10% RDA), manganese (8% RDA), phosphorus (5% RDA), potassium (5% RDA) and magnesium (5% RDA).

#7. 14% Protein: Dandelion greens have more protein per serving than spinach. The greens themselves are 14% protein and contain all essential amino acids so it’s a complete protein. One chopped cup contains 1.5 grams of protein.

#8. Multivitamin Green: Besides vitamin A as beta-carotene (186% RDA) and vitamin C (21% RDA), each cup of chopped dandelion greens are also good sources of vitamins B1 (9% RDA), B2 (11% RDA) and B6 (11% RDA), vitamin E (13% RDA) and especially abundant in vitamin K (357% RDA).

#9. Health Benefits of Dandelion Greens: The nutrients in dandelion greens may help reduce the risk of cancer, multiple sclerosis, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and stroke. Dandelion contains anti-inflammatory properties which may provide benefit to those with asthma and other inflammatory diseases.

How To Select And Store Dandelion Greens
While dandelion greens can be found at health food stores, co-ops and farmers markets, they are probably widely available during the spring and early summer months in your own backyard.

Select unblemished, dark green leaves or bunches when purchasing them in the store. When foraging, young greens that are harvested before the flower head appears will be less bitter.

Commercially cultivated dandelion greens may have whitish/green or red stems. The leaves are highly perishable. I store them in the fridge in a large plastic tub with a piece of paper towel to absorb excess moisture and condensation. They will keep for 2-4 days this way. If you store wet leaves in a produce bag, they will likely only last a couple days.

The dandelion greens that you find in the store are typically organic. If you forage for dandelion, be sure to harvest them from land that has not been treated with pesticides, herbicides or other contaminants. Avoid harvesting dandelion greens from urban or industrial waste lots as heavy metals (lead, mercury) and other pollutants in the soil might be absorbed into the plant.

How To Use Dandelion Greens In A Green SmoothieDandelions are bitter, so it makes sense to blend them with fruit to mask the flavor. Blend the dandelion greens with sweet, flavorful fruit like banana, strawberries, mango, citrus and pineapple. If you are trying dandelion for the first time, start with a small handful or 1 cup of chopped leaves.

Here are some smoothie recipes that include your friendly neighbourhood weed courtesy of incredible smoothies.

 

The Lives We Save

“It’s not about the lives you can’t save, it’s about the one’s you can”  -Katrina Haining

This is quote that I stand by in my day to day life. I worked at a Pet Store for 5 years of my life and many people would leave animals outside our building hoping we could find them a home. In reality, we weren’t allowed to take strays and sell them. It was against company policy. When we found these poor animals (cats mostly) we would have to take them to the shelter where they may or may not find a home. This was not okay with me. I could not take a cat and leave it without knowing what would happen to it. Instead, I would take the cat home with me until I could find it a new, permanent, home. Luckily, I knew a lot of people that lived on acreages that were always happy to have a new furry friend.

Here is my cute and eccentric best friend, Razzle. I rescued her almost 4 years ago from the parking lot I described earlier. She was probably 5 weeks old and was lucky we found her. She was in the loading dock of another building in the same shopping center. It took 4 of us to catch her and she was terrified. I knew that our store couldn’t keep her, and they told me that she was now my responsibility.  I called my mom and asked to keep her. She said no. I was torn with what to do because I just knew that she was meant to be my cat. So I brought her home anyways. I put her in the basement and waited for the wrath of my parents. They came home and I took them to meet her. I was just hoping they would fall for her charm the way I did. My dad’s exact words were “she has certain enduring qualities.” It was that moment that she became my cat. 4 years later we have now moved out into our own apartment and she remains to be a constant joy in my life.
 

We shouldn’t lose sleep over trying to save every animal. Instead, we should think about how we can try to make a difference to the life of one.

This is Maple she is the puppy I helped my parents adopt from the SPCA a few months ago.

 

Whose life have you had a positive impact on? Comment here or post pictures on Herbivore's  facebook page!



 

 

 

7 Tips for Growing Your Own Garden

Tip#1: Plan in advance
Plan your garden today to ensure summer success. Decide what you’d like to grow. How much space can you devote to the project? How much time are you willing to spend? Answering these questions will help you to determine your priorities.

For those with small spaces (or small ambitions), a container garden is an excellent choice. Containers can also supplement a traditional garden, providing a handy pot of herbs just outside the kitchen door, an experimental area for kids to grow their own produce, and allowing tender plants to be moved according to the season.

Others might consider building a raised bed to use for square-foot gardening. Square-foot gardening allows you to maximize food production in a minimum of space.

Tip#2: Start small
When planning your garden, it’s better to start too small than to start too large. In order to enjoy your garden, you must be able to control it. Don’t get too ambitious. It’s better to start small and to expand a little every year.

Tip#3: Choose productive plants
Some plants are more productive than others. If you want a rewarding, productive garden, do some research to find out what grows well in your area.

Tip #4: Share with others
When you buy a packet of seeds, you generally receive more than you need. It’s fun (and frugal) to split the costs with others.

Also, share equipment with the neighbours. Careful borrowing and lending helps keep everybody’s costs down.

Tip #5: Buy quality tools
When you buy tools, it pays to purchase quality. Remember: thrift and frugality are about obtaining value for your dollar — not just paying the cheapest price.

Keep your eyes open at garage sales. Sometimes you can get great deals on quality stuff.

Tip #6: Read up on the subject
Your public library will have many books on the subject, some tailored to your location. There are also many excellent web sites that can help you get started. Here are some useful resources:

Books
•The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible by Edward C. Smith
•Square-Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew     
•Crops in Pots by Bob Purnell
•The Bountiful Container by Rose Marie Nichols McGee and Maggie Stuckey

Websites
•You Grow Girl, a blog about gardening
•GardenWeb, “the internet’s garden and home community”
•Garden Guides: Guide to container gardening
•Journey to Forever: Building a square-foot garden
•Kitchen Gardeners International


Tip #7: Have fun!
Most importantly, have fun. Don’t make gardening into more work than it needs to be. Your garden doesn’t need to be perfect. It’s great if you’re able to achieve a substantial return on your investment, but it’s also okay if you lose a little money. (You don’t want to lose a lot of money, though)
Pick a favourite fruit or vegetable, plant a few seeds, and have fun watching them grow to maturity. Make it a family thing.

Tips courtsey of getrichslowly

B-raw-nies

Here is a recipe for frosted brownies that are gluten-free, raw, and soy-free. You can feel good about munching on these raw brownies, made with nuts and dates... and don't pass on making the frosting, it's what makes these brownies especially delicious.

INGREDIENTS:
Base:
1 cup raw almonds (see note)
1/4 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup raw walnuts
1 3/4 cups (packed) pitted medjool dates (see note)
1/4 cup dried organic pitted cherries (OR more dates, ie can use 2 cups dates in whole - omit almond extract if not using cherries)
1/3 cup raw cocoa powder (or regular cocoa if you prefer)
1 vanilla bean (see note)
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)

Frosting:
1/2 cup coconut butter (not coconut oil) Artisana coconut butter
1/4 cup raw agave nectar (or can use pure maple syrup if raw not essential)
2 tbsp raw cocoa powder (or regular if you prefer)
pinch sea salt

ACTION:
In a food processor, first add almonds and cashews and process until very fine (the almonds are the hardest, and need to be worked until crumbly). Let them process for a minute or two until quite fine. Then add walnuts, dates and cherries and pulse/process until mixture is quite crumbly, but not yet coming together. Then, add cocoa powder, salt, and almond extract, and pulse through. With a sharp tip knife, slice the vanilla bean down the outer side to open up the bean. Using a blunt (butter) knife, scrape out all the tiny seeds from the bean on both sides, and add them to the processor (or add vanilla extract). Process again, along with the almond extract if using. Process until the mixture comes together. The mixture should be sticky and hold together when pressed with your fingers. You don’t want to over mix (to prevent the nuts from releasing their oils, see note), but the mixture does need to hold and be sticky. If it’s not doing so, add a few drops of water, as your dates might be dry. Once you have a good, sticky mixture that will hold together, remove it from the processor and press into a brownie pan (8” x 8”) lined with parchment paper. Use a small piece of the parchment to help press and flatten the mixture evenly into the pan. Press it firmly to ensure the mixture holds. For the frosting, in a mini-food processor, first combine the coconut butter and agave nectar until smooth. Then add the cocoa powder and salt, and pulse through again until just combined. Do not over process or the frosting will begin to separate with the heat of the churning and become oily. (If you don’t have a mini-processor, you can follow the same steps stirring by hand in a bowl). Smooth frosting over base, and refrigerate for an hour or more until set. Cut into squares and serve! You can also freeze the squares after cutting, and enjoy them out of the freezer!

NOTE:

• A combination of ¾ cup almonds and ½ cup cashews also works well.
• You can substitute 1 – 1 ½ tsp of pure vanilla extract for the vanilla bean seeds.
• If your dates are on the dry side, you can add 1-2 tbsp of water to the mixture to help assist the pureeing and the mixture easily coming together.
• If you process the mixture too long, the heat generated by the food processor will bring the oils out of the nuts. If this happens, the brownies won’t be ruined necessarily, but they will have an oily appearance and be oily to the touch. So, process minimally to begin, rather than over processing the nuts at the outset.

Recipe from the book Let Them Eat Vegan.

Top 5 Picks for a Healthy Lifestyle

Upgrade to a healthier lifestyle by incorporating these top 5 picks
into your diet. All recipes courtesy of The Earth Diet.

1. Lemon Water
For one drink, drink every morning!!!

Ingredients and Action:
1 lemon squeezed into a cup of water OR in a juicer: juice the lemon including rind and then add it to water.

BENEFITS:

• Relives digestion issues
• High in vitamin C
• Breaks down fatty deposits
• Boosts the Immune system
• Clears the skin
• Stimulates the body
• Bowels are aided in eliminating waste efficiently
• Relieves bloating
• Relieves indigestion
• Acts as a liver tonic and helps liver to produce bile
• Dissolves gallstones
• Relieves heartburn
• A natural antiseptic medicine
• Kills parasites

2. Beet Juice
For one juice

Ingredients:1 small beet
3 carrots
3 celery stalks
1 small piece of ginger
1 red apple
1 lemon with rind

Action:
Put all ingredients in a juicer!

GET CREATIVE
+ ADD a clove of garlic
+ ADD a handful of kale
+ ADD a handful of spinach

BENEFITS:

• Purifying the blood
• Increasing the body`s production of glutathione, which helps the body detoxify cancer-causing poisons
• Lowering high blood pressure
• Cleansing the liver
• Lifting compacted waste from the bowel walls!
• Body building that helps the creation of red blood cells
• Accelerates weight loss

3. Green Juice
For one juice

Ingredients:
1 small cucumber
1 green apple
3 celery stalks
1 lemon with rind
a handful of kale
a handful of spinach
a handful of parsley

Action:
Put all ingredients in the juicer and JUICE!

BENEFITS:

• High in anti-oxidants
• High in vitamin A and C
• Good fibre
• Reduces Inflammatory
• Lowers cholesterol
• Boost immunity
• Reduces swelling under eyes
• Reduces black circles under eyes
• Super cleansing!
• Energy boosting!
• Cleansing for the skin

4. Coconut oil recipes

5. Kale recipes

Make Food Fun

It’s time to make food fun and enjoyable for kids and yourself. Fruits and veggies are colorful but it’s all in how you arrange them that create the interest to get people, particularly kids, to actually enjoy them. Here are some great inspirational pictures to get you enthused to make healthy food fun!

 

 

 

A Banana a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fibre. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.
But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

DEPRESSION: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

ANEMIA: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

BLOOD PRESSURE: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

BRAIN POWER: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

CONSTIPATION: High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

HANGOVERS: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

HEARTBURN: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

MORNING SICKNESS: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

MOSQUITO BITES: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

NERVES: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.. Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

ULCERS: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

Click to check out more banana health facts.

What Type of Vegetarian Are You?

So you want to be a vegetarian? There are a few different categories of vegetarian diet that you can choose to fit your lifestyle and beliefs.

Semi Vegetarian: eggs and dairy are accepted. Red meat, poultry and fish are occasional.
Ovo-Lacto-Vegetarian: eggs and dairy are accepted.
Ovo-Vegetarian: eggs are accepted.
Lacto-Vegetarian: dairy is accepted.
Vegan: A person who does not eat or use animal products.
Macrobiotic: fish is occasional. No red meat, poultry, eggs or dairy.
Pescatarians: eggs, dairy and fish are accepted.
Fruititarian: eat fruit, nuts and
Rawism: consisting of uncooked, unprocessed, and often organic or wild foods.

 

The most common form of vegetarianism is an ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet. This is probably the easiest and simplest form of cutting meat from your diet. What type are you?

The Most Important Meal of the Day

I know, from lots of experience, that eating breakfast can be a challenge some mornings. I can’t even think about food until I’ve been up for a couple hours. But did you know that breakfast is actually the most important meal of the day. It is what starts your metabolism and that is important for when you first wake up. Did you know that by skipping breakfast you are actually increasing your chances of gaining weight?

The best thing you can do is drink a glass of water right after waking up and by the time you are done getting ready you will probably be able to eat before you go to work/school. Eat an apple or banana if you your stomach still can’t handle a hardy breakfast. It will help you out in the long run.

Watermelon Cake

Are you looking for a great healthy dessert idea for your next get together? With the health movement becoming all the rage people have been creating healthier alternatives for everything including desserts. Here is a scrumptious looking idea that is both vegan and vegetarian!
 
Ingredients:
- 1 large seedless watermelon
- 2 cans full fat coconut milk (left in fridge for 6 hours or more)
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp. raw honey
- 1 cup sliced raw almonds
- Seasonal fresh fruit (for topping)

Directions:
TO MAKE THE COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM
1. Make sure to place the can of coconut milk in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours (or overnight). This will cause the cream to separate from the milk. The cream will be at the top of the can.
2. Open the can of coconut milk and scrape out the cream into a medium sized bowl. Hint: I always open the can from the bottom and pour the milk out into a separate container before scraping out the cream. You can use the saved milk for smoothies and other recipes.
3. Add the vanilla and raw honey to the mixture. Whip the cream with a hand mixer on medium speed and work your way up to high speed until the cream is fluffy. Place the bowl of whipped cream in the fridge until ready to use.

TO MAKE THE TOASTED ALMONDS:
1. Place a medium sized skillet over medium-high heat and allow the pan to get hot.
2. Add the sliced almonds and toss in the pan until they are toasted and turn a light brown color. Remove from pan and set aside to cool.

TO ASSEMBLE:
1. Remove the top and bottom from the watermelon and remove the rind from the middle section. You should be left with a cake-shaped piece of watermelon. Cut the watermelon "cake" into the number of wedges/slices you want (I recommend 6-8 slices depending on the size of the watermelon).
2. Pat the outside of the watermelon dry with paper towels (this is important because it will help the coconut whipped cream adhere better).
3. Dip the outside edge of each slice into the coconut whipped cream and then into the toasted almonds, and reassemble the wedges into the cake shape on a serving platter. Top with more whipped coconut cream and your favorite fresh fruit (I used blackberries, strawberries and kiwi). Serve or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Best when served within a few hours of assembling.
 
Enjoy my little herbivores.

courtesy of paleocupboard

BE A BUNNY’S BELLE OF THE BALLROOM

Kim Johnson (Dancing with the Stars) does a sexy photo shoot for PETA to raise awareness of product testing on animals and makes the pledge to go cruelty free for her cosmetic products.

I personally use mostly all vegan cosmetic products because of some sketchy information I was given a few years back about the ingredients in some cosmetic products. I find it extremely interesting that a lot of celebs nowadays are supporting the vegan and vegetarian movement.

Kim also did a quick little behind the scenes video where she shares why she participated in this ad campaign. WARNING: There are some pictures that are sad and slightly disturbing.

Check out this link and receive a free shopping guide if you are interested in finding out more about living the cruelty free lifestyle.

Ch-ch-ch-chia

Every time I hear the word Chia, I immediately think Chia Pet. But maybe it’s time to change that into super food? There are so many beneficial reasons to eat them.

1. They are gluten free
2. Aids digestion and the healing of digestion issues
3. Contains 20% Omega 3 ALA, making it a super food for the brain and heart
4. It boasts 20% protein and contains all 8 essential amino acids
5. Chia seeds are high in antioxidants
6. Promotes healthy hair, skin and nails
7. Chia aids in weight loss
8. Expels toxins from the body
9. Increases energy
10. And even helps reduce the effects of aging

These are only some of the many reasons to eat these strangely magnificent seeds.  Here is a RAW and vegan recipe for those of you looking to add a little Chia to your diet.

 

Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding