Soft Drinks ????

I have had quite a few people ask me about soft drinks lately, so I decided to repost a blog from 2010.
My daughter Amy just had a baby, so I have been in NC for the last week helping her with the newest addition to the family, Hannah, and her big brother Jackson.  One of the topics that came up while I have been here is the subject of Coke and Diet Coke.

Amy loves to drink Coke with her pizza or Mexican food... So I felt the need to inform her of some of the information that I had read about sodas. And actually I took it a bit further and did an at home experiment, using a piece of steak covered in Coke for 5 days, so that she could see the results!

Well the results were not pretty. Pictures will show you what I mean. I took pictures everyday for five days and you can be the judge for yourself.  The Coke actually ate away ate the steak.

Day 1

Day 4

Last day #5

The Coke began  to eat away at the steak, shrinking it's size and leaving the remains in the bottom of the glass dish.

I haven't had a soda in 6 yrs, but the steak experiment would have cured me for sure.

But if that didn't do it for you, here are a few facts that might help:

*In many states the highway patrol officers carry gallons of Coke around to clean up blood stains after

 a wreck

*Coke has been used to remove rust stains from car bumpers.

*Coke has been used to remove corrosion from car batteries.

*You can use Coke to help loosen a rusty bolt.

*It will remove road haze from your windshield.

*Empty a can of Coke into a load of wash, add detergent and wash: helps remove grease.

*Last but not least,  pour Coke into your toilet and let sit for an hour, then flush..helps remove stains from bowl!

There are so many other things that Coke can and will do, but I think you get the point.

O wait, one more bit of info: it takes 30 eight oz glasses of water to balance your acidic level for every Coke you drink.

How in the world could this product be good for human consumption??

Well it's not!!

So if you are a soda drinker there are so many other choices....

Cold turkey was the best approach for me.

Don't take my word for it, research  it for yourself.

I drink lots of water, and coconut water along with San Pelegrino.

I'm leaving in 2 days and going back home and my daughter Amy hasn't had a Coke since I've been here.

I think the experiment worked!

She is a believer!!

Until next time,

Jan

Coconut oil for your hair

 Did you know one of the best personal care products you'll ever find may be sitting in your kitchen cupboard right now?
I'm talking about coconut oil, which is equally beneficial externally as it is taken internally, and can be used for both skin and hair.
According to one study, which compared mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil as possible products for nurturing and conditioning hair, coconut oil was the only oil that reduced protein loss for both damaged and undamaged hairⁱ .
These findings were true when used as either a pre-wash or post-wash grooming product, but coconut oil achieved the greatest results when used as a pre-wash treatment.
Part of the reason for this is because coconut oil is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water.
So when applied as a pre-wash conditioner, it inhibits the penetration of water into each strand, which would otherwise cause the cuticle, or surface of the hair shaft, to rise, making it prone to damage and breakage.
Furthermore, when applied as a pre-wash treatment, a small amount of the coconut oil is able to penetrate deeper into the hair shaft during the wash, when the hair fiber swells slightly.
This can also explain why so many rave about the oil's ability to prevent "the frizzies" in humid weather—this is another feature of its hydrophobic activity.
According to the study, which was published in the Journal of Cosmetic Scienceⁱⁱ :

"The findings clearly indicate the strong impact that coconut oil application has to hair as compared to application of both sunflower and mineral oils. ...
Both sunflower and mineral oils do not help at all in reducing the protein loss from hair. This difference in results could arise from the composition of each of these oils. Coconut oil, being a triglyceride of lauric acid (principal fatty acid), has a high affinity for hair proteins and, because of its low molecular weight and straight linear chain, is able to penetrate inside the hair shaft.
Mineral oil, being a hydrocarbon, has no affinity for proteins and therefore is not able to penetrate and yield better results. In the case of sunflower oil, although it is a triglyceride of linoleic acid, because of its bulky structure due to the presence of double bonds, it does not penetrate the fiber, consequently resulting in no favorable impact on protein loss."

More porous types of hair may find coconut oil particularly beneficial, such as African- and chemically treated hair. The featured article on coconutoil.com includes a couple of videos demonstrating how some people are using the oil for hair care.

Coconut oil can also help improve the appearance of skin with its inherent anti-aging benefits. When absorbed into your skin and connective tissues, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by helping to keep your connective tissues strong and supple.

I ran across this article in Dr. Mercola's newsletter and wanted to pass it on.  I use coconut oil every day in my smoothies.  I have put it on my hair before shampooing and it does bring luster and shine to your  hair. ( I always had to shampoo twice to get it out). Go ahead....give it a try!!

Until next time,
Jan

Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil

This oil has become my new BEST FRIEND!!! Continue reading the benefits of this amazing berry!! I not only take this internally, but use it on my skin.

This article comes from naturesgift.

SEA BUCKTHORN BERRY

Hippophae rhamnoides Lithuania, Berries, Wild Crafted, CO2 Extraction Total extracted from pulp, not from the kernel.
Contains: 30% palmitoleic acid, carotinoids (including a high level of beta-carotine), tocopherols, alcohols, (vitamins A, C and E). 1900 IU of Provitamine A per gram of extract.
Sea Buckthorn Berry has been used by herbalists for millenia. This extraction has only recently become available and seems to be taking the natural skincare industry by storm. Many of the well known "Natural Cosmetics" companies include Sea Buckthorn Berry in their skincare products, as a search of the web will quickly show you.
Bio-active substances in the oil from the seed and pulp are used in a variety of dermatological applications, among them anti-aging face creams and lotions and (since the extract seems to absorb UV rays) in sun care products.
My research indicates that products containing Sea Buckthorn Berry appear to promote cell tissue regeneration, thus aiding in the healing of wounds, and restoring skin tissue.
An international natural bath and beauty chain adds the plant's oil to its sunscreen products as both a sun-block and tan-enhancer. European cosmeticians sell anti-wrinkle creams made from Sea Buckthorn. (Please note, because of Sea Buckthorn's high level of beta carotene, the oil is a deep reddish orange and unless used in extremely weak dilutions can colour your skin. If you want a "bronzing oil" this is your choice!)
Clinical experiments in Shantow Tropical Disease Hospital and the Shanxi Pharmaceutical Research Institute indicate cosmetics containing Sea Buckthorn extracts can actually improve metabolism and retard skin maturation, thus slowing the aging process, possibly because of the effects of its high levels of Vitamins A and E.
Sea Buckthorn oil is said to have proven effective in the treatment of skin conditions including burns, skin ulcers, cancer, acne and dermatitis of various forms.
Russian cosmonauts use its oil for protection against radiation burns in space.
Current research indicates that not only does it enhance immune activity and disease resistance, but it also destroys harmful free radicals found in our bodies. Aubrey Organics, on their web page, state that Sea Buckthorn's high levels of Vitamin A and Vitamin E are the perfect free radical scavenger for your skin.
Check it out for yourself, do some research and try it out and see if you don't see a difference in your skin! Here is the brand that I take internally.

Beautiful at 70!

I was watching a youtube on raw food and beautiful skin and I ran across this one on a woman named Sunny Griffin. She was a huge supermodel in the 60's and now she is 70 years old. She looks amazing and she attributes her good looks and great health to eating a mostly raw food diet. Watch the video and see what you think!!

Pink Slime.....

'Pink slime' is now found in 70 percent of the ground beef at our grocers

My daughter Hannah sent this to me today. I thought it would be a great read for everyone that visits my blog. It really doesn't need an introduction-just read!!!


Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035437_pink_slime_ground_beef_groceries.html#ixzz1qzFdF77W

Are you eating the right foods?

The other day it occurred to me that there are probably a lot of raw, vegan, and vegetarian eaters that really have no clue where to get their protein, essential vitamins and minerals from, or even more, how much they should be taking in on a daily basis.  All they know is they quit eating meat, or meat and dairy, and do not realize how IMPORTANT it is to make sure you are getting the protein, vitamins and minerals you need from a plant and herb base diet.


So I decided to help a sister out and put out some very important information.
1st.....the protein subject....
Protein is a central part of the body's energy, it provides for the repair and replication of organs and cells. It comprises a large portion of the blood and lymph and creates a natural immunity, by recognizing invading foreign cells and viruses. Protein is made up of amino acids, the " building blocks" of our body. 8 of the amino acids are essential because the cannot be produced inside the body; they must be obtained from the food we eat. 2 are considered semi-essential because they are considered necessary for proper growth in children. The other 12 are produced in the body. Proper quantities of the 22 are necessary to maintain a healthy body, helping in the construction of new tissue, enzymes and hormones
So where do we get this plant based protein? There are quite a few sources that I have listed below.

Sun Warrior raw protein powder-17 grams of protein per scoop-I use 2
I have a blendtec blender, and this is how I start my day..
In my blender I put:
ice, coconut water, banana, strawberries (if fresh or frozen make sure they are organic) I use frozen and fresh, depending on what time of year it is.
2 scoops protein powder-this is my base, then I build from there.

These are the other possibilities depending how I am feeling every morning.
hemp seeds, chia seeds, goji berries, aloe vera gel,  bee pollen, maca, chlorella tablets,blue green algae, coconut oil, hemp oil, cacao beans, amla, mangosteen, shilajit, holy basil, mucuna.
Hemp seeds, hemp oil, and blue green algae all have protein.

So if you want to know how many grams of  protein you should take in per day, try this formula:
Take your weight and multiply it by .4536 then divide by 2.

I need 32 grams of protein, so here is my list of plant based protein sources along with the raw protein powder.
Blue Green Algae is a complete protein source consisting of 60% protein and 18 amino acids and easily assimilated.
Spirulina contains the highest form of protein by weight of any known food-65-71% protein,
These 2 ingredients can be bought in powder and thrown into a smoothie, or purchased in a capsule.
Hemp Seeds are 35% protein and contain all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids to maintain a healthy life.

You also need to make sure you are getting A, D, E, K, and B
Vitamin A: One of the best sources for vitamin A is astaxathin supplement. I have written several blogs on this supplement, so just scroll through my posts. Also blue green algae and cholrella.
Other sources are: sweet potatoes, pumpkin, kale, cantaloupe, apricots, peaches and mangos..
Vitamin E: Nuts and seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, tomatoes, olive oil.
Vitamin K: Kale, spinach, collard greens.
B Vitamins: Bee Pollen is a source of 18 vitamins including all the B's except for B12. It also includes C,D, and E. It is predigested and easy to assimilate.
According to the National Institute of Health we should be taking in 2-4 mcg of B12 daily.
I use alot of nutritional yeast in my preparation of many dishes. 1 TBL of nutritional yeast is 4mcg of B12.
If you are not eating nutritional yeast, make sure you are taking a multiple vitamin with B12 in it, or better yet include blue green algae in your smoothie, or get it in capsule form. 1 gram of blue green algae contains 6 mcg of B12 . Blue green algae is the most nutrient dense food on the planet, containing glyco-proteins, vitamins, minerals, simple carbohydrates, lipids and enzymes.

This list is by no means all inclusive, but it is a good start.
My hope is that anyone that chooses a raw, vegan or vegetarian diet will see the importance of making sure you are adequately taking care of yourself and puttig the right foods into your body, not just substituting  meat and dairy with carbohydrates, sugar and junk food. Your body is a living organism and what you feed it will determine how you live. The last thing we want to do is battle sickness because we are not giving our bodies the proper nutrients to keep us well.
Hyppocrates said it so well, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food"

Until next time,
Jan

Wilderness Poets

I wanted to share this great video from some friends of mine at www.wildernesspoets.com
Please check out their website, it is awesome...well don't just check it out, order from them too.
I buy my hemp seeds, chia seeds and nut butters from John and Mika, the owners. I have actually been to their warehouse and have seen the whole operation. It was so incredible to see how they make all their nut butters, and how much love is put into their products!!!

Watch the video and you will see why I love this company so much!!