What is the nutritional value of the little grain called quinoa?

Quinoa is pronounced (Keen-wah). It is a tiny little circular gain that packs a large amount of nutrition into a small area. It comes in light and dark colors ranging from a cream color which is the most easily found to dark red and even black. It is easy to cook and takes only about 15 minutes in a pot of boiling water. The outer edge breaks off and becomes a crunchy delight.  Quinoa can be used in place of rice, added to soups, or eaten plain.  I like to spread some out on a plate like rice and then cut up an avocado and tomato and layer over the quinoa. Then I sprinkle the whole dish with sea salt and Mexican seasonings (Frontier brand).  So delicious!!

Quinoa has as much calcium in it as a cup of milk. It also has protein and iron. Calcium, protein, and iron are essential nutrients that we usually think we need to get from meat or animal products making it a perfect grain for vegetarians.  Quinoa also has vitamin B and vitamin E. 

The other wonderful thing about quinoa it's low acidity level. Most grains are highly acidic but quinoa is only slightly acidic making it a great grain for someone trying to keep their body in an alkaline state. Dr. Young who is the author of The PH Miracle says to keep all grains under 20% of the diet to maintain an alkaline state. 

One other thing that I've heard about quinoa is it locks moisture inside itself and carries the moisture deeper inside the digestive track thus helping the body stay hydrated longer!  I've heard only good things about quinoa and I'm sure it will get more popular in mainstream consumption in the near future.  Anyone else have a favorite dish that uses quinoa?

What can Chlorophyll do to heal the body?

Although most people have never heard of drinking chlorophyll, most people who are in the process of healing with natural methods are using it.  You may remember from a science class back in school that chlorophyll is the hemoglobin of a plant. I like to call it the green blood of a plant.  It matches the structure of human blood and can boost activities of the blood.  Oh, and by the way it is alkaline since it is plant material.

So, what exactly does chlorophyll do once it gets into the body.  I did some looking around and found the following information.  First, it can help the liver push out toxins by binding to the toxins and carrying them out of the body. It has also been shown to guard against liver cancer. Some of the toxins it helps pull from the body are heavy metals like mercury. Mercury is toxic in the body and can be introduced through eating fish, dental work that appears silver in color, or through water supplies.

Chlorophyll, being similar to human blood, helps blood carry oxygen to cells. When cells are getting oxygen they can resist carcinogens or cancer causing chemicals. Chlorophyll also has anti-bacterial properties that help the body fight against unhealthy bacteria.  It has also been known to reduce odor in the body, stop strep infections, heal open wounds, stop ulcers, diminish varicose veins,  stop parasitic vaginal infections, treat inflammation of the uterine cervix, rid the body of impetigo, and reduce symptoms of typhoid fever.

Chlorophyll can be purchased at most health food stores in the supplements section. It is a concentrated liquid and dosing directions are included on the bottle. I drink about 4 tablespoons per day.  Drink up and enjoy the benefits of good health!!

New Years Resolutions to lose weight

If your New Year's resolution is to lose weight or watch your diet you are not alone. Most resolutions include some form of diet or exercise plan.

I have set New Year's resolutions in the past to watch my diet or lose weight.  I've tried the Atkins diet, low carbohydrate diets, low fat diets, a Gluten free diet, a low sugar diet, and pretty much every other diet out there.  What I have found about an alkaline diet is that it becomes more of a way of eating instead of a way to lose 10 lbs. None of the other diets I've tried cut out all sugars.  I think it is crucial to weight loss goals and balancing a healthy body to remove sugar. I found that when I ate any sugar even in small amounts and then tried to limit my calories it was a battle of self control. I was caught in the cycle of taking in sugar only to crave it again a few hours later.  Most of us don't have enough will power to last long term against sugar cravings. I think this is why so many diets and dieters fail.  I found a fabulous sense of freedom on my alkaline diet. I don't feel controlled by my food anymore.  

When sugar is no longer a part of the diet natural flavors start to emerge. You don't miss sugar anymore. I know it's hard to think about life without sugar if you've never tried it.  It is used as a comfort food, but you need less comforting when your not eating sugar at all.  It's not about giving up something that is pleasurable, it is trading short term comfort for long term comfort. If you've already been eating an alkaline diet you know what I'm talking about. Congratulations on stepping outside the norm and doing something for yourself!

What do you eat for breakfast when your diet is mostly veggies?

I've talked a little bit about the standard American diet being acidic and this is especially true of breakfast foods. We usually think of cereals or bacon and eggs as good breakfast foods.  Who ever heard of eating vegetables at breakfast? I'm here to tell you there are some delicious options.

The body can store toxins overnight because we aren't eliminating them while we sleep. We are usually more acidic first thing in the morning. For this reason, it is especially important to eat an alkaline breakfast so the body returns to an alkaline state.

My breakfast usually consists of a veggie smoothie. It is as nutritious as it is delicious. There are lots of different recipes but the one I like includes the following ingredients thrown together in a blender:
1 cup of almond milk
1 lime- peeled
1 English organic cucumber
1 cup of spinach
1 Tbs of coconut oil
1 large avocado

You can substitute the spinach with other types of lettuce or bean sprouts in order to get different flavors. Or use a lemon or a grapefruit instead of a lime. I've tried it with grapefruit and didn't love it. If you have extra zucchini from your garden you want to get rid of you could try using that in place of the cucumber.  It is a versatile recipe that's hard to mess up, so give it a try and see what works best for you.  If you can't tolerate fully alkaline recipes yet, you can sweeten with stevia which is an all natural sweetener that comes from a plant.  I recommend Truvia packets which can be purchased at most grocery stores.

Eating out on an alkaline diet

In today's culture social events, family events, and work events revolve around food. Especially this time of year when people are celebrating the holidays.  Alkaline food is not typically found on the menu as the standard American diet is made up of acidic foods.   

I've been on an alkaline diet for 6 months and have had occasion to find ways to blend social eating with my diet.  In restaurants, I usually order a salad with dressing on the side or none at all. Most dressings are filled with dairy, sugar, and vinegar. I usually ask for a few lemon wedges to squeeze over the top.  I also ask for no cheese.  Then, despite my husband's embarrassment, I've been known to carry an avocado in my purse to cut up once inside the restaurant.  Depending on how comfortable you are in the restaurant you may or may not want to attempt that.

Most if not all breakfast foods are acidic including sausage, eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, waffles, french toast, hash browns, oatmeal, and omelets, etc. So when I have gone out to breakfast I have taken food with me.  I blend a veggie smoothie before hand, put it in a container with a lid that fits tightly such as a canning jar, and carry it into the restaurant in my purse. Then when the food arrives, I pull it out and enjoy.  When the server asks me what I'd like to order I say I'm on a special diet and don't wish to order.  I've done this twice and the restaurants have seemed just fine with it.

If you have any type of professional job and have attended day or week long conferences you know how acidic the food can be.  My purse is my life saver in this situation, too. I carry a few veggie sticks or an avocado to snack on. Then if possible I ask for a vegetarian meal, which is not completely alkaline but is better than the alternative.

At family, work, or other social events I have volunteered to bring a food item.  I have brought alkaline soup, a salad, or a veggie tray. I have also eaten ahead of time and then enjoyed the social time instead of eating.

I have yet to find a restaurant that serves a fully alkalizing meal.  Maybe in the future we will see restaurants advertising alkaline menu options. Until then, I say whatever you can do to make eating socially work for you is fair game. Any ideas to share?

What's all the hoopla about alkaline water?

Our bodies are made up of mostly water.  We usually pay attention to the cleanliness of our water. We don't usually pay attention to the structure of our water which is what makes it alkaline or acidic.  When water is acidic it contributes to the body's acidic state.  Alkaline water has been used by people with cancer, who have very acidic conditions in their bodies, as part of an effort to return to an alkaline state. But for the average person it can aid the body in maintaining an alkaline state as well.

If you have never tasted alkaline water, it is a treat!!  It is referred to as "wetter water" by some.  I find it soothing to my throat and mouth. It has a somewhat silky texture. Alkaline water has been kind of trendy lately and restaurants are now offering it on their menus.  Hooray!!! There is one restaurant owner in my area who serves Alkaline water and he touts it saying, "Since I started drinking it daily I rarely get sick...I use it in some of my recipes and it enhances the flavor of the food".

According to people who are in the know there is no tap water in the US that is alkaline but you can test yours and see. We have damaged the environment enough that it is simply not found easily.  You can buy a costly alkaline water treatment system for your house or simply purchase drops from the health food store that you add to your water.  Bottled water is not generally alkaline although Figi water may be slightly alkaline. Go out there and find yourself some alkaline water and judge for yourself what all the hoopla is about!!!

Sugar as an addiction; salt is what our body needs when we crave sugar.

Did you know that traditional table salt is so processed that the human body can't even absorb it.  This is why doctors recommend we watch our salt intake.  Processed salt builds up in your arteries and joints- Hello high blood pressure! Our bodies are made up of water, salt, and fat.  We need good healthy salts to maintain an alkaline PH balance and have overall health. 

When the body lacks the appropriate salts it has to pull from bone and muscle reserves.  Thus creating deficiencies all throughout the body.  When you crave sugar what your body actually needs is salt.  I found this out after years of battling a sugar addiction. Sugar in every form including fructose which is the natural sugar found in fruit, lactose which is the natural sugar in dairy products, and all artificial sugars can be addicting.  Have you ever found yourself feeling out of control when it comes to eating.  This is an addiction to sugar.  It is a very dis-empowering feeling.

Sugar is in almost every processed food you put on your table. You may not even realize how much sugar you are eating. It's in chips, condiments, breads, added to processed meats, packaged pasta dinners, and any other item you might purchase at the grocery store.  My question is "why" is sugar added to everything. Because manufacturers have realized that we are all a bunch of addicts and if they put the stuff in the food they sell they will sell more/make more money.  If we keep buying processed food with sugar added we keep telling manufacturers that we are hungry for sugar and the cycle continues.  We also keep ourselves at risk for diseases because our salt levels are depleted.