Mind power = health power
Since we are all dealing with the impact of the Corona virus on our lives, let’s explore what a virus is. A virus is inanimate fragment of either DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein that can replicate when taken inside of a host body (mode of transmission). That uptake can be through many different methods such as air, droplets or blood. Once the virus is inside of the body, it needs to enter inside your cells to replicate. There are many systems put in place in your body that can make the virus unable to enter your cells or get rid of it once inside the cells. All this work is done by your immune system which is controlled by your nervous system. Your state of mind, activity level, ingested food and belief structure affects how well the system works. You are equipped with an entire army of…
Fast to gain health
Our daily habits can greatly influence how well our body’s homeostatic mechanism works. Aside from using mind power to increase your immune system, our dietary habits affect the strength of our system too. Dr Jason Fung in his book The Diabetes Code Prevent and Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally talks about how frequent eating can make people very prone to develop Type 2 diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Our bodies are made to clean themselves out of toxins, viruses,bacteria and uncontrolled cells (cancer cells) as long as no sugar is provided to the system. Dr Y. Ohsumi won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2016 for his research on how cells recycle and renew their content, a process known as autophagy. Fasting activates autophagy, which helps slow down the aging process and has positive impact on cell renewal. Fasting for 12 to 24 hrs triggers physiological functions such as…
Savor your food for health
The way we eat affects how we digest and assimulate the food we eat. Our eating habits affect our physiology. Even before we put food into our mouths, the smell of it starts to stimulate our salivary glands to produce saliva. Saliva contains digestive enzymes as our body starts to break down the food into its basic components to be eventually absorbed into our blood stream to feed our cells. Digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients from our food is controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system. This system orchestrates the entire process. During stress the sympathetic nervous system (flight and fight) is in overdrive and our system does not digest, absorb and assimilate the nutrients well from our food. Specific steps need to occur to maximize the process. For example, chewing food slowly helps the body to secrete enough digestive enzymes to optimize the process. Taking 3 deep breaths before…
Focus on food in its natural form to keep you healthy
Our bodies are made up of as many cells as there are stars in the galaxy working in unison to keep you healthy and alive. Alive cells need to get alive nutrition. By alive, I mean food that is as close to its natural state as possible. Alive foods occur naturally in nature and are grown in soil, water or come from the sea. Think about all your veggies, fish or even meat without additives. In contrast, avoid dead food. I define dead food as processed, packaged and artificially coloured food such as cheese flavoured snacks, meal replacement bars, TV dinners and candies. That kind of food contains series of synthetically derived ingredients that are mixed together into something that tastes ok, has a longer shelf life and actually does more harm than good to our health. Begin reading food labels- if an ingredient in it is not recognized as…
How to maximize the nutrition in grains, seeds and nuts
Grains, nuts, beans and seeds are packed with powerful nutrients that boost your health and immune system. Traditionally, people soaked these foods before cooking them to promote easier digestion. However, all grains, legumes, nuts and seeds contain anti-nutrients that require neutralization. Nuts and seeds contain enzyme inhibitors that block digestion. Grains and legumes contain phytic acid that can rob the body of important minerals like magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper and iron. Once enzyme inhibitors in nuts and seeds and phytic acid in grains and legumes get deactivated, your body gets to absorb all the powerful nutrients such as vitamin E, B6, niacin, folate, other powerful antioxidants and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, plant iron, calcium, copper, selenium, phosphate and potassium. Soaking will deactivate enzyme inhibitors in nuts and seeds and lower the phytic acid in grains and legumes. Use warm water to cover them up and one table spoon of…
Sprout yourself to health
Lets learn how to create the most potent greens at a fraction of cost: sprouts. Pound for pound, sprouts are the most nutritious food there is per dollar value. Regeneration and rejuvenation of our bodies is possible with robust immune system, nervous system free from interference, rest from our destructive habits, live food and maintaining inner sense of wellbeing. Sprouts are live foods. When seed germinates (sprouts) incredible flow of energy is released while natural chemical changes occur with production of enzymes that convert the concentrated nutrients into those needed by the growing plant. Sprouts are being transformed by nature into easily digested soluble compounds. Carbohydrates are transformed by the action of enzymes into simple sugars. Complex protein is converted into amino acids and fats are changed into fatty acids. Enzymes, amino acids, vitamins especially C, minerals, trace elements and chlorophyll are all being gifted to you from each sprout. …
Make your own milk
Did you know that you can make your own milk from seeds or nuts? This delicious vegan milk is loaded with bioavailable enzymes, minerals and vitamins. Seed Milk (use raw sunflower or raw pumpkin seeds) Ingredients 1 cup of seeds rinsed initially and then soaked for 8 to 24 hrs 4 cups of water 1 to 2 tablespoons of sweetener (optional)(maple syrup or soaked raisins/dates) 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional) Instructions: After the seeds have soaked, use hand power blender to blend them with water and sweetener of your choice. Strain through fine mesh strainer. Refrigerate up to 5 days For the left over strained and blended seeds, add juice from 1 lemon, 2 table spoons of honey to create a yummy spread. I hope you will enjoy this beverage and seed spread as much as I have.
The power of the dandelion
Dandelion is one of many bounties that nature provides to us in the spring. Dandelions are resilient and are on the list of most unwanted yard plants for many. However, they offer a lot of health benefits and even potential treatment for several types of cancer. I listed some studies for your references. The flowers have mild pain -relieving properties making them an excellent addition to a tea. The tea also detoxifies and cleans your blood. Dandelions are generally safe for most people, but if you have active gallstones, are on diuretics, are pregnant, nursing or on medication, check with your family doctor or pharmacist before consuming internally. If you’re allergic to dandelions, do not use them. For those who want to use our natural bounty, enjoy this tea recipe. Just make sure you pick those flowers in a place free from pesticides. Dandelion Tea Collect few handfuls of dandelion…
Get those pesticides off the fruits
We all heard that pesticides not only kill bees but also have determinantal effects on our health. They are known to kill our own gut microflora. Did you know that you can decrease pesticide exposure from food when you are unable to buy organic or biodynamic food? You can get rid of pesticides in the skin of fruits before ingesting them. According to researchers in the US who published their findings in Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry, soaking apples in baking soda removed all insecticide (phosmet) and fungicide (thiabenzadole) after 15 minutes. Some pesticides that absorb into the fruit cannot be effectively washed away. However, you can minimize your exposure from pesticides absorbed into the skin of the fruit. Earlier research also showed that rubbing the fruit for at least 30 seconds under tap water also reduces residue of many pesticides. Here is the recipe for the baking soda…
Breath of Health
At times life circumstances can challenge you to your core. Feeling anxious and stressed out is very common. You are not alone. Whenever you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, just stop, close your mouth and breathe through your nose. Focusing on breathing has the power to change your physiology, calm your mind so that you can stay centered, peaceful and connected despite chaos in the external environment. James Nestor in his book “Breath: The new science of a lost art” says that breathing affects the size and function of your lungs. It is a personal getaway to tune into your own nervous system, control your immune system and restore your health. Take a minute or two daily (or more if you like) to be conscious of your breathing. Take a deep breath through your nose for 6 seconds, and breathe out for 6 seconds. If you are in search of an…