Reader Comment and Question

I was unable to post a comment pertaining to Vitamin D. I take 4000IU daily. I also eat tilapia fish. My mom is a great cook so you know it''s YUMMY! I also eat Salmon. Of course with brown rice on the side. Can you tell me an alternative to cranberry juice. The juice is too acidic.

The kind of vitamin D that you take is important is it D3?  D3 seems to be the ones that doctors are advising.  I take D3 drops, however, the best way to get your D3 is by spending some time in the sun.  The sun helps the body to produce D3.  People stay out of the sun because they are afraid of skin cancer, but there are many habits to implement to prevent that.  Staying out of the sun isn't the best preventive step unless you are photosensitive.

Tilapia and Salmon are two of my favorites!  I'm not a fan of the salmon skin flavor wise, however, salmon skin are some of my favorite sushi rolls.  The skin is PACKED with iodine so I eat it when I can.  When I can't have salmon, I go with kelp granules for the iodine.  Like salmon, tilapia is high in omega-3.  It is also a significant source of B12 which is important.  The best part about tilapia, in my opinion, is that it is, as you put it, YUMMY!  It is a sweeter fish, so I just cook it in lemon juice.  I don't even bother with cooking oil.

As for the cranberry juice, I'm so sorry to hear that the acid is bothersome to you.  You aren't alone though.  It is always a good idea to alkalize the system.  Donna Gates talks about ways to do that in her book about the Body Ecology Diet.  Part of having a good body ecology is by alkalizing it.  When I had an acidic stomach, I also made it a habit to drink lots of aloe juice/gel.  It will heal whatever damage the acid did to the stomach.  While you are on your way to a better body ecology and/or if this doesn't help, there are always cranberry supplements.  I advise you to make sure there is no added sugar, soy or corn as fillers and make sure they use real cranberries.

I hope this helps!

USDA Watch

Please check out the article on the USDA Watch posted on the OCA website by clicking on the link below.  This will give a stronger idea of how our government has been invaded and corrupted by Monsanto.  The article even gives names of the people and details.  It's good for us to know who we are fighting against.

USDA Watch

The OCA (Organic Consumers Association)

The OCA is one of many organizations build to defend and lead us in the fight for our health freedom.  They are one of many organizations that I have suggested in Wellness Avenues.  Below is a video that reveal a little of their history and what their goals are.  Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Be Well My Friends!!!!!!!!

I am proud to announce that Be Well My Friends is celebrating its one year anniversary today on November 25th 2011!  Although I feel that I have much farther to go with this project, I'm proud that it came this far in just one year.  I've learned and grown so much in just the one year that I have worked on this site.  In this year to come, I'm looking forward to becoming healthier and more successful; for I dare to believe that by the end of it I will be both by far.

I want to thank all of my readers.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the support that you have given me and this site.  Your participation whether question, comment or furthermore is and always will be the most important part of this blog.

Just say it's your Birthday BWMF!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving everyone!  Gobble, gobble!

Coconut Kefir Question

This post is a request for advice from the readers.  Mostly I have questions for anyone who has made coconut kefir.  I've had a problem the past two times I've tried to make some.  The first time I believe I may have left it in the fridge for too long, the second time I may have let it ferment for too long.  Both times I started with a quart of sweet coconut water and I ended with a quart of what can only be described as a slime.  I'm not sure if it was consumable, but it certainly didn't look like it was.  If it is, it doesn't look very appetizing.

I have two questions.  Is it consumable when it becomes that consistency?  Even if it is, how do I prevent this from happening again?  Please email me or leave an answer on the comments below.

Sorry For The Inconsistent Blogging

Detoxing is never an easy process.  While detoxing, symptoms may be experienced (the most common that I've seen were headaches, runny nose and cough).  Because it is winter, the symptoms may be amplified.  In my case, however, the benefits of this detox program will far outweigh the disadvantages.  I'm currently going through a rather powerful detoxification process (under the collaborative guidance of two doctors).  Because I'm just starting, I'm experiencing some rather uncomfortable symptoms.  I've had headaches for the last couple of days and my eyes hurt.

I've been sternly told by not one but both doctors to drink plenty of clear fluids and rest.  My best friend and my husband have both given me and firm scolding for being out of bed a couple of times when I was doing dishes or something other than resting.  So it hasn't been easy to keep up with my much loved blog and taking care of my much loved household while trying to get some rest.  

I'm feeling better, so will be blogging over the next couple of days unless I really feel sick again.  I don't anticipate feeling very sick again because the worst of the symptoms are usually in the beginning and my symptoms are starting to decrease. 

The War on Vitamins (Part II)

As Americans we should all have the right to be healthy.  If one would like to find health by taking prescription drugs, that should be their choice.  If another seeks to find health by eating properly, that should be their choice.  If one seeks to find health by the use of supplements, that should be their choice. 

I posted a 5 minute and 19 second condensed version of Dr. Rima's presentation to remind everyone how important it is to let your voice be heard.  We have 10 more days to fight this draft guidance insanity.  Please click on the link below and take action!

The War on Vitamins

Consumer Information Overview of Dietary Supplements

Many people don't know about DSHEA, or what it is.  I myself didn't know what DSHEA was until this year.  DSHEA is the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994.  It was designed to protect our rights to supplements from things like this draft guidance law that the FDA is trying to pass.  If it passes, then our nutrients need to be "pre-approved" by the FDA before it hits the market.  Our supplements, under DSHEA are being regulated by a system that is strong, stable and trust worthy; not to mention that it has been around since 1994 and it's doing fine.  The new system that the FDA is trying to implement will make it very easy for companies like Monsanto/Codex Alimentarius to take our nutrients away because they have corrupted the system with their lawyers and lobbyists.

To learn more about DSHEA and how it works for us, see the link below.

Consumer Information Overview of Dietary Supplements

 

The War on Vitamins

The FDA is at it again, trying to "protect" us that is.  Once again our much loved DSHEA is under attack.  The FDA would love to implement the draft guidance which could stand in the way of people getting the nutrients that they need to maintain good health, gain good health or get their good health back.

Dr. Rima warned us that one day we may wake up to find that nutrients are illegal; like heroine is illegal.  Sounds crazy, huh?  Why would the government try to outlaw nutrients?  Perhaps in order to become Codex compliant?  My personal question is, what does Codex have on the government?  They are obviously working for the nutricide movement, but why?  Just look at what has been happening:  Judge Patrick J Fielder ruled against one's right to consume raw milk in Wisconsin (before he left that position and started working for Monsanto's law firm), next the FDA (who's food safety czar is Michael R. Taylor, former lawyer/lobbyist for Monsanto) wants to get rid of DSHEA, then there is the food safety modernization act to deny us the right to save seeds.  Imagine a world, where we didn't have the right to consume real milk, supplements were too expensive for most people and we couldn't even save the seeds to grow our own organic gardens.  It doesn't sound like the land of the free and the home of the brave to me.

Make no mistake, this is a HUGE threat to our health freedom.  DSHEA was designed to protect our right to nutrients and now it's under attack.  We have 13 more days to do something about this.  Let your voice be heard!  Go to the link below and fight! 

The War on Vitamins

Indoor Garden

I'm collecting compost for my garden next year.  I'm pretty excited about it, but I'm also a little nervous.  I'm hoping my black thumb is starting to turn a little green.  If my thumb is green enough next year, I could probably try this project that Patty Moreno shares.

Magnesium In Food

In an attempt to raise my magnesium intake, I mentioned eating more foods like pumpkin seeds.  Another food that is rich with magnesium is brewers yeast (below is the brand that I use).  In fact, it made the top 10 list (from a previous post) in a way.  Brewers yeast did not make the list directly, but it is made from molasses which is #9. 

I believe I wrote about brewers yeast in a few posts.  I love to sprinkle it on my bread and now that I've found a rice that I can eat, I sprinkle it on that as well.  For me, it has a flavor that took some getting used to at first.  Once I found foods like rice and bread that compliment it's flavor, I would sprinkle it on those foods generously.  Two tablespoons equals one helping, so I'm trying to come up with more foods that I can enjoy it with. 

If you have any recipe suggestions, remember that all questions, comments and furthermores are always welcome.

Wild Rice

I mentioned in a previous post how I was very sad when I had to wipe short grain brown rice off of my menu choices.  Rice was an important part of the vegan meals that I would serve some nights.  Neither my husband nor I are vegan, however, we enjoy vegan meals occasionally.

The best things about vegan meals are that it gives us some more variety and it saves us a few dollars.  Wild rice, however, doesn't happen to be as cheap as the short grain brown rice that I used to enjoy; so it will not save as much money as brown rice used to.   It is cheaper than constantly buying meat, however, so we will still be spending less and eating well thanks to our new discovery.

Big Biz Duo Problems

The food industry and the pharmaceutical industry both have a history of pretending to be our allies.  Because both industries are powerful and influential, I wish I could believe in them. 

I've had illnesses that the pharmaceutical industry has made a fortune on:  depression, fibroids, ADD and fatigue are just a few.  I KNOW that I've been lied to.  The healthcare providers who told me the lies may not be the actual liars, but what they were telling me were lies none the less.  There were healthier and more potent ways to treat my illnesses, but I've been mocked for even saying so.  Even my family was scared to death the first couple times I chose alternative methods to treat my illnesses for they believed in the many lies that they were told about naturopathy.  Even now they sometimes forget how long the pharmaceutical industry has been looking at the back of my head as I run toward better methods of treatment and became healthier because of it. 

The part of the food industry that is provided by Big Agrobiz hasn't seen me from a much different perspective either.  Healthy food keeps me away from the doctor's office.  When I need the doctor despite my efforts, the doctors that I choose usually help me fight disease in a way that helps my whole body get healthier.

As Americans, we need to take a closer look at what we do to our health on a daily basis.  We need to look at the foods that we call healthy.  As a matter of fact, we need to look at the foods that we call food in the first place.  If these are foods that are driving us to the doctor's office, and if the doctor's office is prescribing drugs and if the drugs that we take are making it necessary for us to take more drugs, don't you think it is time to ask some questions?

What You Should Know About Medication

No one, including Dr. Joseph Mercola who presented the video below, is out to ban medications even if that were possible.  Medication can be a necessary evil for some and it would be unwise to ban pharmaceutical drugs.  I believe all if not most physicians would agree with me on this one.  What I believe Mercola and other responsible physicians are trying to help others understand is that medication is unfortunately often not used responsibly.  For example, antibiotics and psychotropic drugs (mainly antidepressants) are two of the most prescribes drugs on the market.  According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, Americans need antibiotics about 10% of the times they are prescribed.  Psychotropic drugs, as far as many psychological professionals can see, are never a cure.  It is possible to treat depression to cure without drugs (as well as, OCD, ADD/ADHD and many other conditions) but psychiatrists quickly medicate without much thought in this country.  This is where I have a problem with medication.

Science tends to be on the side of most naturopathic doctor's practices.  Regardless, naturopathic care is made to look as though it is invalid for a variety of reasons.  Naturopathic doctors are all trained to prescribe medication in case it is necessary.  In some states they are not to prescribe medication despite their training.  Most of them almost never prescribe medication anyway, however, the ones that live in the states that allow them to prescribe medication do make use of prescription meds sometimes.  Prescription meds, for some, are unavoidable, however, there are ways to decrease the need for it.  I believe most people could go through their entire life never needing it.  Unfortunately, the Big Pharma will have us believing otherwise and THAT'S where there is a problem.

The following is a presentation that is a great way to present my problem with over-medicating America.  I'm sad for the people who still don't see it; for the numbers seem say it all.

Acai The Superfood

This post may be informative for women of reproductive age, but it may also be useful information for a man who is married to a woman of reproductive age.

Acai is a superfood for many reasons.  One reason in particular drove me to run to the health food store to pick some up.  A girlfriend of mine recently told me that she started drinking liquid acai as a supplement because when taken daily before her cycle, she found that she had far fewer symptoms before and during her cycle.  I don't usually just take things upon a person's word like that (unless it is my doctor), but acai is a very nutrient dense food so I really couldn't lose taking a chance on it.  I usually drink a shot glass of acai in a glass of milk (raw milk) or homemade yogurt with two shots of pineapple juice or a spoonful of honey to sweeten it.  Whether it is doing what I would like for it to or not, I'm not going to deny that it is yummy!  On top of it's tasty quality, it is, as I've mentioned before, nutrient dense.

I was able to go out for a run the other day despite the fact that I was a bit tired.  I felt better after the run.  I'm not sure if the acai alone helped me, or if the running alone helped me or if they were both helping me in that respect; one thing for certain is that they are both helpful to my body in many other ways.

I will be sure write follow ups on how I'm doing with it, but so far I enjoy it very much.

NRDC: Mercury Contamination in Fish - Consumer Guide to Mercury in Fish

My doctor recommended sardines to help with raising my vitamin D. I happen to enjoy sardines very much, they are among my favorite things to snack on. I'm just sad that if I eat sardines that it must be out of a can. If I could enjoy fresh sardines or sardines out of a glass jar, I would eat it daily!

My old doctor strongly suggested the avoidance of caned foods. Because I had been doing that anyway, it wasn't that difficult... except when it came to sardines. Sardines were VERY difficult to avoid entirely and even more now because I need the nutrients that it possesses. It makes me so sad that we are at the point where we have to search on Google and spend an insane amount of money for high quality food. Food is suppose to nourish us and keep disease away, but that isn't the way we treat or regard food... at least not in the US.

The one thing that I'm happy about is that at least I don't need to worry too much about mercury. Sardines are a type of fish that contains very low levels of mercury and it is okay to enjoy it often according to the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). Check out the link below and see which list your favorite fish falls into.

NRDC: Mercury Contamination in Fish - Consumer Guide to Mercury in Fish

November's Book

Vandana Shiva has become one of my favorite people in a very short period of time.  She is one of many who are fighting for the right to own seeds again.  For in India, where she is from, there are many farmers who DON'T have that right.  Although we in the US may have that right now, there is a chance that it may be taken from us. 

I thought of doing a double feature last month, but after much debate with myself, I decided on Jeffery Smith.  This month I wanted to take the opportunity to suggest Shiva's book.  She is known for driving many very valuable points home when it comes to GE foods and the riches of soil and seed.  So enjoy "Stolen Harvest" by Vandana Shiva.  I have no doubt that this book will bring a new and most profound perspective to all who read it.

Why I Fight For My Health Freedom Part IV

Gardasil is a vaccine that is suppose to prevent the HPV virus.  Honestly, I would rather get the HPV virus because it is treatable.  Because HPV is treatable, I consider the vaccine completely unnecessary.  I have done some research on Gardasil and it has caused several injuries and deaths.  Parents (or patients in the case of the poor young woman in the video below) need to be given all of the benefits AND risks of vaccines so that they can make an informed choice.  If they do not want to take the gamble, that should also be their choice.  Mandating vaccines is getting way out of hand.  It's unfair and it's very frightening that it can potentially make people sick, but we give and get these shots without knowing all that there is to know.  I'm glad for the people who survive vaccines, but those who didn't and loved ones of those who didn't are now saying the same thing about informed consent.

To all the mothers who lost a daughter because of Gardasil, I grieve for your loss.  I am so terribly sorry and I am in this fight with you!  If you are one who is trying to be the voice of your daughter, I will do what I need to in order to be certain that you are heard.  I will also be their voices.  I will tell people what I know in the hopes of saving a life.  Know that she did not die in vain.

The young woman in the video wasn't given correct information.  She wasn't informed that HPV is a sexually transmitted disease.  She was made to be afraid not to take the vaccine, but she wasn't made aware of the possible risks.  Did this doctor who gave her incomplete information take responsibility for what is happening to her?

The following video moves me to tears every time I see it. 

Why I Fight For My Health Freedom Part III

Vaccines are suppose to save lives.  I believe that some of them have the potential to do just that.  Unfortunately, I am scared to death of all of them; for there is controversy that came from a combination of things.  First, there are ingredients added to vaccines that are both harsh and unnecessary.  Because of this, taking vaccines are always a gamble.  One must contemplate taking chances with the vaccine or with the disease.  Second, there is the abuse of power by Big Pharma mandating that ALL children must be vaccinated in some states.  This takes away a parent's right to choose.  If parents are the ones gambling, they should be the ones to decide where to take their chances.  It is perfectly understandable when someone would rather take their chances with the vaccine and it's good that the vaccine is available for those parents.  Considering that babies have died from vaccine poisoning, however, parents should ALSO have the right to choose against giving their child the vaccine.  Third, there is an issue with the irresponsible use of vaccines.  For example, babies are just given shots.  There is no informed consent, no allergy testing and no safety testing.  To make matters worse, strong evidence that there is a significant link between autism and thimerosal (a preservative used in vaccines) was presented to NIH by Dr. Boyd Haley but was blatantly ignored.

The pharmaceutical industry is responsible for several hundred thousand (or more) injuries and deaths in the USA; many of those are caused by vaccines.  Not nearly as many children suffered from ADD, autism or brain damage 30 years ago and there weren't very many shots given back then either.  If autism and ADD is all that I had to worry about compared to diphtheria or smallpox, however, I would take my chances with the vaccine.  Unfortunately, that's not all that I have to worry about.  I don't even want to know how many babies like Ian are killed every year from vaccine injury.  Who is Ian?  Please click on Ian's Voice below and take a look.  I'm sorry if the pictures are graphic.

Ian's Voice 

Why I Fight For My Health Freedom Part II

Production of food is necessary to feed the world; I understand that.  It is important to produce and distribute in enormous quantities so we could all eat.  I just feel that the way it is being done today, it comes at a terrible cost. 

The top dogs in the food industry aren't interested in feeding the world, they are interested in getting paid for feeding the world.  The use of Big Biotechna to speedily grow chickens for example, creates sickly chickens and sickly meat.  Many small farmers who are willing to do the job right were attacked because Big Biotechna and Big Agribiz don't want competition.  They know people like me would rather give our bucks to the small farmer who plays his cards smart.  Instead of creating a better product, their way of eliminating competition is via political corruption.  This is not right.  When the small farmer's rights are violated like that, so are the rights of consumers like me who would rather buy from them.

I know there are people working for the above businesses (both the food and pharmaceutical industries as stated in part I of this post) who are genuinely looking out for everyone's welfare.  I believe that there are people who truly believe that this is the best way to go.  Sometimes it takes someone on the other side of that story to offer another point of view.  For example, many politicians are worried of the dangers of raw milk, however, raw milk was one of the best things that has ever happened to my health and many others would say the same or raw milk consumption would not have risen by 32% last year.  Also, antidepressants are said to be the way to go when one is depressed.  I know depression is an illness that is very real and very horrible.  From personal experience, however, I know that it isn't the only way to go.  So you see, there is another side to those stories.  Because of this, I believe we should be given the power to choose.

Why I Fight For My Health Freedom Part I

There is a reason why I am frightened by the power of the pharmaceutical industry and the power of the food industry.  I remember the daunting years of being enslaved to my illnesses.  If I left it up to the world of Big Pharma and Big Agribiz, I fear that I would have never even seen the opportunity to get well.  It just makes me sad that these are industries that are suppose to be looking out for our health, and they are so focused on the all mighty dollar that they turn a blind eye to where they can be better.

There are many naturopathic doctors who admit that pharmaceuticals are sometimes absolutely necessary for healing.  When it is made to look as though drugs are the only answer, however, there is a problem.  Unfortunately, I believe that pharmaceuticals are not everything that they are presented to be.  For example, when health officials come knocking on the doors of Sacramento residents with nurses and lists of children who were not vaccinated and they are ready to give a child a shot whether the parents like it or not, that goes beyond abuse, invasion of privacy and violation of rights.

Top 10 Foods Highest in Magnesium

I was saying in an earlier post that I have too much calcium in my blood. There is a possibility that this is so because my magnesium is low. My magnesium level always been in question. A former acupuncturist had reason to believe that my magnesium was low. This is puzzling to me now that I have an idea of which foods are high in magnesium. Cashews and brown rice are among the top ten foods that are highest in magnesium. I used to eat tons of brown rice and cashews. Brown rice was something I had almost every night for dinner. It was just the easiest starchy carbohydrate to cook. So when I had little time to cook, which was often, I would just make brown rice. Cashews were a favorite snack of mine. I used to eat tons of organic raw unsalted cashews; for it was like candy to me. I can no longer eat rice OR cashews because they both were reasons for a constant problem with upset stomach in the past. I'm not implying that brown rice and cashews are bad foods, they are actually wonderful foods that are very high in magnesium. I'm simply sharing that unfortunately my body doesn't process them very well.

The article that I posted lists 10 foods that are highest in magnesium.  I hope you find this informative.

Top 10 Foods Highest in Magnesium

Food, Supplements, Medicine... And The Difference Is...???

My diet wasn't very different from the average American diet once upon a time.  I used to eat the fast foods and the processed junk with the high sugar content.  Obesity wasn't my battle, but illness was.  There is so much that we don't know about real food.  There is also so much that we don't know about the food we eat on a daily basis.

If health isn't a priority then buying real food doesn't seem practical or feasible.  To many who believe that food is food then buying organic, for example, can seem financially  irresponsible.  Many don't understand that processed food can lead to obesity and illness while organic food, having higher nutritional content, can do the opposite.  My family used to get very upset with me because of the amount that I paid for food once upon a time.  They didn't understand that I was just tired of being sick and I was simply running in a different direction.  A Bastyr graduate (who is now a physician) reminds us that we pay for our health everyday.  "You are going to have to pay somebody.  You can pay your grocer or you can pay your doctor." she stressed to future physicians from the Southwest School of Naturopathic Medicine.  

I recently had my blood analyzed.  Although there were some things that I need to work on, for example, I have too much calcium in my blood, overall, I was very happy with the results.  I was especially happy considering that I don't take supplements; at least not any of the conventional kinds.  I eat Salba seeds, brewer's yeast and kelp, but I consider them to be foods.  Food, supplements and medicine, however, have very close ties with one another in my world.  "Let food be your medicine and let medicine be your food" Hypocrites tells us.  The way that I have been eating recently, food, medicine and supplements have all  been one in the same.  To be honest, I didn't think that it was possible once upon a time, but I've proven to myself that Hypocrites was right after all!  

Labeling of GE Food Products

I've been asked about why I am so passionate about fighting Monsanto.  My answer is very simple.  I've been very sick in the past and discovered that the food I ate had much to do with that.  Monsanto doesn't have anything genuine to offer; except genuine illness.

In my early adulthood, I started to change my eating habits.  I started to eat more organic foods and less processed foods.  I also started to use non toxic household and cosmetic products like dish detergent and soaps.  To be honest, I didn't feel a difference... at first!  I remember the first time I ate a bowl of ice cream after I cut it from my diet for a whole year.  I was drinking organic milk at the time and I was eating significantly fewer processed foods.  After I had that bowl of ice cream, I had terrible fatigue for a whole week.  It boarderlined a depressive episode, for I was in bed for days unable to do very much.  That was when I learned that my body DOES react to fake food.  That was when I had a tiny, but important glimpse of what the food industry was and that health was NOT their top priority.
 
Monsanto is NOT a friend!  They have lied, cheated and killed all for the sake of making a dollar or saving a dollar.  I don't trust them for a second to make rules that will directly affect my health which is why we need to get them out of the political world; for they are not in the political world to help us.  Monsanto only acts to help Monsanto.

Tell the rBGH Profiteers Why You Buy Organic to Avoid Genetically Modified Bovine Growth Hormone

I think that it is hilarious how Monsanto scientists started buying organic milk after Posilac was distributed.  The latest news on Posilac was that they may bag it.  So at least milk won't be as poisonous as it is now.    I still wouldn't touch store bought milk with a 10 foot pole either way anyway.  I enjoy my raw milk very much.  I wish there was a way that I could help Wisconsin regain their rights to raw milk.  I feel that the rule against the consumption of raw milk is unconstitutional.  Hopefully, the fight to regain that right shouldn't take very long.

Tell the rBGH Profiteers Why You Buy Organic to Avoid Genetically Modified Bovine Growth Hormone

Weight Loss Part II

The journey toward "getting healthy" and permanent weight loss, in my experience, will involve a full habitual make-over.  People must refuse the fake foods, start eating the real foods and start an exercise program (preferably an enjoyable one).  This journey also involves learning how to prepare things at home.  For example, it is helpful to learn how to make quick snacks and full meals out of authentic food.  Exercise is an essential part of this program as well because it will not only turn the body into a fat burner, but it will also turn the body into a walking disease repellant.  Exercise, however, is a journey in itself.  I often try to find activities that are fun (biking, rollerblading, aerobic dance...).  When one finds the exercise that they love to do, there is no motivation or discipline necessary to get it done because they want to do it!  Therefore, one will do it as often as one can.

My chiropractor puts his overweight patients on something he calls "The Healing Diet" which involves very low carbohydrate intake among other things.  If there is a "diet" that I would recommend to someone for weight loss, it would be this one.  Some people actually need this diet because their leptin no longer functions properly.  This diet can help heal the functions of leptin.  Once they get their leptin under control and they have turned their obese bodies into healthy, fat burning machines; they can eat carbohydrates again.  They don't gain the weight back because they learn what real carbohydrates are (fruit, potatoes, grains...) and they will refuse the fake stuff (trans fat, high fructose corn syrup, GMOs...).

These aren't the easiest programs to get on board with because one must change habits, thought patterns and budgets.  All I can say is that it works beautifully and there are many benefits to it besides weight loss.

Weight Loss Part I

In my experience, if one wants to lose weight they will need to make changes in their daily habits especially where food is concerned.  I believe that some diets have their place, but not for weight loss.  The only exception to this is what my chiropractor calls "The Healing Diet" and that's an exception because his patients learn proper eating habits before and during the diet.  When the diet is no longer needed, his patients don't go back to their old eating habits so they keep the weight off.

Because of our fast paced lifestyle we rely on fast foods or processed foods.  These foods are cheap, easy to prepare, on our plates in a lickety-split but often posses all three benefits.  I don't regard these refined foods as real food.  Real food nourishes the body.  Refined foods aren't made to nourish the body as much as they are made to please the senses, kill the hunger drive and make big money for big corporations. 

There are many ways to lose weight, however, the overweight individual who desires to lose weight needs to be aware of what they want.  Do they want to lose weight or do they want to get healthy?  If the individual wants to lose weight, then I am not the best person to work with them.  The ones who want to get healthy, however, tend to reap the most benefits from my program.

So What's For Supper?

This presentation says so much more than I ever have about why subsidizing food is a really bad idea.  I have a new respect for organic farmers.  I also have new and tremendous respect for my dairy farmer.  I also have great pity for conventional farmers.  The integrity of  food has been grossly flouted.  Not only have we made a mockery of nutrition and health, but we are reaping the disadvantages for doing so.

As a devoted Christian, I give thanks to God for my food.  I remember the very last time I said thanks for food that wasn't real food and I remember that it simply didn't feel right to ask for God to bless it.  As I proceeded to eat what was before me, I knew that I wasn't about to nourish my body.  I just didn't think about the fact that I was about to bring myself closer to illness and death.

I didn't realize how powerful the food industry was.  It is frighteningly powerful.  Those of you who know what food is, we need to keep a close eye on the bigger industries so that we will still have the right to real food.  This is one of the longer presentations so get out your fuzzy slippers and popcorn (but make sure the popcorn is organic) and enjoy!


Food INC | Subtitulado Español from Humanidad en Transicion on Vimeo.