How to Choose the Best Probiotic for You

Kerrie Bross Dr. Mercola, Probiotics , ,

Best_probiotic

The benefits of probiotics have been known for thousands of years. The use of fermented foods for intestinal and digestive problems was written about in ancient Rome, the Middle East and Asia. People knew to use probiotics for health before they ever knew probiotics were the beneficial part of the fermented foods.

Today, information on probiotics is all over the internet. Some of it is conflicting information, so, how do you know which probiotic to choose? Below, we’ll discuss the different kinds of probiotics and what ingredients to avoid to help you choose the best probiotic supplement for you.

Probiotic Basics: The Tried & True

probiotic_foodsThere are many microorganisms that have the distinction of being probiotic. Many of these are native to our digestive tract, while others do a wonderful job once they get there. The first probiotics that were identified were the lactobacillus strains back in the late 1800s. These are found naturally in the human gut and fermented d foods like yogurt and sauerkraut. The Lactobacillus strains that are most prominent are L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. Casei, and L. johnsonii. Lactobacillus strains have been used to aid GI problems since their discovery. They are tried and true, but some studies show that they don’t often live through to the lower intestines, getting killed off by stomach acid and bile salts. For better longevity, make sure your Lactobacillus probiotics are combined with bifidobacteria and prebiotics.

Bifidobacteria strains are also naturally found in the human gut and were identified very early on in probiotic research. They are necessary for a healthy gut. As with Lactobacillus strains, the Bifodobacterium don’t have a great survival rate in the stomach Mercola_Complete_Probioticsand small intestines, so make sure to take a probiotic supplement with strains from both that also contains prebiotics for better survival in the upper GI. We like Mercola Complete Probiotics because it fits all these criteria, and is free of all potentially harmful fillers I’ll discus shortly. It contains 9 strains of Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium probiotics, along with prebiotics, and was formulated to be resistant to bile salt and acid breakdown.

Probiotic Basics: The Powerful Newcomers

In recent years, a new form of probiotic supplements has emerged that addresses the problem of survival in the stomach and small intestines. Within the last ten years, soil based probiotics have taken the market by storm. Soil-based organisms, or SBOs, are actually spores and are sometimes called spore-forming bacteria or spore-forming probiotics. Though they are not native to our gut, they develop a symbiotic relationship once there and have been shown to be very beneficial.

While soil-based probiotics have not been popular for long, humans have been eating SBO’s as long as there have been humans. Ancient humans used to ingest lots of SBOs in their diets naturally from eating fruit, vegetables, roots and whatever they gathered. Preindustrialized people ate freshly farmed food and worked and played in the dirt. The rise in processed food production, modern urbanization and the rampant use of pesticides have left our diets virtually devoid of these hearty, beneficial bacteria – so much so that a soil-based probiotic supplement is a very good idea.

The characteristic that put soil-based probiotics in the limelight over the past years is their ability to survive better into and through the intestines without any special treatment or coatings. Also, they are very shelf stable in heat and cold, which makes them easy to store and safe for travel.

Prescript_Assist_soil-based_probioticsAt Nourishing World, we sell a few very good soil-based probiotics. The one I take daily and the only probiotic I have ever tried that keeps me regular is Prescript-Assist. It contains 29 strains of microflora and prebiotics to ensure viability throughout the entire digestive tract. Five years of double-blind, university clinical trials showed Prescript Assist can:

  • Ease abdominal discomfort, nausea, and indigestion
  • Regulate bowel patterns
  • Keep the gastrointestinal tract healthy
  • Decrease bloating and flatulence
  • Restore healthy microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract
  • Promote overall health

Latero-Flora_soil-based_probioticsBecause what works best for one person may not for another, we sell a couple other soil-based and spore-forming probiotics. Global Healing Center’s Latero Flora is a single strain of microflora shown to naturally inhibit a number of pathogens including candida. Research shows that Latero-Flora has significant effectiveness in easing gastrointestinal symptoms as well as food sensitivities, while enhancing digestive efficiency.

just_Thrive_spore_forming_probioticsThe newest probiotic to grace our shelves is just Thrive Probiotic & Antioxidant. This brand is different because it markets itself as a spore-forming probiotic instead of soil-based. What’s more, it was formulated to stay in the gut for the entire 21 day life cycle. This means the microflora has time to colonize in the gut, where it can revitalize digestive bacteria, restore immune balance and aid in the creation of powerful disease-fighting antioxidants for a healthy body and mind.

What to Avoid in Probiotic Supplements

Because there are so many choices of good supplements on the market, it is hard to narrow down choices. Here is a list of ingredients to avoid when purchasing any supplement, including probiotics. I recommend avoiding these because they are questionable at best, and some have been shown to cause serious health problems.

Flow Agents – Look for magnesium stearate, steric acid, vegetable stearate and other stearates. Another flow agent to avoid is Magnesium Silicate. These are added simply to speed up the processing of supplements – without regard for the harm they may cause. There is a ton of controversy all over the web about their safety and their potential harm to humans.

Artificial Colors – I don’t think I need to discuss the many potential side effects of artificial colors. We try to avoid them in food, so try to avoid them in supplements, as well.

Titamium Dioxide – This is a metal used in supplements and cosmetics as a pigment. It has been linked to problems with immune function. Avoid any supplement with this ingredient.

Fundamentals of Taking Probiotics

People often ask what is the best time of day to take probiotics and is it best to take them with food or without. Taking probiotics at any time, with or without food is going to benefit you, but for maximum benefit, take it within 30 minutes of eating something with at least a little bit of healthy fat.

relaxing_yogaThe best time of day to take probiotics for maximum benefit seems to be individual. Ideally, you should take them when you will be able to relax and be stress free for a few hours. For many, this is around bedtime. But, some people may be early risers who get up and have a nice relaxing morning. These people may get the maximum benefit taking their probiotic supplement during their morning routine. I take mine in the morning because that is when it fits in my schedule. I notice the benefits when I do this, so I know it’s working. I rarely remember to take supplements at night, so even though that may be the best time of day for me to take them, if I forget to take them they do me no good. As I stated earlier, taking them at any time of day can be beneficial. With a little experimentation and some willingness to pay attention to your body, you can find out what the best time of day is for you. Or take them when it’s convenient – you will still benefit.

There are a couple things most experts agree on when supplementing with probiotics.

  1. Probiotics should be taken during and after a round of antibiotics. Antibiotics do not discriminate between good and bad microflora and kill off everything, leaving the body devoid of beneficial bacteria along with the infection. One article I read for this post said it can take over a year for our bodies to completely rebuild the healthy bacteria colonies after a single round of antibiotic treatment. With supplementation, this time frame can be greatly reduced.
  2. Don’t take probiotics within two hours of taking antibiotics (or supplements with strong antibiotic properties). Lets face it, if you’re taking antibiotics, your probiotics are not going to work optimally. Every time you take an antibiotic pill or the pink goo you will kill some microflora. To give the probiotics a fighting chance to get into your system for a bit, you want to make sure you have a two hour window on both sides. If you are taking antibiotics morning and night, then take probiotics two hours after the antibiotics so it has many hours to work before you take the antibiotics again.

Most people I know don’t eat fermented foods daily. I don’t eat fermented foods daily, so I take a good probiotic supplement (Prescript Assist) to help maintain a healthy digestive tract and improve my immune system. If you’re like me, and don’t eat fermented foods daily, then supplementing with a good probiotic is a good idea for you, too.

 

How to Cope with Zucchini Overflow or What to Make With an Abundance of Zucchini.

Nourishing World Recipes , , ,

Paleo_zucchini_recipes

If you have a vegetable garden then this has probably happened to you. One day you go out and everything is still too small to pick. You go back what seems like only a couple days later and you have zucchini the size of baseball bats! Well, that happened to us this week, so we’ve had an abundance of zucchini to eat and give away. We tried a few new recipes and adapted a few old recipes to bring you some great Paleo, Primal, and Gluten Free recipes for all that squash.

Spiralized Zucchini spiralized_zucchini_recipes

OK, I don’t know how I ever lived without a spiralizer before. This handy little gadget turns all kinds of vegetables into long strings that are similar in width to spaghetti. I bought a $30 professional grade one at Bed Bath & Beyond. The low end models there started at $20 and were all plastic. I thought for $10 more, the professional one had a lot more metal pieces and looked sturdier. I love spiralized zucchini! It is very versatile and easy to eat raw. Below are 3 recipes we made in the last few days as we went a little crazy with the spiralized zucchini. I also spiralized a summer squash that was a bit hard because it sat on the plant too long. This worked great, also – perfect way to use hard summer squash.

Before we get into the recipes, let me give a little advice about how to spiralize squash. If you have huge pieces like we did, then cut them as long as you can to fit your spiralizer. Make sure you have an end piece on the end closest to the handle, or it can dig into the soft part with the seeds and just makes a hole there instead of pushing the vegetable into the blade. If this happens, don’t fret too much, you just have to hand spin it without the handle. The spiralized zucchini noodles still come out great!

Spiralized Zucchini with Paleo Meat Sauce

Recipe inspired by jaysbakingmecrazy.com

Paleo_meat_sauceIngredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 organic red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 pounds grass fed ground beef
  • 1 29oz can of plain tomato sauce
  • 1 14.5 ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
  • 1 Tb Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 7-8 cups of raw spiralized zucchini (One extra large zucchini or 3-5 smaller ones)

Directions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan on medium heat. Add the crushed garlic and saute for a minute to release the flavor. Make sure not to brown or burn the garlic.
  2. Add the bell pepper and saute until softened.
  3. Add the ground beef and cook until brown. Break up any large chunks.
  4. I had quite a lot of oil in my browned meat, so I removed some. To remove or not is your preference. Leave some for flavor.
  5. Add in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, coconut aminos, and spices. Stir well and cook for 20 minutes for the flavors to mix.
  6. Serve over spiralized squash. I like my spiralized zucchini raw, but if you want it warm, quickly rinse it in hot water. It gets mushy if you overcook it and makes for poor consistency as spaghetti.

Shrimp Scampi Over Spiralized Squash

Paleo_shrimp_scampiIngredients

  • 1 pound large raw wild caught shrimp, shelled & deveined
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp grass-fed butter
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup white cooking wine
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 7-8 cups of spiralized zucchini (One very large zucchini or 3-5 smaller ones)

Directions

  1. Heat a saute pan. Add the butter and olive oil. When the butter melts, add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Saute for just a minute to soften and release flavors – don’t let it burn!
  2. Add the shrimp and wine. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer and cook 3-4 minutes on each side – until they’re good and pink all the way through. The heat should be high enough so the sauce is bubbling, but not burning.
  3. Once cooked and the wine reduced a bit, remove from heat and add the lemon juice, parsley and black pepper. Toss to combine all flavors.
  4. Serve over raw or slightly cooked zucchini noodles. Enjoy!

Spiralized Zucchini Greek Salad

Primal_Greek_salad_recipeIngredients

  • 2 Tbs  extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbs organic lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 tsp crushed garlic
  • 1/8 tsp dry mustard
  • 2-3 Tbs red onion, diced small
  • 2-3 zucchini spiralized, about 4 cups
  • 1/2 large organic tomato, diced
  • 1/2 organic cucumber, diced
  • 15 kalamata olives, halved
  • 2 oz feta cheese, cubed or crumbled
  • 2 Tbs chopped organic raw pecans

Directions

  1. Whisk the first seven ingredients together for the dressing. Add the onion and set aside for the flavors to combine.
  2. Spiralize, chop and combine all other ingredients.
  3. Pour the dressing over the veggies and cheese and enjoy!

Paleo French Meat Pie Stuffed Zucchini

Paleo_stuffed_zucchini_recipeMy Mémère used to make the best French meat pies. That tradition has been passed to my aunt, and this year I made a few. I’ve altered the recipe a bit to include sweet potatoes instead of regular white potatoes and added celery for the stuffing. I also only used grass-fed ground beef instead of a combination of ground pork and beef. The rest of the recipe is all Mémère’s. Hope you like it as much as we did!

Stuffing Ingredients

  • 2 lbs grass-fed ground beef
  • 1/2 large onion, diced
  • 2 Tbs grass-fed butter
  • 2 medium organic sweet potatoes
  • 1 tsp Bells Poultry Seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Peel, boil and mash the sweet potatoes. Don’t add anything to the potatoes. Set aside
  2. Heat a large skillet to medium high heat. Melt the butter and saute the onion and celery until the onion is translucent.
  3. Add hamburger and cook until meat is no longer pink, stirring often to break up the large chunks. Add a little water if it starts to get dry.
  4. Add 1/2 the mashed sweet potatoes. Check the consistency. You want just enough to hold it together. Add more if needed. You may not use all of it.
  5. Add the cloves, salt and pepper, and poultry seasoning. This part is really to taste, so feel free to change the measurements.
  6. Grab your zucchini. Slice in half the long way and scoop out the seeds. I used one XL zucchini because that is what I had. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. You may have to slice a bit off the bottom to get it to sit flat on the tray.
  7. Spoon the stuffing into the zucchini, overflowing it.
  8. Cover with foil and cook at 350° until the zucchini is tender, but not mushy. My XL zucchini took close to 1 hour, but smaller ones should be checked after 1/2 hour or so. Remove from oven, slice and serve.

Paleo Zucchini Bread

recipe from theroastedroot.net

Paleo_zucchini_bread_recipeCan’t do a zucchini recipe post without a good zucchini bread.  I like chocolate chips in my zucchini bread, so I added it to the recipe. This recipe is great with a cup of coffee for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs lightly beaten
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup full fat canned coconut milk or almond milk
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1-1/2 cups grated zucchini 1 medium zucchini squash
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1 cup tapioca flour
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 Tbs ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 cup Enjoy Life Chocolate chips, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375° and use coconut oil to lightly oil a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan.
  2. Grab a medium mixing bowl and whisk together the first five ingredients until well-combined. Add in the grated zucchini and stir until well combined.
  3. In a separate mixing bowl, stir together the remaining ingredients (except the chocolate chips), the dry ingredients.
  4. Pour the flour mixture into the bowl with the wet ingredients and stir to combine. Add chocolate chips, and gently stir. Allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Place on the center rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until loaf tests clean in the center.
  6. Remove the loaf from the oven and cool for at least 20 minutes. Turn the bread out onto a cutting board and enjoy with butter and honey.

According to This Walkabout Emu Oil User, Magic is Real!

Kerrie Bross emu oil, Westin A. Price Foundation , ,

Walkabout_Emu_Oil_Sale

We recently received a rave review for Walkabout Emu Oil and wanted to share it with our readers.

Walkabout Emu Oil Testimonial – “Magic is Real!”

This testimonial is courtesy of one of our customers, John Giustra.

“My daughter, Jennifer Kozek, gave me 4 bottles of your Emu oil. I’ve used two bottles so far. I’m 73 with severe pain in my hips and arm, and most debilitating for me in the neck. After 10 days, I noticed a remarkable improvement in all areas. I’d been using traction for my neck, not needed now – well only used it once since the 10 day period. I have enough to get me through 2 months taking 6 pills a day. I believe I can then go to 4 pills a day. We will see. You can use any part of this or all of this in any ad you publish free of charge. My daughter was very impressed by you and I trust her. A US believer, magic is real! lol”

What is Emu Oil?

Emu oil is the nutrient dense fat reserved by emu before they go into torpor (it’s like hibernation) and before they sit on their eggs for three months prior to hatching. It is a life sustaining fat, considered a sacred food, that has been used by Aborigines for over 40,000 years!

Why is Walkabout Emu Oil Better?

Buy_Emu_OilWalkabout Emu Oil comes direct from Australia where the animals are free to roam and live a normal life, eating what emu in the wild eat. The farmers who work with Walkabout care for herds of genetically-unique emu, chosen because their oil is especially high in vitamin K2. There are many commercial uses for emu products including meat and leather, and for many farmers, the oil is a by-product. At Walkabout, the birds are bred for their high vitamin K oil.

Another reason we love Walkabout Emu oil is because of the minimal processing of the oil – it is never heat or chemically treated or pasteurized. Their motto is “Nothing is added to our oils and nothing is taken out. Our emu oil is assembled and balanced by nature.” This makes it extremely bioavailable, nutrient dense, and very good for us.

Health Benefits of Walkabout Emu Oil

Emu oil is recommended by the Weston A. Price Foundation because it’s a sacred food with a dense nutritional profile. Here are some of the many nutrients you’ll find in Emu Oil:

  • Omega-3
  • Omega-6
  • Omega-9
  • Vitamin K2
  • Vitamin D3
  • Vitamin E
  • CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)

Try Walkabout Emu Oil for yourself and see how it benefits you! It comes in liquid, capsules and topical forms for your convenience.

Cleaning Detergents that Are Kind to the Environment (and Your Pocket)

Nourishing World Eco-friendly Products, Environmental Conservation , ,

 

homemade-cleaning_products

Over ten years ago Berkeley, the University of California released an article that detailed the harmful effect cleaning detergents have on the environment. Not only are these toxic to the surroundings, the ingredients consist of petroleum and other non-sustainable items. This places a lot of pressure on the environment, but will also push up prices as these ingredients become more valuable. An alternative for cleaning products will have a positive effect on the household, whether the household is mindful of the environment or not. With the use of just a few simple ingredients, consumers will have a multitude of cleaning detergents. These ingredients are coconut oil, vinegar, borax, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), and fresh lemon juice.

Homemade Cleaners for Bathrooms and Kitchensavoid_toxic_deodorant

Although these are areas that require a thorough clean, chemicals and bleaches may not always be the solution. In fact, bleach can be far more harmful than good.

The Tub and Toilet

These two areas tend to suffer from brown stains and rings. This recipe should blot those stains out.

Mix the following ingredients for an overall cleaning solution:

  • 1 cup bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
  • 1 tablespoon borax
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Water as needed to form a paste as desired

Follow this up with a wipe-down using a cloth dabbed in a fragrance oil of your choosing. Homemade cleaners work the best and leave surfaces smelling fresh and inviting.

For areas that are a bit grimier and stained, use two tablespoons vinegar to two tablespoons bicarb and two tablespoons borax. This should form a thick paste. Add a bit more vinegar if not pasty enough, or bicarb if too runny. Put it on the grimy area for a few minutes before cleaning. Although favorites for these jobs, ammonia and formaldehyde are linked to allergies so should be avoided at all costs.

 clean_with_coconut_oilTaps and Mirrors

Although a vigorous rub with a microfiber cloth will make a world of difference, stubborn water stains and marks can be tough to deal with. For taps and other chrome or steel fittings, dab the cloth in a bit of coconut oil. Solid oil works better as this ensures there isn’t too much on the cloth. Keep a bit in the fridge for this purpose if it has a liquid state. There should be enough on the cloth to form a thin coat on the items, but not enough to be noticeable.

Mirrors can be a bit tricky to keep clean. Keep the following in a jar for mirrors that are easy to maintain.

After cleaning the mirror with this mixture, use a newspaper to remove any oily residue. If the oil seems a bit thick, use vinegar on its own.

Stainless Steel, Brushed Steel, or Chrome Appliances

After wiping appliances with a damp cloth and waiting for it to dry, use the microfiber and coconut oil combinations for the bathroom taps and fittings. This will prevent water marks and finger marks. Also, it will keep the exterior of the appliances rust-free, especially in coastal areas.

 

5 Facts We Absolutely Know About Good Nutrition

Nourishing World Healthy Eating, Whole Food Supplements , ,

whole_food_greens_powder_sale

Though there is much debate in the scientific community regarding the role nutrition plays in development of health and disease, a few facts exist that are relatively certain and based on a body of good research.

Like everyone else, we’ve grown weary of the countless fad diets and claims about miraculous results just by eating one thing or avoiding x food. For that reason, we’ve assembled a list of nutritional facts that can be used to help assemble and/or supplement a healthy diet.

1) Low Carbohydrate Diets Reduce the Likelihood of Type II Diabetes

As Type-II Diabetes (formerly known as adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes) hits prevalence, researchers are constantly exploring different factors that could be contributing to this pandemic. Some focus on genetic factors (for which there is some support) and others focus on lifestyle choices (exercise levels, for instance).

But nearly all walks of science and common sense agree on one thing – eating too much sugar is a major risk factor, particularly processed sugars that have been separated from their respective whole foods. Soda is one of the prime culprits, sometimes containing over 40 grams of sugar in just a single can.

Diets low in processed sugars (or entirely devoid of them) have been linked to reduced incidence of Type-II diabetes and may generally lead to healthier outcomes. Conversely, whole foods high in fiber reduce the incidence of diabetes, most likely by slowing the absorption of sugar and improving gut health.

2) Setting Goals Helps Stay on Track in Life and Nutrition

Goal setting has always been an important part of success. Some cultures naturally orient themselves towards healthier diets, but that isn’t the case for everyone. The United States is one of the more obvious examples, where the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) is plagued with chemically derived ingredients and artificial foods.

For those pursuing better nutritional standards, setting goals can be helpful in the same way it has been proven for other areas. Exact methods vary, but taking advantage of what technology has to offer may reduce the difficulty. Tracker apps such as MyFitnessPal or SparkPeople aid in keeping track of calories consumed, activity and food types eaten. They’re best paired with security apps such as VPNs in order to ensure privacy (among other things).

3) Unprocessed Foods Are Higher in Essential Nutrients

It’s no secret that eating whole foods is beneficial; virtually no sane person would argue the contrary. Yet exactly how beneficial a diet loaded with unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and meats can be is often lost on the public. Take the nutritional content of a sweet potato.

A single sweet potato contains over two times the daily requirement of Vitamin A, half the daily requirement of Vitamin C, and a host of B Vitamins. Eaten with the skin, sweet potatoes also incorporate a large amount of our daily fiber requirement.

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli tend to be high in Vitamin K and Folate (absolutely essential for anyone avoiding enriched grains, particularly women who plan to become pregnant), while fruits such as berries or citrus are usually high in Vitamin C. Grass fed and free range meats are fantastic sources of complete protein (they contain all essential amino acids) and are higher in Omega-3 than their grain fed counterparts (especially the processed kinds).

Unprocessed foods, due to lack of added sugars, contain significantly fewer calories. Eating a mixed diet full of vegetables, fruits, and proteins make it difficult to overeat because the fiber, fat, and protein content help to trigger the “full” response in the hypothalamus and keep the stomach from emptying as quickly.

organic_greens_powdersThose still new to unprocessed foods may want to consider supplementing at least initially. Particularly when it comes to eating leafy greens, it can be really difficult to develop a taste when coming from a previously high sugar, high salt diet. Have time constraints? A greens smoothie makes a quick, easy breakfast, lunch or snack.

4) Whole Foods are Devoid of Fillers & Additives

Another major concern we constantly see voiced is one regarding the “extra” ingredients added to so many different kinds of foods. Additives range from colors to artificial flavors and preservatives, all with the aim of making food sell better and stick around longer before it rots. Fillers, on the other hand, are there to cut costs (usually at the cost of vital nutrients). We see this done with sugar more than anything, especially in foods where fat is removed.

But whole foods don’t suffer from any of these pitfalls. Before hitting your table, they had everything needed to survive and this translates into better nutrient content. This has many benefits for us. For instance, watermelon seeds are actually highly nutritious (don’t worry, you won’t grow a watermelon in your stomach).

That’s not to say all whole foods are equal and able to be eaten in excess. Bananas taste great, but are relatively high in sugar and low in fiber compared to some other fruits and should be eaten semi-conservatively. But even at their worst, bananas will never lose out to packaged snacks and other premade foods.

5) Trans Fats Are Never a Good Choice

There are so many reasons that trans fats are terrible for you. Totally devoid of any real nutritional value, they are produced by a chemical process involving hydrogen and high heat to yield what is commonly labeled on foods as “partially hydrogenated [oil type].”

This is the type of fat you might expect to find in packaged sweets and especially in butter replacements like margarine. Consuming trans fats has been linked with heart disease, insulin resistance, and even the development of Alzheimer disease. In the interest of good health, there’s absolutely no reason to ever consume anything with trans fats in it.

organic_virgin_coconut_oil_saleThat it is still allowed in food is nearly a mystery of its own. That said, if you use oil to cook, it’s recommended that you stick with extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil, as both offer relatively healthy mixes of fat (omega 9 and saturated fat respectively) and are readily available without breaking the bank. Just be sure your olive oil comes in an opaque container and isn’t used in high heat recipes, as direct light and high heat ruin its nutritional value.

For a Healthy Tomorrow

While researchers may continue to debate the merits of individual chemicals such as caffeine, there is no shortage of certain information regarding good nutrition. Other factors are certainly at play in determining overall health, but eating nutritious foods is one way to keep things in your favor.

Will you take steps to create a scientifically sound diet? Tell us how below.

About the Author: Cassie is a health enthusiast with a heavy focus on nutrition. While some of her knowledge comes from academia, much of what she knows is independently learned through a great deal of research.

How to Avoid Damaging UV Rays Without Living in the Basement

Nourishing World Dr. Mercola, Natural Skincare, Natural Sunscreen , ,

Physical_sunblock

Life on Earth as we know it couldn’t exist without the ultraviolet (UV) rays provided by the sun. In addition to the vital role the sun plays in the food chain by providing energy for plant life, UV light is important for human beings in helping produce vitamin D in the body. However, as anyone who has ever experienced sunburn knows, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. In the case of UV light, overexposure can cause serious damage to skin and even lead to cancer. There’s nothing wrong with getting some sun. However, you need to use some protection if you’re going to be out in the sun for a prolonged period of time to ensure you’re not getting too much of a good thing.

Applying Protection

Sunscreen is important to remember when you’re out and about on a sunny day. It’s recommended to use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to provide the best protection. Sunscreens labeled “broad spectrum” provides protection from more types of UV light than products without that label. Water-resistant formulas are better because they won’t be rinsed away as easily during activities in the water or run off when you sweat. Another key factor when choosing a sunscreen is getting a physical sunblock as opposed to a chemical sunscreen with nanoparticles that absorb into the skin and get into the blood stream. For more information on this, check out this blog post.

Safe_sunblock_for_kidsPeaceful Planet sells two sunscreen brands that are physical sunblock and get a # 1 rating from the Environmental Working Group. These are Thinksport Regular and Kids Sunscreens, both have a 50+ SPF. The other brand we sell is Mercola Sunscreen, one has an SPF of 15, and the other has an SPF of  30. One last thing to remember about proper sunscreen use is to re-apply often, sometimes every hour in the worst of the summer months, to ensure you receive maximum protection.

Wearing clothing that covers as much skin as possible is another good way to stay protected in the sun. Be sure to wear long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats to receive the most protection. Dark-colored clothing provides more protection than light-colored clothing; and tightly woven fabrics are better protection than loosely woven clothing.

Seeking Shade

And finally, the easiest way to help shield yourself from UV rays is to keep to shady spots on very sunny days — especially during the late-morning-to-late-afternoon period when the UV light from the sun is at its peak. This includes when you’re on the sand or snow, because it can reflect UV light and increase the amount in which you’re exposed. Staying inside when UV light is strongest also helps, especially if the windows in your home or car are tinted to block more UV rays. If you’re thinking about having your car windows tinted to protect yourself from the sun, the amount of tint you are allowed to have may vary based on where you live. The following chart illustrates the amount of window tint permitted in each state. Now go enjoy the outdoors safely!

rayno-window-film

This post was courtesy of Rayno Window Film.

Healthy Moms Favorite Mother’s Day Menu

Kerrie Bross Uncategorized

Healthy_Mother's_Day_Menu

So I was thinking about a Mother’s Day post and decided to share my favorite mother’s day menu with you. Keep in mind I’m spoiled. But, I work hard, and I deserve to be spoiled every now and then – and so do you! Hopefully you are lucky enough to have a hubby who will prepare a nice, healthy meal for you. My kids will help me make the chocolate covered strawberries and will cut the asparagus and make the dressing for my husband, but he will do the rest. I’m lucky that way. My menu starts with tomato and fresh mozzarella salad with homemade balsamic dressing, followed by surf and turf (boiled lobster and grass-fed beef tenderloin) with garden fresh asparagus, finished off with chocolate covered strawberries. I can’t wait!

Favorite Healthy Mother’s Day Recipes

Caprese Salad with Paleo Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressinghealthy_tomato_mozarella_salad_recipe

I love tomato and fresh mozzarella with fresh basil and balsamic dressing. YUM!!! The recipe below is for an easy homemade Paleo Balsamic Dressing. I find that using all extra virgin olive oil in homemade dressings doesn’t always refrigerate well. Instead, I use a half and half blend of EVOO and avocado oil and have never had any problems refrigerating dressings. Avoid the unhealthy oils like soy, canola, peanut, etc. because of over-processing, hydrogenation, and GMOs.

Paleo Balsamic Vinaigrette

  • 1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 c avocado oil
  • ½ c balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning or dried oregano

Directions:

1. Slice organic tomatoes into 1/4 ” to 1/2 ” slices and arrange on a plate.
2. Slice fresh mozzarella to about the same thickness and put one slice on each slice of tomato.
3. Wash fresh basil and pull several larger leaves off the stem. Lay them one atop the other. Roll them all together and slice several times to make thin lines of basil. Place two or three of these basil strips onto each piece of mozzarella.
4. Drizzle with Paleo Balsamic Dressing right before serving.
5. Enjoy!

Easy Beef Tenderloin to Die For

Easy_grilled_beefg_tenderloin_recipeThis recipe is so easy and so good!

  • 4-5 lb grass-fed beef tenderloin (we’ve done it with smaller pieces as well)
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika (we’ve used hot paprika for a great kick)
  • Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:

1. Use hands to coat tenderloin with EVOO.
2. Rub spice mix all over.
3. Place in sealable container, or ziplock baggie, for at least one hour.
4. Grill to desired temperature.

Boiled LobsterHow_to_boil_lobsters

I don’t think I really need to give directions for this do I? OK, the quick version. Fill a pot 3/4 with water. Salt if desired. Boil the water then add the lobsters and bring back to a boil. Cook for 6-7 for the first pound, then an additional 3 or 4 minutes per pound. The lobster should have an internal temperature of 135° – 140° and be bright red when done. Check temp by inserting meat thermometer into the base of the tail close to the body. Don’t forget to melt butter for dunking pieces of lobster. Enjoy!

Go Green Tip: Lobster shells are compostable and good for your soil!

Grilled Garden Asparagus

Grilled_asparagus_recipeAsparagus is a perennial that is very easy and prolific in a home garden. It takes a couple years to get established, then it takes off and is almost like a weed – a very tasty weed! This recipe works in the oven, too – just lay on cookie sheets.

Directions:

1 Wash and cut white, tough bottoms off.
2 Place asparagus in single layer on a sheet of aluminum foil.
3 Drizzle with EVOO and sprinkle with course sea salt. Fold up the foil and seal the ends. The asparagus will no longer be in a single layer.
4 Grill for 3-4 minutes, then flip and grill another 3-4 minutes. Open the top of the packet and make sure they are a nice bright green and tender. Grill a couple extra minutes if necessary.

Yummy Paleo Chocolate Covered StrawberriesPaleo_chocolate_covered_strawberries_recipe

So chocolate is a very tough thing to make Paleo and spectacular. Real chocolate is a tricky thing to make from scratch. I’ve been working with different recipes for the past year and this one seems to be good for sugar free chocolate covered strawberries. If you don’t have to go sugar free, then use Enjoy Life chocolate chips for easy chocolate covered strawberries. That brand is free of the many allergens and toxins found in most chocolate chips. But, if you’re being really good and want good Paleo chocolate covered strawberries, then try the recipe below.

  • 1 lb organic strawberries
  • 2 Tbs organic cocoa butter
  • 2 Tbs coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup organic cocoa powder
  • 2 – 4 Tbs confectioner’s sugar alternative. I like Swerve brand, which is erythritol.

Directions:

1. Start by washing the strawberries and setting them on a towel to dry. You want them as dry as possible as any water in the chocolate will ruin the texture.
2. It is hard to measure exactly 2 Tbs of cocoa butter when it comes in big hard chunks, so estimate and start it melting on low heat in a double boiler. When it is melted you can measure out the 2 Tbs. Put the left over in a parchment lined glass bowl to harden so you can put it back in your bag for later use. Put the 2 Tbs you are using back in the double boiler.
3. Remove double boiler from heat. Add coconut oil to the cocoa butter. It should melt in a minute or two. Add the cocoa powder and stir until smooth. Add the confectioner’s sugar alternative and stir until smooth. Start with 2 Tbs and add more to taste. Sugar with big granules won’t melt properly and maple syrup or honey will change the texture due to the water in them. This mixture will be very thin and watery.
4. Grab a strawberry by the leafy green part on top and dip in the chocolate until desired coverage is achieved. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet. Repeat with all berries and place in fridge for 15 minutes or until set. Because this chocolate is very thin, you will want to repeat this process 3 or 4 times. The chocolate will stay melted for a very long time because of the cocoa butter. If it starts to get too think, warm the water back up a bit.
5. After the final layer has set, place on a nice dish for presentation or place in a covered container in the refrigerator. They will last a couple days in the fridge. Ours never last that long because they get eaten so fast!

Have a Happy, Healthy Mother’s Day!