Depending on how far you’ve been able to burrow into the world of natural health, you may or may not be aware of the whole juicing controversy going on. What is it? Essentially this: people are fighting over juicing versus blending.
Sure, it’s funny – but it’s also an important topic to take a closer look at and get to the bottom of. After all, if you have a juicer or blender in your home or plan on getting one soon, there are some key points you’ll want to take home today. No matter what your position, at least you’ll have an intelligent comment to contribute should you get caught in the controversy first-hand!
Advocates of juicing say that it’s the easiest way to get nutrients into the body; you simply “juice” any fruit or vegetable, and you’ve got a light, easy drink ready-to-go! Because it’s just the juice, it’s quick to drink and even quicker for the body to absorb. It’s getting the true value of the fruit or vegetable without having to deal with the trouble of eating it. Read the rest of this entry »
Let’s face it: I’m sure you’ve heard people talk about the wonders of seaweed before. Whether it’s in the spa and therapeutic arena or just in your local health food store, seaweeds have been creating a buzz in the natural and alternative health realms for quite some time. Why all the buzz? What are people talking about here?
The most critical point you can pick up about seaweed is that it’s wild. It’s a group of completely natural plants that thrives in the oceanic environment – which, by the way, means that these plants are grown with ALL minerals in the “soil”. Besides some of the more common minerals we get here, we’re getting all of the trace minerals that are depleted in today’s modern agriculture. Think 30 minerals is healthy? Try getting all 92.
While this gives you some insight into why the plants may be so therapeutic in spa treatments and alternative therapies, what we’re going to focus on here and now is eating seaweed. Now, I know what you’re probably thinking: “I don’t know if I really want to eat seaweed…” but the truth is, you don’t have to turn this into a meal at all…or even a chore. Two easy ways to get this powerful group of foods into your diet regularly are by sprinkling a powdered/flake form (think salt container and low-sodium salt alternative) over your salads and other meals, or by adding a bit to a healthy smoothie (so you don’t even notice the taste, but reap all of the health benefits).
Before we get too far into the how, I’d like to really get back into why again. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by John Brackett | Posted in Longevity, Optimal Nutrition | Posted on 04-02-2010
Alright – we’ve had some time to get clear and specific on our reason to live (cherishing our close relationships and doing what we love). Now, it’s time to get even more specific about how to keep your body in a state of peak physical performance (read “younger” and vibrant).
One of the easiest-to-implement tips out there – that’ll actually make a dramatic difference worth taking action on – is to make bright, colorful fruits and vegetables a regular part of your diet. Again, it’s simple and many people have heard it mentioned at least several times in their lives…but are you actually doing it? Are you actively purchasing a healthy variety of colorful fruits and vegetables every week when you go grocery shopping, and working them into your meals religiously? If not, there’s a divide between the knowledge you have and the actions you’re taking. Read the rest of this entry »
Fruit!
Without a doubt, you know by now that fruit is one of my favorite topics, and that I’m big on the importance of getting in fresh fruit to your diet. There’s so much that fruit has to offer, and so much value brought to the table. But here’s the big frustration that I hear from many people: “I don’t like to eat fruit because it upsets my stomach”.
Surprisingly, for such a natural food, this problem comes up all the time. I’d like to take a few minutes today to address this once and for all, and give you the insight and clarity that will allow you to never worry about eating fruit again! Read the rest of this entry »
If you’re new to the concept of green smoothies, then you’re in for a treat. If you’re already familiar with them, then I’d love to hear your take on this post – as well as your personal favorites. If you’ve been around me for any length of time, you’ve probably seen me down at least a few “green smoothies”. What are these wild green drinks and why on earth would you want to drink one?
Green smoothies are fruit smoothies with added greens…blended in. It almost sounds outrageous until you get ahold of one and experience it firsthand. The truth is, green smoothies actually taste just like fruit smoothies, but deliver an unparalleled level of nutrition and personal energy for your day.
This morning is the perfect example: I woke up and relaxed to a tall glass of water first thing, and then made my way downstairs to the home gym setup for an amazing budokan workout (a vigorous blend of yoga, martial arts and meditation). The best post-workout meal? Read the rest of this entry »
The further we dig back in history, the more it seems that fasting has always been an important part of many cultures throughout the world. Fasting has been known for its spiritual value for ages, whether it was used as part of a purely spiritual path or as a religious ritual. There’s always been some mystical quality to fasting, something outside of our traditional range of awareness. Today, I’d like to dive into fasting and really explore its effects on the mind and body – and why its proven itself to be the most effective method of healing through the ages.
The most profound benefits of fasting come no doubt through the channel of the mind. While bodily benefits and physical healings can be astounding, the mental clarity and enhanced awareness brought on by fasting are the most valuable assets, in my personal opinion. Just imagine yourself waking up in the morning and downing that tall glass of water. You feel great, hydrated and clear-minded, right? Now if you go ahead and eat a breakfast loaded with sugar, you’ll start to feel the buzz of a sugar high, coupled with a loss of focus and concentration – a foggy mind. If you combine all sorts of foods together that don’t mix well, you’ll have chaos in your stomach and your mind! So what you eat does dramatically affect your mental faculties. Read the rest of this entry »
