Popcorn: Better Than Fruits and Veggies?!?!

Just recently, I read about a "study" that has supposedly discovered that popcorn is much higher in antioxidants than fruits or vegetables. It doesn't even specify organic popcorn, which of course would be better than the conventional variety.  Just how reputable is this source?!?  I, personally, beg to differ... I mean, how can you possibly beat fresh, raw produce full of live enzymes and nutrients....and or course antioxidants? I am hoping the study is referring to plain popcorn, because when one adds toppings such as butter, caramel, or chocolate, that totally cancels out the benefits of popcorn.  I can just imagine it...if those junk-food-a-holics hear about this questionable new finding, they will justify ordering a monster bucket of popcorn when they go to the movies by thinking to themselves, "Awesome, I'm eating healthy! There's tons of antioxidants in this popcorn!"

Want to know my theory?  I believe that this information was released by the government in order to boost the sales of corn, which has received an increasingly bad rap because over 90% of it is genetically modified nowadays (with the exception of organic corn.)  I, myself, have noticed that especially over the past year or so, more and more people wish to omit corn from their diets or refuse to buy any products that contain corn-derived ingredients.

I don't know about everyone else, but I'm still going with good ol' fruits and veggies.

Is It Really Beneficial to Eat More Raw? Yes!!

During my years of working in the natural products industry, I've encountered many people who are not familiar with raw foods and their many benefits. I've heard comments such as, "Eating a raw food diet seems complicated," "Raw food is bland and boring," and "I wouldn't know how to start going raw."

A 100% raw food diet is not for everyone, understandably, but incorporating more raw foods into your diet will definitely boost your health.

So what are the benefits of going more raw? In a nutshell, here are a few of the main reasons:


1.  More live enymes and nutrients=more energy!!--Preparing food below 118 degrees preserves the essential vitamins and nutrients needed to facilitate proper digestion. It actually takes your body only about a half to one-third as much effort to digest raw food in comparison to cooked food. Anything prepared over 118 degrees destroys the vitamins and nutrients.  You won't feel bogged down and lazy after eating a raw meal; in fact, you will find yourself more renewed and energized!

2.  Lowers the risk of disease. Raw food is alkalizing to the body, and often provides antioxidants that help to combat disease and illnesses. On the other hand, cooked food can be acidic, resulting in the production of free radicals and carcinogens within the body, which increases your risk of developing diseases such as cancer or heart disease.

3.  You Will Tend to Eat Less: Since raw foods are so nutrient-dense and satisfying, you will usually find that you need to eat less to feel satiated and full. People often lose weight when they convert to a more raw food-based diet. 

4.  No artificial fillers or preservatives: Since raw food is not processed, you will not find any high fructose corn syrup, sucralose, hydrogenation, trans fats, or funky ingredients you cannot pronounce. You actually know what you're putting into your body!


Although there are some pretty fancy and mouth-watering raw food recipes out there, you can definitely keep it simple and still derive the benefits of raw food.  Here are just a few suggestions:

--Cut up raw veggie sticks and keep them in a bag in the fridge for a snack.
--Make a simple fruit salad--cut up a few varieties of fruit, toss them in a bowl, and voila!  You've got yourself a healthy, light, sweet treat.
--Make a green salad--you can throw all sorts of veggies in it for a nutrient-packed meal.
--Smoothies--You can get very creative with this--toss in some fruits and veggies, raw protein or superfood powders, coconut water, etc. There are literally thousands of smoothies you can concoct.

Questions? Comments? Post 'em here!

Have fun making your life more RAWsome :)

Chia Seeds--Chock-full of Benefits!

Ch-ch-ch-chia! When you hear the word "chia," chances are, most of you naturally conjure up a mental picture of those funny little Chia Pets you may or may not have received as a gift at some point in your life.  Well, the little seeds that create those little novelties are actually quite the little powerhouses!  I, personally, have been reaping the benefits from chia seeds for about 5 years now, quite awhile before they went mainstream.

The chia plant from which the seeds originate is tall with purple flowers. It actually belongs to the mint family, although it does not taste minty at all!  The Aztecs and the Mayans used to carry around little pouches of these seeds and eat them throughout the day to keep up their strength, stamina, vitality, and energy.

To break it down nutritionally, chia seeds contain:

* 70% more protein than soy
*30% more antioxidants than blueberries
*25% more fiber than flax seeds ( Unlike flax seeds, chia seeds do not need to be ground up to receive the full spectrum of nutrients!)
*6 times more calcium than milk
*15 times more magnesium than broccoli
*2 times more potassium than bananas
*5 times more folate than spinach
*8 times more omega-3s than salmon (for all you Vegans out there!)

In addition, these little powerhouses help to keep our colons clean by facilitating proper digestion.  They also tend to create a feeling of fullness, so you end up eating less. Studies have also shown that chia seeds are natural carbohydrate and sugar blockers; they help to keep the blood sugar levels more steady. .I especially like taking chia seeds in capsule form when I am eating something high-carb, like pizza, dessert, or nachos :)  They also have naturally occurring electrolytes and keep our bodies hydrated.
 
Luckily, we are more fortunate than the Mayans and Aztecs because there are now more ways to eat these seeds to receive their multitude of benefits:

*Add some chia seeds to plain water or juice and sip it throughout the day.  The chia seeds turn gelatinous and expand up to 12 times their original size when they become immersed in liquid. Some people say they taste like broken pieces of jello, tapioca, or mini bobas when they drink them!
*Add chia seeds to yogurt or smoothies for a fun texture
*Use as an egg substitute in recipes. Combine 1 part chia seeds with 3 parts water. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes until it becomes a gel-like consistency.
 *Raw foodies make chia crackers by mixing them with a variety of veggies and seasonings and dehydrating the mixture. 

Those are just a few of the many ways you can incorporate chia seeds into your diet.  Have fun and be creative!

So have any of you tried chia seeds?  If so, what do you think of them?  Feel free to write about your experiences or comment on this entry :)

Crazy for Coconuts!

Alright, so who out there is a fan of coconuts?  Yep, that's what I thought. I really don't know anyone who doesn't like coconuts (unless they are allergic to them).   They are a major staple on many islands all over the world, and typically originate from Thailand, the Philipines, or less commonly, Brazil.  In fact, one-third of the total population depends on the the abundance of vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and fiber that this tropical treenut provides. Coconuts have long been known for their healing properties and health benefits. I consider them a superfood! They are wonderful for killing viruses, bacteria, and fungi;  providing energy and antioxidants; reducing inflammation; and boosting the immune system, just to name a few. The list actually goes on and on!

You can reap the benefits of coconuts in so many ways.  They come in numerous forms, and it is best to consume them raw if possible:

Coconut oil: Great for cooking, since it withstands high heat and will not turn rancid and emit free radicals, unlike olive or canola oil, other commonly used cooking oils.  It is actually made of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which means that it does not cause weight gain; it actually gets converted to energy instead. It is also a great moisturizer for your hair, skin, and nails.

Coconut water:  So refreshing! It's full of electrolytes, is PH-balanced, and full of amino acids, which is great for workouts.  Not to mention, it is a great addition to smoothies.  Coconut water is so pure that it has even been used as an IV solution when the conventional IV solution is not readily available. How about that?

Coconut Butter: A delicious blend of coconut meat and coconut oil, this can be used as a frosting, spread, and of course in smoothies or raw desserts. I especially enjoy eating this on banana or apple slices! Mmmm.

Coconut Shreds: Wonderful in raw or baked desserts, in trail mixes, fruit salads, or as a garnish.

Coconut Sugar:   Originates from the sap of coconut blossoms that have not yet bloomed. It is smooth, creamy, and sweetly delicious!  This has more recently been used as a substitute for agave and other sweeteners, as it is lower on the glycemic index (won't wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels).  It is more nutritious than other sweeteners--it has B Vitamins, potassium, zinc, iron, and more!  I have started using this more frequently lately in my raw treats :)

Coconut Aminos: Made from coconut tree sap, it has far more amino acids than soy. It can be used on sushi, in dressings, sauces, and marinades.

Coconut Flour: A great gluten-free alternative to traditional flour in baking recipes--it is also lower-carb!.  It can be used to thicken sauces and smoothies. 

And last, but not least, I like going to Whole Foods and and buying those fresh, young coconuts with the tops cut off and saran-wrapped.  It's so refreshing to sip on the coconut water, then scrape out the coconut meat and eat it straight-up, or add it to my smoothies for taste and texture. 

All of these forms of coconut are soy-free, gluten-free, and vegan.  Have fun trying out all the ways to consume this tasty, tropical treasure! :)

How do you like to have coconuts? As always, feel free to post any questions or comments below! 

Hello!-- An Introduction

So this is my first attempt ever at a blog. I've been contemplating one for several months now, and have finally made it a reality!  At first, I wasn't quite sure what I should blog about, but then I realized I should just write about a topic about which I am passionate--natural health!

Over the years, I have often been the "go-to" person when it comes to this particular area. Friends, family, acquaintances, and customers I deal with on an every day basis have approached me with questions such as, "What's good for energy? What do I eat/take to prevent me from getting sick?" "What are GMOs?"  I am always more than happy to shed some light on what can be confusing or obscure topics. 

My involvement in the world of natural health began over 12 years ago. I began reading the labels on personal care products, and didn't feel that ingredients a mile long could be healthy for my body. After I did some online research as to what these ingredients really were, I knew it was time to make some changes. From that point on, I started using natural cosmetics and body care.  Eventually, my reading and research extended to organic and natural foods, as well as herbs and exotic superfoods. I have always been a voracious reader with an appetite for knowledge, and I am fortunate enough to work in a position that allows me to learn about the constantly evolving world of natural health. 

For those of you who do not know me well, I am a natural product specialist, sort of a natural health spokesperson, so to speak. I can always be found working the circuit of healthy stores around the valley--I literally pop up everywhere!  I've decided that this blog is a way for me to expand and spread my knowledge, a different endeavor that could prove to be both fun and challenging! I hope you all enjoy it. So here we go :)

By the way, here's a little disclaimer about this page---I am by no means a qualified doctor or naturopath; all of the information contained in my blog comes from my years of reading, research, and personal experience.  Please use your own judgment and intuition. Only you know what's best for you.  Thanks! :)