Start your year Detoxified!!!!! CHALLANGE

Seasons greetings All,

Yes its that time of year brothers and sisters for you to take hold of your the old gut that has been bloatef over this holiday seasons food and perhaps a lot longer in some cases. its time to get healthy

I plan to start my raw food challange detox for 8 days and what better way to start the year on the1st of january morning with a good green juice.

we all know the we need to clean our bodies, the same way we clean our hair, skin and minds we also need to get rid of the gunk that we have built up internally.

I have heard the common saying, whatever mind set you are in the first of the year, your mind will stay in that mode for the next coming 12 months. so lets start with getting eating something green and live!!!

My challange will consist of 7 days complete wth detoxing with raw food, i feel i have been quite an advocate on this blog promoting the raw lifestyle however, i myself is not 100 per cent raw but i do love my fruits and veggies beyond any food, and raw food i very much appriciate by incorporating it into my diet so now i feel mentally prepared to embark on this journey full throtle for 7 glorious days;

what are we learning from this challange?

well not only is it to loose those stubborn kilos but hey we are learning about our bodies, being in tune with the difference with your normal body ryhtm on your standard diet a the ultimate result after your detox, how oes it really makke you feel, energetic radient, less cravings, or just opening your eyes to a healthier way of living. as i dont believe in diets but more the lifestyle, changing your mind set on theway we all look at food.

we all live once, lets enjoy our lifes eat well and enjoy this one life as long as possible

Please join me

i will blog about all in the next coming week with photodiary of my meals if you have any lets share ::: who said you cant have delicoius basic meals on raw
happy New year everyone be guided by love light and health

stay well
see you in January 2012

The hiatus is over

Greetings all

Yes it has been a while, so many life changes and diet changes that have needed adjustments;

Since being on here last i have moved from London, to the south of france, Montpellier.

Being so used to the london way of life and taking this for granted, buying fresh fruit and vegetables for near to nothing, relocating whitin europe i never expected that buying basic foods of the earth would proove difficult

When i arrived here 6 months ago i was taken food shopping, of course to stock up on my usual legumes:
the first thing i asked was, where is the broccolli?  Which of course is my favourite vegetable

Where is the sweet potatoe? Where is the spianach?? etc etc further on as i setled;  came to realise that more supermarkets had limited produce; London of course import more of there fruits and veggies from overseas, but here its all pretty much local: if you really urge for something you love for example i love mangos, for 2 you could be paying up to $8, it hurts to give away that type of money for something so basic, so things like this is pretty much a luxury:

The average American diet  is a common topic that most people are aware of, but the french diet ........needs to be touched on.

However there is a conclusion for me living a health life style, even when proven difficult; all the research that i have done for receipes, now living in a country where its difficult to find healthy nutritous snacks  such as houmous! ..its time to put all in to practice and go native!!

Yes, for me if there are missing vegetables then there we are missng nutrients that we need to sustain our health   .... make the effort and prepare it all yourself , take the time and do the research, you will then sustain your optimal lifestyle

I hope to put some receipe ideas for those of you who find it difficult to buy the foods you love, when tried and tested i will blog it;;;

Adjusting to the French eating culture: croissants, tarts quiches and blanc baguettes is alluring, so the challange starts here;;; continuing with a healthy lifestyle is a choice we all need to maintain which helps us in the long run

watch this space
Stay well

Bon Appetite!!!!!

This Should be a Staple in your Diet...-_-

Health benefits of Okra

• Very low in calories, provides just 30 cal per 100 g and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; but is a rich source of dietary fibre, minerals, vitamins; recommended in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs.
• The rich fibre and mucilaginous content in Okra pods helps smooth peristalsis of digested food particles and relieve constipation condition.
• The pods contain healthy amounts of vitamin A, and flavonoid anti-oxidants such as beta carotenes, xanthin and lutein. It is one of the green vegetable with highest levels of these anti-oxidants. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties and are essential for vision. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
• Fresh pods are good source of folates; provide about 22% of RDA per 100 g. Consumption of foods rich in folates, especially during pre-conception period helps decrease the incidence of neural tube defects in the offspring.
• The pods are also an excellent source of anti-oxidant vitamin, vitamin-C; provides about 36% of daily recommended levels. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps body develop immunity against infectious agents, reduce episodes of cold and cough and protects body from harmful free radicals.
• 
  
  These veggies are rich in B-complex group of vitamins like niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin and pantothenic acid. The pods also contain good amounts of vitamin K.  Vitamin K is a co-factor for blood clotting enzymes and is required for strengthening of bones.
• The pods are also good source of many important minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium.

Some people are put off by the texture, but with the sweet flavour this veggie cannot be passed...

Do You know your (Dark) Greens?

Rocket has a peppery taste and is rich in vitamins A, C, and calcium. It can be eaten raw in salads or added to stir-fry, soups, and pasta sauces.

Broccoli has both soft florets and crunchy stalks, and is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and fiber. Broccoli can be eaten raw or steamed, sautéed or added to a casserole.

Collard Greens have a mild flavor and are rich in vitamins A, C and K, folate, fiber, and calcium. The best way to prepare them is to boil them briefly and then add to a soup or stir-fry. You can also eat collard greens as a side dish. Just add your favorite seasoning and enjoy!

Dandelion Greens have a bitter, tangy flavor and are rich in vitamin A and calcium. They are best when steamed or eaten raw in salad.

Kale has a slightly bitter, cabbage-like flavor and is rich in vitamins A, C and K. Kale is tasty when added to soups, stir-fries, and sauces.

Mustard Greens have a peppery or spicy flavor and are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and calcium. They are delicious when eaten raw in salads or in stir-fries and soups.

Romaine Lettuce is a nutrient rich lettuce that is high is vitamins A, C, and K, and folate. It is best when eaten raw in salads, sandwiches or wraps.

Spinach has a sweet flavor and is rich in vitamins A and K, folate, and iron. Spinach tastes great eaten raw in salads or steamed.

Swiss Chard tastes similar to spinach and is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, potassium and iron. It is best stir-fried or eaten raw in salads.

My Personal Fav - Peanut Stew, Health Benifits, You Ask?

Chard, sweet potato & peanut stew


In addition to being every kid's (and many grownup kid's) favorite sandwich filling, peanuts pack a serious nutritional punch and offer a variety of health benefits.
 

Your Heart Will Go Nuts for Peanuts...

Peanuts are a very good source of monounsaturated fats, the type of fat that is emphasized in the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet. Studies of diets with a special emphasis on peanuts have shown that this little legume is a big ally for a healthy heart. In one such randomized, double-blind, cross-over study involving 22 subjects, a high monounsaturated diet that emphasized peanuts and peanut butter decreased cardiovascular disease risk by an estimated 21% compared to the average diet.
 

In addition to their monounsaturated fat content, peanuts feature an array of other nutrients that, in numerous studies, have been shown to promote heart health. Peanuts are good sources of vitamin E, niacin, folate, protein and manganese. In addition, peanuts provide resveratrol, the phenolic antioxidant also found in red grapes and red wine that is thought to be responsible for the French paradox: the fact that in France, people consume a diet that is not low in fat, but have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the U.S. With all of the important nutrients provided by nuts like peanuts, it is no wonder that numerous research studies, including the Nurses' Health Study that involved over 86,000 women, have found that frequent nut consumption is related to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease

Cough and Cold ...Garlic and Honey is Your Answer This Winter

Interested in boosting your immune system? Or how about easing that cough you've had for weeks? Well you can do both these things and more just by getting your daily dosage of garlic and honey. These bacteria fighting herbs contain natural compounds, and act as a boost  to revitalize and rejuvenate your entire body!
Garlic is one of the earliest spices to be used and is full of powerful antibiotics that help boost the immune system. Garlic is antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and stimulates the immune system. This amazing herb can help lower cholesterol, keep your blood sugar low; your heart toned, and is great for the body's circulatory system.

Garlic kills bacteria the minute it enters the gastrointestinal tract. Garlic is also used to help diabetics increase their insulin production and decrease their blood sugar levels. It can also act against herpes simplex, and influenza B. Garlic is at its strongest if eaten raw.

Honey has been used medically since the ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians. It used to be referred to as the Elixir of Life. Honey is a natural antibiotic and contains vitamins such as C, B complex, E, D, and K. The types of vitamins in honey vary depending on what flowers the bees are extracting the nectar from.
Honey however, is not only great for medical conditions inside the body such as ulcers, but honey is also used to treat wounds outside the body. Honey is an excellent natural preservative therefore is great to use for wounds such as burns or broken blood vessels. In fact honey is such an excellent preservative of living tissue, in less modern time's people would use honey to stall the decomposition of dead bodies. This amazing healing source will also help treat any common respiratory issue such as the common cold, and will help you get on track to a healthy immune system!

Raw Food

Apple Broccoli and Cucumber Salad With Walnuts

RAW FOODS - Each and every day, we should all incorporate raw foods into our meals. Raw foods are still ALIVE, whereas processed foods, cooked foods, and all meats and animal products are DEAD. It stands to reason, then, that human bodies comprised of living cells demand living nourishment for peak health. Many valuable but fragile vitamins, enzymes, phytochemicals and probably other things as well are destroyed during cooking.

By adding fresh-as-possible, preferably organic vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts to your diet, you will be greatly enhancing the nutritional value of your eating regimen.
I have heard marvelous stories about people, once very, very sick, who were able to reverse their conditions by switching to a mostly raw foods diet. Obviously, there is something excellent about raw food. One minister I know of advocates and himself eats an 85% organic raw foods diet. He and those he has influenced have greatly reduced the occurrence of sickness and disease in their lives and have completely healed from maladies which the medical community had not been able to effectively treat through drugs and surgeries.

Currently, I eat about 40-50% raw, which means incorporating raw foods into every meal. My goal is to increase my ratio of raw to cooked food. While I would support anyone�s desire to eat raw foods exclusively, a good place to start is simply to include some raw foods on your menus.
If you're not accustomed to eating raw foods, try adding a little at a time, until you maximize your ratio of raw food to cooked food without suffering hunger between meals. By all means, experiment! By eating a wide variety of both raw and cooked foods, you can obtain a lot of good nutrition and be satisfied.