You know that our food supply is bankrupt at best, and tainted with chemicals and genetically modified organisms at worst. You already know you are worth nourishing and caring for, which is why you are either currently purchasing, or planning to purchase, Isagenix nutrient-dense super foods to form the foundation for your health. Unless you literally step outside and harvest organically grown vegetables and fruits on a daily basis and consume them raw, and raise your own cattle and poultry in a healthy and humane fashion and butcher them yourself, you really need this nutrition. Things are simply not as they used to be, and this is no longer an option for those who desire optimal heath - it's imperative. You must do something to improve the state of your nutrition. You must do something to cleanse your body of accumulated impurities. That said - sharing a home cooked meal is one of life's true pleasures. Here is a recipe for YOUR pleasure and your health. Wild-caught fish, with organic fresh vegetables, makes a wonderful meal on a winter's night. Enjoy!

Grilled Halibut with Pepper and Onion Relish
serves 4

1 large red bell pepper
1 large yellow bell pepper
1/2 medium yellow onion
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 large clove garlic, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus extra
Four, six-ounce skinless wild-caught halibut fillets
1 tablespoon coconut oil, warmed (liquified)
1/2 cup white wine or rice vinegar

Cut peppers into 1/4 inch slices, then cut into 1-inch lengths. Cut onion into 1/4 inch slices. Heat 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or olive oil) in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add pepppers, onions, and garlic and stir to coat with oil. Turn heat down to medium low and let cook gently, covered, for 15 minutes until soft, stirring occasionally. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. While cooking, prepare the fish.

Heat your grill or grill pan (for stovetop cooking) to medium high. Brush fish with liquified coconut oil (or use olive oil), the sprinke with salt and pepper. When grill is hot, add fish and cook on each side for 3-4 minutes, depending on the thickness, until fish flakes easily. While the fish is cooking, add 1/4 cup of white wine vinegar to the pepper-onion mixture. Let cook for 5 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally. Take cover off, add the remaining 1/4 cup vinegar, and let it cook for 3 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the vinegar evaporates.

Place 1/4 of the pepper relish on a plate and top with a fish fillet. Add a drizzle of liquified coconut oil (or olive oil) and a sprig of your favorite herb to garnish. If you are concerned with fiber, you may sprinkle the fish with ground flax seed prior to adding drizzle of oil.

Per serving:
280 calories
7 g carb
1 g fiber
36 g protein

C? Si!

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin needed for the growth  and repair of tissues in all parts of the body. It is necessary  to form collagen, an important protein used to make skin,  scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C  is essential for the healing of wounds, and for the repair and  maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants. Vitamin E and  beta-carotene are two other well known antioxidants.  Antioxidants are nutrients that block some of the damage  caused by free radicals, which are by- products that result  when our bodies transform food into energy. The build up  of these by-products over time is largely responsible for the  aging process and can contribute to the development of various  health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and a host  of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Antioxidants also  help reduce the damage to the body caused by toxic chemicals  and pollutants such as cigarette smoke. The body does not manufacture vitamin C on its own, nor  does it store it. It is therefore important to include plenty of vitamin C-containing foods in one's daily diet. Large amounts  of vitamin C are used by the body during any kind of healing  process, whether it's from an infection, disease, injury, or surgery.  In these cases supplemental vitamin C may be needed.

The University of Maryland Medical Center lists the following  uses for Vitamin C ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Heart Disease - Those with low levels of vitamin C may be more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease, all potential outcomes of atherosclerosis. Peripheral artery disease is the term used to describe atherosclerosis of the blood vessels to the legs. This can lead to pain with walking, known as intermittent claudication. In terms of damage that can cause atherosclerosis, some studies have shown that vitamin C helps prevent oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol - a process that contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries. Under most circumstances, dietary vitamin C is adequate for protecting gainst the development of or consequences from cardiovascular disease. If you have low levels of this nutrient, however, and find it difficult to obtain through dietary sources, a knowledgeable healthcare provider may recommend vitamin C supplements. High Cholesterol - Information from several studies, involving only small numbers of people, suggest that vitamin C (3 glasses of orange juice per day or up to 2000 mg per day as a supplement) may help decrease total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as increase HDL levels (the good kind of cholesterol). Studies evaluating larger groups of people would be helpful in determining how accurate these preliminary research results are and to whom this potential benefit applies.

High Blood Pressure - Free radicals, the damaging by-products  of metabolism mentioned earlier, are associated with higher  blood pressure in studies of animals and people. Population  based studies (which involve observing large groups of people  over time) suggest that people who eat foods rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C, are less prone to high blood pressure than  people without these nutritious foods in their diet. For this reason,  many clinicians recommend foods rich in vitamin C, particularly  if you are at risk for high blood pressure. In fact, the diet most frequently recommended for treatment and prevention of hypertension, known as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)  diet advocates lots of fruits and vegetables, which are loaded with  antioxidants. Osteoarthritis - Vitamin C is essential for normal  cartilage. Plus, free radicals can be produced in the joints and  have been implicated in many degenerative changes in the aging  body, including destruction of cartilage and connective tissue  that lead to arthritis. Antioxidants appear to offset the damage  caused by free radicals. Although further evidence is needed to  substantiate these claims, studies of groups of people observed  over time suggest that vitamin C, as well as vitamin E, may help to  reduce the symptoms of OA.

Cataracts - Studies have shown that vitamin C may slow or even  stop the progression of cataracts in the elderly. A recent study, for example, of women from the Nurses' Health Study (a very large,  important study that has followed women over many years) showed  that women under 60 years of age who had high dietary intake of  vitamin C or who had used vitamin C supplements for 10 years or  more had significantly reduced chances of developing cataracts. Diabetes - Vitamin C may be helpful for people with diabetes in a number of ways. First, some studies suggest that people with  diabetes have high levels of free radicals (the damaging metabolic  by- products, mentioned earlier, associated with many chronic illnesses) and low levels of antioxidants, including vitamin C. This imbalance may contribute to the fact that those with diabetes are at greater risk for  developing conditions such as high cholesterol and atherosclerosis. Secondly, insulin (which is low in type 1 diabetics and does not  function properly in type 2 diabetics) helps cells in the body take  up the vitamin C that they need to function properly. At the same  time, lots of circulating blood sugar (glucose), as is often the  present in diabetics, prevents the cells from getting the vitamin C  that they need, even if eating lots of fruits of vegetables.  For this reason, taking extra vitamin C in the form of supplements  may be helpful in those with diabetes. Click Here to Learn More About Vitamin C.

Pro=For Biotic=Life... are you FOR life?

The University of Maryland Medical School lists the following therapeutic uses for probiotic supplements:

• Replacing the "friendly" intestinal bacteria destroyed by antibiotics
• Aiding digestion and suppressing bacteria
• Preventing and treating diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by rotavirus (a virus that commonly causes diarrhea in children)
• Treating overgrowth of "bad" organisms in the gastrointestinal tract (a condition that tends to cause diarrhea and may occur from use of antibiotics)
• Alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and, possibly, inflammatory bowel issues (such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis)
• Preventing and/or reducing the recurrence of vaginal yeast issues, urinary tract problems, and cystitis. The best scientific evidence exists for severe upsets in vaginal health.
• Improving lactose absorption digestion in people who are lactose intolerant
• Enhancing the immune response. Studies have suggested that consumption of yogurt or milk that contains specific strains of Lactobacillus or supplements with Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium may improve the natural immune response
• Aiding the treatment of respiratory issues such as sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia
• Lowering risk of allergies. Examples include ones that involve labored breathing, hay fever, food allergies to milk, and skin reactions such as eczema
• Helping to treat high cholesterol
• Reducing the risk of recurring bladder tumors once this life threatening problem has been treated
• Other conditions under investigation for use of probiotics include life threatening issues in the colon, and Helicobacter pylori, an organism that can lead to development of stomach problems which are difficult to resolve.

OK, so maybe you have seen that list before, but recent research published in the British Journal of Nutrition shows that taking probiotics even reduces anxiety! The study showed that people who took probiotics for 30 days were far less stressed than those who did not take probiotics. And here are a couple more reasons to take supplemental probiotics. New studies show that probiotics reduce the harmful bacteria that cause gum issues and cavities and users of probiotics also incur a reduced rate of developing colds and coughs.


I'd love to share my favorite way of getting all of the probiotics I need on a daily basis! 





  

JAMA Reports Multivitamins Reduce Cancer Risk

JAMA Reports Multivitamins Reduce Cancer Risk  A new study published October 15th in JAMA (Journal of the American  Medical Association) found "daily multivitamin supplementation significantly reduced the risk of total cancer" The multivitamin and cancer arm of the Physicians' Health Study (PHS) II, the only large-scale, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) to study the long-term effects of a multivitamin in chronic disease, was conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School and was presented by lead corresponding author J. Michael Gaziano, M.D., M.P.H., at the annual American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research meeting. PHS II studied nearly 15,000 male U.S. physicians aged 50 years and older for over a decade.

According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the  leading trade association for the dietary supplement industry,  the well-designed study provides encouraging news. "This  study reinforces the value of long-term consistent use of a daily multivitamin as a convenient and affordable insurance policy for good health," said Duffy MacKay, N.D., CRN's vice  president, scientific and regulatory affairs.For example, women of child-bearing age are regularly advised to take a multivitamin  with 400 mcg of folic acid to help prevent certain birth defects  such as spina bifida. Additionally, many Americans, despite  being overfed, are not getting the essential nutrients necessary for good health, and a daily multivitamin helps fill those  nutrition gaps.

In fact, in CRN's most recent annual consumer survey on dietary  supplements, when asked why they take dietary supplements,  vitamin/mineral users ranked "to help reduce the risk of serious  illness" eighth on the list, with "overall health and wellness  benefits" and "to fill in nutrient gaps in their diet" cited as the  number one and two reasons, respectively.Not only did this  study provide good news for the supplement industry and its  consumers, but it provided another reminder that science  should be viewed in the context of the full body of scientific  literature. For those who have previously tried to shut the door  on the benefits of taking a multivitamin, this study, says  Dr. MacKay, "pushes the door and the windows wide open to the  benefits and safety of multivitamins." It doesn't get any easier to take exactly what you require, than the system David and I are using. Isagenix has packaged the correct vitamin/mineral supplements for men, and women, in super easy to use morning and evening daily packs. Check them out! Then ask me how you can get your wholesale membership paid for in full just for checking these out for three months. To your health!!!

I can't drink those shakes because they have fructose in them!

I'm often confused at some of the objections people raise when presented with a super easy and convenient way to get quality nutrition into their lives. As you know, I market a product for people like me who are too busy to always prepare fresh, organic foods but want to have a healthy nutritional foundation. Sometimes, when I show the ingredient list for our IsaLean meal replacement shake to a prospective customer, I get the "Oh, I can't drink that! There's fructose in it!" response. So... you're not routinely consuming various forms of sugar? 

Soy Protein About as Good as Plain Water for Muscle Building

According to a new study, soy protein does not compare to whey protein when it comes to muscle growth.

Need another reason to choose whey protein over soy when trying to preserve and build lean muscle mass? A new study (1) from McMaster University in Canada found that when compared to whey protein, ingesting soy protein after a workout or at rest does about as much as plain water for muscle protein synthesis.

The study randomized 30 elderly men into three treatment groups to test the effects of ingesting 0 grams of protein, 20 grams of soy protein, or 40 grams of soy protein at rest and after a bout of resistance exercise. These effects were then compared to previous responses in similar aged men who had ingested 20 grams or 40 grams of whey protein at rest and after resistance exercise.

Results showed that rates of muscle protein synthesis for ingesting 20 grams of soy protein were no different than ingesting 0 grams of protein. The higher dose of soy protein, 40 grams, only modestly increased rates of muscle protein synthesis after exercise in comparison to people who consumed no protein.

In contrast, previous data from the study authors showed that consuming whey protein at rest and after exercise has shown to induce muscle protein synthesis whether in a dose of 20 or 40 grams, with the larger dose having a greater effect.

“We report that soy protein isolate is relatively ineffective in its capacity to stimulate MPS [muscle protein synthesis] in the elderly when compared to whey protein,” wrote the researchers.

The findings from this study should speak to aging adults who are looking to avoid the muscle-wasting effects of sarcopenia, as protein source and dose are showing more and more to be critical in avoiding age-related muscle loss. Even though both whey and soy proteins are considered high-quality proteins based on the digestibility of their amino acids, and both are considered ‘fast’ proteins because they cause a rapid increase in amino acids available to be utilized by muscles, the actual digestion and muscle-building potential of whey and soy protein are quite different.

For one, whey protein has a higher percentage of the amino acid leucine, which has shown to be the “master” amino acid for the synthesis of muscle. What’s more, the current study found that a greater proportion of soy’s amino acids—including leucine—are diverted towards oxidation, making them unavailable for muscle synthesis. This goes along with the findings of prior studies (2, 3) that revealed the amino acids contained in soy protein are metabolized in the body by gut proteins. The amino acids in whey protein, on the other hand, are partitioned for use by skeletal muscle tissue—leading to greater rates of muscle synthesis. To top it off, soy protein products do not usually exceed 20 grams per serving and research is showing that we need closer to 30 grams of protein per meal (4).

Whey protein is not just for older adults looking to preserve their muscles. Whey protein has shown to be superior to soy in increasing muscle protein synthesis after exercise in young adults too (5).

Whether young or old, Isagenix has the whey protein needed for maximal muscle growth and maintenance for everyone. Maintain muscle mass by enjoying an IsaLean Shake with 24 grams of protein or an IsaLean Bar with 18 grams of protein. Older adults or those looking to maximize their muscle growth may also benefit from having IsaLean Pro with a supercharged dose of 35 grams protein.

There are many choices to consider when looking for the right protein supplement in your diet. Rest assured that at Isagenix we look to the science to bring you the right protein in the right amounts to maintain, repair, and build muscle.

References

1. Yang Y, Churchward-Venne TA, Burd NA, Breen L, Tarnopolsky MA, Phillips SM. Myofibrillar protein synthesis following ingestion of soy protein isolate at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2012;9:57. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-9-57
2. Bos C, Metges CC, Gaudichon C et al. Postprandial kinetics of dietary amino acids are the main determinant of their metabolism after soy or milk protein ingestion in humans. J Nutr 2003;133:1308-15.
3. Fouillet H, Mariotti F, Gaudichon C, Bos C, Tome D. Peripheral and splanchnic metabolism of dietary nitrogen are differently affected by the protein source in humans as assessed by compartmental modeling. J Nutr 2002;132:125-33.
4. Symons TB, Sheffield-Moore M, Wolfe RR, Paddon-Jones D. A moderate serving of high-quality protein maximally stimulates skeletal muscle protein synthesis in young and elderly subjects. J Am Diet Assoc 2009;109:1582-6.
5. Tang JE, Moore DR, Kujbida GW, Tarnopolsky MA, Phillips SM. Ingestion of whey hydrolysate, casein, or soy protein isolate: effects on mixed muscle protein synthesis at rest and following resistance exercise in young men. J Appl Physiol2009;107:987-92. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00076.2009  

Lose weight FAST - and be unhealthy

Healthy way to lose weight

“Fast Food” IS Finally Nutritious, Healthy And Quickly Sheds Your Unwanted Pounds!

 You’re about to change your definition of “fast food” just like I did.  I’ve recently discovered that the IsaLean shake has completely changed the meaning of the words “fast food.” Actually, the IsaLean Shake is easier, cheaper and even faster than “fast food” and unlike fast food, it provides your body with 100% of the nutrients it needs to drop the pounds quicker than anything else. Oh yeah, I did the math: a burger and fries will cost you about $7.00 and the toxic ingredients will hang around in your body a lot longer than you want. And, the IsaLean shake…well, it’s 100% natural, it’s 100% proven, and it will help you shed you unwanted pounds for just around $3.50 a shake. That’s a deal!

If you’re serious about losing weight I have a FREE IsaLean Shake sample for you to try. Go to www.FreeLunchFromMe.com, get your free sample and let me know what you think about the great new taste of a shake that’s in the #1 Nutritional Cleanse in the world.

Have You Tried Diets and Meal Plans And Failed? Finally, A Real Solution That Works

If you’re like most people, you’ve tried a ton of diet plans, boot camps, point systems, you name it and you still didn’t get the permanent results you wanted, right? What I realized is that these systems are temporary or don’t work because they don’t address the “cause” of weight gain. No, I’m not talking about emotional eating. I’m talking about the chemicals in the food that most people eat everyday, and the chemicals that send the body into a tail spin and  sabotage weight loss. Recently I was reading about it all online and it finally hit home: To finally lose weight I had to rid myself of the harmful food chemicals (fast food and preservatives) and start putting balanced nutrition into my body. We all know that there is “bad food” everywhere, but I discovered one product that actually targets nutrition, proteins, and nutritional cleansing. It’s the IsaLean shake. It’s total nutrition, no bad stuff, high in all the good stuff, and with it, my unwanted pounds came off. The IsaLean Shakes have all the nutrition I need, so I’m not hungry after a shake, and I don’t need to eat everything I see just to fill up.f you’re like me and you want to quickly drop the pounds, discover it all for yourself. I have a free sample of the IsaLean Shake for you, go to www.FreeLunchFromMe.com to get your free IsaLean shake. If you’re like me you’re going to be thrilled to finally drop the unwanted pounds!

What foods make you shudder? What foods make you say "More, please!"? You can learn a lot about the state of a person's health by their answer to these questions. Is "good" food "bad" tasting? Some people would, reluctantly perhaps, say "yes" to this.

Good food: Cod liver oil
Good TASTING food: Farm-raised Cod deep fried in hydrogenated oil

Good food:  Raw, organic broccoli
Good TASTING food: raw broccoli dipped in commercially-promoted ranch dressing

Good food: Raw, organic red cabbage
Good TASTING food: Cabbage cole slaw with mayonnaise and sugar

You get my point, I'm sure. Some of the best tasting foods are the worst for you. Sadly, some of the absolute best foods for you, at least in the opinions of some people, taste the worst.

Below are the results from a recent survey I found online:

John's Amazing Journey - a Testimonial

"Just wanted to say hi and to give you all an update on how my 9 day cleanse went. When I started 10 days ago, I was determined to do this 9 day even though I am Diabetic. The safeguards in place were to ensure I did not plummet my blood sugars too low. 


My weight as 248 but when the dust finally cleared I currently weigh 228. A total of 20 lbs gone. I have purchased a pair of waist size 34 blue jeans and they fit. You should have heard the yell at Walmart when I put them on in the dressing room. The attendant asked if all was ok, I replied absolutely! 


I don't ever remember wearing that size.. EVER! Well, maybe back in junior high. The best part is I feel awesome, my blood sugars have consistently leveled out to 100-120 and I've only taken a couple of insulin shots during this whole time to slightly adjust. This is saying something since I was at one point taking 4 consistent shots a day. My A1C is moving every steady to being where I want which I soon expect it to be at 7.0 if not lower. My blood preasure has dropped to 118/71. What else can I say, I love this product as it has given me my life back. I choose to live!!!!!!! Ruth, you are a motivator and God uses you for just that." 


John

I'm sorry. I'm afraid I haven't been totally honest with you...

A question I am frequently asked is "If I start Isagenix, will I have to continue using it for the rest of my life?" to which I generally answer "No, of course not."

Recently, one of my customers brought the Isagenix products in to her primary health care provider, who basically told her otherwise. My immediate reaction was that she was wrong, however I have thought about that, and I have to apologize and tell you why she might be right.

Even losing 1.5% of this can cause adverse effects in mood, energy level, and the ability to think clearly

You may have guessed it. It's loss of water volume in your body. In his book, 'Your Body's Many Cries For Water', Dr. Batmanghelidg emphasizes both the healing effects of water, and the damaging effects of dehydration. Losing 1.5% of your water volume isn't really that difficult.

Listen to Lawrence E. Armstrong, professor of physiology in UConn's Department of Kinesiology in the Neag School of Education. He is an international expert on hydration, and has conducted research in the field for more than 20 years. "Our thirst sensation doesn't really appear until we are 1 [percent] or 2 percent dehydrated. By then dehydration is already setting in and starting to impact how our mind and body perform. Dehydration affects all people, and staying properly hydrated is just as important for those who work all day at a computer as it is for marathon runners, who can lose up to 8 percent of their body weight as water when they compete."

You may enjoy raisins, but you don't want to be one. Same with prunes. Not a pretty thought. Now think of your brain turning into a raisin or prune.

As summer approaches (here in the Pacific Northwest) or is in full swing (nearly everywhere else), this becomes even more important. Studies have shown, for instance, that elderly people who are hospitalized for dehydration often die within that same year. Your body will attempt to rob moisture from vital organs to help your blood carry vital nutrients along.

In coaching people to health using the Isagenix system of foods and supplements, we recommend 100 ounces of clean water daily as a good place to start. Larger-bodied people will require more, possibly, to stay well hydrated. Here's a little test you can do at home. On a day when you have had an adequate amount of water, pinch the skin on the back of your hand, as you hold it out in front of you, palm down. The skin will quickly return and not stay in a "tent" shape. If you do this little test, and the skin does stay in a tent-like shape, it's a good indication you need more hydration.

Drink more water! Drink less of the dehydrating beverages like coffee and alcohol. One tool many of our team members use to help them consume enough water, is to use Want More Energy to make the water taste better, and to provide vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes their body needs. My personal favorite is orange, but the hibiscus is also not only delicious, but a sort of aroma-therapy experience as well. If you enjoy the taste of lemonade, citrus may be for you.

I'm so thankful that you've taken the very important step of getting in control of your health. My goal is to support you in achieving YOUR Isagenix goals. Since this system is designed primarily to assist the body in getting rid of poisons and impurities by flushing them out through the urinary system, it is absolutely imperative that you consume enough clean water. If you don't, you may experience some negative effects as the released impurities remain in your body. Now - go get a glass of water!

Successfully Yours,

Ruth Shapovalov
1 425 802 2763
ruthashapovalov@gmail.com

Are you for real?

Why do you eat food? Be honest. What's the first thing that came to your mind when you read that? My honest first reaction is "Because I like it!" Of course, everyone knows that human beings require food to live. Everyone also agrees that, at least in America, many human beings eat far more than is required to live. 

What are we eating? And, is it "real"? How do you even know what nutritional value that food has, that you are happily consuming. I can pretty much guarantee it's not what you think it is, unless you raised it yourself under absolute clean conditions, and ate it the day it was harvested, with zero processing.


Here is a little information from a website called 'Mother Earth News' :


Official U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrient data shows that the calcium content of broccoli averaged 12.9 milligrams per gram of dry weight in 1950, but only 4.4 mg/g dry weight in 2003.

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/Nutrient-Decline-Industrial-Farming.aspx#ixzz1uaETT2ls


For the past 68 months I have been enjoying very, very real food as my nutritional foundation, and supplementing with foods from local grocery stores, farmers' markets, and fruit stands. Why don't I call those "real"? So glad you asked. There is definitely a difference, and it's not just in the form in which the foods come. The nutritional content, for the sake of this discussion, will be what determines "real" food (that nourishes and strengthens the body), and sub-standard food (may taste wonderful, but doesn't do the utmost good for the body). 


As I write this letter, I am enjoying a wonderful salad. It's shredded organic cabbage, topped by a crumbled organic vegetable patty, and topped with hummus dressing and raw, organic chia seeds. It's delicious. I like food.  I like the smell, the crunch, the warmth, the friendliness of food. But my little lunch is sub-standard. Why? Because I don't know how long the cabbage sat in the store before I bought it. I don't know how long the ingredients in my vegetable patty were in the facility before being processed and frozen. I really don't trust the dressing ingredients, however tasty it may be. Am I getting a decent amount of minerals? Vitamins? Quality protein? I don't really know. Am I enjoying the salad? Absolutely.

But what I had for breakfast set me up for nutritional success for the day. I know that it was 100% fresh when I consumed it. I know it was 100% toxin-free. I know the exact amount of every vital mineral, vitamin, and amino acid I put into my body. My breakfast was more full of "REAL" nutrition than 99.9% of Americans' diet for the entire day. And that, my friends, is a documented truth. If you want to look at the ingredients in my breakfast, here are the links to the 3 parts:  Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. These links will simply show you what I ate. I wish you could taste it...

What if we could have the best of both worlds? What if we could create a nutritional foundation which fulfilled all of our body's needs to thrive, and then enjoy the social pleasure and taste, smell, and texture pleasure of munching on so-called "real" food, too? Guess what! We can.

The beauty of having super foods which become live when you add water, is that you can enjoy them once, twice, three times, or all the time, without risk of spoilage, loss of vital nutrients, or any kind of compromise. You can know you've provided your body with all the fuel it requires, and then go satisfy your desire to sit over a delicious cup of coffee or tea with a friend, and enjoy a sensible meal. These actions are not mutually exclusive. 


What if you want to drop excess pounds, and along with them, excess toxic fat? Just enjoy more of the super food meals than you do grocery store or restaurant foods. Follow a simple Cleansing plan, and achieve that goal. What if you want to suspend that more intense plan during a special season or occasion? It's your plan. Do as you like. Just know that you will have different results based upon your actions. Actually, isn't that how life works, in general?


So, when I hear people say, regarding Isagenix, that they just want to get their nutrition from "real food", I have to smile to myself. I know that some of what they are calling "real" is as stripped of anything that nourishes the body as it can possibly be. Just because it is  good for food, and a delight to the eyes doesn't mean it's your best choice for breakfast.

Are you "for real"? 

Rainbow Stuffed Peppers

Sweet bell peppers are among the most nutrient-dense foods available. They supply impressive amounts of fiber and vitamins C and A, as well as silicon, an element that promotes beautiful hair, skin, nails, and teeth. With only 12 calories per 1/2 cup raw, they can be enjoyed raw, roasted, juiced, or added to a variety of recipes. They’re definitely a superfood.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

4 large sweet bell peppers in different colors
1 cup finely diced celery
3 ripe tomatoes, chopped
3 scallions, finely diced
1 large ripe avocado, mashed
1 carrot, grated
1 cup mixed sprouts
1/4 cup diced jicama
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
1 Tbsp. Sesame-Seed Salt (also known as Gomasio; see Chapter 16 for the recipe)
Butter lettuce
Fresh parsley sprigs for garnish

Directions

Cut off the top of each pepper, remove the seeds and ribs, wash, and dry with a paper towel. In a bowl, combine all other ingredients. Spoon the filling into the peppers. Serve on a bed of lettuce or sprouts and garnish with fresh parsley sprigs.

Variations 
When you’re in the mood for something a little spicy, drizzle the stuffed peppers with a little salsa or add a chopped jalapeno pepper. Try using some fresh corn kernels cut off the cob or fresh peas. To add some extra protein, include some beans or sprouted lentila in the mixture or sprinkled on the lettuce leaves.

When awareness becomes action

Are you aware that our food supply is tainted and nutrient-depleted? What action are you choosing to take?

Are you aware that cancer is taking down over a million people a year in the US? What action are you choosing to take?

Do you know that obesity causes serious health issues, and is a rapidly-growing problem in the US? What action are you choosing to take to remedy or avoid that?

Maybe you're happy just being aware. I'm not. What hope is there, in awareness? There is only hope when action is taken to avoid or fix that which is killing us.

Here are some suggestions:

Your very best choice for nutrition would be organically home-grown (or very locally grown) eaten raw right after harvesting, vegetables and fruits. Next would be super clean animal proteins, including wild-caught fish. Even then, you would need to be sure what you were eating had not been contaminated by nearby pesticide or herbicide sprays, or even things like jet fuel.

There is information in abundance on how you can help your body avoid cancer. Rather than sporting a ribbon, why not find and take action? Find someone who has beaten cancer with nutrition, and follow their example. Find documented proof that a particular diet helps you resist cancer. Take action. Awareness does not save lives.

Avoid becoming obese. If you're overweight, turn that around. If you're already obese, the time to take action is NOW. There simply is no time to waste. Your life depends upon your action; not your awareness. Do one thing different today. One thing. Do some research. What can you give up today, which will give your body a fighting chance? Maybe you can give up pop. Maybe you can give up your daily candy bar.

Can supplements help?

Can enzyme-live foods which become live when you add water, help?

Are you ready to move from awareness to action?

Let's talk.

Are you Upside Down?

Being upside down in your health is worse than being upside down in your mortgage...

You don't "remember" the hunter-gatherer days, but you know of them. What hunter-gatherers consumed were foods with high nutrition and low calories. Today, most Americans, Canadians, and increasingly people in other countries around the world, are getting the reverse—high calories and low nutrition. Many are overfed, yet starving to death. Their bodies are accumulating fat and pollutants from intentional AND unintentional contaminants in our food supply, causing their biological systems to shut down and be vulnerable to a variety of chronic diseases.

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How I Cook

Hello, Gentle Readers -


I've often been asked to create a cook book. I've given this a lot of thought. It may be challenging to create a cook book when you refuse to measure!


I follow recipes. Sort of. But I realized my way of cooking is a little weird when I asked my daughter to help and I told her to smell the dish to see if it was seasoned correctly. She gave me a really strange look...


Here are a few basics which characterize my cooking.

• I use coconut oil 99.9% of the time when I cook
• I use more vegetables than anything
• I think almost everything is better with lots of onions in it
• I always saute onions, garlic, carrots, and celery to release their flavor, before adding anything else to them
• I love to cook fish, but hate over-cooked fish
• I learned from a gourmet cook that if you can make something with less ingredients, you're a better cook!

I don't believe being aware of cancer is the key to anything. I believe how you eat can make your body friendly toward, or hostile toward, the ultimate thief - cancer. Do your research. It will make you reach for Turmeric more often, like I do, and vegetable protein more often, like I do, and soy less often, like I do. 

Humans were made to drink water. So, do that. A lot. 

Eat fruit on an empty stomach, and ONLY on an empty stomach. Unless you enjoy indigestion or diarrhea. 

Experiment with raw food. Try eating vegetables you've only ever had cooked, raw, for a nice change. Just be bold. Do it. Chop 'em up, top 'em with some lemon juice or vinegar and olive oil, and go for it. 

I cook whole grains in vegetable or chicken broth. Always. 

I use only sea salt.

I like weird stuff like mung beans, fava beans, and quinoa. Add these to your shopping list, and live a little.

What I just had, though, required no cooking. You see, I feel that our commercial food supply is  bankrupt. We cook and eat food mostly for the enjoyment. The spices, like Turmeric, give it a nice anti-cancer and pro-health punch. To get the nutrition we need, I rely on nutrient-dense super foods which are live when you add water to them. 

I love to cook.

I love watching people eat what I cook.

I just know that it's social, fun, and satisfying - but not reliable as far as a source of all we need to thrive.

Stay healthy, my friends.

Are You Toxic?