Archive for May, 2008

Author: Rudy Silva

Most people don’t think about what foods are good for keeping their liver strong. But, if you have been discovering and using a diet that is good for your overall health, then, most likely you are helping your liver.

So here again is a list of healthy eating that will result in a strong useful liver.

Oils – use mostly olive oil for your food preparation. This oil can be heated to a relative medium level without causing free radicals. Use flax seed oil or fish oil every day.

Avoid margarine or any other artificial butter since their processing creates chemicals the liver cannot recognize as food. Use Ghee, which doesn’t require refrigeration, or raw butter,

Sunflower, safflower, and other seed oils should be kept in the refrigerator to keep them from becoming rancid.

When you eat too much fat, the fat accumulates in the liver. The liver is responsible for breaking down the fat and using it for energy. Accumulated fat in the liver can become rancid producing free radicals that damage liver cells.

Food – try to buy and eat good organic food. Food that has been sprayed with pesticides is difficult to clean and these chemicals will get into your body as free radicals.

Protein – Cut down on the amount of protein that you eat. Most of us only need about 2-3 ounces of protein, but if you do physical labor you need plenty more. The problem with more is some of this protein may not completely digest in our stomach and move into the colon. There this undigested protein is decomposed by bad bacteria creating toxic matter. These toxins can be absorbed into the blood and cause the liver extra work in detoxifying them.

Sulfur Foods – Since the liver produces enzymes, which are used in every body chemical reaction, you can support this activity by eating foods such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli cabbage, seeds and nuts.

Vitamins – minerals – nutrients – The liver, just like all parts of the body, needs vitamins and minerals. Get these from fruits and vegetables or even fruit and vegetable juices. Ionic minerals, easily absorbed, can be purchased in bottles from WaterOZ and other brands. These ionic minerals can then be easily added to your juices without adding any unusual taste.

Sugar – Limit, reduce or eliminate the use of sugar since it interferes with enzyme activity throughout your body. Use fruits, whole grains, barley malt, rice syrup, dates, dried fruit, and honey

Lecithin – use lecithin every day for the Phosphatidyl choline, PC that it provides. PC helps build the liver cell membranes creating a healthier liver. Use lecithin in granules by adding them to salads and other liquid food preparations including smoothies.

Author: Jamie Jefferson

We all know the benefits of eating organic foods, but sometimes the costs can be prohibitive. Here are six tips to help you buy organic while staying within your budget.

1. Get a card. One of the best ways to save on organic food, and foods of all kind, is to sign up for a free supermarket savings card. Many different grocery stores have savings cards that allow you take a certain percentage off of your total bill, or that give special prices on certain food items. As an added benefit, supermarkets collect data on their customers’ buying habits. By using your card and buying organic, you could be affecting their future buying decisions. If more people like you buy organic, your favorite supermarket may begin to stock more.

2. Buy generic organics. Many supermarkets also carry generic store-brand organics. These brands can have the same ingredients as pricey, brand-name organic products, but at a fraction of the cost. You might be surprised at the quality of ingredients that you’ll find in store brands.

3. Look online for coupons for organic foods. This, of course, only works on pre-packaged organic foods. Go to the website of your favorite health food stores as well as your favorite companies and get on their mailing lists so they can email you promotions and coupon codes.

4. Don’t skip the warehouse. Savings on organic food doesn’t stop at the local supermarket. You can also save big when you buy at warehouse clubs. Many warehouse stores are starting to carry organic produce, organic frozen meals and even eco-friendly household items. You can purchase items that you use every day, such as oil or flour, and lower your costs for organic goods.

5. Shop farmer’s markets. Try shopping at local farmer’s markets for fresh produce grown organically. Look for farmer’s markets in the newspaper and try to find one nearby on a weekend or weeknight. As you are shopping, you can ask the farmers how they grow the produce and if they use organic methods. Keep in mind that, at a farmer’s market, you’ll only be able to buy produce that is in season, but the prices may be as much as half to one third cheaper than you’ll find at supermarkets. You may even be able to lower prices further by buying in bulk from farmers.

6. Know what you need. You can also save on your total food costs by making your organic choices carefully. You don’t have to buy everything 100 percent organic. Adjust your purchases based on your needs and the level of pesticides that different foods contain. Some produce, such as bananas, avocados, and broccoli, retain less of the pesticides, so you can feel safer buying conventional varieties of these types of foods, and going organic with other items, such as like apples, cherries, and peaches.

Author: Nathan Pierce

If you’re looking for that special gift basket that will appeal to coffee lovers, Kona coffee is a good choice. Kona coffee beans are produced on the island of Hawaii. It is unique because it is the only coffee bean selection that is made here. This island produces an environment where volcanic soil, sun changes and the rain forest help to create a distinct flavor that you can’t find anywhere else. The flavor from the Kona coffee has a sharp tone and spicy scent that can’t be matched.

Kona coffee came to Hawaii by way of Brazil. In the 1800s, Kona coffee was commercially grown and produced many plantations. Due to circumstances beyond their control, the plantation owners were forced to lease some of the Kona crop to farmers. They in turn, invested their crops and turned it into family businesses. The farmers’ consistency and hard work paid off, and the Kona crops turned into a great profit for them.

Millions of pounds are produced each year. This massive amount comes from the high quality and special care taken to cultivate the Kona beans. This is why the Kona coffee is highly recommended to drink. This is a great selection to include in your gift basket. To add a special touch, you can also include information on the history of Kona coffee. When your clients read about it, they’ll realize why this brand of coffee is so special.

If you’re looking for an item to complement your coffee, look no further. Organic chocolate is a good choice. Organic chocolate has many health benefits. Rest assured, you’ll know organic chocolate when you see it, and not just by the label either. Organic chocolate is produced from cacao that was cultivated in a way that protects the environment. It should be tested to meet the standards for being an organic food.

As with any other organic food, organic chocolate should be free from chemicals and pesticides. Chemicals and pesticides can be harmful for your body. Even though non-organic chocolate is sweet and tasty, it has a chance of containing more chemicals and pesticides. Organic chocolate uses cocoa that is produced in a shaded area. This protects the possibility of chemicals and pesticides from coming in. Because of this, eating it helps your body stay healthy.

As with any other food, you should consume organic chocolate in moderation. It can help you alleviate constant coughing, make your heart strong, add magnesium, and lower your blood sugar level.

Studies have mentioned that chocolate is good to eat. Depending on what kind of chocolate you eat and make you or break you. Check the ingredients in the non-organic chocolate versus the organic chocolate. If you know anything about organic food, organic chocolate would be the better and healthier choice. You don’t have to concern yourself with a lot of health issues when you consume it.