Top 3 Quick Foods That Are Dangerous

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We all know the dangers of eating fast food and foods with tons of preservatives. But have you ever wondered about the quick foods that are often within an arm’s reach? If you haven’t that’s ok. Let’s take a look now. Here are:

The Top 3 quick foods that  aren’t safe!

3) Nuts and seeds: It can be very tempting to reach for a bag of sunflower seeds or almonds, cashews etc. when you’re at a vending machine. However, these snacks tend to carry high levels of estrogen which can be detrimental for anyone who suffers from a hormonal imbalance. Also the acid that they contain tend to lead to constricted blood vessels later in life. Here’s an alternative: dried fruit. If you will purchase the dried fruit, make sure that it doesn’t have preservatives or food coloring. When making dried fruit at home, place your fruit slices on a (greased) oven safe pan and bake until the fruit has dried out. Easy!

2) Canned veggies:  These are inexpensive and come in a variety, however there is a downside. Companies don’t have to mention all their preservatives on their label. Therefore, just because the canned veggie doesn’t expire until 5 years from now, doesn’t mean that there is only water in that aluminum can. Solution: choose frozen or fresh veggies instead. To learn more about fruits and veggies that are recommended please check out What to Consume or The Downside of Nutrition Part 1.

1) Canned Meats: From sardines to tuna, this is perhaps the easiest ingredient to make a quick meal after a long day. It’s obvious that fresh is best but sometimes convenience is key. The convenience is understandable but at what cost to our optimal health? Dangerous foods can also be canned foods. A great way to reduce the health disruptors is to do a thorough rinse before using. Need an example? No problem. Watch the Chicken & Chunky Potato Soup recipe and you’ll start to realize that the possibilities are endless when you choose canned meats.

Top 3 Immune System Boosters

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We’ve all heard that positive thinking tends to be an immune system booster. However, when it comes to health problems, such a saying is easier said than done. Keep in mind, it’s not about becoming unrealistic about unfortunate circumstances. It is about approaching life’s challenges with a positive outlook. Here are some easy and powerful immune boosting tips that will get you started.

Perception – Do you ever find yourself focusing on what went wrong & talking down to yourself? You may be missing the very raw materials your cells use to allow positive thoughts. Be sure to connect with people and music that highlight the best. If you don’t have kidney problems, include more navy beans, lamb or goat meat in your weekly diet. For more help, connect with a symptometrist for help making the shift.

Communication–  Instead of internalizing your troubles, talk about them. Address those who attempt to dismiss your goals and talents directly. Also, put your feelings and concerns in a journal and connect live with an online support group, a local therapist, or a trusted individual. It is only when we communicate that we can be heard. (Click here to take the survey and be heard now.)

Practice– Being positive is about taking a proactive approach to life. Changing a negative thought cycle is a process that takes time. The good news: the mind is a powerful thing. Speak positive affirmations daily, such as “I am a force for good and in full control of my day.” These are easy immune system boosters. Also, be sure to surround yourself with others who are happily working towards their goals.  Remember:

 

“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

 

– Abraham Lincoln

 

Top 3 BBQ Tips

BBQ TIPS

There are many thoughts of summer time memories but the one that rings dear is a revered social gathering known as a barbeque.

Even though this tends to be a favorite past time, in our quest for optimal health, we must look at food differently. Before we analyze the food on our plates, let us take a moment to review the purpose of food. Generally speaking, the purpose of food is to nourish our cells. With that said, let us move our attention to some key barbeque delights.

First, the most important feeding tool at any barbeque is our hands. Instead of constantly using hand sanitizers, we should get in the habit of using soap and water before we eat. No matter how nourishing the food will be, it will be tainted with germs if we don’t start here. Here are some top bbq tips.

1) Replace your pork chop with a lamb chopThe human body uses more energy to extract the nutrients from one serving of pork or beef vs. one serving of lamb or fish. Also, lamb meat is rich in heme iron. This is good news for anyone who suffers from not having enough iron in their diet.

If you are a BBQ guest, choosing pork products less often, helps our bodies sustain the energy and enzymes needed to continue to fight off ailments.

2) Help yourself to the right fruits– Perhaps the biggest caution is to be wary of fruits that have a high level of citrus acid. Most people immediately think of limes, lemons and oranges. However, berries and raw apples are some fruits that also carry a high amount of citric acid. The human body needs to sustain a balanced ph level and increased amounts of citric acid, breeds the grounds for illness. Also, focus on fruits that aid in digestion like mangoes and papayas.

3) Replace ketchup with mustard – The number one way to make a healthier bbq is presumably the easiest, with condiments. Mustard contains properties that help in fighting ailments. Ketchup, barbeque and even buffalo sauce don’t have those same qualities.

**These main bbq tips are just the beginning. There are a number of foods (and seasonings) that increase our optimal health. The challenge is to avoid the ones that add to our detriment.