Agave, friend or foe?

by Administrator on March 5, 2010

Have any of you been substituting agave nectar for sugar, thinking that it’s better for your health?  I have to say that the marketing around this product has been brilliant because even I wound up buying some.  For one reason or another, I liked that it was “raw” and “organic” and somehow that led me to believe that it was a milder sugar.

For the past year or so, I have been reading quite a few articles that have made me realize that agave nectar might even be worse than regular table sugar.

As an amazing article from the Weston A. Price Foundation points out, “In spite of manufacturers’ claims, agave “nectar” is not made from the sap of the yucca or agave plant but from the starch of the giant pineapple-like, root bulb. The principal constituent of the agave root is starch, similar to the starch in corn or rice, and a complex carbohydrate called inulin, which is made up of chains of fructose molecules.Technically a highly indigestible fiber, inulin, which does not taste sweet, comprises about half of the carbohydrate content of agave.”

The article goes on to say, “Agave syrup is a man-made sweetener which has been through a complicated chemical refining process of enzymatic digestion that converts the starch and fiber into the unbound, man-made chemical fructose. While high fructose agave syrup won’t spike your blood glucose levels, the fructose in it may cause mineral depletion, liver inflammation, hardening of the arteries, insulin resistance leading to diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and obesity.”

I think the message is clear.  Stay away from Agave!

If you need something sweet, have a piece of fruit or even some high-quality dark chocolate.  Bon appetit!

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There Ain’t No Magic Bullet, Folks!

by Administrator on May 4, 2009

The latest news on diet pills focuses on Hydroxycut, a popular product that quite a few people take to lose the extra pounds.  In fact, over 9 million units of product were sold last year alone!

Hydroxycut is being recalled by the FDA because enough people have suffered adverse health effects – including liver failure, heart complications and kidney damage.

The product itself is one part of the issue – the other part being how the FDA determins product safety.  For more information, read on.

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70 Green Smoothie Recipes!

by Administrator on March 31, 2009

Spring always makes me think of green, so in honor of Spring, here are 70 green smoothie recipes.  Big thanks to Liran for the recipes.

smoothie

Victoria Boutenko’s Favourite

Blend well:
6 leaves of red leaf lettuce
1/4 bunch of fresh basil
1/2 lime (juiced)
1/2 red onion
2 celery sticks
1/4 avocado
2 cups of water

Sergei Boutenko’s Favourite


Blend well:
5 kale leaves (green)
1/2 bunch of fresh dill
1/2 lime (juiced)
3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes
2 cups of water

Recipe #1
2-3 cups of greens of your choice,
2 cups papaya,
2 oranges
No water necessary

Recipe #2
1 handful lettuce leaves
1 handful mint
3 bananas
2 cups water

Recipe #3
4-5 kale leaves
3 apples
1/2 lemon juiced
2 cups of water

Recipe #4
3-4 stalks celery
2 ripe persimmons
1 banana
1 -2 cups water

Recipe #5
1/2 head romaine lettuce,
1 cup pineapple,
1 large mango,
1-inch fresh ginger

Recipe #6
2 -3 cups of your favorite grapes
1 handful parsley
2 handfuls of baby Spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #7
1 cup pineapple
1 banana
2 sticks of celery
1 handful of your favourite leafy greens

Recipe #8
1/2 avocado
1/2 capsicum
one small onion
2 cloves garlic
one chilli
2 handfuls black cabbage
2 cups water

Recipe #9
3 bananas
a cup of papaya
4 big handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #10
2 bananas
1 apple
1 pear
2 handfuls of parsley
2 big handfuls of kale
2 cups of water

Recipe #11
1 large dragon fruit
2 bananas
1 handful of parsley
1 small bunch of bok choy
2 cups of water

Recipe #12
3 bananas
3 huge handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #13
2 bananas
1 dragon fruit
2 huge handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #14
2 bananas
1 apple
1 pear
2 handfuls of parsley
2 big handfuls of kale
2 cups of water

Recipe #15
1 large dragon fruit
2 bananas
1 handful of parsley
1 small bunch of bok choy
2 cups of water

Recipe #16
4 large ripe bananas
2 large handfuls of kale
1 small handful of parsley
1 handful of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #17
1 apple
1 pear
2 bananas
1 1/2 cups of kale
1 stalk of celery
2 cups of water

Recipe #18
2 cups of papaya
1 banana
2 cups of leafy greens of your choice
2 cups of water

Recipe #19
3 cups of mango
1/2 medium sized romaine lettuce
1 cup of water

Recipe #20
1/2 pint rasberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 pint blueberries
2 bananas
3 big handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #21
1 apple
1 peach
1 nectarine
1 carrot
1/4 avocado
1 lemon (without peel or seeds)
Then filled the blender (Vita mix) with
parsley
romaine lettuce
chard
1 cup of water

Recipe #22
Handful each of
kale,
parsley,
mezclun
1 celery stick
pineapple
1 banana.
2 cups water

Recipe #23
1 cup papaya
1 orange
1/2 head romaine
1 big lovely bunch of red grapes.
two stalks of celery
2 cups water

Recipe #24
1 bunch coriander,
1 apple,
1?ginger
1 banana
1 cup water

Recipe #25
2 handfuls baby spinach,
1 celery stick,
1 handful parsley,
1 Granny Smith apple
1/4 tsp ginger powder
2 cups water

Recipe #26
3 handfuls baby spinach
2 celery stalks & leaves,
1 cup water,
1 green apple,
1 frozen lady finger banana
a quarter of fresh pineapple

Recipe #27
2 handfuls of carrot tops
2 stalks of celery
1 handful of sunflower sprouts
3 big red lettuce leafs
1 serving of aloe vera dried gel (from “Good Cause Wellness”)
3 bananas
2 cups water

Recipe #28
2 handfuls of baby spinach
2 kale leaves
1 serving of aloe vera dried gel
1 Granny Smith apple
2 oranges
1 cup of water

Recipe #29
3 big green lettuce leaves
1 handful of sunflower sprouts
2 handfuls of baby spinach
1 serving of aloe vera
6-7 big strawberries
1 handful of blueberries
1 cup of water

Recipe #30
2 bananas
6-7 strawberries
1 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera
half a Cos lettuce
1 cup water

Recipe #31
4 large ripe bananas,
2 large handfuls of kale,
1 small handful of parsley,
1 handful of baby spinach and
2 cups of water

Recipe #32
1 apple
1 pear
2 bananas
1 1/2 cups of kale
1 stalk of celery
2 cups of water

Recipe #33
2 cups of papaya
1 banana
2 cups of leafy greens of your choice
2 cups of water

Recipe #34
3 cups of mango
1/2 medium sized romaine lettuce
1 cup of water

Recipe #35
1/2 pint rasberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 pint blueberries
2 bananas
3 big handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #36
3 bananas
3 huge handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water.

Recipe #37
2 bananas
1 dragon fruit
2 huge handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water.

Recipe #38
1 handfuldandelion greens
1 handful parsley,
1 handful spinach,
1 banana,
1 orange
1 cup frozen raspberries

Recipe #39
lots of kale
juice from several lemonades (or lemons if unavaiable)
1? square or ginger, finely choppped
big dollop of honey
generous slosh of sugar cane juice
1-3 tsp of coconut oil
bit of water

Recipe #40
3 bananas
1 cup of papaya,
4 big handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #41
1 cup spinach,
1/2 inch ginger,
1 lemon,
1 cucumber,
2 celery
2 pears
1 cup water

Recipe #42
1/2 avocado
1/2 capsicum
one small onion
2 cloves garlic
one chilli
2 handfuls black cabbage
2 cups water

Recipe #43
Half a head of green leaf lettuce
2 bananas
juice from 2 tangelos
1/2 a bag of frozen mangos
1 pear
1 cup of water

Recipe #44
1 banana
Handful of Strawberries
Large Handful of Spinach
Dab of Water

Recipe #45
3-4 celery sticks
50 cent piece of grated ginger
1-2 apple or banana or pear (varied to what felt right that day)
2 cups water

Recipe #46
1/2 cos lettuce,
1 apple
1 banana
1 cup dandelion greens
1 celery stick
1tablespoon of soaked chia seeds

Recipe #47
1 lime
1 celery stick
1 cucumber
1 apple
1/2 gingerginger
1 garlic clove
parsley
mint
comfrey
dandelion
spinach or mushroom plant
brahmi
bazil
coriander
asparagus
fenegreek sprouts
tummeric
water

Recipe #48
4 very ripe persimmons
1 stalk of celery
1 handful of baby spinach
1 hand ful of dill
2 cups of water

Recipe #49
1 Large Pear
1? ginger
4 leaves of Romaine
1/2 a frozen banana

Recipe #50
1/2 banana
1/2 pear
juice of half an orange
about a cup of parlsey

Recipe #51
2 large handfuls of spinach (organic)
2 large handfuls of mixed baby greens (organic)
.5 cup alfalfa sprouts
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp flax seeds
2 slices of whole pineapple
1 small banana
1 cup water

Recipe #52
2 bananas,
2 cups spinach,
a stalk of celery and
2 cups of water

Recipe #53
spinach–4 or 5 fists full
cucumber–1 big or 2 small
(frozen) green grapes–1 cup
water–1/2c to 1c

Recipe #54
3 bananas
1/2 a bunch of fresh dill
2 celery stalks
1/2 bunch of bok choy
2 cups water

Recipe #55
one-half bunch of the following:
dandelion
parsley
cilantro
kale
red russian kale
5 stalks of celery
1 mango
about 10 strawberry
1 pear
gel of whole aloe vera leaf
a pinch of homeade green powder
1/4 cup water
a few frozen grapes
garnished with
broccoli sprouts and bee pollen

Recipe #56
1 orange,
1/2 head romaine lettuce
1 bunch red grapes
two stalks of celery

Recipe #57
3 handfuls of mixed baby spinach and
celery stalks & leaves,
1 cup water, 1 green apple,
1 frozen lady finger banana
and about a quarter of fresh pineapple

Recipe #58
1 punnet of strawberries,
2 pears
3 small handfuls of baby spinach,
1 bunch of Chinese bok choy and
2 cups of water

Recipe #59
1 handful of spinach (organic)
1 handful of romaine (organic)
1/2 ounce of Mint leaves (organic) or more if you like it really minty 
3/4 or 1 pound of strawberries (organic)
1 banana (organic)
1 cup of filtered water

Recipe #60
2 large glasses of water
2 large handfuls of baby spinach
bunch of parsley
little bit of kale
banana
pineapple
papaya
mango
plus 1 tsp flax oil

Recipe #61
1 apple
1 peach
1 nectarine
1 carrot
1/4 avocado
1 lemon (without peel or seeds)
Then filled the blender (Vita mix) with
parsley
romaine lettuce
chard
1 cup water

Recipe #62
Handful each of
kale, parsley,
mezclun
celery,
1 cup freshly squeezed pineapple juice,
1 banana.
1 cop water

Recipe #63
2 bananas
3 large spinach leaves
1/2 bunch mint
1 tsp maca
1 tsp soaked chia seeds
1 tsp goji berries (they give the smoothie lovely little pink flecks!)
1 date
1 cup water

Recipe #64
2 bananas
1/2 cup raspberries
1 pear
2 big handfuls baby spinach
1 tsp flax seed oil
1 cup water

Recipe #65
2 cups water
3-4 frozen or fresh bananas
3-4 yellow mangoes
1 cups raspberries
1 cup organic red grapes
5-6 or more kale leafs
some mint leafs
1 cup water

Recipe #66
2 oranges
1 lemon
1 bunch of fresh mint
1 bunch of a mixture of greens; spinach, parsley, kale
stevia to sweeten to taste.

Recipe #67
1 bunch bok choy,
1 banana,
1 pear,
6 strawberries,
celery
1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil
1 cup water

Recipe #68
Dandelion greens
Mango
2 bananas
8 romaine leaves
2 cups ice cold water
1 tablespoon raw cacao nibs

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I will be giving a free talk on April 16th at 7pm.

The talk is entitled “Sugar Blues” at Woo! Cosmetics in Buckhead:

Woo! Cosmetics
Peachtree Battle Shopping Center
2339-A Peachtree Rd
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 477-5000

During this fun and interactive talk I will help you figure out how to reduce your sugar cravings, lose weight and stabilize your moods!

Please feel free to bring friends!

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In Japan, Blood Type Means Much More Than You Ever Thought

by Administrator on February 1, 2009

Some of you have probably heard of the Blood Type Diet here in the U.S. Popularized by Dr. D’Adamo, the blood type diet categorizes people into four groups and then suggests which foods are ideal and not ideal to eat.  While some of the ideas presented in this diet are interesting and useful, I think it’s just a piece of the puzzle.

But a recent article I found suggests that in Japan, blood type determine everything.

“In the year just ended, four of Japan’s top 10 best-sellers were about how blood type determines personality, according to Japan’s largest book distributor, Tohan Co. The books’ publisher, Bungeisha, says the series — one each for types B, O, A, and AB — has combined sales of well over 5 million copies.

Taku Kabeya, chief editor at Bungeisha, thinks the appeal comes from having one’s self-image confirmed; readers discover the definition of their blood type and “It’s like ‘Yes, that’s me!’”

As defined by the books, type As are sensitive perfectionists but overanxious; Type Bs are cheerful but eccentric and selfish; Os are curious, generous but stubborn; and ABs are arty but mysterious and unpredictable.

All that may sound like a horoscope, but the public doesn’t seem to care.

Even Prime Minister Taro Aso seems to consider it important enough to reveal in his official profile on the Web. He’s an A. His rival, opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa, is a B.

Nowadays blood type features in a Nintendo DS game and on “lucky bags” of women’s accessories tailored to blood type and sold at Tokyo’s Printemps department store. A TV network is set to broadcast a comedy about women seeking husbands according to blood type.

It doesn’t stop there.

Matchmaking agencies provide blood-type compatibility tests, and some companies make decisions about assignments based on employees’ blood types.

Children at some kindergartens are divided up by blood type, and the women’s softball team that won gold at the Beijing Olympics used the theory to customize each player’s training.

Not all see the craze as harmless fun, and the Japanese now have a term, “bura-hara,” meaning blood-type harassment.”

Well, in full disclosure, I am an A+ – I guess that makes me an over-anxious sensitive perfectionist (who is most likely a vegetarian). According to the Zodiac, I’m a Taurus and also a Tiger in Chinese astrology.  I’m not sure what all of this means, but I’m glad that I don’t have to think about it too much!

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New Warning About Cod Liver Oil

by Administrator on December 23, 2008

Based on a new research, Dr. Mercola has changed his position on cod liver oil and now does NOT recommend that people take it.  According to the article, “there have been two recent meta-analyses done. The first one showed that people who took vitamin A supplements in cod liver oil, or in supplements, had an 18 percent increase in death rates. The other study showed that unlike third world countries where vitamin A supplementation appears to decrease infections, vitamin A supplementation in developed countries like the U.S. actually increases infections.

The researchers believe this is due to massive nutritional deficiencies in the third world because most of their calories are from grains and they simply don’t have an opportunity to consume as many fresh fruits, vegetables, butter, eggs and other vitamin A containing foods that those in the developed world do.

In fact current research could not find any vitamin A deficiency at all, but approximately 5% had vitamin A toxicity. The converse is true in the third world where vitamin A toxicity is virtually unheard of, yet vitamin A deficiency is pervasive.

Additionally new research has shown that vitamin D protects against cancer. But a paradox was found as those with higher vitamin D levels did not seem to have this benefit. A bright Harvard researcher carefully analyzed the data in the study that showed this and found that when he removed the people with high vitamin A and vitamin D levels, those with normal vitamin A levels and high vitamin D levels continued to have reduced risk of colon cancer. So those that did not take vitamin A had the protective effect from higher levels of vitamin D.

Other research is now showing a connection between high levels of vitamin A and osteoporosis. In fact many Scandinavian countries that regularly supplement with cod liver oil have rampant osteoporosis even though they are getting adequate amounts of oral vitamin D.

Dr. John Cannell, head of the Vitamin D Council, along with 15 other researchers, recently released an article “Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A Toxicity, Frequent Respiratory Infections, and the Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic” in the November issue of Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology. In this paper Dr. Cannell raised questions about the efficacy of cod liver oil due to its highly variable and frequently excessive amount of vitamin A. Typically modern cod liver oil contains far less vitamin D than it used to, due to the deodorization process used today which removes much of this essential nutrient.

More here.I used to take Krill Oil, but have now switched to a high potency fish oil supplement that I really like. If you’d like more information about it, drop me an email at jane@janereinberg.com.

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Winter Solstice

by Administrator on December 22, 2008

This Is A Unique Solstice
by Patricia Diane Cota-Robles
http://eraofpeace.org 

The Winter Solstice is considered one of the most powerful times of the year by many cultures around the world. In the Northern Hemisphere this celestial event usually occurs on December 21st. The timing of the solstice this year will be Sunday, December 21, at 7:04 a.m. EST, 4:04 a.m. PST, or 12:04 p.m. Universal Time. 

The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year, and it heralds the initial impulse of the annual return of the Sun, the Light, to the Earth. This year the spiritual effects of the solstice will be more powerful than ever before. This is due to the incredible influx of Light that is pouring into the planet through the heartfelt pleas of people everywhere. 

Humanity is experiencing the most intensified purging of the economic system, and the various other social structures that do not operate with a consciousness of the highest good for all concerned, that we have ever endured. This is a necessary cleansing that is paving the way for the physical manifestation of the patterns of perfection for the New Earth. The difficult part of this process is that the masses of Humanity do not see the bigger picture. Millions of people see only the painful situations that are happening in their lives. As a result of this limited perception, they feel overwhelmed and hopeless. This is very hard to observe, but it is not all bad. 

After our fall from Grace aeons ago, we became so numb to the discord in our lives that we just muddled through our Earthly experiences accepting mediocrity as a natural state of being. We fell into the terrible habit of using pain as our motivator. Unless we were writhing in agony, we did not feel that it would help to take action or to ask for assistance from our Father-Mother God. For millions of people on Earth, prayer and an invocation for Light from our God Parents occurs only when they are brought to their knees by their life situations. This is exactly what is happening at this time for millions of people all over the world. 

20 The Company of Heaven is revealing to us now that more people than ever before are reaching a critical moment in their life experiences. Consequently, millions of people are asking God for Divine Intervention. Many of them are praying for the very first time. This powerful event, in unison with the millions of Lightworkers who daily invoke the Light of God, has created the greatest influx of Light the Earth has ever experienced during a Winter Solstice. This Heavenly assistance will greatly empower the patterns of perfection for the New Earth, and it will accelerate our individual hopes and dreams by leaps and bounds. 

Beginning now, and continuing for the next 72 hours, focus intently on the vision of what you want to manifest in your life and the lives of your loved ones. Focus on your visions for the New Earth and the harmony and balance you wish for all Humanity. This is a rare opportunity, and we are being called to action by our God Selves—our I AM Presence—and the Company of Heaven. Be sure your visions and your intentions always reflect our Oneness and the Reverence of ALL Life.

This event will pave the way for a God Victorious New Year. 2009 is going to be a year of miraculous changes. These changes have been in the works for quite some time, and now we are going to experience them tangibly in the world of form. These changes will not happen by chance. They will20occur through the unified efforts of Lightworkers all over the world and the Company of Heaven. 

I know there are a lot of dire predictions regarding the global economy and the challenges Humanity is going through, but we are not the victims of circumstance. We are the cocreators of our Earthly experiences. If we do not like the way things are going in our lives, we have the ability to change our circumstances. This is what we have been preparing for aeons to accomplish—and now is the time. 

As the Hopi prophecy states: “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”

2009 numerically is an 11 year. Eleven is the master number that reflects the transformation of the physical into the Divine. The archetypes for the patterns of perfection for the New Earth were securely anchored into the physical plane in August 2008. In 2009, through our creative faculties of thought and feeling, we will expand these patterns into our daily experiences.

The purging and cleansing of the obsolete behavior patterns that have caused the maladies existing in Humanity’s lives will continue. But the wonderful news is, as these old archetypes crumble away, the expansion of the patterns of perfection for the New Earth will begin to manifest in ways that will bring joy, fulfillment and great expectations into the heart s and minds of people everywhere.

There is a new sense of hope flooding through the hearts of people around the world. Humanity’s hope is magnetizing Legions of Light from the Realms of Perfection into the atmosphere of Earth in ways we have never experienced. The Divine Intent of these Messengers of God is to assist Humanity to move quickly through the cleansing process so that the bliss of the New Earth will manifest in the twinkling of an eye.

2009 is going to be whatever we cocreate together. Do not let this opportunity pass you by. 

Patricia Diane Cota-Robles
New Age Study of Humanity’s Purpose
a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit educational organization

Website: http://eraofpeace.org         
 
FAX: 520-751-2981; 
Phone: 520-885-7909

New Age Study of Humanity’s Purpose
PO Box 41883, 
Tucson, Arizona 85717

This article is copyrighted, but you have my permission to share it through any medium as long as the proper credit line is included.

©2008 Patricia Diane Cota-Robles

The information in this monthly sharing is being given to Humanity by the Beings of Light in the Realms of Illumined Truth. The Divine Intent of these celestial sharings is to encourage, empower, uplift and inspire Humanity by allowing us to see the bigger picture during these wondrous but often challenging times.

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Dieting Poetry

by Administrator on December 9, 2008

THE ESSENTIAL CHOICE

by William V. Brust

To eat salad, or not to eat salad: that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
the tofu and protein shakes of outrageous dieting,
Or to take arms against a sea of chocolates,
And by opposing, devour them? To feast, to starve;
No more, and by a feast to say we end
The hunger and the thousand natural shocks
That taste is heir to, ’tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish’d. To feast, to stuff my face;
To stuff my face, perchance to get a tummy-ache: ay, there’s the rub;
For in that fit of binge eating what pains may come
When we have stretched our stomachs past their capacity,
Must give us pause: There’s the respect
That makes calamity of so much indulgence;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of celery,
The oppressor’s radish, the proud man’s asparagus.
The pangs of despised herbal supplements, dessert’s delay,
The insolence of treadmills and the spurns
Of the societal merit of the unworthy physical ideal.
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bag of Cheetos? Who would go to the gym,
To grunt and sweat under a barbell,
But that the dread of what she might think,
The undiscover’d teasing from whose bourn
No man’s self-esteem, returns unscathed, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those vegetables and tofu burgers we have
Than to fly to milkshakes and French fries we know not of?
Thus sex appeal does make cowards of us all;
And this the native hue of chocolate
Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of fat,
And enterprises of great sweet and sourness
Their woks and deep fryers turn awry.
And lose the name of action. — Soft you now!
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my rolls unnoticed.

(See Hamlet’s soliloquy, by Shakespeare.)

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