An Avocado a Day

Image via Wikipedia

Avocados are one of the most nutritious foods available.  They are mostly rich in fat, but the good fat,  the same kind of fat that is present in olive oil.  I have actually lost weight eating a diet rich in avocados.  They are good for the heart and the arteries.  Although some may dispute that.  Avocados are rich in a number of vitamins, that being biotin, thiamine, niacin, vitamins A, B6 & E and folic acid.  The are also rich in minerals too, such as phosphorus, magnesium and potassium.  Avocados are also the only plant source containing carnitine. "Carnitine is a nutrient vital for fat metabolism" (1)

I could literally eat an avocado right out the skin.  I have been giving them to my kids since they were infants.  They are one of my favorite foods, it is just a plus that they are so good for you too.

Avocados can help with malnourishment, complexion problems, hair loss and a number of other aliments.  The are also a very alkaline food, which can help obtain a healthy pH of your body (I will write about body pH in another post, soon).

It may very well be that an avocado a day, may just keep the doctor away.

((1)source:  Supermarket Remedies by Dr. Cass Ingram)

The Power of Papaya

Image via Wikipedia

Papaya is another amazing fruit, actually all fruits and vegetables have they own special powers. Not real powers, but each is unique in the set of vitamins, minerals or what ever else it may contain. 

The papaya is native to the tropics and grows very fruitfully in these regions.  My uncle in Honduras has a farm full of papaya trees,  I only wish they grew that well here.

Papaya's special power is that it aids with digestion.  If you have digestive problems, you might want to consider adding some papaya to your diet. Papaya is power packed with digestive enzymes, and it is  loaded with vitamins A & C.  So what are enzymes? According to Wikipedia- Enzymes are mainly proteins, that catalyze (i.e., increase the rates of) chemical reactions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzyme

That is the chemical reaction that causes the digestion of your food.  We all need enzymes to properly digest our food and most of us through our diet just aren't getting what we need. I personally along with my family take a digestive enzyme supplement made from papaya, especially when we eat animal protein. You can usually find it at your local health food store. We also use  the supplement in the place of an antacid and it works great.  You can find it in a liquid form for easier and faster absorption.

So next time your stomach feels a little funny, don't reach for that antacid, just eat some papaya.

Olive Leaf Extract

Image by Monica Arellano-Ongpin via Flickr

I read somewhere that some sinus infections are actually caused by fungus rather than bacteria.  So that got me to thinking that if my sinus infection might be fungus, why would I take an antibiotic for it?  I used to get sinus infections a lot, one every 6-8 weeks.  That means that I took a lot of antibiotics.  I also had two sinus surgeries.  A few years back I stumbled on this product called Olive Leaf extract.

So what is olive leaf extract? Well, its an  extract from the leaf of the olive tree. (haha!!)  It is antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral. I usually use the Seagate brand (http://www.seagateproducts.com/), but have also found other brands that work well.  The reason why I prefer Seagate is because they make it in a nasal spray and a throat spray as well as the capsules.

When I can feel a sinus infection coming on, after I use my nasal lavage or neti pot, I will spray the olive leaf nasal spray to help ward off any infection.* The nasal spray also helps me with my allergies, stuffiness and sinus pressure. I have used Seagate products for years with no problems and even use them on my children, when they are age appropriate.  

Olive leaf extract is just another alternative if you are a sinus sufferer like me.


*-(Of course you should always talk to your doctor if you suspect you have a sinus infection, but I always ask for alternatives to prescriptions.)

Neti Pot

Image by swirlspice via Flickr

For those of you who suffer from allergies or sinus problems this might be a solution for you.  A neti pot or nasal lavage might just help alleviate your sinus and allergy symptoms.  I personally have been using a nasal lavage for the past 10 years, it was recommended by my ENT doctor and it works.  I haven't had a really bad sinus infection in years and I used to get them on a regular basis.  I have even recommended them to all of my friends and family.  Unless you are like my brother, who swears he almost drowned trying to use one, they are fairly simple to use. (most brands come with instructions)  I personally use the NeilMed brand, but there are a lot of other great brands out there also.  You can find them either at you local health food store or pharmacy.

So how does it work?  You mix the solution (which is a saline solution made up of the perfect balance of Sodium Chloride & Sodium Bicarbonate) with purified water.  It is supposed to be the same composition of ocean salt water.  The neti pot or bottle is then used to flush the nasal cavity of impurities. 

Just try it, you will never breathe the same again.

The Dirty Dozen

Image by joyosity via Flickr

I'm not talking about the movie.  I'm talking about produce.  If you are new to the idea of organic, you can start out slowly and only buy some things organic.  Here is a list of produce said to have the most pesticide residue, according the the new list by CNN and Prevention Magazine, its best to buy organic if you can:

The Dirty Dozen

1.Celery
2.Peaches
3.Strawberries
4.Apples
5.Domestic blueberries
6.Nectarines
7.Sweet bell peppers
8.Spinach, kale and collard greens
9.Cherries
10.Potatoes
11.Imported grapes
12.Lettuce

I also prefer to buy baby carrots organic because they wash it in chlorinated water before packaging.

I have also added their list of the "Clean 15"  this list of produce contains the least amount of pesticide residue.

The Clean 15
1.Onions
2.Avocados
3.Sweet corn
4.Pineapples
5.Mango
6.Sweet peas
7.Asparagus
8.Kiwi fruit
9.Cabbage
10.Eggplant
11.Cantaloupe
12.Watermelon
13.Grapefruit
14.Sweet potatoes
15.Sweet onions

Getting healthy is a process, don't try to do too much at time or you will go crazy, like me ;)

Its Fig Time!!!!

Image via Wikipedia

Figs!!Figs!! Figs!! I love figs. A co-worker brought some figs in the other day and I got so excited because its fig season.  Although figs can be super sweet they are also super good for you too.

Did you know that figs have medicinal properties?    Figs are said to help soothe the bronchial passages and help to heal, strengthen and invigorate the body.

There are many ways to eat figs, you can make preserves,  bread, or I just like them straight off the tree.

So get to picken, the season won't be here long!!

D- Mannose

If you are prone to UTI (urinary tract infections) you may want to look into this supplement.  According to Wikipedia- D-mannose is sold as a naturopathic remedy for urinary tract infections, and it is claimed to work through the disruption of adherence of bacteria in the urinary tract. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannose.  Now if you have a UTI you need to talk to your health care provider, D-Mannose will not kill the bacteria that causes the UTI, but as a preventative measure I take D-Mannose on a daily basis.  I prefer the powder form, mix it with water, it actually has a sweet taste.  I like the NOW brand which is the picture.

So what is D-Mannose?   D-Mannose is a glyconutrient.  What is a glyconutrient?  [Glyconutrients are natural food-based substances, sugars derived from plants, and non-toxic dietary supplements designed to optimize health through improved nutrition. ... wellnessbillionaire.wordpress.com/about/glossary/ ]  According to what I have read, D-Mannose does not interfere with insulin levels because your body cannot absorb much of it,  I guess that is why it so easily flushes out the bacteria in the bladder.  It is also deemed safe for all ages.  So if you suffer from UTI, this may be the preventative supplement for you.