Cleanse: to rid of impurities by or as if by washing
Detox: to free from an intoxicating or an addictive substance, or dependence on such a substance

Pretty much the same thing, right? So “cleansing” and “detox” mean taking out toxins and addictive stuff, like sugar, nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and chemicals (coined “SNACCs” by detox doctor Elson Haas). But removing toxins is only one side of the cleansing equation. The other side, which is just as crucial, is adding in nutrient dense whole foods. So the formula is simple – reduce SNACCs, increase whole foods.

Now, keeping our formula in mind, there are different degrees of cleansing. You can go out in the desert and live on water for 40 days to cleanse, or you can simply eliminate one food that you rely on every day. It could be your morning bagel, your 3pm mocha latte or the fast-food drive through lane you find yourself in on the way home from work.

Remember, eliminating toxins is only one side of the equation. So you’ve decided which SNACC you are getting rid of. Great! Now what do you add to your daily diet? We suggest green vegetables, and lots of them! Some examples of green vegetables are kale, collard greens, dandelion greens, spinach, and arugula. They are the foods most missing in modern diets, and are loaded with beneficial phytochemicals and cleansing fiber. You may be thinking “But I don’t have time to cook green vegetables.” Not to worry!  Wheatgrass – shows you a great shortcut to getting more green veggie power into your diet everyday.

For more information on holistic nutrition and health counseling as well as delicious recipes for wheatgrass and much more, visit me at simpleholisticliving.com.

Wheatgrass works by filling nutritional gaps in the diet and cleansing the blood. It is high in vitamins A, C and E, containing the same amount of vitamin C as an orange. It is also an excellent source of essential B vitamins, which are necessary for normal brain and body development. Wheatgrass juice also contains many essential minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, sodium) that are necessary for healthy bones, teeth, hair and skin.

Wheatgrass juice contains natural enzymes, which help the body’s defense mechanism by strengthening cells and removing poisons from the blood stream. It helps eliminate toxins accumulated from eating processed food, breathing polluted air and drinking impure water. Wheatgrass is approximately 70% crude chlorophyll, which can alkalize the body and have a highly energizing effect.

Wheatgrass also has a dilating effect on the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily. This improved circulation means valuable nutrients can be distributed more efficiently throughout the body. It also has an effect on red blood cells, increasing the iron content in the blood.

Where To Get Wheatgrass
Juice bars (Jamba Juice, Robek’s Juice) sell shots of wheatgrass
Whole Foods Markets carry frozen wheatgrass juices in individual containers
Grow your own wheatgrass at home (http://www.growwheatgrass.com/)

How to Take Wheatgrass
Take on an empty stomach
Start with a quarter of a shot and build up to a full shot, gradually
Follow with a glass of water
Mix with other vegetable juices, such as celery, parsley and spinach

Human beings have a natural need for fresh “live” food and the enzymes and healing properties these foods provide, it is essential that a variety of sprouting seeds be an absolutely essential part of every health and diet program. You can sprout wheat and other grains, lentils, peas, beans, and small seeds like alfalfa, clover, radish, cabbage, broccoli, etc.

How to Sprout!

You will need the following supplies:

Sprouting jars and trays. Use wide mouth glass quart jars for alfalfa and other small leafy greens; trays for beans and wheatgrass, as well as buckwheat or sunflowers.  I have found that using a sprouting kit is much easier.
Sprouting lids.  cheese cloth, fabric netting or a piece of fiberglass screen to cover jar opening.
Sprouting seeds. Organically grown seeds are best for sprouting.

1. Rinse and sort your seeds. Sort the seeds and take out any broken, open seeds. Then thoroughly rinse the remaining seeds with water.

2. Place seeds in jar or tray. Now put your rinsed seeds in a glass jar or tray and place the cheese cloth or sprouting lid over the top of the jar.  If using cheese cloth, secure with a jar ring or wide elastic band. Add filtered, clean water to your jar ( 2 1/2 part water, 1 part seeds).

3.  Soak over night. Move your tray of seeds to a warm (about 70°F) place and soak over night.

4. Rinse twice a day. After soaking over night,  rinse the seeds with lukewarm water 2 times a day (or just often enough to keep moist) until sprouts have reached the desired length.

5. Greening When leaves have appeared on the seeds, and sprouts are about 1″ long, place jar in a light place (not in direct sunlight) to “green” for 3-4 hours, allowing the chlorophyll to develop.

6. Harvesting. Any seed can be eaten once the sprout has pushed through the outer shell of the seed.  Most grains, beans and larger seeds are best when the sprout is as long as the seed.

7. Store. Store sprouted seeds in a covered container with paper toweling on the bottom and between layers. Use within 4-5 days. Sprouted beans and grains can be frozen for later use. Mung and soy beans that are sprouted to about 2″ long turn limp when thawed, but can still be used in cooking.

If  you don’t have time you can now purchase sprouted foods. Let’s look at an example of a sprouted food at your local health food store. You may have heard of Ezekial  breads and wraps, usually found in your health food store’s refrigerated or freezer section. To unlock the dormant grain energy and maximize nutritional value, Ezekial adds water to organic grains, which releases beneficial enzymes that sprout the grains. The resulting sprouted grain is richer in protein and vitamins than a regular bread made from dry, ground flour. You’ll notice that if you keep Ezekial breads and wraps out on your counter, they’ll spoil after only a few days. That’s a good thing! That means that they have life energy in them, which boosts your own energy when you eat them.

For more information on how to live healthy in a way that is fun, sustainable, and delicious. Contact Mandisa Fabris, CNE for a free nutrition consultation.

So what ‘s danger of  pesticides and herbicides?

Well according to the Pesticide Action Network North America, consuming even small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can cause lasting damage to human  health, especially during fetal development and early childhood. Health issues mentioned are developmental and behavioral issues such as Austism, ADHD, and even certain types of Cancer. Even certain pesticides contribute to male infertility according to the Environmental Health Perspectives. Today, our scientists  know enough about the long-term consequences of  ingesting these powerful chemicals and they strongly advise us to minimize our consumption of pesticides.

So what to do?

Eating organic is the surest way to avoid synthetic pesticides and genetically engineered foods, so shifting the diet to emphasize certified organic foods is important for all of us. For more information, on how you can eat organic, contact local San Francisco Bay Area Nutritionist, Mandisa Fabris, C.N.E. for a free convenient phone consultation.

References:

1. “Nowhere to Hide: Persistent Toxic Chemicals in the U.S. Food Supply,” by Kristin Schafer, Pesticide Action Network North America, 2000 (www.panna.org).
2. Sharpe, Richard. “Men under threat: The decline in male reproductive health and the potential role of exposure to chemicals during in-utero development.” Briefing by ChemTrust: http://www.chemtrust.org.uk/Press_and_Media.php
3. Environmental Working Group, “Overexposed: Organophosphate Insecticides in Children’s Food,” 1998, pp. 1-3. www.ewg.org/reports/ops
4. Environmental Working Group. “Body Burden.” 2003. www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/execsumm.php
5. U.S. EPA Report, ”About Pesticides,” 2000-2001.
6. The Dirty Dozen “http://www.foodnews.org/

You may be using artificial sweeteners to save the extra calories but researchers are now finding that artificial  sweeteners can actually make you fat.  How so, you may ask?  According to a CBS article entitled “Can Diet Soda Make You Gain Weight”?  University of Texas, Health Science Center’s Epidemiologist Sharon Fowler, conducted research on American soda consumption for the American Diabetes Association. She found that the more diet sodas an individual drinks, the more weight they are more like to gain. The journal Behavioral Neuroscience of Purdue University also did a study on artificial sweeteners and found that rats on diets containing the artificial sweetener saccharin gained more weight than rats given just sugar filled food.

ABC News Dr. Marie Savard reports that artificial sweeteners can actually alter a person’s metabolism. Savard goes on to say that in a recent study of  18,000 people, healthy adults who consumed at least one diet drink a day could greatly increase their chance for weight gain. Shocking!  She concludes that the reason for this is related to brain chemistry.  “Taste buds taste sweet, but there’s no calorie load that comes with it. There’s a mismatch here.”

So how does this work exactly? Nutrasweet, Equal, Spoonful, Indulge, Equal-Measure are brand names for Aspartame. When ingested,  Nutrasweet breaks down into aspartic acid ( a chemical found in the brain) phenylalanine (amino acid) and methanol (wood alcohol), which converts into formaldehyde, which at high levels can can brain damage, toxic overload which can also lead to obesity and even possible blindness. Monsanto – former manufacturer of NutraSweet and FDA argues that in small amounts, it poses no health risk to the American public. However, Americans are now consuming higher levels of food additives and chemicals that is associated with our daily food supply. In fact most studies on the effects of chemicals such as food coloring agents assume a daily intake of 25 mg., but certain members of our American population are taking in an excess of 350 mg daily.

Toxic Overload Can Lead to Obesity

According to Dr. Bauman,  acclaimed San Francisco Bay Area Nutritionist and Expert, today’s American is suffering from “total body load”.  This means the body’s detoxification mechanism may not be able to handle the high amount of detrimental chemicals and stress that Americans are exposed to on a daily basis. Thus leading to chemicals being stored in fat tissues thus causing weight gain, intestinal disorders and discomfort, and much more.

The solution: drink purified water and organic fresh juices. Give your body a break and rid your body of toxins. . Read labels, be aware of “low-fat”, “sugar-free”, “diet” products. For more information on how you can detox, lose weight and feel great, contact Mandisa Fabris, San Francisco Bay Area Nutritionist for a free consultation.

Sexy Super Food  #1:  Raw Chocolate (organic cacao bean)

Chocolate is the Casanova of aphrodisiacs. Cacao also known as “food of the gods” is one of earth’s gifts to man and woman.  Known for it’s connection to love, chocolate or cocao is loved by many.  The use of cacao bean dates back several thousand years.  It was often used by the Mayans and the Aztecs and other ancient civilizations as medicinal, ritualistic and even used as currency.  Cacao is a wonderful, sexy superfood.  It is an excellent source of chromium and magnesium. In fact, many weight loss products have cocao powder in them because it relates the blood sugar. Who would have known!  Cacao also contains tryptophan, a key component of the neurotransmitter serotonin known to promote a sense of wellbeing and relaxation. It’s also contains arginine, the amino acid that enhances arousal and sensation in men and women. Arginine is converted into nitric oxide in the body which increases blood flow and relaxes smooth muscle in the gentalia.  Cacao also contains a host of compounds including anandamide, the psychoactive feel-good chemical, and PEA (phenylethylamine), the ‘love chemical’ which releases dopamine in the pleasure-centres of the brain and actually peaks during orgasm. PEA is said to help induce feelings of excitement, attraction, and euphoria. Of course, moderation is key.  Raw, unprocessed, unsweetened dark chocolate (70% and higher) is your best bet for getting all the medicinal, sexy affects of chocolate. Milk and sugar added to this valuable superfood will negative effects such as obesity, sugar cravings, energy crashes and much more.

Sexy Super food #2: Avocado

The avocado is a smooth fruit with a sexy consistency. The avocado is also a supremely healthy superfood, very mineral dense, and contains the body’s master antioxidant glutathione, as well as host of healthy carotenoids, heart-friendly monounsaturated oil and superior amounts of fibre, potassium and B6. The history of the avocado  is very interesting. The Aztecs called the avocado “Ahuacuatl” meaning testicle tree. The Aztec ancients often related the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree to male testicles. Back in Europe, news spread amongst the Spanish of avocado’s stimulating powers and the Catholic priests forbade their parishioners to eat them.

Sexy Super Food #3: Chillis

Get fired up with the red, sexy superfood, Chilli.  Chilis contain the chemical capsaicin that can induce the release of endorphins to create a temporary high. Capsaicin increases circulation and speeds up the metabolism. Chilis are known to fire up our internal engine and stimulate passion. Eating large quantities of capsaicin may also work as an irritant to the genitals and urinary tract that can feel similar to sexual excitement. So don’t overdo it.

Sexy Super Food #4: Figs

Cleopatra’s favorite fruit was the fig and the ancient Greeks held them as sacred and associated them with love and fertility.  In some Southern European countries, wedding guests would throw figs instead of rice at newly weds as a sign of fertility.  This arousing superfood, often likened to the female sex organs is a sexy stimulant.

Sexy Super Food #5 Raw Honey

Sweet, sweet raw honey is a great source of boron, a trace mineral that helps the body use and metabolise estrogen, the female sex hormone. Raw honey also contains B vitamins needed for testosterone as well as other nutrients, enzymes and phytochemicals. Studies have shown that the boron mineral may also enhance testosterone levels in the blood, the hormone responsible for promoting sex drive and orgasm in both men and women.

Sexy Raw Chocolate Smoothie Recipe:

½ cup of raw and organic Nut Milk

3 Dates

2-4 tbsp of cacao nibs/powder

1-2 tbsp of coconut butter

0-3 tbsp Honey to sweeten

1 tsp of cinammon

1/2 tsp of nutmeg

Blend  in a vitamix.
References:

Micheal Murray, The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods

recipe: David Wolfe, Eat for Beauty

1. Edamame – these delicious baby soybeans are ready in a snap, great with Celtic Seal Salt and fun to eat
2. Organic Frozen Veggies – make a fabulous stir-fry on the fly
3. Amy’s Frozen Entrees and Burritos – almost like mom used to make
4. Rice Expressions Frozen Original Brown Rice – individually portioned brown rice in 3 minutes
5. Organic Frozen Mixed Berries – perfect for yummy smoothies

What to Keep

Here’s the simple rule: Eat foods with ingredients you can pronounce. Easy, right?

Here are some suggestions…

• Whole Grains: brown rice, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, oats
• Beans: lentils, pinto, black, chick pea, aduki
• Snacks: LaraBars, Go Raw Trek Mex from Trader Joe’s, Mary’s Gone Crackers Flax Crackers, dried goji berries, Garden of Eatin’ Blue Corn Chips, dark chocolate
• Soups: Shelton’s Turkey Chili, Amy’s Butternut Squash
• Condiments: Wheat-free Tamari, extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, dried spices, coconut oil, Amy’s Green Garlic dressing

What to Toss

Simple guidelines here, too: toss anything that has partially hydrogenated oil (be sure to read labels!), high fructose corn syrup, refined sugar, white flour, or an ingredient list a mile long. Not sure if a food falls into this category? Here’s a simple test  if the food in question is heavily advertised, it’s probably in the toss pile. You don’t see a lot of advertising dollars spent on broccoli and quinoa, but there’s some serious bucks behind most processed foods.

The Clean 15
(tested with lowest pesticide residue)

1. Onion
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet Peas
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon
13. Broccoli
14. Tomato
15. Sweet Potatoes

Dirty Dozen
(tested with highest pesticide residue)

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes (imported)
11. Carrots
12. Pears

Washing Fruits and Veggies – Will that help?

Rinsing your fruits and veggies absolutely reduces but unfortunately does not eliminate pesticides. Peeling the produce also helps, but valuable phyto-nutrients (vitamins and minerals)  also get thrown away with the skin. So I suggest eating a varied diet, rinse all your produce  and buy and support organic when possible.

Reference:

“The Shoppers Guide to Pesticides” http://www.foodnews.org/

1. Sprouted wrap with organic almond butter and sliced dried prunes or figs
2. Veggie Surprise – cut jicama, cukes, celery, snap peas, and bell peppers
3. Fruit – fresh cherries, plums, apples, pears and oranges
4. Hard boiled eggs
5. Sprouted wrap with organic turkey slices, sprouts & spicy mustard
6. Plain yogurt with fresh berries
7. Hummus with veggies or Flax Crackers
8. Greens Plus Bar with Protein
9. Home Touch Trail Mix (see recipe below)
10. Quesadilla with sprouted corn tortilla avocado, organic cheese and salsa

For a free nutrition consultation for you and your family, book a free session today!