by Jaxon on March 18, 2010
1. Tulsi (Holy Basil)
I can't say enough about this wonderful herb. If you love herbal teas you will love this as well. Tulsi has been used in India for over five thousand years, and posseses an amazing number of health benefits. It promotes respiratory health, healthy vision, is full of antioxidants, relieves stress, promotes a healthy metabolism, digestive system, skeletal and joint support, and aids in regulating cholesterol levels. Not only is it good for you, it is delicous when made into a tea as well. I drink a cup every day in a large mug, sprinkled with a small amount of matcha green tea and stevia. Like most things that are truly good for you, its no surprise that most grocery stores do not carry it. However Organic India is a great place to buy it from online.
2. Stevia
Much controversy revolves around this natural sweetener. The FDA has placed stiff regulations on how manufacturers can market and package stevia. They claim that more research needs to be done before it can be sold as a healthy sweetener along side other artificial sweeteners. A matter of fact a package of stevia cannot even have the word sweetener on the package. However, even though studies continue to come out regarding the dangerous long term effects of artificial sweeteners, they continue to be allowed to be marketed as a healthy alternative to sugar. My personal belief is that having a natural, healthy sweetener on the market would be detrimental to the artificial sweetener industry. And as it goes with most things in this country, the larger the industry the more influence is had over government decisions.
As Dr Mercola has cleverly pointed out, stevia has passed the test of time being used for over 1500 years in healthy societies in Asia and South America. I reccommend anybody to try some. I use it in some things like herbal teas, but prefer honey in other things due to it's richer flavor. Honey however should be limited due to its high amounts of sugar, something almost all Americans consume too much of. However, even natural sugar or raw maple syrup are better alternatives than the artificial sweeteners. Avoid them at all costs.
3. Raw Milk
Controversy surrounds milk as well. And much like sweeteners, this is a situation where you should do the opposite of what the FDA tells you. The pasteurized and homogenized milk that is sold in most grocery stores has been associated with a number of symptoms and illnesses including: diarrhea, bloating, gas, allergies, colic in infants, osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, autism, and more. On the other hand organic raw milk from free range, grass fed cows is a rich source of fat-soluble, vitamins A and D and other crucial nutrients in short supply in many western diets. And most importantly it is addictively delicous. You can read more about this in our article The Raw Milk Adventures.
0 commentsby Jaxon on March 2, 2010
Many people cringe at the thought of drinking raw milk. After all it's pretty much right out of the cow's udder right? Well, yes! But what most people do not know is that the majority of the problems with our milk supply occur after the milk is extracted.
Pasteurization is the process of partially sterilizing foods at a temperature that destroys harmful microorganisms. Milk is pasteurized as well as homogenized; a process that involves breaking apart cells to make the mixture the same throughout. The goal of pasteurizing milk is to destroy certain disease-carrying germs and prevent the souring of milk. However pasteurization and homogenization come at a heavy cost. It kills off the milk's natural antibodies, beneficial bacteria, and destroys much of it's nutritious constituents.
1 commentsby Jaxon on February 26, 2010
"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." Genesis 2:15
"This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce" Jeremiah 29:5
"The days are coming," declares the LORD, when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills. I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit" Amos 9:13-14
Man was designed to work the fields and enjoy the fruits of his labor. He benefits from its low intensity exercise, fresh air, and sun exposure; keeping him strong, well into an old age. The earth rewards his labor with fresh fruits and vegatables, berries and nuts; everything man needs to live a vibrant healthy life. This is why man was put on a soil rich planet, so that the earth could take care of everyone of his needs.
0 commentsby Jaxon on January 7, 2010
About 800 miles south of Tokyo are the islands of Okinawa. It is in the nothern portion of these islands that you will find a community of people that maintain the longest disability free lifestyle in the world. They live on average seven years longer than the average American, and have five times as many centenarians as the USA. Studies performed by Quest Network have attributed this longevity to diet, lifestyle and a cultural practice called Hara Hachi Bu. In addition to logevity the Okinawan lifestyle has led to 1/5 the rate of colon and breast cancer in the USA, and 1/6 the rate of cardiocascular disease.
0 commentsby Jaxon on January 6, 2010
Dan Buettner is an explorer, educator, author, public-speaker and co-producer of an Emmy Award winning documentary. He also holds three world records for endurance bicycling, and is founder of Quest Network Inc.
In this video, in order to learn more about longevity, Buettner studies what he calls the world's "Blue Zones," communities whose elders live with vim and vigor to record-setting age. He shares the 9 common diet and lifestyle habits that keep them alive and active past age 100.
0 comments