Paleo Fanatics and Foods That Ruin Your Life

Have you ever met a Paleo fanatic? I have. In truth they are just like any fanatic, annoying. The annoying thing about any fanatic is no matter how obnoxious they are today, next month they will be a fanatic and obnoxious about something different.

If you have read our other articles, you probably have realized that I mostly discuss a modified Paleo diet. When I say modified, I say it because I do not personally follow all the rules set by the very scientific Paleo community. If you want to, that is fine with me. Most of us choose Paleo to get a leaner body and to feel healthier. It has been proven that you can do this, even following the Paleo diet about 80% of the time. And let’s face it, if we make unreasonable demands on ourselves we will never stick with any diet. A good diet has to work with being able to fit into a fairly normal lifestyle.Do these Paleo fanatics live in a cave? Do they not drive an automobile? I am happy to report, you can lose weight and feel healthier with the Paleo diet, and you don’t have to be a Paleo fanatic. Continue reading “Paleo Fanatics and Foods That Ruin Your Life”

Popcorn On Nutrisystem: Is It Allowed?

I sometimes hear from people who have a specific food that they think that they can’t live without. And this food will sometimes keep them from even considering a diet that might otherwise work for them. They can’t even fathom giving up their favorite food, so they tell themselves that they will lose weight in some other way.

But then when the weight doesn’t come off, then they might reconsider. And this is what leads some people to ask me about specific foods being allowed on the Nutrisystem diet. People often ask me about the possibility of still eating their favorite foods, even while dieting.

One such example is popcorn. An example of a common comment is: “I love popcorn. I eat several servings per day. It is my go to food for a snack, but I also have it as a side item for lunch. I am interested in dieting, but I will not give up my popcorn. I am just being honest. I have tried it a few times in the past and it was a disaster. So, my question is will I be able to have popcorn on the Nutrisystem diet?” Continue reading “Popcorn On Nutrisystem: Is It Allowed?”

Foods For a Person With No Gallbladder

My internist, Dra. Joan Singidas, gave me this list before I underwent a gallbladder removal through lap chole (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) surgery.

The list of foods to avoid and foods to include

She told me to just avoid the foods in the foods to avoid column and observe within one week if would experience again another gallstone attack. That was Sept. 15, 2009. But 3 days later, my wife’s friend arrived from Manila and invited us for lunch. Although I only ate seafoods; fish and shellfish that belong to foods to include, I was not spared with gallstone attack. I then realized that there is also one food under foods to avoid that gives flavor to one of my favorite, baked scallops – the butter. And maybe cheese and oil.

Continue reading “Foods For a Person With No Gallbladder”

Raw Foodist’s Holiday Survival Guide!

Friends, Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away and Christmas will be arriving shortly thereafter! I don’t know about you, but this is the always the busiest time of year for me! When I first started eating raw foods nearly 12 years ago, I panicked at the thought of how I would make it through all those holiday food affairs. Parties, snacking, nibbling, cooking, entertaining, food gifts, weight gain worries, my carnivorous family and friends… Oh my goodness how the holiday food pressures got me into such a frenzy! Sound familiar?

Well, thankfully, I have learned a thing or two over the years; especially not to worry about staying raw but true to myself during the holiday season.

Whether you’re new to raw vegan foods or a seasoned expert, this is not the time of year to be fretting about that nibble of stuffing, sweet potatoes or cookie you just ate. A healthy mind begins with a healthy body and a healthy body begins with a healthy mind. The gratitude and intention you ingest with your food is just as important as the food itself. If you have a little slip up this Holiday season, it’s okay! Forget about it and move on. Know that you do the best for your body so giving yourself a little holiday treat, whether it be a cookie or cooked potatoes, is no big deal. Just eat that cookie with gratitude and love and move on! The guilt you create with bad self-talk is a whole lot worse than the darn cookie! Continue reading “Raw Foodist’s Holiday Survival Guide!”

What Foods Can Make Me Grow Taller – What Can You Eat to Grow Taller Naturally Even After Puberty?

Growing naturally is always a topic born during the adolescent years. You see everybody catching up on their height while you are there standing in awe and wondering why you are still at the beginning station. It can be embarrassing when the people you know (who are actually shorter than you before) are now taller than you. It is sometimes a subject of ridicule among adolescents. But, you actually have two choices namely – work on getting few inches up or give up the spook entirely by blaming your inherited genes for not being taller. Genetic inheritance is something that we have no jurisdiction over but we can maximize our genes by pushing it through the limits so that we can achieve what we want. If it is a great issue for you then it would be fair enough reason for you to work hard for it.

Growing taller would mean you have to maintain the correct diet, which will help your “genes” to work extra hard in making you grow taller. It means that you need to EAT RIGHT!

So, what do I need to eat? Continue reading “What Foods Can Make Me Grow Taller – What Can You Eat to Grow Taller Naturally Even After Puberty?”

Mrs. Butters’ Secret Key Lime Pie Recipe

“Frozen Key Lime Pie recipe?” Fern Butters asked. “Child, I’ll take that secret with me to the grave.”

Fern Butters’ frozen key lime pie was legend. Every time President Harry S Truman went through Islamorada on Upper Matecumbe Key on his way to the “Little White House” in Key West, he stopped. More specifically, he

stopped at Fern Inn for some of Fern Butters’ frozen key lime pie.

And so did other folks, commoners and dignitaries alike-Papa Hemingway, Cordell Hull, Douglas Fairbanks, Julia Child . And me.

I didn’t see any of those famous folks. Except Julia Child. And I didn’t know who she was. Ignorance of youth.

But I did eat Mrs. Butters’ frozen key lime pie.

Continue reading “Mrs. Butters’ Secret Key Lime Pie Recipe”

Possible Side Effects of Drinking Tulsi Tea

Tulsi tea is a healthy beverage made from the leaves of the tulsi plant. The plant is commonly known as a “holy basil” and is commonly known for its religious associations. In Hinduism, tulsi is believed to be the embodiment of a Hindu goddess named Tulsi. Some people who practice Hinduism consider Tulsi to be sacred and it is thought to offer good luck and benefit the health. Tulsi has also been used for thousands of years in the medical practice of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is an alternative medicine that uses natural means to cure common health problems. Tulsi is still used today in alternative medicine, and it is also popular in the mainstream as a source for potential health benefits. Even though tulsi has a range of health benefits, it also has several side effects that you should be aware of before consuming.

First, tulsi has some components that work to thin the blood. For most people this is completely fine and not harmful. However, if you are supposed to have surgery or are going to be experiencing child-birth in the near future, you should try to avoid consuming tulsi. Most health care providers suggest that you not consume anything that will thin your blood before medical procedures. You should try to not consume tulsi for about three months before and after any medical operation. Also, if you have to take any prescribed blood thinners, you should seek the opinion of your doctor before drinking tulsi tea. The blood thinning properties may not react well with your medication and cause adverse reactions. Continue reading “Possible Side Effects of Drinking Tulsi Tea”

Discovery of Chaga Tea Health Benefits

Why did Russian peasants never have cancer? Trying to save money on tea they drank the chaga infusion instead. They would pick it up from birch trees, ground and then brew it.

Chaga mushroom is considered one of the most popular alternative drinks to prevent cancer and in some cases help to treat it.

How Chaga Tea was Discovered

Sergey N. Maslennikov, a Russian doctor, who is remembered by local people, many years after his death, was born June 21, 1887 in a poor family of the merchant Nikita Maslennikov. Nikita Konstantinovich served as a head manager of the merchant Obrezkova, then became the co-owner of a wine shop. He was kind and gentle, and he loved children. One of his granddaughters recalled that he allowed them to braid his beard in braids when they were small. His wife Elikanida Mikhailovna, unlike her husband, was a stern, practical and down-to -earth woman. She had been saving berries from his large garden for a jam which was sold in the shop.

In 1908 Sergey graduated from the Medical Faculty of Moscow University, then worked in Aleksandrov in Zemstvo hospital. In October , 1910 he married Maria Mikhailovna Sokolova. She was born in St. Petersburg in the family of the librarian of the Tauride Palace. After the death of her parents she lived with her relatives Dobronravov. Elikanida Mikhaylovna believed that orphan, bride Masha Sokolova was not a good match for her son, but he insisted on the marriage. In 1912 they had a daughter, Catherine, in 1913 – Maria. Continue reading “Discovery of Chaga Tea Health Benefits”

2 Great Hot Chocolate Recipes – Snuggle Up With a Cup of Hot Chocolate This Fall

Fall is a beautiful time of year. The leaves are beginning to change and you can feel a bit of a chill in the air. As you come in from your walk through the park, smelling of the fresh outdoors, nothing quite warms you inside and out as a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

I enjoy walking in the woods beyond my back yard, especially when there’s a nip in the air. With my sweats keeping me warm I slowly meander along, taking it all in. The profusion of colors is simply breathtaking. The crisp, clean smell in the air refreshes me for the coming day.

As I near my house I begin to anticipate the aroma of freshly brewed hot chocolate, with mini-marshmallows swirling on top. It fills me with a warm, happy glow.

I urge you to get outside and breathe in the signs of nature this fall. Don’t let another day pass you by. It really helps me relax and I’m sure it will do the same for you. But don’t forget the hot chocolate afterward. That’s one of my favorite parts of the ritual. I have included 2 of my favorites for you to try: Continue reading “2 Great Hot Chocolate Recipes – Snuggle Up With a Cup of Hot Chocolate This Fall”

Eggs, Cottage Cheese, and Ricotta Cheese – Which One is Not Allowed to Eat During a Candida Diet?

Someone said eggs should not be eaten, but it is OK to eat cottage cheese and ricotta cheese. Do you have that issue during your diet? I was on that problem long time ago when I was still on my anti candida diet. So while I still remember, I would write this article for you.

I did research based on what I felt was best for me and that’s what I am going to share with you on this article. When there were discrepancies, I usually took the stricter of the diet suggestions. That’s why I left cottage and ricotta cheese off – they are dairy products with cow’s milk and cheese in them so I will choose to stay away from them. Continue reading “Eggs, Cottage Cheese, and Ricotta Cheese – Which One is Not Allowed to Eat During a Candida Diet?”