How to Use Chicken Manure in Your Garden For Fertilizer

Growing up in Central Florida, I was fortunate to have good year-round growing conditions. My grandparents were avid gardeners, and I remember the big jar painted white sitting on the counter to collect food for the compost pile. Once it was filled, my granddad would take it out to the compost bin and turn in, creating a rich soil. Although he composted, I was not introduced to chicken poop fertilizer until I was much older.

I was lucky to grow up with an awareness of composting, and once I moved and started a garden of my own, I had to investigate composting and fertilizing on my own, including chicken manure fertilizer. I went through quite a few plants that I “buried” instead of planted, since I did not take the time to invest in the right soil.

After a friend told me about chicken poop fertilizer as a great organic compound, I had to investigate on HOW to use, of all things, chicken poop! I had never heard of such a thing from my city grandparents, since ours was all turned food products mixed with dirt. Continue reading “How to Use Chicken Manure in Your Garden For Fertilizer”

Inflammatory Foods: Gas on the Fire

In my previous article entitled Inflammation… It’s A Crock. I discussed how inflammation cooks the body just like an egg or a piece of meat in a crock pot. This article is a follow up to describe the particular foods that can put gas on that fire and speed the degeneration of tissues and organs in the body. This can lead to increased back pain and joint pain as well as other damages as you will see. I will keep the list of foods short and sweet (no pun intended) so that changes in your diet will be easier to remember.

The Three Major Gas Sources (no not that type of gas)

1) Sugar: Sugar in the blood in the wrong amounts adversely affects our hormones especially insulin. So do not eat simple sugars in large amounts and focus on carbohydrates that are very complex such as colorful fruits and vegetables. It is important to note that grains and breads are sugars as well and increase blood sugar and also increase insulin response. So limit the amounts of breads and starchy foods as much as you can. Try if you can to stick to whole grains as they are more anti-inflammatory but can be a problem because of the gluten content which in some people can cause even more problems. If you would like a starchy food, potatoes are our best choice – sweet, red, white and yams.

Continue reading “Inflammatory Foods: Gas on the Fire”

Latin American Cuisine – A Colombian Breakfast

In this article, I will talk about the cuisine of Colombia, specifically the breakfast that is eaten in Medellin, Colombia. You will also learn some helpful Spanish words such as how to say egg whites and egg yolks in Spanish.

At least once a month and sometimes twice a month, I will receive an email from a customer who wants to know more about the culture of Colombia, especially about “Paisas,” the people of Medellín, Colombia.

I could go on and on forever telling you about Medellín. Most people think of Medellín, Colombia as the city that was once known for being the most dangerous city in the world (just 20 years ago — during the rule of former billionaire drug trafficker, Pablo Escobar).

But today Medellin is a metropolis with sprawling high-rise buildings, beautiful spring-like weather, friendly people, a night-life (which I enjoy even more than major cities in the U.S. such as New York, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta) and, of course, a city with strikingly beautiful women everywhere. But in this email, I will only talk about “el desayuno paisa” (breakfast of Medellín). Continue reading “Latin American Cuisine – A Colombian Breakfast”

Why Even Celebrities Endorse the South Beach Diet – A Food For Thought

The world is used to celebrity promotions, from politics, to clothing and everything in between. What is different when they promote a diet plan is that weight control is part and parcel to their careers. Most celebs need to maintain their trim, toned bodies as a part of their job. Packing on the pounds, will cause headlines proclaiming a weight gain nightmare for a starlet. Because their weight loss and fitness programs are a requirement to maintain their image, this is one endorsement where they are actually practicing what they preach.

What diet is the favorite of some of the celebs? The answer is the South Beach Diet and the reason is because they experience great results. Troy Aikman (of Dallas Cowboys fame) claims, “It worked for me, I’ve lost 10 pounds. It’s been good”. The reason the South Beach Diet is the one diet plan selected by so many celebrities is because it provides quick weight loss results and promotes a lifetime of healthy eating. Outlining a plan for successfully losing weight, the South Beach Diet does not permanently remove any one food group. Instead, the diet regimen prescribes a methodology for selecting good carbohydrates versus bad carbohydrates. There are good fats, which are allowable, and bad fats, which must be avoided. Continue reading “Why Even Celebrities Endorse the South Beach Diet – A Food For Thought”

Eat Anything in Oulu – From Fast-Food to International Cuisines

Oulu, located in northern Finland, is a great tourist destination with interesting places, good stay options and warm locals. But one thing which cannot be overlooked is certainly the culinary experience of this lively Finnish city. From the eateries to formal dining one can experience a variety of joints with even wider menus. Oulu has some of the high and elegant restaurants where the experience gets rich with the serene backdrop while the bars and clubs are also quite popular.

International Cuisines

When in Oulu you can have the international cuisines in the most opulent setting. Istanbul restaurant serves the best Turkish cuisines with an international flavor to it. Located in Kauppurienkatu 11 on Rotuaari, you must make a reservation in advance. One can have the butterfly shrimp for 20 USD and the popular Kuzu Shish for 40 USD. Crecian, the Greek cuisine restaurant is located at Kirkkokatu 55 serves authentic food in a pleasant atmosphere. The food is a good value for money and is served in big proportions. A meal here for two would cost about 75 USD. Ravintola Matala restaurant in promenade 6 has got a wide range of Italian and French cuisines apart from the Finnish dishes. The restaurant is a bit pricey as the 5 course meal with wine costs 120 USD but the service and taste makes it worth.

Continue reading “Eat Anything in Oulu – From Fast-Food to International Cuisines”

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?”