Hoda's Lentil Salad

Lentils have been a staple, like rice, in the Middle East, for many centuries.  Eaten together, they offer a low-fat, nutritious source of complete protein, fiber, iron and other essential minerals.

Glycemic Values

The glycemic index gives us the impact of carbs on our blood sugar levels; the higher a rating, the more it spikes your blood sugar. On a scale where 100 is pure sugar (glucose), white rice has a GI of 64, while lentils are low on the index at 29.

This salad is full of fiber and flavor.

• 2 c. boiled organic Brown Lentils

• 3 organic Scallions, chopped

• 1/2 c. organic Flat Leaf Parsley, chopped

• 1 Tbs. virgin Olive Oil

• 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

• 1/2 tsp. Allspice

• 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon

• dash of Black pepper

• Splash of lemon juice (opt.)

Mix all together.  Let sit 15 minutes to blend flavors.  Stir and enjoy served in romaine lettuce leaf boats.

~ Sahtein (double health)! ♥

Hello Brussels. Why so Bitter?

The Case of the  Brussels Sprout

This is not the story of a boy from Brussels and how he wound up in Court....

This is the story of a Sprout accused of being bitter and unfriendly.  The first mention of this sprout is traced to the late 16th century. It is thought to be native to Belgium, specifically to a region near Brussels, after which it was named.

This Sprout is a member of the Brassica family and therefore related to Broccoli and Cabbage. Don't be fooled by its size however! Watch what you say because a Sprout grows up with a bunch of 20 to 40 other Sprouts, on the stem of a plant that grows as high as three feet tall!

These miniature-sized vegetables contain the largest content of anticancer phytochemical compounds such as glucosinolates. Like broccoli, the indole-3-carbinol has been found to reduce cancer growth especially for estrogen dependent cancers (e.g. uterine, breast, cervical).

brussel sprouts

In order to plead the case for this Sprout I lay before you the following:

Character Traits *

• Brussels sprouts can help us avoid chronic, excessive inflammation

• You'll find nearly 100 studies in PubMed (the health research database at the National Library of Medicine in Washington, D.C.) that are focused on Brussels sprouts, and over half of those studies involve the health benefits of this cruciferous vegetable in relationship to cancer

• They provide us with this cholesterol-lowering benefit whether they are raw or cooked. When the cholesterol-lowering ability of steamed Brussels sprouts was compared with the cholesterol-lowering ability of the prescription drug cholestyramine, Brussels sprouts bound 27% as many bile acids

• The fiber content of Brussels sprouts: 4 grams in every cup makes this cruciferous vegetable a natural choice for digestive system support.

• The detox support provided by Brussels sprouts is extensive. There is evidence from human studies that enzyme systems in our cells required for detoxification of cancer-causing substances can be activated by compounds found in Brussels sprouts.

* HealthDiaries.com: 11 Health Benefits of Brussels Sprouts

It Takes Proper Cooking to Bring Out the Sprout's Goodness!

Perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts have a crisp, dense texture and a slightly sweet, bright, and "green" taste. Steaming the Sprouts increases their health benefit potency.

Steam them

Bring a scant 1/2 inch salted water to boil in a large frying pan or saute pan. Add Brussels sprouts, cover, and cook until sprouts are tender to the bite and water has evaporated, about 5-7 minutes (depending on how crisp you like them).

In a Steamer Basket:  Bring about an inch of water to a boil in the bottom of a pot into which your steamer basket or insert fits. Put cleaned Brussels sprouts in the steamer basket, set over the boiling water, cover, and steam until tender to the bite, about 5-7 minutes.

You can toss them with Olive or Coconut Oil, salt and pepper; garlic and lemon; or with Pasta Sauce!

Roast them

brussel-sprouts, roaste

• 1 1/2 lbs. organic Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed and yellow leaves discarded

• 2 Tbs. virgin Olive Oil

• 1 tsp. Sea Salt

• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground Black Pepper

• 1 tsp. Paprika

• 1/2 tsp. organic Garlic Powder or 2 cloves well mashed

• 4 Tbs. lemon juice

Rinse Sprouts trim off ends and place in a large bowl. Blend the spices together with the oil and lemon. Pour this over the sprouts and toss until well coated.

Place in oven proof dish or cookie sheet lined with parchment, and roast at 400ºF for 35 minutes or until lightly golden.

Braise them

Braising, or slow cooking in liquid on the stove, is a great way to elicit Brussels sprouts' natural, nutty flavor.

Bitter Melon... What's in a Name?

A fair number of Complemenary Medicine practioners recommend eating Bitter Melon 2 - 3 times a week.  Studies are demonstrating that it has powerful blood sugar control and anti-tumor properties. It is used in Asian medicine to treat diabetes.

Whenever I found some they were not organic.  But the benefit so superseded the ingestion of the pesticides, I bought the ridged, bumpy cucumber-like vegetable anyway.

Bitter Melon is the only apt name for this veg! Method of preparation and recipe will decide whether you will eat it or not.

To prepare bitter melon, slice the fruit open and remove seeds and pith. Do not peel. Beginners to bitter melon may parboil the fruit to lessen bitterness, although aficionados say this changes the texture too much. Typically bitter melon is stuffed, pickled, or curried and served with meat or in soup.

Here are some suggestions:

• Dice and add to Pasta Sauce with lots of garlic and oregano

• Dice and cook with other vegetables, like sweet potatoes or peas in a flavored broth

• Cook it with onions and pineapple chunks, season with cinnamon

• Add it to a Curry dish

• Put some in a Stir Fry with lots of ginger, season with Coconut Aminos

• Stuff halves with heavily spiced grass-fed beef, onions and tomatoes

The evidence

Bitter melon is a fruit that grows in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. Its reputation as a cure for Type II diabetes is what spiked the interest of Dr. Rajesh Agarwal, a lead researcher in the Colorado study. He thought bitter melon might treat pancreatic cancer, since Type II diabetes often precedes the disease.

Researchers examined the effect of bitter melon on 4 different lines of pancreatic cancer cells and in mice. Mice were injected with pancreatic tumor cells and were randomly divided into one of two groups. One group received water (control), and the second was given bitter melon juice for six weeks. At the end of the study, the tumors that developed on the mice were dissected, weighed, and analyzed.

The results showed that bitter melon juice inhibited cancer cell proliferation and induced apoptosis (cell death). Tumor growth was inhibited by 60% in the treatment group with no signs of toxicity.

Read full article here.

Other resources:

A-tonne-of-bitter-melon-produces-sweet-results-for-diabetes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3321233/

~ Be Well.

What do Your Teeth Have to do With Cancer?

If you have amalgam fillings or a root canal - don't wait to have them removed.

98% of Breast Cancer occurrences have a dental association

When I lived overseas as a teenager, I had to have a root canal. I was so terrified of shots in my gums, that I refused the anesthetic.  The Dentist did the best he could with topical Novocaine and pain meds.  Not surprisingly that root canal had to be revisited 20 years later.  And after I developed breast cancer, 15 years after that, and heard about this connection, I realized my root canal was on the same side of my body as the breast that had cancer. 

Also, amalgam fillings : the silver fillings made from a mixture of mercury, silver, tin and copper, build up toxicity over time.  Mercury is a known carcinogen, and copper is the metal that allows cancer cells to establish new blood supplies!

Below is an excerpt from an article published by the Independent Cancer Research Foundation.  To read the full version, click here, or go to //www.new-cancer-treatments.org/Articles/RootCanals.html

The Relationship Between Root Canals and Cancer

When a person in the United States has a toothache, due to an infection in the tooth, rather than cure the infection with 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide, dentists almost always kill the tooth. They will typically drill out the insides of the tooth and fill the tooth with metal rods.

This is called a "root canal." Root canals are a safe haven for microbes. Because no blood reaches the inside of the tooth, the immune system cannot kill any microbes inside the dead tooth.

Microbes do not originate in the root canals, rather they originate elsewhere in the body (such as were cancer cells form). The microbes thrive and some of them hide from the immune system inside the root canals.

These microbes, and other toxins from inside the tooth, periodically come out of the tooth and cause reinfections. It is impossible to cure more than 200 diseases unless all of the root canal teeth are removed properly because even if you killed the microbes of the disease, microbes hiding in the root canals can come out and reinfect the person.

The American Dental Association has known about this for decades.

Root canals are a major cause of the immune system being suppressed and they are a major cause of cancer:

• "Dr. Thomas Rau, who runs the Paracelsus Clinic (cancer clinic since 1958) in Switzerland recently checked the records of the last 150 breast cancer patients treated in his clinic. He found that 147 of them (98%) had one or more root canal teeth on the same meridian as the original breast cancer tumor. His clinic has a biological dentist section where all cancer patients, on reporting in, have their mouth cleaned up first -- especially all root canal teeth removed.
• There are about 24 million root canals done in the U.S. alone every year. They were proven deadly disease agents in 1925 in a study by Dr. Weston Price and 60 prominent researchers. That study has been suppressed ever since by the ADA and the American Association of Endodontists (AAE).
• Read the book "Root Canal Cover-Up" by George Meinig, DDS, FACD for the full story. Dr. Meinig was an endodontist for 50 years. He helped found the AAE in 1943. His book is a mea culpa (apology) to the thousands of patients whose health he ruined doing root canal fillings.

What is interesting about this quote is that 100% of the breast cancer patients had root canals, or other infections, on the same acupuncture meridian.

Since the microbes do not originate in the root canal, what this implies is that breast cancer cannot form without the assistance of the metals and microbes coming from the root canals.

~~

What You Can Do

The ideal solution is the have the root canals AND all dental amalgam removed from the body, followed instantly by heavy chelation therapy (e.g. chlorella, zeolites, etc.).

But don't go to your local dentist to have this done or things might get worse. In other words, if the root canal is not done by the right kind of dentist, the net result may be that nothing is accomplished or things have been made worse.

There is a specialized type of dentist called a "biological dentist" or a "holistic dentist."

These dentists are sometimes persecuted by the corrupt American Dental Association, so do not expect to find one in the local telephone book. They can be hard to find locally. Internet search engines may be the best way to find a local holistic or biological dentist.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, we have such a dentist in Alamo.  Conduct your own search.  Even if you find one 30 miles away, it's well worth the trip for your future well-being.  And be firm about asking for non-amalgam fillings in your children's teeth.

Broccoli-Carrot Slaw

Broccoli - Carrot Slaw

Lemon juice dresses one of my all-time favorite salads that I invented to get the kids to eat Broccoli! It also gets apple cider vinegar in their diet (wonderful health benefits).

Broccoli_Carrot Slaw

Recipe

• 6 c. organic Broccoli Slaw, or 4 cups chopped up organic Broccoli and 2 c. shredded carrots

• 1 c. organic Parsley, finely chopped

Dressing

• 2 medium organic Garlic cloves, mashed in mortar and pestle with 1/2 tsp. Pink Sea Salt

• 4 Tbs. Vegenaise

• 1-1/2 Tbs. Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar

• 1 Tbs. Lemon Juice

• 1/4 tsp. Black Pepper

• 1/2 tsp. Celery Seed (or you can add 1/2 c. fresh Celery, chopped

Combine veggies in a large bowl. 

In a small bowl whisk dressing ingredients until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning. Pour over veggies and toss to coat.

Note:  This is a light dressing, not meant to look like the thicker Slaw dressing we're used to. ~ Bon Apetit! ♥

Apple Beet Celery Juice - ABC for Good Health

This juice is a nutrient packed medley of red apple and powerful vegetables, tailored to boost your immune function and reduce inflammation.

Remember if you want to harness the maximum amount of enzyme power and vitamins from foods you juice, you need a juicer with the motor away from the ingredients. Also juicer with metal parts generates heat which breaks down the enzymes. It's worth the small investment to buy a masticating juicer. It keeps the nutrients in your foods intact.

One option an Omega Juicer— the motor is in the back, away from the chute.

juicer mechanism

Also, there are no metal parts in the 'juicing' mechanism... instead there is acplastic rotating grinder that basically chews the foods releasing the juice.

Apple Beet Celery Juice

Strong anti-oxidants and vitamins.

• 1 small, or half a medium organic Red-skin Apple

• 1/4 organic Beet

• 3-4 organic Broccoli florets

• 2-3 stalks fresh organic Celery

• 1 organic Red Radish (2 if small)

• 1/2 large Carrot

• 3 leaves organic Red or Green Leaf Lettuce

• 2 tsp. fresh organic Lemon juice (add at the end)

Cut each item into slices that will fit the juicer's chute.  Add lemon juice at the end. Juice all, and drink up!

TIP: Save the pulp and add to stew, soup, or muffins!  You can freeze it and use it later.

When Should I Drink My Juice?

It's best to drink your juice on an empty stomach, either first thing in the morning, or an hour away from meals. This will allow you to absorb the maximum amount of nutrients.

CAUTION:

If you are just beginning to juice, and your normal diet includes many processed foods or refined sugar, take it slow! Start by juicing once every 2 - 3 days and increase the amount slowly.  The reason for this is when you juice, your body absorbs the nutrients very quickly, and will begin to detox your cells. You don’t want to overwhelm your system.

Fruits

Most fruits are high in sugar.  Stick with Berries, red skin apples (like Fuji), under-ripe pears and peaches. Diabetics should consult their doctor or a nutritionist before beginning a juicing regimen that includes fruit. 

~ Cheers!  ♥

The Power of Mindfulness and Giving

The relationship between our mental 'health'... meaning our outlook on life and its events...and our physical health, has been well-studied and documented. There is no longer doubt that our state of being directly influences our body's ability to heal, and can make all the difference in that process.

I wanted to share this article to underline the importance of re-programming our tendency to feel doubt, worry and buy into the negativity surrounding any illness we may face.

I watched many, many silly comedies.. both movies and old TV shows.. in my healing process.  Laughter, feeling good, and believing you can lick whatever is going on... is half the battle.

"Richard J. Davidson, a professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison... traveled to Davos for the 2014 World Economic Forum to help spread his belief that health and happiness are not abstract goals, but skills that can be cultivated with just a few hours of practice.

Davidson's research, conducted at his Center for Investigating Healthy Minds in Madison, focuses on the myriad ways in which contemplative practices can produce measurable changes in the human brain and body.

.... read the rest here.

~ Be Well! ♥

CANCER is BIG BUSINESS - NonToxic Cures Hushed Up

Within weeks, Fatal BRAIN TUMORS disappear, patients go into remission, with no toxic chemicals and debilitating side effects.

Why doesn't every Cancer patient have access to this knowledge?

Why don't we know of medically proven treatments that pose 1/10th or 0% of the risk of Chemotherapy and Radiation??

Because CANCER is BIG BUSINESS!

Please take 2 minutes to watch this trailer, and do SHARE widely.

The FDA is NOT going to stand up to Big Pharma...

BUT WE CAN!!

For a more detail: Watch Part I of the remarkable story of Stanislaw Burzynski, MD, PhD who boldly challenged the Food and Drug Administration for his right to begin FDA-approved clinical trials on a breakthrough cancer treatment he developed.

Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski won the largest, and possibly the most convoluted and intriguing legal battle against the Food & Drug Administration in American history.

One form of cancer – diffuse, intrinsic, childhood brainstem glioma has never before been cured in any experimental clinical trial in the history of medicine. Antineoplastons hold the first cures in history – dozens of them.

This documentary takes us through the treacherous, yet victorious, 14-year journey both Dr. Burzynski and his patients endured in order to obtain FDA-approved clinical trials of Antineoplastons.

Dr. Burzynski: Part I - Cancer Is Serious Business: Documentary (2010)

~ Be Well  ♥

Black Bean Salad

Black Bean Salad

• 4 c. cooked organic Black Beans, drained

• 1/2 c. organic sweet Onion, chopped

• 1/2 c. organic Cilantro, chopped

• 1/4 c. organic Mint, chopped

• 1/2 organic Serrano Chili Pepper chopped (opt.)

• 2 medium organic Tomatoes, chopped

• 2 organic Green Onions, chopped

• 4 Tbs. organic Apple Cider Vinegar (Bragg's is best)

• 2 Tbs. Lemon Juice

• 2 Tbs. Flax Seed Oil

• 1 Tbs. Olive Oil

• 1 tsp. Sea Salt

• 1/2 tsp. Cumin or more to taste

• Black Pepper

Mix everything together in a large bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning to your taste.

~ Bon Apetit! ♥

You Have to Want to ... to See Love Everywhere

We miss so much of the universe's demonstration of love.  We are either not looking, too busy with our own thoughts, looking but not 'seeing', seeing but not 'recognizing'... and then there are moments like this that confirm solidly that in its many guises... Love is all There Is...  

Click on the word below for a heart warming, love affirming moment.

LOVE

 

Cheers! ♥

You Create Your World Every Moment

I wish there was a fool-proof formula we could all follow to move 'out' of ourselves, to float above this vehicle we call our body, and observe ourselves act and react to mundane, fleeting, mostly unimportant events in our life. To see how we take things far too seriously, including ourselves! I wish we could REALLY see, FIERCELY believe, that it is the programming of our minds that creates chaos and negativity or hinders peace and happiness in our lives.  And that if we spend just a handful of weeks working consciously to change our reactions and attitudes, we can intentionally generate a new program.

I wish we listened, quietly, with inner stillness to what others are 'saying' before we allowed our ever-churning brain to start preparing our response to justify what 'we' think.

I wish I could help you understand without a shadow of doubt that you house in your heart Divine Light that is clouded over by falsely thinking that you are separate from the Universe, from all Humanity and from Truth.  And that if you sat quietly for just 10 - 15 minutes each day, and let go of everything during those minutes, focusing on 'seeing' the Light flickering in your heart, and imagining it growing until if filled your being, after a while your perspective, your attitude and your knowing will be informed by that Light and life will begin to change.

What is going on with this body, in this life is a Gift intricately planned to present us with situations designed to help us learn specific lessons, (if we allow them to).  These lessons invariably expand our understanding of Who we are, Where we are going and Why it's necessary to cultivate Acceptance and Awareness.

Without a positive attitude and strong faith in the power of our mind, we can't heal.  Negativity changes your body chemistry, physically.  It takes hours to neutralize the toxins that negativity releases in your body. That alone should deter you from giving in to such a response. Stop, breathe and consciously choose a reaction before you say or do something you'll regret.

It's not easy, but practice is the only way to make it a habit.  No one is going to walk into your life and make everything better. You have to do that.

This moment is all you have.  How do you want to spend it?

Unhappy?  Fearful?  Worried?  Frustrated?  Bitter?  How about choosing to be Happy, Brave, Accepting, and Grateful?

Vow to live your life as if today is the all you have...this moment the only moment. Join the abundant Joy that resonates in every aspect of Creation, and don't let anyone shake your determination to feel good.

Excerpt taken from The HuMan Handbook

"Change is what happens when the pain of holding on becomes greater than your fear of letting go. You are using up enormous amounts of life force energy holding on to your pain and past.

Change your habits and you will quickly change your life. It only takes three weeks to “birth” a new habit. The Universe ...will express anything you make into a habit.

You are the architect of the reality that you are experiencing. Forming new habits is how you will manifest what you want. Creating habits is the key to your success or failure.

Consciously creating new habits for more than 21 days is a small price to pay for what you want to manifest."

"When things change only two things can happen with one being obvious and the other being extremely subtle. The obvious thing is that you will manifest what it is that you want to experience. The not so obvious thing is that you will surface what it is you need to heal, so that you can manifest what you want."

E-mail your first and last name to SabrinaRose@HolisticLearningCenter.com, subject line- The Human Handbook to receive a copy.

It doesn't matter where you are in your journey...this human handbook is a guide to mastering the inner you!

Do Statins and Aspirin Play a Role in Cancer Prevention?

What are Statins?

• Statins are a type of drug that blocks the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which the body needs to make cholesterol
• Statins help to treat and prevent heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol
• Research suggests that statins may lower the risk of certain cancers such as colorectal and skin cancers. This is because statins work against cellular functions that may help control tumor initiation, tumor growth, and metastasis
• Two cardiovascular clinical trials have demonstrated a significant reduction in skin cancer among patients taking lipid-lowering drug

According the National Cancer Institute..

Animal research and ongoing observation of people who take statins suggest that these drugs may lower the risk of certain cancers, including colorectal and skin cancers. Statins' known benefits in preventing cardiovascular disease, along with years of strong evidence that these agents are relatively safe, have led researchers to explore whether statins have the potential to prevent cancer. People should not take statins for cancer prevention outside of a clinical trial.

Specifically, statins reduce (or block) the activity of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase and thereby reduce the levels of mevalonate and its associated products. The mevalonate pathway plays a role in cell membrane integrity, cell signaling, protein synthesis, and cell cycle progression, all of which are potential areas of intervention to arrest the cancer process.

Potential Side Effects

Although generally well-tolerated, statins have been associated with muscle pain (myopathy) and liver toxicity (hepatotoxicity). People who take statins should be monitored by their health care providers for these reasons.

Clinical Trials

NCI's Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Consortia initiated a trial for people at increased risk for colorectal cancer who also have been found to have aberrant crypt foci (ACF), in 2005.  ACF are clusters of abnormal cells in the lining of the colon and rectum that have been associated with the development of colorectal tumors. Using existing technology, ACF represent the earliest stage of detectable risk for colorectal cancer.

Patients diagnosed with stage I or II colon cancer are eligible for this trial after they have undergone surgical treatment (resection) to remove their primary tumor. Patients may also have received post-surgical (adjuvant) therapy. Study participants will be stratified (categorized) according to whether or not they have a family history of colorectal cancer, whether they regularly take aspirin and at what dose (none, 81 mg, or 325 mg), and whether they received prior adjuvant therapy. They will then be randomly assigned to take either rosuvastatin (Crestor) or a placebo pill daily for 5 years.

Participants will have physical exams every 6 months during the 5-year study period and will undergo complete colonoscopies within 180 days before randomization, and at 1, 3, and 5 years afterward. Doctors will follow the participants for the development of adenomatous polyps, the incidence of metachronous colorectal cancers, and the recurrence of their primary colon cancer.

“We’re also very interested in aspirin because we know that it has some benefit in preventing colorectal polyps and cancer. So, this study is designed to accept people who currently take aspirin as long as they agree to continue their aspirin over the course of the study,” added Dr. Bruce Boman (Protocol Chair), National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project.

And what about Aspirin?

Like statins, aspirin is widely used to protect the heart. The long-term use of aspirin has been shown to provide protection against the development of colorectal polyps and cancer. Since statins and aspirin are often used together, researchers are interested in exploring their ability, when combined, to prevent colorectal polyps and cancer. A recent case-control study examined the effects of a daily statin and low-dose aspirin, individually and together, on the development of colorectal tumors. The researchers found that using both drugs together reduced colorectal cancer risk more than the use of either drug alone. Consequently, one of the secondary endpoints in the NSABP-P-5 trial is to see if the combination of rosuvastatin and aspirin has either additive or synergistic effects.

For More Information

Call NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). The toll-free call is confidential.

Roasted Vegetables with Tea Leaves

Roasted Rainbow Vegetables

8 Servings

Use Organic ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped Red Cabbage

• 1 cup coarsely chopped Onion

• 3 Zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and sliced 3/4" thick

• 3 Carrots, sliced 3/4" thick

• 1/2 large Eggplant, cut in chunks

• 2 cups Butternut Squash, cut in bite size chunks

• 2 Sweet Potatoes, cut in bite size chunks

• 7 -10 cloves Garlic, halved if large

• 2 Tbs. Green Tea leaves (reserved from making tea, or soaked)

• 2 Tbs. Olive Oil

• Pink Sea Salt

• Black Pepper

• 1 tsp. Caraway Seeds

• 1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Pre-heat oven to 425ºF.

Combine veggies in a large bowl with tea leaves. Add Olive oil and toss to coat thoroughly.

Sprinkle with the spices. Toss again until evenly coated with the spices. Spoon into a large ceramic or glass baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with Coconut or Olive oil.

Roast for 30 minutes, then flip with spatula and continue to roast for another 10-15 minutes or until carrots are tender. Adjust seasoning, and serve hot.

Blood Sugar and Weight Loss Support in a Bean?

A friend of mine told me about green coffee bean extract a few weeks ago, and I have finally found a minute to do a little research. My sister who lives in London, and my older brother both have Type II Diabetes.  I am always looking for natural ways one can keep blood sugar levels in line, because sometimes we all cheat on our diets!

I posted the list of Foods that Help Lower Blood Sugar, so add this to them.

I don't subscribe to TV, but I understand Dr. Oz had a show on the benefits of Green Coffee Bean extract. After doing a little digging here's what  found:

Green coffee bean extract is a powerful anti-oxidant

Friday, May 18, 2012 by: Dr. David Jockers

There are two major types of coffee plants; Arabica and Robusta. The highest quality green coffee bean extract comes from the Arabica plant which is higher in the polyphenol anti-oxidants chlorogenic and caffeic acids. The majority of coffee drinkers are missing out on much of the benefits that coffee contains. The deep roasting process significantly reduces the anti-oxidant content.

Additionally, coffee is one of the most widely pesticide/herbicide sprayed crops in the world. Studies have shown over 1000 toxic chemicals in roasted coffee. It is essential to use organic coffee that is free of these dangerous chemicals that mimic hormones, congest our liver, kidneys and bowels and promote cancer growth.

Another powerful carcinogen is produced when high temperature cooking (baking, frying & roasting) damages sugars which then interact with the amino acid asparagine. This chemical reaction creates the potent carcinogen acrylamide. Instant and deeply roasted coffee has been shown to have significantly more acrylamide than brewed coffee.

There are many great health benefits associated with coffee consumption. A recent 2011 study indicated that individuals who consumed the most coffee had the lowest risk of type II diabetes. The researchers found that the chlorogenic acid reduces the release and creation of excess glucose in the body.

Blood sugar balance

Blood sugar balance is an absolutely critical measure of healthy aging in the body. Too much sugar and grains in the diet will lead to blood sugar imbalances. The body then goes through spirals of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. These blood sugar imbalances cause inflammation in the body that damage hormonal control systems, organs, and immune function.

Glucose overload is another major cause of blood sugar imbalances.  The common sign of this is elevated fasting blood sugar levels. At night, the individual has elevated glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P) enzyme activity that causes an elevated release of blood sugar from the muscle and liver. The body is basically eating these tissues.

The latest evidence shows that healthy fasting blood sugar ranges are between 65-85 mg/DL. Meanwhile, post meal ranges (2 hrs after) should never go above 120 mg/dL. When levels test higher it is a clear indication of oxidative stress damaging cells and tissues of the body.

The major anti-oxidant in green coffee bean extract, chlorogenic acid, has been shown to profoundly inhibit the release of the G6P enzyme which significantly stabilizes blood sugar levels. In one clinical study a dose of 400mg of green coffee bean extract showed a 32% reduction in the post meal blood glucose spike. This translates into someone who would have an extremely dangerous 160mg/dL blood sugar level down to a safe post-meal level of 109mg/dL

Stable blood sugar allows for better energy, mental clarity, hormone function, detoxification capabilities and weight loss. Raw green coffee bean extract along with other superfoods such as cacao and cinnamon all show great results in stabilizing blood sugar and improving overall bodily functions. The combination of these three also synergizes to create even greater effects in the body.

Due to the diuretic effects of caffeine in the coffee it is necessary to consume extra water. The water should ideally be from a natural spring or have gone through a deep filtration process to remove environmental toxins.

Sources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20171062 http://greencoffeebeanbenefits.com/

And a second reference that states:

There are many reasons you may not be losing weight. If you started lifting weights, then chances are you are building muscle, which would negate any fat loss. This is good because muscle burns more calories than fat, so chances are you’ll see nice weight loss results down the road.

Second, if you do not sleep enough or aren’t eating enough, your body’s metabolism will slow down, negating the powerful weight loss properties of green coffee extract. Women should eat at least 1,200 calories per day and men should eat at least 1,500 calories per day.

Third and finally, the most likely culprit is that you’re still eating too much. Studies have shown that humans tend to under-estimate their caloric intakes by 25-40% on a normal basis. Therefore, you could be eating 300-600 calories more per day then you think you are.

Another likely culprit for overeating is due to emotional eating. Dr. Oz recently tackled this problem that affects a large percentage of the population. You see, when we are sad our dopamine levels are significantly lower. To increase these pleasure chemicals in our body, we eat junk foods, which have chemicals designed to increase these dopamine levels.

To combat this, Dr. Oz recommends taking saffron extract,  a natural extract from a flower grown in tropical regions. Saffron extract replaces the dopamine levels you are lacking, which prevents you from snacking on unhealthy foods.

Source:

http://greencoffeebeanbenefits.com/

WebMD article: Green Coffee Beans May Aid Weight Loss (click on Title).

CAUTION: If you have hypertension, or a medical condition that cautions against the consumption of Caffeine, do not take this product.  Always check with your doctor before starting any Supplement.

~ Be Well! ♥

Eggplant Caponata - King of Vegetables

In the Middle East, the Eggplant is referred to as the King of Vegetables due to its versatility and the large number recipes that feature this violet beauty.

Caponata is served cold as an appetizer.  Since it is versatile, I have heated it up and spooned it over hot millet or quinoa cooked in vegetable broth!

Recipe

Serves @ 10 as an appetizer

eggplant muchroom saute

• 2 lbs. organic Eggplant, peeled and diced

• 2 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1 c. organic White Onion, small diced

• ½ c. organic Bell Pepper, small diced

• 2 Tbs. Garlic, finely chopped

• 2 c. organic Tomatoes (peeled, seeded, and small diced)

• ¼ c. organic Basil, fresh chopped

• 2 Tbs. Sherry Vinegar

• 1 Tbs. organic Lemon, squeezed

• 1/8 tsp. Monk Fruit powder

• 1 small Green Chili, minced (opt.)

• ¼ c. Green Olives, chopped

• 2 tsp. Black Pepper, coarsely ground

• 1 Head of Green leaf Lettuce

Sauté diced eggplant in olive oil until lightly browned; removed from pan. In the same pan, sauté onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and garlic for 2 minutes (vegetables should still have some texture, and garlic should not brown). Mix everything else together in a large bowl with the cooked vegetables.

Refrigerate overnight.

Serve over a bed of lettuce and surround with toasted whole wheat pita bread triangles, or scoop onto whole wheat Tuscan bread.

capanota

~ Buon Apetito!

♥

Kale and Bean Wraps

Filling

• 1 Tbs.organic extra virgin Olive Oil

• 1 organic White onion, sliced thin

• 5-6 cups mixed organic Greens (Kale, Chard, Spinach, Collards, Watercress…)

• 1 c. organic Carrots, shredded

• 1 c. cooked sprouted Lentils (cook in broth or green tea and spices to give it flavor)

• 1 c. Mung Beans, soaked overnight or till sprouted

• 1/4 c. Water or Vegetable broth

• 2 Tbs. organic Ginger, chopped

• 3 Tbs. organic Tamari Sauce (Gluten Free)

• 1 Tbs. Sweet Chili Sauce

• 1 tsp. Black Pepper

• 1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Pour olive oil into a large sauté pan over medium heat. Tilt pan to spread oil on bottom of pan. Add onions and saute for 2 minutes, then add greens and carrots.

Stir for 5 -6 minutes or until greens turn bright.

carrot onion kale saute

Add Mung beans, lentils and water. Stir to mix.  When it starts to simmer, turn heat to low, cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add ginger, and seasoning. Stir well, cover and simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until kale is tender. Add more water if necessary.

Taste and adjust seasoning.

Serve wrapped in wilted Chard leaf, whole grain Tortilla, or open face on WASA Rye crackers.  Bon Apetit.

London and Beyond in Pictures

Traveling is a wonderful way to leave your worries and stress behind.  I find it energizing and relaxing at the same time.

In 2006 my daughter and I headed for London, where one of my sisters lives. This was our second trip together, and my sixth, so we didn't do much that was traditional.

London

One of the most exciting, take that any way you like, moments was finding ourselves on a bus that took us too far out of London before we realized we'd missed our stop.  The good news is that the bus driver told us how to get a free ride back, since we seemed like dopey US tourists!

While on the bus, we passed this cute back yard garden with its own castle and gnomes... about an hour out of the city.

A Garden outside Brighton '06

After that detour, we went to the beautiful National Gallery.

National Gallery London

And at the end of the day, we did what most Londoners would do... and stopped by a Pub not far from my sister's flat for a pint and fish n chips.

London Pub 06

Notice the Desserts on the blackboard...

• Apple Pie
• Spotted Dick
• Choc Fudge Cake
• Sticky Toffee Pudding
• Ice Cream

Which would you have ordered?

Jess in Pub2 London '06

Brighton

We spent 3 days in Brighton, a first for both of us.  I had to visit the city that one my favorite British authors, Georgette Heyer , featured in so many of her wonderful novels.

The weather was not very cooperative. We had rain one day, and every afternoon the winds blustered and turned icy cold.  Brighton seemed very eclectic with a huge mix of people.

Jess -

Of course the Royal Pavillion was a must see.  We took a day tour and went by later that night, when we captured its exquisite architecture against the dark sky.  It was built for the Prince Regent, later King George IV, in stages between 1787 and 1823.

"It takes its unique character from the man for whom it was built, George IV, and its magnificent interior is a reflection of his personality and Regency reign. It was conceived as a monument to style, finesse, technological excellence and above all pleasure. It remains unequaled in its colossal ambition and glorious sense of joie de vivre.

George was determined that the palace should be the ultimate in comfort and convenience.

Particular attention was paid by his architect and designers to lighting, heating and sanitation, as well as to the provision of the most modern equipment of the day for the Great Kitchen."

Read more here.

Royal Pavilion, Brighton 4_06

After resting for a day in London, we took a bus to Oxford...our mission, visit Christ Church where many scenes were shot in the Harry Potter films.

Chirst Church U of Oxford2 '06

Chirst Church Oxford '06

We got a quick bite to eat, and walked to the Church just as the doors were being closed for the day!  We couldn't believe our luck.  So we took a walk through the magnificent University,  did a little shopping and headed back to London.

Oxford2 4_06

Oxford 4_06

Leeds

A bus tour took us to Leeds and Dover.  We both fell in love with Leeds Castle. It was built in 1119 by Robert de Crevecoeur as a Norman stronghold.

The last private owner of the castle was the Hon. Olive, Lady Baillie, a daughter of Almeric Paget, 1st Baron Queenborough, and his first wife, Pauline Payne Whitney, an American heiress. Lady Baillie bought the castle in 1926. She redecorated the interior. During the early part of

World War II

Leeds was used as a hospital where Lady Baillie and her daughters hosted burned Commonwealth airmen as part of their recovery.  The castle was opened to the public in 1976.

Leeds Castle '06

Leeds Castle2 4_06

Leeds Castle 4_06

Dover was quaint, a typical fishing / Port town in many ways...except for the Castle!

I hope to make a similar trip with my son next summer.  Thank you for reminiscing with me! 

♥

Baked Quinoa Falafel

·        2 c. organic Quinoa, uncooked

·        ½ c. organic Red Onion, finely chopped

·        ½ c. organic Green Onion, finely chopped

·        ¼ c. organic Parsley, finely chopped

·        2 Tbs. Cilantro, chopped

·        1 Free Range Egg White

·        1 Tbs. organic Garlic, minced

·        1 tsp. Pink Sea Salt

·        1 tsp. ground Coriander

·        ½ tsp. Black Pepper

·        1 tsp. Cumin

·     ½ tsp. Cayenne

• ¼ c. mixed Olive Oil and Coconut Oil

Line a baking sheet with a lightly oiled piece of parchment paper and preheat oven to 400°F.

Rinse quinoa in a fine sieve.

Bring 1-1/2 quarts of water to a boil. Add and cook quinoa approximately 12-15 minutes.

While the quinoa is cooking, sauté the onions, parsley, and garlic in the olive-coconut oil mixture over medium-low heat until the onions are soft. Do not let oil reach a sizzle!

Transfer to a food processor.

Drain the quinoa, reserving 2 c. of the liquid.

Measure 1-1/2 cups of the quinoa into the food processor along with the spices.  Slowly add enough of the cooking liquid to make a very thick paste.  Scrape down sides as necessary. Discard remaining liquid.

Combine quinoa paste with the rest of the quinoa in a large bowl.  Allow the quinoa to sit until it is thick enough to hold the shape of a patty.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.  Dab a little olive oil on your hands and pat about 2 Tbs. of the quinoa mixture into a 2” patty or use a Falafel mold. Place on prepared baking sheet.  Bake 10 minutes, flip the patties and bake another 6-7 minutes or until lightly browned.

Tahini

Tahini is a source of healthy fatty acids, containing omega-3 and a little omega-6 fatty acids. Getting these from the foods you eat is critical as they are beneficial for your brain and heart.

Tahini will boost thiamine, also known as vitamin B-1. It influences your nervous system, muscles and digestion.

Traditional Tahini Sauce

• 1 c. organic Sesame Tahini

• 2 small Garlic cloves, mashed well with 1/4 tsp. Sea Salt

• 1/4 c. organic Lemon Juice

• 2 Tbs. organic Parsley, chopped

• 1/4 c. + cold Water, enough to give sauce the consistency of Ketchup.

Pour lemon into garlic and salt mixture, and stir well.

Add to Tahini sauce along with 1/4 c. water. Stir.  Tahini will thicken first (due to chemical reaction with lemon juice.)  Keep stirring and adding water in 2 Tbs. increments until consistency is reached.

Add parsley. Will keep for 1 week in refrigerator.

Serving: Use on Falafel, Fish, as a topping on Steamed Veggies, or as a spread on Baked Eggplant and Tomato sandwiches.

Tahini Sauce

Falafel Plate

 ~ Sahtein (double health)! ♥

Wander to Vidalia

It's time to replace the old adage about "An Apple a Day" - with a new one -

"An Onion a Day"

While it may not win you more friends, it will relieve inflammatory bowel conditions and boost immune function, break down certain cancer-causing compounds, reduce the body’s absorption of cholesterol, AND also fight fungus!

In Georgia, where

Vidalia onions are cultivated, the mortality rates from stomach cancer are about half the average for the United States. Also, the Chinese rank among the largest population of onion lovers, and guess what?  Their risk of getting stomach cancer is 40 percent lower than it is for people who shy away from them. So let's add onions to our recipes with generous abandon.

Tofu and Vidalia Onion Casserole

Preheat oven to 350ºF, 175ºC.

• 16 oz. Frim organic Tofu, cubed

• 1 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Cold-pressed organic Coconut Oil (to coat casserole)

• 3 organic Sweet Potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4"

• 4 c. organic Vidalia Onions, chopped

• 3 c. organic Portobello Mushrooms, sliced

• 1 c. Almond Milk

• 2 Tbs. Brown Rice Flour

• 1 Tbs. Worcestershire Sauce

• Sea Salt, Black Pepper, and Paprika, to taste

• Dash of Cayenne, opt.

Rinse chicken and pat dry. Over medium heat, lightly sauté Tofu in oil and drain on paper towel.

Grease a 2-quart casserole with coconut oil.

Mix milk, rice flour, Worcestershire sauce together.

Layer sliced potatoes, onions, mushrooms and chicken. Top with milk mixture and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Serve with whole grains, quinoa, or wild rice Pilaf (1/4 c. serving)

~ To Your Health!

♥

The Theme of Divine Presence; Being Who You Really Are

For many year I have been reading and studying the writings and lives of several mystics. Inayat Khan is one of those.  The insight and awareness I developed over the years has nourished my vision of life and my attitudes.

It is this new awareness that helped me understand, learn from and move through many trying experiences... a forced separation from my first home and country, the passing of my parents followed by the passing of a sister and brother-in-law, my divorce, the process of reinventing myself, the loss of my dearest friend and mentor, and cancer.

There are principles at the heart of every system of faith that echo one another, and it is these common principles that Inayat Khan touches upon in his writings.  He speaks from personal experience, from a life devoted to self-knowing and awareness.

It is with calm Grace that one must strive to face each new inner lesson offered by life, and it is with Awareness that we must inform our reactions and actions.

I hope you are able to gather a few drops of gold from the passage below, to store tenderly in your heart, and to draw upon them as life unfolds.

I included the link to the entire Chapter in the title below.

Inviting Divine Presence into Your Life

Consciously invite the Divine Presence into your life!

The wonders of Divine Presence are always available to everyone, but Divine Presence will not force itself on anyone. We are free to be asleep. We are free to be ignorant. We are free to be selfish. We are free to be as foolish as we choose. And we pay heavily for such misdeeds and lack of understanding. Yet the Divine Presence is always there, just waiting for us to awaken from our slumber.

In order to enjoy a life of love, harmony and beauty, one must align one's outer life (worldly life) with one's inner life (spiritual life). In other words, the most pressing need of mankind today is to re-unite body and soul.

The wonders of spiritual life will not be fully embodied in one's own life until one awakens to the presence of Divine Presence and allows it to be the very foundation upon which every aspect of daily life is built,  thereby bringing the wondrous blessings of love, harmony and beauty into every situation.

Life should be a joyful journey, and living in harmony with the ideals of Divine Presence is the key.

If you do not yet feel that wondrous Divine Presence deep within, then (for the time being) simply strive to allow your life to be centered around great ideals such as loving-kindness, generosity, compassion, gratitude, and joyfulness.

Whenever anything else arises, calmly observe whatever has arisen without undue reaction, and return as quickly as possible to embodying those great ideals such as loving-kindness, generosity, compassion, gratitude and joyfulness.

In this simple manner, one can gradually begin to reprogram the sub-conscious mind, and thereby more fully live in harmony with the Divine Presence.

Be Beautiful!

In every moment of every day, the central theme of Divine Presence is simply this: Be Beautiful!

Each of the beautiful attributes of mankind, such as loving-kindness, generosity, compassion, grace, and joyfulness, all arise from the wondrous Divine Presence which exists in the calm pure depths of the heart.

The beauty which any individual exhibits truly glorifies the Source of Beauty, and will hopefully invite others to turn, in their own way, toward that same Source, like moths toward the flame.

What does it mean to be beautiful?

• To be beautiful is to let our thoughts, words and deeds bring Divine Presence into the world.
• To be beautiful is to greet each and every being with grace, with love, with compassion, with joyfulness.
• To be beautiful is to see the ever-present Divine beauty everywhere.
• To be beautiful is to express joyful gratitude for all that we receive.
• To be beautiful is let the Divine radianceof your inner light shine upon all beingswithout any of one's own hindrances or preferences whatsoever.
• To be beautiful is to expect nothing in return.

That which is truly beautiful always arises from the depths of your own loving heart. That is, you will be most beautiful when you are living in harmony with your own highest ideals and greatest aspirations.

One cannot be an expression of true beauty when trying to be like someone else.

Follow your heart!  Be beautiful in your own way!

~~~~~~~~~~~

The important thing is not to think much, but to love much; and so, do that which best stirs you to love.

Saint Teresa of Avila