The Perks Of Being A Carnivore

Going back to the origins of humankind, no civilization has collectively survived on a vegetarian diet.  Do not misinterpret—I have no intentions of knocking vegetarianism, as I certainly respect the ethics of those who participate.  However, it is my personal belief that an omnivorous diet is important for attaining optimal health.  My reasons for this are both scientific and practical, and definitely not just because steak is delicious.

It is a fact that animal protein is the only source of complete protein, in that it contains all ten essential amino acids needed by the body to function properly, as well as some nonessential amino acids.  Essential amino acids cannot be produced in the body, and therefore must be ingested through diet; the body can produce nonessential amino acids on its own, but only with adequate consumption of the essentials.  All vegetable sources of protein are incomplete, meaning that they are either low in or lack altogether one or more of the essential amino acids.  The body must ingest all essential amino acids in order to use any of them.  Furthermore, animal fats are the only food source of vitamins A and D, which must be consumed together in order for protein to be assimilated within the body.  In a vegetarian diet, it is not the actual amount of protein consumed that is problematic, but rather the contents of the protein source.  Improper acid-alkaline balance (the body’s pH) results from inadequate protein sources, factoring in the necessity for the proper combination of vitamin, mineral, and fat content of these sources.

There is a reason that protein and fat occur together in animal products; protein cannot be used without fat, and this is how they are meant to be consumed.  High-protein, low-fat diets lead to the depletion of vitamin A and D reserves, and consequently this deficiency contributes to the loss of myocardial muscles and coronary heart disease.  It is both counterproductive and counterintuitive to consume low-fat animal products.  Populations who regularly consume fatty meats and whole milk products have the greatest longevity (these populations also have little to no refined sugars, hydrogenated fats, or refined carbohydrates in the diet).  Alternately, the vegetarian inhabitants of Southern India (one of the few strictly vegetarian populations) have the shortest life spans in the world.

Animal protein is also the body’s only usable source of vitamin B₁₂, deficiencies resulting in anemia, impaired eyesight, and most significant a plethora of mental and emotional disorders.  A study of inmates in a psychiatric ward revealed extremely low serum levels of vitamin B₁₂.  This deficiency was also found in many breast-fed infants of strict vegetarians…you do the math.  Additionally, lack of animal fat in the diet is hugely responsible for reproductive ailments; 25%+ of American couples are infertile today.  Animal products are the most abundant source of zinc, a mineral whose deficiency is on the rise and leads to decreased fertility, learning disabilities, and mental retardation.

It is imperative to mention that each individual body functions in a unique way, and there is no “right” way from one person to the next.  In an ode to the other side, a vegetarian or vegan diet may be sustainable and beneficial to some.  It is known that short-term vegetarianism is considered a cleansing and healing process, but prolonged commitment has negative effects on health more often than not.  Simply put, these are the facts…take from them what you will!

XO,

E

Dank Avocado Sauce (compliments of yours truly)

Ingreds:

2 avocadoes

½ bunch of cilantro

1 jalapeño

juice of 1 lemon

2-3 Tbs Bragg’s apple cider vinegar (get this kind because it is raw and unfiltered, i.e., good for you)

1 cup cold-pressed olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

*1/4 cup Greek yogurt (optional—adds sour cream flavor)

Mix all ingredients EXCEPT olive oil in blender or food processor; once mixed together, slowly add olive oil as you continue to blend (it’s important to pour it in slowly so that the sauce emulsifies properly).  Voila!  Enjoy with salads, tacos, sandwiches, soups, chili, as a dip, by the spoonful, etc.…it will pretty much taste good with anything, duh.

Avocado- great source of monounsaturated fatty acids (vital for brain and heart health), high enzyme content (necessary catalysts in almost every biomechanical process in the body), rich in vitamins E, B-complex and C, carotenoids, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium and phosphorus; FACT: the name avocado comes from an Aztec word meaning “testicle tree” because they grow in pairs

Cilantro- an herb whose byproducts are the coriander seed and zesty-tasting leaves, rich in calcium, iron, carotenes, and Vitamin C; in medicine, cilantro is the first known substance that is able to remove mercury and other toxic metals from the central nervous system if consumed in sufficient quantitiesàamong other things, these detoxifying properties make it of great use in the treatment of depression and Alzheimer’s disease

Jalapeño- incredibly rich in vitamin C, also vitamin A, folate, thiamin, iron, magnesium, niacin, riboflavin, copper, manganese, and potassium; capsaicin (what gives all chilis their heat and is found in the veins, NOT the seeds contrary to popular belief) is a natural endorphin releaser and has been used in traditional medicine as a painkiller; jalapeños also act as an antibiotic when ingested by bringing fresh blood (rich in white blood cells and leukocytes) to the site of infection

Lemon- loaded with vitamin C and electrolytes, which help maintain ample hydration; acts as a natural astringent to the liver making it a highly effective detoxifier; FACT: the ancient Romans believed that lemon’s antimicrobial properties made it an antidote for all poisons

Apple cider vinegar- in its raw, unfiltered form, vinegar is a fermented product packed with probiotics; pickling vegetables in vinegar is an ancient tradition and is still a dietary staple in many cultures today—these populations tend to have much higher immunity than our own

Olive oil (cold pressed)- abundant in Omega 3’s (you need more than you’re probably consuming for almost every vital function of the body); powerful antioxidant content that prevents the aging of skin cells; when olive oil is not cold-pressed, it has been cooked during the production process, which deconstructs the essential chain fatty acid composition and therefore diminishes its nutritional value—this goes for cooking with olive oil as well, as it should never be heated above 350 degrees Fahrenheit


Enjoy!


XO,
E

Why It's Time To End Your Love Affair With Soft Drinks

To all of my soda-loving friends, you might find this enlightening:

A wise Lululemon bag reads, “Soft drinks are the cigarettes of the future.”  It might sound alarming, but it is by no stretch of the imagination.  As a product found readily available in elementary school vending machines, a routine soft drink may seem harmless enough, but alas, you have been misinformed.  These chemical-induced bubbly pleasures are a primary contributing factor to the plague of degenerative diseases in America today.  Did you know that 35% of U.S. sugar consumption comes from soft drinks, making them a national addiction?

All sodas contain sweeteners, in the form of high fructose corn syrup or sugar substitutes such as aspartame.  It is well known that refined sugar has incredibly toxic effects of every organ and system in the body, acting as an antinutrient of empty calories.  You think you’re doing yourself a favor by drinking diet?  Nonsense—diet sodas have no proven link to weight loss (adversely, all habitual soda consumption is linked to weight gain) and furthermore increase sugar cravings.  Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and Nutra-sweet are neurotoxic substances associated with conditions such as pancreatitis, high blood pressure, retinal hemorrhaging, seizures, and depression; also linked to birth defects and chemical disruptions in the brain.  Studies have shown that even low levels of these substances induce adverse changes in the pituitary gland—the gland responsible for proper functioning of all biochemical processes.  When digested, aspartame breaks down into amino acids phenylalanine and aspartic acid, plus methanol.  Methanol, or wood alcohol, is a known poison and its safety level has never been determined.

Another ingredient present in soft drinks is phosphoric acid (what gives it the bubbly kick), which blocks the absorption of calcium and magnesium in the intestines.  Phosphoric acid is directly related to fragile bones in children and osteoporosis and bone loss in adults, and is also a major cause of kidney stones.  Consequently, magnesium deficiency is a thorough impairment to the immune system, resulting in chronic fatigue, high blood pressure, etc. 

Most of us are already aware of the many side effects caffeine has on the body, but to further comprehend, it basically acts like sugar in the system.  When consumed, the adrenal gland is stimulated to release an adrenaline-like substance, triggering the liver to release sugar into the bloodstream (hence your caffeine high).  Blood-sugar regulation in the body is a very delicate process, and the constant stimulation of regular caffeine intake is extremely hard to tolerate.  Blood-sugar lowering mechanisms overreact, leading to conditions such as chronic fatigue, depression, dizziness, allergies, and behavioral disorders.

In addition to the aforementioned substances, soda manufacturers finish off their chemical concoctions with a slew of artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives, most of which have suspect claims to safety.  The combination of laboratory-produced ingredients found inside a can of soda severely irritates the stomach lining, and has profound and complex effects on the nervous system (especially prominent in children).  Prolonged use can and will in some cases lead to cancer, bone loss, mental disorders, birth defects...should I go on?  Ultimately, sodas are an addiction that will sap your physical and mental health.  Not convinced?  I dare you to quit drinking soft drinks for two whole weeks and see for yourself how much better you feel.  If you’re serious about kicking this habit, you don’t have to go cold turkey.  Limit yourself to 4 a week, then 3, then 2, and substitute green tea or sparkling mineral water on your days off.  Eventually, you won’t even think about them any more, and it will even be okay to treat your hangover to a Coke every once in a while!  I promise you, sodas are a sacrifice worth making.


XO,
E

The Importance of Good Food + Good Company

"After an excellent meal, body and spirit experience a very special sense of well-being.  Physically, the face lights up, while the brain refreshes itself; the facial line reddens, the eyes shine, and a gentle warmth permeates all the limbs.  Psychologically, the spirit becomes more alert, fantasy more lively...In addition, one frequently finds united around the same tables all factors which make society possible: love, friendship, business, speculation, power, protection, ambition, intrigue—that is why a feast brings fruits of all kinds."  

J.A. Brillant-Savarin

When Thanksgiving Makes You Everything But Thankful

Stressed.  Annoyed.  Happy.  Drunk.  Hungry.  Excited.  Gluttonous.  Exhausted.  All reasonable things to experience on a day dedicated almost entirely to the preparation and consumption of copious amounts of food with your entire family.  Some say it marks the beginning of the holiday season (other enthusiasts like myself might say Halloween), the most exciting time of the year!  Although most of us are aware that we are incredibly fortunate human beings in this world, we sometimes lose our perspective in the midst of chaos.  Personally, Thanksgiving is one of my very favorite times of the year; for one, it is the absolute largest of my family gatherings, and secondly, because it’s located in the beloved hill country.  Infallibly, I experience anxiety beforehand, during, and sometimes after, as a result of the overwhelming quantity of wonderful and slightly irritating company I am in.  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t always leave with a smile on my face, but those few short days under one roof are the truest test of character.  I can’t wait to throw in-laws into the picture ;-)!  I put together a few tips on how to summon your most grateful self this Thanksgiving, and for your reading pleasure, an elaborate list of the many blessings you are probably blessed with (some sarcasm implied).  Enjoy. 

Keep it simple and decide ahead of time that you’re going to be happy while you’re with your whole entire extended family.  Embrace the rarity of the occasion!  Take any ‘constructive’ criticism in stride and with a grain of salt—not your opinion, not your problem, but thanks for the input.  Appreciate the excessive coddling, even though you’re a full-grown adult who generally takes care of yourself.  Exercise in the mornings; gear up your metabolism and get those natural endorphins pumping early on.  Take it out on the pavement, not on your siblings or your waistline.  Go out of your way to make others feel good, just because you’re a nice person.  Whether that means pulling out your funny bone, making sure the wine glasses stay full, or setting and resetting the table until your mom says it’s right, keeping everyone in good spirits will certainly work in your favor.  Plus, doing nice things for others gives us an inherent sense of joy and gratitude.  Pass it on.  Whatever happens to go wrong, have a laugh about it…nobody will remember next year.  If you’re like me, you’re still required to sit at the kid’s table—you might do it begrudgingly, but who are you kidding?  It’s obviously more fun.

Also, don’t forget to count your blessings:

1. Your unconventional family.  Thank God their political and religious views are fair game for humorous remarks.
2. A day off work!  At least one, maybe more...Amen to that.
3. A highly predictable and delicious spread of food.  Not to mention, food/resource distribution in the world is majorly f***ed up and you're not starving.
4. These people know you and get you—whether you'll admit to it or not, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  They also love you and probably share your sense of humor.
5. You have a sense of humor.  Sure, you take it for granted sometimes, but let's be serious...you know exactly why you're so popular (besides your ravishing good looks).
6. Your life is on the right track and, despite the blatant craziness that runs rampant in your genes, you turned out just fine.
7. Friends.  We've all got them if we want them.
8. The day after Thanksgiving—an obvious excuse to buy new shoes and spend frivolously.
9. Cinnamon-flavored everything
10. If you're a guy, be thankful for domestic roles.  If you're a girl, be thankful that your man needs you to function properly.
11. You live in America.  Resulting from the slightly exaggerated description of a certain historical event, we celebrate a national holiday by eating turkey (Ireland got beer!).  We also possess more freedoms and privileges than most populations in the world, and for that we are truly lucky. 

Healthy cocktail to try: mix half a glass of fresh, warm apple cider (preferably made with organic apples not from concentrate) and half a glass of red wine.  Might sound weird, but if you’ve ever had red wine+Coca Cola you know what I’m talking about.  You never know, it might be the booze that keeps the doctor away rather than the apple in this case.

XO,

E

Sunny Side Up

Hello friends, a bit on Vitamin D...

I often catch myself daydreaming of a particular scenario in time that tends to invoke incredibly strong feelings of nostalgia: taking afternoon drives up Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder during the fall.  A crystal clear reservoir surrounded by sandy shores lays tucked away near the top of the mountain, where I frequented with only my most special friends to bask in the sun on crispy cool days—a place where cares and civilization ceased to exist, and perhaps the epitome of my college experience.  My happy place, if you will, at one point in reality and now in imagination.  During the spring, we would lay out in bathing suits while the reservoir was still covered in a sheath of ice.  In this place, my experience with the sun was just a little bit bigger, brighter, and warmer than in most other places.  Because my memories of the reservoir are indeed some of my fondest in life, I decided to use it as a preface to my insights on the SUN, and more scientifically, good old Vitamin D.  Read on… 

Contrary to popular belief that sun exposure to the skin is harmful, damaging, and potentially fatal, the truth is that a little sun goes a long way for our health.  Our bodies actually absorb vital nutrient energy from the sun, in the form of Vitamin D, but abrupt exposure will prevent this from effectively happening.  As with most things in life, moderation is key.  Just as your muscles need a warm-up before performing an intense athletic activity, your skin needs to ease into sun exposure before it can efficiently reap the benefits.  Why adequate Vitamin D intake is essential: our bodies convert Vitamin D into calcitriol, resulting in a net increase of bone calcium.  Without it, calcium cannot be properly absorbed and effectively stored in the body. 

Vitamin D deficiency is a prominent and growing problem, especially among women, which can result in much more serious issues including heart disease, arthritis, depression, a slew of autoimmune diseases…the list continues to grow as people get smarter.  The Vitamin D Council states that without any sun exposure, it would require 40 glasses of milk per day or at least 10 multivitamins to get the required amount of Vitamin D, which is both unhealthy and unreasonable to ask of anyone.   The daily recommendation of Vitamin D intake has been raised by the FDA to 1,000 to 2,000 IUs, which can be obtained most effectively through sun exposure.  The best times of day to be in the sun are before 10 am and after 3 pm (half an hour total is sufficient), in order to minimize damage while still getting healthy Vitamin D exposure. 

Consider taking a look at our ancestors: ancient civilizations survived long, healthy lives in outdoor environments without sunscreen and without skin cancer alike.  It is not ironic to note that the world’s healthiest cultures today, with the longest average lifespan, are found in Blue Zones, which are entirely tropical areas.

I feel comfortable claiming that a well-balanced, regional diet aids in protecting the skin against free radical damage. Because the skin is the body’s largest organ, it requires a lot of resources and energy to stay healthy, and likewise, significant skin damage costs the body a great deal of repair.  Some general rules of thumb for eating a skin-friendly diet consist of eating foods that are natural to your area, but more importantly, loading up on phytochemicals.  The best way to do this is to eat fresh, local produce in a rainbow of colors, ensuring that you get all of the essential nutrients and enzymes.  Eating foods that are rich in Omega 3’s will aid in the skin’s ability to fight free radical damage, which can be taken in supplement form, and are abundant in foods such as wild salmon, olive oil, walnuts and ground flax seeds.  It can be difficult to gauge the necessary amount within supplements, but Cod Liver oil adds great dietary support for Vitamin D intake.  Lycopene, most readily abundant in tomatoes (even more so when cooked rather than raw), acts as a natural source of sunscreen when consumed in adequate amounts. 

Alternatively, chemical-filled sunscreens contain more harmful ingredients than protective, ultimately resulting in a toxic effect on the body. Ingredients to avoid when buying a sunscreen include paba, a chemical used in sunscreens since the 1950s that is now showing an increase in free radical damage; paraben, a pertrolium-based preservative that never leaves the blood stream and is linked directly to breast tumors; triethanolamine (TEA), which may cause the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines when combined with nitrite (another preservative); and benzophenome, one of the most powerful known free radical generators.  DEET is also a highly toxic ingredient that should be avoided, as it increases oxidative stress and free radical damage. 

When seeking SPF protection, look for eco-friendly, biodegradable products— topical antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and green tea extract help to increase absorption directly into skin cells, concentrating the skin’s continual repairing process.  They also fight free radical damage from the sun and environmental pollution and stress.  The gradual buildup of these antioxidants on the skin can provide protection for up to a few days at a time.  Also, minerals such as zinc and titanium dioxide are extremely beneficial in protecting the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays when applied topically.  Aloe vera is the perfect solution to a bad burn (a well known fact); as a natural hydrator, aloe’s highly anti-inflammatory properties not only reduce redness, but actually accelerate the healing time of the skin.  Using skin-friendly oils as full-body moisturizers, such as coconut, almond, and olive oil, will enhance the skin’s overall appearance.  Red Palm Fruit oil, which I find difficult to find in stores, is one of the highest sources of antioxidants in the form of carotenoids, tocopherols and tocotrienols, all of which replenish the skin with essential nutrients.

I hope you find this information to be simple and encouraging.  I’m certainly not suggesting that sun worshiping is an effective habit, as most of us would prefer to maintain a youthful complexion as we age, but it is a definite possibility that a kiss of sunshine may brighten your life in more ways than one.  Get out there kids, and definitely think twice before feeling guilty about your next tropical vacation.  

XO,

E

Aloha...

Thank you, my reader and my friend, for participating in this creative experiment of mine!  I am pleased to have your attention, and I hope that over time I will also gain your affection as well as establish my own credibility.  This project is personally important not only because it allows me to more fully indulge in my greatest passions in life, but more so because I want to have an impact on YOU!  Read on with open eyes and an open heart, and furthermore feel free to comment, suggest, constructively criticize, like, dislike, question, etcetera, etcetera.  Bon appetit!  


XO,
E