Borrowed Logic

I stumbled upon this article and appreciate it for so many reasons, check it out!!


7 Foods You Should Never Eat


Some things to note: the author shares my definition of clean eating, which you will hear me talk about frequently if you are familiar with my writing.  You will notice that milk is on the foods-to-avoid list, which further reiterates yesterday's post, Why I Not Got Milk.  I also discussed the problem with inorganic apples in a previous article, How 'Bout Them Apples?!, which lists other produce that suffers from the same chemical inundation.  Lastly, in regards to farm-raised salmon, this is true for all farm-raised fish.  Wild-caught is the organic equivalent in terms of fish, because these fish do not consume a controlled (and contaminated) diet, but rather eat what is natural to them in the ocean.  This article does a great job communicating the greater issues of packaging and processing in relation to how if affects our health (especially seen in canned tomatoes and microwave popcorn), and also notes that the source of the food has a significant impact on its quality (i.e. how food is raised and fed).  As many of you know, the purpose of this blog is to raise awareness about what you choose to consume so that as an educated individual, you are able to be more discerning.  Your food—everything you consume—is your fuel.  It not only affects but is entirely responsible for the way you look, how you feel, your mood, your thoughts, your attitude, and the quality of your life.  Be mindful of what you put in your body!

Why I Not Got Milk

Milk, that you buy at the grocery store, is a substance that you have been encouraged to drink loads of since childhood for the explicit purpose of calcium.  Listen up friends…it turns out that the milk you buy at the grocery store has undergone a series of tragedies and in fact, it’s no usable source of calcium at all.  Just sayin’…

Milk, in its raw, unsterilized or artificially-induced form, is an incredibly intelligent substance rich in minerals and live enzymes.  The Massai in Africa have survived on it for centuries, and they are among the tallest populations in the world.  However, the milk you buy in the grocery store has undergone pasteurization, which means it has been boiled and thereby destroying most of its natural minerals and enzymes.  Prior to leaving the cow, this same milk has been fed a multitude of growth hormones, antibiotics, and maybe some light narcotics, which are all tasty byproducts of the actual milk you’re drinking.  This milk, unfortunately, is d-e-a-d (and slightly contaminated).  Something to consider: cancer is caused as a result of altering hormone levels in the human body.  Any artificial hormone that we consume either on accident or on purpose will have an immediate effect on the body’s natural hormone levels…just think about how all of this is related.  Also, antibiotics are wildly suppressive to the human immune system.

It was (ironically) discovered through a nuclear radiation experiment that minerals can be flipped into other minerals, and in reality this happens naturally in all biological systems.  The human body is no exception; enzymes are the necessary catalysts involved in flipping minerals, and they must be consumed in order for this to happen.  Although you have learned otherwise, calcium is not what is needed to build bone, but rather magnesium and silicon (minerals), which work together internally to create bone mass.

Calcium obtained from the milk you buy at the grocery store in not beneficial for these reasons: the magnesium and silicon have been killed in the pasteurization process, and they are absolute necessary counterparts to calcium in order to build bones.  Without these, we end up with excess calcium deposits that cannot be synthesized by the body, which are also known in terms such as arthritis, plaque in the coronary artery, cirrhosis, cataracts…all degenerative illness that involves calcification.  Not to mention major teeth problems!

I do not tell you this to scare you…don’t worry, milk most likely won’t kill you.  I do, however, think it’s important to be aware as a consumer, and you’re definitely not getting the truth from the manufacturer.  Become a critical thinker about what you put in your body, and about where it’s been on the way.  Your health is a distinct science with a very fine, walkable line between vitality and destruction…the path is yours to choose.

XO,

E

Primitive Palate

I’ve been hearing a lot about the Paleo (short for Paleolithic) craze lately from friends, peers, etc., so I thought I should share with you what I’ve learned and what I know.  The principles are this: eat like a caveman, and that’s basically it.  Everything you consume comes from nature, even before agriculture was known (which means no grains)…think hunter/gatherer.  Meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, eggs, and quality oils are staples of this diet.  It’s rapidly gaining popularity and incredibly effective for some.  If you are familiar with my articles, you know that I preach simplicity and going back to your roots as a healthy way of life, so Paleo theory makes total sense to me.  The only times that I’ve eaten strictly Paleo are during various cleanses, in which cases I’ve experienced a rapid energy boost and increased physical and mental stamina, appropriate to the expected outcome of the Paleo diet.  However, I personally like to incorporate whole grains into my normal routine, as they are extremely beneficial to some metabolic types and also help reduce sweet cravings.  The Paleo method allows for the use of butter and cream, and my readers should know by now what a huge advocate I am for healthy fats, especially necessary for speedy metabolism and the assimilation of animal proteins in the body (see The Perks of Being A Carnivore).  Even so, not all Paleo activists eat dairy products (although most eat eggs), but instead prefer to attain their fats from healthy oils and other food sources.

Let’s be clear on something: I don’t refer to the word “diet” as a short-term solution to lose weight, but rather as the types of food you consume on an everyday basis—a long-term and dynamic way of life.  For most individuals, the foods you consume depend largely on the time of year, where you live, your lifestyle, etc., leaving room for fluctuation and flexibility in the diet—an ultimately healthy way of being.  I strongly encourage you to experiment with your diet over a period of time in order to discover your healthiest and most energetic self—start by removing the disease-causing processed junk (i.e. fake food) and go from there.  Eating Paleo is a simple and efficient place to start.  Like I’ve previously said, no two individual bodies are alike, so what will work best for you is unique and up to you to find out.  Experimenting with your diet will not only make you feel and look better, but will lead you to make profound self-discoveries on a metaphysical level.  It is an undeniable truth: you are what you eat…start filtering out the bad stuff and you are guaranteed to like yourself more!

XO,

E

d.i.y. Yoga Moves

Get bent into shape with this at-home stretch guide to your body's tightest and most needy locales...

LOWER BACK- hold for 10 full breath cycles

1-legged seated forward fold: Sit with left leg extended out, bend right knee and place sole of right foot at left inner thigh, flex toes on both feet, slightly rotate torso so it is stacked directly over left leg and fold forward, grabbing onto left foot or relaxing arms sides of leg; you should feel this stretch on the right side of your lower backàfor deeper stretch flex toes more!  Repeat on other side

Seated forward fold: Sit with both legs extended out in front of you, flex toes toward knees, lift arms overhead to lengthen spine and fold forward, taking ahold of feet with hands, relax head and neck toward knees; slight bend in the knees is ok here in order to get a grip around the feet, more important to maintain a flat spine and lengthen through lower back; work with breath by lengthening spine on the inhales and folding deeper on the exhales

HIPS- hold for 10-20 full breath cycles

Half pigeon: From downward facing dog, inhale right leg high and step leg through on the exhale, set knee and shin flat on mat with bent knee (right knee should be by right hand/wrist and right ankle should be by left hand/wrist), make sure left leg is extended straight behind you with toes pointed straight back, make sure there is a deep flex in right toes, bring fingertips by hips and prop up in order to lift chest high and lengthen spine (this also helps square hips to center), then walk hands all the way forward in order to fold over right knee and relax forehead on mat; breathe into outer right hip!  Repeat left side

Runner’s lunge: From downward facing dog, inhale right leg high and step right foot to outside of right hand (foot should be placed on edge of mat with toes angled out diagonally at 45 degrees), make sure knee is not protruding over toes (90 degree bend in knee in order to protect the joint), release the back (left) knee down to the mat, stay up on palms or drop down to forearms depending on flexibility, relax through the back of the neck and crown of the head; you should feel a deep stretch in the right hip so remember to take long, deep breaths!  Repeat other side

HAMSTRINGS- hold for 10 full breath cycles

Gorilla pose: Fold forward from a standing position, feet planted hip distance apart, bend knees as much as necessary in order to get a grip and walk palms (facing up) underneath feet so that toes are in your wrist creases; with the breath work to lengthen the tailbone up and straighten the legs as much as possible, make sure weight is forward in the feet, use the strength in your biceps to pull yourself deeper by bending the elbows out to the side, keep drawing shoulder blades away from your ears

*you can do this same stretch with a different hand variation: instead of walking palms under feet, grab onto big toes with your index and middle fingers, inhale lengthen spine, exhale fold deeper

QUADS- hold for 10 full breath cycles

Half crescent lunge: From downward facing dog, inhale right leg high and step through to a low lunge, release left knee down to mat, place palms on top of right knee and lunge forward into hips; you should feel this stretch in the left hip flexor.  To go deeper, bend left knee and reach back with left hand to grab ahold of the foot, pull foot toward glute.  Repeat other side

SPINE STRENGTHENERS- 5 full breath cycles or longer

Baby cobra: lie flat on belly, place palms beneath shoulders, zip up legs from inner thighs to big toes and ground through tops of feet, peel heart off the mat on an inhale with little to no weight in the hands, keep drawing shoulder blades toward one another and lengthening heart forward, relax glutes as you squeeze inner thighs together

Bridge pose: lie on back with knees bent and soles of feet planted hip distance apart and slightly pigeon-toed, walk fingertips toward heels to set up, then press into inner arches of the feet to lift hips high, interlace hands beneath you and shimmy shoulder blades together; keep pressing into feet to lift hips higher, relax glutes, reach heart toward chin but chin remains still

CORE- as many as necessary to activate abs!

Supta sit-ups: lie on back with soles of the feet touching and knees bent out to the sides (making a diamond shape with legs), interlace hands behind head, exhale lift heart straight up toward ceiling, inhale lower halfway, repeat with breath; make sure to keep a deep tuck in the tailbone throughout (lower back should never lift off the mat), active, flexed feet pressing together, and try to keep shoulder blades lifted off of mat as you pulse up

Leg lifts: from lying down on your back, lift legs straight up in the air as if stepping on ceiling, toes flexed deeply toward knees, inner thighs squeezing together, place hands by hips palms face down, exhale lower legs to 45 degree angle, inhale back overhead, repeat with breath; if lower back starts to lift off mat, place palms underneath glutes for added support, it is also okay to lift head and heart off the mat so you’re looking forward rather than straight up (you should feel this exercise in your deep lower abdominals)

Side plank: from high plank, ground through left palm and roll to outer edge of left foot, reaching right arm straight up overhead; make sure right ankle, hip, and shoulder blade are stacked directly over their left counterparts, squeeze obliques to keep hips lifted high (think rainbow arch in side body), and keep a deep flex in the toes for balance and support


**Note to self: if you're not breathing, it won't make a difference.  Our body's natural reaction is to hold the breath during an uncomfortable stretch, but inviting oxygen into the muscles is an essential part of opening into places of resistance and creating flexibility.  Exaggerate the inhales and exhales and you are sure to go deeper!


XO,
E

In Case You Don't Have Enough New Year's Resolutions...

It’s pretty much a given that this year (despite your failure to do so last year), you resolve to get in shape, lose weight, eat healthier, blah blah blah.  It’s interesting to hear so much emphasis on a resolve to look better, and you hear it literally everywhere you go.  It’s time to get over these cliché goals and take a deeper look at your life.  What are the things that cause you to avoid accomplishing said resolutions?  Usually it has nothing to do with the simplicity of calorie counting and working out for 2½ hours a day.  Here are some new 2K12 resolutions to try:

• Pick a new topic to learn about—something you’re interested in but unfamiliar with.  Read the books, do the research, and be intrigued (unless you get bored, in which case, new topic).  Some people won’t ever learn what they love in life unless they keep on exploring.  And let’s be serious…it never hurts to get smarter.
• Spend more time with people who uplift you.  Isn’t life too short not to?
• Quit a bad habit.  We’ve all got them and we all know it, it is simply a matter of will.  A great sense of accomplishment comes from doing something that truly makes you a better person.
• Start to think about getting a pet (so the idea can manifest in due time).
• Shoot for a promotion…if you keep putting it off, it’ll never happen.  If you hate your job and don’t even want a promotion, start networking and apply for new jobs.
• Be nicer to yourself!  It’s almost impossible not to be your own worst critic, but if you keep doing it, it’s going to hold you back in life.  Forgive yourself, accept yourself, and appreciate yourself for the many things everyone else appreciates you for.  This is the first and foremost step to self improvement, and it requires practice and patience.  Breathe more, judge less, and if you start doing yoga you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

A lot of times when you start to sort out the core factors in your life that either cause or prevent happiness, everything else falls into place.  And a lot of times, it is our own unhappiness that prevents us from achieving our more superficial goals, which are really just a secondary response to the deeper issues.  Think about the bigger picture, and what you can change in order to make it ideal.  Become happier in your normal life, and who knows...you might drop 10 lbs. without even noticing.

XO,

E

No Need To Be Salty!

You love it, you crave it, you can almost always add more, and yes, you need it…but not like you think you do.  I’m talking about salt: the myths debunked and the facts revealed.

It is true that your body needs salt/sodium chloride in order to produce hydrochloric acid in the stomach—this aids in many important metabolic functions.  Humans need approximately 0.2 to 0.6 grams of salt a day, which can easily be obtained from raw natural foods that you eat (cooking in water removes sodium and other minerals).  On average, Americans eat about 10 to 20 grams of salt every day—an excessive amount that most certainly has toxic effects on the body.  The kidneys are capable of eliminating about five grams per day, and everything above this remains in the body and is stored in various organs and tissues.  Concentrated amounts of salt in the body can cause kidney disorders, heart problems, high blood pressure, rheumatic diseases, and hair and skin conditions. 

You may have heard that intense perspiration depletes your body’s natural salt stores; however, it is a popular misconception that you should replenish your body with salt after a vigorous sweat.  Let it not be forgotten that the skin is the body’s largest organ, and perspiration is an intelligent mechanism designed to excrete toxins through the skin.  You have probably noticed that your sweat often tastes salty, which is an indication that you consume too much sodium.  Many people believe it is necessary to consume salt (which is definitely not an adequate form of electrolytes) after a rigorous workout in order to prevent sodium deficiency; unfortunately, this assumption is rather backwards: the exact reason your body sweats so much is to rid itself of excess salt that is harmful to internal function.  The human body is incredibly intelligent in its ability to function and maintain balance on its own, and the logic should be simple to understand.  I hate to break it to you, but chugging a sodium-packed Gatorade post-exercise is doing your body a great disservice.

Like I mentioned before, your daily salt intake is easily obtainable from vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, etc., without requiring any additional table salt.  However, the American palate has (tragically) evolved to need additional salt in order for food to taste good, so if you absolutely must, use a good sea salt (which is much more potent anyway) and definitely keep it to a minimum.


XO,
E

Big, Bad Gluten

Hello friends!  Please excuse my two-week holiday hiatus, which was taken for some much needed R&R, family, friends, and a bit of indulgence.  I hope you were all able to do the same.  2012 has arrived with a bang, and to stay up to par I will start by addressing a topic that many of you are curious about: GLUTEN.  You’ve all heard about the uber trendy gluten-free diet fad, but you are probably unaware of the underlying reasons and principles.  Here it is…

Gluten is a protein found in some grains (most prominently wheat, also oats, rye and barley) and is incredibly difficult for humans to digest.  On average one in nine people are gluten intolerant, the most severe of these cases manifested in celiac disease.  Gluten intolerance can be genetic or acquired due to damaged intestinal lining, and in both cases causes malabsorption of essential nutrients and allows for the absorption of toxic metals (which is a common cause of dementia).  Gluten allergies are also linked to vitamin B₆ deficiency.  The human digestive system has a tendency to break down with age and overuse, and gluten puts an added strain on this occurrence—in addition to allergies, this can result in chronic indigestion, candida overgrowth (a sugar-induced bacterial infection that causes a multitude of illnesses and weakens immunity), multiple sclerosis, and more severely mental illness.  Overuse of antibiotics, processed and refined foods, and alcohol are all contributing factors to gluten intolerance, as they deteriorate the stomach’s already-fragile intestinal lining.

The truth is that most people who are gluten intolerant are completely unaware of it.  The majority of the population would notice immediate benefits if gluten was removed from the diet, including an exponential increase in energy, stronger digestion, a decline in mucus allergies and illness altogether, weight loss, radiant complexion…the list goes on.  However, those with overall healthy diets and health practices should be able to tolerate gluten in moderation, because they have built up strong digestive function, without having any severe reactions.  A great way to reduce issues of intolerance is to soak grains overnight before preparing; when grains are soaked prior to consumption, the proteins (gluten included) break down and become much easier to digest and the nutrients more readily available for absorption.  Gluten-containing foods are great to experiment with if you are interested in improving the quality of your health.  Try removing them from your diet for two weeks and then reincorporate them for a day or two after; you will most likely notice an immediate reaction, which will serve to inform you of the effects gluten has on your body.  Give it a whirl (and then give me your feedback)!

XO,

E