Raw Does A Body Good

**A Special Thank-You to Latara Ham-Ying for contributing this post to Dr. Mommy Health Tips.

Because raw foods have enzymes, which help our food to digest, they are important in the digestion process. The enzymes in raw foods break down particles so they can be utilized for energy.

Enzymes are proteins and they have a unique 3-dimensional structure. Once they are heated above 118 degrees, the unique structure begins to breakdown. Once they have been exposed to heat the enzymes no longer contribute to the process of digestion for which they were made.

Therefore eating a wide variety for raw foods is imperative for a thriving life. A daily diet should consist of at least 50% raw foods for a proper functioning body.

Just how does one get a good amount of raw foods in their system?

Here a few simple ways to add more raw foods to your daily diet:

• Eat a simple green salad with lunch and dinner. When you eat a salad before your main meal, it aids in proper digestion.

• Cut up raw vegetables like cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, green onions, and celery to go with your dinner. You would be surprised how delicious a raw tomato is with beans and rice.

• Make a salad with just avocados, tomatoes, green and black olives. A good dressing for this salad is simply a little olive oil, garlic powder, and sea salt.

• Make a bruschetta spread with tomatoes, garlic, and green olives. Dice the vegetables; add olive oil, sea salt, and basil. Chill and eat over toast, crackers, on the side of any Italian dish, or by itself.

• Pop a piece of fruit in your mouth. Yes, they are raw foods too! And they are delicious

• Make a smoothie. All smoothies do not have to made with milk either. Just freeze the fruit, place in blender once it is frozen, add ice, sweetener of choice, some ground flax seeds, and blend.

• Juice it! Oh the benefits of having a juicer. Try a carrot, cucumber, and ginger blend for energy, focus, and clarity. Juicing is very beneficial to your over all health.

• Try sprouts. The most enzyme rich foods are sprouts. They are filled with some of the most potent sources of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and many B vitamins. Just about any vegetable or grain can be consumed from sprouts. Try alfalfa, broccoli, bean, or mung bean sprouts.

• Make a raw granola, trail mix, and raw fruit bars. My favorite homemade raw bar is made with oatmeal, cranberries, pecan, and honey with a little barley malt and flax. Now for those already prepared, try the Lara bars. It comes in a variety of flavors like pecan pie, apple pie, and banana bread and they are all natural with no preservatives.

• Eat raw nuts. No, not the salted ones you get in a can! Find raw nuts in health food stores and crunch away. You can even add them you your salads.

Unfortunately too many people neglect the importance of raw foods and cook everything to death…literally. By over cooking food you are risking serious health problems. Cooked foods are not always the healthiest. The body cannot properly digest foods that have been fried, pasteurized, barbecued, dried or other over-processed and over cooked foods. If you have to cook foods, the best way to do so is to lightly stem, stew, or use a crock pot.

Start out with one raw dish per day plus a few extra pieces of fruit. Your body will scream “Thank you” and you will feel the difference.

LaTara Ham-Ying and Rupert Ham-Ying are the owners of Vegan Family Living where they provide information on vegan living with a whole health approach. For more information on vegan and wholesome living visit them today at Vegan Family Living.

SuperFoods Rx Book Review

There’s nothing better than a good book, unless it’s free! Last spring my mother-in-law received the book SuperFoods Rx, by Dr. Steven G. Pratt and Kathy Matthews, from my brother-in-law who’s an athletic trainer. She liked its premise so much, that she sent a copy to her other three children, including our family. I was thrilled to read it because I’ve really been striving to eat healthier, whole foods in the last couple of years. Well, Dr. Pratt’s bestseller did not disappoint.

SuperFoods Rx is not a dieting book, it’s about changing your eating lifestyle to include foods that “will give you more energy, greater protection against disease, and a healthy overall lifestyle now and for the future,” as the book jacket states. The way to do this according to Dr. Pratt is to incorporate 14 “super foods” into your daily/weekly diet. I was surprised to find that these fourteen foods are not obscure at all, but that most of them are foods I already enjoy.

These 14 super foods are chosen for being “nutritional powerhouses,” full of antioxidants and other micronutrients (i.e. vitamins & minerals). The good news is that it’s not only these fourteen foods that are super, but Dr. Pratt also gives several “super sidekicks” that correspond to each of the main 14 foods and provide similar health benefits.

Here are the 14 super foods and a highlighted function (although they generally each have many more benefits):

1. Beans –help reduce obesity
2. Blueberries –lower the risk for cardiovascular disease
3. Broccoli –lowers the incidence of cataracts and fights birth defects
4. Oats –reduce the risk of type II diabetes
5. Oranges –help prevent strokes
6. Pumpkin –lowers the risk of various cancers
7. Wild Salmon –lessens the risk of heart diseas
8. Soy –lowers cholestorol
9. Spinach –decreases the chance of cardiovascular disease and age-related macular degeneration
10. Tea –helps to prevent osteoporosis
11. Tomatoes –raise the skin’s sun protection factor
12. Turkey –helps build a strong immune system
13. Walnuts –reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer
14. Yogurt –promotes strong bones and a healthy heart

The book itself is organized very simply in three parts: Part 1: SuperFoods Rx: The Basics {where the science is briefly discussed as are the dangers of our current diet, etc.}; Part 2: The SuperFoods {with a chaper for each food, mentioning its sidekicks and its specific benefits}; and Part 3: The SuperFoods Rx Menus and Nutritional Information {including recipes by renowned chef of The Golden Door, Michael Stroot, and an awesome suggested shopping list with recommended brands/items and where to find them}.

Overall, this book is educational and full of information but not overwhelming to someone like me, who’s not very scientifically-minded. We’ve been trying to incorporate these foods into our diet and it’s easy and delicious. I love knowing that I’m serving my family food that is boosting their health in so many ways. Check this book out and be sure to comment if you’ve already read it.

Nicole (otherwise known as Gidget, in the blogosphere) is a wife & stay-at-home mom currently living Colorado. When she’s not trying out new “super” recipes, you’ll find her blogging at Gidget Goes Home.

A special thank you to Nicole (aka Gidget) for contributing this article.

Until next time,

Dr. Mommy

Are There Benefits to Purchasing Organic Foods?

This a question that is always brought up when deciding between organic and regular store bought produce and food in general. The questions are based around the unnatural ingredients and the way our food is produced. The use of pesticides, antibiotics and growth hormones makes people leary and start to question and with good reason. Many of the pesticides and hormones used have been linked to illnesses and unfortunate reactions. Because of the pesticides more people are purchasing organic products.

Organic products are generally produced without the use of pesticides.

Many of the usual pesticides used are:

• synthetic fertilizers
• sewage sludge fertilizers
• radiation
• bioengineering
• growth hormones injected into animals

Organic products such as meats, poultry, and dairy products are not injected with the growth hormones and the produce is not laden with pesticides. But because of this, these products tend to be more costly too.

Unfortunately, the cost factor is one to deter many. Organic food costs 50 to 100 percent more than similar brands in the market today. Organic foods are certified and inspected and will have the USDA seal on them. This is a way to distinguish true organic foods in the local markets or supermarkets.

There are ways to purchase produce from your local farmers as well. But be sure to ask the type of pesticides they use if any. Some may complain of the cost but it is worth it when it comes to your health.

So is it worth purchasing organic products? If you are concerned about your health and what your foods may or may not be injected with or what your produce may be laced with, it is wise to look into purchasing organic or from your local farmers.

Until next time,

Dr. Mommy

Keeping Your Body Hydrated This Summer

With the summer months upon us quickly it is important to keep in mind the risk of dehydration. As adults we must remember to keep fluids in us at all times, but most importantly we must remember that our children are also at a high risk for dehydration.

Remember to keep these items handy and you will have a great summer and not worry about dehydration.

• Water - Remember to drink lots of water. Our bodies are made up of 70% water and require water to function properly. During the hot summer days, we must remember to drink at least 3-4 cups of water a day. You may opt for flavored waters or sports drinks or you can add lemon or lime to plain water to make it more tasteful.
• Fruits - The summer months bring us fruits that we can use to help keep us hydrated as well. Watermelon is a wonderful nutritious treat that will prevent dehydration. Other fruits such as grapes, apples, peaches, and berries also provide your bodies with the essential fluids needed.
• Juice - There are many juices on the market that claim to be 100% fruit, but be cautious and read the labels. Juice will help rehydrate your body, but be sure that they do not contain high levels of sugar. To be safe you can dilute the juice with water and still get the nutrients needed. You may also freeze the juice and make yummy popsicles for your children to enjoy in the summer months as well.
• Additional Drink Choices - Many do not enjoy drinking water and some children refuse to drink the appropriate amount to prevent dehydration. Some other healthy choices are smoothies. Smoothies are easy to make and very tasty as well. You can add frozen strawberries, bananas, peaches and juice in a blender and make a delicious treat that your little ones will enjoy and keep them cool at the same time. Experiment with different fruits and juices and make your own smoothies at home. For added protein you can add tofu, strawberries, bananas and a touch of honey to make a wonderful protein smoothie with nutritious value and flavor all in one.

It is important to remember that we must continuously drink fluids throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Children are particularly at risk, because they tend to forget to drink. When they remember that they are thirsty it is sometimes too late. As parents we must keep this in mind for ourselves and our children. Be safe this summer and remember the tips to staying healthy and hydrated.

Until next time,

Dr. Mommy

Would you like a glass of red wine??

Did you know that a glass of red wine is good for you??

A recent French study published in ‘The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology’ (FASEB), found that very high doses of antioxidant polyphenols (equivalent to one bottle of red wine per day) can shut down and prevent cancerous tumors.

Well, I am not suggesting you drink a bottle of red wine a day, but a diet rich in fresh produce, combined with a good supplement is the better choice to obtain the anti-cancer effect. You can also add other antioxidant rich foods to your diet to get the same effects, such as healthy chocolate made from unprocessed cacao with the acai berry, blue berries, rich dark green leafy vegetables, etc…

Studies have shown that low doses of polyphenols, play a beneficial role for those with ailments of the heart and circulatory system, because they facilitate blood vessel growth. The researchers claim that polyphenols are micro nutrients, often found in whole, unprocessed foods such as red wine, fruits, vegetables and green tea.

Imagine, finding the treatment for complex diseases can be easily found there waiting to be discovered in unexpected places, like the produce aisle.

**Veggie Fact**

The asparagus, a close relative of onions, garlic and leeks, long has been considered an aristocrat among vegetables. This harbinger of spring not only boasts fine taste, it’s rich in vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and folate .

Until next time,

Dr. Mommy

Snack Time

Don’t you love snacks? Who doesn’t? The problem is the type of snacks that we eat and the times that we eat them.

Now let’s be honest, do we really need someone to tell us what is right and wrong about the foods we eat?? YES!!!! Although we were all taught about the good and bad foods, it is always a good reminder to be told about them again!!

You must know by now, that my favorite word is ‘moderation’. It works when it comes to snack time too. The best snack for our bodies are fruits and vegetables. It is easy to cut up some orange wedges, for example, and place on counter or your refridgerator for an easy snack. Dried fruit is a great snack for those on the’go’. I like to have cut up vegetables available with dressing or yogurt to dip them into. These are all snacks that we know are healthy and good for us, but how many of us truly eat them regularly??

The newest snacks on the market are the ‘100 calorie snacks’.. You know which ones I’m talking about.. the ones that have 10 mini chocolate chip cookies in them that are thin as paper and just leave you wanting more. I’ve tried them and have not been satisfied at all, actually I wanted to eat 3 of those little bags, but that would defeat the purpose of the ‘100 calorie snack’ bag..

Nuts are a snack food that are very satisfying.. you can have almonds, cashews, etc and they are delicious and good for you. Your body needs ‘fats’ to function on as well, and nuts /grains are a great source with out the guilty feelings attached. Sunflowers seeds are also a great snack and are great in yogurt or over your salads. Pretzels are great snacks too and not as bad as potatoe chips. But again, my favorite word - moderation is key…

As I mentioned before, we need to eat at least 5 meals a day and those meals consist of snacks. After a healthy breakfast, you can have fruit, or nuts or crackers with cheese, or cheese stix, etc to hold you over until lunch and then the same in between lunch and dinner. It is not difficult to do, but will take some training. With some practice and dedication you will be able to experiment with different snack foods and enjoy your snack time.

Until next time,

Dr. Mommy