It can get complicated when we want to make the Switch to a healthy way of eating, which is aptly defined by eating "more plant based nutrient rich" or "nutrient dense" food. We minimize this complication by explaining "the Switch" from this literal point of view on purpose because we want to avoid defining a healthy eating style by any one of its attributes as is so common today.
America has had a wellness movement for several decades. Large and small corporations, universities, medical centers and other institutions have sponsored wellness programs. Countless conferences, books, websites and the like have been devoted to varied promotions of wellness concepts. Yet, the public remains largely unaffected; obesity levels continue to rise, along with the nation's medical expenditures. Can anything be done that will make a difference in the health of most people? Could something develop that would, in turn, render a wellness mindset and way of life more appealing and more sustainable?
There are two kinds of protein, complete and incomplete, which come from either plant or animal sources. Protein supplements, no matter what kind they might be, are derived from either plant or animal sources as well. Which is better between animal or plant based protein depends on a number of factors. There are those who choose not to eat meat or animal products for moral, ethical and religious reasons.
Joe Stepaniak's "Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook" was among the first cookbooks I bought after deciding to adopt a vegan diet 3 years ago. For those not familiar with the term "uncheese", Stepaniak uses it to describe rich-tasting spreads, dips, sauces and blocks produced with dairy-free whole foods (primarily beans, nuts, or grains). Cheese lovers be forewarned: you may be in for some disappointment if you're expecting tofu to taste like Feta cheese or chickpeas like Havarti. The introduction to the book even acknowledges that "uncheeses are not going to be like dairy cheeses, so please adjust your expectations accordingly."
More and more, researchers are showing that plant-based diets, along with changes in our lifestyles will mean longer, healthier lives and in yet another summation, a researcher shows this to be true. Working with some of the finest writing in the field editor Gene Stone has drawn on the works of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, who is an advocate of a major change to a plant-based, vegan lifestyle.
Biofuels are the plant-based alternatives to oil-based fuels such as petrol, diesel and heating oil. They can be made from all sorts of plants and animals or from the waste they produce. Biofuels therefore are in essence, biodegradable and non-toxic. Since Biofuels are made from plant material and recycled elements of the food chain, they are considered renewable and sustainable in contrast to the majority of liquid and gas fuels we use today, which are fossil based and have limited world reserves. Man has burned wood, charcoal and dried animal dung for heat since caveman days but in the past hundred years we have turned to underground fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.
Despite the fact that there are more than 700 species, the Selaginella is relatively underutilized as its medicinal value is not yet fully realized. While it is better known as a groundcover plant and ferns for cut flowers, several species of Selaginella are also used as edible greens. For instance, the spikemoss is similar to shallots, as both have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-allergen benefits. They improve heart health, lower cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. While shallots stimulate digestive enzymes, spikemoss affects metabolism proteins. However, both protect against UV rays and blood clotting as well. Bearing the sobriquet 'resurrection plant', spikemoss gets hydrated and active under wet conditions Another miracle herb, Black seed (Nigella sativa) has a wide spectrum of activities related to immune and respiratory systems, stomach, liver and kidney; and in relieving pain and spasms. All these may complement the work of selaginella, and contribute to your overall wellness.
Plants and fresh produce are not only packed with nutrients and vitamins but also full of of energy that can be very beneficial to a vegetarian's and vegans diet. Consuming raw or slightly steamed vegetables allows vegetarians to absorb and utilize the "natural" power and energy that plants omit.
Several scientific studies support the beneficial role of marine based omega-3 fatty acids, namely DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapetenoic acid), in reducing the risk of heart attack, death, life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms and strokes in people with known cardiovascular disease. These fish based omega-3 acids also slow the atherosclerotic plaque build up in arteries and help lower blood pressure. However scientific evidence supporting similar benefits from ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), a shorter chain cousin, is less pronounced.
Quinoa is used as a grain, but it is actually a seed from a leafy green plant distantly related to spinach. It is a complete protein, which means it contains all of the essential amino acids, which is unusual for a plant. Amino acids are the building blocks of muscle and are required for proper growth, maintenance and repair of the body. This makes quinoa ideal for vegans and vegetarians who can find it difficult to get adequate protein.
Walnuts give us extra nutrition, crunch and taste to any meal. Because of the higher content of omega-three acids, they are typically considered to be an important food source. When compared with other nuts, the walnuts are producing much higher amounts of the omega 3 acids.
If you've ever thought about planting a food garden, do you know how to decide which crops you should grow? This article raised four crucial questions you need to answer before starting your vegetable garden.
Natural health supplements are products derived from plant extracts and are mostly used for medicinal healing purposes. Among divergent uses of the products are self healing, treatment of diseases, improvement of immune systems and promoting good health.
In the same size as a double-bed you can feed your family every day with organically grown fresh vegetables in just a few months. If you have some property in your back yard or you live in the city with only a single bed size to spare, it is easier than you think.
Vegetables and herbs are grown close to the soil. Food spoilage is often caused by micro-organisms native to that environment, i.e. moulds and yeasts, but bacteria such as the lactic acid types are also often involved. Vegetables can also be contaminated by human handlers (most common type of organism is staphylococcus aureus).
What makes a good Multi-Level Marketing Company? You know that's a really decent question, after all, I am sure we have all been hit up by a multi-level marketing representative to look at their business plan and model. Some of the schemes seem kind of silly, but indeed, some folks do end up making money in these MLM businesses.
Out of all the synthetic types of dieting products that have been invented throughout the past few decades, there is an ancient cactus like plant known as the Hoodia Gordonii plant. This hunger repressing plant has long been used by the South African Desert Bushmen for many centuries just for the thirst and hunger repression that it gives when they are traveling areas of the dessert.
Calcium is essential for both sexes but if you are not getting it from the proper source, it is downright useless. This lack of calcium can also lead to some dangerous life threatening diseases.
It's amazing how that little green legume we call a soybean has so many uses. It is used in making hotdogs and tofu and can serve as a healthy substitute to real cow's milk in its liquid form. You can even write with ink made of soy milk and step on carpets made with soy-based backings.
Despite the endless debates surrounding health care in America the fact still remains that the health care system in the United States is the most expensive in the world. Our citizenry pays far more per person for health care than any other nation on the planet. Sadly however, in comparison to all other developed countries, the U.S. ranks dead last in terms of the quality of health care according to a 2008 Commonwealth Fund Report. No doubt the health care debate will continue to be a source of turmoil and bad blood into the distant future and in this writer's opinion, a colossal waste of time.
Vegetarianism has become increasingly popular now that more of us are becoming familiar with all of the health benefits provided by a plant based diet. It is well established that a vegetarian diet decreases the chances of contracted many diseases and health conditions.
Raw vegan food is said to detoxify and nourish the body. It is said to help people achieve weight loss or weight gain, whichever is appropriate. It is said to give people glowing skin and increased energy. But is it meant for the long term?
The notion of eating RAW foods sounds foreign... even odd... to most of us when we first hear it. When I first moved to Los Angeles and heard of eating this way, the very first thing I envisioned was sushi and steak tartare (which I tried once and thought was awful). But usually when someone is talking about raw foods, they aren't talking about these foods at all.
How can the food we eat affect factors, such as alcohol and drug addiction? I stopped using cocaine and drinking alcohol when I started to eat plant-based foods and seafood exclusively. My hope is for other people to do the same. My urges to use drastically declined, so I have been clean off of drugs for four and a half years. I will go into detail about how I stopped, so you can better understand the whole concept
As food consciousness increases in popularity, so do all the diets that go along with healthy eating. More and more people are becoming vegetarian and vegan, eating natural and organic foods, and eating locally sourced food items. There are other diets, too, that are gaining followers, and knowing what they all are can be an exercise in memorization. One of the diets that's increasing in popularity - or is at least getting more press - is the raw food diet. What, exactly, is the raw food diet?