Trade In Your Weight Loss Plan for a Health Gain Plan

In a new book by Kat James called The Truth About Beauty, she extols some excellent ideas to help you permanently off the dieting merry-go-round.

And she knows what she's talking about. Like most of us health zealots, she's battled her own demons. She transformed her body and skin after a 12-year eating disorder and liver disorder nearly took her life.



Though your relationship with food may be anything but simple, these ideas can help you to eat healthy and stop "dieting."

* Trade in your weight-loss plan for a health-gain plan. Excess weight isn't a weight problem - it's a health problem that calorie restriction and exercise won't fix.

* Exercise for the right reasons. Huffing and puffing won't correct brain chemistry issues or blood sugar that's out-of-whack.

* Want to prevent an eating disorder? Never skip a meal.

* Watch out for the low-fat, high protein trap. Excess protein turns to sugar in your body.

* Get enough good fat and follow a plan that doesn't spike your blood sugar, such as The Full Plate Diet (out in Jan. 2010) which espouses a high fiber diet. This is the best way to keep calm and satiated.

* Give yourself more nutrition, not less.

* Forget willpower. Cravings and overeating can be solved with nourishment.

* A blood sugar-spiking diet with inadequate nutrients guarantees weight gain and premature aging. It also causes energy and mood swings.

I guess your grandma was right, eat your fruits and vegetables. Lay off - way off - the junk.

This is really serious stuff. You've probably already figured out that you must change your lifestyle eventually. So why wait to feel good?

A Great Way to Start Your Day

When I get up in the morning, I start my day with a protein shake that's so delicious it reminds me of the milk shakes I used to drink growing up.

Of course, unlike milk shakes, a protein shake is ultra-healthy.


The perfect breakfast

Here are typical ingredients:

1 cup of water
1 scoop of whey protein powder
1 banana
8 frozen strawberries
1/2 pack of frozen pulp acai
a bunch of frozen blueberries
a teaspoon of raw organic 100% cocoa
a teaspoon of raw organic peanut butter
a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Blend and enjoy.

This is a typical shake, although I do mix it up a little, with options like pineapple, blackberries, watermelon, mango and lots of others.

In my afternoon shake, I load up with vegetables. Occasionally I'll throw in some spinach in the morning but usually my taste buds aren't geared up yet for veggies at 6 AM.

What's amazing about protein shakes is they're delicious, they're incredibly healthy for you and the whey protein raises your dopamine and serotonin levels to get your day off to a wonderful beginning.

They're such a treat. They're virtually the perfect breakfast.

Related post:
Video - All-Pro Tony Gonzalez makes a protein smoothie

The Healthiest Foods on Earth

by Jonny Bowden, Forbes.com

What is the best diet for human beings?

Vegetarian? Vegan? High-protein? Low-fat? Dairy-Free?



Hold on to your shopping carts: There is no perfect diet for human beings. At least not one that's based on how much protein, fat or carbohydrates you eat.

People have lived and thrived on high-protein, high-fat diets (the Inuit of Greenland); on low-protein, high-carb diets (the indigenous peoples of southern Africa); on diets high in raw milk and cream (the people of the Loetschental Valley in Switzerland); diets high in saturated fat (the Trobriand Islanders) and even on diets in which animal blood is considered a staple (the Massai of Kenya and Tanzania). And folks have thrived on these diets without the ravages of degenerative diseases that are so epidemic in modern American life—heart disease, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, osteoporosis and cancer.

In Depth: The Healthiest Foods On Earth

The only thing these diets have in common is that they're all based on whole foods with minimal processing. Nuts, berries, beans, raw milk, grass-fed meat. Whole, real, unprocessed food is almost always healthy, regardless of how many grams of carbs, protein or fat it contains.

All these healthy diets have in common the fact that they are absent foods with bar codes. They are also extremely low in sugar. In fact, the number of modern or ancient societies known for health and longevity that have consumed a diet high in sugar would be ... let's see ... zero.

Truth be told, what you eat probably matters less than how much processing it's undergone. Real food—whole food with minimal processing—contains a virtual pharmacy of nutrients, phytochemicals, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and healthful fats, and can easily keep you alive and thriving into your 10th decade.

Full Story

Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and You

If you were saddened by the recent loss of Michael Jackson, Farrah and others whose lives seem to have been cut short, perhaps its time to take a good look in the mirror at your own health.

When you see that Michael was around 50 years old and from all reports his body was already decrepit, it is stunning.



Your body was created to live to be 100 and beyond, with no pain, no illness, no drugs, operations or debilitating effects of any kind.

If you're 50 years old and you are not in top physical condition, your road ahead may not be a pleasant one.

Unless you make some changes... now.

The Importance of Maintaining an Alkaline Diet

It didn't have to end in this sad manner for Michael, Farrah or anyone else who is currently suffering illness or disease of any kind.

You can virtually immunize yourself from pathogens by making a few simple changes in your life. And one of the most important is to maintain an alkaline terrain inside your body's cells.

Pathogens have zero chance to thrive and destroy in an alkaline environment.



If you maintain an alkaline environment, you will greatly reinforce your immune respose against cancer, heart disease, stroke and dozens of other maladies which fell westerners every day.

These diseases don't strike out of the blue.

They're the cumulative effect of years and decades of poor decisions, bad diet and unhealthy thought patterns.

You can change.

And if you don't want to end your life prematurely, like many Americans, now is as good a time as any.

Maintaining an Alkaline Environment is the Difference Between Life and Death

Change your diet to include alkaline-forming foods.

Stop abusing yourself by overeating and ingesting acidic-forming foods.

Get yourself some pH tape at a drugstore. Monitor your pH balance often.

And you can't even imagine how good you'll feel.

And I'll see you on the golf course or surfing a rippin' curl well into your 90's.

Bom apetite!


ALKALINE FOODS...

ALKALIZING
VEGETABLES
Alfalfa
Barley Grass
Beets
Beet Greens
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard Greens
Chlorella
Collard Greens
Cucumber
Dandelions
Dulce
Edible Flowers
Eggplant
Fermented Veggies
Garlic
Green Beans
Green Peas
Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Mustard Greens
Nightshade Veggies
Onions
Parsnips (high glycemic)
Peas
Peppers
Pumpkin
Radishes
Rutabaga
Sea Veggies
Spinach, green
Spirulina
Sprouts
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Watercress
Wheat Grass
Wild Greens

ALKALIZING
ORIENTAL VEGETABLES
Maitake
Daikon
Dandelion Root
Shitake
Kombu
Reishi
Nori
Umeboshi
Wakame

ALKALIZING
FRUITS
Apple
Apricot
Avocado
Banana (high glycemic)
Berries
Blackberries
Cantaloupe
Cherries, sour
Coconut, fresh
Currants
Dates, dried
Figs, dried
Grapes
Grapefruit
Honeydew Melon
Lemon
Lime
Muskmelons
Nectarine
Orange
Peach
Pear
Pineapple
Raisins
Raspberries
Rhubarb
Strawberries
Tangerine
Tomato
Tropical Fruits
Umeboshi Plums
Watermelon

ALKALIZING
PROTEIN
Almonds
Chestnuts
Millet
Tempeh (fermented)
Tofu (fermented)
Whey Protein Powder

ALKALIZING
SWEETENERS
Stevia

ALKALIZING
SPICES & SEASONINGS
Cinnamon
Curry
Ginger
Mustard
Chili Pepper
Sea Salt
Miso
Tamari
All Herbs

ALKALIZING
OTHER
Apple Cider Vinegar
Bee Pollen
Lecithin Granules
Molasses, blackstrap
Probiotic Cultures
Soured Dairy Products
Green Juices
Veggie Juices
Fresh Fruit Juice
Mineral Water
Alkaline Antioxidant Water

ALKALIZING MINERALS
Cesium: pH 14
Potassium: pH 14
Sodium: pH 14
Calcium: pH 12
Magnesium: pH 9

Although it might seem that citrus fruits would have an acidifying effect on the body, the citric acid they contain actually has an alkalinizing effect in the system.

...ACIDIC FOODS...

ACIDIFYING
VEGETABLES
Corn
Lentils
Olives
Winter Squash

ACIDIFYING
FRUITS
Blueberries
Canned or Glazed Fruits
Cranberries
Currants
Plums**
Prunes**

ACIDIFYING
GRAINS, GRAIN PRODUCTS
Amaranth
Barley
Bran, wheat
Bran, oat
Corn
Cornstarch
Hemp Seed Flour
Kamut
Oats (rolled)
Oatmeal
Quinoa
Rice (all)
Rice Cakes
Rye
Spelt
Wheat
Wheat Germ
Noodles
Macaroni
Spaghetti
Bread
Crackers, soda
Flour, white
Flour, wheat

ACIDIFYING
BEANS & LEGUMES
Black Beans
Chick Peas
Green Peas
Kidney Beans
Lentils
Pinto Beans
Red Beans
Soy Beans
Soy Milk
White Beans
Rice Milk
Almond Milk

ACIDIFYING
DAIRY
Butter
Cheese
Cheese, Processed
Ice Cream
Ice Milk

ACIDIFYING
NUTS & BUTTERS
Cashews
Legumes
Peanuts
Peanut Butter
Pecans
Tahini
Walnuts

ACIDIFYING
ANIMAL PROTEIN
Bacon
Beef
Carp
Clams
Cod
Corned Beef
Fish
Haddock
Lamb
Lobster
Mussels
Organ Meats
Oyster
Pike
Pork
Rabbit
Salmon
Sardines
Sausage
Scallops
Shrimp
Scallops
Shellfish
Tuna
Turkey
Veal
Venison

ACIDIFYING
FATS & OILS
Avacado Oil
Butter
Canola Oil
Corn Oil
Hemp Seed Oil
Flax Oil
Lard
Olive Oil
Safflower Oil
Sesame Oil
Sunflower Oil

ACIDIFYING
SWEETENERS
Carob
Sugar
Corn Syrup

ACIDIFYING
ALCOHOL
Beer
Spirits
Hard Liquor
Wine

ACIDIFYING
OTHER FOODS
Catsup
Cocoa
Coffee
Vinegar
Mustard
Pepper
Soft Drinks

ACIDIFYING
DRUGS & CHEMICALS
Aspirin
Chemicals
Drugs, Medicinal
Drugs, Psychedelic
Pesticides
Herbicides
Tobacco

ACIDIFYING
JUNK FOOD
Coca-Cola: pH 2
Beer: pH 2.5
Coffee: pH 4

** These foods leave an alkaline ash but have an acidifying effect on the body.

UNKNOWN:
There are several versions of the Acidic and Alkaline Food chart to be found in different books and on the Internet. The following foods are sometimes attributed to the Acidic side of the chart and sometimes to the Alkaline side. Remember, you don't need to adhere strictly to the Alkaline side of the chart, just make sure a good percentage of the foods you eat come from that side.
Asparagus
Brazil Nuts
Brussel Sprouts
Buckwheat
Chicken
Corn
Cottage Cheese
Eggs
Flax Seeds
Green Tea
Herbal Tea
Honey
Kombucha
Lima Beans
Maple Syrup
Milk
Nuts
Organic Milk
(unpasteurized)
Potatoes, white
Pumpkin Seeds
Sauerkraut
Soy Products
Sprouted Seeds
Squashes
Sunflower Seeds
Yogurt

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease; research is ongoing.

Ranked Foods: Alkaline to Acidic

Here's a chart that ranks foods from most alkaline to most acidic.

Extremely Alkaline
________________________________________
Lemons, Watermelon

Alkaline Forming
________________________________________
Cantaloupe, Cayenne Celery, Dates, Figs, Kelp, Limes, Mango, Melons, Papaya, Parsley, Seaweeds, Seedless Grapes (sweet), Watercress
________________________________________
Asparagus, Fruit Juices, Grapes (sweet), Kiwifruit, Passionfruit, Pears (sweet), Pineapple, Raisins, Umeboshi Plums, Vegetable Juices

Moderately Alkaline
________________________________________
Apples (sweet), Alfalfa Sprouts, Apricots, Avocados, Bananas (ripe), Currants, Dates, Figs (fresh), Garlic, Grapefruit, Grapes (less sweet), Guavas, Herbs (leafy green), Lettuce (leafy green), Nectarine, Peaches (sweet), Pears (less sweet), Peas (fresh, sweet), Pumpkin (sweet), Sea Salt (vegetable)
________________________________________
Apples (sour), Beans (fresh, green), Beets, Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carob, Cauliflower, Ginger (fresh), Grapes (sour), Lettuce (pale green), Oranges, Peaches (less sweet), Peas (less sweet), Potatoes (with skin), Pumpkin (less sweet), Raspberries, Strawberries, Squash, Sweet Corn (fresh), Turnip, Vinegar (apple cider)

Slightly Alkaline
________________________________________
Almonds, Artichokes (Jerusalem), Brussel Sprouts, Cherries, Coconut (fresh), Cucumbers, Eggplant, Honey (raw), Leeks, Mushrooms, Okra, Olives (ripe), Onions, Pickles (homemade), Radishes, Sea Salt, Spices, Tomatoes (sweet), Vinegar (sweet brown rice)
________________________________________
Chestnuts (dry, roasted), Egg Yolks (soft cooked), Essene Bread, Goat's Milk and Whey (raw), Mayonnaise (homemade), Olive Oil, Sesame Seeds (whole), Soy Beans (dry), Soy Cheese, Soy Milk, Sprouted Grains, Tofu, Tomatoes (less sweet), Yeast (nutritional flakes)

Neutral
________________________________________
Butter (fresh, unsalted), Cream (fresh, raw), Cow's Milk and Whey (raw), Margine, Oils (except olive), Yogurt (plain)

Moderately Acidic
________________________________________
Bananas (green), Barley (rye), Blueberries, Bran, Butter, Cereals (unrefined), Cheeses, Crackers (unrefined rye, rice and wheat), Cranberries, Dried Beans (mung, adzuki, pinto, kidney, garbanzo), Dry Coconut, Egg Whites, Eggs Whole (cooked hard), Fructose, Goat's Milk (homogenized), Honey (pasteurized), Ketchup, Maple Syrup (unprocessed), Milk (homogenized), Molasses (unsulferd and organic), Most Nuts, Mustard, Oats (rye, organic), Olives (pickled), Pasta (whole grain), Pastry (whole grain and honey), Plums, Popcorn (with salt and/or butter), Potatoes, Prunes, Rice (basmati and brown), Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), Soy Sauce, Wheat Bread (sprouted organic)

Extremely Acidic
________________________________________
Artificial Sweeteners, Beef, Beer, Breads, Brown Sugar, Carbonated Soft Drinks, Cereals (refined), Chocolate, Cigarettes and Tobacco, Coffee, Cream of Wheat (unrefined), Custard (with white sugar), Deer, Drugs, Fish, Flour (white wheat), Fruit Juices with Sugar, Jams, Jellies, Lamb, Liquor, Maple Syrup (processed), Molasses (sulphured), Pasta (white), Pastries and Cakes from White Flour, Pickles (commercial), Pork, Poultry, Seafood, Sugar (white), Table Salt (refined and iodized), Tea (black), White Bread, White Vinegar (processed), Whole Wheat Foods, Wine, Yogurt (sweetened)

Good Clean Livin'

Here's a healthy grocery list - if you'd like to add any, just leave a comment.

Bom apetite!

Vegetables (Organic):

artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cabbage (bok choy, brussels sprouts), carrots, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, greens (collard, dandelion, kale, mustard, spinach, Swiss chard, turnip, watercress), lettuce (arugula, Boston, romaine), mushrooms, onions, peppers (sweet, hot), potatoes, spices, squash, turnips



Fruit (Organic):

apples, bananas, berries, cherries, citrus fruits, dried fruits (apricots, cranberries, dates, prunes, raisins), figs, grapes (black, purple, red), kiwifruit, mangoes, melons, peaches, pineapples, tomatoes

Meat (Organic):

beef (grass-fed, hormone-free), chicken, lamb

Seafood:

mackerel, sardines, shellfish, shrimp, tuna, wild salmon, white fish

Grains/Beans:

beans (black, garbanzo, lentils, red, soy), brown rice, oatmeal, whole-grain pasta

Baking:

flour (whole-wheat, spelt), leaveners (baking soda, baking powder, yeast), sweeteners (raw organic honey, blackstrap molasses, stevia)

Oils/Vinegars:

extra-virgin olive oil, extra-virgin coconut oil, sesame oil, peanut oil, organic vinegar

Snacks:

crackers (whole grain), nut butters, nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts), seeds (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower)

Dairy (Organic):

butter, cheese, eggs, milk, soy (tofu, milk, tempeh)

Beverages:

juice (acai, cranberry, pomegranate, orange), organic coffee, seltzer water, tea