Now
that 2013 has well and truly settled in, I find now the perfect time to
start a full body cleanse, detox and reboot. Some of you may be new to
detoxing and, as a Naturopath, I suggest you start out slowly. Start
with a simple program like Ejuva Body Cleanse or a very light juice
cleanse of 1 day where you have a vegetable juice (often mixed with non
pulpy fruit like mango, papaya, banana and avocado) every 2-3 hours.
Always incorporate the freshest, purest alkalised and ionised water to
help flush toxins from the body.
Another valuable aspect of any cleanse is lymphatic
massages. Either getting a professional massage or learning to do your
own lymphatic massage at home.
Here is a comprehensive list of some of the most powerful
detoxifying foods and nutrients you can incorporate into your
lifestyle.
and more (Ed. see Raw Power's Ultimate Green Blend for a mix of nine of the most powerful green powders)
Chlorophyll rids the body of harmful environmental toxins
from smog and pollution, heavy metals, herbicides, cleaning products
and pesticides.
Chlorophyll is amazing for aiding the liver in detoxification.
2. Citrus Fruit
Oranges, Lemons & Limes
Citrus fruit aids the body in flushing out toxins while
jump starting the digestive tract with enzymatic processes. Lemon juice
aids the liver in it cleansing processes.
Vitamin C is one of the best detox vitamins as it transforms toxins into digestible materials
3. Garlic
Garlic is one of the best detoxing foods! It helps
stimulate the liver into producing detoxification enzymes that help
filter toxic residues from the digestive system
4. Broccoli Sprouts
Broccoli sprouts contain the vital ingredient
sulfurophane. Sulfurophane enhances cellular defences that regulate
genes coding for more than 200 cytoprotective enzymes and other
compounds.
It is the most potent known natural compound to enhance
cellular defences (in part by induction of the key Phase 2 [liver]
detoxification enzyme, Quinone reductase, a significant detoxifiyer of
carcinogens. Sulfurophane also activates the gene which codes for
metallothionein; which is essential for detoxifying heavy metals
including mercury.
Sulfurophane has far greater cellular effect than
curcumin (tumeric), resveratrol and tea catechins (green tea), resulting
in reduction in neuronal inflammation as it crosses the blood-brain
barrier having huge clinical implications in acute and chronic
neurological and psychological conditions.
Sulfurophane’s epigenetic effects on both DNA itself and its histone backbone enhances its actions.
Broccoli sprout powder is a significant part of my clinic
as I do DNA profiling. I use it for a number of conditions, most
especially Autism Spectrum Conditions and those with liver issues.
I often suggest my clients either purchase a good quality sprouter
and make their own broccoli sprouts (needing to consume between 2-3
cups of sprouts per day) or purchase EnduraCell broccoli sprout powder.
Obviously with a sprouter, you can grow a wide variety of
life giving sprouts such as lentil sprouts, wild rice sprouts, mung
bean sprouts, radish sprouts, sunflower sprouts and more. Always use
certified organic seeds
One of my most FAVOURITE products! It is 100% RAW, 100%
VEGAN, 100% Gluten free with over 90 either 100% organic or wild crafted
herbs and ingredients.
Ejuva goes to great lengths to collect their herbs to
avoid the radiated, gasses or steamed herbs often passed (& legally
labelled) under the organic name.
EJUVA is simply the most pure, gentle, yet deeply
effective body cleanse on the planet! EJUVA is NOT just a Colon Cleanse!
Ejuva cleanses the Liver, Lungs, Spleen, Pancreas, Kidneys, Gall
Balder, (all the organs of the body) as well as your tissue, your entire
Lymph system, your entire Alimentary canal from your throat to your
rectum. And, offers specific herbs for balancing your hormonal or
Endocrine system.
EJUVA uses no fillers, binders, excipients or heat in
their proprietary processing methods; We do not even lubricate our
tableting machine. Even Vegetarian Capsules are not pure enough for
EJUVA's strict standards as they are made with polymers (plastics). We
had to severely alter a standard tableting machine to accommodate our
needs.
The Ejuva Body Cleanse Program is formulated specifically
for the detoxification of the Alimentary canal (from your throat to
your rectum), your blood, your organs, your lymphatic system and your
tissue cells, while improving elimination and general well being. Since
every human being has unique health requirements, the program has been
designed to be taken in 4 stages, each lasting approximately one week.
The key benefit of completing phases 1-4 in sequential
order is to help eliminate toxins gradually and safely without placing
too much stress upon the liver and kidneys which reduces cleansing
reactions. This phasing technique also helps your body acclimatise to
herbs.
You choose which level is most appropriate for your
cleansing needs. In each phase, Ejuva herbs and shakes are ingested.
These 4 stages can be structured to suit your schedule and easily
modified to fit your needs.
Ejuva is both the most gentle, or the the most intense
herbal cleanse on the planet. Meaning, every body has different needs.
So, with that in mind Ejuva was formulated so it can be adjusted to fit
your body's exact needs. We recommend that one starts with a certain
dosage of our herbs and 90% of our users stay there. But, if one feels
they are experiencing too much result from our cleanse one can easily
cut back the recommended dosage. Likewise, if one feels they need more
then the suggested dosage they can substantially increase their dosage
to promote a much more intense cleanse
Phase 1 - This is the initial phase and most mild
of the phases, it prepares the body for deep cleansing. First time
cleansers, toxic individuals, meat eaters, those with chronic diseases
or physical problems start here. Even at this stage, old fecal and
mucoid matter are expelled from the body. The herbs and shake are
consumed once a day and three meals may be eaten per day.
Phase 2 - During this phase only two meals may be eaten per day, and the herb and shake consumption is increased to twice per day.
Phase 3 - One meal may be eaten per day and juicing
is allowed, the herbs are consumed 3 times per day, allowing for deep
cleansing. Many people elect to end their cleanse here.
Phase 4 - This is the most potent phase of the
Ejuva Body Cleansing program. No solid food is eaten during this phase,
this phase is a juice fast consisting of fresh fruit and vegetable
juices. The body cannot digest solid foodstuff and cleanse. The human
body will always choose digestion over cleansing. However, while juicing
not only does your body receive more nutrients than when eating solid
foodstuff, your body digests juice in a manner that is called Osmosis
which absorbs all the nutrients straight into the blood stream without
using the normal channels of digestion. Juice fasting will allow your
body to cleanse 24/7. The herbs and shake are consumed 4 times per day
during this phase. This phase allows for maximum cleansing and
detoxification and most report feeling their best while on this phase.
There are many different ways a person can do cleanses.
You may chose to go on a juice cleanse, a fruit and vegie cleanse, an
Ejuva cleanse, a broth cleanse or some harsher cleanses (that
professionally I don’t recommend) such as the distilled water cleanse or
oxygen therapy cleanse.
Whichever you decide to choose, please keep in mind, you
cannot just go straight back into eating if you have been cleansing for
longer than 4 days. You must adjust your body to the increase in food
mass. The longer the cleanse, the more delicate the introduction of food
needs to be.
Spirulina is a complete protein
consisting of 65-71% protein. It contains all eight amino acids and
eighteen amino acids in total.
While protein is useful for
building muscles and strength, it is also beneficial for building
endurance, balancing blood sugar, balancing brain chemistry for
neurological health, for rapid healing, building strong bones and
much more
Unlike animal foods, Spirulina is a
pure raw source of complete protein. It is rich in Vitamins A (beta
carotene), B1, B2, B6, E and K. It is an abundant natural source of
chlorophyll, salts, phytonutrients and enzymes. Spirulina is the best
source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) – an anti inflammatory
essential fatty acid necessary for a healthy nervous system.
Spirulina As A Blood Builder
Clinical experience has taught me that all the studies conducted
about the anemia alleviating abilities of spirulina are true – even
for our animal friends! I've found that spirulina has been extremely
effective in alleviating anemia, increasing hemoglobin, increasing
red blood cell formation, reducing platelet aggregation and improving
the overall quality of the blood.
This is due to the following reasons:
spirulina contains high concentrations of chlorophyll – a well
documented blood builder
it is high in iron
it is rich in phycocyanin – a brilliant blue polypeptide. It is
this wonderful blue pigment that helps induce the production of more
stem cells found in bone marrow. Stem cells are the beginning
rudimentary cells that can develop into both red and white blood
cells
Spirulina As A Powerful Immune
System Booster
Spirulina is a powerful tonic for the immune system, accelerating
production of the humeral aspect of the immune system. This increases
the production of antibodies and cytokines including interferons and
interleukins (white blood cells) allowing the body to better protect
itself agains invasive microbes and viruses.
The production
of bone marrow stem cells, T-fighter cells, macrophages (immune
system 'mops'), B-cells and the anti cancer Natural Killer (NK) cells
increases markedly.
Gamma-linolenic Acid in Spirulia
In an excerpt taken from Paul Pichford, Healing with Whole Foods:
“The richest whole food sources of GLA are mother's milk,
spirulina microalgae and the seeds of borage, black currant and
evening primrose. GLA is important for growth and development and is
found most abundantly in mother's milk. Spirulina is the next highest
whole food source”.
GLA is an essential fatty acid, hence it promotes beautifully
soft skin and hair whilst also encouraging shiny and strong hair.
As
GLA inhibits the formation of inflammatory prostaglandins, spirulina
is an excellent choice in reducing the inflammatory symptoms of
arthritis.
When purchasing spirulina, select a product with a 'fresh smell'.
When spirulina starts to go bad, it smells sour and rancid.
Avoid products that use 'tableting agents' which help keep spirulina
tablets from crumbling to powder. Spirulina naturally clings to
itself and can be pressed into tablets without tableting agents.
Can you dose with too much spirulina? Yes, of course you can. You
will know if you have too much as it will pass straight through you.
Spirulina is also non fattening – at only 4 calories per gram, it
is a low calorie, nutrient dense superfood.
RECIPE
GREEN HIT NOODLES
Serves 1-2 people. Keeps for a day when refrigerated in a sealed container. I
like to change my sprouts around a bit so I'll often change the alfalfa
sprouts to Sunflower sprouts. Have fun with your sprouts
Put the oil, tahini, spirulina, apple cider
vinegar in the bowl you'll be eating out of and mash together. Add the
seeds and mash again. Add the sprouts and mix. Rinse the kelp noodles
and add those, mixing for a final time.
Eat with love and appreciation for all
things green, knowing you are feeding your body some pretty amazing
nutrients. For an alternative, you may wish to substitute all marinate
ingredients with Namu shoyu & tamari.
About Broccoli Sprouts In
past studies, compounds in broccoli sprouts have been shown to reduce
the risk of getting breast and colon cancer and to act as an
anti-bacterial agent against Helicobacter pylori, an organism associated
with causing stomach ulcers. As reported in the May 10, 2004 edition of
Time, a new study indicates that eating broccoli sprouts may cut the
risk of stroke, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Broccoli sprouts contain phytochemicals called
isothiocyanates including sulphorophanes, which induce enzymes that
reduce inflammation and detoxify carcinogens. They're also rich in
fibre, vitamins and minerals (while being low in calories). So far,
research shows this combination of nutrients and phytonutrients means
cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli sprouts, may prevent cancer and
help soothe airway inflammation.
It's June! We have a great contribution
from Rebecca Ashton who outlines her arsenal of superfoods for extreme
hiking. Thanks Rebecca and we hope you enjoy your $50 Raw Power Gift
Voucher.
In this newsletter:
"Extreme Nutrition for Extreme Hiking" by Rebecca Ashton
Product Format Improvements
Product Page and Blog Comments - Now Active!
Price Drops
Calling for more Newsletter Contributions - win a $50 Gift Voucher
Your Mission: An adventure is at hand and
armed with waterproofs, boots and backpack, youʼre more than ready for
it. You're going to be hiking mountains in parts of the world most
people haven't heard of. Youʼre in peak physical condition and ready to
not only get out of that all consuming 9-5, but to get away from
anything at all that resembles your day to day existence. It's a
necessity that you stay healthy and have plenty of energy. However
youʼll be lucky to get fat tailed sheep and rice where youʼre going. And
how many nutrients can be found in a staple of white flour pasta? Time
for a battle plan.
Tactics: Take it with you! Lightweight, easy to carry, easy to eat Superfoods
Arsenal: Four of the best.
1. Spirulina:
If NASA astronauts take it into orbit, you can take it up K2. A
microscopic algae found in the salt water of the worldʼs tropical
regions, Spirulina is not only nutrient dense beyond belief (including
more B12 than in animal liver!) but also incredibly high in bioavailable
protein, containing all eight essential amino acids and 18 in total
(what the body makes protein from). It is approximately 68% protein, 40%
of which can be assimilated by the body (compared with just 15-18% from
meat). This superfood is also high in antioxidants. Just sprinkle a
teaspoon on your evening meal.
2. Barley grass:
You can never consume enough greens. Fresh salads are probably going to
be in short supply on that mountain track, but barley grass powder will
keep your body alkaline and oxygenated. It is concentrated nutrition at
its finest. Overflowing with chlorophyl (which helps to cleanse the
blood of toxins), enzymes (good for digestion), vitamins and minerals,
including calcium, iron, vitamin C and vitamin B12, DO NOT leave home
without it! Mix it with water and drink it down first thing in the
morning.
3. Chia Seeds:
An ancient Aztec crop, just add water and these little guys will swell
to three times their size. Thatʼs a hearty meal right there! They make a
filling, porridge-like meal for breakfast that will keep you going all
day. And with all that fibre, they will also “keep you going”! Because
of their impressive ability to absorb water, they also aid hydration
without you having to drink gallons of water. It is a complete protein
and is another one that is loaded with antioxidants, iron, calcium and
potassium. Low GI and blood sugar balancing you wonʼt need to be
searching that backpack for high sugar energy bars an hour after setting
off. Chia is the richest plant-source of healthy omega 3 oil.
4. Digestive enzymes:
With all the processed, packaged foods youʼll more than likely be
consuming, digestive enzymes are going to save you a lot of
heartache...and gut ache as well. They help the body to break down food
quickly so nutrients can be absorbed and you wonʼt be left with a heavy,
bloated belly, not a welcome companion on a tough gradient. It is often
not safe to eat raw foods in many countries, so digestive enzymes will
be in short supply as raw fruit and vegetables are the best source of
them. This means that the bodyʼs enzymes will have to work overtime,
leaving less energy to take care of the rest of the body, including the
immune system. Easy to take in capsule form.
Now...go forth and conquer!
Author Bio: Rebecca’s life is one big Walkabout,
experiencing external and internal journeys as they make themselves
known to her. She aims to inspire others to do the same and learn from
the experiences life offers. Her base camp is in Sydney, Australia where
she’ll usually be found on the back of a horse. Rebecca has hiked in
the vast Sahara in Libya, the remote terrain of northern Mongolia, coast
to coast across England and up to 5,560 metres in northern India.
Rebecca blogs at Hedge Funds to Hedgerows.
Product Format Improvements
We've made some improvements to the product formatting to make it easier to use.
Firstly,
we've grouped the multiple package sizes so that you see a single
product listing in the catalogs instead of a separate one for each size
(e.g. 250g, 500g, 1kg). Just select the size you want in the dropbox and
you'll see the pricing change accordingly.
Old format:
New format (with size selector):
Once
you've selected the size you want just add to cart or click the product
name to go to the product page. There, you can again swap between sizes
the same way.
Secondly, we've increased the text sizes a bit and improved the overall look & feel for better legibility.
Finally,
look out for the amazingly useful "Bookmark & Share" buttons that
allows you to Print, Email to a friend, Bookmark, Comment and Share the
product to your favourite social network (Facebook, Twitter, and many
others).
You might also notice some tidy up improvements to the home page.
Product Page & Blog Comments - Now Active!
At
the bottom of each Product Page and the Blog is a form where you can
submit a comment. I had always been a bit surprised that these didn't
seem to attract any comments. I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I just
found all the old comments awaiting my approval in the administrator
area of our web site - I think I must have missed that when Anand
trained me back in July when we took over :-) Anyway, we are now going
through these so apologies if you were awaiting a reply that never came.
I'll try to keep on top of the comments but please feel free to email
to info@rawpower.com.au or phone us on 07 3715 7620 if you have specific questions you'd like answered promptly.
Price Drops
We've reviewed our prices and made permanent
reductions to the following products so you can get more value from your
shopping cart:
The Oscar Vital Max 900
Juicer has also had a permanent price reduction from $495 to $449.
Remember, it comes with a 20 year warranty on the motor and a 5 year
warranty on parts!
Are you a bit of a word-smith? A budding J.K. Rowling of the raw food community?
:-) We would love to hear from you! We are looking for
interesting articles, personal stories, recipes or product reviews
written by our raw food community members. Anything that you think our
10,000-strong newsletter community would like to read about. We will be
giving a $50 Raw Power Australia gift voucher for each contribution that
we accept to include in the newsletter. So, get out your crayons,
pencils, pens, keyboards or iPads and send your beautiful prose to info@rawpower.com.au
Note: contributions advertising a business service
are not for consideration. If interested, please contact us to see how
we can work together.
There is a lot of research coming out showing that the recent ideas about the dangers of saturated fats and the need for low-fat diets have actually contributed to the prevalence of obesity, diabetes and other diet-related health problems. An article on NaturalNews.com the other day talks about a heart surgeon openly admitting that low-fat diets recommended for years by mainstream medicine actually cause heart disease and that consuming healthy fats (including saturated fats) is vital for good health.
Mike Adams from Natural News has written many articles about this over the past few years. In "The Great Fat Debate - Why Virgin Coconut Oil is best" (2009) he talks about the origin of much of the confusion over fats and that coconut oil - being made up of two-thirds medium-chain fatty acids - helps us lose weight, reduce cholesterol, improve diabetic conditions and lower the risk of heart disease.
In another article, he compiles a list of expert research findings on the role of the essential fatty acid Omega-3 in preventing diseases of inflammation.
Essential fatty acids are those fats that the body cannot produce on its own. Your body gets these fatty acids directly from food. There are only two EFAs: alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, and linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid.
Almost all the polyunsaturated fat in the human diet is from EFA. Some of the food sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are fish and shellfish, flaxseed (linseed), hemp oil, hemp nuts, soya oil, canola (rapeseed) oil, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, and walnuts.
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are important for enzymatic pathways required to metabolize long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Low plasma concentrations of DHA is associated with depression and suicide.
To Optimise your omega 3 essential fatty acid levels on a vegetarian diet -
Have a daily intake of nuts, seeds and their omega 3 6 9 oils.
Include good sources of the nutrients which aid essential fat conversion – zinc, magnesium, calcium, biotin and vitamins B6, B3 and C.
Avoid things that inhibit conversion; alcohol, trans fats (from animal foods and processed foods), smoking, caffeine, viral infections, stress and excess intake of vitamin A and copper.
Balance your intake of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Due to the widespread use of sunflower oil in food manufacturing and grain fed livestock we tend to have a much greater intake of omega 6 to 3 fats in our diets. This imbalance can lead to the conversion enzymes getting used up for omega 6, restricting omega 3 conversion. The ideal balance is around 3 to 4 parts omega 6 to one of omega 3.
Buy your seed oils cold-pressed and from the fridge in your health shop. Also buy in small quantities so it remains fresh. At home store them in the fridge and use them cold. If heating oils use butter, ghee or even better coconut oil.
Some people may have less of the conversion enzymes and may need to be strict with the above nutrient supporters and inhibitors. These people include those with atopic allergies (asthma, eczema and hay fever which run in the family) and those with diabetics.
Increase your algae intake when planning a pregnancy, pregnant or breast-feeding.
Have an essential fatty acid test to determine your specific needs and if your diet is meeting these.
Do you need oily fish?
If you optimise your intake of essential fats, and their conversion, the majority of people can achieve good health without fish. Oily fish also has a number of drawbacks in addition to the ethical considerations such as the overfishing of our oceans. The seas are increasingly polluted and unacceptable levels of toxicity such as dioxins and PCP’s as well as mercury have often been found in fish destined for the food chain. Farmed fish is also not the answer as this unnatural method of rearing fish not only relies on a processed diet which may not convert to the same nutrients in the fish, but also requires the uses of antibiotics and other harmful agents to prevent the spread of disease.
Algae sourced DHA supplementation is however recommended in pregnancy as studies have shown lower levels in babies born to vegan mothers. Finally if you have a health condition such as diabetes or atopic allergies or even if you are mildy stressed you may be limited in your ability to convert your own fats so you'll need to consider an algae based DHA EPA supplement such as Klamath Lake blue green algae.
½ cup desiccated coconut food dyes (optional – not raw)
Method
Combine all ingredients except food dyes until smooth.
Divide the mixture into 3 bowls and add a few drops of food dye to each bowl to give pink, green and yellow eggs. Start off with a little dye and gradually build up until you reach the desired color. If desired add a little peppermint essence to the green egg mixture for a mint flavoured egg.
Place in fridge to set but still pliable Roll into egg shapes and place back in fridge
Whether children should be immunised (with pharmaceutical concoctions) is a hotly debated subject. Recently a family member was so upset with our decision to not traditionally immunise Bodhi (our 5 month old baby boy) that they won't speak to me anymore. They believe that we are being very irresponsible and are putting his life at risk. The divide between pro-immunisation and anti-immunisation camps can run deep.
While I don't doubt that vaccinations can reduce certain diseases in the population, Runi and I have serious concerns about their safety and effectiveness and have chosen build Bodhi's immunity naturally.
An enlightened doctor I know said that governments are only interested in vaccinating the "herd" to be seen to be preventing outbreaks of polio, measles etc, however, they are not interested in reporting many of the documented and suspected side effects of immunisations including autism, narcolepsy, seizures, brain inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction to name but a few.
In addition to this, an uncontrolled survey in Germany of 10,598 participants showed that unvaccinated children are far less affected by common diseases (including allergies, hay fever, asthma/chronic bronchitis, neurodermatitis (itchy skin), Otitis media (middle ear infections), Sinusitis, Herpes, Warts, Polyps and fungal infections) than vaccinated children. http://www.vaccineinjury.info/vaccinations-in-general/health-unvaccinated-children/survey-results-illnesses.html
Is it possible that vaccines are disrupting and compromising our children's delicate immune systems and are causing a whole host of other health problems and is there another way to protect children from potentially dangerous childhood diseases?
Runi and I have chosen to boost Bodhi's immune system naturally. My personal experience is that a properly functioning immune system can ward off most disease or lessen the intensity and duration of disease when it strikes.
So how can you immunise your children and yourself naturally? Here is what we are doing:
1/ When pregnant eat an excellent organic whole food, high raw diet. (Please note that I am not advocating a vegan or even a vegetarian diet unless that works for you). Make sure you are getting enough folic acid (B9) vitamin B12, iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin D and essential fatty acids in particular. We chose to supplement all of these key nutrients just to be on the safe side.
2/ Breast milk - Once baby is born, breastfeed him/her to full-term. Ideally three years or more. This is undoubtedly the safest immunisation available, especially if your diet is alive and high in the important nutrients.
3/ Homeopathic immunisation - We chose to immunise Bodhi homeopathically. It is non-toxic and safe and according to an Australian study effective.
4/ Whole Food - Once eating only offer children fresh whole organic foods with a high percentage (70% or more) raw. Food can be medicine or poison: steer clear of all refined products including sugar, wheat, pasta, most bread, commercial pasteurised dairy and oils. Include LOTS of leafy greens, green juices and green smoothies. Leafy greens are perhaps the most medicinal foods on the planet. I highly recommend getting in a good juicer like an Oscar and a good blender like the Semak Vitacrush. This is not an expense; it is an investment in your family's health.
If you are lucky enough to start your child early you will be creating a very positive food imprint for them. Studies have shown that when stressed, adults often revert back to types of food they were fed when upset as an infant. Imagine going for greens when you feel stressed instead of cake, bread, chips, "bad" chocolate or other common comfort foods!
We have already mixed green juice and green smoothie with breast milk and given Bodhi a taste of what is coming and he seems to like it.
5/ Superfoods and supplements - Here are key the nutrients your child will require. We will be supplementing Bodhi with the following:
- Vitamin B12 for healthy red blood cells, a good nervous system and good growth and development (especially important for vegans)
- Vitamin D (in winter or sunless conditions only) - Very important for the immune system and bone development
- The essential fatty acids DHA and EPA for brain and eye development. If you are not vegetarian Krill Oil is one of the best sources. One of the best plant based sources of DHA and EPA is marine phytoplankton such as Oceans Alive. Another source of non-animal DHA is micro algae including spirulina, chlorella and AFA algae such as E3. Chia seeds and hemp nuts are high in other essential fatty acids but not DHA or EPA . The great news is that most of these ingredients can be put into a child's smoothie or juice without them even noticing.
6/ Sunshine - we take Bodhi out in the sun (often naked) most days to make sure he is getting enough vitamin D. Breast milk is very low in Vitamin D and most breast fed babies are deficient in this very important vitamin. Obviously we take him out when it is not too hot so he doesn't get burnt!
7/ Earthing - for the Earths negatively charged electrons (which help reduce inflammation and free radical damage) and electro-magnetic radiation protection. Bodhi gets plenty of Earthing when I carry him for morning and evening barefoot walks as well as dips in the river and ocean. In the evening he sleeps on an Earthing Bed Pad which we have wrapped around his cot mattress.
As you can see from these photos, Bodhi is a picture of health and I am confident in our decision, to not vaccinate and build his immune system naturally.
Having said that, I am in no way offering this information as prescription or medical advice. It is simply what Runi and I are choosing to do. I also didn’t vaccinate my first two children who are both grown up now. I recommend that you do your own research and make your own decisions.
If you are interested in finding out why vaccines are potentially dangerous and what the government and doctors are not telling you, Dr Mercola's website is a good place to begin)
Also I highly recommend the documentary ‘The Greater Good” You can watch the trailer here.
We've got plenty of wonderful new arrivals this week. We have just become the first Australian distributor for Ejuva - the most popular raw body cleanse on the planet.
We are also stocking a brand new 8-Tray Dehydrator that offers excellent affordability. Finally, we've received Raw Organic Mangoes as well as Spirulina in Vegicaps for those who aren't too keen on the taste :-)
THE MOST POPULAR RAW BODY CLEANSE ON THE PLANET
Raw Power Australia has become the first Australian distributor for Ejuva.
Endorsed by many raw leaders like David Wolfe, Paul Nison and Gabriel Cousins, Ejuva is a 100% Raw, 100% Vegan, 100% Gluten Free with 100% Organic and/or Wild Crafted ingredients. Ejuva has over 90 ingredients that inspire the body to cleanse.
Ejuva is simply the most pure, gentle, yet deeply effective body cleanse on the planet! Ejuva is NOT just a Colon Cleanse! Ejuva cleanses the Liver, Lungs, Spleen, Pancreas, Kidneys, Gall Balder, (all the organs of the body) as well as your tissue, your entire Lymph system, your entire Alimentary canal from your throat to your rectum.
Introducing the 8-Tray Bio Chef Food Dehydrator, an innovation in quality and affordability! The Bio Chef Food Dehydrator is versatile and easy-to-use, with adjustable thermostat, drying guide and digital timer.
Philip McCluskey and Julie-Ann Booth, two US raw food celebrities, are touring Australia in November and early December. Visit www.sexyonraw.com for more information.
The Byron Bay event is still looking for 4-6 volunteers. Those interested please contact Ishka at ishkafolkwell (at) gmail.com
BRISBANE EVENT
Dr. Gabriel Cousens will be delivering a presentation title "Spiritual Nutrition" providing deep insights into live plant-based foods as the optimal diet for health, wellness, longevity and spiritual growth. Dr Cousens will also present recent research including that on caloric restriction, insulin resistance and anti-ageing. At the Bardon Conference Centre in Brisbane during the evening of Thursday December 1st.
We are offering a layby service for any purchase of $500 or more. Just place your order using our Direct Deposit (EFT) payment option and clearly specify "LAYBY ORDER" in the Shipping Instructions field. A minimum $100 initial payment is required to secure the shopping basket. Final payment of the balance is required by December 16, 2011. Cancellations will incur a $50 re-stocking fee. Please indicate the invoice number clearly in all bank transfers.
CHANGE TO RETURNS POLICY
We have made a small change to our returns policy. Non-consumables (e.g. appliances, juicers, dehydrators, water filtration units) are now refundable should they be defective.
There can be times no matter how well you are eating you may find yourself coming up short in important nutrients. I recommend getting regular comprehensive blood tests (once or twice a year) so you can make informed choices with your food, superfoods and supplements. While I always try to balance nutritional deficiencies with whole foods and super foods there are times I will use supplements if need be.
Mineral deficiencies
The body needs various minerals for health. Inadequate diet and poor soils can lead to mineral deficiency, or at least to insufficient minerals in both humans and plants. Iron - Iron is another mineral needed by our bodies. It is a part of all cells and does many things in our bodies. For example, iron (as part of the protein hemoglobin) carries oxygen from our lungs throughout our bodies. Having too little hemoglobin is called anaemia. Iron also helps our muscles store and use oxygen.
Iron is a part of many enzymes and is used in many cell functions. Enzymes help our bodies digest foods and also help with many other important reactions that occur within our bodies. When our bodies don’t have enough iron, many parts of our bodies are affected.
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency and the leading cause of anaemia in the United States. This dispels the myth that anaemia is caused by a lack of animal protein as the USA is one of the top 6 meat eating (per capita) nations in the world.
While the iron in red meat in particular is more readily absorbed by the human body than the iron in plants you can still get a good dose of iron by supplementing with spirulina, AFA algae, leafy greens, and prunes to name a few high iron non-animal sources.
Zinc - The mineral zinc is present in every part of the body and has a wide range of functions. It helps with the healing of wounds and is a vital component of many enzyme reactions. Zinc is vital for the healthy working of many of the body's systems. It is particularly important for healthy skin and is essential for a healthy immune system and resistance to infection.
At least 1/3 of the worlds population is at risk of Zinc deficiency. This varies from country to country.
Signs of zinc deficiency include hair loss, skin lesions, diarrhoea, and wasting of body tissues. It is rarely recognised that lack of zinc can contribute to acne. Eyesight, taste, smell and memory are also connected with zinc. A deficiency in zinc can cause malfunctions of these organs and functions.
One easily recognized sign which may be caused by zinc deficiency is white spots, bands, or lines on fingernails (leukonychia)
One of the highest non-animal sources of zinc are pepita’s (pumpkin seeds)
Iodine is needed by the thyroid gland for healthy functioning. Lack of iodine can lead to goitre, a swollen neck due to a swollen thyroid gland. However, iodine deficiency is much less common in industrialized nations due to the addition of iodine to table salt which is something we do not recommend ingesting due to toxic aluminium anti-caking agents which are also routinely added to table salt. Instead we recommend eating plenty of sea vegetables which are high in very iodine and a whole host of other important mineral and trace minerals.
Magnesium is a trace mineral needed by the body for such things as enzyme activity. Magnesium deficiency can cause nervous system irritability, widening of blood vessels (vasodilation), convulsions, tremor, depression and psychotic behaviour. Green vegetables, nuts, grains and cacao are good sources of magnesium.
Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals in the human body, calcium accounts for approximately 1.5% of total body weight. Bones and teeth house 99% of the calcium in the body, while the remaining 1% is distributed in other areas. In recent years, consumers have been bombarded with public health messages encouraging the consumption of foods rich in calcium. These messages are supposedly aimed at preventing osteoporosis, a disease characterized by brittle and porous bones that now affects more than 20 million individuals in the United States, however, they too often are promoted by powerful dairy industry lobby groups who have their own agendas.
While osteoporosis can be caused by too little dietary calcium there are possibly other causes which include: an acidic processed diet with will leach calcium from the bones to balance blood ph.
Hypochlorhydria, a condition characterized by insufficient secretion of stomach acid, affects many people and is especially common in the elderly. Lack of stomach acid impairs the absorption of calcium and may lead to poor calcium status.
Adequate intake of vitamin D is necessary for the absorption and utilization of calcium. As a result, vitamin D deficiency may also be implicated in a calcium deficiency.
High intakes of sodium, caffeine, or protein cause an increase in the urinary excretion of calcium.
Chromium deficiency is generally caused by an impaired glucose tolerance, elevated serum cholesterol, or triglyceride levels.
Deficiency of this nutrient have been estimated as high as 35 to 40 percent in the American population, more than any other country, because of the low levels of chromium in the soil and the loss of this nutrient from refined foods; specifically sugar and flour.
Chromium is only needed by the human body in small amounts, but it is very difficult to obtain. Impaired glucose tolerance appears to be an immediate stage in both the history and the development of diabetes.
However, a deficiency of this nutrient can go undetected for years, primarily because there have not been any widespread records kept.
The amount chromium fond in foods will vary, and has been measured accurately in relatively few foods. Presently, there is no large database for chromium content of foods.
Foods high in simple sugars, however, such as sucrose and fructose, are not only low in chromium but have been found to actually cause a loss of this nutrient. Foods that have shown signs of adding chromium include:
Broccoli, green beans, potatoes, grape juice, orange juice, beef, turkey breast, ham (processed), waffle, bagel, English muffins, apple w/peel, and bananas. (I personally don’t subscribe to eating muffins, waffles and bagels!)
Common Vitamin Deficiencies
B12 is a vitamin many people are deficient in and this is something that vegans need to pay particular attention to. B12 is produced by bacteria and since we have become germ phobic and wash all our food, this vitamin is in short supply in plant foods. Some of the plant foods that are relatively high in B12 such as spirulina also contain a B12 analogues which are substances that inhibit B12 metabolism. According to Dr Gabriel Cousens, if you are on a long term vegan diet you should closely monitor your B12 levels and probably supplement as well. This is especially important for vegan pregnant and breast feeding mothers and young children. Also many people including meat eaters have lost the ability to properly process and absorb B12 in their guts so it is a good idea to get your levels checked at least once a year
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include very pale skin, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, headache cold hands and feet, heart palpitations, and chest pain. These symptoms are due to a decreased production of red blood cells that are necessary to carry vital oxygen to the body's cells and tissues. A serious complication that can occur due to decreased red blood cell production is pernicious anemia, also called vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
Symptoms can also occur in the nervous system. If left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can result in permanent nerve damage. Symptoms can include numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, unsteadiness, difficulty walking, confusion, depression, memory loss, and dementia
Vitamin D is found in many animal dietary sources such as fish, eggs, and cod liver oil. The sun also contributes significantly to the daily production of vitamin D, and as little as 10 minutes of exposure is thought to be enough to prevent deficiencies. The term "vitamin D" refers to several different forms of this vitamin. Two forms are important in humans: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D2 is synthesized by plants. Vitamin D3 is synthesized by humans in the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays from sunlight.
The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. As I mentioned earlier Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases.
Risk factors for Vitamin D deficiency include:
Exclusively breast-fed infants: Infants who are exclusively breast-fed and do not receive vitamin D supplementation are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency, particularly if they have dark skin and/or receive little sun
Dark skin: People with dark-colored skin synthesize less vitamin D on exposure to sunlight than those with light-colored skin (1). The risk of vitamin D deficiency is particularly high in dark-skinned people who live far from the equator. One U.S. study reported that 42% of African American women between 15 and 49 years of age were vitamin D deficient compared to 4% of White women (25).
Aging: The elderly have reduced capacity to synthesize vitamin D in skin when exposed to UVB radiation, and the elderly are more likely to stay indoors or use sunscreen, which blocks vitamin D synthesis
Covering all exposed skin or using sunscreen whenever outside: The application of sunscreen with an SPF factor of 8 reduces production of vitamin D by 95% - Ironically overprotecting ourselves from sunlight can increase our chances of getting certain forms or cancer including breast and bowel cancer.
Inflammatory bowel disease: People with inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s disease appear to be at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially those who have had small bowel resections
Obesity: Obesity increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Once vitamin D is synthesized in the skin or ingested, it is deposited in body fat stores, making it less bioavailable to people with large stores of body fat.
It is possible to become deficient in other Vitamins including vitamin E and C however, this is very rare if you are eating a balanced high raw whole food diet.
Essential fatty acids are those fats that the body cannot produce on its own. your body gets these fatty acids directly from food. There are only two EFAs: alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, and linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid.
Almost all the polyunsaturated fat in the human diet is from EFA. Some of the food sources of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids are fish and shellfish, flaxseed (linseed), hemp oil, hemp nuts, soya oil, canola (rapeseed) oil, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, and walnuts.
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are important for enzymatic pathways required to metabolize long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Low plasma concentrations of DHA is associated with depression and suicide.
To Optimise your omega 3 essential fatty acid levels on a vegetarian diet -
Have a daily intake of nuts, seeds and their omega 3 6 9 oils.
Include good sources of the nutrients which aid essential fat conversion – zinc, magnesium, calcium, biotin and vitamins B6, B3 and C.
Avoid things that inhibit conversion; alcohol, saturated and trans fats (from animal foods and processed foods), smoking, caffeine, viral infections, stress and excess intake of vitamin A and copper.
Balance your intake of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Due to the widespread use of sunflower oil in food manufacturing and grain fed livestock we tend to have a much greater intake of omega 6 to 3 fats in our diets. This imbalance can lead to the conversion enzymes getting used up for omega 6, restricting omega 3 conversion. The ideal balance is around 3 to 4 parts omega 6 to one of omega 3.
Buy your seed oils cold-pressed and from the fridge in your health shop. Also buy in small quantities so it remains fresh. At home store them in the fridge and use them cold. If heating oils use butter, ghee or even better coconut oil.
Some people may have less of the conversion enzymes and may need to be strict with the above nutrient supporters and inhibitors. These people include those with atopic allergies (asthma, eczema and hay fever which run in the family) and those with diabetics.
Increase your algae intake when planning a pregnancy, pregnant or breast-feeding.
Have an essential fatty acid test to determine your specific needs and if your diet is meeting these.
Do you need oily fish?
If you optimise your intake of essential fats, and their conversion, the majority of people can achieve good health without fish. Oily fish also has a number of drawbacks in addition to the ethical considerations such as the overfishing of our oceans. The seas are increasingly polluted and unacceptable levels of toxicity such as dioxins and PCP’s as well as mercury have often been found in fish destined for the food chain. Farmed fish is also not the answer as this unnatural method of rearing fish not only relies on a processed diet which may not convert to the same nutrients in the fish, but also requires the uses of antibiotics and other harmful agents to prevent the spread of disease.
Algae sourced DHA supplementation is however recommended in pregnancy as studies have shown lower levels in babies born to vegan mothers. Finally if you have a health condition such as diabetes or atopic allergies or even if you are mildy stressed you may be limited in your ability to convert your own fats so you'll need to consider an algae based DHA EPA supplement such as Klamath Lake blue green algae.
There are many protocols you can do to improve your absorption of nutrients including fasting and colon hydrotherapy. In addition to these the following supplements can also be very beneficial for improved digestion and assimilation.
Food (digestive) Enzymes
We have spoken at length in an earlier module about the importance of enzymes. Many people find that by supplementing with high quality plant-based food enzymes their digestion and absorption improve dramatically. Digestive enzymes have only three main jobs: digesting protein, carbohydrate and fat. Proteases are enzymes that digest protein, amylases digest carbohydrate, and lipases digest fat. Digestive enzymes are particularly beneficial if you still eat cooked food or have digestion issues.
Betain Hydrochloride (Hydrochloric Acid)
"Hypochlorydia" means the inadequate production of stomach acid by the parietal cells in the stomach. "Achlorydia" means a complete lack of stomach acid production. Experts believe that about half of all people over 65 suffer hypochlorydia. (It's known that the amount of stomach acid we produce decreases as we age, although we have often found insufficient acid among much younger people.)
It's vital that we have enough stomach acid to break down food and release nutrients, and to kill any opportunistic invaders entering our bodies via the mouth.
Hypochlorydia symptoms can include heartburn, indigestion, gas, burping, bloating, flatulence, stomach pain or ache, feeling too full after eating (unless you genuinely have eaten too much!), constipation, diarrhoea and breaking down nutrients in food insufficiently.
So, why might your stomach acid production be low? Stress can impair production. Trauma such as emotional shock or a burn can stop it suddenly. Alcohol and food allergy substances can damage the parietal cells in the stomach, and this affects production. Bacteria such as helicobacter pylori can also affect acid levels. And, of course, as we age, our bodies typically produce less and less hydrochloric acid.
For these reasons, most of us who are over the age of 40 will benefit from supplemental Betaine Hydrochloride.
Probiotic' actually means ‘for life’. The World Health Organisation define a probiotic as ‘live micro-organism which, when administered in adequate amounts confer health benefits on the host’. Probiotics are ‘good’ bacteria that live in your digestive system. Probiotics are microorganisms that are similar to the microorganisms that exist naturally in the human stomach. Most are bacteria but some can also be viruses or yeasts. They help to keep the natural proportions of good bacteria in our digestive tracts. They can be found in dietary supplements such as capsules, tablets, liquids and powders but can also be found in foods. Examples of foods containing probiotics include yoghurt, fermented or unfermented milk, miso, tempeh and some juices and soy beverages.
Good bacteria are vital to the proper development of the bodies immune system, and for the proper digestion and absorption of food and nutrients into the body. The balance of good bacteria in the stomach can be thrown off predominantly by consuming antibiotics and also by growing numbers of bad bacteria such as disease-causing bacteria, yeasts, fungi and parasites. Though Antibiotics kill bad bacteria, they can also kill good bacteria in the digestive tract. Probiotics counteract antibiotics (hence the name) and can be used to prevent the side effects of consuming antibiotics such as gas, cramping or diarrhoea and increase the count of good bacteria in the gut in order to keep a healthy digestive system. They can also be used to ease the symptoms of lactose intolerance. A diet high in processed carbohydrates (particularly sugars and starches) as well as chlorine, fluoride, alcohol and the contraceptive pill can also upset this balance.
“Unfriendly” bacteria could be the cause of contagious diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers and many types of chronic stomach inflammation, tooth decay and periodontal disease, vaginal infections, stomach and respiratory infections that children acquire in day care and skin infections.
There are several reasons people are increasingly seeking out probiotics supplements for health reasons. While antibiotics destroys intestinal bacteria, probiotics feed the gut with beneficial bacteria such as the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains. By supplementing with a probiotic capsule, millions of live bacteria are introduced into the intestinal wall and can significantly inhibit bad bacteria growth, improve absorption and assimilation of vitamins and minerals, stimulate of the body’s immune system and production of certain vitamins including the important B group vitamins. Many of the readily available probiotics on the market today promote "general well-being," but scientists are increasingly discovering many more specific benefits from consuming foods with sufficient levels of probiotic bacteria. Probiotics can also be used to:
Treat diarrhoea
To prevent and treat infections of the urinary tract or female genital tract
To treat irritable bowel syndrome or IBS
To reduce recurrence of bladder cancer
To shorten the length of intestinal infection
To prevent and treat colitis
To prevent and manage eczema
To improve lactose intolerance
The bacterial strain commonly used in yogurt can produce lactase enzymes. Therefore, people with lactose intolerance and children suffering from intestinal infection can usually tolerate yogurt with an active culture.
Additionally, new generations of probiotic bacteria are targeted at specific problems or areas of the body. A number of probiotic products are believed to be able to lower cholesterol for example. The ability of probiotic bacteria to support the immune system is very important, especially to the elderly and people suffering from weak.
So Probiotics are good bacteria that exist normally in the digestive system and play an important part in general health and wellbeing. Probiotics can be taken as dietary supplements and these can help with prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases.
As you can see reversing a nutrient deficiency is not always as simple as ingesting more of the lacking nutrient. There are a great many other variable factors which can influence nutrient levels in our body; ie iron is absorbed much more easily in conjunction with vitamin c.
This is a vast and complex area of study and I recommend that you also do your own research and experimentation to find out what works best for your body.
- "Are you deficient? How to get the most from your diet" by Anand Wells, Live Food Education
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THIS WEEK'S READING
Are you deficient? How to get the most from your diet
Many leaders in the natural health movement agree that disease is caused by two things: toxicity and deficiency. Nutritional deficiencies are far more common than we may realise. Why?
Because our soils have become depleted in key nutrients from unsustainable farming practices and therefore the food grown in this soil is also deficient.
Our fruit and vegetables are often picked unripe and are gassed to artificially induce ripening. In most cases this practice drastically reduces the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients available.
Malabsorption. Malabsorption result from our body's inability to absorb and utilise vitamins, minerals and other nutrients contained in our food. This can be caused by the following:
Helicobacter infection in the stomach, (the bacterial infection that causes stomach ulcers).
Candida (Yeast infection), as a result of a bacterial imbalance in the gut due to a lack of probiotic bacteria.
Parasites acquired through the consumption of contaminated food and drink.
The inadequate production of stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) due to age degeneration, zinc deficiency, or the consumption of certain drugs.
Allergies to gluten, and lactose can result in a leaky gut wall, where food particles pass into the blood stream without being properly digested and utilised.
The consumption of certain food additives causes the body to excrete vitamins and minerals.
Stress
Exposure to heavy metals and other toxins
So what can we do to make sure our bodies are getting all the nutrients they need to thrive?
While most of us eating a balanced organic whole food diet can get a majority of our nutrients from the food itself, there are also circumstances when it is beneficial to use supplements and superfoods. But before we look at supplementing lets first see how we can obtain maximum nutrition from our food.
1. Eat fruits and vegetables that have been freshly picked as much as possible.
This means locally grown and in season. If I had the choice between eating a freshly picked conventionally grown orange or an organically grown orange that was picked 6 months ago 10 000 km away, I would choose the conventional orange. After 6 months in cold storage nearly all of the vitamin C disappears from fruit along with a whole host of other beneficial nutrients.
So how can you ensure that you are eating freshly harvested fruits and vegetables? Well nothing is fresher than harvesting from your own trees and veggie patch. We have recently become members of a wonderful project called Organic Farm Share which is a community owned organic farm in Northern NSW Australia. The farm is being designed to feed several hundred local families. If these are not options for you, sprouts can easily be grown in any home in either jars or special sprouting machines. Sprouts are the most alive of all living foods as they are still growing even in your fridge until the moment you eat them.
The next best option is to buy your produce from farmers or growers markets. If you are unable to buy organic, there are things you can do to clean the produce and minimise pesticide exposure like spraying with a solution on apple cider vinegar water and hydrogen peroxide.
2. Store your produce properly.
While harvesting and then eating organically grown produce straight from the plant is by far the best option for maximum nutrition it is not practical for many of us so knowing how to store your food is a very important factor in maximising its nutritional value.
Vegetables are powerhouses of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Unfortunately, after you pick vegetables, their nutrients start to break down. They continue to lose their nutrient value as time goes on. Light, heat and exposure to air can speed up that process, so it's important to eat vegetables as soon as you can after they're picked, or store them in a way that helps slow their nutrient loss.
Any type of storage results in some deterioration. Produce on store shelves has already begun to lose vitamins, and nutrient losses multiply each day. Wilting is a sure sign of nutrient loss, especially of climate-sensitive vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Lettuce, kale, silverbeet/chard and other leafy greens that are prone to wilting register a higher ascorbic acid reduction after several days of optimal cold storage than does cabbage, which is more resistant to wilting. Green beans lose 58 per cent of their original ascorbic acid during the first three days of refrigeration after harvesting.
While a certain amount of nutrient loss is inevitable, we can minimize it by purchasing the freshest possible produce and storing it under optimal conditions.
Refrigerate all leafy greens such as lettuce, dandelion, collards, mustard greens, chard, watercress and broccoli. They keep best when they are dry and wrapped in plastic or put in airtight plastic containers to prevent loss of moisture and vitamins. Cucumbers and eggplant, however, are best stored in paper bags in the crisper to protect against excess cold temperatures that cause the development of pitted, mushy spots.
Refrigerate carrots or store in a cool place in perforated bags or containers to allow air circulation. Protected from heat and light, carrots retain their nutrients for up to seven months. Their beta-carotene actually increases during the first five months of storage then remains stable for two months before decreasing.
Tomatoes tend to lose flavour if refrigerated. They are best stored loosely in a basket that permits air to circulate. Unripe tomatoes should be stored on a counter or on top of the fridge, which allows the ripening process to continue. Any type of produce that continues to ripen after picking, including unripe pears, peaches, and plums, must not be refrigerated. These should be stored in a brown paper bag at room temperature until ripe.
Citrus fruits may be stored at room temperature for several days and will last for up to two months if refrigerated. Apples must always be refrigerated. They will keep for several months, but gradual loss of nutrients, especially vitamin C, still occurs with lengthy storage. Store apples away from vegetables, or keep them in a plastic bag, as they give off ethylene gas as they ripen, promoting spoilage of other produce.
Here are a couple more tips on storing fresh produce
Store your vegetables whole. Don't slice them, as slicing vegetables exposed the flesh to air and light, which helps quickly break down the nutrients. Intact vegetable skins offer protection from light and air.
Store root vegetables in a dark, cool place like a cellar or low cabinet. Keep them in the crisper drawers, which are generally farthest away from the refrigerator lights and adjusted to be cooler than the rest of the refrigerator.
So as you can see when you bring your produce home, how you store it will make a huge difference to how long it will last and retain nutrients.
3. Nutrient dense superfoods
Another way to maximise you nutrient intake is to eat the most nutrient dense foods you can get your hands on.As you are probably already aware we consider fresh wild leafy greens to be the #1 superfood as they match human nutritional needs most completely. The second best would be more traditional leafy greens such as kale, spinach etc.
You may also like to take advantage of a wide range of dried and powdered superfoods which can be very high in certain nutrients and micronutrients. While fresh is always best it is still possible to benefit from some of these dried nutrient dense foods which are not commonly available fresh.
Here is a list of some of the more popular super foods.
AFA Blue Green Algae - 60% protein, long chain fatty acids, PEA. To detoxify body, increase mental focus and concentration, stabilize mood swings, balance blood sugar, decrease insulin requirement, decrease side effects of chemotherapy;
Spirulina – 60% protein, contains most of the essential minerals and vitamins, particularly iron and the B vitamins
Bee Pollen – rich source of high-quality protein since it contains all the essential amino acids plus quite a few more. Bee pollen contains vitamins A, B, C, and E, and is extraordinarily rich in most of the B vitamins, including folic acid (folate).
Chia Seeds – High in omega 3, 22% protein, a powerful source of the antioxidants that protect delicate essential fatty acids from oxidation
Cacao – high in antioxidants and magnesium and mood enhancing chemicals such as Anandamine
Maca – balances hormones, increases energy, full of minerals, vitamins, and protein, containing many of the essential amino acids, and particularly rich in calcium and magnesium,
Lucuma Powder – High in betacarotene, niacin (B3) and iron
Mesquite Meal – High in calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc, and is rich in the amino acid lysine
Purple Corn Extract – Powerful antioxidant with anti-mutagenic, antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic properties.
Coconut Oil - Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal; great for skin; assists weight-loss; assists body to burn fat; lowers bad cholesterol; lauric acid; important in building and maintaining immune system; doesn’t go rancid at room temp; Good for thyroid
Acai Berry – extremely high in antioxidants and essential fatty acids
Goji Berries - They contain 18 kinds of amino acids (six times higher than bee pollen) and contain all 8 essential amino acids (such as isoleucine and tryptophan). They also contain up to 21 trace minerals Goji berries are the richest source of carotenoids, including beta-carotene (more beta carotene than carrots), of all known foods or plants on earth! They contain 500 times the amount of vitamin C, by weight, than oranges making them second only to camu camu berries as the richest vitamin C source on earth. Goji berries also contain vitamins B1, B2, B6, and vitamin E.
2012 Probiotic superfood – Re-colonise the GI tract with the full spectrum of Lactobacillus (friendly) bacteria. Contains significant enzymes, vital amino acids and a broad spectrum of essential nutrients. Helps break down nutrients. Keeps the colon clean and healthy. Health effects of compromised probiotics: toxins in the GI tract - lupus & psoriasis, partially digested proteins - eczema, arthritis, & immune system disorders. Contains the complete Lactobacillus bacteria family.
Sea Vegetables – most sea vegetables including sea weeds such as kelp, Nori, dulse, arame and wakame to name a few contain highest levels of trace minerals and iodine that you will find in any foods. These important minerals are often found lacking even in organically grown produce.
There are many many more superfoods available with more arriving on the market all the time.
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Now
that 2013 has well and truly settled in, I find now the perfect time to
start a full body cleanse, detox and reboot. Some of you may be new to
detoxing and, as a Naturopath, I suggest you start out slowly. Start
with a simple program like Ejuva Body Cleanse or a very light juice
cleanse of 1 day where you have a vegetable juice (often mixed with non
pulpy fruit like mango, papaya, banana and avocado) every 2-3 hours.
Always incorporate the freshest, purest alkalised and ionised water to
help flush toxins from the body. 
In
past studies, compounds in broccoli sprouts have been shown to reduce
the risk of getting breast and colon cancer and to act as an
anti-bacterial agent against Helicobacter pylori, an organism associated
with causing stomach ulcers. As reported in the May 10, 2004 edition of
Time, a new study indicates that eating broccoli sprouts may cut the
risk of stroke, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Finally,
look out for the amazingly useful "Bookmark & Share" buttons that
allows you to Print, Email to a friend, Bookmark, Comment and Share the
product to your favourite social network (Facebook, Twitter, and many
others).
Raw Power Australia has become the first Australian distributor for Ejuva.
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