Disease cannot flourish in an alkaline environment! An alkaline body is the best disease-preventative.
The latest trend in the health industry is alkaline diets.
You hear it everywhere; eat alkaline to reduce your body's acidity to
keep healthy and living longer or eat alkaline to beat cancer, heal
disease etc etc but what does it really mean? And how do you do it?
The First Steps
The term ''alkaline diet'' refers to a way of eating that
focuses on foods that are more alkalizing in the body, when compared to
foods that are acid forming. By reducing the amount of acid forming
foods, you give your body the ability to heal itself quicker and more
easily.
The first most important step is to gain knowledge about
which foods are acid and which are alkaline. There are hundreds of
sites (some with conflicting information) with some lovely charts and
graphs and images of which foods are the most alkaline, moderately
alkaline, least alkaline moving into which are highy acidic, moderately
acid and least acidic. A good chart will also show those that are either
neutral or moderately neutral. Knowing what foods you can consume in
greater amounts and what foods you would be best avoiding or
substituting will help you transition into an alkaline diet. Aim to
reduce and cut out between 1 - 2 food types each week until you reach a
balance of about 80% alkaline foods to 20% acid foods. There are some
people that advocate a 100% alkaline diet yet for a majority of people,
this is quite challenging to maintain and can place huge stresses upon
people to feel they are 'failing' or 'not good enough'. The whole aim of
moving to a more alkaline lifestyle is to have more energy, more
vitality, feel healthier – not to feel guilty or that you have failed.
If that is the case, slow down your transition and work at your own
pace. It has to feel right for you.
Alkaline foods are natural and whole; these include most
vegetables - especially green leafy vegetables, fruits and fermented
foods. Fermented foods include Cabbage rejuvelac (similar to saurkraut),
milk kefir, kombucha, tempeh, tamari sauce, Namu shoyu sauce, natto,
kimchi and more. Create a list of alkaline foods you enjoy most as a
reminder of what foods to consume regularly. Creating a quick reference
for alkaline foods will help keep you on track.
Some very common examples of acid forming foods are: meat,
dairy, simple carbohydrates such as breads, muffins, cookies, cakes and
alcohol.
To give you an idea on how to start altering your lifestyle
to a more alkaline one, you might, for example, in the first week,
substitute white bread with a low or no gluten bread alternative or a
rice wrap or replace white sugar with a natural sweetener such as
stevia, agave nectar, coconut nectar or yacon syrup. A few servings of
red meat per week could be replaced with fish or raw nuts such as
pecans, cashews or walnuts. Quite often, walnuts are used as meat
substitutes in raw tacos, spaghetti, lasagne and pizzas. A nice protein
substitute is quinoa grains (always use the tri coloured grains for the
full protein spectrum) Remember, the goal is to reduce consumption of
acid forming foods.
Alkaline Safety
Alkaline water is safe for children. Either using a
powder or through a water filter with alkalising ability. When
purchasing a water filter, one that also ionises and removes bacteria,
fluoride and other heavy metals is best
Using Supplements to Help
Supplements are fantastic to help with the initial
challenges many people experience in switching to a healthier lifestyle.
Consider natural supplements to help reduce acid forming food cravings.
There are some vitamin and mineral supplements that help reduce
cravings for white flour products and refined sugar foods. Activated
Vitamin B-complex supplements are full of B vitamins that stimulate the
metabolism of carbohydrates into glucose in the body, encouraging
alkaline sources of carbohydrates to feel more satisfying. Chromium
supplements also facilitate the breakdown and use of sugars for energy
in the body, reducing sugar cravings though these are best used in short
term only. Another easy way to alkalise the body quickly and
efficiently is to use an alkalising powder. There are many on the market
and not all alkalising powders are the real deal. Having been a
Naturopath for 13 years and in the Health Industry for 18 years, I have
seen some pretty dubious products come onto the market. The only
alkalising powder I use is the Sanum brand. A German isopathic product.
Isopathy is similar to homeopathy. Always consult a physician or Natural
Health Practitioner before taking dietary supplements to ensure they
are right for you.
I use Sanum Alkala Powder a lot for myself and for my
clients. I, myself would consume around 500mls of alkalised water every
day. I also recommend bringing in water kefir and milk kefir as both are
not only fabulous probiotics but they are also quite alkaline forming.
Starting the morning with a small glass of filtered ionised water with
lemon juice is one of the most alkalising things you can do for your
body. Contrary to popular belief, lemons are actually extremely
alkalising!
Alkaline Fast Facts
Alkaline water neutralises the acid build up in our
bodies, thus balancing our pH levels in our body's cells. When our pH
levels are balanced, we feel more energetic and can live fuller lives
Combine
salad ingredients, ensuring well mixed. Combine all dressing
ingredients except for bee pollen. Add dressing to the salad and mix to
combine. Sprinkle the bee pollen over the top for garnish
NEW RAW FOOD RECIPES EBOOK
We are excited to finally release our new eBook - Ravishingly Raw 38 Amazing Raw Food Recipes
by our resident naturopath Michelle Ovens. Add it to your cart for the
low price of $9.90. That's less than 30c a recipe! Some of the yummy
dishes you'll be able to make include:
Everyone knows the word Superfoods. And everyone is aware of some of the more popular items such as acai, spirulina, cacao, chlorella
and other well known products. Those are all valid and important
superfoods, yet there are many others that have just as many amazing
health benefits that are not talked about in magazines or mainstream
media that I feel are just as important to our health.
These are my top 5 health ‘powerhouses’ that I love to use
in my clinic. I use them with men, women, children and even animals.
Having lived on a 2,000 acre farm in a rural setting, I’ve helped all
kinds of animals in the area: dogs, cats, horses, cows, even alpacas.
It really is worth giving these nutrients a try. Experiment
with them in your foods, your smoothies, your raw puddings, raw ‘ice
creams’, salads, on your kale chips, or other dehydrated foods, dips and
more. They are so versatile and only limited by your imagination. For
more ideas, remember to pop over to our Facebook page as we regularly post up meal ideas, nutritional information and more.
Bee pollen is the most complete superfood found in nature. It contains all 22 essential amino acids.
One little known fact about bee pollen is that it has high
antioxidant levels that help increase longevity by neutralising free
radicals.
For women who are looking to either increase their
fertility or optimise their hormones would benefit from consuming bee
pollen.
Bee pollen is amazing at building up the stress defence
shield and increasing longevity in humans and animals. The most famous
record of bee pollen use in animals demonstrating enhanced longevity is
with Bluey the cattle dog who lived to 29 years of age. This was
reportedly due to the fact that Bluey regularly consumed wild harvested
organic honey and bee pollen. If it works in our animals friends, it
certainly works for us humans.
Bee pollen is a source of 18 vitamins, including nearly all
the B vitamins (except B12), C, D, E, rutin, carotene, beta carotene,
lecithin/choline, the 22 essential amino acids, 14 fatty acids, 11
carbohydrates, RNA & DNA, a plant hormone similar to the human
pituitary called gonadotropin and there is still more being discovered!
Pollen contains up to 11 major enzymes such as diatase,
phosphatase and transferase, high amounts of catalase, amylase and
pectase – all of which aid in digestion. Just 130mg of bee pollen can
assist in the digestion of 1.5kg of food.
According to research by doctors in France, Italy and USSR,
pollen is one of the richest sources of bio-available protein in nature
being approximately 25% protein.
Always start off slowly with the smallest amount of bee pollen and build up your use.
Warning: on first trying pollen, some people and animals may
occasionally experience minor gastro-intestinal irritation and a
laxative effect due to the richness of the product. Please cut back use
of the pollen, and if need be, cease for a few days and then try again.
IF symptoms persist, it may indicate an allergy to bee pollen.
Another potential yet RARE allergic reaction can involve
swelling, heart palpitations, and minor to moderate difficulty in
breathing. For those who are new to using bee pollen, it is wise to
start out with a SMALL dosage – about 1/8 of a teaspoon and work up from
there.
Lucuma
is an under-used superfood. It is especially abundant in beta-carotene,
niacin and iron with significant amounts of calcium and phosphorus.
The beauty of lucuma is its versatility. I love to use it
in combination with mesquite to create a divine maple like caramel
flavouring in my smoothies, raw ‘ice creams’ and raw chia puddings. It
is naturally sweet, often used as a sweetener.
The State University of New Jersey reported a study that
evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of lucuma extract on wound
healing and skin aging. Results of the trial determined that lucuma
significantly increased wound closure and promoted tissue regeneration.
The report of the study concluded that lucuma may have
anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and skin-repair effects on human skin.
Mesquite
has been used safely by diabetics as it has a low glycemic indext of
25. Because its sugar is in the form of fructose, which does not require
insulin for metabolism, mesquite helps maintain a constant blood sugar
level for a sustained period of time.
Some of my clients have used mesquite in breads, biscuits,
pie crusts, and other raw or baked goods. I’ve even had some report
using it in coffee and tea to provide a delicious molasses caramel like
flavour.
Mesquite is rich in Lysine, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc
Maqui berry (pronounced mock-ee) is a relatively new superfood to the Western World though it has been consumed by the Chileans for thousands of years.
There is limited but continued research showing enormous
potential in many areas of health such as an anti oxidant, in cancer
prevention, diabetes, as an anti inflammatory, anti bacterial, in heart
health and even in weight loss.
Maqui berry has been reported to increase metabolism. To
keep you energized and going, you will need something to keep you up
with all your activities. Maqui berry can help in boosting the energy
levels of a person to help them become physically active.
Most
people are familiar with Wheat Grass powder, chlorella or chlorophyll
and often overlook barely grass powder. Barley grass is an intensely
enzyme rich live food with naturally occurring co-factors and
synergistic compounds. It’s a life giving whole food containing hundreds
of nutrients with more being discovered constantly.
Nutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron,
copper, manganese, beta carotene, phosphorus, vitamins B1, B2, B5 and
B6, Vitamin C, folic acid.
Barely grass is very high in organic sodium which dissolves
calcium deposits on the joints. It also replenishes organic sodium in
the lining of the stomach. This is valuable because it aids digestion by
improving the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. When you
have the correct ratio of hydrochloric acid, heart burn disappears.
Barley grass contains 18 amino acids, of which it contains
the 8 essential amino acids. It is also extremely alkaline. A body that
is alkaline has a greater resistance to disease.
Organic cold pressed Apricot kernal Oil or cold pressed avocado oil for garnish
Place all ingredients in blender or food processor – blend
until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle apricot kernal/avocado oil
on top. Dip veggies and enjoy!
Try adding some lucuma and mesquite to your smoothies
with some frozen bananas, some cold pressed avocado oil and or cold
pressed virgin coconut oil, a cup of mixed berries (frozen is fine), a
dash of coconut nectar and the flesh & water of one young drinking
coconut
EVENT - Brisbane, Gold Coast & Canberra
Dr Gabriel Cousens 'Enduring, Radiant Health'
Gabriel Cousens, MD, at 70 years, is the picture of enduring, radiant health.
He has cultivated his health through a lifestyle he now shares with audiences around the world.
This is a lifestyle inclusive of organic,
plant-source foods in their live, natural state. It is a lifestyle that
includes regular prana-building exercise (yoga, qigong), service and
charity, spiritual inspiration, meditation, and shaktipat (energetic
transmission from a liberated teacher).
Listen as Dr. Cousens shares his wise perspectives
on how to integrate these components into a holistic lifestyle for a
length of days full of vitality and joy.
"Enduring, Radiant Health" offers gentle
instruction of how we can be like the biblical Moses, who, when he
passed on at 120, "his eyes had not dimmed, and his natural powers had
not left him".
It will be eight years this January 2012 since I embarked on a high raw food diet. In that time I have experimented with a wide variety of approaches including low fat, high sugar (from fruit), low sugar and higher fat, vegan and non-vegan, 75% raw to 100% raw.
So which is the best approach? I would have to say all of them and none of them. I have experienced the healthiest, happiest eight years of my life since eating a high raw, whole food diet and it appears to me that avoiding processed foods is more important than getting obsessed with what percentage raw I am eating. In retrospect, perhaps it would be more accurate to say the best approach is to remain aware and flexible and act accordingly. My body’s requirements change over time and what works for me today may not work tomorrow. If I am stuck in an ideology of how I “should” be eating, I may ignore or miss by body’s signals and innate wisdom.
I am currently on an 80% – 90% raw food, low glycemic diet that includes animal protein (eggs, goats kefir, fish) and lots of cultured veggies and this is working very well for me. If anything I am feeling better than when I was experimenting with a 100% raw vegan approach.
What has been a constant through out my eight years of experimenting are the following seven things:
I have completely avoided refined/processed foods
I have maintained a high percentage of raw food 75% or more
Leafy greens have remained central to my diet (including juices, salads and smoothies)
I haven’t drunk coffee or alcohol or taken pharmaceutical or recreational drugs
I have exercised on a regular basis
Animal protein has remained under 10% of my diet
I have eaten organic wherever possible
By sticking to the above guidelines I have had more energy and been healthier than I was during my 20s and 30s with cold symptoms only showing up 3 times in the eight years as opposed to 1-3 times a year!
Breakfast – A smoothie made in myVitacrush 1500w blenderwith 400ml of raw goats milk kefir with 3 organic raw egg yolks, 1/8 tsp of non-gmo soy lecithin, 1 tbs carob powder, (you can substitute the carob for cacao powder if that works for you)
Lunch – A big green salad with avocado,dulseornoriseaweed and sometimes some with some lightly baked local fish – I often drizzle my salads with apple cider vinegar andhemp oiland when out of Australia I will sprinklehemp nutson top as well.
- "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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We've just received Eco Bottles. These are great looking stainless steel water bottles that are made from a new nickel-free alloy. You can order them in both 350ml and750ml sizes. Order Eco Bottles here.
AUGUST SPECIALS
- Orders between $150 and $250 will include a FR.EE 60g block of Rawganic Chocolate - Orders over $250 will receive a FR.EE copy of Sergei Boutenko's DVD "The Miracle of Greens"(While stocks last)
Chia Seeds Organic Black- highest known natural percentage of Omega-3 essential fatty acid
1kg Was $28.00 now buy 2 or more for $23.95 each -Order here
500g Was $15.50 now buy 2 or more for $12.95 each -Order here
250g Was $9.00 now buy 2 or more for $7.95 each -Order here Acai Berry Powder Organic Dried 100g- one of the planet’s Top Ten Antioxidant Superfruits!
Was $34.95 now buy 2 or more for $27.95 -Order here
Lucuma Powder
1kg was $71.50 now $54.00 -Order here
500g was $39.50 now $29.50 -Order here
250g was $22.00 now $19.50 -Order here
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Disease cannot flourish in an alkaline environment! An alkaline body is the best disease-preventative.
Everyone knows the word Superfoods. And everyone is aware of some of the more popular items such as 
Lucuma
is an under-used superfood. It is especially abundant in beta-carotene,
niacin and iron with significant amounts of calcium and phosphorus.
Mesquite
has been used safely by diabetics as it has a low glycemic indext of
25. Because its sugar is in the form of fructose, which does not require
insulin for metabolism, mesquite helps maintain a constant blood sugar
level for a sustained period of time. 
Maqui berry (pronounced mock-ee) 
Most
people are familiar with Wheat Grass powder, chlorella or chlorophyll
and often overlook barely grass powder. Barley grass is an intensely
enzyme rich live food with naturally occurring co-factors and
synergistic compounds. It’s a life giving whole food containing hundreds
of nutrients with more being discovered constantly. 
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