Cavities anyone?

I am sure everyone knows that when you get a cavity a dentist will address it by putting a silver colored filling into the targeted tooth.  What might surprise people is that the main ingredient in these fillings is mercury.

Dr. Mercola  recently appeared on the show "Dr. Oz" to explain why mercury fillings are harmful to the body.

"There are 1,000 mg of mercury in the average filling -- this is about 1 million times more mercury than is found in seafood, which is in microgram quantities.

Even the conservative EPA and CDC advise pregnant women to avoid high-mercury fish like tuna, due to the well documented adverse effects on fetuses.

Mercury is an incredibly potent neurotoxin; it doesn't take much to cause serious damage because it's an absolute poison. If you were to take the amount of mercury in a typical thermometer and put it in a small lake, that lake would be closed down due to environmental hazards."

What to do if you have mercury fillings?  I was pleased to see that Dr. Mercola suggested one of my favorite daily supplements, Chlorella.

"Chlorella, a single-celled fresh water algae, acts as an efficient detoxification agent by binding to toxins, such as mercury, in your body and carrying them out of your system. It is the chlorophyll in chlorella that makes it so powerful, as chlorophyll helps you process more oxygen, cleanses your blood and promotes the growth and repair of your tissues.

 In one study, when mice fed methylmercury were given chlorella, they excreted approximately twice the amount of mercury in their urine and feces as mice not treated with chlorella.ⁱ This is important, as chlorella plays a particularly crucial role in systemic mercury elimination because the majority of mercury is rid through your stool. Once the mercury burden is lowered from your intestines, mercury from other body tissues will more readily migrate into your intestines -- where chlorella will work to remove it."

 Chlorella is indeed a very powerful detox supplement.  I highly recommend chlorella to anyone who is concerned with the amount of toxins in their body.



Source: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/21/the-dr-oz-show-my-latest-jaw-dropping-interview.aspx

Crazy for Coconut Water

For the past few weeks, we have been obsessing about coconut water. Not only does it remind you of vacationing on a tropical island, but it gives you the satisfying feeling of hydration. Coconut water has become very popular in the past few months, which is why we began drinking it ourselves. Not only does it seem to be in all the supermarkets, but it lines the shelves of Tedeschi markets and gas stations. It baffles me that this product has just recently grown in popularity, because it is something that everyone needs to be drinking.

So what is so different about coconut water? Can't I just drink regular water and get equally as hydrated? The answer is yes, but you would need a lot more regular water to feel the same effects. Coconut water is the clear liquid that is found inside young coconuts. The water serves as a suspension in the endosperm of the coconut during the coconuts development. As the coconut grows, the endosperm liquid will develop into what we know as the coconut meat. Because young coconuts are not fully developed, they have very little meat, and more coconut water. Unless your coconut has been severely damaged, coconut water is always sterile. It was even used during World War II as an intravenous hydration fluid when medical saline was unavailable. How about that! That fact alone makes me want some right now....

Anyways, the coconut water is clear, sweet, and sterile and composed of wonderful things such as sugars, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, enzymes, amino acids, cytokinins, and phyto-hormones. These magical fruits are harvested when they are about 5-7 months of age for our drinking purposes. What are cytokinins you ask? Cytokinins are a class of plant growth substances (phyto-hormones) that have been shown to have anti-aging, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-thrombotic effects. Coconut water is best known for its high potassium content as well as the amount of antioxidants it contains. Coconut water was actually given to patients with severe diarrhea to help replenish electrolytes that have been lost, and to avoid the need for intravenous therapy. Now, doctor's will not use coconut water in an IV because of the dangers of too much potassium. However, it can and should be used to replace lost electrolytes and end dehydration.

Coconut water is also full of bioactive enzymes that aid in digestion and metabolism. Even though this fruit has a very light consistency, it has a wonderful vitamin and mineral composition of calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, zinc, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, and folate. Look to the right to see its full nutritional profile:

Coconut water (Cocus nucifera), Fresh,
Nutrition Value per 100 g
(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)

Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	19 Kcal	1%
Carbohydrates	3.71 g	3%
Protein	0.72 g	1.5%
Total Fat	0.20 g	1%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	1.1 g	3%
Vitamins
Folates	3 µg	0.75%
Niacin	0.080 mg	0.5%
Pantothenic acid	0.043 mg	<1%
Pyridoxine	0.032 mg	2.5%
Riboflavin	0.057 mg	4%
Thiamin	0.030 mg	2.5%
Vitamin C	2.4 mg	4%
Vitamin A	0 IU	0%
Vitamin E	0 mg	0%
Vitamin K	0 mcg	0%
Electrolytes
Sodium	105 mg	7%
Potassium	250 mg	5%
Minerals
Calcium	24 mg	2.4%
Copper	40 mcg	4.5%
Iron	0.29 mg	3.5%
Magnesium	25 mg	6%
Manganese	0.142 mg	%
Zinc	0.10 mg	1%
Phyto-nutrients
Auxin (Gibberlin)	Present	--
Carotene, beta	0 µg	--
Cytokines	Present	--
Lutein-zeaxanthin	0 µg	--
Leucoanthocyanin	Present	-

Today, many different brands of coconut water are available in local stores. And although some of them claim to be pure coconut water, you never know if there are any preservatives or extra ingredients added in there. To me, nothing beats the pure coconut water that comes straight from the coconut itself. I shop at Hannaford's supermarket, and they always have fresh, whole coconuts on their shelves for about 1.99$. I know they are also available at whole foods, but for a dollar or two more. All I do to open these nuts is hammer in a knife, and drain the water into a glass. I usually get a full glass of water, and become overwhelmed with satisfaction that this is the real stuff. On top of the water, you also can scrape out the coconut meat on the inside of the coconut, and add it to your favorite smoothies or recipes. I have used coconut meat in my blender, but have also chopped it up and used it to make a coconut crusted salmon dish. Talk about amazing! There are just so many different ways to use coconut water and coconut meat that this fruit should be on everyone's shopping list. You can also cook your rice with coconut water to sweeten it up a little bit. This is a great tasting alternative to cooking rice with plain, boring water. Here is a crazy recipe for a power smoothie that includes coconut products. Although you most likely do not have all the ingredients, just blending some of the ingredients with fruits and vegetables is delicious, too.

Unsweetened Almond Milk
Coconut Water
Super Greens Powder
Raw Organic Agave Syrup
Fresh Coconut Meat
Organic Hemp Nuts
Banana
Celery
Kale

Power smoothies have so many health benefits that give you energy to last through your day. They are completely natural, too!

Another reason coconut water is becoming more popular is because of its hangover benefits. The reason why a person becomes hungover the night after drinking too much alcohol is because of the impurities, preservatives, and chemicals that are added to alcoholic drinks. Sometimes, hangovers can occur even after just one drink, depending on what it is made of. Usually, drinking to excess is what causes a hangover because the ethanol causes increased urine production, which then leads to dehydration. The truth is, you will feel miserable from a hangover until your body is properly hydrated. Gatorade and orange juice are two popular drinks that help cure hangovers. Now that I have read up on coconut water, this is truly the hangover cure. With the amount of natural electrolytes that coconut water contains, it's no surprise that after just one glass, a hangover can disappear. Sure, Gatorade also has a lot of electrolytes. But Gatorade is not found in the middle of a fruit on a tropic island, now is it?

In conclusion, if you are stranded on an island, engage in intense sports games or physical activity, suffer from diarrhea, or just had too many cocktails last night, coconut water needs to become a part of your diet. Stay tuned for future posts about the benefits of coconut oil - just another part of this life-changing superfood!

Benefits of Coffee

I love when I find more excuses to pound coffee during the day.....

From Natural News:

(NaturalNews) Recent research suggests that drinking caffeinated coffee daily may protect against developing Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, depression and more, according to reports from Science Daily. Animal studies at the University of Florida discovered an ingredient in coffee that interacts with caffeine and increases blood levels of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), a growth factor that that prevents the production of beta amyloid plaques, which are thought to be the causative factor in Alzheimer's disease.

It appears that four to five cups of caffeinated coffee daily are necessary to produce the increase in GCSF and protect against Alzheimer's. This amount may seem high for the average American coffee drinker, who consumes approximately 1.5 to 2 cups daily. Researchers suggest that using coffee to protect against Alzheimer's should start in early middle-age, between 30-50 years old; however, older people are also likely to benefit from consuming caffeinated coffee daily.

Additional benefits

Coffee is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, which provide the body with additional ingredients to increase cognitive function to protect the brain; as well as protect against other diseases of aging, such as Type II diabetes, depression, stroke, and Parkinson's. Studies also suggest coffee may help fight against breast, skin and prostate cancer.

Reports in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry discusses the effects of caffeine in coffee regarding the prevention of Type II diabetes. Animal studies were performed on mice, which showed that caffeinated coffee helped control blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, lowering the risk of developing the disease. Coffee also triggered other beneficial changes in their bodies, further reducing the risk of diabetes. Researchers believe that it is the caffeine in coffee that acts as an anti-diabetic compound.

Drinking two to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily may also lower the risk of depression in women by 15%, according to research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine -- and those who consume four or more cups daily have shown an even greater reduction in their risk of developing depression. Caffeine affects brain chemicals and is known to release mood-altering transmitters.

Additional studies at the Harvard School of Public Health indicated that men who drink six cups of coffee daily have a 20 to 60 percent decreased risk of developing several forms of prostate cancer. The study was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, and indicated that even small quantities of coffee consumption can lower the risk of prostate cancer.

The fact that coffee reduces depression is probably no surprise to anyone who has been drinking the black gold.   The only downside to coffee is becoming dependent and building up a caffeine tolerance.

 

 From myaddiction.com

With a week of steady use, the body actually changes its makeup and the receptors that caffeine interacts with change in number and function so that the initial effects of small caffeine doses are no longer felt. The rush and nervous energy seen with the first few uses of the drug goes away after tolerance occurs.

The other side of the equation is that these same body changes have to happen in reverse when caffeine is removed from the diet. A good rule of thumb is that it takes as long to get rid of withdrawal symptoms as it does to heal a bruise. Just as a bruise takes time to heal and repair tissue, resetting tolerance level also requires actual changes in cells.

 Try to take a day or two off from caffeine during the weekends, then when you have a cup on Monday morning you might experience an extra boost.  

 

 

Sources:

 

http://www.naturalnews.com/034779_coffee_caffeine_Alzheimers.html#ixzz1kfW9I9cD

http://www.myaddiction.com/education/articles/caffeine_withdrawal.html

Support GMO Labeling!

GMO's are genetically modified organisms who's genetic material has been altered through genetic engineering. During this process, DNA molecules are taken from various different sources and then combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This new DNA is then implanted into a new organism, or in our case, a genetically modified food.

First of all, nothing that we EAT, should be MODIFIED. The very food you put in your mouth should not contain DNA genes from a different organism.

Although GMO's can benefit the production line, there are many risks in consuming genetically modified crops. Some of these risks include:

The creation of new allergens
Antibiotic resistance
Cross breeding
Herbicide tolerant crops
Pesticide resistant insects
Local ecosystem disruption
Cross-contamination

A few examples of GMO foods we eat every day are tomatoes, soybeans, alfalfa, cotton, Hawaiian papaya, canola, sugar cane, sugar beet, rice, squash, and sweet peppers.

There are many opinions about genetically modified foods. My opinion is to buy your foods locally, and avoid all of these chemicals all together. For California, environmental and consumer organizations have filed paperwork to have a citizen initiative ballot in late 2012 to vote on GMO labeling. California would be the first state in the United States with GMO labeling, something every state should be doing! As of right now, we have no laws that tell us if we are consuming these foods or not. Chances are, we're eating them. Read this article from Natural News and help support the California GMO labeling campaign for 2012!

http://www.naturalnews.com/034771_GMO_labeling_California_ballot_initiative.html

National Peanut Butter Day

Okay, okay, I'm a little late. National Peanut Butter Day was yesterday, but when did that ever stop anyone from indulging in this creamy, mouth watering treat? I'm my opinion, peanut butter is one of the best tasting foods out there. And not only is it portable, but it also can be used in many different ways. Peanut butter can be taken to work, eaten on the train, can be given to veg-heads, and can stop a dog from barking! So why should you eat peanut butter? The Huffington Post posted an article yesterday that discussed 5 reasons why peanut butter is a great addition to your diet. Unlike me, they were on time with their post, which is why I am just going to share with you my sticky opinion. First and foremost, my favorite quote from the Huffington Post article reads:

“The body's response to saturated fat in food is to increase the amounts of both harmful LDL and protective HDL in circulation. In moderation, some saturated fat is okay. Eating a lot of it, though, promotes artery-clogging atherosclerosis, the process that underlies most cardiovascular disease. In contrast, unsaturated fats, which make up the majority of the fat content in peanut butter, help reduce LDL cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease. “

I included this because over time, I have heard many people reject the idea of eating peanut butter because of its fat content. Peanut butter, like many other foods, do not make you fat when eaten in moderation. Sitting on the couch eating half the jar is another story...

Peanut butter is also an awesome staple not just because of its health benefits, but because it is a good source of calories for a low, affordable price. In this economy, it seems like the main sources of protein are getting more and more expensive. Beef, chicken, and fish are emptying everyone's wallets, so why not get a good quality protein source for less than half the price? There are so many peanut butter companies on the market today that it is hard to find a good, organic brand. After trying many different kinds of peanut butter, I have found not only the best tasting, but the healthiest peanut butter out there. This peanut butter is literally, JUST PEANUTS. And you can find it at your local Whole Foods store for a very reasonable amount of money. You also get to turn the machine on yourself, regulate how much peanut butter you want to buy, and watch the peanuts get crushed to smithereens right in front of you. The whole foods peanut butter machine looks like this:

So the dry roasted peanut butter is literally only peanuts, with added heat and some crunching, you get the best peanut butter you can imagine. When I first tasted this peanut butter, I was shocked to see that it only had one ingredient. Racking my brain for information, I remembered that peanut oil is a natural component in peanuts, and during the grinding process, the oil is released. This is why the peanut butter still maintains that creamy texture, with no added ingredients. They also have honey roasted peanut butter, which has added honey, salt, and sugar. Because this one has a few added ingredients, it is even more delicious, and totally organic! Trust me, once you discover how good this peanut butter is, you'll never turn back.

Although there are many recipes that include peanut butter, my favorite recipe is still Thai peanut sauce. A lot of recipes that include peanut butter are desserts, which is why I prefer an actual meal that includes peanut butter, so you don't have all the extra fat and sugar that comes with the rest of the dessert. Here is my personal favorite way to make thai peanut sauce:

1 cup coconut milk
1-2 tsp red curry paste or hot sauce
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp soy sauce

The best part of thai peanut sauce is that it can be added to many recipes and dishes. Pasta, chicken, dumplings, shrimp, salad, and even in soups are all great ways to use Thai peanut sauce. This is something you could make in bulk, and use it on more than one occasion if your crammed for time.

Anyways, below is the link to the Huffington Post peanut butter article. If you also forgot that yesterday was National Peanut Butter Day, then celebrate today! I advise anyone who is scared to eat peanut butter because of the fat to think again, and to visit Whole Foods and get your hands on their product. Trust me, you won't be sorry.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/24/national-peanut-butter-day-healthy_n_1228291.html?ref=mostpopular

Q: Did you hear the joke about the peanut butter?
A: I'm not telling you. You might spread it!

If you have any recipes that include peanut butter, feel free to share them in the comments box!

Vaccination Season - Are Vaccines Smart for Everyone?

Every winter we are bombarded by messages telling us to vaccinate against the flu or other illnesses. Government agencies and big pharmaceutical companies usually lead the charge. This year, even faith-based groups are being pushed to promote vaccinations. In a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recent news letter they state:

“As you know, faith and community leaders play an integral role in helping to keep their communities and congregations healthy, especially during flu season. As trusted messengers, you are able to spread important information about healthy practices and the need for vaccination.”

HHS is not alone, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that every person 6 months and older receive an annual flu vaccine. They also spend tons of money on vaccine awareness each year.

One of the more outrageous examples of government support for vaccines is from the Texas Governor and Republican Presidential candidate Rick Perry, who signed an executive order in 2007 to mandate all teen age girls to take the HPV vaccine! I am of the opinion that forced medication is very immoral.

In addition, your work and local drug store encourage yearly flu shots.

Is this government focus on vaccines based on genuine concern for citizens? Or due to the politicians and government agencies close ties to the pharmaceutical companies who profit by pumping out yearly vaccines?

In this article, I will attempt to make the reader aware of two things: vaccines are not universally safe and effective, and there are safer and more effective alternatives to staying healthy.

Do vaccines work?

Keen readers may have asked themselves, if vaccines work then why do I have to get one year after year? It must be because the flu strains change every year, right? Not according to a recent AP article.

“This year's flu shot will be a duplicate of last year's because the same flu strains are still circulating. So some experts say young, healthy people may have enough protection from last season's vaccine to skip getting it again this fall.

"For healthy people, it can't be said to be necessary," said Dr. Robert Couch, a flu vaccine expert at the Baylor College of Medicine.

Still, government health officials are urging nearly everyone to get this fall's flu shot. They say a vaccine's protection can fade significantly after several months — especially for those who are frail and elderly.”

Here is CDC's explanation from their web site:

“The second reason that annual vaccination is recommended is that a person’s immune protection from vaccination declines over time and annual vaccination is needed for optimal protection.

The decline in protection against the flu that occurs after vaccination or after flu infection may be influenced by several factors, including a person’s age, the antigen used in the vaccine, and the person’s health situation (for example, chronic health conditions that weaken the immune system may have an impact).This decline in protection has the potential to leave some people more vulnerable to infection, illness and possibly serious complications from the same influenza viruses a year after being vaccinated. So, for optimal protection against influenza, annual vaccination is recommended regardless of whether the viruses in the vaccine have changed or not since the previous season.”

So we need to get vaccines every year because they stop working after a few months. According to the CDC, vaccines supposedly work because: “About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against the influenza viruses in the vaccine develop in the body.”

Here is the punch line, antibodies last a whole lifetime! They do not wear off after a few months! Europeans who came to America gave Native Americans small pox. Why didn’t Europeans get small pox? because they had built up a natural defense over generations. They did not need vaccines every year, once they had the antibodies they were set for life (so were their children, and their children’s children).

Now let’s examine some recent findings on the safety of the flu vaccine and two recently popular vaccines, HPV and H1N1 (Click on the titles for the article link).

• This web site is dedicated to bringing to light the adverse side effects of all vaccines. Here you can find story after story of people whose health has been hurt by vaccinations. http://thevaccinesideeffects.com/

• A scientific study finds that flu vaccines work on only1.5 out of every 100 adults.

Mercury found in vaccines:

• “CDC's Vaccine Committee Whitewashed Toxic VaccineComponent, Says National Autism Association (NAA)”

• Exposed: CDC deliberately manipulated, covered up scientificdata showing link between vaccines containing mercury and autism

H1N1

• Finlandresearchers found a conclusive link between the swine flu vaccine and cases ofnarcolepsy

• New Evidence States H1N1 Vaccine Has Elevated Risk ofCausing Guillian-Barre Syndrome

• CDC States H1N1 Vaccine May Maim and Kill 30,000 Americans,FDA Requires Minimal Efficacy

• 10 Stories Of Severe H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Side EffectsThat Should Deeply Sadden You

HPV

• HPV vaccine that contains HPV! “SANE Vax Inc. Discovers Potential Bio-hazard Contaminant inMerck’s Gardasil™ HPV 4 Vaccine”

• Horrifying stories of victims from the Gardasil vaccine (theone that Governor Perry made mandatory). Naturalnews.com calls it “Post-Gardasil Syndrome”

• GARDASIL DANGERS STARTING TO EMERGE

• 49Dead, Others Hospitalized After Gardasil HPV Vaccine

I could go on and on with these vaccination horror stories. They are all over the web.

Alternatives – Immune yourself naturally!

There are safe and alternative ways to protect yourself from the flu that do not involve injecting some unknown substance into your body that is mass produced by pharmaceutical companies. It’s called vitamins!! Of course, the best place to get your vitamins is fruits and vegetables. Today, there are many different and easily accessible super foods that can severely benefit your health. Spirulina and Chlorella happen to be my favorite super foods, but there is an entire list of these one-of-a-kind miracle foods. Super foods have such a dense nutrient profile that help to protect you from disease. Your body has the ability to naturally protect and heal itself from diseases if you allow it. To do this you need to supply your body with lots of vegetables and fruits. The easiest way to do this is “juicing” or making smoothies. If you replace your breakfast cereal for a smoothie full of fruits and vegetables and avoid processed foods throughout the day you will experience positive benefits immediately. You will feel more full, have increased energy, and get sick less often (or never).

Vitamin D might be the most powerful of all vitamins and it can work magical for your immune system. If your body is full of high doses of vitamin D your body will produce its own antibodies naturally. If you are really concern about getting the flu this season, supplement with vitamin D. (Check out our vitamin D page for more information.) Plus, when you are not vaccinated, you encounter the real virus and build your own natural defense, rather than receiving some weak form of the virus in a vaccine.

At the very least I hope this article will motivate you to do some research and serious thinking before the next time you shoot up.

EBNHC Team Newsletter

Four New Year's Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

By Christina Rogers, WIC Nutritionist

We all know that extreme new year's resolutions -- like going to the gym every day -- are not likely to last very long. Here's a short list of healthy resolutions you may actually be able to stick to (without losing your sanity).

1. Eat more omega 3's: Try to eat food sources high in omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids help reduce inflammation within your body and reduce your risk of chronic diseases. Good sources are nuts, seeds, fish, and other seafood.

2. Eat less meat. Instead of cutting out red meat all together, try to cut it back to just twice a week. You will satisfy your cravings while substantially reducing saturated fat.

3. Increase your fiber intake. Try to make half of your grains whole grains. If you don't like the taste, mix plain pasta with whole-wheat pasta. This will help you feel fuller longer, and your intestines will be happier, too!

4. Go for three days of physical activity. Instead of setting yourself up for failure by resolving to go to the gym every day, try for 30 minutes of cardio workouts, three times a week. With school and work, most of us don't have time for daily workouts. Simple things like walking around your neighborhood can increase your physical state and burn extra calories.

Here's to a happy and healthy 2012!