Start The New Year Off Right - By Eating Well!

Most people make a New Year's resolution this time of year. Most will also break that resolution before the year gets too far underway. In fact, most people who are going to break their resolutions do so within the first week at some point or another! There is hope however if you are planning to eat healthier throughout the New Year. The trick is to immediately begin rather than putting it off until tomorrow or until you have emptied the Christmas goodies from your pantry.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you are among the many people around the world who resolves that this next year is going to be the year that you take positive steps to reducing your weight and improving your overall health the way to begin isn't by loading up on carbohydrates and champagne. So out go the cake and bubbly and in comes the cabbage and corned beef (in small portions of course).

Begin the year by understanding portion size, the value of fresh vegetables, the idea that the meat isn't supposed to take up most of your plate, and the notion that dessert is a rare treat - not the anticipated ending of an ordinary meal.

These are outstanding beginnings. Not only do you need to rethink the way you eat for your New Year's Day festivities but also the way you prepare the foods you love. Unhealthy fat preparation methods using transfats and vegetable oils are out. In is the idea of using seasonings that contain no or very few calories and add savory flavor to your meals. Herbs and seasonings are a healthy cooks best friend because they help eliminate visions of blandness until your fitness goals are met and you've reached a state of maintenance in which a few more calorific luxuries are allowed.

Tasty Food Abundance in Healthy Europe (Photo credit: epSos.de)

Stop frying. The frying process adds simple carbohydrates and (usually) unhealthy kinds of fat to your cooking - and it can even change the very nature of the foods being fried, adding cancer-causing agents and other chemicals that cause accelerated aging. These are two things you want to try to eliminate from your diet all together. While I am not personally an advocate of removing all carbohydrates from any diet I do believe it is a good idea to switch, whenever possible and tolerable to more complex carbohydrates that are healthier to consume (see earlier blog posts for many tasty low-carb recipes). Fats should always be used in moderation, and stick with healthy minimally processed natural fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, and butter - like the Europeans use. If you're trying to cut back on fats, it is best to save their use for those times when it is a real treat rather than wasting them on well, dinner. Reserve the fats for fun food and rewards rather than squandering them on your regular meals.

Another thing you need to learn when cooking for the New Year's holiday and trying to keep things on a more healthy note is that bigger isn't necessarily better. This means that by sticking to the proper portion size you may avoid over eating and filling up. You do not want to leave the table full - you want to leave the table wanting a little bit more (not hungry but definitely not full). Most likely you'll find that you actually feel fuller a few minutes after eating, so if you really have to have more, wait 20 minutes first, and see if you're still feeling hungry enough to eat a bit more. Eating the proper portions reduces the risk of overeating and feeling bloated or stuffed later on. It also helps you understand what your limits are better and where you need to make cuts in your dietary habits, and can help you learn to recognize your body's signs that you are satisfied (they are definitely there, but most of us have tuned them out over the years).

Prepare for smaller meals rather than cooking one huge meal for New Year's Day and carry that eating ethic through the rest of the year with you in order to achieve optimal results. Food is the fuel your body needs to carry out its duties properly. The bad news is that far too many of us really enjoy food to the extent that we overindulge, which also prevents the body from working properly. You will need to work to discover what the optimal amount of food and calories is for your dietary needs but it starts by eating healthy one day and following up the next. New Year's Day is a great day to begin a new way of eating. Are you ready?

Keep an eye on this blog later this week and throughout the year ahead for tasty and healthy recipes and cooking ideas! And be sure to visit our website for some more helpful cooking from scratch resources.

Why I'm Not A Vegan - Part 3

After a short break for the (meat-filled) Thanksgiving holiday, I'm back with the final part and reason for my meat-eating lifestyle. If you missed Parts 1 and 2, you may want to check them out and catch up before reading this post.

So let's just dive right in, and you can yell at me later, but regardless of your position on eating meat, this reason is the one that is the most irrefutable....

Reason #3: It's Unnatural

As I dive into this one I may get a little bit religious to start with, but bear with me.... I happen to be a Christian (not born and raised, but born again, so to speak), and the more I learn about health, nutrition, and God, the more I realize that there is a simple and basic truth that would solve so many of the health problems we face today as a nation - and it's a truth that any Christian would find to be self-evident when given a bit of thought.

Ancient travelers with their meat "on the hoof." (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

That truth is: God made everything we need to be healthy. It is when we stray from the God-given foods that problems occur - which makes sense, as He made our bodies, so obviously He would know what they are supposed to eat!  When we try to play God and create foods for ourselves, there's just no way we are going to match what He made for us. There are so many conflicting opinions out there when it comes to good nutrition, many people are very confused. But for me it is very simple. I have two main statutes that guide what I eat and what I suggest to others when they ask me for food advice.

1. Eat what God made. I hear the arguments already: "God made everything, so how does this help?" Not so fast, my logical friend.... God DID make everything, in that He made all of the elements that all things are made of. However, God did NOT make some of these crazy concoctions that we put together for ourselves and add to our food. God did not make artificial food dyes, artificial flavorings (which try to copy what God actually DID make, and usually fail entirely), sweeteners, etc. These things are not natural substances, and our bodies were not designed to process them - and THAT is a scientific fact. Yes, God may have made most of the ingredients in a Cheeto, but that doesn't mean it's good for you - which brings me to rule #2....

2. Eat it the way God made it. Again, He knew what He was doing when He made us, and the foods we are to eat. Now, if you've read the book of Genesis, you may pose the argument - what about when it says that God "made the plants and seeds of the earth" for our food?  As to this, I will not dive any further into theology, but I will just say that in terms of spiritual connection and peace, it would make sense not to eat our fellow animals, but then again indeed we live in a fallen world, and people did eat meat throughout the rest of the Old Testament. Either way, there is no denying the fact that the majority of things that we eat besides meat in our modern world are much less natural for our bodies to ingest. You simply cannot tell me that your "tofurky" patty made of soybeans, hydrogenated oils, and 20 other ingredients that have been processed 10 ways to Sunday to make it palatable and somewhat resembling meat (see Reason #2) is anywhere near as natural and easy for our bodies to process as a simple steak. It's just not. And maybe,when you really think about it, any "food" that has to be processed that much just to be edible isn't even something we should be eating anyway....  Right?!? (Take that you proponents of tofu!) :-)

Okay, moving on from religion now (I hear the sigh of relief).... There are more reasons besides the theological/health one, why I don't think a diet completely devoid of animal products is natural - not just for humans, but for the planet as a whole. (Wow, from Christianity to environmentalism? I know - this one's a doozy, right?  I'm still expecting to get yelled at from some quarter any minute now....) :-) 

But if you look at the planet as a whole - and again, going back to God for just one second here - it was created as a symbiotic ecosystem - everything works together for the good of the whole. When it comes to growing crops, we currently are stripping our soils and polluting our waters to produce more food on a limited amount of land. To do this, we have resorted to chemical fertilizers based on fossil fuels (again - a limited resource). We are only starting to see the impact of this on our health and the health of the planet as a whole, but so far the results of this experiment are not looking good....

Jacob sheep on pasture. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Removing animals from the equation entirely can only make the problem worse. Animal outputs (manure, etc.) are one of the best natural forms of fertilizer that exists. And incorporating these natural materials into growing our plant foods is essential if we want to maintain a healthy planet for future generations. Just for a second envision if the entire human race were to go to an entirely plant-derived diet.... This would mean clearing massive amounts of land to grow more and more grains and plant foods, but what about the animals??  Where would animals (and their natural fertilizer outputs) fit into a world where no one ate meat, milk, eggs, etc.?  This is such an unbalanced and unnatural system - there is just no way it is sustainable long term.  Plants feed animals, which in turn feed plants, which in turn feed us, but if you take away the animals (or severely limit their presence in the natural ecosystem), the whole thing falls apart.*

Besides our health, and the health of our planet, I do have one more final note as to why veganism isn't natural - and it goes back to history. In the history of our species as we know it, never has there been discovered a single vegan culture that we know of. They just don't exist. There are some modern cultures that limit the eating of meat (as far as I know, they do still consume some in the instance of fish and poultry), but even these are newer traditions, and regardless, they do still eat some animal products, even when avoiding flesh. And we've yet to see how these people fare long-term on these types of diets - so far it's a short-term experiment.

So there you have it - why I'm not a vegan. My reasons are based on science, theology, and history - and most of all, health. Real health is based on moderation and balance. Eliminating one food group entirely is is the opposite of these things. Cutting out some of the best and most available sources of protein, fats, and fat-soluble vitamins, in favor of scrambling to create artificial and largely inadequate substitutes, simply makes no sense in a holistically balanced life.*

* Caveat: I am entirely on board with the fact that conventionally farmed meats are raised in largely unhealthy and unnatural environments. I do my best not to eat these meats, and I don't suggest that you do either. Finding sources of clean, fresh, naturally and humanely raised animal products is essential if you are going to consume these products on a regular basis - essential for both your health, and the health of the planet as a whole.  I do have some helpful tips and resources for this on my website: http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html.

I hope you've enjoyed this short series, and that you've found it enlightening and perhaps helpful in restoring your peace of mind and enjoyment of what you eat - even if you eat meat and animal products. As stated in Part 1, if you choose to follow a vegan diet, that is up to you, and I encourage you to do what feels best for your body and health. But please do listen to your body, and if it needs things a plant-derived diet simply can't provide, don't beat yourself up over eating the natural whole foods you need, even if they happen to contain meat.

And if you wish to research further for yourself, I've found the books below to be quite helpful.

Happy eating!


   

Healthy Diet Tips to Make Weight Loss Easier

Ask anyone who is starting a weight loss program and you'll hear a groan when the word “diet” comes into the conversation.  Taking time out to pick a diet, plan your food, and actually follow the plan can be exhausting and frustrating.  To avoid all this, many folks are tempted to skip all that and just shed those extra pounds by starving themselves for a couple weeks. However, all the experts agree that this quick starvation diet method just doesn't work.  Losing weight is a process, and like it or not, it takes planning. Here are some tips to make your dieting more effective, healthier, and something that will fit your lifestyle - and even become a natural part of it.

Make Eating Simple

Healthy European Diet - Look At All the Colors.... (Photo credit: epSos.de)

Instead of being overly concerned with counting calories, measuring portion sizes, or performing college algebra just to eat your lunch, try thinking of your food in simple terms. Looking at your plate, focus on color variety, for instance. If you make sure you have a plate filled with different colors, your diet will naturally be healthier and more satisfying. If everything on your plate is white or brown, your diet will suffer and your weight loss program will be jeopardized.  Rather than measure ounces and calories, just choose portions that are about the size of your fist.  Depending on your diet, you will want one or two “fist” size portions of protein, vegetables, fruit, dairy, and carbs.  Put away the scale, the calorie counter, and the list of foods allowed.  Keep it simple to stay on track without the frustration.

Don't Make an Off-Limits List

Try not to think of certain foods as “off-limits,” rather cut your portion sizes in half or allow a favorite food less often. This allows you to keep the foods you like while still making healthier choices. When you ban certain food groups, it can backfire.  You could end up craving those foods even more. Then when you give in to temptation, you feel like a failure and the downward spiral begins. If you over-do it, don't beat yourself up, just get up and make the next choice a healthy one.  If you can't resist that chocolate chip cookie, just follow it up with a large glass of cold water or milk, and make sure dinner consists of super-healthy choices with extra servings of crunchy vegetables.

Eat Socially

Whenever possible, eat with others. Eating in a group setting allows for healthy eating habits, such as eating slower and taking smaller bites.  Mindless over-eating tends to happen in front of a computer or television. Eating in groups creates conversation, which means you'll be taking breaks between bites.  This process over the course of a meal allows time to listen to your body, especially when it tells you it is full.

A restaurant placard, Santorini, Greece (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Take Your Time

When you do eat alone, remind yourself to slow down.  Rushing through a meal is never a good idea. It takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that you're full. Plate up your food in an attractive way. Sit at the table, not in front of the television. Choose foods that take some time to chew and chew that food slowly and savor the flavors. With each slow bite, you are allowing your stomach and brain to catch up so you begin to feel full faster. Now your brain has a chance to tell you to stop eating when you no longer feel hungry. You'll also get to enjoy your food more!

Eat Breakfast

We've all heard that a good day starts with a good breakfast.  This is true for several reasons. The term “breakfast” does actually mean to “break” your “fast.”  During your sleeping hours, your body went into hibernation mode.  Think of a bear in a den during the winter.  A bear's metabolism slows down and their body stores fat for the long winter nap.  Your body is doing something similar each and every night; slowing down and storing fat.  In the morning, your body is “told” that it can stop storing fat when you give it some nutrition in the way of some healthy food.  Your breakfast jump-starts your metabolism by telling your body that it's time to burn some fat for energy.  Skipping breakfast keeps your body in hibernation mode.  It still thinks it has to store fat away for later.  It just makes sense to have some fruit, an egg, a glass of milk, some yogurt, a handful of nuts, a bowl of oatmeal, or a small muffin to wake up your metabolism.

Eat Several Smaller Meals and Snacks

We have also heard it's good to have “3 square meals” a day.  Unlike the breakfast anthem we just discussed, this one isn't considered a wise move anymore, especially when it comes to weight loss.  Rather than eating three large meals a day, having several smaller meals and interspersing healthy snacks throughout the day keeps your body's metabolism on a steady course which keeps blood sugar levels on an even keel.  Starting with breakfast, then midday snack, then a light lunch, then another snack, then dinner, then another snack; you get the picture.  Choose the schedule that works best with your day and just be sure to not allow yourself to get really hungry during the day.  That hungry feeling is a sign that your body is scared it won't get fed and it's gone into fat-storing mode.

To set yourself up for success rather than failure, think about your healthy diet in these smaller, more  manageable steps rather than one big drastic change. People often think of healthy eating as an all or nothing proposition, but a key foundation for any healthy diet is moderation. Your diet is about more than the food on your plate;  it is also about how you think about food and how your body reacts.  With just a few changes in your eating habits, you could be on your way to that ideal weight.

The Dukan Diet - Eating to Lose Weight

So, you want to lose weight but not give up the foods you love? What if there were a way to do that? Let me introduce you to the Dukan Diet. If there was ever a diet to claim “eat as much as you like,” it would be the Dukan diet.

Protein. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Founded by French nutritionist, Pierre Dukan, the Dukan diet combines 68 forms of animal protein and 32 vegetables, giving you the 'green light' for 100 foods. This gives you a diet based on what the human species evolved on, and keeps us feeling happier and healthier. Let's take a closer look at the Dukan diet and whether it might be the right one for you.

4 Phases

The Dukan diet uses four different phases. By walking through these four phases, you can shed weight quickly and then make lifestyle changes so you don't gain the weight back. Here are what the phases look like:

1. The Attack Phase – This phase is brief, lasting only a couple weeks with immediate results. In the attack phase, you are allowed to eat from a choice of 68 high-protein foods which the body digests quickly and effectively.  Vegetables and other carbs are very limited during this time.  This phase is not meant to be long term, but is considered a 'kick start' to your metabolism.


2. The Cruise Phase – Once you have attacked your weight loss goal, it is time to put the pound-shedding on autopilot. This phase allows you to begin incorporating 32 vegetables into your diet. The days alternate between your Pure Proteins (PP phases), which you were given in the attack phase, and Proteins accompanied with recommended Vegetables (PV phases). This phase allows you to continue to shed weight on a consistent basis.


3. The Consolidation Phase – This phase lasts 5 days per pound lost in the cruise phase. For example, if you lost 6 pounds during the cruise phase, then you would be in this phase for 30 days. During this phase, the body prepares for the return to a balanced diet. In this phase you have monitored freedom which helps you overcome the willpower issue when establishing a freshly conquered and yet vulnerable ideal weight.

Fresh vegetables. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4. The Stabilization Phase – This is the phase you live in for the rest of your life. During the first three phases, you learned how to eat healthy and have taught your body the right way to keep a healthy pattern. In addition to the simple rules for stabilization, there are three non-negotiable rules:

1. Consume 3 tablespoons of oat bran per day.
2. Choose to take the stairs whenever possible.
3. Have a pure-protein Thursday, i.e. Attack Phase menu.

Why All those Oats?  The first obvious question has to do with the 3 tablespoons of oat bran you must eat every day. The oat bran swells 20 to 30 times its volume when inside the stomach, making you feel satisfied. It also “confiscates” calories within the small intestine and takes them down into your bowels. The amount of calories lost by consuming the oat bran is not relevant to immediate weight loss, but they do add up over time as this process is repeated.

What are the Cons to this Diet?  As with all low-carb, high-protein diets, the program warns that dieters may suffer from some disturbing side effects, such as bad breath, constipation, dry mouth, and fatigue as your body gets used to its new way of life. One of the best ways to help with all of these conditions is to drink plenty of water, take a good multivitamin, and get between six and eight hours of sleep a night. And, of course, exercise daily.  A 20 minute walk each day will help digest your food and burn calories.  But, be aware that vigorous exercise requires carbohydrates, so during the Attack Phase, you will need to limit your exercise to a moderate degree.

If you are looking for a diet that will get the pounds off quickly, then moves you into a lifetime of healthy weight management, the Dukan diet may be the right diet for you.  You get to eat lots of good food while your body learns how to metabolize it properly.  And isn't that what the real purpose of a diet is all about?

See Resources Here to Learn More About the Dukan Diet:
   

5 Surprising Foods That Can Help You Lose Weight

If you're trying to get ready to fit into that bikini, it may surprise you to know that you don't have to give up all your favorite foods and nibble on celery sticks and carrots all day to get your metabolism going.  Many foods are thought to be fattening, when in fact they actually can help your body burn fat so you can slim down faster.  There are good reasons to re-think some of the “forbidden” foods when deciding what foods to choose for your diet.  Let's take a look at a few of these much-maligned foods to set the record straight.

Almonds

Shelled almonds (Prunus dulcis) Italiano: Mandorle sgusciate (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Who would have thought that this small nut would have such a significant impact on weight loss? A Purdue University study showed that when compared to eating rice cakes, people who ate a handful of almonds felt fuller longer. Surprisingly, almonds are loaded with fat, but it's good fat. It's the kind of fat that your brain and body needs to function. Enjoy about 16 to 20 almonds every day to satisfy your hunger without overloading on calories. Raw almonds contain the most health benefits (and I also find them the tastiest). 

Olive Oil

A healthy intake of fats can help you lose weight. How? By controlling hunger. Fats make you feel full, and stay full longer. Monounsaturated fats are a good choice because you will keep cholesterol under control while satisfying your cravings, and olive oil fits the bill. Eliminating fats from your diet to lose weight has been a dieting standard for many years, but certain fats are essential to a healthy diet.  This concept is surprising to many long-term dieters.  But, in these modern times, science has proven that oils, if they're the right oils, provides nutrition that your body needs as well as weight loss benefits. (Which goes right along with our philosophy of eating whole, natural foods.)

Peanut Butter

Who would have guessed that a kid-friendly food could be diet friendly, too? Peanut butter is packed with niacin, which keeps the digestive system on track and prevents belly bloat. Just keep an eye on portion size because peanut butter can have a lot of fat and even sugar.  Limit yourself to no more than two tablespoons a day and be sure to pick an all-natural peanut butter so you avoid the added sugars. Real peanut butter - the kind that's good for you - contains only two ingredients: peanuts, and salt. (Unsalted varieties are also available.)

Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, the true "parmesan" (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Parmigiano- Reggiano Cheese

Another on the list of unexpected foods to help slim you down is a particular favorite of most foodies. This low-calorie, calcium-rich treat activates the body's fat-burning hormones, say University of Wisconsin researchers. This cheese also has a higher protein content compared to other dairy products. Consider adding this powerhouse of flavor to roasted vegetables for that little extra boost - you'll be doing something good for your body and your taste buds at the same time!

Animal Fats

What?? We've been told for so long that you have to eliminate animal fat from your diet to lose weight, that it's hard to wrap your head around this one, right?  But, new research has proven that animal fat provides some nutritional value you need and may be a better choice than other forms of fat in some cases.  (Yes, I put that in bold type because it is such a shift in mindset for many people!) Not only does fat in your food make you feel full, but certain animal fats may provide your body with some missing elements.  Even the much dreaded lard has been making a dietary come back.  Your body needs vitamin D to feel good and to function properly.  Interestingly, foods that provide vitamin D, all of which are animal foods, tend to be high in cholesterol.  What does this have to do with weight loss?  If you are not getting enough vitamin D, you will not be as active.  You will have less energy, and your bones and muscles are also going to suffer, keeping you sedentary, which is a disaster when trying to lose weight.  So, animal fats in moderation should be on your weight loss radar.

Through the years, there have been diet gurus who have pitched some pretty far-fetched ideas about weight loss.  Usually, it comes down to moderation.  Avoiding certain foods entirely, even the foods that “sound” fattening, may not be the best way to lose weight and keep it off.  It's confusing, I know.  But, give it some thought and decide for yourself which weight loss theories make sense to you. I think when you really start delving into this for yourself, and looking at the research, as well as using common sense, you'll start to clearly see that whole, natural foods are almost always good for you, in the proper balance, no matter what they are. Just stay away from processed foods, including sugar and white flour, and you'll be surprised how much better you feel, and how quickly you can slim down.

For more interesting research and recipes related to this topic, see these books:

   

How To Choose Healthy Foods for Good Health

Most of us are aware of the benefits of a balanced diet and healthy eating.  But being aware of the benefits is only half of the solution.  You also need to know how to choose the foods that will be best for your health.  Depending on your daily routine, you may or may not eat at home most of the time (although we hope this blog inspires you to cook from scratch as much as possible!).

Image via WikipediaTip #1: Start your day with a healthy and well balanced breakfast.  Studies have shown that people who don’t eat a full breakfast tend to seek carbohydrate-heavy snacks all throughout the day, and are more prone to gaining weight.

Eating at home usually involves more meal preparation time; this is important because preparing a good meal takes a lot more time than simply eating some junk food.  If you can afford the time to prepare your meals at home, this can dramatically increase the quality of your meals. Not only can you choose exactly what you eat, but you can choose how it is prepared and pick out the quality of the items yourself.

Tip #2: Any meal you eat, whether at home or while out should consist of all the basic food groups. Balancing proteins, starches, greens and vegetables is a key factor to a healthy diet.  Your body needs all the different food groups in order to function properly, and by balancing your meals you are ensuring your health and the quality of your life.

Tip #3: Choosing the food you eat based simply on the label at the supermarket is not always the best choice.  Sure, a low-fat or diet version of a favorite snack, treat or dessert may in some cases be a better option than the regular version, but is it really the best option? Look for healthier alternatives for snacking in between meals, such as whole-food bars and natural products, fruit and juice. It is not so much the amount you eat but rather what you eat that makes the difference. And just because something says it's "Light" doesn't make it better for you. Check and see if it contains extra artificial sweeteners or other chemical flavorings, fillers, or substitutes for the more natural ingredients in the regular version - if so, you're better off leaving it on the shelf.

Avoiding fatty foods and food with high quantities of sugar is also very important.  Choose baked food instead of fried food, and adopt this healthier alternative when cooking at home as well.

Image via WikipediaTip #4: When away from home and eating out, look for healthy alternatives.  Fast food offers convenience advantages but often has no real nutritional value.  Stuffing yourself with useless calories will fill you up momentarily, but you will soon find you are hungry again, and this can often lead to a vicious cycle, leading to high levels of junk food intake per day (and weight gain).  Choose full meals whenever possible; look for whole wheat and organic products whenever you can.  If you are on the run and need to eat as quickly as possible, look for the healthier alternatives to hotdogs and burgers.  Try natural sandwiches, wraps, or burritos made on the spot, there are many natural fast foods that can be just as quick as the conventional ones, while providing much better quality to your diet.

Is Your Body Overweight, But Starving?

We recently saw an interesting article about starvation in which the comment was made that there are really two types of starvation. One, of course, is caused by too little or no food at all. But there is another type of starvation caused by serious malnutrition, and even though the U.S. is the fattest nation on the planet, our bodies are starved for important nutrients and enzymes. It’s partly why we’re so fat, because we keep eating and eating, but we’re eating highly processed, cooked foods that have the essential components burned out of them. Cooking removes up to 80% of food’s important amino acids, fibers and vitamins.

Image via Wikipedia

It’s one reason why incorporating raw foods, or even switching to a raw foods diet makes such compelling sense. When you start eating raw foods, you’re suddenly getting all the nutrition from food that nature intended you to get. It’s the way our bodies were meant to eat, in balance with the planet. We suddenly become the vibrant, healthy beings we’re supposed to be.

But we still live in the modern world, with all its pressures and time constraints. It’s one reason why getting your whole foods from juicing is a good idea. You can still get all the fiber you need without taking the time to cut, peel or slice the food. Raw foods do take a little more time to chew and swallow and that’s a good thing. But if you don’t have the time for that, then you should consider using juices for at least a portion of your raw foods intake.

You do need to invest in a good juicer though, and that’s different from a blender. A blender can’t process the fruit peels that contain most a fruit or vegetables vitamins and enzymes. A juicer is a more high-powered appliance that will process everything – seeds and stems, peels and pulp. It’s designed to do it quickly and efficiently. They can be expensive, but there are many more options today than there used to be as this concept has gained in popularity.

Check back Friday when we will post some suggestions for finding the best juicer.

Related Articles on Raw Foods and Juicing:

• 5 Benefits Of Raw Foods And Juicing! (thelifestylechanger.wordpress.com)
• Health Benefits of Juicing (fitnesstipsforlife.com)
• Raw for 21 Days (teresastips.wordpress.com)
• Healthy Raw Food Recipes (socyberty.com)