Lately, I've received several requests for the recipe for my raw "potato" salad. The recipe is not mine, as you will be able to see in the video. Click here to see it. The only thing I changed about the original recipe is that I add more avocado and I use Celtic sea salt instead of tamari or Nama Shoyu. It's all up to the individual what they like on their dish. So here it is:
Raw Potato Salad
For the Salad
1 jicama
1 yellow bell pepper
4-5 stalks of celery
1 avocado (I use 2-3)
1-2 tbsp. of fresh rosemary minced
1 red onion thinly sliced
Put all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
For the dressing
¼ cup tahini
¼ c water
½ tsp. cumin
3 tbsp. lemon juice
4 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. tamari or Nama Shoyu
1 tsp. agave nectar
pinch of salt
pinch of chili powder
Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss until the salad is covered with the dressing.
Optional: add organic sweet relish if you don’t mind the salad not being 100% raw.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Dragon Fruit and Mango Dessert
1/2 dragon fruit diced
1 mango diced
1 tbs. mint minced
1 strawberry for garnish
1 mint sprig for garnish
Mix the dragon fruit, mango and diced mint. Garnish with strawberry and mint.
In retrospect, I would have drizzled some raw honey for added sweetness. It hits the spot on a hot day!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Introducing the Dragon Fruit
 |
| Fresh Cut Dragon Fruit |
This delicate fruit is a complete surprise - pink and green on the outside, white and black on the inside. Its consistency is that of a soft pear and it tastes like nothing I've ever tasted before.
Pick one up at you local grocery store or you can get one online. Enjoy!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Raw Food Resources
I've received many questions about where I get my recipes for raw food meals. I always say, stick to simple recipes that you can find on youtube so that it isn't overwhelming, but often times, this answer is not enough. So to satisfy the curiosity, here are the books I use.
This book by Juliano is for those who have been tinkering with raw recipes and are ready to start sprouting and dehydrating. There is a sprouting time guide and he also gives advice on what equipment to have in your kitchen.
This volume is more than a recipe book, it is a lifestyle guide. The book gets very personal with the authors sharing stories from their own lives' journeys into the raw food worls. Both of them are trained chefs in the cooked food world and transfered their skills to raw. It is entertaining to read and the recipes are works of art. I use their recipes when I am in the mood for a fancy new dish or trying new ingredients.
Now there are many other raw food recipe books that I haven't tested out yet, but I will recommend because they come with high marks or I have seen the author's work in another venue like another book, video or the internet. Here they are:
This book by Juliano is for those who have been tinkering with raw recipes and are ready to start sprouting and dehydrating. There is a sprouting time guide and he also gives advice on what equipment to have in your kitchen.
This volume is more than a recipe book, it is a lifestyle guide. The book gets very personal with the authors sharing stories from their own lives' journeys into the raw food worls. Both of them are trained chefs in the cooked food world and transfered their skills to raw. It is entertaining to read and the recipes are works of art. I use their recipes when I am in the mood for a fancy new dish or trying new ingredients.
Now there are many other raw food recipe books that I haven't tested out yet, but I will recommend because they come with high marks or I have seen the author's work in another venue like another book, video or the internet. Here they are:
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Resources for Preparing Raw Food
I just taught a class on how to prepare delicious raw food dishes. I was asked a lot of questions about where to buy some of the tools we used to slice, chop and process the food we made. So here are direct links to the tools we used.
1. The World Cuisine vegetable slicer. It is an amazing little tool that makes spaghetti-like noodles out of veggies like zucchini and beets. It is easy to clean and easy to use.
2. The food processor is an essential for anyone making meals from live food. I think Kitchen Aid has discontinued the model I have, but this one is comparable.
3. The garlic mincer I use for garlic, ginger, fresh rosemary and anything else that can fit inthere that needs mincing. It is fun to use and easy to clean!
OK, there you are; those are the secret weapons to start you on a great adventure with RAW, LIVING FOODS. Enjoy and let me know how you are using the tools.
1. The World Cuisine vegetable slicer. It is an amazing little tool that makes spaghetti-like noodles out of veggies like zucchini and beets. It is easy to clean and easy to use.
2. The food processor is an essential for anyone making meals from live food. I think Kitchen Aid has discontinued the model I have, but this one is comparable.
3. The garlic mincer I use for garlic, ginger, fresh rosemary and anything else that can fit inthere that needs mincing. It is fun to use and easy to clean!
OK, there you are; those are the secret weapons to start you on a great adventure with RAW, LIVING FOODS. Enjoy and let me know how you are using the tools.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Time flies when you are having fun!
Our family has indeed been having fun testing out new raw food recipes and learning a great deal about non-toxic living. We also just finished teaching another detox seminar which was our best one yet. We are very excited and humbled by the level of positive support from our patients and friends. But the seminars are not about us, it's about those who are looking for ways to heal their bodies from chronic diseases and the ravaging effects of prescription medication, not to mention the crappy food that we tend to put into our bodies disguised in phony labels such as: all natural, sugar free, organic, etc. Not that the labels are bad, its the deception that we are oppposed to. Anyhow, this time around, we received more interesting questions from the seminar participants. Here are the answers.
Q: Can eating too much fruit make your body/blood acidic?
A: No, unless you are eating crates of citrus fruit with no balance in your daily eating. The foods that make you most alkaline are dark green, leafy vegetables.
Q: Is the Ph level in the saliva, blood and urine the same?
A: No, they are not the same (good question) For the benefit of those of you who were not at the seminar, let me explain. During the seminar we passed out a piece of Ph testing paper to each person and they put it on their tongue to test the Ph level of their body. Ideally, this Ph test would be done with urine which is much more indicative of body Ph, but during the seminar it's just more convenient to have everyone test their saliva, as you can imagine.
Q: What is the best toothpaste to use?
A: Anything without sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Can't say exactly which one is the best, but here is link to a list of SLS-free toothpastes. We especially like anything that is flouride-free as well. We just bought Weleda Plant Gel Toothpaste http://www.dentist.net/sls-free-toothpaste.asp
Q: What is bromine used for in food?
A: It is used as a dough conditioner and also used in some citrus flavored soda.
Stay tuned over the next few days we'll be answering more questions. If you have follow up questions or comments, please post them or email them to ruth_shama@yahoo.com and I will make sure to post the requested information.
In the meantime, we want to remind you of a few events happening at the wellness center:
Q: Can eating too much fruit make your body/blood acidic?
A: No, unless you are eating crates of citrus fruit with no balance in your daily eating. The foods that make you most alkaline are dark green, leafy vegetables.
Q: Is the Ph level in the saliva, blood and urine the same?
A: No, they are not the same (good question) For the benefit of those of you who were not at the seminar, let me explain. During the seminar we passed out a piece of Ph testing paper to each person and they put it on their tongue to test the Ph level of their body. Ideally, this Ph test would be done with urine which is much more indicative of body Ph, but during the seminar it's just more convenient to have everyone test their saliva, as you can imagine.
Q: What is the best toothpaste to use?
A: Anything without sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Can't say exactly which one is the best, but here is link to a list of SLS-free toothpastes. We especially like anything that is flouride-free as well. We just bought Weleda Plant Gel Toothpaste http://www.dentist.net/sls-free-toothpaste.asp
Q: What is bromine used for in food?
A: It is used as a dough conditioner and also used in some citrus flavored soda.
Stay tuned over the next few days we'll be answering more questions. If you have follow up questions or comments, please post them or email them to ruth_shama@yahoo.com and I will make sure to post the requested information.
In the meantime, we want to remind you of a few events happening at the wellness center:
FREE Movie Screening of Food Matters
Saturday, May 22 Doors open 2:30pm Showtime 3:00pm
At our office - 19474 Rinaldi St. Northridge CA 91326
RAW Detox Seminar
Saturday, July 17
9:30am-1:00pm
$40.00 registration before May 22
$45 registration after May 22
Register online at www.stchiro.com
Friday, February 19, 2010
We're not even close to finishing!
There were so many great questions submitted during the seminar that we've taken the time to do a little research in order to answer all of them. Here we go...
Q: Acai pills? Beneficial
A: Yes, and we recommend that you add them to a nutrition plan that includes mostly fruits and vegetables.
Q: Foot detox ....body detox?
A: During the seminar, we showed everyone how to use an ion detox spa, where one soaks the feet for 30 minutes and toxins are pulled from the body via the feet. The manufacturer of the spa recommends that a person use the spa once a week. There are different spas for sale out there so if you decide to buy an ion spa, make sure you follow the manufacturer's recommended use.
We also showed a line of body products that are used for weekly detox through the skin. The line is made with ingredients from the sea. They are made by Arbonne International. This line is intended to detox the body while giving the user a spa experience at home. The set includes bath soak, body wash, body and face mask, detox oil, hair mask, a body scrub, remineralizing lotion and body gel. All of the products are botanically based and contain no toxic chemicals of any kind.
Q: Meat, can you blend?
A: Hmmmmm? yes, if you really wanted to but I don't recommend it. I want to be clear about the fact that during the three week detox a person eliminates meat from their diet completely, so it would not be a part of their blended meals.
Q: Is a blended meal only fruit/veggies?
A: Yes
Q: Carbs? What kind?
A: During the detox you can relax and enjoy your meals without counting carbs, calories, figuring out what kind of carbs to eat and not to eat. If you follow the three week detox as outlined in your handout, you will get all the nutrition you need and you will be eliminting harmful toxins out of your body.
Q: Proteins? What kind?
A: Great question. There are many ways to get protein in your diet during the detox. Here's a list.
PROTEIN IN LEGUMES: Garbanzo beans, Kidney beans, Lentils, Lima beans, Navy beans, Soybeans, Split peas
PROTEIN IN GRAINS: Barley, Brown rice, Buckwheat, Millet, Oatmeal, Quinoa, Rye, Wheat germ, Wheat, hard red, Wild rice
VEGETABLE PROTEIN: Artichokes, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Green peas, Green pepper, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard green, Onions, Potatoes, Spinach, Tomatoes, Turnip greens, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini
PROTEIN IN FRUITS: Apple, Banana, Cantaloupe, Grape, Grapefruit, Honeydew melon, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Strawberry, Tangerine, Watermelon
PROTEIN IN NUTS AND SEEDS: Almonds, Cashews, Filberts, Hemp Seeds, Peanuts, Pumpkin seeds, Sesame seeds, Sunflower seeds, Walnuts (black)
One excellent ingredient to look for is hemp seed protein. Hemp seed is a nutritious dietary source of easily digestible gluten-free protein. It provides a well-balanced array of all the amino acids, including 34.6 grams of protein for each 100 grams. The fatty acid profile of the hemp seed is extremely beneficial, containing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in a virtually ideal ratio. Other beneficial aspects of hemp seed include a strongly favorable unsaturated-to-saturated fat ratio; a high content of antioxidants; and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.
Q: Fruits to stay away from?
A: None that I can think of except if you know you are allergic to a specific fruit. If you are diabetic, you may want to check with Dr. Masoud to talk about fruits that are high in sugar content and how to manage that.
Q: Acai pills? Beneficial
A: Yes, and we recommend that you add them to a nutrition plan that includes mostly fruits and vegetables.
Q: Foot detox ....body detox?
A: During the seminar, we showed everyone how to use an ion detox spa, where one soaks the feet for 30 minutes and toxins are pulled from the body via the feet. The manufacturer of the spa recommends that a person use the spa once a week. There are different spas for sale out there so if you decide to buy an ion spa, make sure you follow the manufacturer's recommended use.
We also showed a line of body products that are used for weekly detox through the skin. The line is made with ingredients from the sea. They are made by Arbonne International. This line is intended to detox the body while giving the user a spa experience at home. The set includes bath soak, body wash, body and face mask, detox oil, hair mask, a body scrub, remineralizing lotion and body gel. All of the products are botanically based and contain no toxic chemicals of any kind.
Q: Meat, can you blend?
A: Hmmmmm? yes, if you really wanted to but I don't recommend it. I want to be clear about the fact that during the three week detox a person eliminates meat from their diet completely, so it would not be a part of their blended meals.
Q: Is a blended meal only fruit/veggies?
A: Yes
Q: Carbs? What kind?
A: During the detox you can relax and enjoy your meals without counting carbs, calories, figuring out what kind of carbs to eat and not to eat. If you follow the three week detox as outlined in your handout, you will get all the nutrition you need and you will be eliminting harmful toxins out of your body.
Q: Proteins? What kind?
A: Great question. There are many ways to get protein in your diet during the detox. Here's a list.
PROTEIN IN LEGUMES: Garbanzo beans, Kidney beans, Lentils, Lima beans, Navy beans, Soybeans, Split peas
PROTEIN IN GRAINS: Barley, Brown rice, Buckwheat, Millet, Oatmeal, Quinoa, Rye, Wheat germ, Wheat, hard red, Wild rice
VEGETABLE PROTEIN: Artichokes, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Green peas, Green pepper, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard green, Onions, Potatoes, Spinach, Tomatoes, Turnip greens, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini
PROTEIN IN FRUITS: Apple, Banana, Cantaloupe, Grape, Grapefruit, Honeydew melon, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Strawberry, Tangerine, Watermelon
PROTEIN IN NUTS AND SEEDS: Almonds, Cashews, Filberts, Hemp Seeds, Peanuts, Pumpkin seeds, Sesame seeds, Sunflower seeds, Walnuts (black)
One excellent ingredient to look for is hemp seed protein. Hemp seed is a nutritious dietary source of easily digestible gluten-free protein. It provides a well-balanced array of all the amino acids, including 34.6 grams of protein for each 100 grams. The fatty acid profile of the hemp seed is extremely beneficial, containing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in a virtually ideal ratio. Other beneficial aspects of hemp seed include a strongly favorable unsaturated-to-saturated fat ratio; a high content of antioxidants; and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.
Q: Fruits to stay away from?
A: None that I can think of except if you know you are allergic to a specific fruit. If you are diabetic, you may want to check with Dr. Masoud to talk about fruits that are high in sugar content and how to manage that.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Video of Detox Seminar
It is taking me a lot longer than I expected to answer all the questions that came up at the seminar! So in the meantime, I am posting video of the seminar so you can review the information and well....ask more questions if you need to.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
What does one eat and do during a three week detox?
During our seminar we gave out very detailed instructions on how to do a three week detox using only nutritious food. Here are some questions that arised from that discussion.
Q: Uncooked dinner/lunch?
A: Yes, during the last two weeks of the detox you will have all raw meals; that means you want to get creative with fruits and veggies. In the handout you have recipes for a morning smoothie and also for an energy soup which is a vegetable smoothie. The solid uncooked meal can be anything from a salad (but no boring iceberg please, make it interesting for yourself) to a prepared raw meal (you can get these at Wholefoods) or you may want to experiment with some recipes for a raw meal. Here is a video on how to make raw pasta marinara. It is super easy and fast to prepare.
Q: Exercise/water?
A: During the three weeks of the detox, the body will be working to push toxins out so it is normal for a person to feel a bit more tired than normal, however we highly recommend 15-30 minutes of gentle exercise (yoga, walking, Qi gong) but no strenuous excercise. Drink 2-3 liters of water a day.
Q: Intense work schedule?
A: If your job is highly demanding and your work schedule is intense, you may consider 1) is this job really worth your health? 2) how can you make your schedule less intense so that you have time to take care of your body? The beauty of the three week detox is that, for the last two weeks, you can blend your meals in the morning, put them in glass bottles and take them with you; there is no cooking, no preparing, no dishes to wash!! Remeber that you can drink as many smoothies and as much soup as necessary to keep you satisfied. No calorie counting, no carb counting, just enjoy your meals.
Q: What to do for caffeine/energy?
A: The whole point of doing the detox is to kick the caffeine addiction. You will feel much more energetic after you finish the detox, if you have followed the steps appropriately. The body is not designed to get energy from caffeine or another substance, it is designed to get its energy from the food that we eat. It is unfortunate that the foods available to us are so poor in real nutrients and so high in addictive substances. Substitute a cup of coffee with a tall glass of energy soup! If you really miss the taste and warmth of coffee, I sugegs you try Celestial Seasonings Roastaroma tea. It smells like chocolate at first and if you let it brew a few minutes, it will resemble a cup of coffee. This saved me personally from my own addiction to caffeine.
Q: Coffee substitute?
A. Roastaroma, like I mentioned. There is also a tea called Yerba Mate. It is less like coffee but it does have a bit of resemblance.
Q: Smoothie = how many oz.? Ice?
A: Drink as much as it takes to satisfy you. We don't recommend ice because it is best to keep the internal body temperature balanced, although if you are using frozen fruit in your smoothie you are getting a bit of a chill already.
Q: What is a blended meal?
A: A blended meal is a smoothie or a soup of blended vegetables. Yes, you will need a powerful blender because carrots, beets and turnips don't blend so easy, but we managed to find a really good industrial type blender at Target for $60.00. There are some pretty expensive machines out there, but for anyone doing the detox or just beginning to prepare raw food, we found the inexpensive blender works just fine.
Q: Uncooked dinner/lunch?
A: Yes, during the last two weeks of the detox you will have all raw meals; that means you want to get creative with fruits and veggies. In the handout you have recipes for a morning smoothie and also for an energy soup which is a vegetable smoothie. The solid uncooked meal can be anything from a salad (but no boring iceberg please, make it interesting for yourself) to a prepared raw meal (you can get these at Wholefoods) or you may want to experiment with some recipes for a raw meal. Here is a video on how to make raw pasta marinara. It is super easy and fast to prepare.
Q: Exercise/water?
A: During the three weeks of the detox, the body will be working to push toxins out so it is normal for a person to feel a bit more tired than normal, however we highly recommend 15-30 minutes of gentle exercise (yoga, walking, Qi gong) but no strenuous excercise. Drink 2-3 liters of water a day.
Q: Intense work schedule?
A: If your job is highly demanding and your work schedule is intense, you may consider 1) is this job really worth your health? 2) how can you make your schedule less intense so that you have time to take care of your body? The beauty of the three week detox is that, for the last two weeks, you can blend your meals in the morning, put them in glass bottles and take them with you; there is no cooking, no preparing, no dishes to wash!! Remeber that you can drink as many smoothies and as much soup as necessary to keep you satisfied. No calorie counting, no carb counting, just enjoy your meals.
Q: What to do for caffeine/energy?
A: The whole point of doing the detox is to kick the caffeine addiction. You will feel much more energetic after you finish the detox, if you have followed the steps appropriately. The body is not designed to get energy from caffeine or another substance, it is designed to get its energy from the food that we eat. It is unfortunate that the foods available to us are so poor in real nutrients and so high in addictive substances. Substitute a cup of coffee with a tall glass of energy soup! If you really miss the taste and warmth of coffee, I sugegs you try Celestial Seasonings Roastaroma tea. It smells like chocolate at first and if you let it brew a few minutes, it will resemble a cup of coffee. This saved me personally from my own addiction to caffeine.
Q: Coffee substitute?
A. Roastaroma, like I mentioned. There is also a tea called Yerba Mate. It is less like coffee but it does have a bit of resemblance.
Q: Smoothie = how many oz.? Ice?
A: Drink as much as it takes to satisfy you. We don't recommend ice because it is best to keep the internal body temperature balanced, although if you are using frozen fruit in your smoothie you are getting a bit of a chill already.
Q: What is a blended meal?
A: A blended meal is a smoothie or a soup of blended vegetables. Yes, you will need a powerful blender because carrots, beets and turnips don't blend so easy, but we managed to find a really good industrial type blender at Target for $60.00. There are some pretty expensive machines out there, but for anyone doing the detox or just beginning to prepare raw food, we found the inexpensive blender works just fine.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Other interesting questions
Q: Trader Joe's detox vs. Wholefoods detox
A: Hmmm...neither Dr. Masoud or I have tried these detox methods so we can't speak from personal expeience. I personally have tried herbal detox formulas and I have had mediocre results in comparison to the three week detox we taught at the seminar. The herbal fomulas are great for cleansing the bowels and in some cases the liver and gall bladder, however it doesn't help with overcoming addictions to toxic foods. These formulas should be used on a seasonal basis as they contain an herb called cascara sagrada which helps to move the bowels, but if it is used too often the bowels get used to the herb doing the work for them and after going off the herbs the bowels will take a log time to start moving properly on their own.
Q: Colon/fiber pills?
A: At the seminar we mentioned a colon cleanse from Arbonne that can be used seasonally. These pills are similar to detox formula. If you are needing more fiber in your diet we suggest green leafy vegetables and other vegetables high in fiber instead of pills. Your body will make good use of all the nutrition and bowel movements will become more regular. One great way to clear your colon is to start having Energy Soup once a day. The recipe for the soup is in the handout from the seminar.
Q: Dark/cocoa chocolate? Trader Joe's brand?
A: We have all heard of the great antioxidant properties in cacao, right? Here's the key, you won't get all the great nutrition unless you are using RAW CACAO. No processed chocolate will have the high antioxidant nutrition that you will get from raw cacao. You gotta trust us on this. We hope you can come to the next seminar in April; we will have chocolate made from raw cacao for everyone to test out. It is truly heavenly. See the detail below for the details of the next seminar.
Q: Where can you buy raw cacao?
A: Wholefoods or online at sunfood.com. Here is a great educational video on the benefits of raw cacao.
A: Hmmm...neither Dr. Masoud or I have tried these detox methods so we can't speak from personal expeience. I personally have tried herbal detox formulas and I have had mediocre results in comparison to the three week detox we taught at the seminar. The herbal fomulas are great for cleansing the bowels and in some cases the liver and gall bladder, however it doesn't help with overcoming addictions to toxic foods. These formulas should be used on a seasonal basis as they contain an herb called cascara sagrada which helps to move the bowels, but if it is used too often the bowels get used to the herb doing the work for them and after going off the herbs the bowels will take a log time to start moving properly on their own.
Q: Colon/fiber pills?
A: At the seminar we mentioned a colon cleanse from Arbonne that can be used seasonally. These pills are similar to detox formula. If you are needing more fiber in your diet we suggest green leafy vegetables and other vegetables high in fiber instead of pills. Your body will make good use of all the nutrition and bowel movements will become more regular. One great way to clear your colon is to start having Energy Soup once a day. The recipe for the soup is in the handout from the seminar.
Q: Dark/cocoa chocolate? Trader Joe's brand?
A: We have all heard of the great antioxidant properties in cacao, right? Here's the key, you won't get all the great nutrition unless you are using RAW CACAO. No processed chocolate will have the high antioxidant nutrition that you will get from raw cacao. You gotta trust us on this. We hope you can come to the next seminar in April; we will have chocolate made from raw cacao for everyone to test out. It is truly heavenly. See the detail below for the details of the next seminar.
Q: Where can you buy raw cacao?
A: Wholefoods or online at sunfood.com. Here is a great educational video on the benefits of raw cacao.
RAW DETOX SEMINAR
Presented by Soft Touch Chiropractic and Acupuncture
April 3, 2010
9:30am - 12:30pm
Register online at http://www.stchiro.com/
$20 before April 2 and $25 at the door
818-831-0100
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Acidic vs. Alkaline
Q: What do you mean by acidic environment? What do you mean by alkaline environment?
A: The environment is our body and the pH in the body can be either acidic or alkaline. Our bodies function best when it is more alkaline; so we want to favor foods that the will keep the pH of the body more alkaline than acidic.
Q: Can certain foods help to make blood less acid and make hemoglobin flow freely?
A: Yes! Thank goodness! During our seminar you saw a video of red blood cells in a very acidic environment. The cells were stuck together like rolls of coins (not a good thing at all). The blood of the subject becomes more alkaline over time and the cells begin to flow freely. The subject was on a daily dose or goji berries. Other foods that help the body stay alkaline are green leafy vegetables, preferably fresh rather than cooked. The superfoods listed on the handout you received at the seminar are also very good to keep you alkaline. To prevent acidity stay away from meat and dairy.
Q: What do you mean by oxidation?
A: Oxidation is when the body produces free radicals due to the escape of an extra electron in a cell. The electron that escaped is called a free radical. When the free radical attaches itself to a cell, it oxidizes it, thus damaging it. Oxidation is similar to burning. The escape is caused by a chemical reaction in the body. This happens all the time. Our bodies naturally have antioxidants that combat free radicals, but when our bodies are more acidic the number of antioxidants decreases so the ratio of antioxidants to free raticals is in the favor of free radicals. This is why it is important to stay alkaline and eat foods rich in antioxidants.
Q: What is the best brand of bottled water; should we pay attention to the pH of the water.
A: If you are traveling and have no other choice but bottled water, we recommend that you choose water that comes in a glass bottle. If you can find glacier water in a glass bottle, it's even better. At home we recommend you boil water, let it cool and then filter it. Yes, the pH of the water is important. You want to choose water that is more alkaline. Unfortunately, much of the bottled water available tends to be acidic.
A: The environment is our body and the pH in the body can be either acidic or alkaline. Our bodies function best when it is more alkaline; so we want to favor foods that the will keep the pH of the body more alkaline than acidic.
Q: Can certain foods help to make blood less acid and make hemoglobin flow freely?
A: Yes! Thank goodness! During our seminar you saw a video of red blood cells in a very acidic environment. The cells were stuck together like rolls of coins (not a good thing at all). The blood of the subject becomes more alkaline over time and the cells begin to flow freely. The subject was on a daily dose or goji berries. Other foods that help the body stay alkaline are green leafy vegetables, preferably fresh rather than cooked. The superfoods listed on the handout you received at the seminar are also very good to keep you alkaline. To prevent acidity stay away from meat and dairy.
Q: What do you mean by oxidation?
A: Oxidation is when the body produces free radicals due to the escape of an extra electron in a cell. The electron that escaped is called a free radical. When the free radical attaches itself to a cell, it oxidizes it, thus damaging it. Oxidation is similar to burning. The escape is caused by a chemical reaction in the body. This happens all the time. Our bodies naturally have antioxidants that combat free radicals, but when our bodies are more acidic the number of antioxidants decreases so the ratio of antioxidants to free raticals is in the favor of free radicals. This is why it is important to stay alkaline and eat foods rich in antioxidants.
Q: What is the best brand of bottled water; should we pay attention to the pH of the water.
A: If you are traveling and have no other choice but bottled water, we recommend that you choose water that comes in a glass bottle. If you can find glacier water in a glass bottle, it's even better. At home we recommend you boil water, let it cool and then filter it. Yes, the pH of the water is important. You want to choose water that is more alkaline. Unfortunately, much of the bottled water available tends to be acidic.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Great Questions on Nutrition
Q: Other than salmon, what is the best way to get omega 3 fats for our body?
A: Flax is a great way to get omega 3. The oil is easy to use as a salad dressing. The seeds can be put into your cereal. If you have a dehydrator here's a quick and easy recipe for crackers. Some of you had these at the seminar:
Q: Are artificial sweetners such as aspartame worse or better than sugar?
A. Worse. Our bodies are not meant to digest chemicals such as aspartame which is in artificial sweeteners and diet soda. The word "artificial" gives the indication that nature did not intend for us to ingest it. In the case of aspartame, its original use was for chemical warfare. Some far superior alternatives to sugar are stevia, xylitol and agave nectar; these are all considered superfoods.
Q: Doesn't lack of iodine cause goiters? So if we shouldn't eat iodized salt then is there a brand of iodized salt, that is good for us? (w/o the chemicals)
A: You are correct, iodine is essential for our health. In the case of table salt, the problem is what is not in it as much as what is in it. What is not in it are the vital minerals that are taken from it; what it does have is chlorine, sometimes sugar and other toxins. Celtic sea salt is rich in minerals, it contains some iodine, but not significant amounts. If you have a personal concern about getting enough iodine in your diet, you can supplement with liquid iodine or eat seaweed (e.g. kelp) or fish once a week. We personally like to have raw kelp noodles with a pesto sauce once a week. You can learn more specifics on iodine here: http://www.healthyeatingclub.com/info/articles/Minerals/iodine.htm
Q: Is sprouted bread good for you?
A: If you absolutely must have bread, sprouted flourless bread is much better than regular wheat bread. The reason why sprouted bread is better is because the sprouted grains and legumes used for the bread contain more minerals and vitamins as they become alive in the sprouting process. Many sprouted breads are made from organically grown grains which is really the best. For the purposes of the detox, we recommend that all breads are eliminted; we personally chose to permanently eliminate all breads out of our diet because all the nutrition we get comes from the fruits, vegetables and superfoods we consume. We sometimes make raw bread which takes care of our need for a heftier meal.
Q: Are steel cut oats good for you?
A: Yes, they are better for you than instant oats or boxed cereal. Instant oats have their nutrition stripped from them in the processing and flavored instant aotmeal contains lots of sugar and sodium. Steel cut outs take a little longer to cook, but they are better nutritiously. They are also very versatile, you can have them with just about any kind of fruit, agave nectar or xylitol for a sweet flavoring, nuts, dates or raisins.
Q: Why no dairy? If so, what kind?
A: For the purposes of the detox, it is essential that all animal products be eliminated from a diet. We personally have not found any dairy products that are essential for daily nutrition. Much of the dairy products available come from animals that have been treated with hormones and antibiotics which in turn end up in the products people consume; those are toxins that the body sometimes holds onto for months or years. This can lead to serious health problems.
Q: How effective are liquid iron supplements?
A: Very effective.
A: Flax is a great way to get omega 3. The oil is easy to use as a salad dressing. The seeds can be put into your cereal. If you have a dehydrator here's a quick and easy recipe for crackers. Some of you had these at the seminar:
- Soak flax seeds for 8 hours minimum
- The seeds will produce a bit of oil and they will be pasty after soaking
- Add braggs aminos and fresh lemon juice to taste
- Place the mixture on dehydrator sheets and dehydrate at 105 degrees overnight.
Q: Are artificial sweetners such as aspartame worse or better than sugar?
A. Worse. Our bodies are not meant to digest chemicals such as aspartame which is in artificial sweeteners and diet soda. The word "artificial" gives the indication that nature did not intend for us to ingest it. In the case of aspartame, its original use was for chemical warfare. Some far superior alternatives to sugar are stevia, xylitol and agave nectar; these are all considered superfoods.
Q: Doesn't lack of iodine cause goiters? So if we shouldn't eat iodized salt then is there a brand of iodized salt, that is good for us? (w/o the chemicals)
A: You are correct, iodine is essential for our health. In the case of table salt, the problem is what is not in it as much as what is in it. What is not in it are the vital minerals that are taken from it; what it does have is chlorine, sometimes sugar and other toxins. Celtic sea salt is rich in minerals, it contains some iodine, but not significant amounts. If you have a personal concern about getting enough iodine in your diet, you can supplement with liquid iodine or eat seaweed (e.g. kelp) or fish once a week. We personally like to have raw kelp noodles with a pesto sauce once a week. You can learn more specifics on iodine here: http://www.healthyeatingclub.com/info/articles/Minerals/iodine.htm
Q: Is sprouted bread good for you?
A: If you absolutely must have bread, sprouted flourless bread is much better than regular wheat bread. The reason why sprouted bread is better is because the sprouted grains and legumes used for the bread contain more minerals and vitamins as they become alive in the sprouting process. Many sprouted breads are made from organically grown grains which is really the best. For the purposes of the detox, we recommend that all breads are eliminted; we personally chose to permanently eliminate all breads out of our diet because all the nutrition we get comes from the fruits, vegetables and superfoods we consume. We sometimes make raw bread which takes care of our need for a heftier meal.
Q: Are steel cut oats good for you?
A: Yes, they are better for you than instant oats or boxed cereal. Instant oats have their nutrition stripped from them in the processing and flavored instant aotmeal contains lots of sugar and sodium. Steel cut outs take a little longer to cook, but they are better nutritiously. They are also very versatile, you can have them with just about any kind of fruit, agave nectar or xylitol for a sweet flavoring, nuts, dates or raisins.
Q: Why no dairy? If so, what kind?
A: For the purposes of the detox, it is essential that all animal products be eliminated from a diet. We personally have not found any dairy products that are essential for daily nutrition. Much of the dairy products available come from animals that have been treated with hormones and antibiotics which in turn end up in the products people consume; those are toxins that the body sometimes holds onto for months or years. This can lead to serious health problems.
Q: How effective are liquid iron supplements?
A: Very effective.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
More on gastrointestinal matters, etc.
One of the most important subjects during our seminar was the cleansing of the bowels. Here are some questions on the subject.
Q: What is GI?
A: Gastrointestinal
Q: You mentioned that the intestines, when not cleaned, our body cannot absorb nutrients; don't we get our nutrients through the blood?
A: Yes, and the way nutrients get into the blood is through the intestinal walls. So if your intestinal walls are lined with old undigested food and toxins (and the average person carries between 5-22 lbs. of undigested matter) then the body has a harder time absorbing nutrients into the blood stream for them to be carried throughout the body.
Q: How often should we do an enema?
A: This depends on your current health condition, age, and other factors. We recommend that each person speak with Dr. Masoud to get a recommendation on how often it can be done. During the seminar we recommended that the 3-week detox and the enemas be done with the chage of every season.
Q: How often do you do a nostril enema?
A: The syringe we introduced at the seminar is called a nasal irrigator. For those who suffer from allergies or other sinus problems, the manufacturer recommends daily use. The syringe we brought to the seminar was the Nasaline Nasal Irrigator. We found ours at Wholefoods.
Q: How is the saline syringe different than using a neti pot?
A: The results of using the syringe and the neti pot may be the same. The difference between the two is that the syringe uses the force of the syringe itself to force the water into and out of the nostrils; the neti pot uses the force of gravity.
Click or copy and paste the following link to RSVP to the screening. Seating is limited so please reserve your seat today. http://simplyraw.bravenewtheaters.com/screening/show/13609
Hope to see you there!
Q: What is GI?
A: Gastrointestinal
Q: You mentioned that the intestines, when not cleaned, our body cannot absorb nutrients; don't we get our nutrients through the blood?
A: Yes, and the way nutrients get into the blood is through the intestinal walls. So if your intestinal walls are lined with old undigested food and toxins (and the average person carries between 5-22 lbs. of undigested matter) then the body has a harder time absorbing nutrients into the blood stream for them to be carried throughout the body.
Q: How often should we do an enema?
A: This depends on your current health condition, age, and other factors. We recommend that each person speak with Dr. Masoud to get a recommendation on how often it can be done. During the seminar we recommended that the 3-week detox and the enemas be done with the chage of every season.
Q: How often do you do a nostril enema?
A: The syringe we introduced at the seminar is called a nasal irrigator. For those who suffer from allergies or other sinus problems, the manufacturer recommends daily use. The syringe we brought to the seminar was the Nasaline Nasal Irrigator. We found ours at Wholefoods.
Q: How is the saline syringe different than using a neti pot?
A: The results of using the syringe and the neti pot may be the same. The difference between the two is that the syringe uses the force of the syringe itself to force the water into and out of the nostrils; the neti pot uses the force of gravity.
Just as a reminder to all of you who attended the seminar, Soft Touch is hosting a screening of the movie:
Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days
Saturday, February 13 at 3:00pm
19474 Rinaldi St. Northridge 91326
Click or copy and paste the following link to RSVP to the screening. Seating is limited so please reserve your seat today. http://simplyraw.bravenewtheaters.com/screening/show/13609
Hope to see you there!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
What is NLP?
During our last seminar, I briefly talked about NLP and my Life Coaching practice. Here are some questions that were raised about the subject:
Q: You mentioned NLP, what does that stand for?
A: Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Q: What is NLP?
A: This is always a fun question to answer. As an NLP practitioner it is challenging to put into one simple sentence the definition of NLP. Below is a definition that is lengthy, but very descriptive. NLP is the process I use in my Life Coaching practice to guide a client to personal successes. NLP can be used to learn to communicate effectively, enhance personal or business relationships, effectively resolve inner and outer conflict, overcome obstacles, and deal with stress, overcome phobias, fears; overcome food addictions and many other personal challenges. Because there are many branches of NLP, it is important to note that not all NLP practitioners use all the same processes, but their practices are based on the same bases upon which NLP was founded.
NLP stands for Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a name that encompasses the three most influential components involved in producing human experience: neurology, language and programming. The neurological system regulates how our bodies function, language determines how we interface and communicate with other people and our programming determines the kinds of models of the world we create. Neuro-Linguistic Programming describes the fundamental dynamics between mind (neuro) and language (linguistic) and how their interplay effects our body and behavior (programming).
NLP is a pragmatic school of thought - an 'epistemology' - that addresses the many levels involved in being human. NLP is a multi-dimensional process that involves the development of behavioral competence and flexibility, but also involves strategic thinking and an understanding of the mental and cognitive processes behind behavior. NLP provides tools and skills for the development of states of individual excellence, but it also establishes a system of empowering beliefs and presuppositions about what human beings are, what communication is and what the process of change is all about. At another level, NLP is about self-discovery, exploring identity and mission. It also provides a framework for understanding and relating to the 'spiritual' part of human experience that reaches beyond us as individuals to our family, community and global systems. NLP is not only about competence and excellence; it is about wisdom and vision.
See this page for more details on NLP: http://www.nlpu.com/whatnlp.htm
Q: Explain more why people hold on to food they know is bad for them.
A: There could be a number of reasons why people hold on to food they know is bad for them. One reason may be that they have substituted an emotional connection with the food they are addicted to, so they use a particular food to meet an emotional or relational need. Another reason why people hold on to toxic food or toxic habits is because they have not felt enough pain to give it up, whether it is emotional or physical pain. Whenever a person feels enough pain to run away from what is causing the pain, they simply do it. If they are convinced that they no longer want to live in pain, they just quit eating or doing what is causing the pain. One last reason is because they are chemically addicted to the food itself so it is like a drug. The body chemically "asks" for the food. The more the body receives satisfaction from the addicting food, the more the brain associates pleasure with that food and the body will continue to crave it and ask for it. Sugar is a classic example of an addictive food that causes a tremendous amount of pleasure and so it is tougher to give up. Salt (which also has sugar in it, in the form of dextrose) is pleasurable to the palate so there is no pain associated with it. Cheese is also a highly addictive food, due to the casomorphine in it, which is a morphine-like substance which causes a "high" in the body. Rice and pasta, because of their high sugar content, are highly addictive. We recommend two things to overcome food addictions: 1) Begin detoxifying the body with raw fruits and vegetables and 2) See an NLP practitioner to emotionally detach from any toxic foods or habits.
We will talk more extensively about raw foods at our next seminar.
Q: You mentioned NLP, what does that stand for?
A: Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Q: What is NLP?
A: This is always a fun question to answer. As an NLP practitioner it is challenging to put into one simple sentence the definition of NLP. Below is a definition that is lengthy, but very descriptive. NLP is the process I use in my Life Coaching practice to guide a client to personal successes. NLP can be used to learn to communicate effectively, enhance personal or business relationships, effectively resolve inner and outer conflict, overcome obstacles, and deal with stress, overcome phobias, fears; overcome food addictions and many other personal challenges. Because there are many branches of NLP, it is important to note that not all NLP practitioners use all the same processes, but their practices are based on the same bases upon which NLP was founded.
NLP stands for Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a name that encompasses the three most influential components involved in producing human experience: neurology, language and programming. The neurological system regulates how our bodies function, language determines how we interface and communicate with other people and our programming determines the kinds of models of the world we create. Neuro-Linguistic Programming describes the fundamental dynamics between mind (neuro) and language (linguistic) and how their interplay effects our body and behavior (programming).
NLP is a pragmatic school of thought - an 'epistemology' - that addresses the many levels involved in being human. NLP is a multi-dimensional process that involves the development of behavioral competence and flexibility, but also involves strategic thinking and an understanding of the mental and cognitive processes behind behavior. NLP provides tools and skills for the development of states of individual excellence, but it also establishes a system of empowering beliefs and presuppositions about what human beings are, what communication is and what the process of change is all about. At another level, NLP is about self-discovery, exploring identity and mission. It also provides a framework for understanding and relating to the 'spiritual' part of human experience that reaches beyond us as individuals to our family, community and global systems. NLP is not only about competence and excellence; it is about wisdom and vision.
See this page for more details on NLP: http://www.nlpu.com/whatnlp.htm
Q: Explain more why people hold on to food they know is bad for them.
A: There could be a number of reasons why people hold on to food they know is bad for them. One reason may be that they have substituted an emotional connection with the food they are addicted to, so they use a particular food to meet an emotional or relational need. Another reason why people hold on to toxic food or toxic habits is because they have not felt enough pain to give it up, whether it is emotional or physical pain. Whenever a person feels enough pain to run away from what is causing the pain, they simply do it. If they are convinced that they no longer want to live in pain, they just quit eating or doing what is causing the pain. One last reason is because they are chemically addicted to the food itself so it is like a drug. The body chemically "asks" for the food. The more the body receives satisfaction from the addicting food, the more the brain associates pleasure with that food and the body will continue to crave it and ask for it. Sugar is a classic example of an addictive food that causes a tremendous amount of pleasure and so it is tougher to give up. Salt (which also has sugar in it, in the form of dextrose) is pleasurable to the palate so there is no pain associated with it. Cheese is also a highly addictive food, due to the casomorphine in it, which is a morphine-like substance which causes a "high" in the body. Rice and pasta, because of their high sugar content, are highly addictive. We recommend two things to overcome food addictions: 1) Begin detoxifying the body with raw fruits and vegetables and 2) See an NLP practitioner to emotionally detach from any toxic foods or habits.
We will talk more extensively about raw foods at our next seminar.
Raw Detox Seminar
Presented by Soft Touch Chiropractic and Acupuncture
April 3, 2010
9:30am - 12:30pm
19474 Rinaldi St. Northridge, CA 91326
Register online
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
More on ORAC
Q: What is ORAC?
A: ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity.
Q: What foods have the most ORAC?
A: Superfoods score the highest is the ORAC measurement. Foods like goji berries and deep seas minerals have a very high ORAC measurement.
Q: What apple has the most ORAC?
A: The apple, although a great food, is not in the highest ranked foods by ORAC measurement. However, we have seen comparisons that show that the Red Delicious scores higher than a Granny Smith or a Gala. There are so many types of apples, we encourage you to do more research and share your finding, maybe there is a higher scoring apple than the Red Delicious out there.
A: ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity.
Q: What foods have the most ORAC?
A: Superfoods score the highest is the ORAC measurement. Foods like goji berries and deep seas minerals have a very high ORAC measurement.
Q: What apple has the most ORAC?
A: The apple, although a great food, is not in the highest ranked foods by ORAC measurement. However, we have seen comparisons that show that the Red Delicious scores higher than a Granny Smith or a Gala. There are so many types of apples, we encourage you to do more research and share your finding, maybe there is a higher scoring apple than the Red Delicious out there.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Answers to Your Questions
We received some great questions during our last seminar. Here are just a few answers to start. There were so many that we will be answering over the next several days. The questions are not in any particular order, but we have categorized them by subject. We have also kept the questions in their original form as they were written and have not changed them.
Q: What is Qi gong?
A: See the entry on this blog dated Friday, August 28, 2009, for a detailed description.
Q: How often should the Qi gong exercises be done in order to be beneficial?
A: We suggest the exercises be done daily.
Q: How often do you do the foot detox?
A: This depends on the type of machine you use. The particular machine used during the seminar comes with instructions to use no more than once a week.
Q: How long do you do the foot detox?
A. The duration of one detox session is 30 minutes. For how long you regularly detox with the foot bath machine depends on the machine and your health. Once a week for a few months at a time is safe. If you buy a machine for your personal use, follow the instructions and recommendations included with the equipment.
Q: On the screenings you mentioned, please explain more about the screenings?
A: The free screenings will be the showing of a movie in its entirety at our office. We showed trailers for four movies at the seminar: Raw for 30 Days; Big Bucks, Big Pharma; Food Inc. and Food Matters.
Q: Are screenings more in depth then what was shown at the seminar?
A: Yes. See above. If you are interested in attending a screening please post a comment.
Have a great week everyone!
Q: What is Qi gong?
A: See the entry on this blog dated Friday, August 28, 2009, for a detailed description.
Q: How often should the Qi gong exercises be done in order to be beneficial?
A: We suggest the exercises be done daily.
Q: How often do you do the foot detox?
A: This depends on the type of machine you use. The particular machine used during the seminar comes with instructions to use no more than once a week.
Q: How long do you do the foot detox?
A. The duration of one detox session is 30 minutes. For how long you regularly detox with the foot bath machine depends on the machine and your health. Once a week for a few months at a time is safe. If you buy a machine for your personal use, follow the instructions and recommendations included with the equipment.
Q: On the screenings you mentioned, please explain more about the screenings?
A: The free screenings will be the showing of a movie in its entirety at our office. We showed trailers for four movies at the seminar: Raw for 30 Days; Big Bucks, Big Pharma; Food Inc. and Food Matters.
Q: Are screenings more in depth then what was shown at the seminar?
A: Yes. See above. If you are interested in attending a screening please post a comment.
Have a great week everyone!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Detoxing In the New Year
Although detoxing isn't at the top of most people's resolutions lists, our family is doing its best to help others learn how important it is to detox as well as practical ways to detox. My husband and I taught yet another successful seminar this past Saturday. The turn out was fantastic, the participants were curious and we all learned and shared new information.
We are using this blog to answer questions that came up during the seminar. Because we had so many great questions, it will take us a few entry blogs to answer them all in a satisfactory manner.
You are welcome to read through past entries on this blog. There is a great deal of helpful information from a past seminar here already. We encourage you to share this blog with anyone you wish. Lastly you are invited to come back and bring your friends and family members to our next seminar on Saturday, April 3. Some of the information will be the same and some may be different so please join us.
If you register to follow this blog, you will automatically receive notification of updates (click on the "follow" link on the right. If you have follow up questions or comments, please click on the comment link below this entry to post.
We wish you a healthy and prosperous 2010. To your health.
We are using this blog to answer questions that came up during the seminar. Because we had so many great questions, it will take us a few entry blogs to answer them all in a satisfactory manner.
You are welcome to read through past entries on this blog. There is a great deal of helpful information from a past seminar here already. We encourage you to share this blog with anyone you wish. Lastly you are invited to come back and bring your friends and family members to our next seminar on Saturday, April 3. Some of the information will be the same and some may be different so please join us.
If you register to follow this blog, you will automatically receive notification of updates (click on the "follow" link on the right. If you have follow up questions or comments, please click on the comment link below this entry to post.
We wish you a healthy and prosperous 2010. To your health.
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