Yes, You Are What You Eat

"Explore the Vegetarian Chef in YOU!"

A Word about Water

They say, "you are what you eat", and if so, then water must be one of the most important aspects of our diet. Right?

It is a sad commentary on life in these United States in the Twenty First Century that our water is no longer really pure and safe to drink. In addition to the Pharmaceuticals and Teflon reported by the New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Tribune, to be found in the aquifer in measurable amounts; there are 200 different chemicals in our water supply, including PCB's, and Mercury.

Yes, that is scary. It is why we recommend that you use bottled Spring Water from a spring you have tested and trust or RO water in the preparation of the foods you eat and the beverages you drink.

Additionally, and equally as important. Please check out the work of Dr. Emoto. PhD. and the impact of an attitude of gratitude on its crystalline structure.

RO Water: There are both under the sink and on the counter models as well as whole house models of Reverse Osmosis machinery. There are also several companies that process water and bottle it using this method of purification.

Distilled Water: "You are what you eat" and it is also our understanding that distilled water leaches vital minerals from the body, which if you are dealing with an overabundance of copper or other minerals in your system can be a good thing. However, given that our soil base has, and has had, little if any naturally occurring mineral content since the middle of the last century, that can be a dangerous way to purify the water you cook with and drink. Proper mineral balance is essential to the proper function of the body.

A Word about Superfoods like Acai (ah-sigh-ee)

Superfoods come in all shapes and sizes and in this case, colors. This one is the purple berry from Brazil known as "Acai".

According to Sambazon, one of the world's #1 sources of ORGANIC Acai Fruit & Juice, "Acai is the fruit that's making believers of world-class athletes and health-conscious people everywhere. Grown in the Amazon rainforest, Acai is truly a gift from Mother Nature. It has a rich, berry-cocoa flavor that makes it taste amazing, and its packed with more antioxidants than blueberries or pomegranates, plus loads of healthy Omega fats, protein and dietary fiber."

Sambazon PowerScoopTM is Portable Purple Power-to boost whatever you're eating or drinking with pure organic açaí. Powerscoop is especially great for travel to make sure you're getting your daily dose of acai's wholefood nutrition-antioxidants, omega fats, fiber and protein. Use powerscoop like you would a protein powder, adding it to yogurt, water, milk, juice or a smoothie.

Acai is a great addition to just about any juice recipe! For more juicing ideas and a free collection of Juice Recipes and great articles, go to Juicer-Reviews-and-Recipes.com.

Want more live superfood options? Live Superfoods is a purveyor of raw, organic, vegan foods. They also offer complementary foods, whole food supplements and personal care products from the industry's finest suppliers. Click here to learn about LiveSuperfoods.com.

A Word about Fiber

Dietary fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes and it is known to prevent and relieve constipation. But fiber can provide many other health benefits.

We have found a great website called "High-Fiber-Health.com" dedicated to promoting the benefits of a high fiber diet. Check it out, you'll be glad you did!

A Word about Salt

Table Salt, Kosher Salt, Sea Salt - Not all salt is just salt.

Next time you are in the Supermarket take the time to read the ingredient list on the boxes of salt on the shelves. You may be surprised to find what else is in some of those containers. And you may want to ask yourself if you really want to consume its contents and serve it to your family and guests.

A Word about Artificial Sweeteners

Please read and understand the history of Aspartame

• NutraSweet
• Sweet and Low
• Equal

A Word about Agave and Stevia

Both of these substances are naturally occurring and do not impact the physiology of the body in negative ways.

Agave is a sweetener derived from the cactus plants of the same name and have been used for centuries by the peoples indigenous to the southwest United States and Central America.

There used to be a huge political controversy surrounding Stevia which had been instigated by Monsanto to protect its Aspartame product and not based on medical findings at all. There was so much political clout held by that corporation that Stevia, even though it is a naturally ocurring low carbohydrate substance, 300 times sweeter than Sucrose, which does not effect the body in any negative ways, was banned from being sold commercially here in the United States. It could only be sold-and spoken-of as a dietary supplement instead. Thankfully that ruling has been overturned and while you can still find it in health food stores, it is now also available in supermarkets and being marketed on commercial TV. Now, that's a 'win' for the good guys!

A Word about High Fructose Corn Syrup and Fructose

Recent articles have been published in well respected medical journals indicating that high fructose corn syrup turns off the mechanism in the brain which tells the body when it has achieved satiation, thereby contributing to the nation's overweight and obesity issues which result in Type II Diabetes and various heart conditions.

Our friends at Diet and Exercise for Health say that too much sugar is bad for your health, immune system, and puts you at risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Take control of your sweet tooth and be healthy!