Health Benefits of Jerusalem Artichoke

Today I found myself outside in 40 degree weather pulling Jerusalem Artichoke tubers out of the ground. As I was in the midst of pulling, small raindrops started coming down, making it almost hard to bear! At that point, I had to remind myself why I was pulling these in the first place.

This amazing plant is one of the oldest medicinal plants used as a natural remedy, dating back to fourth century B.C., and was used to treat liver disorders and jaundice. Jerusalem Artichoke actually comes from the Sunflower family and has many nicknames, including Sunroot, Earth Apple, and Sunchoke. It grows up to ten feet tall and appears very similar to a sunflower stalk. When you pull these in the fall, you will see the roots and tubers as white, red or purple. They resemble a potato, and are extremely tasty! 

Jerusalem Artichoke can be cut up and eaten raw on salads, can be steamed or boiled, or added to soups or stews. These tasty tubers contain many different vitamins and minerals, including:
Vitamin A, B-vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, and many more! The leaf provides many more nutrients and added benefits as well, and is even said to be more medicinal and potent than the tubers. As you can see, both are packed with nutrients and provide a great food for the entrance into the winter season.





There are also many different benefits that this food brings, including:

• Regulates energy usage
• Supports healthy heart function
• Supports and nourishes the muscular system
• Supports nervous system
• Reduces fatigue
• Lowers chances of infections
• Supports healthy hair and nails 
• Decreases the risk of depression
• Improves digestion
• Helps with liver function (extremely good for the liver)
• Significantly lowers LDL (AKA bad) cholesterol

Jerusalem Artichoke offers a great list of benefits, and is especially good for the liver and cardiovascular system (especially the tincture of the leaf).

I love to eat any root vegetable during the early winter months, and all throughout the winter too. They are not only beneficial foods, but they also provide warmth for these very cold months to come!

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Svea is a traditional Naturopath, classical homeopath and holistic doula. Her private doula practice can be found here. 

Are Microwaves Destroying Your Health?

While I was walking in a bookstore the other day, I noticed a cookbook for microwave cooking. I began laughing as I pictured a young couple preparing a five-course meal in the microwave. The reality then set in... do these people really know what they are doing to their health by cooking in a microwave oven?

In 1991, there was a lawsuit in Oklahoma. A woman who was having a hip replacement was killed by a simple blood transfusion because the nurse warmed the blood in a microwave oven. Oftentimes in these procedures they warm the blood before a transfusion, but obviously not in a microwave. Most of us think a microwave only warms food, but this shows that it is doing something completely different to our food.

When I was growing up, I remember my mom telling me not to stand too close to the microwave, because it would "hurt" me.  I have also observed many different people saying the same thing.  Logically, if we can't stand too close to the microwave because it is bad for our health, then why would we eat the food that was directly inside of the microwave?

Surprisingly, there is little research on this topic, however, I was able to dig some up. Two different researchers, Blanc and Hertel researched the effects of microwave food.  They found that food is significantly changed after it is warmed in a microwave oven. They also measured blood samples directly after eating and found that haemoglobin levels decreased (resulting in anemia)... and this was only an 8 day sample! What are the long term effects? Is this a cause of the ever-increasing prevalence of anemia? Researchers reported that the results became even more pronounced during the second month of the study.

Microwaves cause a violent change in food and causes its molecules to form new life forms called radiolytic compounds. These mutations are unknown in the natural world and wreck havoc within the body, causing deterioration in the blood and immune system.

More research has been conducted in Russia from 1957 until now, showing that when ingesting food from a microwave, more cancerous cells are found in the blood, a higher incidence of stomach and digestive cancers are found, food is extremely altered and destroyed, and many, many more.

Because of this research, microwaves were banned in Russian in 1976. There is also advice out there to NOT heat a baby bottle in the microwave, since the microwave will destroy some very essential nutrients for the child. If nothing else speaks to you, then hopefully this does!

I know how my body feels after it eats microwave food....NOT GOOD! I have avoided microwaves for about three years now, cooking in toaster ovens or regular ovens. One month ago I ate at a restaurant and right after eating I felt like my throat and stomach had been burned (although my food was not hot). I was a bit confused as to why I would feel this way until the waitress came over and said she had burned her hand on the plate that came out of the microwave!

OOOOHHHH BOOOOYYYYY WAS I UPSET!!!!! Most people don't know the effects of microwaves, but folks, this is NOT acceptable to me! Since when do we not have enough time to cook a meal in the oven and sit down to enjoy it with our family?

Under NO circumstance would I suggest heating ANYTHING in the microwave (including water). Take a little bit of extra time to warm your food the old fashioned way... in an oven.  If you do not have access to an oven, eat your food cold.  Some people think that skipping a meal is "bad for you", but I say, if the only options are to microwave food or not eat, I would say DON'T EAT!

So, are microwaves destroying your health? Some symptoms could be:

Headaches
Sore Throats
Hypo/hyper-thyroidism
Cancerous growths (especially in the esophagus, stomach and/or digestive system)
Acid reflux
Ulcers
Any many more...

To counter the effects of microwave food, make sure that you are eating plenty of raw fruits and vegetables! STOP MICROWAVING YOUR FOOD.... IMMEDIATELY! Better yet, get rid of yours entirely!

Till next  time,

Sacred Healing Traditions---Signing out! :)

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Svea is a traditional Naturopath, classical homeopath and holistic doula. Her private doula practice can be found here. Her Montreal Natural Fertility website can be found here. 

The Joys of Juicing

In our busy society and culture, we find ourselves on the go most of the time.  When we are thirsty we stop at convenience stores and buy soda, or pasteurized juice with sugar added.  The healthiest beverage you could buy from a convenience store would be pasteurized 100% juice... and this isn't even that healthy for you.

The pasteurization process uses heat to destroy the bacteria in different substances, like juice or milk. In this process, many vital nutrients are destroyed, as well as beneficial enzymes. When we eat a raw apple, we receive enzymes from the apple to help us digest that specific fruit.  The same goes for any raw fruit or vegetable out there...they all contain these very beneficial enzymes.

If you look at the ingredient label on juice, you might find that they add "ascorbic acid", and that the juice contains 100% Vitamin C. To me this is a false concept... the natural vitamin C that the juice originally contained was killed in the pasteurization process, so the company adds "ascorbic acid" which is vitamin C--making it seem like the product is a whole product.

In knowing this, why wouldn't you want a product that is whole and healthy? A product that contains many vital nutrients... a product that contributes toward your health? Juicing your own fruits and vegetables provides all of these things for you... enzymes, vitamins, minerals, increased energy and endurance throughout the day, and MUCH MORE!

The first step in making your own fresh juices is to purchase a juicer. My preference is for the Champion Juicer (and no, I'm not a salesman for the Champion Juicer). This juicer runs around $300, but is well worth it if you are planning on juicing every day or every other day. If this does not fit into your budget, you could purchase a smaller, less efficient juicer from a superstore like Meijer or Walmart. Next, you need to purchase your favorite fruits and vegetables (which should preferably be ripe, organic, and locally grown).

Juicing is simple and there are MANY different recipes.  One of the simplest and best tasting juices contain:

1 apple
3 carrots
1/2 red beet
1 stick of celery
1/4 cup water

Raw juices are very easy to digest by the body, and the amount of nutrients absorbed is much greater than solid food. There are many benefits, which include:

• Anti-Aging Benefits
• Cellular Cleansing
• Increased Immunity (less sickness throughout the year)
• High antioxidant content
• Increased energy
• Healthier skin
• Whole-body regeneration
• Helps with constipation
• 
  ...and MANY, MANY MORE!

Juicing is something that you can add to your daily life.  You should juice every morning if possible, as it will prepare your body for food intake.  It is also easily digested in the morning... much easier than a big breakfast of solid food. Raw juices contain many natural medicines that will help with many different conditions, especially if you focus on choosing the proper fruits and vegetables for your condition.

More tips on juicing:

-Make sure you drink the juice right away.  Some vitamins and minerals are destroyed with heat and light, and the longer you let it sit out, the more you will lose. Try to drink your juice within 15 minutes of making it!
-Clean your juicer right away.  When the fruit/vegetable pulp dries on the juicer it is very difficult to clean.  Do this immediately! Also, this pulp is great to put into your compost bin!
-Add bee pollen if you would like.  Bee pollen is "nature's perfect food" and contains everything to sustain your life.  It is one of the only foods that contain everything that you need to survive. This substance can be found at most health food stores and online.  Make sure that you can find "local" bee pollen... this will be the most beneficial for you! Check back later for an entire article on bee pollen (it is one of my favorite!).
-Buy a variety of fruits and vegetables so you can try different recipes! Always try to add at least one vegetable, if not the majority.  Carrots make a great juice that tastes sweet too!
-Add raw honey.  This will not only make your juice sweet, but it will also provide you will many more vitamins and minerals! This might even help your allergies!

I encourage you all to add fresh, raw juice to your daily diet! You will see MANY benefits when you begin to do this.  Children also love raw juices (although you should water their juices down a bit more than yours).

To your health!

Sprouting 101

Sprouting For Life

Sprouts are one of the most balanced, living and raw foods out there.  One of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is to "make" sprouts, and better yet, to eat them when they are ready! The nutritional profile of sprouts is very long as they contain many nutrients. In our home, we put sprouts on salads, in stir-fry, in curry dishes, or we just eat them by themselves.

What you will need to Sprout

 Any kind of seed (I prefer a detox mix from the health food store, or a broccoli seed). Most health food stores will carry seeds in bulk.

A glass jar.

A lid for the glass jar that has holes poked into it (or a small square screen that can be banded shut--see picture below). Seeds must beable to breathe!

Directions:

Day 1: Soak seeds in high quality water for 24 hours. 

Day 2: Pour water out of vessel, set container upside down in a dish strainer (see image below). In evening, rinse seeds thoroughly and then set in dish strainer again in upside-down/tilted position.  Make sure to let all water strain out.

Day 3: Rinse seeds in morning, let strain in upside down position for the day.  Repeat this again in the evening. 

Continue to follow this pattern until your seeds begin to sprout.  This should happen within three days.

After four to five days, your sprouts should be ready to eat.  If you want them to grow a bit more, then continue to rinse them for a couple more days. 

ENJOY! Eat your sprouts daily, and be sure to make more before you run out! 

You will not only find yourself having more energy throughout the day from sprouts, but you will also see your health improve throughout time. Vital foods from nature, like sprouts, should be incorporated into your daily lifestyle.

The Amazing Science of Iridology

In my opinion, Iridology is one of the Sacred Healing Traditions.

Have you ever noticed that everyone's eyes are different? There are many different colors, different markings, and even different shapes. Some people have beautiful blue eyes, while others have a deep brown.

In naturopathic medicine, we use many different non-invasive assessment tools.  We make sure that these assessment tools are pain free, and that they use the body's innate ability to show signs of weakness.  Iridology is the study of the iris (or colored part) of the eye to determine tissue weakness within the body.
 
It is said that there are only two true eye colors: blue and brown.  I find this to be true amongst my family and friends.  When a baby is born, they ALWAYS (through my research) have either blue eyes or brown eyes.  Some babies eyes will change from blue to brown within weeks, others within years. If someone is born with blue eyes, that means that they have "true blue" eyes, even if they end up with brown later in life.  Brown discoloration is a manifestation of tissue weakness within the body.  When a baby is breastfed, I notice that their eyes stay blue a lot longer than babies who are formula fed.  What does this say about formula? Since breast milk is MUCH healthier and easier to digest by babies, we can see why their eyes change from their true healthy state, to a state that shows tissue weakness.

If you have pretty green eyes, you actually have true blue eyes with a yellow discoloration present.  This tells the iridologist what is going on in the body, and what action to take to correct it. If you look at the above photo, you will notice all of the markings in this iris. Each marking indicates something different, and also helps the practitioner to determine the best course of action for his/her clients.

I encourage you all to have an iridology reading, if not for health, then for general interest! You will be amazed when you see a large picture of your eye! If given the proper individualized plan you will begin to see changes in the iris within three months. One of my clients went from having completely brown eyes to having green eyes within a year, and now is starting to see blue on the outer parts of the iris! This client has gone through tremendous transformation and healing in his journey and is continuing to work hard! This is just one example of the many who see changes in their iris, and changes in their life through an iridology reading.

It is amazing what you can see in the iris.  They say, our eyes are the windows to our soul!

From the Chemical Fertilizer Plant to Your Drinking Water…

When you look at a tube of fluoridated toothpaste, you will see the warning: “Do not swallow,” and “in case of accidental ingestion, contact the poison control center.”

Why does toothpaste carry a warning but fluoridated water does not?
In a pea size amount of toothpaste there is a quarter milligram of fluoride (which is what causes this “do not swallow” warning). Interestingly, an 8 ounce glass of water contains the same amount of fluoride. We are told to drink eight of these glasses of water per day, yet without any concern of the amount of fluoride that we are ingesting. In addition to that, the American Dental Association (ADA) as well as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that infants NOT receive fluoridated water for drinking, nor for making their formula, as fluoridated water contains 250 times more fluoride than in mother’s milk. These warnings should raise red flags for the rest of us.

Where does fluoride come from?
The sad truth is that the source of fluoride used in the water supply comes from the super-phosphate fertilizer industry.  What used to be a very harmful and toxic substance, that could NOT be disposed of in lakes or rivers, is now diluted and place into the water that we drink. In addition, what used to cost $400 million to dispose of, has now turned into a $180 million profit, being sold to public water works in 2/3 of the U.S. Are they making a profit at the expense of our health?
The answer is yes.

What does this harmful toxin do?
It has been reported that fluoride causes hyperactivity, brain damage, dementia, impaired neurodevelopment in children, hypothyroidism, bone fractures, lowered IQ, bone cancer, calcification of the pineal gland, and dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis shows as abnormal white and brown spots on the teeth.



Dental Fluorosis


When this occurs, it can be indicative of the fact that the rest of the body has received too much fluoride as well, including the brain. All of these adverse health effects have been found over time in different scientific research articles.

But if this is such a harmful toxin, why do they continue to put it into the water?
Many U.S. cities add fluoride to their drinking water seeking to prevent tooth decay. However, in many different research articles, the countries that do not fluoridate their water have no more cavities than the ones that do. In fact, tooth decay has markedly declined in countries and communities that do not fluoridate drinking water as well as in those that do. Furthermore, in the places that do use fluoride, they report a much higher rate of dental fluorosis (which can only be caused by an excess of fluoride).

Do the benefits out weight the risks in the case of fluoride in the drinking water?
Absolutely not. With it, fluoride brings a whole host of problems. Plant and animal life cannot survive in water contaminated with fluoride. The air we breathe contains some fluoride from smokestack scrubbers (phosphate fertilizer industry), which in turn, poisons the air we breathe.

Where do you find fluoride?
The largest amount of fluoride is put into our drinking water supply. Check with your city to see if they use it or not. Also, buy a good water purifier as bottled water can also contain fluoride (without listing it on the label). Reverse osmosis systems are said to be very good at removing fluoride as well as other harmful toxins. Other sources of fluoride include: toothpastes, pharmaceutical drugs, processed foods and juices, fluoride drops, pesticides, and industrial discharges.

On a final note…
Fluoride is not being added to water to save lives, but instead to prevent tooth decay. Upon analysis of many scientific articles, it is no longer justified to intentionally fluoridate community drinking water. People should not be forced to drink water that has many adverse health effects, when dental benefits can be obtained through other means.

Stand up and let your voice be heard on this issue.  Immediately discontinue use of fluoridated drinking water (check to see if your city uses fluoride). Educate others about the effects of this harmful substance.  Contact your Natural Health Practitioner if you feel like you are suffering from the effects of fluoride, there are many natural therapies to reverse this damage!

Is It a Luxury or a Toxin?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and its close relative Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are very popular ingredients in many household products today.  This is the inexpensive foaming agent in dish soaps, hand and body washes, cleaning products, and even toothpaste.  We might see this as a luxury; it is what allows us to have very calming bubble baths or really foamy shaving creams.  However, studies have shown that this may not be such an innocent luxury. The power of this substance is strong enough to scrub garage floors or to degrease an engine, and is considered to be carcinogenic over time.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate contains the known carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane, which is also known as ether. This compound is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. It is suspected of causing damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys. Several deaths have resulted from accidental exposure to this toxic substance.

When applied to the skin, SLS stays in the body for as long as five days and can be found in other tissues such as the liver, heart, lungs and brain.  A report published in the Journal of the American College of Toxicology in 1983 showed that concentrations as low as 0.5% could cause irritation, and concentrations of 10-30% caused severe irritation and skin corrosion. Some products have up to 30% of SLS and have been listed as being a harmful substance. SLS can also combine with other ingredients in the container and create nitrosamines, which cause further skin damage and irritation.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate shows itself in many common products today and the average consumer doesn’t even know what it is or the implications that it brings. Soaps, shampoos, bubble-baths, toothpastes, dish soap, children’s soap, mascara, mouthwash, skin moisturizer and sunscreen: these are just a few of the products that contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.

Why do they use this product if it is so harmful?
The answer: because it is cheap. The SLS that you find in your beauty products is the same exact ingredient that they use in the garage soaps or engine degreasers. You can also bet that since this powerful degreaser can remove oil from an engine, that it removes the very essential oils on your skin as well. It has also been said that once in the body, SLS mimics the hormone estrogen, which can bring on health problems like PMS, menopausal symptoms, decreased male fertility, and increased female cancers (just to name a few). SLS also works to denature proteins, and, as you are aware, our bodies are made up of proteins. Even further, a dental association in Japan tested SLS on bacteria culture and found that it is mutagenic, which means that it has the ability to change the genetics of the cell. Another study found that in children under six, the absorption of this ingredient through the scalp everyday prevented the proteins in their eyes from properly developing. Furthermore, it is said that the SLS in toothpaste contributes to prolonged and more frequent canker sores in the mouth, and the SLS in shampoo causes hair to become more brittle and break easier. So, SLS is not only a harmful additive, but it is a beauty product ingredient that is creating a not-so-beautiful situation.

What can you do to avoid this toxin?
Read the labels on all of your products, especially ones that foam. Realize that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate has many names, including: Sodium Laurilsulfate, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, Sodium Diethylene Glycol Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Alkyl Ether Sulfate, Sodium Dodecyl Polyoxyethylene Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Ethoxysulfate and Sodium Polyoxyethylene Lauryl Sulfate. Ammonium Laureth Sulfate is an almost indistinguishable molecule, having only slightly different properties.

My motto: if you can’t pronounce the name and you don’t know what it is… don’t use it. Also remember that you shouldn’t put anything on your skin that you wouldn’t eat as everything is absorbed and carried throughout your body. Choose natural alternatives for skin care and beauty products. Cold-pressed coconut oil is a natural moisturizer and brings balance back to the essential oils of the skin. Find toothpastes that are SLS free and contain no fluoride (another article for another time). Also be aware of the products that list themselves as “organic” or “all-natural”, these products can still contain these harmful ingredients at times. Finally, find products that have minimal ingredients, ones that you know and trust.

Too Sweet To Be True?

“SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener is made from sugar, tastes like sugar but it’s not sugar. SPLENDA® is made with sucralose, so it does not contain aspartame. It has an outstanding safety profile and is an ideal sugar alternative for the whole family.” At least this is the claim made by the official Splenda website.

Upon further investigation, the Splenda website states that there are over 100 safety studies out there on their product, although they only have three of these 100 on their website.  Not one of these three studies are actually “safety studies”, but instead measure the glycemic index and the relation Splenda has to tooth decay.  As of 2006, only six human studies have ever been published on Splenda.  Of those six studies, only two had been reviewed by the FDA before they gave the “ok” to put this product on the market. Furthermore, of those two studies, there was a mere 36 people included and only 23 of those people were actually given Splenda for research.  Twenty three people might seem like an adequate number for some people, although you must consider that billions of people are consuming this toxic substance…is 23 people enough now?! Now, if those facts don’t alarm you, I will add one further detail.  Of these studies conducted, the longest trial was four days, and measured how Splenda relates to tooth decay.

Wait, what?!

I have never heard of anyone developing tooth decay in four days.  One thing that is clear now is that Splenda doesn’t actually “prove” anywhere that their product is safe.

Dr. Joseph Mercola, an osteopathic physician, reveals shocking evidence on the harmful effects of this very popular artificial sweetener. On his very informative website, Dr. Mercola states that there is overwhelming evidence that artificial sweeteners “wreck havoc” on your body- impairing appetite regulation, and leading to weight gain. It is also now proven that diet soda (which contains these very popular artificial sweeteners) increases your risk of metabolic syndrome, and ultimately, heart disease. 

WOW!

Look at our country, we are a diet Coke and diet Pepsi culture. And, we are also a culture that has skyrocketing levels of metabolic syndrome (which is a conglomeration of low HDL or good cholesterol, high fasting blood sugar, large waistline, and high triglycerides) and heart disease.
Ok, fine. So now we see that there is a link between artificial sweeteners and heart disease/metabolic syndrome. But, what other harmful effects are we seeing from these deceptive fake sugars? A study that was published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health found even more disturbing evidence.

They found that Splenda:
-reduces the amount of good bacteria in your gut by 50%
-increases the pH levels of your intestines (which isn’t a good thing)
-and effects a certain glycoprotein in your body that can lead to other serious complications
Contrary to popular belief, by consuming low-calorie or no-calorie foods, you are virtually doubling your risk for obesity.  The effects listed above aren’t even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to side-effects that people have reported from Splenda.  Some of these include: migraine headaches, seizures, dizziness, blurred vision, allergic reactions, blood sugar increases, pain, nausea, gas…and the list goes on and on.

What can you do to avoid this toxin?
Learn how to read labels to determine if the product contains artificial sweeteners, but beware, sucralose is in many more products than you think. Ten percent of sucralose is sold to drug companies, and many of those drug companies do not list it as an ingredient in their products.  You can also be sure that most products listed as low-calorie or no-calorie contains some sort of artificial sweetener.  Also, be familiar with the different names that these products go as: as an example, Splenda is also called sucralose; Aspartame is also called Equal, NutraSweet, and Canderel.  Be mindful.  Use more natural sweeteners like honey, pure maple syrup, and stevia. Finally, remember that you will not lose weight by eating products with artificial sweeteners… but instead you will double your risk of obesity.

Contact your Natural Health Practitioner to speak about alternatives and for further information! Also learn in a later blog about the health benefits of pure, raw honey!