Category Archives: Health 101

Sugar Content of Common Fruits - Choose Wisely!

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Yesterday I posted Five Fruits with the Highest Sugar Load in response to a reader question. That post shares the top five fruits with the highest sugar load per serving.

This post will list fruits and show you the carb count, the fiber, and then the net carbs. Net carbs are what you get when you subtract the fiber from the sugar. Fiber helps slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream, so the more the better.

For fun, I’ve also included the equivalent of sugar in teaspoons (from the net carb count). Naturally, comparing fruit to sugar doesn’t take the nutrition of fruit into account - that is for another post… Continue reading →

Five Fruits with the Highest Sugar Load

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I recently shared my article, Reasons to Limit Fructose Consumption on my Facebook page, and I had someone ask me a really good question:

What fruits have less fructose because I like to have smoothies?

So, Suzanne - this post is for you! Continue reading →

Top 5 Food Additives to Avoid

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Did you know 90% of the typical American grocery bill is spend on processed foods? Processed foods are loaded with preservatives and additives that are, quite frankly, ruining our health. These “foods” - if you can call them food - have a longer shelf life due to the dozens of chemical additives. But at what cost?

Here is a “Top 5″ list of additives to avoid and why… Continue reading →

How to Eat Organs Without Flinching

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Raise your hand if you can eat organs without flinching. I’m talking a heart on a plate. Could you do it?

I didn’t think so.

Traditional food cultures included not just your typical animal food sources (meat, milk, eggs), but organs as well.They knew what scientists are now able to prove: organs are full of concentrated amounts of vitamins and minerals and are the most nutrient-dense foods available.

Dr. Weston A. Price discovered that natives ate fresh organs full of vitamins A and D to keep them healthy, fertile, and able to maintain pregnancies with rarely a miscarriage or stillbirth. Continue reading →

28 Things Betcha Didn’t Know About Aloe Vera

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I have a huge aloe vera plant in my kitchen bay window. A few years ago, I thought it was a goner, but thankfully I didn’t throw it away. It has blossomed into a very hearty plant, and has gotten so big I’ve had to give several sections of it away.

Most of us think of aloe vera as a sunburn soother. Although it’s great for burns, it has many other health benefits as well (links go to scientific studies provided by Google Scholar): Continue reading →

Benefits of Fermented Cod Liver Oil – How to Take it Without Gagging, and How it Saves You Money

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There are three main questions that pop up about fermented cod liver oil (FCLO):

1. Why do I need FCLO when I am already taking CLO?

2. It’s expensive - I just can’t afford it!

3. It tastes strong - how do I mask the taste? And how do I expect my kids to take it when I can hardly down it?

This post will address these questions

Why is FCLO better than CLO?

FCLO is created traditionally, is not processed using methods which destroy nutrients. Cod Liver Oil has traditionally been processed using fermentation. Fishermen would toss cod livers in a barrel of seawater, let it sit 6-12 months, then skim the oil off the top.

In our rushed society, manufacturers don’t have time to wait 6-12 months. They want it made now, to sell now. Most brands use molecular distillation (code name for “removes all the natural vitamins and replaces them with synthetics”) or heat to process cod liver oil - which destroys EPA’s and DHA’s in the omega 3′s.
Continue reading →

The Shocking Truth About Shampoo: Why I Haven’t Shampooed in Seven Years

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When I became pregnant with my first child eight years ago, I had lots of fun picking out things for my baby for after she was born. The little socks and shoes, tiny diapers. But when it came to shampoo, I found myself frustrated. I couldn’t find shampoo that didn’t have a bunch of chemicals in it.

Now, I wasn’t even aware of the whole “crunchy mama” world at that point - little did I know where that one thought process would take me! At that time I was still painting my fingernails with cheap nail polish, wore makeup that was full of chemicals, enjoyed soda, fast food and Doritos, etc. But once I realized my newborn baby was going to be slathered in baby lotions and shampoo made with chemicals, it made me re-think my own choices.

I never did buy that bottle of Johnson’s & Johnson’s. Especially after finding out the “tear-free” versions contain formaldehyde which prevents tears by numbing the eyes - not because it was gentle and chemical-free!

It was then I discovered the world of natural alternatives to shampoo, cosmetics, personal care items…and everything else. And I ditched my Suave shampoo for good.

Continue reading →

Vitamin B-12 Brand Comparison and Cost Analysis Guide

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This is a follow-up to last month’s post Vitamin B-12 - Are You Deficient? + Food Sources where we learned:

  • what Vitamin B-12 is essential for
  • how much B-12 you should consume daily
  • signs of Vitamin B-12 deficiency and what deficiency can lead to
  • how the Intrinsic Factor (IF) is essential to Vitamin B-12 absorption and what interferes with IF
  • what else can cause B-12 deficiency
  • what to do if you have low/poor IF
  • who is at risk for B-12 deficiency
  • what foods B-12 is found in
  • and, finally, a brief word on supplements

Today I am expanding on my previously brief word on supplements.

We have already learned there are different forms of Vitamin B-12 including the least desirable cyanocobalamin as well as the preferred methylcobalamin (adenosylcobalamin is also acceptable).

This guide will list for you what brands contain which form(s) of Vitamin B-12 so you can be a better shopper. I will also include any other vitamins that may be included, as well as the “other ingredients” listed on the label. I will calculate for you the cost per serving as well as the cost per 1000 mcg. Finally, you will find a Top 10 Most Economical list where you can choose budget-friendly B-12. Continue reading →

Benefits of Consuming Coconut Oil

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First of all, thank you to Stephanie for her patience as I took so long to answer her question, “Are the health benefits the same with coconut oil as they are with extra virgin olive oil?” This post is dedicated to you, Stephanie!

To answer the question simply, No, the health benefits are not the same.

Coconut oil and olive oil are both great choices, but they should not be used interchangeably. Let’s find out:

  • differences between coconut oil and olive oil
  • why I prefer to use coconut oil
  • how I add coconut oil, coconut cream, and shredded coconut to our diet
  • how coconut oil heals
  • using coconut oil for body care

Continue reading →

Vitamin B-12 – Are You Deficient? + Food Sources

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Vitamin B-12, although only needed in small quantities, is essential for:

  • forming red blood cells
  • a healthy nervous system
  • maintaining fertility
  • preventing anemia
  • promoting normal growth and development

It is also critical for heart health since it lowers serum homocysteine levels - high homocysteine levels have been correlated with build-up of plaque in arteries and the tendency to form clots.

How Much Vitamin B-12 Should I Consume Daily?

Here is a handy reference chart to be used as a guideline only:

Children 12 months and younger 500 mcg
Children 1 - 12 years 1000 mcg
Teens 13 -18 years 1,500 - 1,800 mcg
Adults 2,000 - 2,400 mcg
Pregnant/Lactating Women 2,800 - 3,000 mcg

Since some damage caused by B-12 deficiency is irreversible, it pays to find out what the warning signs are… Continue reading →