Bringing wholesome healthy tips
Michael Pollan, the celebrated food writer whose opinions are widely respected and whose pithy comments are widely quoted (he’s particularly known for saying “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants,) is someone with whom I generally agree. We share many platforms, including the benefits of returning to whole food, real food, a high volume of plant food, and a return to cooking. However, he recently criticized the modern paleo diet…
Why do we consume so much junk? The answer may surprise you — or maybe not. Junk food is as addictive as drugs. Foods with high glycemic index — processed foods — alter parts of the brain responsible for hunger, thirst and the natural rhythms and body cycles, according to a study by PubMed. High-glycemic foods are highly processed and highly refined. Consuming them creates a spike in blood sugar…
I recently read that the World Health Organization projected that India will be home to 80 million diabetics by the year 2030. This is shocking news but it comes on the heels of a 12-year study that revealed something startling about how, generations later, we are affected by the way our ancestors ate. And when I say ‘we,’ I mean you and me. The research, performed at the University of…
More and more city dwellers and urban farmers have taken to raising chickens in their backyards. The trend has really picked up speed over the last couple of years, in large part because people want to have more control over the food they eat. The GMO wars, overuse of dangerous pesticides, growing use of antibiotics in livestock and the desire to be self-sufficient are just some of the reasons at-home…
“BPA-free” is an important label you probably notice quite a bit. I hope you are heeding the warning and choosing BPA-free products if you use plastics, because BPAs and another “everywhere chemical”—phthalates—do nasty things to humans. These rather toxic chemicals are quite literally found everywhere. BPA is used in hard, clear plastic products, like baby bottles and some food storage containers. It’s fairly easy to look for the warning labels…
Taking a probiotic supplement is one of the best things you can do for your body. The special microorganisms that we call beneficial bacteria dwell in your gut (intestinal tract) where they help maintain a healthful, balanced environment that is critical for overall health. Although you can get probiotics from fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchee—and you should enjoy these foods–many men find that taking a high-quality…
One of my oldest and dearest friends is a chef. Unfortunately, she lives so far from me that I don’t get to see her very often. But over the years whenever we have gotten together, she has treated me to one delicious meal after another. Usually, I am too intimidated to try her recipes. After all, she’s had years of training and experience, and I am a self-taught home cook.…
For thousands of years tea has been an integral part of Asian diets and cultures. Long renowned for their calming, ritual and healing properties, Chinese tea is a mainstay in the life of millions. Multitudes of studies have been carried out on different types of tea and herbal tea preparations, but understanding the differences between them can be daunting. But with a little guidance and effort you can find a…
The human digestive tract has had thousands of years to adapt to gluten and eating wheat. So health problems caused by gluten — even the ones you don’t suspect — shouldn’t be a big deal, right? WRONG. Gluten is not absorbed by the human body. It is indigestible. If you’re not sensitive to gluten, you may be able to tolerate it and let it pass through your digestive system. But…
I’ve been taking a carnitine supplement for years because of evidence it protects the nervous system and heart. I have read that it also supports mental ability in people who have Alzheimer’s. Now, a new study has me really excited about additional benefits of carnitine, and has established the importance of this naturally occurring chemical compound made in your liver and kidneys. Lab tests at the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute…