0 What Are Whole Foods?

By Sandi Krakowski

What Are Whole

Whole foods are foods that are unprocessed and unrefined, or processed and refined as little as possible before being consumed.

Often confused with "organic food" (i.e., organically-grown food), whole foods aren't necessarily organic, nor are organic foods necessarily whole, although they do share a number of traits, such as an avoidance of chemically-assisted agricultural techniques. Because of the lack of even basic, organically-acceptable processing, many whole foods have a very short shelf life and are not easily sold outside of farmers' markets.

Examples of whole foods include unpolished grains; organically garden-grown fruits and vegetables; and non-homogenized milk. For some, it is preferable to eat whole foods raw to obtain the maximum nutritional benefit.

"Whole Food" has also been know to describe a food that is a complete balance in nutritional value by non mechanical means.

How can foods that are tainted, altered, genetically bio-engineered affect your health? A good example is in the industry of corn. To prevent corn from being destroyed by bugs a genetically altered ear of corn was created and chemicals were added to the corn- now when bugs begin to chew, they die instantly. Does it take a scientist to encourage people to not eat such ears of corn? What is happening in the human body by such corn?

During the last five years, several multinational chemical and drug companies - including Monsanto and Syngenta (formerly Novartis/Astra-Zeneca/Ciba-Geigy) - have quietly altered our food supply in an alarming way. Genes from bacteria, viruses, foreign plants and animals have been inserted into corn, soybeans, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, and papayas. These corporations plan to "genetically engineer" almost 100% of our food within a decade.

The genes inserted into these grains cause the plant to create new, foreign proteins, never before seen in nature. There has never been any long-term animal or human testing to determine whether the new proteins can cause allergies or other adverse effects.

What Can You Do?

There are many safe food advocates all over the world who are trying to stop the farming, production, and use of genetically altered food. You can join with them:

Ask your local supermarket and restaurants to supply and serve products that do not have genetically "engineered" ingredients.

If you live in a state that does it's own farming call or write to your state Director of Agriculture and your Farm Bureau to tell them that you won't buy products that have been "genetically engineered."

The author of this article was personally affected by the reality of our food system. A simple thing such as removing genetically altered and chemically processed foods helped my body to heal itself the way it was designed. I used to battle severe connective tissue diseases. When I eat foods that are altered and are not in their natural state, my body HURTS.

More information about whole foods and the whole foods here

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0 A Book Review: The Naked Foods Cookbook - The Whole-Foods, Healthy-Fats, Gluten-Free Guide

By Maggie Dail

The Whole Foods

If you are like me, you have read and heard much about eating healthy, non-processed foods. I have read many great books and websites. Frankly, most of the time I am overwhelmed with the task. Like many, my family has budget and time constraints that add to the difficulty of the task. While looking for a different book, in fact, I came across this title - The Naked Foods Cookbook - The Whole-Foods, Healthy-Fats, Gluten-Free Guide to Losing Weight and Feeling Great by Margaret Floyd and James Barry and decided to check it out.

There are many recipes in this book, but before we discuss those, I want to talk about the first part, "Let's Talk Shop." In this part, Floyd and Barry present four key principles to introduce "Eating Naked."

·         The closer it originated to you, the more naked it is.

·         The more it was grown in harmony with its natural environment, the more naked it is.

·         The closer it is to its original state, the more naked it is.

·         The less we do to it, the more naked it is.

They further explain naked foods in Appendix B with a chart giving the good, better and best choices for each food type as well as "okay" and "steer clear."

I especially like the next part - "In the Naked Kitchen" - where they describe the different parts of the kitchen, the appliances and equipment with their recommendations. Next, they discuss "Naked Cooking Techniques" such as sautéing, steaming, boiling, grilling, broiling, baking and roasting. They briefly discuss food-preparation techniques that make foods "Better Than Naked": soaking, sprouting and culturing or fermenting.

Reading this part was very encouraging, as they explained everything well and let us know that it was okay to go as fast or as slowly as we can.

Finally, in part two, there are recipes. First, they have recipes for the basics to be used in other recipes in the book. This includes making soup stock from different kinds of bones. Next, they have a section for "Better Than Naked" covering whey and cultured cottage cheese, yogurt, condiments and more.

In the next section, I found the first recipe that we tried -"Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash" - which was a hit at my house. I am looking forward to trying some of the gluten-free pancakes.

Other sections include; Salads and Sides; Sauces, Dressings and Dips; Soups and Stews; Main Dishes; Sweet and Savory Snacks; and last, but not least, Desserts. Each recipe has categories at the top: in a rush, vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, or "pescatarian;" Make it Once, use it lots, Better Than Naked, raw, everyday or impress the neighbor, In the Appendix A, they have provided two, one-week of menus for "best case scenarios" and "in a hurry."

While there is much that I can use in the book, I was also happy to see that some of the suggestions are things that we are already doing.

Maggie operates the Center for Neuro Development in Lakewood, Washington, along with her husband Ronnie. Maggie earned a M.A.in Special Education from Adams State University in 1989. She has been in an internship / independent study leading to certification with the International Christian Association of Neurodevelopmentalists. They offer local, on site services as well as some long distance consultation. They work with homeschoolers as well as those who attend school.

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0 Whole Foods for Healthy Bodies

By Rachel Assuncao

Whole Foods

Less than a century ago, our diet was made up almost entirely of whole foods. We ate what we grew, or what farmers in our communities offered for sale. We ate it while it was in season, or else it was canned, pickled, or preserved to eat throughout the winter.

Processed foods began making a regular appearance in our diets around the time of World War Two, and by the time the women's lib movement was in full swing in the 1970s, pre-packaged foods had become the norm in our North American homes. We needed those convenience foods so we could get out and work while still putting a hot meal on the table at the end of the day, or so the marketing companies told us.

Yet to have a healthful and nutritionally-sound diet, processed foods should make up less than 20 percent of our daily intake. But what exactly does the term "whole foods" mean, and why are they so important to a healthy body?

What Are Whole Foods?

Whole food is food that has only one ingredient: itself in its natural form. In other words, a food that hasn't been processed into another state. Obvious whole foods include fresh fruits and vegetables. Other whole foods that can be included in the diet include:

·         Dried or canned beans, peas and lentils

·         Nuts

·         Whole grains like brown rice, hulled barley, millet and quinoa

·         Raw cuts of meat like chicken legs or breasts, steak, and pork chops that you season and cook yourself

·         Fish and seafood including scallops, clams, oysters, mussels, lobster, shrimp, and crab

·         Dairy products made from whole milk, like whole milk, cheese, yogurt and sour cream

Why Are Whole Foods So Important?

Our bodies - our systems for digestion, absorption and metabolism - evolved to utilize nutrients in the amounts and combinations provided by the food that grows naturally on this planet.

People working with the human body as a holistic system like naturopaths, herbalists and health coaches believe that the body will never achieve maximum nutrition and an ultimate healthy state without whole foods. Vitamin supplements and foods that are fortified by adding extra vitamins into them do not replace the nutritional value of whole foods because vitamins only resemble selected parts of a food. The vitamins that are used to fortify foods are often synthetic, meaning they are made in a laboratory and not found in nature. The body has trouble recognizing these synthetic products. These processed food products do not contain the complex, interwoven structure of nutrients, phytochemicals, enzymes and other substances found in one bite of whole food.

Whole Foods

The safest bet for getting the full benefit out of nutrients and other substances in food is to consume it in its original packaging as designed by Mother Nature. Adding whole foods to your diet enables you to enjoy all the nutrition offered by nature's bounty, leading to better health and better eating habits. Diets rich in whole foods, especially vegetables and fruits, are often lower in calorie and higher in nutrition than their processed counterparts. This leads to natural weight loss, increased feelings of energy and stronger immune systems.

Rachel Assuncao, Certified Health Coach

Rachel Assuncao works with busy parents and professionals who are struggling to eat well and live a happy, energized, and vibrant life. As a certified health coach she supports and guides you to achieve your wellness goals and embrace the ongoing process of building total health and achieving balance on all levels.

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0 Diet Meal Plans Made Simple

By K Bryant

Diet Meal

Are you sick and tired of eating the same foods over and over again? Most people have no problem creating diet meal plans for the first two to three weeks on a weight loss program, however, after this period of time the foods that tasted so good two weeks ago have lost their appeal. This causes the dieter to begin to lose their zeal for the program.

There is a simple 'fix' to keep your meals exciting and your interest in the weight loss program favorable. If you are interested in how to beat 'boring meal syndrome', then you will want to read this article. Specifically we will discuss why boring meal syndrome is such a common occurrence among dieters, and how to prevent it happening to you.

Oh NO! Salad Again?

If you feel like the next bite of lettuce or apple is going to send you careening into the bathroom, then you have what I call 'boring meal syndrome'. More diets come to a screeching halt for this reason than any other. Lets have a look at the two most common reasons for this phenomenon.

Choice of Weight Loss Program

If you select a 'fad' diet or a program that severely limits your choice of foods you will be forever stuck in 'boring meal syndrome'. When choosing a diet to follow be wise, select a program that offers many food choices. The best choice is switching to healthy foods, andhealthy cooking methods.

Self-Limiting of Available Foods

Many, many people fall victim to this 'diet killer'. When starting a weight loss program your aim should be to change your eating habits, not for a month or so, but for life!

The problem arises because it is so different from what you are used to eating and how you cook. The pull to find something simple to fix and tastes good is strong.

When we find two or three meals that fit the 'simple and good' requirement we tend to stick with them; they require no investigation to see if they are allowable, and we don't have to think when cooking them.

But, How Do I Prevent This?

This will require a little time from you, about two hours per week. The amount of time required will lessen as the weeks go by. Follow these simple steps and you will be amazed at the difference in your meals.

Set aside one hour per week to go through recipes on line and/or in magazines. Unlike grocery shopping, do this when you are hungry. You are more apt to find meals that look mouth watering when you are hungry. Find five to six dinner meals that look really good, print the recipes and set them aside. Don't forget to look for desserts, snacks, lunches and breakfast. Also print these or jot down ideas that came to you and set them aside.

Set aside another hour in the week for meal planning. Make a chart that has Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and snacks for seven days.

Diet Meal

Get your printed recipes and ideas out and start filling in the 'blanks'. You now have your weekly meal plan completed.

The next step is to create a shopping list from the recipes you have selected. Having all the ingredients on hand makes fixing meals extremely simple.

After eating the 'new' meals, place the recipes that you really like into a binder for future use. By the same token, toss the recipes that you weren't too pleased with. After a period of time you will have enough 'favorite meals' in your binder that you won't have to spend the online time finding more.

By following these simple guidelines you should have picked a healthy weight loss program, and have no problem introducing exciting and new foods into your diet meal plans that the entire family will enjoy.

More information about diet foot and  easy recipes here

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0 Diet Food - What Are Healthy Diet Foods?

By Veaceslav Goras

Can you lose weight by eating good diet food?

Diet Food

To maintain your health, you should know by now that you need to consume good diet food. Weight loss practice supplies complete vitamins and minerals to your body to help you stay healthy for a long period. Maintaining your health does not mean that you do lots of diet schemes and exercise to make you slim, but you also have to keep your fat reserves low. In this way, you will never have to face weight gaining problems again in the future. Healthy diet food helps you accomplish all your goals.

The procedure in trimming down your waistline is very simple. Just eat healthy food and remove junk items from your diet chart.

How Your Diet Choices Can Improve Your Health

It is but common knowledge that your diet choices can definitely improve your health. When you eat healthy foods, your metabolism mechanism would work well. One of the best weight loss programs includes raising your metabolism by eating healthy food items. When this method is combined with some moderate exercise, you can easily lose weight within just a few weeks.

Good diet food is usually a part of almost all heart smart diets. In order to benefit your heart and other internal organs, the procedure of healthy food intake is combined with daily exercise and your determination. In this way, your various bodily system works tremendously. Providing complete benefit and comfort to your body is much important than dieting to obtain a slim body.

Which types of foods are taken as good diet foods?

Good diet food involves several natural ingredients. Healthy food includes all types of ingredients that are less in saturated fats, sugar and salt. The better and healthier food you take, the better off you will be in both your mind and body.

Fresh fruits and raw vegetables are some good examples of diet food. However, raw vegetables are considered as the more conducive way to lose weight than fruits. The lower sugar content of vegetables leaves a good impact on your health. Moreover, you should also look for the food products that provide raw food enzymes to your body. It does not mean that you will always have to eat totally raw vegetable diet. You can take it in a sense that the delicious dishes made through raw vegetables can be a substitute of any meat-based entree you prepare at your home.

Follow a Healthy Diet Plan

Adding raw foods slowly to your diet food plan is a smart idea to reduce weight as well as overcome the cholesterol level. You can make a well-prepared entree by selecting suitable raw vegetables. Another idea to prepare a healthy diet food is to add these raw vegetables in chicken breast pieces or skinless chicken. Baked drumstick can also be used in the same way. In this way, there is no more need to be deprived of your favorite foods.

If you are a junk food lover but wish to reduce your weight as well, then you can also use an oven-baked chicken with appropriate raw vegetable accouterments to satisfy your taste. There are also organic or natural chips and dips available in the market.

More information about cake recipe and desserts here

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0 Quick And Easy Recipes For Breakfast Or Brunch

By Linda Carol Wilson

Easy Recipes

The next time you plan a brunch or just want to enjoy breakfast with family or friends, try one of these tasty recipes to add sunshine to your morning. Ham and Vegetable Quiche, Brunch Artichoke Squares, or Delicious Butterscotch-Apple-Walnut Muffins, you will find the recipes here!

HAM & VEGETABLE QUICHE
Crust:
1 egg, beaten
3 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

FILLING:
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced zucchini
1 small red bell pepper
1 tbsp butter
1/2 cup fully cooked diced ham
1 tbsp minced fresh basil or 1 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 large eggs
1/4 cup low-fat milk
3/4 cup shredded Italian-Blend cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate; set aside.

In a large bowl combine the egg, hash browns and Parmesan cheese; press onto the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pie plate. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until the crust is set and edges are just beginning to brown.

While the crust bakes, in a large skillet melt the butter and saute the zucchini and bell pepper for about 5 minutes. Stir in the ham, basil, salt and pepper. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

In a large bowl beat the eggs and milk together; add the zucchini and pepper mixture. Stir in the cheese and pour into the crust. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until center is set.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes before cutting into wedges to serve.

Yield: 4 servings

BRUNCH ARTICHOKE SQUARES
8 eggs
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 yellow onion, chopped fine
1 garlic clove, minced
salt to taste
pepper to taste
12 saltines, crushed fine
2 (6-oz each) jars artichoke hearts, drained
parsley for garnish, if desired

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Lightly spray an 11 x 7-inch baking pan or dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a large bowl, lightly beat the eggs; add the cheese, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, crushed crackers, and drained artichokes mixing together well.

Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes. Before cutting into 6 or 8 squares, allow to cool slightly and garnish with parsley, if desired.

BUTTERSCOTCH-APPLE-WALNUT MUFFINS
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsps ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
2 large eggs
1 cup canola oil
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups chopped Granny Smith apples
3/4 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Easy Recipes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease 12 muffin tin cups or line 12 cups with paper liners; set aside.

In a bowl mix the flours, cinnamon, and baking soda together; set aside.

In a large mixer bowl beat the eggs and add the canola oil, both sugars, vanilla extract, and apples mixing well. Add the flour mixture and mix just until moistened. Stir in the butterscotch chips and walnuts. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.

Bake muffins for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Muffins are done when a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

More information about desserts and diet food here

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0 Making Awesome Desserts With Cream and Eclair

By Rinku K Sharma

Desserts

Having a few changes in your routine Dessert recipes may prove to be a very nice and welcoming change for your family and friends. Being just a good cook with a few known recipes is not enough. Getting around with new tips and new ideas will help you keep your kitchen alive and your dining table dancing.

Many people are very passionate about the food they eat, so obviously the same amount of passion is reflected in their craving for the sweet Dessert foods. In such situations you can opt to make the dishes like Crème puffs Pastry to make a really creamy dessert for your family and friends. The aroma and the flavor are so delighting that you are sure to win many a hearts by making such exotic Dessert recipes. The creamy layers are so well blended with the pastry that one's mouth is completely filled with scintillating joy.

One can also try the offbeat but extremely delicious flavors complementary to the Chocolate flavors with flavors and ingredients like Caramel, Orange, and Éclairs etc. The Éclair flavored pastry is very famous in the countries all over the world where there are passionate foodies. There is no harm in trying new things as even if you fail, you will learn new things. The flavored pastry having a mix and balanced blend of flavors are generally more preferred over the over-decorated and over flavored recipes with side accessories. What you need to do is try to make it simple yet attractive maintain the taste and flavor of your basic ingredients.

Desserts

In many European countries and nowadays even all over the world, one of the most popular recipes for great Dessert pastries is the Choux pastry with the layers or Crème attached. This popular pastry is easily available in many bakeries in most of the cities too in case you have an emergency. Due to the simplicity of the taste and the flavor of the crème this pastry has held its position quite high over the recent years and been featured in many Chef Contests and TV shows.

Overall there is no harm in trying new things. Some people also like the fruit flavored pastries. While the Éclair pastries are popular, you can opt to go the other way to try out your own inventions in the kitchen. Just try not to make it over-flavored. Choux pastry recipes are available all over the internet and a quick search will help you get a suitable recipe for you in just a few moments. So go ahead and try out your own Dessert recipes and surprise your kids tonight!

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