It's been a very long time since my last post which was not a positive one. I think it's been a couple of years! I still get hits on my blog and I thought it was time to delete my last post. As people stumble upon this blog I figured I might as well have it end on a good note. I logged in the other day to delete the very last post from a couple of years ago and somehow it triggered a publishing of an old post. I can't figure out how it happened.
I am well and blessed! The harrowing ordeal we have been through is finally over and everything is stabilized. The bad news is that I'm so busy that there is absolutely no time for blogging - that may change in time. If I do return to blogging it will no longer be for Live Beautifully. I have covered every topic I have wanted to and really would love to delve into another arena. If that happens at all in the future, I will send another update. Who knows, maybe some of you may very well follow along, maybe some of you are as passionate as I am about Interior Design. How good are those chances? Regardless, If that happens, I will let you know! I can still be contacted through this blog.
Many blessings!
Melissa
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Monday, June 16, 2014
The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Updates
Where do vegetarians get their protein? Have you ever heard of a condition brought on by protein deficiency? I haven't, but it seems that so many people believe that it actually must exist. You would also think that it is the most indispensable nutrient Forget how excess animal protein can lead to premature aging, constipation, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease- the list goes on. I saw this clip by Dr. Michael Greger and thought it was so good that I wanted to share it with you. In addition to sharing studies that indicate the true markers for protein intake, he also states what nutrient Americans truly are deficient in. Watch the video which is less than five minutes here.
The Healing Effect- I recently saw a trailer to a film that looks good. It features a few physicians, natural healers and authors that I follow. The police officer is from my old stomping grounds -Lowell, MA. I can spot a Boston accent like nobody's business and this cop most certainly has one. Check out the trailer to this film here.
I have mentioned the need to become familiar with natural sources of antibiotics. I saw this list of natural antibiotics and thought I have to pass this along to my readers. Excellent article!
The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Growing up as an Adventist I did not appreciate the amazing wisdom in the the heatlh information we have received as a denomination. I heard many talk about it with derision and so I really didn't give it much attention. As an adult, and after I noticed the amazing power of plant foods, I began to pay closer attention. Now, I can't even begin to tell you how much I love the message of health. One of the tidbits of wisdom is how and when we should eat. The statement goes,"Breakfast like a king, Lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper." Dinner is also the ideal time to skip a meal. What happens when we choose this way of eating which is so contrary to the way Americans eat?
Weight control
Would you like to loose weight more easily? Skip dinner or have something light to eat like fruit. I eat two meals a day, breakfast at 11a.m. and I try to have my second meal at 4pm. If I do this, I find that I loose weight very easily. One of the reasons why I love this way of eating is because I can eat a large meal and feel very satisfied. I don't get hungry on this method, but if you find you must have something, try fresh juice made from fruits and vegetables in a juicer. As for timing meals, everyone is different. You would have to find out what works best for you. I tried Tonya Zavasta's method called "quantum eating", I was shaking and weak on her method.
Longevity
The longest lived people in the world eat two meals a day. Think about how much energy the body has to put out for digestion with all the food many people stuff in their mouths - They dig their graves with their teeth! This is an interesting article that mentions studies on animals and how their lives are extended by calorie restriction.
In the morning after a night of rest, the body's energy for digestion is at it's peak which is why a large meal is most appropriate at this time. Concurrently, it's energy is spent at the end of the day, which is why it is best to not tax it later in the day. The less you tax your body, the longer you live.
Detoxification
We live in a cesspool of toxins. If we were to remove toxicity by changing household cleaners and body care products, we still wouldn't be able to deal with all of the toxicity in our environment. Being mindful of detoxification becomes paramount for healthful living. Eating foods that escort toxins out of our bodies is important. Another way to deal with toxicity and boosting the immune system is by fasting. When the digestive system is shut down, it switches to detox mode. Intermittent fasting by skipping the last meal of the day is a way to fast on a daily basis and help your body detoxify on a regular basis.
I eat this way from Monday to Friday. I relax this method on the weekend when I am more likely to be invited to a friend's house for a meal. If you are interestested in trying this method, ease into and see how your body responds. I found an excellent article by Dr. Mercola on the benefits of intermittent fasting here. For those who think they will turn into a skinny rail, check out this site which promotes it for men who are body building. Be sure to scroll down to see the photos of Surge Nubret next to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Pretty amazing! I don't agree with everything stated in article but most of it seems pretty sound.
Have a great day!
Where do vegetarians get their protein? Have you ever heard of a condition brought on by protein deficiency? I haven't, but it seems that so many people believe that it actually must exist. You would also think that it is the most indispensable nutrient Forget how excess animal protein can lead to premature aging, constipation, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease- the list goes on. I saw this clip by Dr. Michael Greger and thought it was so good that I wanted to share it with you. In addition to sharing studies that indicate the true markers for protein intake, he also states what nutrient Americans truly are deficient in. Watch the video which is less than five minutes here.
The Healing Effect- I recently saw a trailer to a film that looks good. It features a few physicians, natural healers and authors that I follow. The police officer is from my old stomping grounds -Lowell, MA. I can spot a Boston accent like nobody's business and this cop most certainly has one. Check out the trailer to this film here.
I have mentioned the need to become familiar with natural sources of antibiotics. I saw this list of natural antibiotics and thought I have to pass this along to my readers. Excellent article!
The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Growing up as an Adventist I did not appreciate the amazing wisdom in the the heatlh information we have received as a denomination. I heard many talk about it with derision and so I really didn't give it much attention. As an adult, and after I noticed the amazing power of plant foods, I began to pay closer attention. Now, I can't even begin to tell you how much I love the message of health. One of the tidbits of wisdom is how and when we should eat. The statement goes,"Breakfast like a king, Lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper." Dinner is also the ideal time to skip a meal. What happens when we choose this way of eating which is so contrary to the way Americans eat?
Weight control
Would you like to loose weight more easily? Skip dinner or have something light to eat like fruit. I eat two meals a day, breakfast at 11a.m. and I try to have my second meal at 4pm. If I do this, I find that I loose weight very easily. One of the reasons why I love this way of eating is because I can eat a large meal and feel very satisfied. I don't get hungry on this method, but if you find you must have something, try fresh juice made from fruits and vegetables in a juicer. As for timing meals, everyone is different. You would have to find out what works best for you. I tried Tonya Zavasta's method called "quantum eating", I was shaking and weak on her method.
Longevity
The longest lived people in the world eat two meals a day. Think about how much energy the body has to put out for digestion with all the food many people stuff in their mouths - They dig their graves with their teeth! This is an interesting article that mentions studies on animals and how their lives are extended by calorie restriction.
In the morning after a night of rest, the body's energy for digestion is at it's peak which is why a large meal is most appropriate at this time. Concurrently, it's energy is spent at the end of the day, which is why it is best to not tax it later in the day. The less you tax your body, the longer you live.
Detoxification
We live in a cesspool of toxins. If we were to remove toxicity by changing household cleaners and body care products, we still wouldn't be able to deal with all of the toxicity in our environment. Being mindful of detoxification becomes paramount for healthful living. Eating foods that escort toxins out of our bodies is important. Another way to deal with toxicity and boosting the immune system is by fasting. When the digestive system is shut down, it switches to detox mode. Intermittent fasting by skipping the last meal of the day is a way to fast on a daily basis and help your body detoxify on a regular basis.
I eat this way from Monday to Friday. I relax this method on the weekend when I am more likely to be invited to a friend's house for a meal. If you are interestested in trying this method, ease into and see how your body responds. I found an excellent article by Dr. Mercola on the benefits of intermittent fasting here. For those who think they will turn into a skinny rail, check out this site which promotes it for men who are body building. Be sure to scroll down to see the photos of Surge Nubret next to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Pretty amazing! I don't agree with everything stated in article but most of it seems pretty sound.
Have a great day!
Friday, May 30, 2014
The Truth About Cancer
There is a free docu-series going on right now. It is free until Monday. After the free viewing is over, the series will be available for sale. Sorry for the short notice! Sign up here to view it.
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Super grain: Quinoa
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| Quinoa Garden Salad |
Update
I have been critical of Dr. Oz for changing his point of view in the past. I was very disappointed in fact over a couple of issues. This time, however, I agree with him completely over the use of medical marijuana. I do not support the use of it as a recreational drug but see it as a powerful herb that can help many people especially with cancer and epilepsy. Here is a recent clip with Dr. Oz and his comments about this herb.
Super Grain Quinoa
I recently had friends over for lunch and I forgot to pick up dessert. I sent my husband to pick some up for me. After our meal, I set out the dessert which included chocolate chip cookies. There are certain things that trigger weakness in me. Chocolate being one of them and the second being cookies. Chocolate chip cookies? Double whammy! I usually feel a sense of accomplishment over mastering the art of self control. I love the discipline of eating healthfully. I love passing by sugar and junk most others indulge in. There are times however when I miserably succumb to the temptations around me. My husband had tossed the packaging to the cookies and the trash was taken out, so we weren't sure if the cookies were gluten free or not. My wishful thinking took over, my inner "cookie monster" was awakened and the rest is history. I tasted one and thought, "these are powdery, crumbly cookies. They must be gluten-free". So I began downing them one by one. Self-control? Out the window! I had my fill and I so enjoyed it! Beyond shameful!
The next day I began to feel a sharp pain in my shoulder and it steadily increased until my arm was useless by my side. Sure enough, the cookies weren't gluten free. It has been a rude awakening for me going gluten free. Gluten has become poison to my body. I never knew how much I craved gluten foods until I had to give it up for the sake of health. I have had to continually remind myself of how blessed I am. I can live with zero symptoms of arthritis by simply removing gluten from my diet and eating mostly alkaline foods- no drugs, no pain and full mobility- I can't ask for more. I am also exploring baking with gluten free flours- not terrible.
In the past year or so, because of my new sensitivity to gluten, I have become acquainted with some grains that really are healthful. I eat them on a regular basis and would like to share them with you. I have mentioned that I make an effort to maintain an alkaline diet which is mostly raw, but I do include cooked foods. In this post, I would like to discuss super grain quinoa. I was first introduced to quinoa by my sister's in-laws who are from Peru. My mom began cooking with it and now, only after the scourge of psoriatic arthritis has made itself very present, I have started using it.
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| I purchase my quinoa at Costco |
The Benefits of Quinoa
Quinoa has been consumed for thousands of years by those who live in and around the Andes of South America. It has been cultivated at high elevations and benefited those who lived in such a climate. The Incas revered this grain so much, that they considered the grain as sacred. It is rich in protein and actually has all 9 essential amino acids. People fret about eating complete protein on a vegetarian diet. I believe that the body stores and assembles complete protein as needed. For those who insist on getting it all in one meal, consider adding quinoa. Nothing but complete protein with this grain! Quinoa is also rich in Iron, B vitamins such as B1, B2,B3, B6 and B9. Quinoa has a high fiber content making it more filling and satisfying. As for minerals, quinoa contains magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, zinc,copper, selenium and manganese. This super grain has been shown to help those consuming it to stave off chances of developing diabetes and cholesterol. It is excellent in helping one achieve optimal weight provided that the rest of one's diet and lifestyle is also healthful.
Cooking with quinoa
If you know how to cook rice, you know how to cook quinoa. I take a cup quinoa and two cups water, season it and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, I reduce heat to low and bring the mixture to a simmer. I let it cook until all the water is consumed. This may take 15 to 20 minutes. Another method is to just toss it into a pot of chili, stew or soup. I eat quinoa most frequently for breakfast. I like to season it with cinnamon, nutmeg a dash of salt and coconut palm sugar (to taste). Once cooked I'll pour coconut milk over it and eat it as a hot cereal. Below is a recipe for Quinoa Garden Salad. Hope you enjoy it!
Quinoa Garden Salad
2 cups water
1 cup quinoa
2 to 3 bell peppers (red, orange and yellow)
2 cucumbers
1 bunch chopped green onions
1- 14 1/2 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp soy sauce
Tabasco sauce- a dash
freshly ground black pepper
(as a side note, I always adjust ingredients until it tastes right to me).
Place the quinoa and water in a pot and bring this to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to simmer, cover with a lid and allow to cook until the water is consumed. This should take about 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool. Chop bell peppers, cucumbers, green onions, parsley, mint - place into a bowl with chick peas. Mix lemon juice, soy sauce, tabasco, salt a pepper. Mix quinoa, chopped salad ingredients and dressing. Adjust seasonings.
Have a great day!
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Documentary Film: Fed up
There is another must-see documentary. I follow Dr. Mark Hyman, MD and in one of his recent emails, he shared that on May 9, The new documentary film, Fed Up, will be released in theaters for public viewing. I have only seen the trailer to the film but it looks like another good one. View the official trailer here.
Have a great day!
Friday, April 25, 2014
The Food Revolution Summit
There are certain individuals who dared to think outside the box and question the status quo. I consider them visionary pioneers who weren't afraid of being marginalized. In their quest for answers that perplexed them, they found healing and have helped thousands of those around them to also find the path to health-even after their passing. I consider Ann Wigmore, John Christopher and more recently, John Robbins to be among them. John Robbins, heir to the Baskin Robbins fortune, chose to forego his inheritance to invest his energy in something far more valuable- opening the eyes of the general public to the horrendous way food is produced in the United States. He continues with this effort with the help of his son, Ocean. The Food Revolution Summit begins Saturday April 26th to May 4. They have several well informed speakers and even some celebrities like Woody Harrelson and Alicia Silverstone who will participate in this summit. Click here to register for this free online event.
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Saturday, April 19, 2014
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