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Showing posts with label healthyliving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthyliving. Show all posts
Friday, 14 July 2017
Thursday, 5 January 2017
New Year, New Start, New Opportunities
A lot has happened in the last couple of months and that's my excuse for not writing a new post here on our blog.
2016 came and went way too fast. During the year we achieved some of our goals and missed others by a wide mark. One thing for sure the World is changing fast and I see new hope and new fears in equal measure wherever I look. We are moving into what I believe a defining era in our human evolution. Not only is the political and cultural landscape shifting, I also see a positive awakening among the population concerning the environment, health, and respect for life. It might not be apparent at first glance, especially if your info is coming out of the flat screen 'Weapon of Mass Deception' that's sat facing you on your wall.
As a species, we have huge challenges to work through and the price of failure is not worth thinking about. If our species destroys itself because of ignorance, dogma and fear then I guess that'll be our fate. One thing for sure the planet will not mourn us and any trace of us will soon be erased by mother nature and life will go on.
However, I don't believe this is necessary or our destiny. The definition of insanity is repeating the same actions over and over and expecting different results. This is what our species has been doing forever, like a hamster on a wheel.
Our internal and external environment is being challenged with new conditions, forces, and ideas. If we can't learn to adapt to these changes we are doomed. These are the tides of evolutionary change that are confronting our species, adapt or die are our only options.
The most terrifying challenge most people have is confronting change, whether at home in the personal life, political and social ideas or even (I had to get it in) dietary changes. Dealing with these new situations with fear and anger, can and will only lead to fear and anger from the very thing you are fighting against. This is a no-win situation that only leads to conflict, distraction and oppression.
In today's World for the first time humanity has access to a global communications network. We've evolved to the point where we can instantaneously share ideas with anyone, anywhere on the planet. This ability to share ideas has given us an evolutionary edge over the rest of the animals on this planet and allowed us to eventually develop advanced technology. It's all very new to us still, and we are making big mistakes in finding the best use for our ideas. Our species has just learned to stand up without falling over and we also have a choice to stop shitting ourselves and leaving it for our parents (church, state etc) to clean up. It's time, we all, every one of us starts taking responsibility for our own little piece of the planet.
Leave as little or no waste, recycle, replenish our local environments, encourage wildlife with wild places, cherish all life as a family, help and serve the people we love and have open minds and hearts to people less nourished, educated and treat people the way we all would like to be treated. I'm positive we are all born into this world with these universal ethics and morals inside us, part of the human experience. We recognise them in religion (any flavour) because we identify with the words written down as speaking to our own morals and truths already inside us all. We're all the same species trying to make the best of this life while we drift through the cosmos on a grain of wet sand.
We all have the power to make significant changes for the better.
If you don't like the power of the big corporations then do some research and stop purchasing their products and services or blindly voting for the politicians that are bought and paid for by the corps you hate.
If you hate to see the disgraceful abuse of your surrounding countryside, covered in litter and being polluted, start taking a litter bag out with you and pick the mess up.
If you don't like your current health, start researching what you can do to improve your quality of life, change your diet, get some exercise, stop relying on your doctors and their prescription pads.
Make your voice heard, be honest with your opinions and ideas and share them.
Sign petitions, they work and you can play a part in positive change to end the exploitation of the people, animals, and the planet. You say nothing and just moan then you are part of the problem.
I could go on and on, but what I'm getting at is when you realise that your reality can be changed into whatever you want it to be, you have the power and choice, then positive things can and will happen.
We've all become lazy with our responsibilities and choices, "it'll do, somebody else will take care of that" or the most common attitude "I can't be bothered and it's too complicated". Well tough!!! Our society and the planet is sliding towards a very bad future. We've for too long given control of ourselves to people who don't care about us, they don't even know we exist, we are just stock and crops to be used, manipulated and profited from. We gave that power away when we gave our own personal sovereignty away, something we are born with.
To use the cliche, 'be the change you want to see'. You're not alone, trust me. Most importantly don't let ego rule your decisions and choices. Change can be very positive if you choose it to be. But often it takes integrity to stand up and admit 'I was wrong'. Seek the truth in all things, question everything. My late father used to say to me "John there are no coincidences", he was right and I just didn't realise it at the time because of my ego, sorry dad.
When you come to the realisation that what we think of as our own free will is actually being manipulated and coerced because of our own ignorance things become simple. We can make that ignorance go away and gain more control of our lives and situations. Knowledge is power (LOL another cliche) but it's true. If you hear a story that makes you angry or even feel hate, research it from all sides and sources. You may be right from the outset and your research will only confirm your fears. If this is the case act and do something, no matter how small (petition, engage conversation, and sharing of info). But please be informed and don't just spout views that often ignite a bad situation further.
Intolerance, ignorance, and hate is dividing our species and threatening everything. We could have a future unfolding with a destroyed environment, decimated natural world, political or religious oppression like we've never imagined before, as the norm. Or we can all take a deep breath and step back from the brink, shed the medieval thinking of government and church, after all, they don't seem to know what the hell they are doing and have made a bloody mess of things so far. Breath and look around you.
Our leaders, kill, destroy and oppress every which way they turn. At the same time, they beg us to help with charity and taxes and to go to war to fix the very problems they cause. There is never enough money to fix human suffering but always a blank cheque for human misery, hmmmm. This happens in plain sight, nothing hidden. We need hospitals, housing, food, education and sanitation for all. How about a government that encourages the scientific communities of the world to come together and solve our burdening energy crisis. Don't hold your breath, cause that is not going to happen anytime soon. We've had clean energy technology for a long time but it has always been suppressed and hidden from us. Do you really think we still need to be burning fossil fuels? We are being lied too BIG TIME.
Money is created out of nothing, literally (Money Explained) but never it seems for the good of humanity. While we ignorantly imagine that our spiritual and political leaders are working hard for a better future, all the time they laugh and judge us from palaces, cathedrals, and mansions. They are all guilty of spreading fear and hate which is the very fuel we supply back to them to justify their evil acts. We the people are the ones that beg for war and atrocities against our fellow man, all because we believe the bullshit and propaganda we've been fed and it terrifies us. For a historical example, strap in and watch: Vietnam - How we get manipulated into War or Project For The New American Century
Politics and religion have one thing in common.....it's just business based on lies, fear, and manipulation, simple. They create prison bars for the human mind. The resources available from these institutions could fix poverty, malnutrition, and inequality Worldwide within a generation. This isn't and never will be the plan. They are very happy with the current world view. Scared, ignorant consumers, just as designed. For a great insight into the agenda and plan that's been in motion for a long time, make a cup of tea and be enlightened by this documentary by Adam Curtis The Century of the Self
Solutions:
Starting at home with family and friends start living and eating better. Become less reliant on the big food and pharmaceutical corporations. The cleaner you diet the better you critically thinking and overall health will be and the less easily you'll be manipulated by the media and propaganda. Nutrition & Brain Health
When you feel the emotions of anger, fear or isolation. Research the underlying causes and problems that have triggered these emotions, you'll often find it's not what you originally perceived.
If we have to evolve in this political and environmental landscape get educated. No, I don't mean go to school again, I mean use the technology around us to inform yourselves. But please dig deep and don't just go to the massive, corporate media websites, the very originators of fake news...ha ha you couldn't write it!
Demand a better and fairer election system. Democracy is not what we have been given no matter how they polish and wrap it up.
LEARN HISTORY. Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.
Be brave, be heard, support campaigns and sign petitions. You are not powerless, stop being part of the flock of sheeple, it's time to evolve.
Cherish and wonder at all life, open your eyes. Cause no pain or suffering and help others. Share your excess if you have any, be it food, shelter or happiness. Be good, always.
Teach all children without the bias of church and state that only the fools don't ask questions.
We must always seek the truth with evidence and not be lead by simple hope, laziness or faith.
The reality we face is the reality we can create, our choice
Ahhhh, much better, New Year's rant over. Time for a plant based lunch, a walk in the crisp, fresh, January air. Maybe hug a tree or talk to a bird (I know you don't believe me LOL). But most of all step forward into a bright future with optimism, love and light. It's great to be alive so come on 2017 let's have it! 😀
Happy New Year everyone Jxx
Monday, 10 October 2016
Introducing Genetically Modified Organisms GMO 2nd Edition
What does Value Free Mean?
by Mark Plummer BSc / PGCE
Science is like any other human endeavour in that it is not a static process; it is an organic and dynamic mechanism by which we make sense of the world around us. For an enquiring mind, an observation becomes hypothesis which in turn becomes a theory. The theory holds until it is replaced by another. If new observations lead to a new hypothesis, then it is entirely possible that a new theory will present itself. Every time new evidence is presented the existing theory is re-assessed and if necessary it is replaced. Within this paradigm, there are countless examples of where science can and should be framed as a value-free process, a phrase which has different meanings in different contexts. In my view, any aspect of science which has no consequences in the real world as it is today is value free. To be genuinely and totally objective the application of science and /or technology in the real world must not have any impact (good or bad) what so ever. A personal opinion or perception of that application must equally have no consequence for other people, their community or the natural world. The only way that science as a discipline can operate in this manner is if it separates itself from the world it is part of. I do not believe that an agency operates in isolation from the others. No single structure can implement a given policy or move in a given direction without it having consequence or impact on the others. Clearly, as far as GMO’s are concerned the science and the technology which applies it will always have an impact on the world around us. Hence we as human beings are going to make a value judgement on whether we agree or not. My position is obvious and another reason for this series of eBooks is to ask you to make a similar call. According to those who support the release of GMO’s into the environment, this is not the case. We are supposed to accept without question GMO’s because the science is sound (which it isn’t) and the organisms themselves are equivalent (which they are not) to those which are already here. We are supposed to ignore all other considerations. We are supposed to agree solely on the basis of results presented in a given set of primary science papers. In one sentence the community of practising scientists who support and/or develop GMO’s actually want hundreds of millions of people to drop their opposition because of the results presented in the science that they have produced. We say that perhaps you ought to stop and engage with the reasons why there is so much opposition. This engagement does not mean grinding opposition down it means actually talking to the people you are supposed to serve.
Given that achieving objectives such as improved food security, reduced pesticide use and biodiversity are supposed to benefit all living organisms on the Earth, they must be constantly evaluated. The how, why, who and where and the mechanisms by which such goals are hit must always be critically assessed. Hence by definition, the development of GMO’s cannot be framed in any way as a value-free process. Such issues connect to questions on the “ethics of science” and that means there is no right or wrong answer. It really does depend on what kind of future you want and what kind of planet you want to live on. For example, I have been opposed to GMO’s from the outset. Over the last 20-25 years, I have seen nothing to make me change my mind. I consider the current situation in the Middle East and North Africa to be a crime against humanity, for which there will be some future reckoning. I do not support nuclear power in any sense and developments such as fracking represent a complete disregard for the coming climate (at least for our species) catastrophe. Others have the opposite view on these and other systemic global problems. It is up to the reader to decide where they stand on such issues and for most there is no middle ground. For instance, you either:
• Want to live in a nuclear-free world or you don’t.
• Want and end to poverty, inequality, conflict and global war or you don’t.
• Want fracking to go ahead here in the UK (or anywhere else) or you don’t.
• Want to push for as wide and comprehensive renewable energy portfolio as we can, or you don’t.
• Want fossil fuels to remain in the ground or you don’t.
• Support the Palestinian cause or you don’t.
• Want to eat food produced by means of genetic engineering of plants and animals or you don’t.
• Think that the techniques used in the laboratory produce food which is substantially equivalent to that which already exists or you don’t.
None of these subjects are value free and your viewpoint on them indicates exactly the values you hold. Perceptions and opinions vary, but one point is 100% cast iron guaranteed, once you have embarked on any of the above examples, there is no going back. Either way, you have to stand up and be counted warts and all. There will be consequences and that means your value system will come to the forefront of your thinking. In contrast, value-free means that the debate or discussion can be settled by the evidence alone and that is it, the subject is closed. And there is no consequence, the answer just is and that is it. The supporters and drivers of GMO’s want you to believe that the science and technology falls into this category. Hopefully, the following example will demonstrate, yet again, why I (and hundreds of millions like me) do not believe this to be the case.
Consider the hypothesis that the Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-rex) was not the majestic predator we like to think it was. Within the field of palaeontology there are those who assert based on evidence that the animal was a predator. Conversely there are those who impart that the picture is not so clear. This second school of thought suggests with equally robust science that T-rex was in fact a scavenger, living off carrion where ever it could find it. The question for us today is to ask “does it really matter?” Well, it does in the sense that we can use palaeontology to help us construct an ever more detailed picture of the prehistoric world. The more blanks we can fill in the more detailed picture we have of evolution and the processes which drive it. On the other hand does it really matter to you, me or anyone else outside of the disciplines of Earth science and palaeontology, whether T-rex was scavenger or not? Will the outcome of this debate influence any of the decisions you make during your lifetime? It might, but probably not. Did you even know that T-rex debate was even happening? You may have done, but the chances are you didn’t. Overall, the question appears to be settled, T-rex it appears on the balance of probabilities and continued good solid and objective science, was a predator, so what of it? Will the answer help you pay the mortgage? No of course not. The answer will satisfy our thirst for knowledge and need to construct a picture of the past and rightly so, but that’s it. In other words, the scavenger or predator discussion for T-rex is a value-free scientific debate. Does the scientific evidence either way make any difference to us, the biosphere today or the future direction of evolution? The answer is of course a succinct no. I mean to say do you really care whether T-rex was a predator or not? Without belittling the science in any way shape or form, I don’t. Even the chief protagonist for the scavenger theory is reported to have said words to the effect of “look I don’t care either way, let’s just do the science and find out”. Bang on and no argument with that.
In terms of the potential future impact on what remains of the biosphere the presence (or not) of GMO’s are absolutely pivotal. I would love to live in a world where just a fraction of the obscene amounts of money and expertise tied up in crop and animal genetic engineering was diverted to worthwhile endeavours such as palaeontology or genuine solutions to climate change. Indeed, I would love to see the huge subsidies and massive bank balances enjoyed by big agriculture and the GM component of the biotechnology industry immediately diverted to organic and permaculture systems. And I would love to see it on a global scale. I would like to see a full global moratorium on every aspect of plant and /or animal genetic engineering. I would love to see the whole enterprise properly regulated and thoroughly investigated. Where appropriate I would love to see criminal charges brought against the agencies and individuals who support it and have brought us to the current position. The supporters of GMO’s have not (in my experience) even acknowledged this point of view as legitimate. In many ways they do not even know it even exists, of such realities are schisms made. In contrast, my value system says the above opinions represent part of the framework to achieving a genuinely sustainable future for ourselves and all the life on planet Earth. Sadly, for myself and millions more who have serious questions on the GMO issue, such a shift is not going to happen anytime soon and it will only happen if we demand it, campaign for it and make it happen.
Without a doubt on GMO’s and agriculture, on climate change and biogeochemical cycles, on biodiversity, on conflict and nuclear issues the proverbial clock is ticking. These are the biggest issues that I believe need to be resolved if we and the biosphere which supports us are to survive. On the current trajectory something is going to give and as our current global situation stands it is going to put what we have seen so far into the shade. From an evolutionary perspective the picture is absolutely terrifying. We all live in a world which is already in a catastrophic and disgraceful situation and I would argue heading toward a 6th mass extinction. Well since the Cambrian explosion at any rate. A pivotal event known as the Permian mass extinction occurred in the prehistoric past. Approximately 250 million years ago on a Tuesday at 10.00am an inter-related series of processes was set in motion by the geology of Planet Earth. About 100,000 years later the collective of processes had fully run their course. By which time anything up to 90% of all life on Earth had been eradicated. In everyday language is referred to by several phrases including “the great dying” or “the day the Earth nearly died” and words such as “wipe-out”. An alternative supposition is that the Permian event was caused by a meteor impact, but the evidence for this has always been lacking. Having said the reader can guess which body of research the fossil fuel and nuclear industries have funded in recent decades. Once again it is demonstrated that science is not a value-free process.
I believe with good reason and with an increasing sense of fear (if not unbridled terror) that we are heading Permian levels of environmental collapse. Unless “things” change or are compelled to, I believe that it will happen one way or the other in a timescale that is measured in decades. Some say that the process is already occurring. Given the current rate of species extinction and environmental destruction, it is difficult to argue against such a proposition. The prospect of artificial genetic engineering leading to the release of human-made novel organisms into the natural world absolutely fits into this paradigm. And it’s not pretty. Take a second and think about it. The world is unstable and becoming more so, the spoilt children who run things seem to be in a more manic mood than has hitherto passed. If you are a rational human being this is undeniable and as we all know instability breeds uncertainty. Given our current disgraceful and avoidable situation are we really to stand by and allow the release of a whole plethora of GMO’s (plant and animal) into a biosphere that is already in a critically endangered state? If you believe science to be value free then the answer is yes. If you do not believe science to be value free the answer is no. Once again there is no middle ground. I reiterate (again) that we have no idea of the long-term consequences of such releases; we truly are firing in the dark. The supporters of GMO’s are firing pellets of novel DNA into the fabric of evolution and they seriously expect us to believe that there will be no consequence. More bizarrely some have even suggested that if there are consequences our ingenuity will overcome them. I say it isn’t worth the risk especially when there are alternatives. I say that anyone who believes there will be no consequence needs psychiatric help and certainly should not be making decisions concerning GMO’s on our behalf.
By the time you read this we may well be in a world where Donald Trump is the president of the most powerful country in the world. The tragedy is that Hilary Clinton isn’t really much better, but she is not Donald Trump. Sadly, in terms of outlook and foreign policy there really isn’t much difference between the two contenders. In the name of humanity, a Donald Trump presidency cannot be allowed, but it could well happen. We also live in a world which looks set to leave the Holocene epoch behind and enter a completely new time frame called the Anthropocene. In either case all bets, statutes and mechanisms by which our affairs are organised are off and I do mean all bets. The prospect of living in a world with a Trump presidency, in the Anthropocene, where absolutely nothing is done about the above mentioned issues (and others) and we have unfettered GMO’s as the norm scares this writer to the core of his being. At the end of the day it is very simple, do you want that kind of future or not? As I make crystal clear here and in the second edition of the “Introducing GMO’s book” there is no middle ground, so what do you want? What we have and likely much worse, or do you believe as I do that “another world is possible”?
References
4: http://isj.org.uk/marxism-and-the-anthropocene/
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Release Date 2nd Edition October 10th 2016
Wednesday, 7 September 2016
My Beetroot Harvest Smoothie
September is one of my favourite times of the year. The countryside is filling up with wild fruits and my organic garden is producing wonderful superfoods.
Yesterday evening Pilar and I took a walk in the local countryside, camera in hand and a foraging back in my pocket. Moving very quietly we saw both Muntjac and Roe Deer foraging on the very autumn fruits we had gone out to look for. Unfortunately, the light was fading fast so no worthy photos.
The bramble bushes are just starting to produce big, shiny blackberries. We harvested about a hundred big, ripe fruits as it's very important not to take too many at any one time. The wild animals rely on this annual harvest to fatten up to prepare for the winter. Only take what you immediately need, you can always go collecting another day.
This year I planted beetroot in between my runner bean plants. They've all done really well and I pulled four large beetroots for this smoothie. I also harvested the mint, apple, celery and spinach. it can't get fresher and more organic than this.
This smoothie recipe is sweet, smooth and delicious. It's also a great blood and liver regenerator. (fantastic hangover cure, apparently) Try and drink it fresh to get the best of the live enzymes and micro nutrients. This mix makes four and a half pint of deliciousness from my faithful MagiMix blender.
Give it a go and let me know what you think.
Cheers!
Please leave a comment and share, thank you.
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
SIRT FOOD cover design
Hi everyone, I need some help. I've recently been tweaking and editing all our covers in our catalogue. When I look back at some of the early design disasters from last year, I bloody cringe.
The final cover I've decided to modify is back to the first book released, SIRT FOOD.
The original cover has gone through several modifications until I settled on the recent edit B. This morning I decided it needed a fresh feel, cover A is the result.
Simple question, which do you prefer?
If you could leave either A or B or a more detailed comment I'd really appreciate the feedback. Thanks J
UPDATE June 2017:
Decided on this cover
Please leave a comment and share, thank you.
Wednesday, 27 July 2016
Vidda Kitchen - Gluten Free Vegan Banana & Pecan Bread
One of the most difficult challenges of cleaning up our diet was removing gluten and dessert/sweet foods. To be honest, the sweet stuff I always could take or leave, I prefer savoury, but for my partner, Pilar the desserts proved a real challenge.
Thankfully as our nutrition improved and health and vitality returned the 'sweet tooth' cravings also vacated our dietary routine. Today we look at natural and unprocessed sugars and delicious recipes full of nutrition.
This recipe covers many nutritional based for us. Not only is it gluten free it contains great fibre, oils, vitamins, and minerals. The is so easy to make and I promise you'll love it. My favourite use is to have it warm out of the oven, smeared with tahini and organic honey, place in a cereal bowl and add a large spoonful of non-dairy yogurt and a few berries, blueberries and raspberries preferably.
Be inventive and flexible with this recipe. Walnuts also are really good instead of pecans. When in season try hazelnuts or chestnuts. You don't need to use nuts, obviously avoid if you have allergies. Replace the nuts with berries or small chunks of mango, kiwi or apple, get creative.
We always look for the reduced priced bananas when we are out shopping. It's funny to us because most people reject any bananas that have brown spots, ha, ha more for us and they are always discounted.
Once you've tried this delicious bread you'll be hooked.
Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
5 very ripe bananas
1.5 cups quinoa flour
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1 cup crushed pecans
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp baking powder
Pre-heat your oven to 350F.
Wipe you baking tin with a smear of oil.
Throw together your peeled banana, flour, and oil. You can use a food processor for mixing but I use my Magimix smoothie blender.
Then mix in the spices and nuts or berries.
Finally, mix in the baking powder.
Pour the gooey mix into your baking tin, place a few whole nuts or banana slices on the top and cook for 40 minutes.
Disclaimer: All recipes are tried and tested and addictive. Five days of binge eating any of our recipes will result in a sloppy smile and possible weight gain. As far as we are aware no deaths have been recorded from eating banana bread, this is not a challenge, be careful, please.
Please leave a comment and share, thank you.
Monday, 25 July 2016
‘The way to your dog’s healthy heart is through its stomach’
Extract from SOON to be Released:
What's in your Dog’s Dinner?
How to Save your Dog from dietary boredom and disease
by J. Hodges
We think of our beloved dogs as friends, sidekicks, guardians and often the most important relationship we have. They give, give and give and we try to keep them happy and healthy.
As a dog owner all my life and now working at least half of my year as a professional dog sitter for dozens of dogs of all shapes and sizes, I’ve come to the obvious conclusion that like ourselves we’ve all been fed a lie about the pet food industry. The more I’ve researched its practices and oversights the more outraged I’ve become. This has led me to write this book to try to help and advise all dog owners and to ease the dietary suffering of so many beloved pets.
Many dog owners struggle with the cost of keeping their pooches well fed and the nightmare of the almost inevitable vet bills, I know I’ve been there. We often spend more on our dog’s wellbeing than we do on ourselves. The stores and retail outlets offer a myriad of dog food choices. We’re bombarded by cute marketing and colourful packaging, all claiming to be the best and the healthiest option for our pets. This usually comes with a high price ticket though and can’t always be trusted.
Thankfully with the rise of the internet pet owners have a platform and community to share experiences and ideas with each other. The wealth of knowledge about nutrition is trickling down and benefiting no only ourselves but the animals we share our lives with. We all want to be healthy and so do our dogs. They rely on us to nourish them with not only food but also love and compassion. Providing a healthy diet is the best thing we can do for ourselves and our dogs.
Not all food is made equal and just because it tastes good it doesn’t mean it’s actually doing us good. Some ‘foods’ can affect our biology fast and have severe and noticeable effects. But in most cases, the damage is cumulative and goes by unnoticed for many years. Only knowledge can protect us from these hidden dangers. Don’t rely on the food companies, your peers or your God to protect or to have your best interests at heart. I wish it was that simple, it should be but sadly commerce is more about extracting your money than supplying you and your pets with safe products.
As the epidemic of obesity and disease is having a vice-like grip on the humans in our society, so the same appears to be happening to our doggie companions. The simple solution to these problems is DIET.
As everyone knows prevention is a way better choice than cure. When it comes to health it is simple, you are what you eat. If we spend a lifetime consuming low nutritional, artificial, processed food (I use the term food with a large pinch of sarcasm) our complex bodies start to fail and eventually die.
With this poor choice of diet, we and our dogs are constantly hungry. Why is this?
When we have a nutritional imbalance and our body lacks the fuel it needs to function optimally, our brain sends a message for a fuel top-up in the form of food. This process has evolved over eons of time as a very efficient solution to the problem of staying alive. We can now fill our stomach with stuff that’s cheap and looks and smells like nutritious food. The sad truth is the majority of commercially provided food available is far from nutritious and I certainly don’t want my dog to eat it. The result is we’re constantly looking for the next meal or snack.
The obese die from diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancers ironically brought on by malnutrition which in turn compromises the immune system. Our dogs are now dying from the same epidemic but they have it even worse. They can’t make their own nutritional decisions; that responsibility is in our hands. It’s a crazy world!
Of course, nobody wants this to happen to ourselves or our dogs. On a positive note, there does seem to be a shift in attitudes concerning our nutritional needs. As health care bills skyrocket to the point of crushing economies even the governments are finally promoting healthier lifestyle choices.
This fills me with optimism but has anyone stopped and realised that our poor dogs are having the same health problems? Most dog owners don’t really give too much thought about what goes into the dog bowl in the morning. They just accept that the branded commercial food products are nourishing and safe for their dogs. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
Apart from a few table scraps most dogs suffer from a very poor selection of food and are starved of variety and nutrients. How many of you have had dogs with common complaints such as skin problems, diarrhea, arthritis, bad teeth and gum disease and even depression? I could go on but I think most dog owners are familiar with these ailments. All these common ailments can be either prevented or reversed with a change to a whole food nutritious diet.
When our dogs become ill the first thing we do is either go to the pet store to purchase expensive over the counter remedies which are often toxic or we run to our local vet.
Most of these problems can be avoided by paying attention to your dog’s nutritional needs. This advice is also very relevant to you the reader for your own health.
Most processed dog food is full of chemicals, preservatives, E numbers, fillers and meat by-products and God knows what else. The regulation for pet food is alarmingly very poor and in some cases none existent. Have you ever met a dog food taster? Or read a survey of dogs discussing the food industry? Is it any wonder our babies are becoming sick? They are getting away with murder.
The easy solution to this is to feed your dog healthy food, the same as you should be feeding yourself. If it’s good enough for me, it’s good enough for my dog. Although it’s tougher for me now since I changed to become a vegetarian.
You’ve all noticed that the first thing your dog does when you take him for a walk is looking for some fresh grass to eat. Why? Well, grass is an amazing source of vitamins and minerals. It’s also very alkalizing and when your dog has an upset stomach a portion of fresh living grass is his medicine. Not only does it help the dog purge the acid from his gut it also help alkalize the stomach. I highly recommend everybody should consume wheatgrass, either fresh or powdered and dogs love it. Just mix a teaspoonful of powder into his food. Check it out on Google; you’ll be amazed at its benefits.
Dogs also love fruit and vegetables. Our dogs love carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, apples (always cored and without the seeds), bananas, melons. They love blackberries and they love picking their own when shown how to. In fact, our dogs will have a go at just about anything.
As part of my personal & preventative health insurance for the last five years, I start every day with a vegetable and fruit smoothie. It gives my body all the complex nutrients it needs for the day. My health has never been better and at 47 years old my health is improving daily. I haven’t had any type of sickness in half a decade. My weight is kept in check, my skin glows and I have loads of energy. Our dogs love this because we have more energy for walkies and play.
My dogs deserve the same. This is when I realised that maybe our dogs would appreciate and thrive on a simple smoothie protocol. Guess what, they do!! If you have smoothies in the morning share some with your pooch. Of course, check out the section on “Food to avoid” first, you don’t want to be giving him something that will cause problems.
Safe vegetables your dog will love
Brussels Sprouts
Peas
Pumpkin
Squash
Green Beans
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Carrots
Kale
Romaine Lettuce
Celery
Sweet Potato
Safe fruits your dog will love
Cantaloupe Melon (remove seeds)
Water Melon (remove seeds)
Bananas
Strawberries
Blueberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Apples (remove core and seeds)
Pears (remove seeds)
Coconut
For easy treats try raw fruit and vegetables such as carrot pieces or celery pieces dipped in unsalted peanut butter, banana chunks, frozen or fresh blackberries. Your dog might be cautious at first basically because he doesn’t recognise these new foods. I found a sure way to get your dog to try new varieties of fruit and veg is to sit on the floor with him and share the treat, one for me one for the dog, works every time.
Finally, remember if you’re cooking yourself any vegetables always prepare a little extra for your dog. My dog always has Sunday dinner with us; he just loves a large bowl of steamed sweet potatoes, a few brussel sprouts, some cabbage or kale and a few carrots and peas. To finish off I put on a good ladle of gravy made from the vegetable water. Our dog licks his bowl clean every time.
Important: The final release of this book will also include a large selection of healthy, home made recipes and health tips for your pooch.
Please subscribe to our FaceBook page for updates and a Limited Time offer of a FREE review copy of this book.
Important: The final release of this book will also include a large selection of healthy, home made recipes and health tips for your pooch.
Please subscribe to our FaceBook page for updates and a Limited Time offer of a FREE review copy of this book.
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Friday, 22 July 2016
Use the Force start Sprouting Microgreens
Extract from the imminent release 'How to Save Yourself' by J. Hodges
During all my years of research into health and nutrition, studying the beneficial and healing benefits of a plant-based diet. I've had to confront the startling reality that the diet I had previously known was saturated in pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and herbicides, artificial sugars, and salts and all this was sold to me, and you by a corrupt, deceptive self-serving monster of an industry. The food industry literally plays God with our health because in 'them we trust'. Thankfully it seems the tide is turning and populations are waking up to the dangers served up on their plates.
Your health starts with what you put into your body via the whole in your face, it's that simple. Saying that, the human body is extremely efficient in the short term dealing with toxins and substances it doesn't recognise. One of our bodies favorite responses is to wrap these toxic molecules in fat cells and store them away out of harms way. You might recognise this process when you look into the mirror and wonder why the six pack you imagined to be hiding underneath your clothes, like rippled, firm, wet sand on a shoreline of a tropical ocean actually looks more like the bloated torso of that special uncle that only turns up at family weddings and is always found passed out in the car park.
You can cheat and deceive yourself for decades but eventually, the overloading of your aging immune system will bite you in the ass. Youth is the great deceiver, charming you with flattery and a feeling of immortality. When things get a little wild the hand of youth picks you up from your faltered place, dusts you off and sends you on your way, the bullets of life deflected by its very presence.
BUT.........all those takeaway meals, booze soaked holidays and weekends and a fridge stocked full of beautifully packaged delights awaiting the microwave and a TV soap will ALWAYS get you, eventually.
Trust me I know!!!
I know for sure that I'm not divulging a great mystical secret from the fountain of youth. Everybody knows that eating a low nutrient, processed food is not good. But is has surprised me how few people with serious health problem realise that poor diet is the main cause of the majority of disease. Many will say "Oh but it's also genetic and my family has a history of this disease" [fill in the blank]. This does play a part but those genes have to be in an environment to express themselves into the manifestation of that disease. It's like saying, "I have a toaster so therefore it's inevitable that I will die from electrocution". Sure create the environment, ie; take a shower with the plugged-in toaster and yes you will be lite up like a cheap Christmas tree all because you owned a toaster. Create a dangerous environment and bad things happen.
The same goes for our health and bodies. You create a toxic sewer for your cells and they will turn into a hungry crap eating monsters that will consume you. Your DNA needs a wide spectrum of organic nutrients every day to keep the molecular integrity and to function safely and effectively within your body. We are not taught this at all. It should be part of the educational curriculum from the first days of schooling. But then we'd have a population of informed people who weren't addicted consumers to the food and pharmaceutical industries, draining societies resources and empowering the ruling elite, perish the thought!!!!
Ok, so that's enough of my sarcastic rantings. How do you start to change a lifetime of bad dietary habits and clean up and repair your failing body?
Nothing makes more sense to me than adding sprouted micro greens to your diet. Microgreens are the sprouted seeds of common vegetables and legumes, such as broccoli, kale, lentils and mung beans. All the live enzymes and nutrients needed to make a fully mature plant is all encapsulated in a tiny seed. All you need to start the growth process is the add the miracle medium H2O and a little warmth and of the go, LIFE. Every few days from out of my simple sprouter (see below) I can eat a garden full of broccoli plants, sunflower greens, and succulent mung beans by the handful, all vibrant and alive, bursting with chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals. We add them to just about every meal. Fantastic thrown into a hot soup sprinkled on pasta and rice dishes and heaven in any type of sandwich. I never cook with them because the heat quickly destroys the nutrients.
Sprouting microgreens is an amazing and simple way to get maximum nutrition, very cheaply and very easy to do. Your body will thank you as you replace and provide the molecules your body is literally dying for. If you are suffering from the common maladies of our society, asthma, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease etc, etc it's time to address the diet you're feeding your immune system. Why do you need to suffer when the remedies can be on your plate.
This way of treating disease is about fixing the whole failing system and not just the symptoms that are destroying your health that is prescribed with toxic, expensive pharmaceuticals with horrible side-effect and an alarming fatality statistic Pharmaceutical Drug Deaths.
I hear all the time "it's too expensive to eat healthily". This is insanity!!! The better nutrients you absorb through your diet the less you feel hungry, the less food you need to buy. Plus it's really easy to grow your own food which is guaranteeing your own healthcare.
If you're constantly snacking or thinking of your next feeding time then your body is crying out for nutrition. Once satisfied the body turns that nutrition into high quality, slow release energy that lets you be a creative, happy and healthy human being and not 24/7 hungry!!!
Our overweight society is actually dying of malnutrition. You can eat ten pizzas a day washed down with donuts and cola but all your getting is empty, useless calories, with lots of toxins thrown in for good measure and a huge credit card debt. These toxins are conveniently and most often addictive. How lucky for the junk/processed food industry. A customer base addicted to their products and a pharmaceutical industry that supplies the food toxins and then, in turn, gets the follow-on sales of over the counter prescription medicines US Drug sales Aug 2015
Your body wants to be healthy and it can repair and rejuvenate. I've witnessed the amazing transformation in chronic health conditions, even in people in their 80's just by a change to a predominately plant based diet.
Kids love the whole process of germinating the seeds, they have a garden to tend on the windowsill. It's a great way to get them to eat healthier because they can be involved in the process and it fits into today 'quick, on demand' zeitgeist.
If anyone wants to know more please feel free to drop me an email or leave a comment below. I've also attached the banner below for the company I use for my supplier of Heirlooms, non-GMO sprouting seeds.
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Extract from the imminent release 'How to Save Yourself' by J. Hodges
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