Live Long Naturally ©2012

Whether you like the brown mature coconuts or the young white ones, coconuts have been referred to as “the tree that supplies all that is needed to live.” Studies have shown coconut  (and oil) eating island people are virtually free from degenerative disease.

Feeling dehydrated? Need a better sports replacement drink? Coconut water is so similar to human blood composition it was used intravenously by Japanese doctors in World War II. Coconuts are also excellent for kidney stones, intestinal worms, cataracts, rashes and more!

Coconut and coconut oil are superfoods. Coconut – and it’s oil – is one of the most healthy, amazing things you can ingest. ~~Johnny Bowden, PhD., C.N.S.

Here a grain, there a grain, everywhere a grain grain! Actually, this high-protein grain is a seed. Whatever category it falls under, it packs a mighty nutritional punch! Legend has it that Incan armies used quinoa mixed with fat to make what they called “war balls.” I for one happen to love it for it’s protein content and taste. It’s higher in magnesium, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese, phosphorous and zinc than barley, corn and wheat. A great alternative to rice!

Note** this year I have decided to fast one day a week. This past week, towards the evening of my fast I found myself getting extremely tired! I decided to mix 1/2 cup quinoa with 5 cups water and simmer for 20 minutes. I blended and drank some. Within a half hours time I felt so great I decided to run 3 miles.

Other ways I love to prepare quinoa include: cooking it with garlic and onions and enough water to leave juice. I season lightly with kosher salt, Himalayan salt, or liquid aminos… then melt in some REAL butter when done. I also like to add pieces of kale last minute and top with seaweed – SIMPLY DIVINE!!!

Forget the processed “protein” bars – try quinoa instead!

For those of you who don’t know what Kombucha is… it is a sparkling and invigorating fermented tea. It is highly beneficial – once brewed, the tea contains Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12, folic acid, antioxidants, enzymes, probiotics, polyphenols, and glucuronic acid (which helps detoxify the body and liver). It has been around for centuries, used by many to increase energy, aid in weight loss, improve well-being, and cure diseases.

There are “starter” batches sold in the range of $30, though… you don’t need it to start making your own. Simply get yourself a raw unflavored store brand and use that as a starter tea. The are many variations to the recipes and the supplies needed. I will say that quite often less is more. You don’t need fancy equipment or tea bags for that matter.

One last key to making your own flawless batches are to keep your hands and all supplies/ingredients clean at all times.

What’s the expiration date on the food in your fridge or on your shelf? Are the ingredients actual food? Chances are one or more ingredients are difficult to pronounce and far from natural. From the MSG (monosodium glutamate) added to make poor quality food taste better to flavorings, food colorings, additives, and I mustn’t forget the lighter fluid substance used in Chicken McNuggets.

If the food you are buying is not fresh and local, chances are it is laden with chemical after chemical. Fast and processed foods may save you time and money now, but it comes with a hefty price tag of your money and life later.

“Over half of all the bankruptcies in this decade can be tied to personal health emergencies.” President Bill Clinton (while campaigning on behalf of Hillary)

Going “cold turkey” off processed, canned, and fast foods doesn’t have to cause confusion or cost a fortune. You can begin reading labels, look to replace them with a healthier version, or better yet learn to cook from scratch. It’s easy and very affordable. As you begin to read labels you’ll see just how many foods have chemicals in them. MSG alone is known to cause weight gain, lead to insulin resistance and further complication such as Diabetes. Medical problems do not stop at food additives or artificial sweeteners. The list is long and the problems are many. The solution however is simple – read labels, shop the outer walls of your grocery store, buy at Farmers’ Markets, Co-Ops, CSA’s or grow what you can where you can. You’ll be happier, healthier and a tad bit wealthier for it.

May you live long and prosper!

I love coconut, especially the young white ones. Whenever it’s sweet potato and yam season I stock up. I then steam, mash, add real butter and toss on some shredded coconut. Well… lucky for me, they were out of my usual brand of coconut shreds, so I picked up a bag of Coconut Flakes. Not just any coconut flakes! The brand is “LET’S DO ORGANIC.” The ingredients? Organic Coconut (sliced and dehydrated), nada mas! No sweetener, no pasteurization, nothing!

Unless we make foods ourselves, it’s not easy to find a packaged food with one ingredient listed. I am thoroughly impressed, my taste buds are delighted, and my sweet potatoes… I actually forgot to grab some. I was so excited to find organic flakes with nothing else added. The upside to forgetting my yams or sweet potatoes is that I got to eating the flakes alone – I’m hooked!

Young white coconuts are great to eat and drink by themselves, however… one of my favorite smoothies is to blend frozen coconut meat, a peeled orange, and choice of milk. A Tropical Delight!! Raw coconuts are a great snack/small meal in and of themselves.

In Sanskrit, the coconut palm is called kalpa vriksha: “the tree that supplies all that is needed to live.” Brigitte Mars, RAWESOME!