Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Tasting the tastes that you taste

I find it pretty incredible how we take things for granted… food included.

The other day I was eating a piece of bread and thinking how different it tasted all by itself. It was Ezekiel 4:9 bread at that. It made me appreciate it though. We can get so used to the myriad of wonderful food choices and combinations that we forget how blessed we are to have access to such foods. Lately I have not been able to buy all of the foods that I would like, as I one time did… but I thought of how amazing it was that I got to enjoy a piece of bread that good when much of the world cannot. It makes you thankful.

I also like trying foods by themselves because I like being able to pick them out in other foods. I like developing my palate.  It’s awful difficult to pick out a taste or an ingredient if you don’t know what it tastes like by itself. So amusingly enough to myself I will just eat basil by itself… or sage… or bread… or butter… or olive oil… or things that I want to taste in their own context before I add them as an ingredient to other foods… most of the time it’s spices and herbs. Ha.... hmmm… it makes me want to do that right now. You should try it sometime and laugh at yourself… then you can tell me and I will laugh at you too.

Whole foods have such richer taste than processed foods… you know?

Friday, May 16, 2008

Fast Today To Live Tomorrow

Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. The name of this blog is EAT today to live tomorrow. AND I know we all love food… however it is important to discuss not only what we eat but also how much… this where fasting comes in.

I feel like this post could go on forever before I even start. Much can be said about fasting but I will keep this as short as I can. Fasting is beneficial to your body, soul, and spirit. I mainly want to talk about the physical right now although I personally mainly fast for the spiritual reasons.

Eating, in and of itself, promotes the aging process. There are numerous studies (it’s so well known that I don’t think there is the need to cite… but look them up) that show eating less promotes longer life and slows down aging. Of course there are numerous things that play into the aging process but fasting is a definite cornerstone.

Also, fasting helps to rid your body of toxins. Digesting food is one of the most (if not the most) energy consuming activities of the body. That is why so many times I talk about improving the digestive ability of your body with regard to certain foods (like sprouting your grains, etc). Fasting frees up energy for the body to heal and rest from the constant influx of foods that need digestion. So you ask, isn’t that what happens during sleep? Yes it is, and our bodies benefit greatly from the extended period of fasting beyond our sleep time.

When fasting your body uses up stored fat for energy. This is beneficial not only if you are trying to lose weight, but the body also stores toxins and previously undigested foods. Fasting helps to rid the body of both. Think of all the fake, artificial, toxic ‘food’ that most Americans put in their mouth and that go through the intestines. This toxic food does not always make it through. Fasting regularly over time helps to bring you back to a state of cleanness and gives you a foundation upon which you can build with much better food choices.

Whenever I have fasted for an extended period of time I definitely see a difference. I have had times where I felt bad for a while and could tell that my body was getting rid of the ‘old stuff’. I have also had fasts where I feel amazing. One time I was surprised because I thought I would be miserable and although I did have a couple moments of extreme hunger I felt great the whole day.

So how often? Well, I think it’s different for everyone. I have heard of several people fasting one day a week every week. Others do a partial day fast. I personally fast at random times throughout the year as it is not mainly for physical benefit as I mentioned earlier.

So how to fast? Well, there are a couple things to remember. I would like to note that I just said “Well,” for both of those last two questions and for some reason I find that amusing. Onward now. It is good to start fasting slowly and come out of it slowly till you know how your body will react.

If you have never fasted before it might be good to try an all liquid fast first, then maybe an all water fast before going to a completely dry fast. Also, when coming out of a fast go slowly. Broths are an excellent way to come out of a fast. Vegetables juices are also good but you are rare if you do that. On that same note, be careful the liquids that you have when fasting. As you know I like high quality food and would tell you that all of your juices should be raw… especially if they are sugary (which you should limit anyway).

Typically when I fast I will do an all water fast and come out of it with some soup or broth. Then after that has sat for a while I have some vegetables then bread then meat. In a slow progression. An extra tip is to chew more than you normally would and that really helps as well. I have only come out of a fast too quickly one time that I can recall. All I remember is eating a bunch and my stomach really hurting and I haven’t made the same mistake again.

Again, I feel like I could keep going but I will end it here. There is a lot of common sense involved in fasting. Of course there are people who distort and pervert something like fasting and they become anorexic. People distort and pervert just about anything good these days. So use some common sense.

Now I feel like writing more on food and common sense… but I won’t… not now anyway.

Have great day.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

On Buying Organic

I am all for buying organic as most of the time these foods are of higher quality. Usually harmful chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides have not been used. Also, the processes behind organic foods are typically much better. The farms take greater care in doing things naturally. They take greater care in ensuring that their animals have access to pasture and a natural environment as opposed to being stuck in a barn, pen, or coop. Also organic farms typically take greater care in the manage of their fields and crops utilizing natural fertilizers and promoting sustainability.

There is a problem with the growing demand for organic foods though. Many large businesses have sacrificed quality just to achieve the label ‘organic’. All they see is dollar signs. Beware of large factory farms just getting by with the label organic while not really promoting life in the whole process of production. Also, there are many excellent small farms that are better than the current organic standards but they are not certified organic due to the regulatory process and government inspections. These farms are can be great finds and you can develop a rewarding relationship (your stomach will thank you).

So as you can see, it is very important to know where your food is coming from. I must admit that I do not know where all of my food comes from but I am doing better in this area and like to look up the farms where my food is produced to ensure they are running a life promoting, truly sustainable process. Also, I think it is good to buy locally because you can know your provider better… however if there is a higher quality product or food at a competitive price I don’t mind buying from far away (higher quality is the key). Many people are opposed to this kind of trade due to the notion of global warming. I think the trade is a good thing… and that’s where I am stopping.

Have a good day

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Drink Today To Live Tomorrow

Doesn’t have quite the same ring to it does it? Nevertheless, is is just as important to be careful what you drink.

Check out this article for example. It states that the chemical perchlorate has been found in at least 395 sites in 35 states. Perchlorate is a toxic ingredient in rocket fuel. The article also noted that the EPA said there is a good possibility that they will not clean up the drinking water.

Now as you may know or remember, I am not for ‘big government’. I am ,however, for clean water. This is all the more reason to make sure you are filtering your tap water. Not only does tap water have chemicals like perchlorate, but many times it also contains chlorine, fluorine, nitrates, and other industrial chemicals. One of my favorite filters is the Wellness filter, I would like to filter all of my water but that is a bit cost prohibitive. Currently I have the wellness carafe for my drinking water and I have a New Wave Enviro shower filter which works really for its cost.

Drink today to live tomorrow.

Out.

Friday, May 09, 2008

Breastfeeding and IQ

An article in the Los Angeles Times highlighted a study of around 14,000 children which showed that breastfeeding in the early months can raise verbal IQ by an average of 7.5 points.

The lead author in the study noted that more research needed to be done to determine whether the results were from the interaction between the mother and child or from the difference in the milk itself. I would definitely say it’s both.

Even little ones eat today to live tomorrow…

Out.

Monday, May 05, 2008

My Favorite Cake

I had a birthday recently and was fortunate enough to have my favorite cake. It is a french pastry cake with ricotta filling. I have the recipe around here somewhere and will have to post it sometime… just to share the wealth… AND, in case you want to surprise me with a nice treat sometime.

Remember, even when eating sweets it is important to use real food and high quality ingredients. No artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives. I typically only use raw honey, organic maple syrup, or rapadura (organic, unrefined, whole cane sugar). I have used stevia a little and think it can be very useful as well. Also, I have read many good things about xylitol and err with it over sorbitol or maltitol in any purchased products.

Regardless of which sweetener you use, remember, everything in moderation. Although, when it comes to sweets the amount should really be less than moderate.

Check out the photos:

Friday, May 02, 2008

Learn To Like It … You Will Be Glad You Did… Someday

Did your parents ever say “You’ll be glad you did someday” with regard to whatever they were making you do? I remember my parents saying this to me… I think it was with playing the piano or something. They were of course right. Well I have found the same thing applies to food and the whole idea of eating today to live tomorrow.

There are many foods which common sense would tell us are good for us… like vegetables for example. It is in our best interest to learn to like those foods which we know are excellent as they will promote health in our body. And another thing. Don’t get swayed by all the fad foods… all the rage foods. Everyone will tell you that they are good for you but most likely everyone has no clue. So why listen to me then? Don’t. Go read and find out for yourself.

While I am typing… I saw an interesting article on the tomato in the BBC news. It was talking about the anti-aging skin effects that tomatoes showed in a control group. The control group had 33% more protection against sunburn and higher levels of procollagen which helps keep the skin firm. They asserted that this was most likely due to lycopene a powerful antioxidant present in tomatoes.

So… if you don’t like tomatoes then it would be good for you to learn to like them. You’ll be glad you did someday.

Out.