This course has been very instrumental in helping me to change a lot of things about myself and the way I eat. I was working on losing weight before we started, but this has given me many resources to help me to do even better at it than I ever have before. I've dropped 15lbs and I've discovered a lot more energy that was locked up inside of me (too bad it's been used for dealing with more work)!
I believe that as I continue with this path, the changes that I've already made will only help me along, not only to help myself but to help others as well. I now have the knowledge to make better choices for myself and my family, and I'm eager to learn even more as we go along!
Friday, December 3, 2010
My fridge now
Unfortunately, I'm taking this after Thanksgiving and before grocery shopping... she's looking a little bare! But here it is, nonetheless!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Minerals
The decrease in mineral content in our foods now compared to 100 years ago can be blamed greatly upon how over-processed they've become. In an effort to increase the transportation and shelf life, food has become prepared in a way that zaps so many nutrients from it. Not only that, but how we cook these foods is also a large factor. It's been known for years just how much nutrient loss comes from microwaving our foods, but it really hasn't slowed down the use of this convenience at all. We've become a nation that is always in a hurry and doesn't have the time to prepare a meal many times the way it should be prepared. Instead, we rely on the quick fix which, while satisfying our hunger, does little to satisfy our body's other nutritional needs. This leads to a slew of health problems including obesity and heart disease.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
pH Testing
So, the pH testing was a bit of a throwback to dieting in the past. My family did the Atkins Diet many years ago, and while on it, I did a lot of pH testing, so this was pretty familiar to me. According to the urine test, in the morning, my pH averaged about 6.0, so slightly acidic. In the evenings, it dropped a bit to an average of 5.7. I feel grateful that I don't drop any lower and have a very acidic diet, but I can also see that I have some work to do in getting things into a more optimal range!
Interesting Facts About Fiber
1. Eating fiber can help with overeating. It takes longer to chew and digest so you feel satisfied sooner and longer. Right now I'm working on losing weight, and I've been trying to incorporate more fiber into my diet as a result.
2. Fiber is equally important to children as it is to adults. They respond better to fibers found in fruits, vegetables and fortified cereals. I'm always looking for ways to help my children eat better, and incorporating fiber into their meals is really important.
3. The more fiber you eat, the more water you need to drink. Water keeps fiber moving through your digestive system, and requires at least 8 glasses a day to do so. I found this interesting because it's my goal to incorporate more fiber into my diet, and I need to know how to move it through and make it work for me!
2. Fiber is equally important to children as it is to adults. They respond better to fibers found in fruits, vegetables and fortified cereals. I'm always looking for ways to help my children eat better, and incorporating fiber into their meals is really important.
3. The more fiber you eat, the more water you need to drink. Water keeps fiber moving through your digestive system, and requires at least 8 glasses a day to do so. I found this interesting because it's my goal to incorporate more fiber into my diet, and I need to know how to move it through and make it work for me!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Facts about Protein
1. "Proteins are made up of amino acids." These amino acids are the building blocks of the human body, and while we can produce some of them on our own, we require our diet to provide the others. When we ingest these other amino acids, our bodies turn them into proteins, which in turn help with the molecular structure to keep us going.
2. "Protein makes up the body's structure" Proteins are what help our body to repair muscles, regulate hormones, control metabolism, etc. The more active the person, the more protein they need to repair and replace what's used by their levels of activity.
3. If we don't eat enough protein, it can actually be detrimental and damaging to our bodies. When we don't provide ourselves with the nutrients that we need, our bodies will need to find ways to acquire them, and are likely to take them from other areas, such as our immune systems. This can result in the following:
5. "Protein structures become more complex". When they come in contact with other components, proteins form into glycoproteins. They form on the surface of red blood cells and determine the A, B and O blood groups.
http://www.bodyhealth.com/html/biobuilde/key.asp
http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/48258.aspx
2. "Protein makes up the body's structure" Proteins are what help our body to repair muscles, regulate hormones, control metabolism, etc. The more active the person, the more protein they need to repair and replace what's used by their levels of activity.
3. If we don't eat enough protein, it can actually be detrimental and damaging to our bodies. When we don't provide ourselves with the nutrients that we need, our bodies will need to find ways to acquire them, and are likely to take them from other areas, such as our immune systems. This can result in the following:
- Bone cell synthesis
- Red blood cell production
- Heart cell turnover rate
- Neurotransmitters/mood
- Sense of well-being/stamina
- Immune function/antibodies
- Enzymes/hormones
- Skin elasticity/muscle tone
- Organ function/pH balance
- Mobility/joint integrity
5. "Protein structures become more complex". When they come in contact with other components, proteins form into glycoproteins. They form on the surface of red blood cells and determine the A, B and O blood groups.
http://www.bodyhealth.com/html/biobuilde/key.asp
http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/48258.aspx
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Food, Inc
Watching Food, Inc was... disturbing to me. I've heard some of this information before, and I've known to some extent some of what happens, but seeing it with my own eyes was both enlightening and disturbing. Being a mother of two young boys myself, the mother's story about her young son was heart-wrenching for me. It's every parent's fear, and to think that it happened just from feeding her child was even worse. Seeing how the animals were treated was difficult as well, and also how the meat is treated and processed after the fact.
After watching the movie, I plan to make a more conscious effort to not only know what I'm feeding myself and my family, but to also try and make more organic choices. My greatest obstacle will be cost. While I know that it'll even out in the long run with healthier bodies and minds, being a single mother, the cost of food is something that is a very large struggle. I hope to be able to find ways to balance it all out.
After watching the movie, I plan to make a more conscious effort to not only know what I'm feeding myself and my family, but to also try and make more organic choices. My greatest obstacle will be cost. While I know that it'll even out in the long run with healthier bodies and minds, being a single mother, the cost of food is something that is a very large struggle. I hope to be able to find ways to balance it all out.
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