Vitamin B1 Thiamine

I am starting a series on Vitamins.  They are SO essential to our immune system and our whole body health.

I will be giving you food examples that can help you get the RDA of each Vitamin, and how the Vitamin best works and what its’ adversaries are.

Should you wish to supplement with high quality products…I will be talking about products from The AIM Companies.  A whole foods, nutrition company based in Nampa, Idaho that has been around for over 30 years.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) is essential for energy production, brain function, and digestion. It helps the body make us of protein. It works well with other B Vitamins, magnesium & manganese.

Watercress is High in Vitamin B1

Some good sources are trout, tuna, lean pork, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, wheat bread, watercress, squash, lamb, asparagus, mushrooms,  green peas, lettuce, peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, yeast & beans.

Deficiency symptoms can be tender muscles, eye pains,, irritability, poor concentration, prickly legs, poor memory, stomach pains, constipation, tingling hands, rapid heartbeat.

Daily Requirement: RDA 1.4 mg

Toxic Levels: Not a concern

Adversaries are antibiotics, tea, coffee, birth control pills, alkaline agents, sulfur dioxide (a preservative) overcooking & processed foods.

Supplement with AIM BarleyLife Xtra…a whole food with 2% of your Daily Value in just 1 teaspoon. Find it at www.aimforbalance.com

Coconut Oil & Weight Loss

Can Coconut oil be beneficial  in weight loss?

How can that be, if it is a saturated fat???

As a nutritional counselor & health coach, I have been researching that very question.

You may have heard that saturated fat is bad. In the 1970’s there was a strong propaganda campaign spread by “other oil” industries against coconut oil. Coconut oil was considered harmful for the human body because of its high saturated fat content…BUT in the last ten years or so… people began to question this thinking.

So why is it beneficial? Most of the fats we consume are long chain fatty acids that must be broken down before they can be absorbed. More work for the body, especially the pancreas which has to make and secrete enzymes to break foods down. Coconut oil is high in short and medium chain fatty acids, which are easily digested and sent right to the liver for energy production.

Because MCFAs are sent right to the liver for digestion, no bile or pancreatic enzymes are needed for digestion, making coconut oil a healthy food. Because it is sent directly to the liver, it gives the body an immediate source of energy…increasing the body’s metabolic rate aiding in healthy weight loss.

There are SO many ways to incorporate it into your life…stir fry, baking, etc.

However, this is my fav way…I add Wildtree’s organic coconut oil to my coffee. Just $9.00 for 13.5 ounces!  Check it out at www.mywildtree.com/myfatherswellness)

Coconut Oil is SO Creamy in my Coffee!

I just stir in a teaspoon or two or three and for an added treat…I give it a quick spin in my Magic Bullet! It helps it stay mixed. No need to add any creamer, it is already so creamy & frothy. For sweetness, I add a packet of natural Stevia, a natural herbal supplement made from the Stevia leaf, that is sweet.

I will be adding more benefits of Coconut Oil as I research further!

FOLLOW ME http://www.myfatherswellness.wordpress.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/myfatherswellness
TWITTER @aimforbalance

WEBSITES:

http://www.MyFathersWellness.com

http://www.AIMForBalance.com

http://www.mywildtree.com/MYFATHERSWELLNESS

http://www.WrapwithTLC.com

email me at myfatherswellness@gmail.com

Health Benefits of Grapeseed Oil

Versatile, delicious and good for you

Expeller Pressed Grapeseed Oil is made from grape seeds after wine production. It is therefore environmentally sound and requires no new farmland or water to produce. Versatile, delicious and good for you, Grapeseed oil allows the pure flavor of fresh food to come through. Its delicate flavor and body make it perfect for sauteing, baking or frying. Try it in salad dressings, on pasta or hard breads, or use as marinades or bastes for the grill.

Wildtree’s Grapeseed Oil is Expeller Pressed.

Wildtree Grapeseed Oil is NOT solvent extracted

Wildtree Grapeseed Oil is NOT solvent extracted like the vast majority of Grapeseed oils in the marketplace. Expeller pressed grapeseed oil is the result of a chemical-free mechanical process that extracts oil from seeds with no external heat and produces the finest oil. This method of oil extraction is an alternative to the chemical extraction method used for many conventional oils. Sometimes expeller pressed is referred to as cold-pressed.

There are NO preservatives such as TBHQ or BHT
It is NOT hydrogenated
There is NO sodium
NO trans fatty acids
NO cholesterol (it actually aids in cholesterol reduction)
It has one of the lowest levels of saturated fats of all oils
It is easily digestible
A good source of Vitamin E Alpha (an important anti-oxidant)(4.3 mg per serving)
Highest concentration of poly (76%) unsaturated acid of any oil
Helps the body produce High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
High in Linoleic acid – and its health benefits:
– helps prevent accumulation in the arteries
– also known as Omega-6 and in near identical proportions to mother’s milk
– vital to life and cannot be produced by the body alone

You can check it out at http://www.mywildtree.com/myfatherswellness

Basics on pH

Seems acidic, but it is really alkalizing to the body

pH means…”potential of Hydrogen” It is a measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution. The pH scale runs from 0-14 Numbers below 7 are acid; numbers above 7 are alkaline. This is a logarithmic scale which is a scale of measurement that uses the logarithm of a physical quantity instead of the quantity itself. 5.0 is ten times more acid than 6.0; 4 is ten times more acid than 5; 9 is ten times more alkaline than 8 and so on. Think about the Richter Scale and how a small number change means a huge difference.

Our bodies are alkaline by design by function. Blood, lymph, extracellular fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, etc., should all be alkaline—except for the parietal cells in the stomach as they secrete hydrochloric acid. Cells may operate in alkaline environment, yet produce acid as a by-product of their activity. This acid is not damaging because it is natural to how our bodies work and it is a weak acid that can be eliminated by the lungs quite easily. There is another type of acid however that is stronger and is not so easily dealt with. This acid results from eating acid ash foods and it needs to be neutralized before it can be eliminated by the kidneys or it will damage tissue and cells as it exits our bodies…such a grand design by our wonderful creator!

You may be wondering, what is ash? I am thinking about the ash that is in a fireplace or what is left in the fire pit after a campfire—well, kind of…After food is broken down, absorbed through the small intestine and then metabolized, there is a small fraction that is not utilized, this is described as ash. The pH of this ash is not necessarily the same as the food that it comes from. A lemon, for instance, is a very acidic fruit with a pH of 2.5 and 3. Yet it leaves an alkaline ash of pH 9. Sugar tastes sweet and seems harmless enough, and although it does not leave an acid ash—the body does have to work fast to metabolize them, producing a surge of energy and with this energy also comes a lot of acid.

On the whole, fruits and vegetables leave an alkaline ash while most other foods (eggs, grains, animal protein, and dairy products) leave an acid ash.

Check out more of my blogs at http://www.MyFathersWellness.com

Reading Food labels webinar part 1 Tami Cole

Check out my latest webinar that I presented through The AIM Companies about the basics of how to read food nutrition labels. It lasts about an hour and is packed with tips to equip you to make healthier fodd purchases, plus a food ingredient comparison you may not believe! I worked hard on it, so I hope you enjoy it. Comment if you can please…thanks! Understanding Food Nutrition Labels Part 1 http://www.instantpresenter.com/WebConference/RecordingDefault.aspx?c_psrid=EA54D785894B
Check out more blogs at http://www.myfatherswellness.com or http://www.aimforbalance.com

Foods with Neutralizing Ash but Acidifying Effect

Neutralizing Ash with Acidifying Effect

• Refined Sugar   Olive Oil   Corn Syrup   Corn Syrup

White sugar, fats, oils, syrups, as well as some other processed and synthetic foods, leave no ash after being metabolized.  However, the body does have to work and fast to metabolize them, producing a surge of energy after eating them.  With this energy also comes a lot of acid.  Therefore these foods, while leaving no ash have an acidifying effect.

The body must neutralize the acids from acid foods.  If not enough alkaline ash foods are eaten to do this, the body will draw on its alkaline reserve.  This alkaline reserve is made up of the minerals sodium, potassium and calcium primarily, with iron and magnesium as secondary sources.  These reserves are stored in the liver, muscle and bone and are called upon when required to release their stores.  Over time these reserves can become severely depleted causing liver problems, gallstones, flabby muscles and osteoporosis.

Unfortunately, very few people eat the kind of diet that would maintain the alkaline reserve.  A diet consisting of about 75% fruits and vegetables would be ideal to neutralize the remaining 25% of the diet containing acid ash foods.  In reality surveys show that on any day 40% of the population eat no fruits and 20% eat no vegetables at all.

Contact me for a free pH test Tami@MyFathersWellness.com

References:  Your Health, Your Choice by Dr. M. Ted Morter, Jr., M.A.: http://life.familyeducation.com/protein/foods/48678.html#ixzz1GKHRo700

 

What is pH?

What is pH?  pH means…”potential of Hydrogen” It is a measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution. The pH scale runs from 0-14 Numbers below 7 are acid; numbers above 7 are alkaline. This is a logarithmic scale which is a scale of measurement that uses the logarithm of a physical quantity instead of the quantity itself.   5.0 is ten times more acid than 6.0; 4 is ten times more acid than 5; 9 is ten times more alkaline than 8 and so on.  Think about the Richter Scale and how a small number change means a huge difference..

Our bodies are alkaline by design by function. Blood, lymph, extracellular fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, etc., should all be alkaline—except for the parietal cells in the stomach as they secrete hydrochloric acid. Cells may operate in alkaline environment, yet produce acid as a by-product of their activity. This acid is not damaging because it is natural to how our bodies work and it is a weak acid that can be eliminated by the lungs quite easily. There is another type of acid however that is stronger and is not so easily dealt with. This acid results from eating acid ash foods and it needs to be neutralized before it can be eliminated by the kidneys or it will damage tissue and cells as it exits our bodies…such a grand design by our wonderful creator!

You may be wondering, what is ash? I am thinking about the ash that is in a fireplace or what is left in the fire pit after a campfire—well, kind of…After food is broken down, absorbed through the small intestine and then metabolized, there is a small fraction that is not utilized, this is described as ash. The pH of this ash is not necessarily the same as the food that it comes from. A lemon, for instance, is a very acidic fruit with a pH of 2.5 and 3. Yet it leaves an alkaline ash of pH 9. Sugar tastes sweet and seems harmless enough, and  although it does not leave an acid ash—the body does have to work fast to metabolize them, producing a surge of energy and with this energy also comes a lot of acid.

On the whole, fruits and vegetables leave an alkaline ash while most other foods (eggs, grains, animal protein, and dairy products) leave an acid ash.

Try AIM’s BarleyLife and LeafGreens to help alkalize your body.  Visit my AIM store at  www.aimforbalance.com to order products.

Mild acidosis problems

• Cardiovascular damage, including the constriction of blood vessels and the reduction of oxygen.
• Weight gain, obesity and diabetes.
• Bladder and kidney conditions, including kidney stones.
• Immune deficiency.
• Acceleration of free radical damage, possibly contributing to cancerous mutations.
• Hormone concerns.
• Premature aging.
• Osteoporosis; weak, brittle bones, hip fractures and bone spurs.
• Joint pain, aching muscles and lactic acid buildup.
• Low energy and chronic fatigue.
• Slow digestion and elimination.
• Yeast/fungal overgrowth.
• Email me at Tami@MyFathersWellness.com for a free saliva test

Healthy Kids by Marilu Henner Book Review

I found Healthy Kids by Marilu Henner to be a helpful tool for teaching children to eat smart and stay active for life.  She has many great ideas and an understanding of how our society and food manufacturers today are damaging the health of our children.  As parents, we need to be the advocate for our children and future generations.  Four key points that helped me to understand some of the key issues are:  differences children are faced with today as opposed to just 30 years ago, the health robbers, family attitudes and how to change the approach from fast to whole foods.

The first key issue is understanding how childhood routines have changed in the past 30 years.  Families rarely eat dinner together at the table anymore.  Video games, television and computer use is on the rise.  Hours that children used to spend outside playing and getting exercise is replaced by sedentary habits.  Soda is replacing water consumption.  The booming era of fast food, not just in a drive through window, but boxes and packages or processed foods is filling us with massive empty calories and very little real nutrition.  In this fast paced society when both parents work outside the home, more and more families are forced to take short cuts with these pre-made foods.  It is undermining the health of adults and causing long term damage to our children.

The next key is finding the underlying problem with foods today, the health robbers that appear innocent.  Too many empty calorie foods, stripped of their natural nutrients, like white flour are adding calories and no nutrition are prevalent in ads geared towards children.  Sugar and caffeinated sodas are quickly consumed and are causing spikes in blood sugar, which leads to a yo-yo effect of high and low blood sugars and causing cravings of opposite foods, for example, sweet leads to salty cravings.  The addition of growth hormones in dairy and over- milking of cows has added to lactose intolerance and allergies.  Food additives, such as chemicals, dyes and artificial flavorings are cheaper to use than natural items and are causing problems with attention and brain function.

The third key item is family attitudes.  What behaviors and habits do we pass on to our children?  Most people are familiar with associating food with rewards and/or punishment.  “Do this and I will get you an ice cream, etc.”  Giving food as a reward is sending the wrong message to our children.  Good nutrition begins at home.   We need to eat healthy and lead by our example, if we truly want our children to listen.  Portion size is another problem.  In this day of super sizing, it is easy to get caught up in filling our plates or bowls up and thinking that is a serving size.  How we feel about exercise has a direct impact on our children too.  If we don’t take time to exercise, chances are, our children won’t either.

The final key point that I learned is how to make healthy changes, to steer away from processed and fast foods to whole nutritious foods. The changes have to be gradual and consistent.  One of the first things to do is, learn to read food labels and get way from chemicals, preservatives and dyes.  Reduce the amount of refined sugar and dairy products.  Replace grain fed, antibiotic/hormone raised meats with grass fed, no hormones or antibiotics added versions.  Turn off the television and get outside.  Play with your children.  Enjoy them and enjoy life.  Teach them to get up and get moving.  It is a great way to reduce stress and disease.

I agree with most of what Marilu is saying.  The only thing I disagree with is the use of soy milk.  Most soy is genetically modified and there have been studies to suggest it may increase cancer in women because of its link to increased estrogen levels.  I would recommend this book to others.  It has a lot of great information and ways to implement change in a way that would work for a lifetime.  Gradual changes over time are the ones that work.