Going Organic – Why it’s good for your health, and good for your waist line

I have always believed that if you eat a diet that is free of unhealthy processed foods, than that is all you need to do to maintain good health.  My diet has been “clean” for many years avoiding foods that have “ingredients”.  This means a diet that is rich in fibrous fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean animal proteins.

I never really thought about or considered going organic. In my mind, I believed that I was eating healthy and I also had been a victim of the “myth” that organics are too expensive.

Every day, I read through the latest health news on several sites.  More and more, I have been reading reports of how our food supply and soil has been compromised by industrialized farming and the effect it has on our health.  News reports about food safety are becoming more common.

Documentaries on the food industry and what it’s doing to our health are starting the hit the main stream.

As a person who is very health conscious, I realized I was exposing myself to all kinds of chemicals and toxins that were compromising my healthy lifestyle.  I knew the time had come for me to make the change and switch over to going organic.

Organic food is expensive - NOT

Before I even tell you why going organic is good for your health and good for your waistline, I’m going to tackle the myth that organic food is too expensive.  Not so if you know where and how to shop for it.

I am fortunate enough to have a Whole Foods Market in my area.  For the longest time, I avoided purchasing my groceries in there because of the rumor that you’d need to take out a second mortgage in order to shop there.  I decided it was time to bite the bullet and go.  Much to my surprise, everything in there was more affordable than I thought.  The trick is to purchase their brand which is organic and is top notch quality.  My grocery bills are now actually lower compared to the more mainstream supermarkets I had been doing my shopping. 

If you don’t have a Whole Foods in your area, Farmer’s Markets are becoming more and more popular or check your local listings for Organic Supermarkets in your area.

Organic for Better Health

Although I had been eating a diet that was natural and free of preservatives, I was exposing myself to all kinds of toxic chemicals.  More and more pesticides are being used and are compromising the quality of the soil.  We are also consuming genetically modified foods.

Many grain and bean crops that are being grown in soil that has been compromised through the overuse of  pesticides, herbicides and other chemical additives are not are only stripping our foods of the nutrients we should be getting, but are also used to create the processed foods which make up the bulk of the foods we eat, but are also used to feed factory farmed livestock and fish.

Essentially, our bodies are being exposed to chemicals and toxins that can compromise our health and our waist lines. According to Dr. John Salerno, “The ancient wisdom of mankind says you should eat until you are satisfied, and these foods simply don't satisfy us. Add to that the chemicals added to the so-called value-added foods which are put there to replace the natural goodness that has been lost and you have a real problem.


These food additives, with unpronounceable names and unknown derivatives are known categorically as excitotoxins. Did you ever wonder why Dad could sit down in front of the television to watch the ball game and eat an entire package of corn chips? It's the Dr. Strangelove additions designed in the lab to make that food so tasty, Dad's natural satiety switch is turned off.


Those added chemicals, which by the way, even show up on fresh produce that isn't organic by way of sprays and dips, and chemical baths, can derail any weight loss program. Chemicals can increase food cravings, cause water retention, and can actually cause weight gain. These same additives are often allergenic, and can cause insulin to spike, playing havoc with those people who are pre-diabetic, or diabetic.”


Industrialized Livestock
Knowing what I know, I’m not giving up my animal proteins any time soon.  Animal proteins are where most of my calories come from. 


Not only are animals and fish being fed chemically treated grains, they are also injected with all kinds of hormones and antibiotics, which, we are ingesting when we eat livestock and fish. 


There are supermarkets and farmers markets that sell non industrialized livestock that are purchased from local farmers that are free of chemicals, pesticides, antibiotics and hormones.  Grass fed beef, bison, cage free chickens, eggs are available through local farmers.  There are also fish farms that are void of chemicals and antibiotics. 


American Health Association Ban on Hormones in Milk and Beef
In an article written by Samuel S. Epstein for the Huffington Post,  reported “The Cancer Prevention Coalition is pleased to announce that the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association has voted to oppose the continued sale and use of genetically engineered hormonal rBGH milk, and also meat adulterated with sex hormones. This decision is based on long-standing scientific and public policy information developed and published by the Cancer Prevention Coalition over the last two decades.”


You can learn more about rBGH and adulterated hormones and how it affects your health, please refer to Samuel S. Epstein’s article.


Making the change
Since I have switched over to eating organic fruits and vegetables, making sure that my beef, chicken, fish and dairy products are free of hormones, antibiotics, etc., I have definitely noticed an improvement with my digestive system.  I never really had an issue with stomach bloating, however, I have noticed that the small amount of bloating I would sometimes experience is non existent.  My skin and hair is more vibrant and find that I am more energetic than ever before.  Although I am currently not trying to lose or gain weight, I have noticed that after one month of switching over, I did lose a few pounds and I have been able to maintain a consistent weight meaning, my body is not retaining water like it was.


If you are suffering from any chronic illnesses, it is possible that your health issues are directly related to the foods you eat.  Diet and exercise are the keys towards improved health and weight loss, however, if you are not already doing so, try switching over to organic fruits and vegetables and eat beef, chicken, fish and dairy products that are free of antibiotics and hormones.  If you do this consistently for three months, you should be feeling a lot better and may also be able to free yourself of  some prescription drugs you may be on, with your doctor’s permission.

Source:

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-john-salerno/why-i-recommend-organic-f_b_403348.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/samuel-s-epstein/american-publlic-health-a_b_399147.html

Recommend readings/dvd's on this topic:

Healing Foods in the Health Headlines

Health Trend – Healing Foods

Foods that are nutrient rich that are good for the body was talked about this past year and will continue to be in the news in the new year.  The healing benefits of food have been reported by cultures worldwide throughout history.  The past decade has presented an explosion of research showing specifically what health benefits individual foods can offer.  Studies in the past decade have taken nutritional research beyond protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. 

The past decade has spawned  grass roots efforts and studies spreading the word about the dangers of processed foods and the impact it has on our health.  The dangers of food additives such as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and trans fats are being reported on more and more educating consumers to start taking a closer look at the ingredient labels on the foods they eat.

Super foods that have received a lot of press in the past decade for their research-supported health benefits.  A diet rich in super foods can help you lower your cholesterol, keep your blood pressure under control, maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, and, for an added bonus, put you in a better mood.  A healthy diet incorporating a variety of the following super foods along with exercise, will help you maintain your weight, fight disease, and live longer. One thing they all have in common is that they real, unprocessed foods.

What are these super foods that have made headlines?  Here’s a list of the top superfoods and their benefits.

Quinoa

Quinoa is a seed that is a completed protein, meaning that it contains all of the essential amino acids, is high in magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus.  Because of it’s high protein content, quinoa is a good choice for vegans looking to get adequate protein in their diet.  The high magnesium content is beneficial  for those who have hypertension (high blood pressure).  Studies have indicated that it can help alleviate migraine symptoms, is heart healthy, can substantially reduce type 2 diabetes risk and is rich in antioxidants.

Raw Honey

Not only is honey a natural sweetener, research has shown that it has anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects and is effective at treating wounds.

Blueberries

Among the fruits with the highest level of antioxidants, blueberries have been linked to lowering cholesterol, reducing diabetes risk, slowing the aging process, improving motor skills and supporting urinary and vision health.

Researchers have found that blueberries help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Salmon

Salmon is low in calories, high in protein and rich in healthy omega-3 fats.  Omega 3s you get in fish lower heart disease risk, help arthritis, and may possibly help with memory loss and Alzheimer's.  Research showing anti-inflammatory and cancer prevention properties are impressive.  Look for wild salmon vs. farmed to avoid contaminants such as PCBs.

Green Tea

Green tea has ECGC, a powerful antioxidant.  Researchers in Spain and the United Kingdom have shown that ECGC can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Studies are pointing towards its potential in decreasing incidence of stroke and heart disease, and its role in reducing inflammation associated with several types of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). More recent research is indicating that green tea may help prevent type-2 diabetes and osteoporosis.

Walnuts

Walnuts are heart healthy and is an excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids.  Some of the health benefits walnuts provide range from cardiovascular protection, to the promotion of better cognitive function for brain health, to anti-inflammatory benefits helpful in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. In addition, walnuts contain an antioxidant compound that supports the immune system and appears to have several anticancer properties.

Dark Chocolate

Hard to believe but yes, dark chocolate does have health benefits.  However, keep in mind that it is chocolate and not to be over indulged in. The darker it is, the lower the fat and sugar content. New research has shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and can lower blood pressure.  Recent studies show that dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress.

Yogurt

In addition to protein, vitamins such as B-2 and B-12, minerals such as calcium and magnesium, yogurt consumers also enjoy the benefits of probiotics. Probiotics are known as the “good bacteria” that can reside in the intestines, offering immune and digestive support. Research has shown improved vaginal health among women consuming yogurt, and the cholesterol-lowering properties of yogurt look promising. Plain Greek yogurt with active cultures is recommended and is lower in sugar than most yogurts.  When buying yogurt, be sure to read the label to make sure your yogurt contains 15-20 grams of protein and has 12 grams or less of sugar.

Oats

There’s no better way of starting your day than with a bowl of oats.  Not only is a bowl of oats high in fiber, and is beneficial if you are looking to prevent or are currently dealing with heart disease or diabetes.  Individuals with high cholesterol (above 220 mg/dl), consuming just 3 grams of soluble oat fiber per day (an amount found in one bowl of oatmeal) typically lowers total cholesterol by 8-23%. This is highly significant since each 1% drop in serum cholesterol translates to a 2% decrease in the risk of developing heart disease.  Oats also stabilize blood sugar which is a significant benefit for those with type 2 diabetes.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a fibrous vegetable loaded with vitamins such as A, B-6, folic acid, and K and minerals such as calcium and potassium and has cancer protection benefits.

It will be interesting to find out what other foods will make news as nutritional research becomes more and more prominent.  In the mean time, be sure to add these foods to your daily diet.

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food" — Hippocrates

~Nourish the body with foods that are natural and nutrient rich ~ShariFitness

You Can Attract It on FitTalk

You Can Attract It

Steve G. Jones and Frank Mangano

Listen to my You Can Attract It interview with Steve G. Jones and Frank Mangano

FitTalk featured two good friends of mine, Clinical Hypnotherapist Steve G. Jones and Leading Natural Health Advocate, Frank Mangano to talk about their new Law of Attraction book, You Can Attract It

During the course of the interview, Frank and Steve were very candid and there was so much we talked about in depth which couldn’t be covered in this article.  After reading the highlights of my interview with them, I highly recommend you listen to the podcast by clicking on the player above.

Steve and Frank teamed up to write what is becoming a best selling Law of Attraction book on Amazon.com called You Can Attract It.  There are many aspects to the Law of Attraction.  Mind and spirit are connected to the body and have a lot to do with your health.  When you look at what Steve, Frank and I do, we are all in the business of helping people improve their lives and well being, and, we are also Law of Attraction practitioners.  Once you come to understand how the Law of Attraction affects your life every day, you will understand how it will help improve your life and well being when you learn how to use it.

As an avid Law of Attraction student, I have read many books by some of the top Law of Attraction experts. Steve G. Jones and Frank Mangano have put a new twist on this topic with their book, You Can Attract It. Both share their own personal story of how the Law of Attraction changed their lives and Steve’s background as a hypnotherapist provides great ways towards getting in touch with your subconscious mind to attract what you want.

A healthy, physical body is also important when using the Law of Attraction as the mind is connected to the body. Frank’s background in Natural Health teaches you how your Health plays a big role in attracting what you want, and how you can attract optimal health.

The Law of Attraction is based on science. Steve and Frank go over the science as to how the Law of Attraction works.

If you are a Law of Attraction enthusiast or new to this topic, You Can Attract It is a must read.

The Law of Attraction and troubled times

I commented to Steve and Frank that the launch of their book is perfect timing being that we are coming towards the end of what has been a year of turmoil for so many people.  There are many people out there who may be experiencing stress, depression, anger, and uncertainty about their lives and about their future.  Most people don’t view these times as an opportunity to reinvent themselves.  It’s all about shifting your thoughts and your vibrational energy to attract what you want and that is what the Law of Attraction is all about.

People are wondering what the solution is to these troubled times.  According to Steve, the solution is doing the opposite of what the media says.  Look inside yourself and find that positive part of yourself and share that with the world and make that your reality and keep the faith. 

Frank stated that “it doesn’t have to be this way.  It is unfortunate that people have experienced turmoil in their lives whether it is financially, relationally or with health issues.”  Through the methods in their new book, You Can Attract It, people will learn what they can do to turn a negative situation into a positive.

Personal Stories
In Chapter One Steve and Frank share their personal stories. I really like how they open up and give the reader a glimpse into their life “before”. 

Steve’s Story

Steve was in a marriage that ended.  Saddened by the demise of his marriage, he decided to wipe the slate clean and traveled across the country from Florida to Los Angeles with only a few hundred dollars and an old van.  Steve rebuilt is life in Beverly Hills and opened what became a successful hypnotherapy practice that attracted a who’s who of some of Hollywood’s top celebrities as clients.  As Steve put it, he built the business, attracted the clients and his career took off.  Steve’s life changed from being down and out, having little or no money and driving across the country in an old van to becoming the hypnotherapist to the stars.  Steve attracted all of this.  He believed in it and he made it happen.

Frank’s Story

Frank had a lot of low paying, dead end jobs and dreaded working for others.  What lead Frank to where he is today and self-publishing his first book is through a situation with his mother who was diagnosed with high cholesterol.  Frank did extensive research and created a program for his mother to follow that would naturally lower her cholesterol and avoid her being on prescription medicine.  Frank was inspired by the success he had helping his mother that he decided that if he can help his mother, he can help many more, thus, self-publishing his first book.

In the meantime, Frank continued working his dead end jobs, but knew his dream was to do research and write about natural health.  The one thing that stood in Frank’s way of realizing his dream was that he was surrounded by negative people who didn’t believe in his goals.

Frank realized that these negative influences were getting in his way and made the choice to distance himself from these people.  Once he did that, things started happening for him.

**Frank’s biggest piece of advice is that you must rid yourself of any negativity in your life because it will stand in your way and hold you back. **

What is The Law of Attraction
Everything in this world is energy.  We are energy and everything around us is energy. The Law of Attraction is very much about energy and getting into the same vibrational frequency as the things you want.  To some, this may sound a bit new agey and out there, but understanding this is a big part of learning how to make the Law of Attraction work for you. 

I asked Frank to explain his definition of The Law of Attraction.  According to Frank, essentially, you attract what you think about most.  To make the Law of Attraction work more efficiently for you, you need to rid yourself of limiting and negative thoughts. 

You Can Attract It provides you with the process, or plan of action, to help you attract what you want in your life.  Frank briefly outlined the 6 step process he and Steve provide you with in their book, You Can Attract It.

Step 1 – Change the Negative into a Positive

Step 2 – Know What You Do Not Want

Step 3 – Know What it is You Do Want

Step 4 – Ask For What You Want

Step 5 – Allow What You Want Into Your Life

Step 6 – Receive It, Enjoy It, Be Thankful For It, Surround Yourself With It

Steve had a different explanation of what the Law of Attraction is.  We are energy and the Law of Attraction is all about the energy or vibration we put out.  The vibrations we put out over and over again become a pattern, reinforcing the vibrations you put out to the Universe which is really at the heart of the Law of Attraction.

Steve’s analogy of the vibrations we put out are like waves or ripples; kind of like when you throw a pebble into a pond, you will see waves or ripples start to ripple out in a pond.  These ripples can be negative or positive thoughts.  The thing in the pond that resonates with those ripples will be attracted to it.

You can use this theory to your advantage and put out positive ripples attracting positive people, situations and creating a positive support group.

Abundance
Initially, when you say the word abundance to someone, they instantly think of financial wealth as abundance, however, abundance is much more than that.  In this chapter, Steve provides an abundance script.  This is where Steve’s background as a hypnotherapist adds a twist to The Law of Attraction that I have not seen in other books on this topic.

Hypnotherapy comes into play to overcome your stumbling blocks that prevent your from attracting the things your really want.  Many of us create walls that prevent us from going through them.  As Steve put it, hypnotherapy helps you drive a tank through those walls so that you can attract the things you want that will add abundance to your life.

Health

The human body truly is a temple and when mind, body and spirit are acting synergistically, you feel good and you are emitting positive emotions and vibrations to The Universe.  Good Health is vital when it comes to attracting the things you want.  When your health and fitness is not up to par, it affects you physically and emotionally and you are not in a positive vibration.  Going back towards changing your mindset from negative to positive, if you are always in a negative vibration, it does affect your health.

As a leading natural health advocate, Frank provides some very detailed information about health in this chapter.  During my interview about the Law of Attraction and Health, Frank talked about some of the recent scientific studies on brain imaging and they have discovered mirror neurons.  What this means is that humans mirror the behavior of the object or person they are observing.  This applies to the Law of Attraction.  If we hang around people who are active, healthy, like to exercise, that will have an affect on us.  Surrounding yourself with people who have healthy habits will rub off on you so to speak.

Steve provides a detailed “health script” to reprogram your mind for optimal health.  Many people want to improve their health, however, when it comes to taking the right action, they need to take that action and turn it into a healthy habit.  They will find that difficult to make excuses as to whey they didn’t eat as healthy and nutritiously as they should, or why they didn’t exercise, etc.  The mind and body need to be reminded of what to do and again, this is where Steve’s background as a hypnotherapist helps the reader.

**Frank emphasized that you need to take action.  This goes beyond just positive thinking**

Wealth

So now we’re going to get to the part that everyone is interested in when it comes to the Law of Attraction.  How do I attract the money or as Tom Cruise was yelling into the phone in Jerry Maguire….”Show me The Money”.  Wealth is a whole other mindset.  I also think that people may not realize the negative inner conversation they have with themselves when it comes to wealth.  For instance, when you’re on the highway and you see someone driving an expensive car or you pass a nice house and you think to yourself “Must be Nice” with a sarcastic undertone, which is an example of having a negative inner conversation with yourself about Wealth and Wealthy people. 

Steve spoke about Wealth and told me that the concept of wealth has become distasteful and to many it’s the haves and have not mindset.  This thought process stems from the connotation of limitations in the Universe.  People who focus on “lack of and not having” will always lack and not have.  Those who focus on opportunity will attract and create the people, places and events that will provide them with the opportunity to attract wealth.  Look for the possibilities and you will see that abundance around you.  The world is an abundant orchard and there are plenty of apples available for the picking.  If you don’t believe that, then you won’t see that you are standing in the middle of the apple orchard.

**Steve’s take away message – To achieve wealth you need to believe in yourself and will help you rise like a Phoenix out of the ashes.**

Frank added to that by saying “Limiting beliefs will be the obstacle that will hinder your efforts towards using the Law of Attraction to attract what you want, including wealth.  True wealth is about having it all.”

Relationships
Another topic I feel is important are the relationships you have with people and this is not just about romantic relationships.  It’s the friends you attract, the business associates you attract and yes, romantic relationships and relationships you have with loved ones

According to Frank, attracting relationships is not about attracting a specific person, but a type of person.  You need to know what it is in detail, what type of person you are looking to attract not only in your romantic /personal relationships, but in your business relationships as well.  If you focus on the type of person you want to attract in detail, then you will attract that relationship.

Steve stated that you need to have a clear vision of what you want.  When it comes to relationships, all too often we focus on what we don’t want or what we don’t like.  The Universe will think that’s what you do want and will keep delivering what you don’t want to you.

Your relationships are a litmus test of what you attract.  To improve on an existing relationship, focus of the positive aspects of it rather than the negative.

Success
I asked Frank and Steve what success means to them and how can someone use the Law of Attraction to attract more success in their lives.

For Frank, the meaning of true success means living an abundant life and it’s not only about the money, although it does play a role, but it’s only one piece of it.  Success to Frank does mean being financially independent, being physically and emotionally healthy, and having good relationships.  That’s the meaning of true success.

If someone is looking to attract true success into their life, they need to evaluate their life and write down exactly what area of their life they need to be more successful in and start working on that area of their life.  Focus your energy and attention of that, and take action to get to your goal.  Be specific with what you want to be successful with. Surround yourself people who have achieved the same goals you are looking to achieve.

For Steve, success means being able to help people at greater level.  In the beginning, Steve was only able to help a few people, but now the internet, TV, etc., he is able to help thousands of people with product promotions at a price people can afford.  Financial abundance is a by product of success.  The money is just a by product of being able to help people by providing a service to them. 

Being able to help as many people as possible.  It’s not about money, but it is a by product of having that ability.

Steve believed that he could be of service to a lot people and the he would be able to sustain himself from doing this.  Believing that you will be OK if you follow your heart and trust it, that is how you can use the Law of Attraction to create the life you want.

Lifestyle
Your lifestyle has a lot to do with what you attract and no one knows this better than Frank Mangano.  If you’re not eating healthy foods, not exercising and possibly smoking, what kind of signal are you putting out to attract back to you?  If you aren’t eating properly, you’re sending the signal that you don’t want a healthy body.  If you’re not exercising, you’re sending out the signal that you don’t care about your body.

If you’re looking to improve your overall health, clean up your lifestyle.  By cleaning up your lifestyle, you are clearing the negative signals and you will attract better health.  Your lifestyle habits are going to play a tremendous role in the Law of Attraction process.  Health has everything to do with the Law of Attraction.

Hypnosis
Hypnosis certainly does play a large role in getting the Law of Attraction to work for you.  Hypnosis talks to the subconscious mind.  It is the subconscious mind that creates all kinds of resistance, self sabotage and negative inner conversations that prevent you from attracting what you want.  Steve is certainly the master in the field of hypnotherapy and there is a chapter devoted to this. 

We can hypnotize ourselves all day, every day.   When we talk to ourselves in a certain way, we hypnotize our selves.  Affirmations are vital.  If you have people around you saying “you can do it”, that’s an affirmation.  If you tell yourself “you can do it”, that’s an affirmation and that’s hypnosis.

A lot of hypnosis that happens to us, whether you believe in it or not, happens from ourselves, and our good friends believing in us or doubting our possibilities.  We need to be very aware of what programs us, even though we’re wide awake.

According to Steve, being under our own control can be a lot worse than being under the control of a hypnotherapist’s control.  We have thoughts in our minds that tell us we can’t do this or we don’t deserve this.

Steve teaches you how to program yourself in the book.  Steve’s take away message is that you hypnotize yourself every day and you surround yourself with people every day that have an influence on you and you have an influence on yourself.

Hypnosis is a very easy state to achieve.  All you have to do is relax yourself.  Close your eyes and relax yourself and tell yourself positive affirmations.

Formal hypnotherapy can be more elaborate with induction, a deepening, a script – the affirmations/positive programming – however, with a hypnotherapy session, you’re dealing with the subconscious mind, and the affirmations take effect within a shorter period of time.  Then there is the “amnesia technique” which is designed for you to forget everything that’s in your mind.  The reason for the amnesia technique is that people will second guess themselves.  For example, their mind will tell them, “I know the hypnotherapist told me I’m great, but so and so said I wasn’t so I think the hypnotherapist may be wrong”.  The amnesia technique bypasses that critical factor that undoes everything.

The end of the hypnotherapy session is called Transtermination where the hypnotherapist brings you out of hypnosis.

Steve’s takeaway message ** We can hypnotize ourselves in our daily lives, so be sure to surround yourself with positive people, positive things, positive suggestions, so that we can have hypnosis work for us in a positive rather than negative way.**

There is so much more material in You Can Attract it which also goes into more detail than was covered in the interview.  

For more information about Steve G. Jones, you can visit his website : http://budurl.com/BetterLivingHypnosis

For more information about Frank Mangano, you can visit his website www.naturalhealthontheweb.com

Click here to order your copy of You Can Attract It. 

(note: the links posted on this page are sponsored links, however, I do stand by my recommendations.)