Interesting Article. THIS , I did not know

7 Reasons Why You Should Avoid Agave Syrup

Is Organic Raw Agave Syrup a Healthy Sweetener?

Agave syrup is a sweetener derived from agave, a desert plant found in the western and southern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. Agave is more popularly known as the plant used to make tequila but agave syrup (also known as agave nectar) has actually been used for thousands of years as a food ingredient. Mexicans call it aguamiel or “honey water” because it is about 40 percent sweeter than sugar.

Because of the increasing awareness of the dangers of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), people have turned to “healthier” sugar alternatives, which is what food manufacturers are marketing agave syrup to be. But don’t be fooled, Dr. Joseph Mercola warns, because agave syrup is actually WORSE than HFCS!

Before anything else, why is fructose so unhealthy for you? First, your body metabolizes fructose very differently from glucose, the form of sugar every cell in your body uses for energy. Fructose is broken down in your liver in the same way as alcohol and is directly converted into dangerous fats, making you, well, fat. Consuming too much fructose is a major risk factor for obesity and weight gain, spikes your uric acid levels and impairs your appetite control mechanism, among other things, Mercola explains.

Here are the reasons why Dr. Mercola believes you should avoid agave syrup like the plague:

1. Agave syrup contains the highest amount of fructose – anywhere between 70 to 97 percent, depending on the brand – among all commercial sweetener s, which is FAR HIGHER than HFCS (55 percent on average).
2. Agave syrup is a highly-processed sweetener. Food manufacturers would like you to believe that agave nectar flows from the agave plant to the jar when in reality, the syrup is produced similarly to how cornstarch turns to HFCS. A natural agave syrup is available in Mexico but it is too expensive to produce. What you gets to the States is either the light or dark syrup – due to poor quality control, some of the product gets burnt and turns dark amber in color.
3. Agave syrup is highly addictive because it’s basically a sweeter and highly-concentrated form of sugar.
4. Agave syrup may be a highly sprayed crop. The FDA has rejected shipments of the product due to excessive pesticide residues.
5. Agave syrup has no nutritional value. It is not whole food or a live one. Processing has stripped it of the nutrients contained in the agave plant, and of natural enzymes to prevent it from fermenting into tequila.
6. Agave syrup contains large amounts of toxic steroid derivatives called saponins, which are associated with diarrhea, disruption of red blood cells and vomiting. Saponins also stimulate blood flow to the uterus, which is why pregnant women should avoid agave products due to the possible risk of miscarriage.
7. Agave syrup may contain an organic, heat-formed contaminant called hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which has suspected toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects.

Dr. Mercola advises a severely reduced consumption of sugar if you want to improve your health. But if you need to satisfy your sweet tooth, there are healthier alternatives to HFCS and agave. Pure glucose will set you back about a dollar per pound and does not have the harmful effects of fructose when used in moderation. You can also try other health products and natural sweeteners like Lo Han and stevia. Again, the keywords are use in moderation.

Resource: http://www.drmercola.com/2010/03/7-reasons-why-you-should-avoid-agave.html

Healthy Snacks

Raw hummus bought at Sprouts grocery store and Rice crackers!

Flavors for Hummus (Cayenne pepper and Cilantro Jalapeno)

Lotus Cafe and Juice Bar

Another trip Lotus Cafe and Juice Bar in Encinitas, California!
I did a light dinner this time. Their chili was very good with soy cheese and a side of bread. I wasn't too impressed with the bread but the chili was great. I wanted corn bread but the corn bread is not vegan (contains eggs)

(note) I realize the spoon should have been in the chili but I didn't notice it till after I uploaded the picture at home lol! sorry :)

Recipe by Veggievibes.net

http://www.veggievibes.net/

and

http://www.rawfoodsandiego.com/p/recipes.html

Hey Sweetie! Granola Bar

Wrap it up and take it to the gym, work, school or anywhere! This is pure natural energy that has been shaped into an easy to go bar, made with powerful ingredients such as maca powder from Peruvian Andes, wild raw honey and Turkish figs, full of antioxidants and amino acids. Pure, complex and tasty!

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups walnuts
1 cup pecans
1 cup chopped Turkish figs
1 tbsp orange zest
1 tbsp maca powder
¼ tsp vanilla powder
1 pinch sea salt
¼ cup raw honey
2 tbsp raw agave nectar

PREPARATION:
Place all the ingredients except for honey and agave nectar into a food processor and grind until you get a crumbly consistency. Add in the honey and agave nectar and keep blending until the mixture becomes soft and pasty.
Put the batter on a cutting board and start shaping granola bars.
Yes, it’s that easy!

Recipe by Chef Perkunas
©

Health Benefits of Going Vegan

Nutrition

All of the following nutritional benefits come from a vegan diet full of foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and soy products.

Too Much in the American Diet

The typical American diet not only consists of too much food, it also relies on too much of unnecessary food products or toxins. The following list explains how a vegan diet can eliminate these problems.

Animal proteins. The average American eats twice as much protein as necessary for a healthy diet and much of that is from red meat. Getting protein from beans and grains is much healthier and reduces the risk for osteoporosis

Cow’s milk dairy. The human body is not designed to digest cow milk and cow milk dairy products, yet the idea of milk being healthy is pushed through advertising. As many as 75% of people in the world may be lactose intolerant and many people suffer from undiagnosed milk allergies or sensitivities. By eliminating cow’s milk from your diet, you are improving your overall health.

Eggs. Many nutritionists believe that the number of eggs in the American diet is too high. While sometimes disputed, it has been shown that eggs can raise cholesterol levels.

Mercury. Most of the fish and shellfish consumed has mercury in it. While some fish have less than others, it is almost impossible not to be putting mercury in your body when you eat fish.

Sugar. Most people have heard that Americans consume way too much sugar. Relying on other sweeteners that are not synthetic, processed, or derived from animal products is a healthier way to eat. Many vegans do not eat processed sugar due to the fact that most of the cane sugar is refined through activated charcoal, most of which comes from animal bones.

SOURCE: http://www.nursingdegree.net/blog/19/57-health-benefits-of-going-vegan/

Meet Your Meat

The pH Miracle: Balance your Diet, Reclaim your Health

In many ways, The pH Miracle is reminiscent of an earlier generation of diet books. Much of the focus is on an intestinal cleansing program, followed by a diet that is 70 to 80 percent vegetables, coupled with a tremendous selection of supplements that authors Robert and Shelley Young recommend to everyone, no matter what their age, gender, or state of health.

The Youngs point their fingers at candida as a main culprit in the poor health of many people. Unfortunately, they back up their claims with only vague references, such as "a 1991 study" and "a leading cancer researcher." Many readers may wish for more specific evidence, but instead will have to make do with enthusiastic recommendations, alphabetized lists of vegetables, and pleasing chapters with vegetarian recipes that taste good no matter how you feel about the diet as a whole.

Sprinkled throughout the book are short testimonials of people who were able to reverse cancer, improve their digestion, and lower their cholesterol by following these recommendations, and it's hard to argue with the cholesterol-lowering results that a 70 percent vegetable diet will achieve. Still, the medical value of much else in the book remains hotly contested, and as always, it's wise to check with your doctor before starting off in search of miracles. --Jill Lightner --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

My Vegan in Pasadena, California

Chocolate soy ice cream with fried banana.

My Vegan had a variety of Asian, American and Italian dishes.

The China Study

Referred to as the "Grand Prix of epidemiology" by The New York Times, this study examines more than 350 variables of health and nutrition with surveys from 6,500 adults in more than 2,500 counties across China and Taiwan, and conclusively demonstrates the link between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. While revealing that proper nutrition can have a dramatic effect on reducing and reversing these ailments as well as curbing obesity, this text calls into question the practices of many of the current dietary programs, such as the Atkins diet, that are widely popular in the West. The politics of nutrition and the impact of special interest groups in the creation and dissemination of public information are also discussed.

Great Book to Read if choosing to go Vegan

By far one of my favorite books (explicit language so parents you may want to read this before your child does)

Very education on the vegan lifestyle.

Here is a quote from the book!

"Not your typical boring diet book, this is a tart-tongued, no-holds-barred wakeup call to all women who want to be thin. With such blunt advice as, "Soda is liquid Satan" and "You are a total moron if you think the Atkins Diet will make you thin," it's a rallying cry for all savvy women to start eating healthy and looking radiant. Unlike standard diet books, it actually makes the reader laugh out loud with its truthful, smart-mouthed revelations. Behind all the attitude, however, there's solid guidance. Skinny Bitch espouses a healthful lifestyle that promotes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and encourages women to get excited about feeling "clean and pure and energized." "