Healthy Diet- Healthy Body
by
Dr. Norman Easley
The healthy diet information contained here
results from research and consistent results experienced by patients in my
alternative medicine practice since 1972. Listed here are healthy diet
practices and guidelines. Eating healthy involves consuming the correct foods.
It also involves following the right food preparation practices, eating
according to the seasons and in the proper sequence. Sample diet templates and
diets are at the end of this section to make it easier. Finally, it is
important to remember that following a healthy diet for at least three months
will eliminate the problems caused by poor quality foods. The remaining
symptoms or conditions are a clear picture of the primary patterns of disorder.
This makes it easier to identify the underlying cause of any condition you
have.
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Eat Organic
Drink Water with Minerals
Eat Heirloom
Drink Mineral-Rich Water
Avoid Chemical Additives
Be Consistent
Practice Moderation
Chit Chats with
Michale Daniel Hawkens
They have the right idea in France. There are fresh produce markets about every few blocks. So people shop for their food everyday. Its fun to get to know your neighbors and shopkeepers! Eating fresh healthy food everyday is a great way of life! A votre sante!
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Eat Organic
Organic foods grown with
natural fertilizers and harmless weed control techniques promote health.
Organic agricultural practices increase the viability of the soil making more
nutrients available to the plants. Healthier plants have a natural resistance
to insects. The outcome is food that is more nutritious and not stressful to
the body. Food containing additives, pesticide residues and chemicals places an
increased demand on the body. Somehow, the body has to determine where to get
the energy and nutrients to process these chemicals. Over time, the necessary
nutrients diminish forcing the body to deposit the chemicals in a
"safe" place. Eventually, the combination of nutrient deficiencies
and storage stress produce disease patterns. Eat organic and this process will
not happen. Organic foods promote health. |
Even Dr. Easley got overwhelmed with this healthy diet page! This valuable information is long and somewhat tedious... My eyes glazed over several times while editing it. My recommendation is to only have 2 servings (paragraphs) a day. Any more and you will need some serious ginko to get you through!
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Drink Water with Minerals
Pure spring water is the best to drink.
Add good quality minerals to
distilled and reverse osmosis water before drinking.
I use WaterOz Minerals
of Life concentrate. It is a mixture of all the minerals in the single atom
state. One tablespoon of this mineral concentrate added for each gallon of
filtered water is adequate. Not adding the minerals to ultra-filtered water can
cause chronic dehydration.
Distilled Water and Dehydration
An interesting case on dehydration involves an office staff of eight people. They were all suffering electrolyte
dehydration. Each of them required 4 to 8 Electrolyte 2. When I inquired as to
the possible cause, I discovered they were drinking water provided by the company.
This water was a product of two reverse osmosis filters! It was essentially
distilled water. Within fifteen minutes, each of the individuals I had tested
began commenting on how much better they felt physically and mentally.
Diarrhea and Dehydration
A patient
of mine who was traveling in
Mexico
called me in desperation. She had experienced the familiar Montezuma's revenge
and had recovered, or so it seemed. Shortly after the bout of diarrhea, her
heart began skipping beats to such an extent that she had become severely
lightheaded. She ended up in the hospital. She was quite upset since they would
not discharge her until her heart stabilized, which it was not doing. I told
her to have her husband go to the drug store and buy some potassium. She told
me her blood tests listed normal levels of potassium. I informed her that blood
tests were not representative of the body's tissues. I insisted she get the
potassium. Within fifteen minutes of taking six potassium tablets, her heart
normalized and they discharged her in a few hours. This is a perfect example of
how electrolytes have the ability to retain water in the tissues. When depleted
from the tissues, blood tests will not necessarily demonstrate the deficiency
until the body is extremely dehydrated. Drinking water under these
circumstances will only make the condition worse! It is therefore best to drink
if you are thirsty and only drink water that contains an adequate amount of minerals. Now, it is stated when you are
thirsty you are already dehydrated. That is true, but thirst indicates a
reasonable level of water dehydration that can be quickly resolved. Drinking
six to eight glasses a day when you are not thirsty can actually cause a more
serious form of dehydration. Drinking water when you are not thirsty has the
potential of flushing electrolytes out your kidneys. Electrolytes are a certain
form of mineral that acts like a tiny sponges holding water in the body.
Without electrolytes, the body has no means of holding the water in place.
Electrolyte dehydration is much more severe because replacing electrolytes is
more difficult. With severe dehydration, one can lose the thirst reflex
altogether. Numerous trips to the bathroom is one indicator of electrolyte
dehydration. |
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Water For Life
When we are out and about we put well water in glass, stainless steel and plastic bottles with the recycle #s of 2,4, and 5 These give off lower amounts of estrogenic chemicals into the water.We drink when we are thirsty and make sure that we take electrolytes so that our thirst is accurate with what our bodies need. When you are dehydrated it can be hard for the body to give you accurate signals about thirst and a lot of other things. If you drink too much water you can dehydrate yourself even more! Our well water is great and it does not have a lot of natural minerals so we have a large water dispenser with a Spring water jug and spike it with Minerals of Life to supplement our minerals. Then we use both the well, and the bottled water to drink on a daily basis.
Water- The Perfect Balance
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FRUIT
Fruits are best in their raw form. During colder seasons, it is best to
sauce or bake them. Dried fruits are best during the colder months and should
be limited to two to three tablespoons per serving. Include one to four
servings a day. I have found that fruit juice in quantities exceeding 25 grams
of carbohydrate is detrimental. I have hundreds of case histories involving
children and hyperactivity, bedwetting, moodiness, anger, deficient aptitude,
allergies, frequent illness, anemia, and numerous other conditions that
improved within days of discontinuing fruit juice. Even though the idea of
fruit juice is appealing and seems like it has health benefits, these benefits
are offset by the amount of sugar and alkalizers. Too much of this good thing
causes too many problems that can easily be avoided.
Always eat fruits by themselves or prior to a meal.
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Remember the bullet point about practicing moderation at the top of this page? The way that we use juice moderately is by getting the baby portions that come in the 4.23 fluid ounce boxes. The kids are supposed to drink them after they have eaten a good meal. We can tell right away when that doesn't happen!
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VEGETABLES
Vegetables have been around for thousands of years. Almost every
civilization has contributed, but none more than the American Indians. They
developed tomatoes, peppers, beans, corn, squash, and potatoes as early as
5,000 BC. Europeans developed broccoli and cabbage. Lettuce began to be
cultivated around the same time in
Egypt
Vegetables are rich in
accessible nutrients. Today, vegetables are classified according to the part
eaten.
Root vegetables include beets, carrots, radishes, and turnips.
Stem vegetables include asparagus and kohlrabi.
Tuberous vegetables are potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams.
Leafstalk vegetables include celery, brussel sprouts, cabbage, lettuce,
and spinach.
Bulb vegetables are garlic, leeks, and onions.
Flower vegetables include artichokes, broccoli, and cauliflower.
There are also vegetables that are not really vegetables but rather fruits.
This includes beans, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, sweet corn, squash, peppers, and
tomatoes.
Vegetables are a valuable food source rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber,
and some fat and protein. The skin of potatoes actually contains a complete
protein. One of the issues with vegetables, however, is that the nutrients
dwell in an enclosure of cellulose. Humans do not produce enzymes capable of
digesting cellulose, so to get the benefit of the nutrients, it is necessary to
either chew them thoroughly or lightly steam them. Light cooking softens the
cellulose so that human enzymes can dissolve it thereby releasing the
nutrients. Effective juicing also breaks down the cellulose making the
nutrients available but susceptible to oxidation if not consumed quickly.
Another interesting point is it takes more energy to digest and process non-starchy
vegetables than they provide. This makes vegetables an excellent food for
weight loss and for cooling down the body during the hot days of summer. Consume four cups of vegetables daily. |
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Garden Bounty
Every year we plant a garden. Norm grew up in Oregon and has an exceptionally green thumb. He has a lot to share on that subject too. Norm's favorite crops are melons and watermelons. I never used to like melons until I tried ours! My favorite crops are strawberries and blackberries. The strawberries are so sweet and delicate that they literally melt in your hands.
Fresher than Fresh |
Green
Leafy Vegetables:
There are three types. The first is the
salad variety. The numerous varieties of leaf lettuce vary in nutritional
value. They are best raw and juiced. The second type includes kale, mustard
greens and collards that are members of the cabbage family (Brassica). It is
best to steam lightly to expose the most nutrients and reduce their potential
for acidity. They contain sulfoxide. The last type of leafy green vegetable is
chard, which is actually a member of the beet family. It contains oxalic acid.
Too much will make you acidic and stress the kidney, so it is best to limit
chard intake to 1/2 cup a day. I do not recommend chard be added to juices
unless you supplement with BioCarb. This will neutralize the
acidity.
Squash and Starchy Vegetables:
All squash, potatoes, yams, and sweet
potatoes are excellent sources of fiber and nutrients. Steamed or baked covered
preserves the most nutrients. If you want to cook them in boiling water covered
for mashing, use just enough water to cover them. Then keep the water
in the mashing process, to retain the nutrients in the water.
The Sulfur Vegetables:
Asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower,
cabbage, brussel sprouts, onions, and garlic are best when cooked. They contain
a sulfur molecule called sulfoxide that the liver must process. Sulfoxide
creates acidity. When cooked, much of the sulfoxide mixes with the steam as a
volatile acid and is lost. This makes the vegetable less acid. The sulfur
molecule is the chemical that gives these vegetables their characteristic odor.
Root Vegetables:
The root vegetables are carrots, beets,
and parsnips. Cooking makes the most nutrients available from these vegetables,
besides juicing. Steaming in a covered pan on a steamer rack preserves more
nutrients than any other method. Cook them until just soft. Carrots and radishes
are OK in the raw state but need thorough chewing for proper digestion.
Peas & Beans:
Even though it is fun
eating peas and string beans fresh in the garden, cooking them makes the most
nutrients available. |
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Ladybug Ladybug
There are many things to find in the garden! Wiatte found a ladybug here. The kids learn first hand how nature works together to grow and survive. And sometimes it doesn't work out too! One of the most amazing things that I have learned gardening is the more you pick of certain crops the more the plant will give you! Nature is very generous!
Root Veggies |
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Limit
these Vegetables
The nightshades are all
members of the species of the genus Solanum (family Solanaceae). It
includes potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. The roots and leaves of the
tomato plant are in fact poisonous; they contain the neurotoxin solanine.
Potatoes also contain small amounts of this neurotoxin. When exposed to the
sun, the solanine in potatoes causes them to turn green. Do not ever eat green
potatoes! In addition to the toxin, the nightshades have acidifying effects in
the body. Eating too many nightshades causes acid induced symptoms including
headaches, joint inflammations, toothaches, and herpes.
Avoid
these Vegetables
The quality of corn and soy
have been altered the most from excessive hybridization creating new
strains that our immune systems do not recognize. Now, genetic modification has
made it even worse. The protein molecules are extremely difficult to digest and
process. The Hybrid Food section discusses this in more detail. Old varieties
(Heirloom) are still beneficial to eat. This includes homegrown Golden Bantam
Corn, Country Gentlemen Corn, all of the blue corns, and most of the Mexican
varieties. These are found in Seed Savers, Abundant Life, Seeds
of Change and all heirloom seed catalogues. The only variety that I
presently know of that is available in health stores blue corn.
Juice
these Vegetables
Always use organic vegetables. You do not want to concentrate the
agricultural chemicals found in conventional vegetables! The general rule for
juicing is to juice only what you can comfortably eat in one sitting. The best
juices include celery, cucumbers, a leaf or two of kale or collards, lettuce,
one or two medium carrots, and a small beet. If desired, sweeten vegetable
juice with a little whole fruit. Still use only the amount you can eat at one time.
It is not true that more is better! Too much raw vegetable and fruit juice
forces the body into excess alkalosis stressing the kidneys and liver. The best
method for making juice is to pulverize it with a strong blender. This process
keeps all of the fiber and the nutrients contained in the fiber. The VitaMix
blender is the best I have found for preparing juices. One to two servings
a day is recommended. |
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Cute Tomato
Tomatoes are a very fun crop to grow. They are especially fun for kids because they are sweet and easy to pick right off the vine. When we plant gardens for the kid's school, we will always plant some tomatoes. One of my favorite ways to eat them is fresh in the garden with a little bit of salt. We use different types of natural mineralized salts like Celtic Sea Salt.
Orange Juice of Carrot |
GRAINS
The grains that promote healthy digestion and nutrition are spelt,
jasmine rice, basmati rice, white rice, some strains of brown rice, millet,
blue corn (vegetable grain), and quinoa. Irish oats, imported from Ireland are
still good. Generally, with all varieties of grains the white varieties are
better since they have less gluten. The best flour substitutes are rice, blue
corn, and spelt. Most health stores carry gluten-free flour mixes for pancakes,
cookies, muffins, bread, and even pizza crust. Spelt and rice noodles are
excellent substitutes for conventional wheat flour noodles. Remember that just
because a food item is organic does not necessarily mean it is non-hybrid.
Spelt, blue corn and millet have not entered the hybrid labs yet. They are your
best bet. White rice is questionable but has a very small amount of gluten so
if it is will have a reduced effect. If wheat is in your diet, make it organic
and white. White flour products have less gluten and the body tolerates them
better. Eat a little grain everyday.
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Spelt
Spelt is amazing! Luckily more and more companies are making things with it! It's slightly sweeter than wheat, and the consistency is the same. Rudy's Organics makes a great loaf of spelt bread and spelt tortillas. VitaSpelt makes great pretzels. With so many options that the kids love to eat, I don't have many battles with food police here!
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NUTS AND
SEEDS
Nuts About Digesting
Eighteen years ago, I was convinced that nuts and seeds were good
for the body. I thought that the problems people had with them were
because they ate too much at one sitting. Nuts and seeds are concentrated
proteins which require an excess amount of digestive enzymes to process. In
some cases, the enzymes are not even available. This can cause an
accumulation of undigested proteins in the body making them toxic. This is when
I began my research on protein enzyme products. I purchased every available
protein-digesting enzyme and tested them individually for efficiency and
patient tolerance. Eventually, I was able to design an enzyme product that was
effective for the digestion of nuts, soy and wheat. The patients suffering from
various forms of arthritis, skin problems, infections, and digestive complaints
began to improve while still eating these foods! Within a few months, however,
these same patients developed new symptoms. Now they suffered from sluggish
energy, pains in their back caused by kidney stress, and general feelings of
toxicity associated with liver strain. Removing nuts, soy and wheat from their
diets alleviated all of those symptoms. Since then, I have witnessed dramatic
improvements in patients by removing these foods from their diets. I can also
tell when patients have succumbed and begin eating them again.
Rectal Abscesses and Nuts Case History
A patient called the clinic suffering from rectal abscesses.
She had seen a doctor who attempted to treat it, and placed her
on antibiotics. She experienced no improvement. I asked her directly if she had
been eating nuts again. There was a silence on the phone until she sheepishly
confided she had. I told her to stop immediately and begin taking Enzyme Pro. Within three days, the abscesses were gone.
Soles of Feet Peeling and Nuts Case History
A six-year-old boy suffered with the soles of his feet peeling. He loved
peanuts. I instructed the mother to discontinue the peanuts and have him chew
Papaya/pineapple enzymes. Again, within a few days his feet were normal! A few
weeks later, the mother called saying her son's feet were peeling again. I
asked if he was eating peanuts and she replied that he was not. I then asked if
he were eating peanut butter and she said he was. For some reason, some people
think peanuts and peanut butter are two different items. They are the same!
Varicose Veins and Nuts Case History
Another woman developed severe varicose veins in the first few months of
a pregnancy. It was determined that the sesame butter added to her
"healthy" smoothies was the culprit. I gave her Enzyme Pro and
instructed her to discontinue the sesame seed butter. Within a week, her veins
were normal.
Stye Eye and Nuts case history
A woman came in the clinic accompanied by her grandson who had a large stye on
his upper lid. The woman stated they had tried everything to eliminate the
boy's condition but nothing had helped. He always had some level of stye
infection on his eyelids. I asked the boy if he liked peanut butter. He did.
Discontinuing peanuts and taking the appropriate enzymes stopped the condition
within a week. Peanut consumption can also result in a chalazion cyst, or a meibomian cyst.
Prostate and Nuts case history
A middle-aged man stated he had suffered with a swollen prostate for years. For
some reason, this is a classic result of eating nuts. Stopping nuts and giving
him the necessary enzyme eliminated the swollen prostate within two weeks.
There are literally hundreds of cases involving the consumption of nuts with
specific symptom patterns. Correcting the diet almost always has a dramatic
effect.
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Good Nuts in Moderation
I have concluded over the past fifteen years that it is best to avoid
nuts altogether. This includes even nuts that have been soaked. The only
exception is organic almonds (non-hybrid) but must be limited to five to seven
at one time. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are OK as long as they are limited to
two tablespoons per serving. Nut and seed butters should be avoided completely.
Not only are they more concentrated in protein, but the natural oils they
contain become rancid within hours of processing. |
Nuts!
Back in 1997 I was on an airline flight when my back suddenly cramped up on me during decent. I got in to see Dr. Easley later that day and when I showed him where my back was out, he casually asked, "Have you been eating peanuts?" My eyes got as big as saucers, and I said "Yes! How did you know?" To which he replied "Because peanuts stress the gallbladder and your gall bladder meridian is irritated!" He gave me Enzyme Pro and Bileplex and gave me a soft adjustment and within the hour it was gone. Amazing!
Several years ago I went to a family reunion in Indiana. We were sitting around a table chatting and the subject of arthritis came up. My mother has it very bad in her fingers. One of her sisters has it as well, but the other one doesn't. I remembered what Norm said about nuts and so I asked if any of them ate nuts. I knew that my mother is a big fan of nuts, and I found out that one of my aunts is too. She ate almonds everyday. My other aunt without any arthritis said that she did not care for nuts! Is this coincidence?!! I think not!
Almonds in Moderation |
EGGS AND
DAIRY
The ONLY Biologically Complete Protein is..
Eggs are the only true biologically complete food protein. This means it
contains all the protein necessary to grow healthy cells. Today, there are
multiple varieties of organic eggs. There are regular eggs, those that have
omega 3's, vitamin E, and even extra folic acid. Clinically, I have not been
able to distinguish any difference.
Ratio of 3 to 4 egg
whites to 1 yolk is an excellent balance
Four to
ten eggs a week is ample on average
Eat cooked whites (raw whites
deplete biotin from the body causing weakness, sensitive skin, and depression.
Cooked egg whites do not.)
Eat egg yolks raw or cooked
Dairy
Cow milk is only good for those people that can digest and use it. It is
bad for anyone who lacks the milk sugar enzyme (lactase), and for those that do
not have the digestive capacity for milk protein. Dairy is also not good
for people with immune systems that think the milk protein as an antigen
(foreign protein that causes allergies).
Milk Men
Milk fat really is not good for men
because of the estrogen hormone levels. Even if the cows are organic and
chemical free, they still produce hormones that are stored in the milk fat. The
purpose of these hormones is to promote the growth of the calf, to double its
size within thirty days. In most humans, it can have a similar effect. In men the extra estrogens can have a feminine effect with man boobs, and docile personalities.
Milk and cholesterol
Milk
fat, especially concentrated in cheese, raises cholesterol. Whenever I see a
patient with high cholesterol, the first thing I do is have them remove milk
fat from their diet. Removing cheese, butter and whole milk lowers cholesterol.
Milk protein (casein) is a very concentrated protein and causes congested
sinuses, allergies, frequent illness, sinusitis, earaches, arteriosclerosis,
and osteoarthritis in many people. In fact, most earaches improve with WoboPlex.
This product has an enzyme that digests the milk proteins deposited in the ear
canals, etc.
Fat Free Milk is Best
It is sufficient to say that cow milk is for cows.
If milk is consumed by humans, fat free milk and yogurt is the best.
Generally, boiled milk and milk cooked into food items like pancakes, muffins,
and sauces is OK. Still, only individuals who have adequate digestive tracts
and immune systems should consume milk.
Testing for Milk Tolerance
To test milk tolerance, stop all
milk products for one week. This is enough time to allow the body to clear
itself of reactive proteins. After one week, eat some milk products and wait
twenty-four hours. If there is any sensitivity to milk, you will have a
reaction within fifteen minutes to twelve hours. If there is a reaction, take WoboPlex. WoboPlex is an enzyme product that neutralizes the milk
protein within fifteen minutes. If there is more of an intestinal reaction,
chew some Lactaid. If the symptoms are gone within a few minutes there
is lactose intolerance.
Milk Substitutes
Goat milk
sheep milk
rice milk
hemp milk
coconut
milk
Goat yogurt is also an
excellent. Now, there are multiple brands of goat and sheep cheese. It is quit
exciting that so many companies are getting involved in revitalizing our food
supplies. |
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Eggs-Yum!
I love eggs! I could be like Bubba Gump and go on fro days on all of the ways to enjoy eggs. Our good friends Mike and Sally Gale raise their own chickens on their ranch in Chileno Valley, California. My kids can't wait to go visit them. The highlight of their trip is being able to collect the eggs. The chickens make a big fuss when they have just laid an egg, they are so proud. The Gales let the chickens out to forage on the ground in the evenings. They feed them scraps from their garden, and when that is scarce, they get produce from the market that is just past its peak. The yolks are deep orange-yellow and they taste amazing!
A Healthy Diet and Lifestyle Looks Great
Goat Cheese
I never liked cheese growing up. It might be because I was only exposed to Velveeta "cheesefood". As an adult I experimented with some amazing cheeses that I love. But the cow cheeses made me bloated, congested and fat. No fun! Then I discovered goat and sheep cheese. The taste is smooth and delicate, and it didn't affect me in a bad way! One of our favorite snacks is goat cheese with rice crackers! Yum!
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LEGUMES
Dried beans, peas and lentils have long been an excellent source of
fiber and vegetable protein. They are members of the legume family of
vegetables. Only the heirloom beans should be included in the diet.
Beans and Flatulence
Hybrid
beans possess altered protein and starch molecules, which makes them difficult
to digest. This is evident by the amount of flatulence produced even if they
are prepared properly. Some people, however, do not have sufficient enzymes to
digest beans and will produce gas even with heirloom beans. Taking PanPro will help digestion and reduce flatulence. It is important to experiment. Some
beans and lentils are digestible while others are not. Generally, the old
varieties such as
lima
,
red beans, Mexican black beans, pinto beans, and chickpeas are the best. Mung,
adzuki beans and Asian beans are also good. Personal preference really
determines how often beans are eaten.
Making the Perfect Protein
It is interesting to note that the
protein molecule is not complete unless combined with rice or corn. Beans and
rice is a staple that has kept civilizations healthy for centuries.
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Good Fiber Good Protein
Beans and Rice |
MEATS
Grass-fed
Beef,
Buffalo
and Pork
Organic grass-fed beef
buffalo
Pork is good if it is lean
Pork bacon
is good if it is well cooked and drained of the excess fat
Watch out for Saturated Fat
The saturated fat
in pork is an interesting topic. My grandmother always had a can of pork fat on
the stove. She used it for all cooking that required fat. It seemed she used it
in everything. I loved going to her house once a week to eat. Everything had so
much flavor! She lived to be ninety-six and never had any health problems. Two
of her sons, however died of heart attacks in their sixties. I am not convinced
about the benefits of pork fat.
For the average individual, eating red meat
once or twice a week is plenty.
Chicken
,
Turkey
, Fowl
These are excellent sources
of protein with low amounts of fat, although the fat in turkey is a little more
saturated. If you include this form of protein in your diet, daily consumption
of these food items is acceptable. |
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We eat a lot of chicken! One year my Dad came for a visit. We had chicken every day for lunch and dinner. He only stayed for 3 days, yet he told me later that he didn't eat chicken for 6 months after he left! I guess you can overdo a good thing! In the beginning of my relationship with Norm he cooked for me a lot. He made chicken that had wonderful subtle flavors, yet was perpetually undercooked! I ate it for a long time until I couldn't stand it any longer, and then I didn't eat chicken for the next year! So you can "underdo" a good thing too! Now when he makes chicken for me he gladly annihilates it on the barbie.
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Seafood
Of
all the subjects related to food, this one is the most difficult to discuss.
Pollution is destroying the ocean's food supply and the animals that eat
seafood, including humans.
Now, the only safe fish to eat are the ones that
either live short lives or are small. This includes:
sardines
calamari (squid)
shrimp
tilapia
mackerel
snapper
smelt
herring and trout
Mercury and Fish
The larger a fish becomes, the
greater the concentration of chemicals and toxic minerals. National Geographic
did an article in October 2006 entitled The Pollution Within. In the article,
the author states, "I don't eat much fish, and the levels of mercury in my
blood were modest. But I wondered what would happen if I gorged on large fish
for a meal or two. So one afternoon I bought some halibut and swordfish at a
fish market in the old
Ferry
Building
on
San Francisco
Bay
.
Both were caught in the ocean just outside the
Golden Gate
,
where they might have picked up mercury from the old mines. That night I ate
the halibut with basil and a dash of soy sauce; I downed the swordfish for breakfast
with eggs (cooked in my nonstick pan). Twenty-four hours later, I had my blood
drawn and retested. My level of mercury had more than doubled, from 5
micrograms per liter to a higher-than-recommended 12. Mercury at 70 or 80
micrograms per liter is dangerous for adults", says Leo Trasande,
"and much lower levels can affect children. Children have suffered losses
in IQ at 5.8 micrograms." He advises me to avoid repeating the gorge
experiment." I think that sums it up pretty good.
Shellfish
Crab, oysters,
clams, mussels, and scallops are questionable. They are bottom feeders and
their safety factor depends on where they grow.
Numb Tingling Feet and Mercury
A
few months ago, a patient called me expressing concern because he had developed
a strange numb tingling in the bottom of his feet. It was getting worse and no
one knew what it was. I told him the only way that this could happen is with an
exposure to mercury. I asked if he had been eating a lot of tuna fish. He lingered for a few
moments and stated that he had been on a health kick and was eating tuna fish
everyday! I told him to take B12, folic acid, NAC, and glutathione.
He called back five days later to rejoice in the disappearance of his nerve
symptoms.
Numb Fingers and Mercury
A young boy began complaining of numbness in the ends of his
fingers. He had been eating tuna fish regularly. I instructed his mother to
discontinue the tuna fish. I gave him a dose of Merc sol 30c to
stimulate the elimination of mercury from his body. His symptoms were gone in a
few days. His mother threw all the tuna fish away.
These toxic metals and
chemicals affect all fish. This is why it is better to eat the smaller
varieties of fish and not more than two to three times a week. |
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Fish- My Favorite
I love seafood! When I was pregnant with Rio I ate salmon for breakfast lunch and dinner. I even had it during labor! For some reason Rio doesn't like seafood a bit! Are you seeing a pattern here? Now I am a bit more cautious because of all the chemicals in our oceans. Darn!
SeaBass
Tingling Feet and Mercury
Fun Fingers |
Protein
Any food
that provides high quantities of amino acids is a source of protein.
Amino acids provide the body with the material to build muscle and repair body
tissues. In the body, protein stabilizes fluid balance, enables hormone
transport, builds immune factors, and enables enzyme production. An increased
demand for protein rich foods occurs during growth phases, during stress and
with exercise. The most favorable protein-rich foods are:
Goat
Sheep
Eggs
Shrimp
Lamb
Shellfish
Turkey
Chicken
Grass-Fed Beef
Calamari
Buffalo
Small Fish
Non fat Milk Products
Goat Milk Products
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Goat Meat
Did you know that goat meat is the most widely consumed type of meat in the world? America imports more goat meat than any other country. They are much more efficient to raise for meat than cows, and they are not as stinky! So if you are looking fro a great business to get into, look into goats! We need more local producers!
Buffalo has Actinomynocyn-Good For Muscles
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HEIRLOOM AND OPEN-POLLINATED FOODS
Look for varieties of food that are heirloom. These are easier to digest and
your body's immune system recognizes them as compatible. The reason they tend to be easier to digest is becasue they have been around for a long time, and our digestive systems are used to them.
Open-pollinated foods
produce viable seeds that can be re-planted. If you have a vegetable garden plant
only the heirloom varieties and save your seeds. Each year they become better
adapted to your climate. If you do save your seeds, then be careful to plant
only one variety of each crop, or keep the similar crops away from each other,
because cross-pollination will naturally occur and you will develop a hybrid strain.
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Amish Self Sufficiency
Being self sufficient is a real asset. They use heirloom seeds harvested year after year. They grow naturally and organically. We can learn a lot from their natural independence.
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Carbohydrates
Fast Carbs
(simple high-glycemic)
High glycemic
foods contain sugars that require very little digestion. When eaten, they enter
the blood stream faster than they can be stored or burned for energy.
Fast carbohydrates are the biggest cause of weight gain. In many cases
they are responsible for energy loss, fatigue, muscular weakness, and moodiness
during the day. These include:
Cane, Corn and Beet Sugar, and Honey
Puffed, and Flaked Cereals
Fruit Juice
Oranges, Apricots, Mangoes, Bananas, Berries, Watermelon
Dried Fruit
Breads, and Bagels
Rolled Oats
White and Brown Rice
Sorbet
Carrots, Corn and Potatoes
Slow
Carbohydrates
(complex low-glycemic foods)
The body processes this form of dietary sugar slowly. This
allows the body to burn more for fuel and store more as sugar reserves instead
of fat. They help keep the energy even during the day. Low-glycemic
foods are:
Spelt, Blue Corn, Oat groats
Papaya, Pears, Grapes, Peaches, Apples, Plums, Cherries, Grapefruit, Melons
Pure Maple Syrup,
Fructose, Xylitol, Stevia
Beans, Peas, Lentils
Green Veggies
Yams, Sweet Potatoes, Squash, Zucchini
Tomato Sauce
All-Bran Cereal |
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Fast Fruit
Repeat after me: "Eat healthy. Fruit good. Yum Yum."
Sorbet So Great
A great desert! |
Oils
Olive and
grapeseed oil have the best quality fats.
Grapeseed oil is the
best for cooking since its cracking point is over 400 degrees. It also
contains a good amount of antioxidants.
Olive oil is best for salads and foods
cooked at low temperature.
Coconut oil has become popular recently but the
results are inconsistent. Although it is good cooking oil, some patients notice
they gain weight using it while others state they lost weight.
The ability to
process saturated oils depends on efficient fat digestion. Those who possess
good fat digestion generally will lose weight with saturated oils. Good oils
supply fats for long-term fuel requirements, tissue repair, brain health, and
hormone production. In addition, eating the right amount of healthy fat
decreases the appetite so you eat less. When eaten in the correct amounts, they
do not deposit as stored fat. Although the body requires saturated fats,
an excess amount of them will cause deposits in the arteries and fat
cells.
Saturated fats are in:
beef
pork
coconut
olive oil
turkey
milk
Polyunsaturated Fat
The body also requires polyunsaturated fats.
Polyunsaturated fats are in:
grains
vegetables
seeds
Canola
corn
sunflower
safflower
Nut Oils and Rancidity
Nut oils are not
stable outside their natural source and become rancid rapidly. This rancidity
causes liver congestion, and abnormal blood fats.
To obtain the body requirements for unsaturated oils it is best to eat them in
their natural state. Avoid hydrogenated oils entirely. A normal amount of oil
consumption is one to three tablespoons a day. Oils added to cooking are part
of the recommended allowance. Generally, it is best to buy oils in small
containers and refrigerate them. Leave olive oil at room temperature since it
usually solidifies when cold.
Hybrid Foods
Hybridization is the
process of taking the qualities of one plant and combining it with the
qualities of another. Natural hybridization has occurred for thousands of years
by pollens drifting along the wind currents. It was always regional, however,
and eventually would stabilize. Along came humans. We decided in the mid
twentieth century that if we could mix two strains of wheat, we could produce
one that had more protein value. Indeed, by 1976 hybridization had increased
the protein content of wheat by 26%. We did not stop there. We hybridized corn,
soy, tomatoes and every other popular food crop. Each time a new hybrid is
eaten it forces our immune systems to identify and process a new protein
molecule. Most of these reactions are negligible but they are cumulative.
Hybrid foods are much like a pebble in your shoe. Persistent irritation
eventually has repercussions.
Celiac disease (wheat allergy), arthritis, allergies, headaches, and skin
problems can develop. The most difficult aspect of hybrid foods is identifying
them. They have no labels. Generally, most commercial foods use hybrids. Most Cows, chickens, turkey, beef, nuts, soy, wheat, corn, barley, rye,
broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, oranges, apples, and melons are hybrids. This
leaves buffalo, fish, eggs, spelt, jasmine rice, basmati rice, millet, some
beans, some squash, some varieties of leaf lettuce, honey, and maple syrup.
Vegetable and fruit hybrids are not as harmful because they contain less
protein. The foods containing the most concentrated protein are the most
insulting to the body. This includes nuts, beans, and grains. The best way to
eat non-hybrid is to have your own garden and order only open-pollinated
(Heirloom) seeds. |
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Oil. Its amazing how much there is to know about it! Rancidity, saturated, polyunsaturated, viscous, hydrophobic, non polar, omega 3 trans fats, hydrogenating, triglycerides...
What?
Just remember:
Organic- good!
Hydrogenating- bad!
Omega 3- good!
Rancidity- bad!
Fat Figuring
Good Lookin' Oils
CowGirls |
Healthy Snack
Foods
Snacks
are an excellent way to assist the body in keeping the blood sugar stable. This
helps the management of stress, hypoglycemia, and dehydration. The most
appropriate time for having a snack is two to three hours after a meal. The
best snacks include:
Beef, Buffalo, Turkey Jerky
Health Bars
Whole Fruit
Raw Veggies
Rice Crackers
Muffins
Cookies
Acidic
Foods
Acidic foods include those having a pH below 5 or foods that cause acidic reactions in the
intestine. Acidic foods irritate the mucosal lining of the intestinal tract.
Some foods like citrus, produce acidic tissues. Use moderation in eating these
foods. At the first sign of illness, stop them right away so your mucous
membranes can heal.
Acid and acidifying foods include:
Vinegar
Yogurt, Cheese
Tomatoes,
Salsa, Tomatoe Sauce
Onions,
Eggplant
Citrus Fruit, Pineapple
Popcorn, Chips
All Nuts
Wine, most alcohol, Black tea, Coffee
Black and White Pepper
Sugar, Honey
Fruit Juice
Pickled Foods
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The biggest challenge for me is successfully feeding the kids a healthy diet. Not only do you have the quirks of their own changing taste buds, but you have the peer exposure to other less healthy food. This is where I try to juggle and balance to make being "healthy" a fun and rewarding choice. There are many stories about kids that have been forced to eat only healthy foods, and then later in life when they can choose for themselves they chuck it out completely. My children are not severely allergic to unhealthy foods, so I have a little leeway for maintaining balance. I have run up against that margin of freedom with their getting sick from colds and fevers sometimes. (due to a weakened immune response) I use those times as learning experiences for us to see the consequences of eating poorly and I have noticed that it gives my kids an awareness of themselves that they would not have had otherwise. So the power of health and balance is shared, and healthy choices are sometimes initiated by them!
Citrus Fruit
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11 Healthy Eating Guidelines:
1. Consume foods as close to their
natural state as possible.
2. Always cook meats. It requires a lot
of energy to denature protein in order to digest it.
3. Limit carbohydrates to 30 grams per
meal. The liver can comfortably store this much as glycogen. When more than 30
grams of sugar enter the body at one time, the liver is unable to store the
excess. Instead, it spills over into the blood stream causing an insulin surge
and ultimately low blood sugar. Low blood sugar creates its own set of
symptoms and conditions depending on the health of the individual. In any
event, too much carbohydrate intake produces internal stress and ultimately
leads to increased hunger later. It is also deposits as triglycerides and fat.
4. Ideally, it is advisable to eat
carbohydrate foods in the morning and afternoon. Carbohydrates eaten
after 4 PM rarely become fuel. They usually become storage fat and contribute
to weight gain.
5. Attempt to eat some protein with
each meal to slow the absorption of carbohydrates.
6. Snacking helps to stabilize the
energy, reduce cravings, and improve mental acuity.
7. You can eat as many raw and cooked
green vegetables as desired.
8. Combinations: In all the years I
have used diet therapies, I have only found two food combinations that
interfere with digestive efficiency. These are acid foods with starches (toast
and jam, cereal and fruit, honey and bread, dried fruit cooked with flour
products), and oil with starch (bread and butter, olive oil and bread or pasta,
butter and potatoes). Acid with starch damages the starch enzymes causing
acidity and gas in the intestine. To optimize digestive efficiency, avoid acids
with starches and oil with starches. If the digestion works well then, oil and
starch combinations are OK. The stomach tends to layer food so the oil always
rises to the top of the food mass. Oil, however, always slows the digestive
process keeping food in the stomach for extended periods. If the stomach is not
empty within an hour, fermentation begins. This has the potential to cause
heartburn, bloating, and acid reflux.
9. Sequential Eating: The body is
incredibly intelligent and aware. When we eat a meal mixed with various food
types, the stomach will actually layer them. It will move the acids and protein
to the bottom (antrum), it will keep the vegetable matter in the middle, and it
prefers the starches to remain higher. Oil always floats to the top. Stomach
enzyme efficiency increases dramatically when this arrangement is complete. It
requires time though. The average case of mixed meals adds thirty minutes onto
the digestive time. With oily meals, as much as six hours is added! To resolve
combination issues and increase digestive efficiency, always attempt to eat
meals in the proper sequence the digestive tract prefers. First, consume fruits
or acid foods entirely, followed by proteins, then raw vegetables, cooked
vegetables, and starches or grains last. For example, if fruit, eggs, and
toast make up breakfast, then eat the fruit first. When the fruit is
finished, eat all of the eggs, and eat the toast last. This allows the
intestinal tract to digest and move food normally by increasing the effect of
enzymes that results in decreased the transit time. This prevents gas,
bloating, acid reflux, and digestive disturbances.
10. The ideal diet is the mono diet. Eating only one food group at one time greatly enhances the efficiency of
digestion and the overall health of the individual. This is actually easier.
There is less food preparation, fewer dishes to clean, and the body likes it
better. It is a hard one to accept psychologically though. Eating two food
groups in the correct sequence is just about as beneficial.
11. Try to avoid caffeine in all forms (coffee, tea, soft drinks, and herbal
such as guarana, yerba mate, and kola). These stimulants quickly empty
the body’s stored sugars causing cravings and increased consumption of sweets
the next day or two. The result is unstable blood sugar, increased
appetite and even increased weight gain over time. Stimulants along with
carbohydrate fluctuations can also decrease the body’s set point for fat
reserves making weight management more difficult. Coffee and black tea are
essentially stress in a cup. Caffeine has the identical effect on the body as
does stress hormones.
OK, this seems like a lot to assimilate. It never fails, every time I
recommend a diet to a patient; their first comment is "what am I going to
eat?" I will then list what they can eat and some clarity will develop. It
is hard to move from a life long routine of eating to a brand new one. Not
only do you have to change but the family or friends have to change. Not
everyone is willing to make healthy shifts in their diet. So move slowly in the
beginning by reducing the primary offenders. Add new foods gradually so it is
easier to adapt. Give it time to develop and remember practice moderation. It
is OK to goof up occasionally. Eventually, as your health improves there will be
fewer slips.
Here is the last point
for eating correctly. After practicing a healthy diet for three months, the
body will begin to express itself they way it was programmed. This is when the
difficulties can begin. Certain body patterns will actually determine what you
need to eat. This is when the cravings begin. Do not be discouraged. This is
the time to identify and address the primary conditions that make your body
they way it is. Correcting issues will change the body's demands and eliminate
the cravings. It is all a process and one that is forever interesting and
exciting. Stay focused. Maintain the quest.
MENU OUTLINE
Breakfast
Fast carb
Protein
Slow Carb
1-2 tsp oil |
Lunch
Slow Carb
Protein
Green Vegetables
1-2 tsp oil |
Dinner
Protein
Green Vegetables
1-2 tsp of oil |
Snacks
(midmorning and afternoon)
Slow Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Green Vegetables
The foods listed and refered to here represent the foods that Dr.
Easley has been exposed to over the years. If there is any food that you would
like evaluated and listed here, please contact us. hawkens8@yahoo.com
ALL THIS INFORMATION IS PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT - 2010
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
alternativehealth-research.com
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Eating together as a family is fun! Growing up I did not do that very consistently. So now as an adult I really need to work hard to make it a regular part of our routine. I can easily fall into the ala carte food making mode. Eating what you want when you want it. But when we eat as a family together it becomes an experience. It's a part of our family's personality. The kids love helping to set the table. Sometimes Rio will make her place setting completely different, or write us a special note on a napkin. Wiatte loves to express his affection with table setting by putting flowers all around the plates. And then there is an opportunity for expressing our gratitude. I know that it is frustrating for Norm to see healthy expensive food that is sometimes wasted. So we make a special point to thank all of the people that were involved in bringing the food to our table. The people that grew it and harvested it. The people that transported it, and put it into the stores. Pop, for working hard in the clinic to earn the $ to buy it. And whoever cooked it that night and brought it to the table. Then I ask that the food make us healthy happy and strong. It may sound like a corny prayer, but its a powerful one. I can feel Norm's energy change when I verbally thank him for his hard work and his contribution to the family. I can also feel the kids awareness shift. It also reinforces our purpose in eating too. To make us healthy, happy and strong! Within that statement alone, you have the inherent balance of eating the right foods for strength and health, and some foods for fun.
Put your Money Where Your Health Is
Having a healthy diet is a constant work in progress. Even Dr. Easley strays due to necessity or social respect. When we do stray from the perfect diet, we take the right enzymes to help us process the aggravating food.
The most important thing to remember for me is to be mostly good. To enjoy life, and to say yes more often than no. The way that I do that is to have the right food around us, and go from there. There was a point a few years ago when I was so uptight with trying to keep to the program that I just had to let go a little. I wasn't having any fun! It's so easy to restrict yourself down to practically nothing with the state of our food these days. This issue is magnified even more when you are trying to feed your kids! So unless you have to be perfect with your diet for a specific reason, my advise is to relax into the "perfection" of our humanness, which is imperfect!
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