Health benefits of peaches

One of the main reasons I love the summer time is for the amazing juicy fruits like peaches. Not only do they taste amazing, but there are so many great benefits to them. There is a long list but here a just a few.

 

Weight Control
One large peach, about 2 3/4 inches in diameter, contains just 68 calories and no fat. Eating peaches instead of more fattening, processed snacks, such as chips, baked goods, cereal bars and cookies, can help you manage your weight. Peaches are naturally sweet and can replace some of the added sugars in your diet.

Vitamins

Peaches contain 10 different vitamins. Peaches contain vitamin A, important to healthy vision, vitamin C, an antioxidant and tissue-builder. Peaches provide lower levels of vitamins E and K. Vitamin E is another antioxidant, while vitamin K is essential to your body’s blood clotting capabilities. Peaches are also a source of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, niacin, folate and pantothenic acid

Minerals

A peach provides potassium, which can help you maintain healthy blood pressure as well as prevent kidney stones and bone loss. Peaches provide some magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, iron and calcium as well. These minerals work to support red blood cell, bone and nervous system health.

Antioxidants

One of the major antioxidants in peaches, chlorogenic acid, helps scavenge free radicals — compounds that your body acquires through exposure to pollutants, food and the environment — to reduce the effects of aging and deter chronic diseases. This antioxidant may also help ward off cancer and reduce body

Fiber

A large peach provides 17 g of carbohydrates, 3 g of which come from fiber. Fiber is essential to smooth and healthy digestion, preventing constipation and ensuring digestive health. Fiber may also play a role in regulating your cholesterol levels, helping to reduce your risk of developing heart disease. An adult woman should try to consume 25 g of fiber daily, and an adult man 38 g daily.

Peaches are a lot of great source of zinc, which has anti-aging properties. The consumption of zinc-rich foods such as peaches promotes the production of antibodies and inhibits the cellular damage caused by toxins. Peaches also interferes with the aging process of male reproductive organs by boosting the levels of the reproductive hormone testosterone in the body.

So next time you’re out grocery shopping, be sure to pick up a bag of peaches for yourself.

Essential oil course

Are you looking for a guide to help you understanding the usage and importance of essential oils?

 

I definitely have a course for you to take advantage of. In this course “A guide to essential oils,” I show you daily uses for essential oils. Also I give feedback on how it has helped me during my health journey. If that sounds like something for you click here and head on over to the course. Be sure to ask any questions if you’re needing any help.

Wellness Wednesday: 6 choices you can eat instead of rice

Rice was one of my absolute favorite foods. I loved Chinese dishes, Mexican dishes, and any other type of dishes that are made with rice, I enjoyed it fully.

Over these last 5 years I’ve come to learn the truth about rice and how unhealthy it is for our bodies. Rice is a man made item, and it is very toxic. Rice is a hybrid food that is basically plastic. If left out for long periods of time, it even turns back to plastic if left out for long periods of time after being cooked. Rice contains cyanide and high levels of starch. Starch is a chemical that the body converts into carbonic acid when consumed. it burns and destroys cells, and weakens the mucus membrane.

All rice (white, whole grain, brown, and yellow) is hybrid and toxic except wild rice. These are the options that can be consumed and are more filling and nutritious than regular rice.

• Amaranth

– It’s Actually A Seed: Like quinoa, amaranth is not technically a grain but is the seed of the amaranth plant. One plant can produce up to 60,000 seeds.

Amaranth Is Gluten-Free: Amaranth doesn’t contain any gluten, which makes it a great choice for people who are celiac or gluten intolerant and an excellent way to boost the nutritional power of gluten-free recipes.

– It Contains Lysine: Most grains like wheat are short on lysine, an amino acid, but that’s not the case for amaranth. This makes amaranth a complete protein, because it contains all the essential amino acids.

-Amaranth Contains Protein: Amaranth’s protein content is about 13 percent, or 26 grams per cup, which is much higher than for most other grains.

-You Can Eat Other Parts Of The Plant: Amaranth seeds may be the best-known part of the plant, which has more than 60 different species, but the leaves are also edible. They’re commonly used in Asian and Caribbean cuisines

– It’s A Source Of Key Vitamins And Minerals: Amaranth contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron. One cup of uncooked amaranth has 31 percent of the RDA for calcium, 14 percent for vitamin C, and 82 percent for iron.

-Amaranth Can Be Popped: Popped amaranth is used in Mexico as a topping for toast, among other things. It looks like tiny popcorn kernels and has a nutty taste.

-Amaranth Is Good For Your Heart: Several studies have shown that amaranth could have cholesterol-lowering potential.

– And It Can Help Keep You Regular: amaranth is also a source of fibre with 13 grams of dietary fibre per uncooked cup compared to just 2 grams for the same amount of long-grain white rice.

• Kamut

– With its nutty flavor, kamut, which is also called Khorasan wheat

-Kamut provides you with fiber, a type of carbohydrate, and protein, an essential macronutrient

-Consume kamut as an excellent source of the essential minerals selenium and manganese. Each serving contains the entire daily recommended manganese intake for women and 78 percent for men

-They also support your body’s hormone balance — manganese helps you synthesize sex hormones, while selenium supports the production of thyroid hormones.

-Kamut also benefits your health by providing considerable amounts of magnesium and zinc. Each serving contains 83 milligrams of magnesium — 20 percent of the recommended daily intake for men and 26 percent for women.

-A diet rich in zinc benefits your immune system and promotes healthy thyroid function, while magnesium strengthens bone tissue and activates enzymes your cells need to function.

• Quinoa

– Aids in strengthening bones and muscles

-it contains all the essential amino acids. For this reason, it is an excellent source of protein. It has both more and better protein than most grains.

-Rebuilding of hair follicles and aid in hair growth

-Quinoa is very high in minerals, but the phytic acid can partly prevent them from being absorbed. Soaking or sprouting degrades most of the phytic acid.

-Quinoa can improve metabolic health. This includes lower blood sugar and triglyceride levels.

• Spelt

-Some of the health benefits of spelt include its ability to help in regulating the body’s metabolism, aid in the creation of sex hormones, increase circulation, build strong bones, improve the immune system, boosting digestive function, lowering blood sugar, and reducing cholesterol levels in the body.

-The very high content of fiber in spelt means that it facilitates healthy digestion in a major way.

-Dietary fiber helps to bulk up your stool and move food through the digestive tract, speeding up the absorption of nutrients and helping to reduce conditions like constipation, bloating, cramping, excess gas, diarrhea, and more serious gastrointestinal issues like ulcers.

-The high levels of iron and copper in spelt combine to significantly boost circulation. Iron and copper are essential for the creation of red blood cells

• Teff

-Teff is high in protein with a great combination of eight essential amino acids needed for the body’s growth and repair.

-Teff is a gluten-free grain so it can be a great alternative for those living with celiac disease, having gluten intolerance or choosing a gluten-free lifestyle.

-contains anto-cancer properties and fights yeast infection

• wild rice

-Wild rice is a healthy food choice as it is low in calories and high in protein and carbohydrates.

-Great for increasing muscle mass

-Aids in weight loss due to low calorie count

-contains powerful anti-aging properties and helps in the health of skin.

Plant based foods that fight inflammation

 

As promised in the video, I have listed a few more of my favorite foods that help with reducing and fighting inflammation. There are so many more foods but to no go on and on here are my absolute favorites that I consume on a regular basis. Listed are also their benefits and if consumed on a regular basis can bring much improvement to the body. Hope you enjoy. Be sure to like, share, and comment on whats your favorite.

• Clove

-It is a powerful fast-soluble antioxidant

-Fights fungal infections of skin, ears, and vagina

-maintains the bodies enzymes at normal levels.

• Ginger

-clears sinus channel

-eliminates nausea

-helps with aching muscles and joints

-removes throats and nose congestion

• Rosemary

-iron

-calcium

-phosphorus

-potassium

-zinc

-maintains blood pressure

-controls heart rate

Vitamins A, B, and C

-Protects from lung cancer

-prevents brain disorders like Alzheimers

• Turmeric

-improves eye health

-aids in weight loss

-lowers insulin resistance

-natural pain killer for joints and muscles

-Detoxifies liver

-Aids in better health

-Antibacterial

• Purple Potatoes

-lowers blood pressure

-No excess weight gain

-Increases antibacterial

• Flax seeds

-reduces insulin resistance

-contains Omega 3

-Prevents bone lose

-increases bone density

-Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease

-aids in brain development (especially in children)

-treats eczema, psoriasis, and other skin diseases

• Leafy greens

-contains calcium

-potassium

-Vitamin A,C, and K

-reduces swelling

-contains folate

• Walnuts

-Vitamin E

-Calcium

-Fiber

-contains Omega 3

• Sea plants (kelp, seamoss, and nori are my favs)

-prevents aging and chronic disease

-Lowers cholesterol

-solves mineral deficiencies

-Detoxifies the body

-balance thyroid function

• Peppers (red, yellow, green, orange)

-high Vitamin C levels

-beta-carotene

-anti-inflammatory

-antioxidants

-anti-cancer

-anti-fungi

• Onions (purple is my fav)

-heals infections

-vitamin C

-regulates blood sugar

-improves skin conditions

• Berries (raspberries, blueberries, Blackberries, etc)

-prevents aging

-prevents cardiovascular disease

-prevents arthritis

-fiber

-improves digestion

-reduces asthma and arthritis

• Avocado

-potassium

-aids in heart health

-high in fiber

-lower cholesterol

How to eliminate the generational curse

For so long we’ve all heard that sickness is hereditary.

Well what if I said it wasn’t!?

What If it’s just a collection of habits we’ve picked up over time from family and we ended up sick like them!?

It’s not their fault, it’s just what they knew. Especially in the black community, we eat so many things that ultimately are killing up slowly. We shouldn’t have children suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and arthritis. We’ve been programmed to believe that what we call “soul food” is good, but it’s only doing us harm. And don’t get me started on the fast food. Due to advertising, a large population of people are sick because of convenance and what’s shown on a daily basis. There are so many studies out there that show why meat, dairy, and other processed foods should not be consumed, especially with children.

What if we could break those habits with a simple mindset shift!?

Breaking the habits of bad eating, lack, and depression. It’s true that our foods dictate our lifestyle. If you’re constantly eating heavy processed foods, then you’ll eventually end up heavy, tired, and taking multiple medications to mask what’s really going on inside. If you’re tired, you don’t want to be productive, or find the time to actually take care of yourself. Continuing in this condition leads to depression and an unkept lifestyle.

Being someone who has battle some type of illness all my life, I know that the best person to take care of me is me. Doctors are great, but they can’t make money if you’re not sick. So it wasn’t until I truly changed my mind and seemed information for myself, is when I truly started to heal and become whole again.

It’s time we stop relying on others to take care of us and start taking care of ourselves. Be strong, be you, and take your life back. You only get one chance on this earth, and it shouldn’t be spent sick and tired.

What are your feet telling you

We’ve all experienced some sort of foot pain at some point and time in our lives. Like that time you bought those shoes that you just couldn’t live without, even though they were too tight.

There have also been times when we have had a nagging pain that just wouldn’t seem to go away. Something like a ball getting lodge in the bottom of your foot.
The foot is one of the most sensitive parts of the body. With each foot there is 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles and tendons. Which makes up about 25% of the bones in the body. On each foot there are over 7,000 nerve endings called reflexes that correspond to every organ and system within your body. So when your experiencing foot discomfort, it could be something serious.

For instance, people who are diabetic can experience getting a foot or toes removed if symptoms become deadly. That’s why regular foot care is important.

Massaging the feet regularly can bring some very noticeable changes over time. The benefits of getting foot massage can be:

•Relaxation
•improves circulation
•Normalizes gland function
•pain management
•revitalizes enters
•promotes overall well-being
•strengthens immune system

Getting services like reflexology can began a turnaround in a persons overall health. Also it wouldn’t hurt to walk outside in the grass sometimes. Doing so allows to electrical energy from the earth to enter into the body, which allows for healing. Nature is the best medicine you know.

Be sure when getting any body work done that the products used are chemical free, and preferably food based. This is to insure no pathogens enter into the body through the skin, causing any damage the the organs or cells.

If you’re a “do it yourselfer” like myself, massaging with coconut oil is always a great route to go. Going through each toe and massaging top and bottom of the foot brings much relief and comfort from the long day. Also, try and wear the feet out as much as possible to avoid bacteria build up and fungus.
So next time you’re out getting your grooming work done, be sure to think of your feet as well. You’ll be glad you did.

Mental health and Lupus

To date, this was the most difficult post for me. Within the last three years, I just got to the point where I was comfortable enough to even talk about the fact that I’d been battling lupus for the last 15 or so years. This is the first time that I’m publicly revealing that I suffered with depression, suicide attempts, emotional eating, and alcohol abuse. My early 20s were a mess, and sometimes it showed. I didn’t know if I was coming or going half the time.

Living with Lupus was a hard battle to fight, but the internal battle I faced everyday was even harder. The physical pain I felt had me wanting to give up on life all together. There was always a small still voice inside of me that begged me not to give up. So I fought as hard as i could. With much prayer, self-love, and meditation, I eventually got to the point where I loved me again. In the video below, I share in more detail how I felt back then and the steps I took to get over it all.

I made some very difficult yet long last changes in my life. I created a daily routine that shifted me to the place I am today. I’ve grown physically, mentally, and spiritually over these last 5 years. Each day is still a learning process for me. I’m still learning about me and what I love. Throughout this journey I’ve found a few things that have helped me along this path. A few books that I absolutely love are

Power of Positive thinking
As a man thinketh
Think and grow rich
By any greens necessary
These are just a few of the books that have helped me to grow stronger, along with spiritual counseling, and a strong support system. No one can do this alone, be sure to surround yourself with people you trust, and people who will speak light into your dark situation.

Be sure to check out my video below. LIKE, SHARE, COMMENT

Two Years Later (Life as a Vegan, June 2015)

TWO YEARS!! I can’t believe it’s been that long since I’ve eaten any dairy. It’s been even longer since I’ve had a piece of meat. These last two years have taught me a few very valuable lessons. I’ve noticed that I’ve grown to become stronger and more energized. Not only has it changed my outlook on food but life in general. Here are a few of them.
1. Patience – When I first started the journey, there were instant changes. I was so excited! About 8 months in, my body started to fight back. As it was saying, “Girl we didn’t ask for this.” One month I would feel like a million bucks. The next month it felt like I was making the wrong decision. Regardless to what I felt, I stuck with it. I knew that temporary discomfort couldn’t compare to the overall benefits I would receive. I recreated meals that I enjoyed so they would fit into my new vegan lifestyle. I learned to slow down and listen to my body.
2. Endurance – There were absolutely days I really wanted to give up and bite into a fish sandwich. Early on I would wake up with cravings, and despite anything I did it would not go away. I continuously found myself wanting to quit. I had to remind myself why I started this journey. I began to remember the nights in the hospital, the pain of drawing blood, and all that money I spent on co-pays and medication. I refused to go back to that, no matter how hard it was.
3. Acceptance – the hardest part about this entire journey was getting use to EVERYONE questioning my decision. I felt attacked; no one seemed to understand my reasons and thought I was just crazy. Even today, there are still family members and total strangers that try to teach me what the proper diet is for me. Instead of defending myself, I just allow my health and progress speak for itself.
4. Creativity- not to brag but my cooking skills have gotten even better. flips hair
Learning about new foods and spices and combining them in dishes have really expanded my taste buds. Dishes that I enjoyed in the past that consisted of dairy or meat, I’ve recreated to fit my new lifestyle. Foods that I would have never considered in the past are now my favorites.
I find myself even now growing and changing each and everyday. There are foods I knew nothing about that I love. Also I’ve adopted something I call “90% raw vegan meal a day.” Basically I eat an uncooked (raw) vegan meal majority of the day and one cooked vegan meal. Doing this my body is taking in more nutrients and getting everything I need to stay healthy.

I’m so excited to share my progress over the next few years as well as share a few of my favorite recipes. cookbook coming in the near future

Resolutions

First I would like to start off by saying, THANK YOU.
To everyone that has taken the time to read my post, I REALLY appreciate you.
I never thought I would be doing anything like this, I am truly grateful for the support.
GREAT things are coming in the near future 🙂

I’m sure many of you have already started things of things that you want to improve on for the new year. I know for me, I’m working on writing more and working towards expanding my audience. I want to reach more people with my message about my vegan eating and putting out more info on Lupus.
The most common resolution has to be weight loss and fitness. Well, I think I can help in this area. If you haven’t heard, Urban Remedy is a great company that caters to organic, holistic eating. They provide many guidelines on juicing, vegan, and organic eating.
So if diet is one of your resolutions, check out the links below. I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
Be on the look out this upcoming year, I have a lot of projects that I am excited to start implementing 🙂

Urban Remedy LLC

food substitute

So if you really know me, you know I LOVE to eat. A few of my favorite dishes are made with rice, noodles, and pasta. With that I have to be mindful of how much of those items I consume because those foods are heavy in unhealthy starch. Starchy foods aide in inflammation, joint pain, and weight gain. So of course I had to come up with an alternative because I just couldn’t see myself not eating pasta anymore. I was reading a recipe one day that required rice but it wasn’t used. Instead the recipe used cauliflower instead. Lets just say I tried it, and loved it. All you need is a good knife to get the cauliflower fine like rice would be. It’s a little bit fluffier than rice but still just as good. Add a little salt for taste and you’re good to go.
Cauliflower is low in calories and high in nutrients. Here are a few benefits of eating cauliflower.
1. Antioxidant
Cauliflower is a very good source of vitamin C and manganese, which are both powerful antioxidants. With these antioxidants, you can be certain that eating cauliflower regularly will help protect you from free radical damage and reduce your risk for diseases caused by oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
2. Anti-Inflammation
Cauliflower also contains high amounts of vitamin K and omega-3 fatty acids, which help decrease inflammation. Potentially, regular cauliflower consumption can help decrease the risk of inflammation-mediated diseases such as arthritis, obesity, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease.
3. Cardiovascular
By decreasing chronic inflammation, cauliflower is able to maintain the patency of the blood vessels and keeps excellent blood flow to essential organs of the body.
4. Digestive
A cup of boiled cauliflower delivers about 3.35 g of dietary fiber, which helps clean your digestive system and gets rid of unnecessary substances.
5. Nutritional
Cauliflower also contains vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine) and B9 (folic acid). It serves as a good source of proteins, phosphorus and potassium.
If cauliflower is still not your thing, try wild rice and black noodles. Both every tasty but still needs to be consumed sparingly. Try it out, you may just add another favorite to your meals. 🙂
What are some food substitutes that you use. Share 🙂