Where Added Sugar Comes From

This chart is from my Comparative Diets course and I thought it was interesting. Note that soft drinks are the number 1 source of sugar in our SAD diet (Standard American Diet) diet, followed by 'Other' (i.e. table sugar).

Here is an interesting fact, according to Wikipedia, one can of coke can contain between 9-12 teaspoons of sugar!

Basic Warming Kichadi (Natural Ayurvedic cleanse)

In Ayurveda, Kichadi is a traditional dish which is used for natural cleansing or detoxifying of the body. It is relatively easy to make and you can expect to feel lighter during and after the cleanse. To do the Kichadi cleanse, make a new batch everyday (in Ayurveda they don't believe in eating left overs - I will explain later in another blog entry). You eat Kichadi for breakfast, lunch and dinner and you can do this for 3-5 days (or longer depending on your body constitution).

There are many herbs that stimulate digestion in this recipe so it is best to do this cleanse on the weekend, or when you have a few days off work, or during a slow time at work when you can just relax.

Basic Warming Kichadi

Preparation time: 2 hours
Service 2-3

1 cup basmati rice
1 cut split mung beans
6 cups water
1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/8 teaspoon hing (asafoetida)
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
3/4 teaspoon cardamom seeds
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
2 more tablespoons ghee
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon turmeric
3/4 teaspoon salt, rock salt if you can get it
1 tablespoon fresh ginger room, grated
1/2 small onion, chopped
1-2 cloves of garlic (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2-4 cups fresh vegetables: carrots, greens, string beans or zucchini are possibilities, chopped
2 more cups water, as needed

Directions:

Although this is a big list of ingredients, it is actually easy to make. Wash the rice and split mung beans until the rinse of the water is clear. Warm a tablespoon of ghee in a medium saucepan and add the whole cumin seeds and hing. Lightly brown them. Add the rice, mung and water and bring to a boil. Cook for about 45 minutes.

Warm the last 2 tablespoons of ghee in a small skillet. Add the coriander, cardamom, peppercorns, and bay leaf and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Then stir in the rest of the spices and the onion (and garlic, if you use it.) Put the sauteed spices in the blender with a little (1/2 cup or less) water and grind well. Pour this spice mixture into the rice and mung. Rinse out the blender with the last 2 cups of water and add it too the kichadi as well. Add the vegetables. Cook for 20 minutes or more.

Comments: This healing brew is also good for stimulating digestion and circulation. Easy to eat. Based roughly on the proportions of a Punjambi garam masal in its spicing.


(Recipe from Ayurveda: Mind/Body Healing AMB 02, Course Notes)

*If you are familiar with Ayurvedic constitutions (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) - This recipe decreases Vata & Kapha and increases Pitta.

The "Better Butter" recipe

1/2 Organic Butter (soft)

1/2 Flax oil


Directions: Slow drip flax oil & whip butter

Flax oil is rich in Essential Fatty Acids. This is an EFA rich, spreadable product which is much healthier than margarine (very processed). Vegans/vegetarians or anyone with a dairy allergy may substitute butter for coconut oil.

*If you have cholesterol problems, you should not use this product.


(Recipe from Murat Vardar, B.Sc, R.N.C.P.)

Drinking hot water helps digestion and calms your nervous system

In Ayurveda, the strength of your digestive system is based on how much Agni you have. Agni translates to 'Digestive Fire'. If you are drinking cold water it is cooling to your system and lowers your 'fire' whereas when you drink something hot, it is adding to the fire.

According to Ayurveda expert Kamsella Naidoo, drinking 2 sips of hot water an hour is enough for you to see a difference. Drinking hot water improves your digestion (which could also lead to weight loss!), calms your nervous system and can also be a good replacement for caffeine containing drinks like coffee and black tea.

You can sip hot water throughout the day and can also sip hot water while eating your meals. Lemon can also be added for a different taste. Adding Lemon is alkaline for your body and also naturally detoxifies your system.

Other benefits of drinking hot water:

• Keeps you hydrated and warm in the winter
• Natural detoxification for the stomach and digestive system
• A good aid in reducing food cravings between meals (if you are trying to loose weight)

Ayurvedic Prevention for Osteoporosis - Sesame seeds and Raisins

• 1 tsp Sesame seeds
• 1 tsp Raisins

Take before bed

*This can be used for prevention of Osteoporosis and is also beneficial to those with Osteoporosis

Best for: Women over the age of 40 and people with Osteoporosis. People younger than 40 can also benefit from this as it is great for prevention. This can be taken every night before bed indefinitely.

*Sesame seeds are an excellent source of calcium and can help in the prevention of Osteoporosis. According to an Ayurveda website, a handful of sesame seeds can give you up to 1,200mg of natural calcium.

*Raisins are a good source of iron, potassium and selenium. They also contain vitamin A and some vitamin B and are rich in fiber.


References:
Ayurvedic recipe from Kamsella Naidoo, Ayurveda teacher with many years of experience in the field of Ayurveda

Websites for further reading:
Osteoporosis Natural Cure - Ayurvedic Approach
The World's Healthiest Foods - Sesame Seeds
Diet Foods and Nutrition - Raisins

Ayurvedic Remedy for Insomnia and Nervousness

- 1 cup of whole milk (can substitute soy/rice milk/almond milk)
- 1/8 - 1/4 tsp Cardamom powder
- 1/8 tsp Ginger powder
(optional) 1/8 tsp Turmeric powder (natural probiotic)


Directions:

Boil the milk and add the spices to your cup. Take 1 hour before you go to bed. Enjoy!

Receipe - Make your own cereal

I got this amazing cereal recipe from my Naturopath and thought I'd share it. I've been using it for about 1 year now and I really love it! This is almost 100% raw and VERY healthy. Many box cereals are full of preservatives but this cereal is all natural. Once you start making your own cereal, you can never go back to the box!


Immune Support Breakfast

Ingredients:

- 4 cups of rolled grains (can use oats, rye, spelt, kamut or barley) - my favorite is barley.
- 1 cup of oat bran
- 1 cup of wheat germ
- 1 cup of seeds (ex. pumpkin seeds or sunflower)
- 1 cup raw, unsalted nuts, ground (ex. walnuts or almonds)
- 1/2 cup of raisins (sultana)

Mix everything together and store in fridge (makes about 10 cereal servings)

Directions:

Let cereal soak overnight in milk (any type, including soy/rice/almond milk). In the morning, add cinnamon for taste.

OPTIONAL - Add 1 teaspoon of ground flax seeds (store flax seeds in the freezer). I also love adding frozen blueberries overnight or fresh blueberries in the morning.

*Health tip - many people don't realize this but cinnamon is very healthy for you! One great thing about it is that it helps to regulate blood sugar.

Food is Energy

Welcome to my website Food is Energy! My name is Shyra and I am currently studying nutrition. It is a 2-year, part time program and in July 2010, I will become a certified Holistic Nutritionist.

I created this website because of the interest from friends and family to learn more about nutrition. This website is my gift to those who have supported me in this decision and I will share everything interesting that I learn in my course. It is also a great way for me to review the material that I am learning. Please feel free to leave me any questions or comments!

My story:

I first became interested in Nutrition over a year ago. After backpacking Europe for 8 months (2005-2006), I returned to Canada with a weakened immune system. This was the result of a lot of travel, lack of money and not always eating right. Although the trip was the adventure of a lifetime, I came back tired, a little underweight, and I seemed to catch every cold and flu that went around.

In July 2007, I became vegan and began reading a lot of health and nutrition books. I kept 'food diaries' (on the recommendation of my Naturopath) and I started to study a lot in my personal time. I also started to take natural supplements. Within 6 months, I noticed a BIG difference my health. I had more energy, my digestion was working better, I stopped getting colds and flus and I was finally healthy.

About two months ago, I also started working out at the gym (weights, yoga, & running) and that took my energy to a whole new level. With my good nutritional habits, I was a lot healthier but after working out I had even more energy. I also saw a few close friends this year who I haven't seen in a few years and their comments were very similar - 'wow, you look healthy!'

Because good nutrition has changed my life, I decided to take my personal studying to a new level and on September 11, 2008, I will begin taking classes in Holistic Nutrition. In July 2010, I will finish my course as a Holistic Nutritionist and will be able to share my knowledge and help others with their health.

I am very passionate about holistic nutrition and I hope you will all enjoy this website! Nutrition is a journey and I am happy to share that journey with all of you.

Sincerely,
- Shyra

*I am not a certified Holistic Nutritionist as of yet and because of that, I cannot give any nutritional advice.