In the Mood

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, here are some healthy foods to share with your lover that are sure to get you both "in the mood." 

Vegan Aphrodisiacs: [via goveg.com]

Asparagus:

Asparagus is high in vitamin E, which increases blood and oxygen flow to the genitals, and potassium, which is important for healthy sex hormone production, making this veggie a well-known aphrodisiac. Its suggestive phallic shape makes it as enticing to the eye as it is to the mouth. To get the best effect, eat this delicious and healthy vegetable at least three days in a row. 

Bananas: 
A fruit with a sexy shape, bananas are said to contain chemicals that can lift your mood and make you more confident. Bananas are also famously high in potassium, a nutrient that aids in sex hormone production and boosts energy. 

Berries: 
The perfect foods to feed your lover, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are high in vitamin C, which is important for making sex hormones and neurotransmitters 

Carrots: 
Carrots are bursting with vitamin A, a nutrient needed for producing sex hormones. For guys, vitamin A is vital for sperm production. 

Chili Peppers:
These sizzling veggies will spice up your meal and your evening! Adding chili peppers to your dishes gets your heart pumping and produces neurochemicals known as endorphins, which make you happier. 

Chocolate:
Nothing shows your love—or your compassion—better than a box of vegan chocolates for your sweetheart. Chocolate contains the chemical phenylethylamine, which is believed to stimulate romantic feelings by making you happy and excited. Its natural caffeine provides an added boost by giving you more energy. 

Ginger: 

Seasoning your meals with ginger will enhance blood flow to all parts of your body as long as your arteries aren't clogged up from eating the cholesterol and saturated fat in meat, eggs, and dairy products. 

Licorice: 

A fun food to hand-feed your lover, researchers have found that the smell of licorice mixed with cucumber is the most sexually stimulating scentfor women. Licorice is widely believed to produce feelings of love and lust—particularly in women. 

Nuts: 
Men should eat cashews, pecans, almonds, walnuts, and other nuts to take in a healthy amount of zinc, which keeps men potent and prevents prostate problems. Nuts are also high in protein, which gives you the energy to keep you going throughout the day—and night. 

Pumpkin:
Neurological research has shown that the scent of pumpkin pie is a sexual stimulant for both men and women, increasing male penile bloodflow by 40 percent. Pumpkin seeds are one of the best vegan sources of zinc, which for men is crucial for potency and in preventing prostate problems. 

Soy: 
Soy isn't just protein-packed and amazingly versatile—it's also great for the sex lives of both guys and gals. For women, soy's natural nutrients have been linked to less PMS and better lubrication (meow!). The benefits for guys are even better—soy has been found to lower men's chances for developing cancer of the prostate (a vital gland for keeping everything pumping in thebedroom). Researchers at Kansas State University found that soy protein was just as good as beef for guys trying to gain muscle mass. But quite unlike cow flesh, tofu and veggie burgers have zero cholesterol and almost no saturated fat, substances that lead to heart disease, impotence, and other not-so-sexy stuff, like bad breath and body odor.
 

Vegans Make Better Lovers

I thought that might get your attention.

via sheknows.com

We have an ornament on our Christmas tree that proudly declares, "vegans make better lovers." 

We bought it to celebrate the year we went vegan. Seriously though, vegans and vegetarians do in fact make better lovers, at least from a medical standpoint. Check it out... 

REASONS VEGANS MAKE BETTER LOVERS:

1. Vegans and vegetarians experience less impotence.
Eating saturated fat (animal products) decreases blood flow to all organs. 

2. Vegans are generally slimmer and have more energy.
Being overweight can lessen stamina. Eliminating animal consumption is an effective way to lose weight and raise your energy levels. 

3. Vegetarians smell better. (no joke)
According to a study at Charles University in the Czech Republic, women preferred men who ate a vegetarian diet because the men had a “significantly more attractive, more pleasant, and less intense” body odor than the male participants who ate meat. VanPelt-Belle seconds that: “If you eat meat, you are eating rot which leaves you smelling bad.” [via sheknows.com]

4. Plant-based foods boost your sexual energy.
When you're getting all of the essential vitamins and nutrients, you not only feel better, and have more energy, but you're fueling your life force which makes you more attractive to your partner. 

Turns out taking care of yourself has some side benefits.

So, all that bedroom talk was really just my sneaky set up to try to convince you to consider becoming a vegan. Even one day a week for starters. Or maybe try one meal each day. It's good for you, good for the planet, and the animals will be grateful as well.

Need support to make the change? PCRM - The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (one of the best resources for vegetarians) is planning a 21-day vegan kick-start for the new year, starting Jan 1st!

If you want to improve your health, lose weight, increase energy, and rock the bedroom, check out PCRM.

21-DAY VEGAN KICK-START

 * Thanks to Rachel at veggiebee.com for sharing the info about PCRM's program. Check out her site.

Death by Fluoride

by Jeremy Clear

Exposure to fluoride has become a daily experience for just about everyone in America.  We brush with it, we drink it, and we even go to the dentist and pay them to lather it on our teeth, yet most people don’t realize how toxic this substance really is.

 

We’ve been told by “the experts” that we need it. In fact, the American Dental Association claims there are many benefits to fluoride and fluoridated water.  According to the ADA’s executive director, “optimally fluoridated water helps prevent tooth decay.” What they fail to mention is that numerous studies have proven that fluoride is also making us sick. It’s unwise to look at the supposed benefits of fluoride without also considering the potentially negative impacts of its use.  

 uk anti-fluoride poster

There are numerous negative side effects of using fluoride – and these are just from the levels we consume from drinking water and toothpaste.

Negative Health Effects of Fluoride:

• Abnormal bone growth (bony spurs)
• Calcification of tendons and ligaments
• Increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s
• Lowers IQ
• Disrupts normal endocrine function
• Hypothyroidism
• Reduction in fertility in men
• Increased cancers of the bone, mouth, bladder and lung
• Darkens teeth

Yep, It's A Corporate Conspiracy

Fluoride is a by-product of the aluminum production process and much of the research regarding the fluoride health benefits are funded by these companies.  They are then allowed to dispose of the fluoride by-product in our water supply since it has been ‘proven’ to aid in tooth decay.  This is debatable – especially since the studies to prove fluoride’s effectiveness at treating tooth decay are largely funded by those that need a place to dispose of their waste product.  The EPA has afforded companies this convenience at the expense of the general health of the population.

Fluoride is toxic to our bodies.  The potential benefits (preventing tooth decay) can be gained from other means, like flossing and brushing regularly (see last FAQ on this page).  It’s time to limit our exposure to Fluoride. 

 

FACTS ABOUT FLUORIDE [from commendatori blog)

• Fluoride is a waste by-product of the fertilizer and aluminum industry and it’s also a Part II Poison under the UK Poisons Act 1972.
   
• Fluoride is one of the basic ingredients in both PROZAC (FLUoxetene Hydrochloride) and Sarin nerve gas (Isopropyl-Methyl-Phosphoryl FLUoride).
   
• USAF Major George R. Jordan testified before Un-American Activity committees of Congress in the 1950’s that in his post as U.S.-Soviet liaison officer, the Soviets openly admitted to “Using the fluoride in the water supplies in their concentration camps, to make the prisoners stupid, docile, and subservient.”
   
• The first occurrence of fluoridated drinking water on Earth was found in Germany’s Nazi prison camps. The Gestapo had little concern about fluoride’s supposed effect on children’s teeth; their alleged reason for mass-medicating water with sodium fluoride was to sterilize humans and force the people in their concentration camps into calm submission. (Ref. book: “The Crime and Punishment of I.G. Farben” by Joseph Borkin.)
   
• 97% of western Europe has rejected fluoridated water due to the known health risks, however 10% of Britons drink it and the UK government is trying to fast track the fluoridation of the entire country’s water supply.
   
• In Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg fluoridation of water was rejected because it was classified as compulsive medication against the subject’s will and therefore violated fundamental human rights.
• In November of 2006, the American Dental Association (ADA) advised that parents should avoid giving babies fluoridated water.
   
• Sources of fluoride include: fluoride dental products, fluoride pesticides, fluoridated pharmaceuticals, processed foods made with fluoridated water, and tea.

 How to Minimize Fluoride Intake

Water filtration systems can help, but make sure they remove fluoride from the public water system.  Switch to a non-fluoride based toothpaste (we use Coral White); and the next time you go to the dentist, make sure they don’t use a fluoride treatment. 

Remember, digestion begins in the mouth, so when a high concentration of fluoride is in our mouth, we absorb it regardless of whether we swallow it or not.  The long-term effects of low levels of fluoride poisoning are not worth the short-term comforts of continuing the same habits.

How Soft Drinks Ruin Good Health

I begin with a confession:  We used to have a serious Taco Bell habit. Disgusting, I know, but years ago when we were first married, Jeremy and I used to scrounge for change so that we could buy a bean burrito and Mountain Dew at the nearest Taco Bell for dinner. In those days, we actually considered this a meal and would eat it at least twice a week. It tasted good and life in Orange County was super expensive for 2 newlyweds just out of college, so Taco Bell fit our budget. Seemed like a win-win situation to us.

These days, we can't believe we ever ate that way, but I wanted to start this post with that confession as proof of the fact that I do have compassion for those who are addicted to soft drinks, sugar, and other chemically laced products. We eventually gave up all soft drinks and fast food, but I understand that they're addictive, excessively marketed, and freely available, so it only makes sense that we'd all fall prey to these unhealthy products at one time or another.

Now that you know I understand the addiction, here comes the part of the post where I try to convince you to STOP DRINKING SOFT DRINKS, yes, even diet coke. Here's why...

3 Reasons Soft Drinks Ruin Your Health:

1. Sugar

Soft drinks contain huge amounts of simple sugars that get into the bloodstream quickly causing the body to raise insulin levels to counteract the onslaught of sugar.  Raised insulin levels then weaken the body’s immune system over time and make people more susceptible to disease and sickness. 

Another concern with sugar is that excess sugar is stored in the body as fat and this weight gain leads to elevated risks of numerous health issues including heart disease and cancer.

2. Aspartame

As bad a sugar is, many people think they’ve found a solution by drinking diet sodas. Unfortunately, diet drinks are often much worse. Regardless of whether a person drinks regular or diet sodas, people who drink more than one soda a day have a 30% greater chance of weight gain around the belly.

Worse yet, diet sodas specifically contain numerous chemicals and artificial sweeteners such as: aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose, which are known carcinogens and have caused neurological disorders in many users.

Need convincing - watch this amazing documentary (Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World) which follows people whose lives were dramatically altered because of the impacts of aspartame. We avoid it at all costs!

3. Carbonation

The bubbles in your favorite soft drink contain phosphoric acid, which is known to deplete blood calcium levels and lead to lower bone mass density. The addition of caffeine compounds this issue and elevates the risk of developing osteoporosis.

Still not ready to give up your favorite soft drink?

Instead of going off soft drinks cold turkey, a great option is to limit sodas to one drink each day. 

Then add in other drink options that contribute to good health including: water, tea, or fresh fruit and vegetable juices. 

These small changes add up to make a huge impact on your long term health outlook. 

For more information about soft drinks and their health effects, read one of the articles that inspired this post. What Soft Drinks Are Doing To Your Body by Dr. Mao. 

Vitamin Advice from Dr. Furhman

Regardless of whether you are vegan or not, using supplements can be an important part of any healthy lifestyle. Vegans specifically need to be aware of B-12 and Vitamin D deficiencies, which can lead to serious health issues. 

When we first started walking the aisles of our local natural foods store looking for quality supplements, it became apparent that this would be a daunting task. First of all, which supplements are vegan? Some of the "vegetarian" supplements were actually gelatin capsules, not vegan. 

When we discovered Dr. Furhman's website, the process got a whole lot easier. Dr. Furhman is an advocate of the vegan lifestyle and has written many books including Eat to Live. For more info on Dr. Furhman you can read his bio here. 

His website is full of great resources, and most helpful to us was the Vitamin Advisor. We'd highly recommend checking out his products. We've been using them for about 6 months now and we're really happy with these supplements. Here's what we ordered based on our health and lifestyle...

(all supplement info from drfurhman.com)

 1. Gentle Care Formula

MultiVitamin and Mineral Supplement

This completely vegan formulation represents years of careful research, optimizing the proper balance of nutrient levels and avoiding potentially toxic ingredients, such as folic acid, vitamin A, beta carotene, copper and iron. Ingredients are selected for optimal quality, absorption, and gentleness. The balanced antioxidant protection offers phytochemical (anthocyanins) and carotenoid concentrates from green food extracts.

 2. DHA Purity - Omega 3's

100% Vegan DHA (long chain Omega–3) 
This veggie derived DHA, sourced from microalgae, provides the beneficial omega–3 fatty acid of fish oil without the fish. DHA Purity now comes in an all–new, purified liquid form of very highly concentrated DHA so that it can be digested easier and hidden easily in food. The children’s dose is just one drop (measurable with a built–in graduated dropper) and easily disguised in their food, soup, drink or oatmeal. Just a few drops delivers a daily dose of essential omega–3 fatty acids (DHA).

3. Osteo-Sun with Vitamin D2

Vitamin D and Calcium Blend for Strong Bones, Hair and Nails

Recent medical studies document that vitamin D is more effective than calcium for protecting and building bone. In addition, vitamin D powerfully protects against cancer. Too much calcium can actually interfere with the conversion of vitamin D into its biologically active form. High dose calcium is not ideal for bone strength and may increase cancer risk as a result of lower vitamin D function. The modern world has an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency and most often a multi–vitamin containing the RDA for D is simply not sufficient to bring blood levels up to the ideal range, especially as we age.

Dr. Fuhrman's Osteo–Sun gives you the extra vitamin D you need and just the right levels of calcium and magnesium to maximize bone health. Plus, it has silica for stronger bones, hair and nails!

Osteo-Sun vegan formulation utilizes vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), a form of the vitamin which is obtained only from plant sources. Higher levels of vitamin D2 are used in this product to adjust for its lower vitamin activity.

 And if you have children... check out the Pixie - Vites

Children's Multi–Vitamin / Mineral 

A great berry taste that your children will love, with no artificial sweeteners. They are also great for adults who don’t like to swallow pills.

What good is a multi–vitamin that your child refuses to eat? Children will enjoy eating Pixie–Vites right out of their attractive candy-like package, or the powder can be mixed into food or juice.

Pixie–Vites contain no artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors, no corn syrup, no preservatives, no wheat, no gluten, no soy, no dairy and no aspartame. There is no isolated vitamin A or beta carotene; we only use whole food extracts from over 30 high–nutrient vegetables and fruits with nature's full spectrum of carotenoids and phytochemicals.

Dr. Furhman also has a blog called Disease Proof that we'd definitely recommend reading. 

In addition to using Dr. Furhman's supplements, we also use a great B12 supplement from the Hippocrates Health Institute called LifeGive b12 Forte. It can be purchased here. 

We hope this post is a help to anyone who has felt lost walking down the aisles of their local health food store!