Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A (beta-carotene). They are also a good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, vitamin B6, potassium, fiber, niacin, vitamins B1, B2, and phosphorous.

I love baked sweet potatoes, sweet potato chips (make your own), and sweet potatoes fries.

Cumin

Did you know that cumin seeds are harvested from a herb belonging to the parsley family? 

1. Cumin aids digestion
2. Cumin contains antiseptic properties
3. Cumin is rich in iron for healthy blood

Anti-Aging Foods

• Black garlic helps to repair age-damaged skin. Uniquely colored due to its fermentation process, black garlic contains double the antioxidants as regular garlic and can be eaten raw. It strengthens and restores skin cells damaged by the aging process. Use it in place of regular garlic in most recipes.

• Jicama is a crisp root vegetable that can help fight crow’s feet by boosting collagen and fighting wrinkles. It’s also an excellent source of vitamin C. Try it either raw or cooked.

• Jerusalem artichoke can help to fade the appearance of under-eye circles. Their beauty secret is iron – they contain five times more iron as potatoes. Eating them can help to correct an iron deficiency, a common cause of paleness that makes your under-eye bags more apparent.

• Purslane is an herb that is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that help to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. It also is a great source of vitamins A, B and C. Add it to yogurt or salads.

• Sunflower Seed Butter works to unclog your arteries. It’s rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids including one that lowers your cholesterol. Try it instead of peanut butter.

• Salmon is among the highest omega-3-containing fish, making it a go-to fish for healthy skin. As we age, cell turnover slows down, causing an accumulation of rough patches and dry skin; our skin also begins to produce less oil, diminishing our natural glow. Brighten your complexion with omega-3 fatty acids. Try to eat salmon two times per week to bring radiance back to skin.

• Sweet Potatoes, Peppers and Almonds are representative of ACE foods, or foods that are high in vitamins A, C and E. They’re rich in antioxidants that combat damaging and aging free radicals in the body. Brightly colored vitamin A foods like sweet potatoes help to tackle the free radicals. Peppers have the highest levels of vitamin C and should be eaten raw to maximize their benefits. And like all foods high in vitamin E, almonds keep skin moisturized and soft by promoting oil production.

• Pure noni juice, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, can help fight the formation of tumors – and wrinkles. Noni and noni products build collagen and are high in antioxidants and polyphenols.

• Tuna contains omega-3 fatty acids that fight UV-related cell damage and are a rich source of niacin, a deficiency of which causes skin rashes.

• Black currants contain a compound called anthocyanosides, which can help improve vision. Additionally, this superfood contains five times the vitamin C that oranges do, making it a superb immunity booster.

• Wheat germ is rich in zinc, which plays a crucial role in the production of new skin cells. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to help prevent eczema; recent studies even indicate that wheat germ can help reduce acne. Get half a cup of wheat germ per day for your daily dose of zinc. Try sprinkling it over salads and yogurt or adding it to smoothies.

Red Cabbage

Did you know that cabbage leaves have natural antiseptic properties and can be applied directly to wound and bruises to help relieve pain and healing? 

• Red cabbage is higher in immunity boosting carotenes than other cabbages. 
• Red cabbage is also higher in vitamin C than pale varieties and is a good source of minerals including calcium and selenium.

Sprinkle red cabbage with lemon juice to prevent it from turning gray. Once cut, red cabbage should be used within one to two days. When cooking, steaming preserves the maximum nutrients, so try not to overcook.

Ginseng - Herb Stress Annihilator

This ancient healing herb has been used widely throughout Asia as an energizer tonic. This special herb is particularly beneficial when recovering from illness or surgery for its restorative and anti-infection properties. It promotes regeneration from stress and fatigue.

Sugar

A few things that sugar does to the body...

Sugar can suppress the immune system
Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium
Sugar can weaken eyesight
Sugar can cause hypoglycemia
Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline levels in children
Sugar contributes to obesity
Sugar can cause arthritis
Sugar can cause heart disease and emphysema
Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis
Sugar can increase cholesterol
Sugar can lead to both prostate cancer and ovarian cancer
Sugar can contribute to diabetes
Sugar can cause CVD (cardiovascular disease)
Sugar can make your skin age by changing the structure of collagen
Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides
Sugar can increase the body’s fluid retention
Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines
Sugar can cause depression
Sugar can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease

Adapted from 146 Reasons Why Sugar is Ruining Your Health by Nancy Appleton, Ph.D.

Hasselback Potatoes

The possibilities are endless when you make roasted hasselback potatoes. Change the way you eat potatoes. You can also make hasselback sweet potatoes!

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has been deemed a superfood after research studies identifying its seventy-five healing compounds including natural steroids, antibiotic agents, amino acids, minerals and enzymes. Aloe vera has been used since Egyptian times as a skin moisturizer, and healer for burns, cuts, bruises, acne and eczema. This is mostly due to the high concentration of natural sulphur *(MSM) that it contains. Aloe juices alkalize the digestive tract preventing over-acidity, a common cause of indigestion, acid reflux, heartburn and ulcers.

*MSM provides a source of organic sulfur for the amino acids that are essential for internal cleansing and improved flexibility.

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite Clay is an effective detoxifier with substances that absorb toxins from our GI tract. Bentonite clay can never be absorbed by the body, so it's not poisonous at all. When we take Bentonite Clay with Psyllium Husk, the clay does the important duty of absorbing all toxic substances from our mucuous linings - it's like a magnet that attracts toxins. Psyllium Husk then finishes the job by "pushing" all these nasty substances such as mucoid plaque out of our body. 

Bentonite Clay has a high concentration of minerals including silica, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, and potassium.

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