It is no longer as simple as going to your local shop and buying milk – do you want it to have cow, goat or sheep milk? Do you want full fat or skim or A2? Or homogenised, pasteurised or unpasteurised? What about almond, oat, rice or soy milk? The answer depends on your individual nutritional requirements – do you have any food intolerances, how old are you, male or female etc.
Cow’s Milk
Cow’s milk needs to be avoided by those who have lactose intolerance – a deficiency in the body of the enzyme lactose which is needed to break down and digest dairy products. Organic milk is always preferable as conventional milk comes from cows that are fed in feed lots and contains traces of pesticides, antibiotics and hormones. Cow’s milk contains protein called A1 & A2 beta-casein which many people are intolerant to.
A2 cow’s milk
A2 milk contains only the A2 type of beta-casein protein instead of A1 beta-casein. Originally all cows produced only A2 beta-casein and came from Guernsey & Jersey (brown & white) cows. Now Friesian (black & white) cows produce most commercial milk and this contains both A1 and A2 beta-casein. A2 milk does contain similar levels of lactose as A1 milk. Many people are allergic to A1 beta casein and this is where A2 milk is a valuable replacement.
Skim Milk
Skim milk contains roughly 2% fat while full fat milk is around 4.5%. It still contains lactose and both A1 & A2 beta casein. Because the creamy part contains the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K you will be missing out on essential nutrients.
Goat’s milk
Goat’s milk contains lactose but at slightly lower levels than cow’s milk so people with a […]
Which Milk is Best For Me?
Kiddy Delights Via the Amazon!
Those clever RioLife boys are at it again – creating a sensational product that gives a little back to local Brazilian communities! They have released a tasty treat that will be popular in every mum’s emergency stash for supermarket melt downs.
Acai berries are incredibly high in anti oxidants which protect your body from disease and keep you feeling energetic and healthy. Acai also contain plenty of fibre as well as beneficial Omega 3 essential fatty acids.
The fruit flakes are a combination of organic Acai berries and natural fruits, are free of preservatives as well as added sugar. The 21 gram packet contains the same level of antioxidants as 120 blueberries! They do contain natural sugar so don’t give them to your kids as an after dinner treat, pop them in their lunch box instead.
1% of all sales are donated to charity to ensure quality schooling for Amazonian children and this is just so close to my heart – every child deserves the opportunity to improve their situation in life.
We take this for granted in our lovely Australian country but this is not an option for many children around the world!
Healthy Ways To A Happy Heart…
Over the past couple of decades, there has been an improvement in the number of cardiovascular disease cases, however it still remains one of the biggest causes of death in Australia! Modifying your diet and lifestyle can make a huge impact on your chances of dying from cardiovascular disease so here’s a snapshot of ways you can turn your life around…
DIET
• Eat fresh fruit and vegetables – berries, grapefruit, oranges
• Whole grains – oats, barley, quinoa, millet, spelt
• Legumes – chick peas, cannelloni beans, adzuki beans, lentils
• Nuts and seeds – a handful of walnuts or almonds daily
• Include olive oil (in place of saturated fats)
• Reduce refined sugar intake
• Cut back on red meat
• Include foods that are low GI
• Eat foods rich in essential fatty acids – salmon
• Increase water intake – 2 to 3 litres of water daily
• Include garlic, tumeric and rosemary to meals for their cardioprotective properties
• Look at diets like the Mediterranean Diet, The DASH diet or The Portfolio Diet for more ideas
SUPPLEMENTS
CoQ10 – Provides energy nutrients and is great for people using cholesterol lowering drugs. The use of CoQ10 pre cardiac surgery has been studied extensively since the 80’s and as a result, it is has been shown to reduce complications and improve recovery. It works as an antioxidant and has an effect on every cell in the body, thus improving heart function and a reduction in blood pressure.
Magnesium – Low levels of magnesium have been linked to cardiovascular disease therefore.
Fish Oils – Studies suggest that fish oils may play a cardioprotective role on the heart and vessels. Regular consumption may reduce death caused by heart disease.
HERBS
There are sooo many herbs to help with heart disease but a few specific ones are:
Crataegus spp – Research suggests that the leaves […]
The Benefits of Eating Your Greens!
When preparing our food for a meal, we don’t always think about the health benefits we may be receiving from each mouthful. There have been numerous studies conducted on different green vegetables and what medicinal properties they hold, here my top 5 green vegetables:
Asparagus – Just one cup of asparagus contains 65% of your daily folate requirements therefore giving you enormous amounts of energy!!
Broccoli – This particular vegetable goes with absolutely every meal so there is no reason not to eat broccoli. Broccoli has the highest amount of the isothiocyanates and according to a study conducted at U.C Santa Barbara, a compound of isothiocyanates called sulforaphane works in a similar way to anti-cancer drugs by inhibiting proliferation of human tumor cells. Therefore broccoli has been shown to contain cancer-fighting compounds!!
Avocado – By far, this is my number #1 sexy food. Avocados are full of essential fatty acids and are great for anti ageing, fertility, cancer and low libido.
Kale – High in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K. Kale is such a therapeutic food and a powerful antioxidant – it will keep you looking and feeling fabulous! It also promotes the breakdown of toxins in the liver so a perfect addition to any detox.
Sea Vegetables – Packed full of nutrients and minerals like iron, iodine, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, manganese and magnesium. A small study was conducted on 32 men with hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) over a 12 week period. Each person consumed 150ml of kale juice daily and at the end of the study, it was concluded that kale juice favorably influenced serum lipid profiles and antioxidant systems, and hence contribute to reduce the risks of coronary artery disease in […]
What Are Sea Vegetables?
These interesting sea creatures are packed full of nutrients and minerals like iron, iodine, calcium, Vitamin A,B,C, manganese and magnesium. Sea Vegetables are great for your teeth, bones, hair, skin and nails and help to keep your thyroid in good health. Research has investigated the cholesterol lowering properties as well as positive effects on cancer prevention.
You may be thinking that they are going to taste like seaweed fresh from the sea but they really don’t have a strong taste especially once you add them to your food.
Different types of sea vegetables.
Kombu: Looks like a long stick of seaweed and is highly alkaline. When added to water it becomes soft so add it to soups, brown rice and quinoa.
Nori: Sheets of nori is what is wrapped around nori rolls. You can use these sheets by adding your own ingredients to them and rolling up or otherwise tear the nori into strips and add to salads, rice dishes, vegies and soups.
Arame: This a species of kelp and can also be added as a garnish to dishes or eaten on its on own with some tamari and ginger.
Wakame: Soak wakame in water before adding to salads or add it in the last couple of minutes to your cooking. Wakame has probably the strongest taste out of all the varieties but super delicious!
Start experimenting with sea vegetable today!
How to prepare for surgery…
Our bodies have incredible ways of healing themselves however it’s important to prepare yourself for surgery with herbs, nutrients and lifestyle choices to maximise the quickest recovery time.
First and foremost you need to build up your immune system to discourage any infections post surgery! Eating nutritious food and maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle will help with healing and reduce inflammation.
Pre & post surgery tips:
Eat antioxidant rich food: Organic fruit & vegetables (especially orange coloured), berries, legumes, seeds, broad beans, soybeans, oats, corn, kale, peppers, parsley, ginger.
Vitamin C: This nutrient has a huge list of health benefits and should be a staple in every household! Vitamin C is an antioxidant, maintains connective tissue, helps with brain and nerve function, stimulates the immune system and research suggests that it has the ability to assist in wound healing.
Zinc: A trace element that is an essential cofactor for many chemical reactions. Zinc protects cell membranes from oxidative stress therefore is an antioxidant as well as an important nutrient for growth and development, immune responses and reproduction. Research into zinc has found that it improves wound healing therefore it should be part of your pre/post surgery care.
Bromelain: A mixture of proteolytic enzymes that are found in pineapples! It has been used for centuries to treat inflammation and swelling associated with surgery. Studies into bromelain have found it is an effective way to help heal wounds, burns and physical injuries.
Arnica: Take arnica homoeopathically pre and post surgery to assist with swelling and bruising as well as help the body deal with the trauma and shock of the surgery. One study using 227 patients in 3 separate trials, measured the outcome of homoeopathic arnica vs. placebo on postoperative swelling and pain. […]
Olive Leaf Extract
The extract of Olea europaea has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties and even dates back to Hippocrates who prescribed olive leaf for ulcers, muscular pain and cholera. Today, phenolic compounds have been isolated and researched for their vast health benefits.
Health Benefits
Antiviral: Olive leaf has the ability to inhibit and prevent viruses, retrovirus, bacteria, moulds, protozoa, fungi, parasites, worms and yeasts infections. Research suggests that olive leaf can stop the virus from replicating by penetrating the infected cells. The oil is also beneficial where the bacterium resists against antibiotics, making it a powerful antibacterial. Olive leaf is especially important to take as a preventative for the common cold, influenza, Epstein-Barr virus, Herpes virus and cytomegalovirus.
Antioxidant: It has the ability to protect against free radical damage therefore is important for your heart, circulatory system, reduces high blood pressure. Olive leaf is also a hypotensive herb therefore is beneficial hypertension and angina.
Energy production: Research has found that olive leaf extract helped increase energy levels and general well being in people suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Other uses: Olive Leaf can provide relief from arthritis, haemorrhoids, toothache, psoriasis, fevers and used as a daily maintenance for general wellbeing.
Olive Leaf is a safe extract to take as a daily supplement in order to improve immune function and eradicate infections from various microbes. It can be taken as a liquid or capsule form.
RioLife Acai Challenge – Day 14
Day 14
Australian customs loved my Acai and whisked me through with a “welcome home!’ and a big smile. I head home to unpack and get ready for work tomorrow. What a brilliant holiday and I just adore travelling to other countries!
So, after 14 days of having Acai every day how do I feel? The answer is simple – fantastic! Despite long clinic days, 2 international flights, a busy 4 days in Thailand I am bouncing with energy, my eyes are shiny and my skin is so soft. I love this stuff and will definitely continue taking it daily. I notice that some days I seem to want more than others so I will just listen to my body and go with that. For my last dose I have a big bowl of fruit with Açaí mixed into sheep’s milk yoghurt and some kamut flakes on top. Delicious!
RioLife Acai Challenge – Day 13
Day 13
It’s time to go back to Australia so I pack my bags, say goodbye to everyone and take one last bike ride around to ensure my memories are locked in tightly. I visit my little coconut vendor and say goodbye and I almost cry, she is so sweet. I just adore Thailand and love the way spirituality is such a natural part of life here. I feel very much at home and will be back again in six months. Acai makes its way into my breaky juice and also my coconut today. Seems my body wants a double serve for the flight home. I get to the airport and onto the plane without any issues apart from me not wanting to leave!
RioLife Acai Challenge – Day 12
Day 12
Wedding day has arrived and I dose up on Acai as it will be a very big day! I actually put the Acai in a coconut and drink it that way. It’s great to scrape out the coconut meat and either eat it or add it to your smoothie. I am feeling so good and believe that the consistency of taking Acai is the reason. Nearly two weeks and it feels really easy to include in my diet and I am loving the outcome. My eyes are looking really clear and I only ever get that when I am detoxing. I notice this in clients and I call it “Detox Eyes” where the whites are so white it changes the colour of your eyes, they become luminous and shiny.
