I Am Back!

Greetings everyone!  What a pleasure to be writing here again.  I have had two pretty busy semesters and have been traveling through the summer, and in my travels I had the opportunity to uncover some pretty interesting education and information to share.  Life is truly a journey, and sometimes you must take a step back to really appreciate all that it has to offer. One of my trips this summer took me to a natural products expo where I was able to meet with people who are passionate about healthy living, pure and natural products and sustainable lifestyles.  I met cancer survivors, and people who have overcome various diseases, by making a personal change to their lifestyle in a positive way.

 I have come to the conclusion that we are in control of our wellness, and it is up to every individual to make healthy choices that will facilitate the process of health and healing.  Many times we turn our energies outward, looking for someone to fix us after the damage has been done, when the focus should be on self responsibility and prevention with a holistic approach.  As I continue the process of writing this blog, my passion will be directed towards motivating others to a wellness revolution!  Health and wellness is something everyone should enjoy, and it can be accomplished as we become more mindful to the activities and process that bring about a life of vitality.  Stay tuned, get ready, I have so much to share and share I will freely!  Namaste

Healing With Whole Food

As I was doing some research this week about healing foods and I came across fiber, and the importance of fiber in our diet.  Many people today are suffering from ailments that can truly be corrected with the proper nutritional balancing.  The term fiber refers to carbohydrates that can not be digested and fiber acts as an intestinal broom in your system. There are two types of fiber, insoluble and soluble. Our body requires 35 grams or more of fiber a day in order to function properly. 

According to the Linus Pauling Institute,  viscous fiber such as those found in oat products and legumes can lower serum LDL levels and and normalize blood glucose and insulin response. The same study reports that numerous people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes that increased their fiber intake improved blood serum lipid profiles.  As we can see, fiber is a very important element that should be included in our diet on a daily basis.  There are numerous studies that show a link between high fiber intake and the reduction of disease.  When we eat high fiber food, the fiber absorbs the toxins in our body and drives them out with it as it is eliminated.  Since fiber is not digested or absorbed it very beneficial for this purpose.  Cancer, diabetes, diverticulitis, breast cancer, IBS, colon cancer, all of these diseases are positively affected by a high intake of fiber.
Food Serving Fiber.  Studies report that African American Women are likely to die from breast cancer and this same study believes that diet and exercise (or lack thereof) is a contributing factor. Read more about the study on the following link.
http://main.uab.edu/Sites/reporter/articles/81083/

It is truly time to heal our self with whole food.  Processed food is destroying our communities at an alarming rate.  We are truly paying the price for it in the form of these lifestyle diseases that even the experts are realizing the truth about what the underlying causes are.  Disease does not just happen by chance, it is a process that happens as we provide the conditions in our body that welcome these offenders.  Healing will begin with going back to the basics of a whole food diet.  That will provide us with the dietary fiber we need for maximum wellness.



Legumes
                                                        Serving  and amount of dietary fiber in grams(g)
Navy beans, cooked from dried      1 cup            19.1

Split peas, cooked from dried          1 cup           16.3

Lentils, cooked from dried               1 cup           15.6



Kidney beans, canned                    1 cup 13.6

Refried beans, canned                    1 cup 12.1

Cereals and grains

100% (wheat) Bran Cereal             1/2 cup 12.5

Bulgur, cooked                              1 cup 8.2

Pearled barley, cooked                 1 cup 6.0

Oat bran, cooked                         1 cup 5.7

Quinoa, cooked                           1 cup 5.2

Instant oatmeal, cooked                1 cup 4.0

Rice, long-grained brown, cooked 1 cup 3.5

Vegetables

Artichoke hearts, cooked          1 cup 14.4

Spinach, frozen, cooked              1 cup 7.0

Brussel sprouts, frozen, cooked    1 cup 6.4

Winter squash, cooked              1 cup 5.7

Mushrooms, cooked from fresh   1 cup 3.4

Fruits

Prunes, uncooked                   1 cup, pitted 12.4

Asian pear                              1 pear 9.9

Guava, fresh                           1 cup 8.9

Raspberries, fresh                  1 cup 8.0

Blackberries, fresh                 1 cup 7.6

Nuts and Seeds

Almonds                             1 ounce (23 kernels) 3.5

Pistachio nuts                     1 ounce (49 kernels) 2.9

Pecans                                1 ounce (19 halves) 2.7

Peanuts                               1 ounce (33 kernels)


Fateria Johnson M.A. Holistic Wellness Educator

http://www.its4yourwellness.com/

The hidden health dangers

Normally, I am a person who only eats fresh whole food and I must know what ingredients are being used in the preparation of my meal. The reason for this is because I am fully aware of the awful effects that some chemical additives in our food can have on our health. In the past I use to suffer with chronic fatigue, thyroid issues, acne and a host of other unexplainable illnesses that left me immobile most of the time. As I look around I can see many people unknowingly poisoning their systems with artificial colors and dyes and chemicals, yet they suffer from ailments that they nor their doctor can explain. In an effort to rid themselves of the symptoms associated with these illnesses they run to the doctor and are prescribed a remedy (drug) to alleviate the symptom without ever dealing with the cause of the problem.

As an individual who has eliminated all of my health problems by simply changed my diet and adopting effective stress management techniques, I am honored to share it with others. Just the other day, I was speaking at a function where lunch was provided, normally I would resist the temptation to indulge, but I thought to myself, what could possibly be wrong with the cheese pizza that was ordered; I was extremely hungry! I ate the pizza, went home and decided I would take a nap. I could feel my body chemistry changing as I became a bit ill and more tired, I recognized it because these were the same symptoms I experienced for years before changing my diet. When I woke up from my nap, I noticed that I was not feeling well in general, but I needed to complete the rest of my days agenda.

When I arrived home that evening, I was feeling worse, so bad in fact that I went straight to bed (these are the same symptoms I experienced in the past) I decided that I would look up the ingredients that this particular company uses to make its pizza and sauce, now remember, I buy only whole food products, that means they contain absolutely no artificial ingredients or preservatives. I eliminated soy from my diet and I make my own sauces when possible, so I knew that my body was probably reacting to an ingredient in the pizza. I decided to look up the ingredients and found that there were a few chemical additives and emulsifying agents and of course soy, which I can not have. The point is each and everyone of us are different and there are certain foods that you can tolerate, that may pose a health threat to someone else. The key is in knowing your hidden health dangers as it relates to food. In my opinion, all chemical additives and food dyes are not good for your long term health, but being an educated consumer will help you to understand what it is you are truly eating and to make healthy choices.

www.its4yourwellness.com

It is 4 your wellness!



www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm







Fateria Johnson is a Holistic Wellness Educator and Wellness Coach