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Food Combining: A Way to Support Digestive Health

Guest post by Tara Alder, Internal Cleansing Specialist at Alder Brooke Healing Arts.

Alder Brook Healing ArtsMost people understand that it is important to eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and a balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. What most people do not know is that it is just as important to consider proper food combining.

Consider that fruits and many green vegetables are high in water, fiber and enzymes. These foods move through the digestive tract more quickly than other foods. Most fruits will only be in the stomach 30 to 45 minutes before they move on to the small intestine for digestion and absorption of nutrients. Starchy carbohydrates however are less fiber and water rich and may take 2 to 3 hours before they move from the stomach to the small intestine. Proteins are the most complex foods taking the most amount of time in the stomach. Some proteins will be in the stomach for 5 to 8 hours before they move on to the small intestine to complete digestion.

With this knowledge it makes sense to combine our foods to support this natural process.

Food Combining Chart Front Food Combining Chart Back

Helpful Hints for Optimal Digestion

  • Digestion is a complex process.  By combining foods properly the body encourages this process to take place as efficiently as possible.
  • There are three basic types of food: Concentrated foods (proteins and carbohydrates), high water content foods (fruits and vegetables) and fats.  Proteins are the most complex (concentrated) food and require the most time and energy to digest and assimilate, where as fruit is the least complex (high water content) and takes the least amount of time and energy to digest and assimilate.
  • In your digestive system, the process to break down proteins, carbohydrates and fruit are entirely different, requiring different secretions. Therefore, to insure the most efficient digestion possible, these three foods should not be consumed simultaneously.
  • Do not eat fruit with any other food. If fruit is eaten alone and on an empty stomach, it will have the effect of washing and cleansing the digestive tract leaving it more capable of absorbing nutrition and eliminating waste.
  • Proteins and starchy carbohydrates should not be combined. If a protein is eaten with a starchy carbohydrate, such as meat and a piece of bread or a potato, the different digestive juices in contact with each other will nullify each other’s effectiveness. The protein will putrefy and the carbohydrate will ferment. This causes bloating and gas.
  • If a concentrated food (proteins or carbohydrate) is eaten with a sugar, such as nuts with raisins, it will putrefy, and the sugar will ferment. Again, more bloating and gas.
  • Fermentation or putrefaction inhibits healthy cell structure and digestion. The gasses produced from fermentation and putrefaction is toxic to the body and can exhaust the other detox organs. (lungs, liver, kidneys, skin and lymphatic system)
  • Add steamed vegetables or a mixed vegetable salad with all concentrated foods (proteins and carbohydrates) for optimum digestion. The enzymes in raw veggies help digest difficult food combinations.
  • Drinking fluids along with or after a meal dilute many of the digestive juices from the stomach. This forces the body to secrete more digestive juices immediately, unnecessarily usurping energy.
  • Dairy products are highly mucous forming and difficult to digest. They do not combine well with anything. If they are eaten, they should be accompanied with a salad.
  • By adhering to proper food combining, the digestive system works much more efficiently, thereby conserving energy that can be utilized for cleansing the body of accumulated toxic waste.
  • Feel great about your body and eating habits. Slow down and enjoy each meal. The better your digestion, the better the body’s absorption and metabolism. Your body will automatically adjust to your optimal weight and remain there.

For a handy reference see the Divine Way to Combine at www.alderbrooke.com

Tara AlderTara Alder is a nationally certified instructor with the International Association of Colon Hydrotherapy (I-ACT). She attends and teaches at health conferences and is an international speaker.Alder Brooke Healing Arts in Eugene, Oregon and Alder Brooke Healing Waves in Kona, Hawaii are beautiful garden spas, education and retreat centers designed to meet your special needs.

You are invited to experience the benefits of cleansing in our safe, comfortable and relaxed environment.

We can be reached by email at taralyn@alderbrooke.com.
Aloha, and blessings of health and vitality!

Varicose Veins

ReThink Varicose VeinsMany people consider varicose veins to be simply a cosmetic issue, so they delay treatment or avoid it completely. The truth is, untreated varicose veins can progress to a more serious form of vein (venous) disease called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which can present more serious signs and symptoms such as pain, ankle swelling, fatigue of the legs, skin damage and ulcers.

That’s why a coalition of medical societies is coming together for the ReThink Varicose Veins campaign to encourage the more than 30 million Americans with venous disease, including varicose veins and CVI, to learn more and see a vein specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Fortunately, several minimally-invasive treatment options are available that are covered by many insurance plans.

On www.ReThinkVaricoseVeins.com, you can learn more, take a self-assessment, find a vein specialist and spread the word to friends and loved ones.

What You Can Do:

1) Take a self-assessment: Use the quick self-assessment tool

2) Find a vein specialist: If your assessment shows you might be at risk for varicose veins or CVI, find a specialist at ReThink Varicose Veins to discuss diagnosis and treatment.

3) Understand treatment options: There are minimally invasive treatment options covered by many insurance plans that allow for a short, comfortable recovery; learn more at ReThink Varicose Veins

4) Spread the word: Even if you don’t suffer from varicose veins, your friends and loved ones may not know their risks; share the message on your Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites.

ReThink Varicose Veins eFlyer

Right click to Download the flyer.

And be sure to leave a comment with your varicose vein story.

Marilyn Kvasnok

How to Check for DNS Changer Malicious Software

FBI Logo

I heard on the news that starting on Monday, July 9, 2012, anyone infected with the DNS Changer malicious software will not be able to access the Internet. The problem started last November when international hackers set up an advertising scam. When the FBI arrested the hackers, they couldn’t just shut down the malicious servers. There were 570,000 infected computers that would lose Internet service. Thru a private company, the FBI set up two clean servers to take over for the malicious servers. That gave everyone time to determine if their computer was infected. And if infected, figure out what to do to about it. Read the whole story published today at www.foxnews.com.

AVG Anti-Virus SoftwareI’m always skeptical about these kinds of stories. So, I checked it out with AVG. I’ve used their anti-virus software for years and trust the company. I found the story there, too. Read the whole story titled Check for DNS Changer or face Internet blackout this Monday.

I wasn’t too surprised to learn that my AVG Free version was aware of the problem and checking my computer with my automatic scans. But, I wanted to double check anyway. I went to the site the FBI set up thru the private company: The DNS Changer Working Group (DCWG) I clicked Detect, then chose the English URL maintained by the DCWG.

DNS Changer Check-Up

I was happy to get the clean bill of health, until I read the paragraph below it …

“Had your computer been infected with DNS changer malware you would have seen a red background. Please note, however, that if your ISP is redirecting DNS traffic for its customers you would have reached this site even though you are infected.”

I decided to dig a little deeper for assurance that my computer is not infected with the DNS Changer malicious software. According to PC World’s article, Protect Yourself From DNSChanger, I could manually check my server. I followed the directions there and checked my DNS server at the FBI’s site. The result:

“Your IP is not configured to use the rogue DNS servers.”

Now, I’m reasonably convinced that I won’t have a problem tomorrow. But, without checking, I wouldn’t have known.


Did you know about the DNS Changer malicious software?
Did you check your computer?
What results did you get?
Leave a comment with your experience.

Marilyn Kvasnok

Commercial Overload

VitaMeataVegaminAds and commercials are more prevalent than ever. I remember reading that at some point, commercials will be incorporated right into TV programs. And to some extent they are. I’m guessing that companies must pay big bucks to have a can of Coke or a box of Tide visible in a movie.

I’ve noticed that on the local news and The Weather Channel, the forcast is brought to you by XYZ company. And often there’s a company logo somewhere on the screen.

I’ve gotten used to waiting for a commercial before I view a video online. I don’t like it and I try not to watch it. But, I can’t figure out how to get around it.

Today, I found a new way for companies to advertise. I entered my username and password to login to a site. Then, I had to “please verify you are human by following the instructions in the below graphic.” Below the instruction was an image with an ad. The captcha code was at the bottom of the image. And to add insult to injury, the captcha code pertained to the ad. But, at least I could read it. Some of the captcha codes are so cryptic, they’re impossible to interpret.

So, what’s next? We’re being bombarded with ads everywhere we look. And maybe we don’t even consciously see every ad. Do you ever wonder why you grab one product off the shelf instead of another? Could it be the subliminal effect of all this advertising?

What have you noticed about advertising today? Leave a comment with the most clever … or the most annoying advertising you’ve seen.

Marilyn Kvasnok

 

 

Glass Straws

I’m always looking for ways to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. So, I was thrilled to find a website selling glass straws. What a great idea!

Glass StrawAnd right now, you can get one for free. Just write a short essay 100-200 words or create a short YouTube video and email it to Glass Dharma by Earth Day, April 22, 2012. The first 1,000 entries will receive a free Glass Dharma glass straw.

I just got mine and I love it already. I was concerned that it would be fragile. Maybe it wouldn’t even survive the shipping. But, you can see from the image that it was very well packed in biodegradable paper … no plastic. And the glass straw is thick and heavy. It’s not going to easily break.

Look close at the photo. The glass straw is in front of the brown box.

The straw was in a long, narrow cardboard box. That box fit into the larger, white box. Also included in the box was a coupon for 15% off to “expand your personal straw collection.”

Why would I need more than one? Browsing thru the Glass Dharma catalog, I learned why I would want others.

• One for each family member.

• Great gift idea.

• They come in different diameters.

• Colored dots make glass straws look festive, color code your drinks and keep the straw from rolling.

Glass Straws with a Bend Glass Straw Diameters Glass Straws with Dots

If you need ideas for your essay, here’s what I wrote …

I love glass straws because they fit right into my lifestyle.I’ve gone from green thumb to living green. After spending 20 years of summers out in the yard – planting flowers and vegetables, watering, weeding and reaping the harvest – I’m now going green with the realization that we need to take care of ourselves, our families and the earth.

So, now I’m into a more natural lifestyle. It didn’t happen overnight. It was a series of little changes that added up to a healthy lifestyle. And it doesn’t stop here. I continue to reevaluate and make little changes. So, it’s true, the only constant is change.

I now recycle more than half of what I throw away. I use very little disposables, like paper towels and plastic wrap. And I’m looking for ways to eliminate even more of what I send to the landfill.

Glass straws are a great idea. One paper or plastic straw in the landfill is insignificant. But imagine if EVERYONE used glass straws! I’m looking forward to getting mine and telling everyone I know. Changing the world, one glass straw at a time!

Marilyn Kvasnok

Ready to enter?
All the details are at: 1000 Free Glass Straws for Earth Day 2012

Have you ever used a glass straw?
Did you enter an essay to get one of 1,000 free glass straws?
Leave a comment with your glass straw experience.

Marilyn Kvasnok

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