Natural Family Recipes Blog

You are what you eat, so eat well. A stupendous insight of civilizations past
has now been confirmed by today’s investigative, nutritional sciences. They
have shown that what was once called ‘The Doctrine of Signatures’ was
astoundingly correct. It now contends that every whole food has a pattern
that resembles a body organ or physiological function and that this pattern
acts as a signal or sign as to the benefit the food provides the eater. Here is
just a short list of examples of Whole Food Signatures.

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines
look just like the human eye…and science shows that carrots greatly
enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four
chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and
blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks
like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also
profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper
cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut
just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3
dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they
look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and more look just like bones. These foods
specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods
are 23% sodium. If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet the body
pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the
skeletal needs of the body.

Eggplant, Avocadoes and Pears target the health and function of the womb
and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today’s research
shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones,
sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. And how
profound is this? …. It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from
blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical
constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has
only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the
motility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to
overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic
index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.

Grapefruits, Oranges, and other citrus fruits look just like the mammary
glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the
movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like body cells. Today’s research shows that onions help clear
waste materials from all of the body cells They even produce tears which
wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.

- anonymous

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Whole foods are foods that are unprocessed or processed as little as possible. They are foods that are wholly unspoiled. Organic whole foods would indicate that no fertilizers or pesticides were used in the raising or growing of the product. Below are some advantages of whole foods versus the more conventional processed foods.

Once advantage of eating whole foods is that they are higher in fiber. Lack of fiber can lead to colon cancer, digestive problems, and numerous other health complications. Fresh fruits and vegetables have a cleansing effect on the colon. The fiber content helps get rid of waste matter from the colon and prevent toxins from building up. Processed foods may lack that all important fiber. As a result, a diet consisting of processed foods often leads to health conditions such as diverticulitis, constipation and blood toxicity among many others. 

A second advantage of a whole foods diet is a higher mineral and vitamin content. Processing strips foods of their minerals and vitamins. As a result, a person on a processed diet may experience malnutrition in spite of eating regularly. Furthermore, processed foods contain artificial chemicals used as preservatives. The reasoning behind this is that the chemicals used are in such small amounts that they don’t cause any harm. However, if you consume a processed diet all or most of time, these small amounts of chemicals add up in your body. When you add to that the lack of fiber, you have a body full of toxins and a breeding ground for bacteria and disease. A whole foods diet eliminates all these disease-causing factors.

Thirdly, organic whole foods are higher in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are essential for proper cell production and eliminating pathogens (microorganisms that can cause disease).  Examples of high anti-oxidant foods are all kinds of berries, dark green vegetables, apples, and beans. Processed foods loose most if not all their anti-oxidant properties.  It’s important to keep the body free of toxins as much as possible. If you’re fighting an illness, you don’t want to add more toxins to your body. It needs to concentrate on healing instead of protecting itself from added chemicals. Organic whole foods take this added stress away from your body. 

It’s important to understand that whole foods and organic foods are not the same. Whole foods are unprocessed but not necessarily organic. To obtain the maximum benefit, make sure you’re buying organic, whole foods.

In conclusion, if you want to provide your body with the adequate fiber, vitamins and minerals, and the necessary anti-oxidants, organic whole foods is the best option. You will spend more but will save in the end, as you will avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor. Best of all, a whole foods diet will help you feel your best and enjoy life with those you love.

Be sure to check out Nourishing Traditions.

Technorati Tags: whole foods, organic, processed, health, colon cancer, fiber

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1 cup cashews, chopped fine
1 cup almonds, chopped fine
1/2 cup raw honey
1/2 carob (you can also use cocoa if you prefer)
1 tsp sea salt
1 T. all natural vanilla flavoring
1 cup grated coconut

Warm honey by placing the jar in a bowl of hot water. Mix honey, carob or cocoa, salt and vanilla and mix well. You can either chop the nuts in a food processor or the blender. Process until finely chopped. Add coconut and pulse until blended. Place in bowl and add cocoa mixture, blending well.

Place greased wax or parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Spread mixture on top. Place in refrigerator until firm, typically several hours. Then form into balls, or cut into small squares. You can also use other nuts if you wish.

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A diet high in fiber can benefit your health in many ways.  Fiber keeps your digestive system working smoothly, helps move elimination and waste from the body and fiber is rich in vitamins and nutrients. An increased amount of fiber can also help you feel fuller longer, which is important if you’re watching your weight.

A study conducted at the Harvard School of Medicine found that men who consumed 12 grams of fiber a day were twice as likely to develop precancerous colon changes as men whose daily fiber intake was 30 grams or higher.  Scientist are not exactly sure why fiber can help reduce the risks of colon cancer but it is thought that insoluble fiber adds bulk to stools, which helps speed their transit through the intestines, leaving less time for carcinogenic changes.

Other studies have shown that adequate levels of fiber can also help against breast cancer, heart disease, digestive disorders, diabetes and obesity.  If you suffer from constipation, increasing your fiber content should help.  It also helps to drink adequate amounts of water daily to help the fiber through your system.

An easy way to start the day with an adequate amount of fiber is to have a fiber-rich breakfast cereal and some fruit.  Vegetables, beans and fruits are high in fiber and also many other important nutrients. Eating lots of fruit, vegetable and whole grain based salads will give you the fiber you need.

Now that you know all the benefits of adding fiber to your diet, here is an easy way to help you increase your fiber intake: 365 Salad Recipes!

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This is a slightly less sweet, healthier version of the classic 7 layer cookie bar.


1/2 stick organic butter or 1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup crushed whole grain crackers or graham crackers
1 bag organic chocolate chips
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped dried apricots or cranberries (or other dried fruit of choice)
1 cup organic milk
1 cup chopped walnuts

In a square or small oblong glass pan, melt the butter in the oven while it preheats
at 350. (Or pour in coconut oil.) Sprinkle cracker crumbs on top. Then sprinkle on
chocolate chips, coconut and dried fruit. Pour milk over top, then sprinkle on
nuts.

Bake for 20- 25 minutes.

Technorati Tags: 7 Layer Dessert Bar, Healthy, Coconut, Chocolate, organic

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Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. cumin
6 cups chicken broth
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups diced chicken (dark meat is best)
6 corn tortillas
cilantro
avocado, sliced

Olive oil
Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Directions:
In a heavy bottomed pan, warm 2 T. olive oil over low-medium and saute vegetables. Add seasonings and cook for another minute, then add broth, chicken and tomatoes. Cook until vegetables are soft.

Meanwhile slice corn tortillas into strips. Set half of the strips aside. Heat olive oil in a saucepan and fry the other half of the strips for a few seconds until crisp. Add to soup along with sliced avocado and cilantro
and serve. 

Vegetarians: Omit chicken. Use vegetable broth in place of chicken stock.

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You’ve probably heard a lot about antioxidants in recent years.  Don’t let this sudden interest fool you into thinking they’re just a fad or not important.  Antioxidants are a vital part of staying young and healthy.  Why?

First of all, we need to know what an antioxidant is.  During normal body processes, molecules called free radicals are produced in the body.  These are basically unstable atoms or molecules that desperately want to become stable.  They do this by stealing electrons from healthy cells, making them unstable and less healthy.  Antioxidants reverse this reaction, helping to keep the cells of our body healthy and functioning properly.

One of the most talked about effects of antioxidants is their anti aging properties.  As we age, we constantly copy our cells to replace them when they die.  Errors in copying occur and build up to form the aging process.  Free radicals can also interfere and have been shown to promote wrinkles, memory problems, weakness of the immune system, and reduced elasticity of tissue; all of which are associated with the aging process.  We can’t completely stop aging, but proper amounts of antioxidants can slow the process considerably.

Damage caused by these free radicals is also considered to be a cause of certain cancers.  Getting more antioxidants can reduce our risk for certain types of cancer, including cancer of the: stomach, prostate, colon, breast, bladder esophagus, pancreas, and possibly many more.  Besides cancer, antioxidants have been shown to help prevent other serious problems, such as: cardiovascular diseases, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and vision problems. It is likely that antioxidants can help prevent other diseases and disorders, but their full effects simply haven’t been studied yet.

Antioxidants prevent the oxidation of bad cholesterol. When this type of cholesterol oxidizes, it can attach to the walls of blood vessels causing heart disease.  This increases the risk for heart attack and stroke.  Oxidized cholesterol also contributes to the hardening of blood vessel walls increasing the risk of high blood pressure.  Antioxidants can help keep your heart and the rest of your circulatory system healthy. 

Another great benefit of antioxidants is that they help boost the immune system.  If you get sufficient levels of antioxidants, you’re not only less likely to get sick; it’s also easier for you to fight off diseases you may get.  Along these lines, antioxidants can also help you heal faster when you have an injury; large or small.

So what are you waiting for?  Today is the best day to start eating more fruits and veggies to get your antioxidants. Make it easy and simple with the 365 Salad Recipe Book!

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