Cocoa powder and spirulina could prevent senile dementia

Raw Chocolate Spirulina balls

Whenever you crave chocolate, make these nutritious Spirulina balls: they are ready in ten minutes and taste delicious.  Feel energized and happy.

TOOLS

A bowl and a spatula

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 C of hemp seeds
• 1/2 C cocoa powder
• 2 TBSP spirulina
• 1 TBSP tocotrienols (optional but delicious!)
• 2 TBSP coconut oil
• 3 TBSP organic, raw honey (soft is easier)
• Pinch of Celtic sea salt (fine)
• 1 inside of a vanilla bean or 1 tsp bio vanilla bean powder, or 1 tsp.  of extract

THE MAKING OF

• Mix all the ingredients
• Roll them into little balls
• Freeze for about 15 minutes 

If you're consuming both cocoa powder and spirulina, you may consider how it could protect you from diminishing memory, cognitive decline and other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's, as you age. And that's not all. The positive cardiovascular effects of these two superfoods are also substantial.

The Oasis of Hope Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico, has offered a medical hypothesis based on the medical literature of both superfoods. No actual studies were performed, but many existing studies were analyzed for the scientific foundation of their hypothesis.

This research group also suggested that adding cocoa to spirulina is a good way to disguise the taste and smell of spirulina in addition to compounding its health benefits.

- cocoa powder can be consumed separately but within the same time frame as spirulina. Some prefer adding cocoa powder to their coffee.

The basis of Oasis of Hope's medical hypothesis

Their first observation concerned the Kuna Indians of Panama who consume large amounts of cocoa. They have an almost nonexistent level of hypertension (high blood pressure) and suffer hardly any strokes despite salting their foods profusely.

Could it be that the salt and high blood pressure connection is flawed?

A year or so ago, the European Food Safety Authority, the EU's equivalent to the American FDA but perhaps not quite as corrupt, officially confirmed that dark chocolate and cocoa products could be promoted as supporting cardiovascular health with increased blood flow.

In addition to proven cardiovascular health and lowered blood pressure, studies have demonstrated cocoa's ability to improve cognitive function. An Italian university recently used 90 subjects to determine improved cognitive and memory function among those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

MCI could be considered a precursor or early warning stage of dementia and Alzheimer's. It involves thinking difficulties with daily activities and memory problems but isn't yet considered dementia according to the Alzheimer's Society UK site. It's been observed that MCI sufferers often go on to develop dementia or Alzheimer's.

So this level of impaired memory and mental acumen shouldn't be taken lightly. This is the time to start adding cocoa powder beverages, high-cocoa content dark chocolates with minimal sugar and milk combined with the hypothetically suggested spirulina.

Spirulina is a cyanobacterium that has been demonstrated in several Asian rodent studies to reduce inflammatory markers with its high level of phycocyanobilin, a proven inhibitor of vascular and cellular oxidative stress.

The authors of this medical hypothesis claim that adding cocoa's high flavanol antioxidant content encourages nitric oxide production, which enhances vascular flexibility and strength throughout the body, including the arteries and blood vessels of the brain.

Declining cardiovascular and brain health are two major aging crisis scenarios. This medical hypothesis offers what many like to call an anti-aging solution.

Other MCI reversal and dementia protective tips

Let's not forget the role of pure cold-pressed virgin coconut oil for avoiding or reversing dementia. It's been empirically demonstrated to reverse even late stage Alzheimer's.

The medium-chain triglycerides of coconut oil are easily metabolized, instead of stored as fat, to create ketones that oxygen-starved, damaged brain cells can use for energy.

Ayurveda herbs such as brahmi, or bacopa, and gotu kola have centuries-old empirical evidence of improving MCI to prevent full blown dementia. They are inexpensive in powdered forms purchased online or from Ayurveda clinics.

Dementia is an expanding epidemic. Alzheimer's can be tragically disabling and even fatal. But early natural preventions are abundantly available.

Sources for this article include:

http://ravishingraw.com


http://science.naturalnews.com

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.cbsnews.com

http://newsroom.heart.org

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk

Easy Elixirs

Cinnamon-Coconut Oil-Honey Elixir:

This winter, I keep reading about the benefits of cinnamon, raw honey and coconut oil for the immune system.

Cinnamon is said to relieve congestion, stimulate circulation, be anti-inflammatory and is also a anti-microbial agent that kills bacteria.

Coconut oil has myriad benefits.  It and raw honey (honey that has not been pasteurized) has powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and can strengthen the immune system.

I thought, why not mix these goodies all together and have it on hand this winter!  We take spoonfuls of this almost every day.  This is a super simple recipe and tastes delicious!

Ingredients and Method (8 ounce jar):

• Mix equal parts coconut oil and raw honey together.  (I used  mixer, but you could do this by hand.  Just be sure your coconut oil is slightly warm so it will mix well).
• Add cinnamon.  I added 1 tbsp cinnamon to an 8 oz. jar. (*update: you can add more or less cinnamon depending on your taste preferences)
• Please note, if this melts, the coconut oil and honey will separate.  No big deal…just give it a stir!

Honey-Lemon-Ginger ‘Tea’:

I saw a similar recipe (honey/lemon ‘tea) earlier this year on Pinterest.  

In addition to the benefits of raw honey mentioned above, raw honey is also very soothing for the throat and if the honey is local can be helpful for seasonal allergies.

Ginger is very helpful for stomach upset as well as boosts the immune system and protects against bacteria and virus.

Lemons are high in vitamin C and phytonutrients and are anti-bacterial.

Ingredients and Method (16 ounce jar)

• Fill a jar with sliced organic lemons.
• Add approximately 2-4 tbsp chopped fresh ginger.
• Fill the jar with raw honey.
• Store in refrigerator.
• Scoop 1-3 tbsp into hot water and drink like a tea.

http://ohlardy.com/

Fermented ginger carrots

Lacto-Fermented Ginger Carrots

Ingredients

• 4-8 organic carrots (depending on size)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 inch fresh gingerroot
• 1/4 cup water kefir (liquid, not grains that has completed fermentation)
• 2 cups saltwater brine (6 TBS fine or 9 TBS course salt per 8 cups water)

Instructions

1. Peel, (halve to fit in jar if necessary) and slice carrots lengthwise into quarter sticks.
2. Halve garlic cloves.
3. Peel and slice ginger into 1/4 inch pieces.
4. Add garlic and ginger to jar, followed by carrots. Leave 1 inch headspace in jar.
5. Add water kefir and brine to 1 inch under the rim of the jar.
6. Lid jar.
7. Leave on countertop for 5-7 days then refrigerate.

Raw Energy Cookies

  Raw Energy Cookies

10 count

• 1 cup of raw pecans (soaked overnight)
• 1 cup of raw walnuts (or any of your favourite nuts) -soaked
• 1/2  cup of Madjool dates
• 1/4 cup of Goji berries (or dried fruit of your choice) I soak my Goji’s for about 1/2 an hour
• pinch of all spice or cinnamon
• pinch of raw salt

Drain, rinse and dry the nuts with paper towel – place all of your ingredients in a high speed blender or processor – pulse several times and scrape down the sides a couple of times to get an even mix, then continue to process until the mix is sticking together.

Place on your board and form your shapes – you can roll out between pieces of wax paper and use cutters or roll into small balls, whatever you like. 

At this point I like to put mine in my dehydrator for a little while, about 1/2 hour just because I like them a little more like biscuits than chewy, but it is not necessary, you can just place in the fridge while you prepare your chocolate topping.

No Dehydrator ?

You can put your oven on while making these and then turn off – put your Raw Energy Cookies in aWarm oven just for a little while. 

Choc Coating

I decided to use a chocolate icing/frosting – if you want more of a biscuit chocolate coating, Just melt some raw choc in a bain marie and add agave to taste and coat your cookies.

Choc Frosting

• 1/2  avocado
• 2 tsp cacao powder or a few pieces of melted 90% chocolate
• 2 tbsp agave
• 1 tsp vanilla extract *optional
• pinch salt
• pinch cinnamon * optional

If using chocolate, melt in a Bain Marie and add to other ingredients, otherwise add all ingredients to blender or mixer, I used a small blender for this - whiz up until smooth and spread on your Raw Energy Cookies that’s it!

Place your raw energy cookies in the fridge for an hour or so and Voilà!

Cacao is an awesome super food – the ultimate happy food – and Avocado - a complete food and completely misunderstood – it should be labelled a super food – oh, and it makes our chocolate frosting very smooth and creamy. Blueberries – amazing antioxidants.

http://rawfoodenergybenefits.com

Adaptogens and Cortisol

Cortisol is also known as the aging hormone. When cortisol gets too high it puts you into a “fight or flight” response which stimulates your sympathetic nervous system and your adrenal glands. When this occurs there is a decrease in your digestive secretions and a increase in blood pressure. This puts your body in a state of constant stress which will burn out your adrenal glands, stress your digestive tract, and cause you to age more rapidly. So if you want to look younger, feel younger, and be healthy you must get your cortisol levels balanced.

Side effects of chronically elevated cortisol can include:

• Anxiety
• Auto-immune diseases
• Cancer
• Chronic Fatigue
• Common Cold
• Hormone Imbalance
• Irritable Bowel Disease
• Thyroid Conditions
• Weight Loss Resistance

So what can help us adapt to stress and lower cortisol? Adaptogens…

What Are Adaptogens?
Phytotherapy refers to the use of plants for their healing abilities. Adaptogens are a unique class of healing plants: they help balance, restore and protect the body. As naturopath Edward Wallace explains, an adaptogen doesn’t have a specific action: it helps you respond to any influence or stressor, normalizing your physiological functions.

Naturopath Marcelle Pick of Women to Women reports that adaptogenic herbs can recharge your adrenal glands, helping you to respond to stress. Adaptogens include ashwaganda, astragalus, ginseng, licorice root, holy basil some mushrooms and rhodiola. According to Whiticomb, there are 16 proven adaptogenic herbs.

 Ginseng the most well-known adaptogen and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) is considered the most potent. According to Wallace, research has validated Asian ginseng’s use for improving mental performance and your ability to withstand stress. This red ginseng also has antioxidant effects, antidepressant effects, and can help lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

There are a number of adaptogens referred to as ginsengs that aren’t technically ginsengs but have similar composition or effects.

Holy Basil, also called Tulsi, is known in India as the “elixir of anti-aging”. Preliminary studies suggest that it can help you fight fatigue and stress, boost your immune system, and regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and hormone levels.

Ashwagandha is often referred to as Indian ginseng. Often used in Ayurvedic medicine, ashwaganda regulates the immune system and eases anxiety. Ashwaganda has been used in eastern medicine for over 2,500 years and has immuno-modulating effects that boost your immune system and aid the body in lower cortisol levels.

Astragalus root is used in Chinese medicine. It boosts immunity and buffers the effects of stress. It increases the amount of anti-stress compounds our bodies use to repair and prevent stress-related damage. It may also reduce the ability of stress hormones like cortisol to bind to receptors.

Licorice root can increase energy and endurance, boost the immune system and protect the thymus from being damaged by cortisol but its use requires professional supervision because of how it may affect blood pressure.

Rhodiola (rhodiola rosea), or golden root, is a potent adaptogen that has been the focus of much research. Rhodiola provides a buffer to stress-related mental and physical fatigue. According to Whiticomb, Rhodiola was used by Russian cosmonauts, athletes and military personnel and years of study have begun to uncover the very mechanisms by which it acts as an adaptogen.

Rhodiola contains a phytochemical known as salisdroside. This component helps combat anxiety and aging. Rhodiola suppresses the production of cortisol and increases levels of stress-resistant proteins. Studies have found that it restores normal patterns of eating and sleeping after stress, combats mental and physical fatigue, protects against oxidative stress, heat stress, radiation and exposure to toxic chemicals. Rhodiola protects the heart and liver, increases use of oxygen, improves memory and may extend longevity. Also, new research proves it is also effective in weight loss.

Cordyceps, Reishi, Shiitake,and Maitake mushrooms are funguses with antioxidant properties. They may not be adaptogens in the classic sense, but each has adaptogenic, antitumor, and immune-enhancing properties. Learn more about the benefits of mushrooms in “Disease Fighting Mushrooms.”

Eating well, getting proper rest, staying active, writing down what you’re grateful for and maintaining social connection will all help protect you from chronic stress. Adding adaptogens to your routine can make you even more resilient to the damaging effects of high cortisol levels.

Dr. Axe’s Key Points

1. Chronic stress can affect every physiological and psychological system.
2. Adaptogens balance and restore the body.
3. You can increase your capacity to deal with stress and improve your mental and physical performance with the use of adaptogens.

Sources
Marcelle Pick, “Natural Treatments for Adrenal Imbalance — Restoring the Energy You Thought Was Lost,” Women to Women, Last modified April, 14, 2011,

http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalhealth/naturaltreatments-adrenalfatigue.aspx

Edward Wallace, “Adaptogenic Herbs: Nature’s Solution to Stress,” Chiropractic Resource Association, http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/FULL/Adaptogenic_Herbs.shtml

Jan Whiticomb, “Reducing the Risks of High Cortisol,” Life Extension Foundation, September 2011, http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2011/sep2011_Reducing-the-Risks-of-High-Cortisol_01.htm

Marcelle Pick, “Eating to Support Your Adrenal Glands — Small Choices Can Make a Difference,” Women to Women, Updated July 17, 2012, http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalhealth/adrenalglandfunction-nutrition.aspx

Raw Blueberry Cobbler with Cream

Ingredients:

3 cups fresh blueberries

1 and 1/2 cups really raw cashews

1/2 cup macadamia nuts

1 young coconut

1/8th cup olive oil

1/2 teaspoon Celtic Sea Salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

4 Medjool dates, pitted

1/4 cup sweetener

Directions:

- Place the cashews in a Vitamix and blend to a really fine powder.

- Place the powdered cashews into a food processor with the dates, a tablespoon of olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of Celtic sea salt, two tablespoons sweetener (agave, honey or maple syrup).

- Place the mixed up cashew powder in a bowl

- Place two cups of blueberries in the food processor and lightly chop them up but do not overdo it. We want each berry to be maybe just approximately cut in half for texture.

 - Take one cup of blueberries and place in the Vitamix with the rest of the sweetener, the olive oil, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Add a dash of Celtic sea salt and blend to liquify.

- Pour into the bowl with the cashew mix and the finely chopped blueberries and thoroughly mix.

Optional Macadamia Cream as a topping.

- Take 1/2 cup of Mac nuts and place in Vitamix with the water and the meat from one young coconut.

- Add two Medjool dates and a dash of Celtic sea salt.

- Blend to a fine cream texture.

- Tip: Don’t put all of the young coconut water in at one time. Add slowly until you get the texture of a thick decadent cream.

(There is no way around the endless debate of honey verses agave, and maple syrup.  Honey is raw but technically not vegan. Agave and maple syrup are technically vegan but not raw; they are heated up to thicken and concentrate them).

The amazing thing about this dessert is that even though it is every bit as rich as its cooked counterpart it will not make you fat, and it has enough nutrients to be a full meal instead of a tacked-on empty calorie dessert.

  by jadmin from - http://thegardendiet.com

Here is your Free Pass (Vrij Kaart) to the Light Spirit Beurs in Amsterdam Feb. 2

print this for free entry, trouble printing it? I will send it by email, just contact me at post@healthyeats.nl

Improving your life with fermented foods

Cultures around the world have been eating fermented food for centuries. The Germans have their fermented cabbage called sauerkraut and the Koreans have their version called kimichi. Scientific research is now starting to understand and document the enormous health benefits that eating these and other fermented foods have on our body.

Fermented foods are foods that have gone through a fermentation process during which organisms, (usually a lactobacillus bacteria) feed on the sugar and starch in the food and release lactic acid which helps to preserve the food and pre-digests it for easier absorption.

When we eat these foods we enjoy many different health promoting effects. The healthy bacteria in the food interacts with our own immune system which lines the wall of our intestines and helps offer a balancing effect to strengthen the immune system against infection and helps to reduce the inflammatory response that causes many different health issues such as eczema, dairy intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome and allergies just to name a few.

During the fermentation process the bacteria produce digestive enzymes this predigests the food and allows us to absorb the nutrients of the food more easily. This is important not only for improving our nutritional levels of vitamins and minerals but also to ensure that undigested food is not sitting around in our digestive tracts feeding unhealthy organisms such as candida and pathogenic bacteria.

The exact mechanism of how these healthy bacteria exert their many beneficial effects on our body is unknown but is likely due to correcting the intestinal pH levels, producing lactase, keeping the numbers of bad organisms down and interacting with the immunomodulatory cells within the gut that balance the immune response.

Many of us are unaware that we often only absorb a little of our food. This means that not only are we missing out on essential vitamins and minerals but the bad organisms living in our digestive tract are having a feeding frenzy and they dump lots of unwanted waste products into our intestinal blood stream adding to the inflammatory and acidic load on our bodies.

Consuming fermented foods will not only assist in providing healthy bacteria but will also help the body absorb the many important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in our food. The fermentation process is most effective when the food you are fermenting is as nutrient dense as possible which in turn will maximise the health benefits. There now exists many fermented superfood products that contain a range of impressive foods such as spirulina, dunaliella salina, and chia seeds. These provide not only the benefits of the bacteria and live enzymes but the health providing properties of the foods themselves with guaranteed absorption.

If I had to recommend the one greatest health promoting change to your diet it would be to include on a daily basis these fermented foods provided from the life giving wisdom of nature

http://themedicalsanctuary.com.au/

" Aging is slowed by inhibiting bad intestinal flora ' / 'Veroudering is te remmen via darmflora' (so keep eating and drinking your kefir and kimchi)

Aging is partly caused by the immune system losing its grip on the intestinal flora . In fruit flies it seems possible to stop this process.
The researchers from the University of Rochester in New York wrote about this in latest edition of Cell.
Recent research has shown that older people have a less diverse and less stable gut flora than younger adults. Whether these changes are a consequence of aging , or a cause, was not clear from those studies.
In ancient fruit flies , the number of intestinal bacteria appears to greatly increase. Thereby creating inflammation in the intestine, causing the fruit fly body harm . This appears to be due to the different aging processes in the intestinal cells that are activated.
This creates a vicious circle, the stress gene which suppresses immune cells controls the population of bacteria in a gentle way . In order to still keep the bacteria under control the body pulls the emergency brake: it produces inflammatory responses, which damage the tissue.
By activating the mild immune molecules, researchers were able to restore the balance in the gut and thereby inhibit aging.

'Veroudering is te remmen via darmflora'

Veroudering wordt deels veroorzaakt doordat het immuunsysteem de grip op de darmflora verliest. Bij fruitvliegen blijkt het mogelijk dit proces te stoppen.

Foto:  ANP

Dat schrijven de onderzoekers van de Universiteit van Rochester in New York in de nieuwste editie van Cell.

Uit recent onderzoek is gebleken dat ouderen een minder diverse en minder stabiele darmflora hebben dan jongere volwassenen. Of deze veranderingen een gevolg van veroudering zijn of een oorzaak, werd uit die studies niet duidelijk.

Bij oude fruitvliegen blijkt het aantal darmbacteriën sterk toe te nemen. Daardoor ontstaan er ontstekingen in de darm, die het fruitvliegenlijf aantasten. Dit blijkt te komen doordat andere verouderingsprocessen in darmcellen een specifiek stress-gen hebben ingeschakeld.  

Cirkel

Hierdoor ontstaat een vicieuze cirkel: het stress-gen onderdrukt immuuncellen die de bacteriepopulatie op een milde manier controleren. Om die bacteriën alsnog in bedwang te houden, trekt het lichaam aan de noodrem: het produceert ontstekingsreacties, waarbij weefsels beschadigen.

Door de milde afweermoleculen extra te activeren, wisten de onderzoekers de balans in de darmen te herstellen, de ontstekingen en daarmee de veroudering te remmen. Dit proces is in de toekomst bij mensen mogelijk met medicijnen na te bootsen.

Van fruitvliegen is bekend dat hun levensduur sterk kan variëren onder invloed van omgevingsinvloeden. Bij de mens zijn deze effecten veel minder dramatisch. Daar staat tegenover dat er bij de mens nog een factor is die de darmflora bij ouderen sterk kan veranderen: medicijngebruik. De invloed daarvan is nog niet goed bestudeerd.

Door: NU.nl/Jop de Vrieze

http://www.nu.nl/wetenschap/3678868/veroudering-remmen-via-darmflora.html

Cell, Volume 156, Issue 1 and 2, 109-122, 16 January 2014

http://www.cell.com/retrieve/pii/S0092867413015870

Non-toxic Deodorant Recipe

Easy Homemade Non-toxic Deodorant Recipe for Sensitive Skin
Ingredients
6 Tbsp Arrowroot Powder
3 Tbsp Shea Butter (I adapt this to other butters or none at all, it will be less creamy)
2 Tbsp Coconut Oil
1 Tbsp Baking Soda
2 Tbsp Bentonite Clay
10 drops of the essential oil of your choice

Directions

Add the shea butter and coconut oil to a stand mixer and whip it until incorporated. Turn down to low and slowly pour in the essential oil.

Meanwhile, in a separate small bowl, mix together your dry ingredients.

With your stand mixer on low, add 1/3 of your dry ingredients. Mix until incorporated and push down the sides as necessary. Then add another third of your dry ingredients and mix until incorporated. Then add the last of your dry ingredients. You should now have what appears to be little bits of dough in the bowl. Scoop the mixture out and roll into a ball like you are working with play dough. Then press into an airtight glass jar and store away from direct sunlight.

Apply a tiny pea sized amount to both underarms for all day protection.

adapted from: www.homemademommy.net

FREE passes contact post@healthyeats.nl for LIGHT SPIRIT BEURS IN AMSTERDAM

For FREE passes contact post@healthyeats.nl

raw chocolate chia seed coconut cookies

Join us for some raw homemade coconut cookies with chia seed in chocolate, goji, and lemon, crackers, and truffles.  Superfood products, tinctures, and fermented foods. 

www.healthyeats.nl

http://www.lightspiritbeurs.nl/

Banana Nut Butter Snack

 Banana Hemp Seed Sushi Slices

Description

 Bananas pack a lot of easy to utilize carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and hemp seeds are one of the best plant-based sources for complete protein as well as omega fatty acids. There are many nut butters to choose from these days. 

Ingredients

1 - 2 tablespoon raw organic nut butter or try homemade nutella here is the recipe

1 organic banana

1 - 2 tablespoon organic hemp seeds

Methods/steps

1) Peel banana and spread nut butter over the top half of the banana.

2) Sprinkle hemp seeds on top and slice into bite-sized pieces.

Enjoy!

 adapted from http://thehealthyfamilyandhome.com/