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Posted in healthy body By TB Admin

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Posted in healthy body By TB Admin

"What are the absolute essentials? I mean, if I had to take, like, two things what would they be?!"

We get this a lot. And although people's bodies are very different and it is best to meet everyone's personal needs with specific remedies, 99% of the time we can give a blanket answer to this question. No one, no matter where they are in their health journey (or what other medications they may be taking) wouldn't benefit from a "greens" supplement and a good-quality oil. We've talked a lot about our Greens Mix, but haven't given due credit to the powerful results that come from adding an oil such as Fermented Cod Liver Oil to the diet.

We Need Oil

First of all, we need oil, or fats, to live. They store energy, pad internal organs, protect nerves and help keep our cell membranes supple and fluid so that they can easily absorb nutrients and release unwanted toxins. They act as fuel for our bodies and we simply can't run without oil.

But not just any oil will do. The car analogy is a bit overused, but it serves well in explaining the importance of getting good oils in your diet. Our bodies can be thought of as Rolls Royces or the Cadillacs of cars. Now would you fill your brand new Lamborghini up with cheap motor oil? I think not. It simply wouldn't run as well and, over time, could destroy the car.

It's the same with our bodies. God made us with intricate detail and mysterious complexity and that requires the best fuel available, not cheap oils found in fried foods, trans-fatty acids and the like. When we consume only these poor-quality fats, we'll run alright, but not well and not for long. Put simply, a diet made of only these bad oils can result in inflammation, skin problems, depression, heart disease, etc. On the other hand, a diet that incorporates good-quality oils can catapult your health to new realms. Let's look at some of the main benefits of adding an oil such as Fermented Cod Liver Oil to your diet...

Fermented Cod Liver Oil Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation is our body's healing response, but when it becomes chronic, issues can ensue. Inflammation of the GI tract, for instance, can eventually lead to colon cancer. Neurologists are even beginning to link the progression of Alzheimer's with excess inflammation. It can also be set off by stress, environmental factors, bacteria, viruses, etc. While thhere are a deluge of drugs on the market that fight inflammation, they tax the liver amongst many other side effects.

The good news is we can treat inflammation by adding certain oils, specifically omega-3s found in Fermented Cod Liver Oil to our diet. Leo Galland, an internist and founder of the Foundation for Integrated Medicine in New York City, has been touting the benefits of anti-inflammatory foods since the early 1980s. According to WebMD's "Good Fat, Bad Fat: The Facts About Omega-3", anti-inflammatory fats like omega-3s found in Fermented Cod Liver Oil work by encouraging the production of certain chemicals that fight inflammation.

Fermented Cod Liver Oil for Your Brain

The brain is made of 60% fat, most specifically DHA, an omega-3 long-chain fatty acid found abundantly in Cod Liver Oil. DHA is necessary for brain development and has been associated with optimal memory function, eyesight and positive mood. In fact, DHA is crucial for babies and may explain why breast-fed babies have higher IQ's than those fed formula without DHA.

DHA works phenomenally and therefore use often in the prevention and/or treatment of cognitive disorders ranging from ADD/ADHD to Alzheimer's. According to Omega-3 DHA and EPA for cognition, behavior and mood, published by the National Institute of Health, "In double-blind, randomized, controlled trials performed by the University of California, Berkeley, "DHA and EPA combinations have been shown to benefit attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia, and aggression. For the affective disorders, meta-analyses confirm benefits in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder, with promising results in schizophrenia and initial benefit for borderline personality disorder. Accelerated cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) correlate with lowered tissue levels of DHA/EPA, and supplementation has improved cognitive function." (I added bold to text)

"If you want to prevent learning disabilities in your children," said David Horrobin, distinguished medical and biochemical researcher, "feed them cod liver oil."

Fermented Cod Liver Oil for Your Skin

Still battling acne, anyone? If you're anything like me, breakouts happen. Vitamin A is essential in treating and preventing skin problems. In fact, Accutane is a very high dose of Vitamin A. The only problem is it's synthetic and does a number on your liver. Fermented Cod Liver Oil, on the other hand, contains more Vitamin A and D per unit weight than any other food. In fact, just a hundred grams of Fermented Cod Liver Oil provides almost three times more Vitamin A than beef liver, the next richest source.

Read one girl's humorous testimony on the benefits of Fermented Cod Liver Oil and skin as written in Canada's Beauty Editor.

Eat Out Much?

Because we're realistic and know that even the healthiest of eaters will still fall victim to the cheap oils found in the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.), we have good news for you. When you take Fermented Cod Liver Oil on a regular basis, your (very smart) body will uptake the good oil and release the bad. So, we highly recommend Fermented Cod Liver Oil for maintaining optimal health, but especially for those who eat out a lot, resulting in a diet more prone to cheap, inflammation-inducing oils like vegetable oil, safflower oil, canola oil, corn oil, etc.

Supplementing with Fermented Cod Liver Oil

While omega-3s can be found in fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, trout, sardines, and tuna, the quality of our fish just isn't what it used to be. That's why taking a high-quality fish oil like Fermented Cod Liver Oil is the way to go.

But, as we always say, it's all about the quality. Many Cod Liver Oils on the market are actually toxic as they come from less-than-reputable sources of fish. In addition, most supplement companies add binders, fillers, additives or other excipients during the manufacturing process in order to ease production and/or make the fish oil taste better. You want to avoid any oils that list other questionable ingredients.

So don't wait another day before you get your oil changed! Buy Fermented Cod Liver Oil now!

Sources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18072818

http://www.angelhealingcenter.com/Anti-InflammatoryDiet.html

www.webmd.com

Posted in healthy body By TB Admin

What goes better with a cold, rainy wintery day than a warm, delicious, healthy soup?! Personally, I'm craving simple, flavorful soups these days and can't seem to get enough! Paired with a couple of pieces of toasted Alvarado St. bread (with coconut oil and Pink Salt, of course!), they make the perfect lunch and dinner...and if you're anything like me, even breakfast! In fact, my husband and I are doing a winter semi-fast where we're trying to drink as much of our diet as possible...juices, smoothies and soups make up most of our meals and we feel absolutely fabulous.

So, per the request of many of you, I thought I'd share my oh-so-easy secrets to wonderful veggie soup concoctions! Will and I got a Vitamix for our wedding and it has been a complete life savior in these soup-making days. Only drawback is they are pretty expensive, so just a regular blender will work just fine. Just make sure the contents aren't super hot when placed in a plastic blender as the heat can activate the pthalates in the plastic, an ingredient these recipes do not call for!

Carrot-Ginger Soup*
2 tablespoons olive/coconut oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 cups veggie/chicken stock/purified water
1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into chunks (about 1 inch wide)
ginger to taste (freshly-grated and squeezed or powder)
Pink Salt and pepper to taste

*all organic, if possible

Heat skillet with oil and sautee onion and garlic for about 5 minutes. Add carrots and stock (or water) and bring to a boil. Cover and let simmer about 30 minutes. Wait for it to cool a bit, then puree in blender. Return to pot and add salt, pepper and ginger to taste. For an even easier recipe, throw the stock and all the veggies in the pot at the same time, bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Best part is that this freezes so well, so grab a glass jar and save some for next week...or month!

PEAsiest Soup Ever

1 bag organic frozen peas

1 medium organic onion, chopped into cubes

1 cup veggie/chicken broth or purified water

Pink Salt and pepper, to taste

This is my there-nothing-in-the-fridge, I'm-craving-something-sweet-and-warm go-to recipe. Chop the chopped onion into a pot with the broth/water and bring to a boil. Let simmer a few minutes untilt the onion is soft. Throw in frozen peas and let them soften. Blend mixture in a blender or hand-held immersion blender. Salt and pepper to taste and enjoy with toasted bread!

Roasted Cauliflower-Leek Soup*

2 tablespoons olive/coconut oil

1 medium head cauliflower, chopped

2 Leeks, white and light green parts only

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups veggie/chicken broth/purified water

Pink Salt and pepper, to taste

*all organic, if possible

Preheat oven to 425 F. Spread out chopped cauliflower, leeks and garlic on baking sheet and drizzle olive/coconut oil atop. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and mix everything together with hands. (May need to add more oil to coat well.) Roast in oven for about 40 minutes. You may need to toss them around half-way through. When done, veggies should be a bit brown and soft. Place veggies in pot with broth/water, bring to boil. Turn off heat and wait to cool before blending or use an immersion blender (hand-held stick blender) to puree. This soup is absolutely delectable, you'll think it's made with heavy cream like my husband did!

The beauty of these recipes is that you can interchange veggies as you please. Instead of carrots, use broccoli. Replace the cauliflower with butternut squash! Mix and match, get creative and eat all the soup your heart desires!

Posted in Delicious and Health Recipes - Three Branches Healthy Living - Recipes By TB Admin

We've talked about coconut oil in the past, but believe it's such a crucial ingredient in one's diet that we want to debrief you on the many, many benefits of this tasty oil.

Helps Burn Fat

Coconut oil is easily digested by the body and unlike other fats, which tend to be stored as fat, the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil are used by the body to produce energy, which stimulates the metabolism. Therefore, it increases the rate at which you burn calories.

Wonderful for Cooking

Used in cooking, coconut oil does not form harmful by-products when heated like other vegetable oils do. I've all but replaced olive oil with this delicious alternative because I've grown to crave the way it tastes! Also, you can keep it out at room temperature where it acts like a buttery paste, so it's easy to cook with or to even spread on toast. In fact, one of our favorite snacks is Alvarado Street bread, toasted with coconut oil and a sprinkle of Pink Salt. You'd be amazed at how tasty this healthy, simple snack really is!

Healing Properties

Coconut oil is extensively used in traditional medicine among Asian and Pacific populations. Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be a cure for all illness. It's beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps to prevent high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. It also reduces the incidence of injury in arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.

Perfect for Skin

Now for the fun part...skin care! Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin.  It also delays wrinkles and sagging of skin that normally becomes prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Therefore it forms the basic ingredient of various body care products such as soaps, lotions, creams, etc., used for skin care.

QUALITY IS KEY

The catch is that there are MANY coconut oils on the market. However, quality is the key. You want to find coconut oil that is 100% extra virgin and raw. Ours is unrefined Indian coconut oil, meticulously processed without heat, and, like our other supplements, contains no magnesium stearate (a toxic excipient), corn, milk, soy, salt, sugar, wheat, yeast, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. This way, it's so pure that the body can actually absorb and make use of coconut oil's many benefits listed below:

• Antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial
• Aids in weight loss – increases body metabolism
• Improves mineral absorption
• Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance
• Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose
• Reduces problems associated with mal-absorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis
• Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth
• Improves digestion and bowel function
• Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids
• Reduces inflammation
• Supports tissue healing and repair
• Supports and aids immune system function
• Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay
• Functions as a protective antioxidant
• Does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils
• Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation
• Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome
• Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections
• Helps to dissolve kidney stones
• Helps prevent liver disease
• Supports thyroid function
• Reduces symptoms associated with psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis
• Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin
• Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking
• Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots
• Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion
• Provides protection form damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation form the sun
• Anti Candida

Buy it Now!

So don't wait another day (or cook another meal!) without the best-quality coconut oil.

Posted in healthy body By TB Admin

This article, published in Time's health section just a few days back, just reconfirms what most of us are already well aware of: our bodies are laden with chemicals. But we do a double take when it comes to pregnant women as research has shown that these toxins are passed on from mother to child. This article states that almost a third of the chemicals that pregnant women are exposed to are found in their bloodstream.

How do we address this issue? Prudently avoid toxins found in our food, air, personal care products, etc. whenever possible. Read our article, Reducing Immune Stress: Where Do I Start? for more information.

The article follows...

By BONNIE ROCHMAN Friday, January 14, 2011

In addition to big bellies, pregnant women are toting around dozens of chemicals, including some that have been banned for decades and others used in flame retardants, sunscreens and non-stick cookware.

“We looked at data on 163 chemicals and found that many of them are present in virtually all pregnant women,” says Tracey Woodruff, director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF).

Woodruff counted the number of chemicals that pregnant women are exposed to and discovered that 43 of the 163 chemicals tracked were found in more than 99% of pregnant women. 

Those chemicals included polysyllabic tongue-twisters such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), phenols, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and perchlorate. Also found was benzophenone-3, an ingredient in sunscreen.

Some of the chemicals were found in concentrations that have been linked to problems with brain development in childhood and fertility concerns potential, according to Woodruff's research, which is being published today in Environmental Health Perspectives.

Woodruff crunched data on 268 pregnant women from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which collected blood and urine samples from participants in its National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004.

Bisphenol A (BPA), the controversial plastic-hardening chemical that baby bottle manufacturers have phased out in the wake of consumer protests — was found in 96% of the pregnant women. BPA, which is still used as a liner inside metal food and beverage cans, has been associated with hormonal disruption and adverse brain development. (More on Time.com: Study: BPA Exposure May Reduce Chances of IVF)

“We should be concerned about the number of chemicals pregnant women have in their bodies and we should we taking steps to find out what the implications are for exposure to multiple chemicals,” says Woodruff, who is also an associate professor in the UCSF Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences.

The U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 hasn't been updated since its creation, says Woodruff, which is reason enough to demand an overhaul. The law allows chemicals to be distributed in products without first being declared safe.

“If you go into a drugstore and buy shampoo, it can have chemicals in it that could be harmful,” says Woodruff. “We need to be re-examining the laws because chemicals are not being sufficiently tested and regulated.” (More on Time.com: Flame Retardants in Everyday Products May Be a Health Hazard, Scientists Say)

Until then, pregnant women can take some precautions to try to reduce their chemical exposure:

Eat a healthy diet low in fats. “Some of these chemicals like to hang out in fat,” says Woodruff.

Wash your hands throughout the day as dust can harbor chemicals.

Choose personal-care products wisely, opting for those with fewer, less toxic ingredients.

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/01/14/pregnant-women-awash-in-chemicals-is-that-bad-for-baby/print/#ixzz1BPCCGURy

Posted in healthy body By TB Admin

We hear many things about "detoxing", especially this time of year when people are desperately trying to shed the holiday "excess". I tend to get frustrated with detoxing advice, as most calls for drastic changes in the diet, regardless of the person's standard diet, exercise regimen and/or environmental exposures. All these things play a huge role in a person's ability to detoxify toxins successfully and safely because making changes too quickly can have dangerous side effects. When done incorrectly, toxins are "dumped" from the organs and connective tissues into the bloodstream at a higher rate than our detox organs (kidneys, liver, skin, lungs) can keep up with. Of course, when done correctly, detoxing can have unbelievably positive results. It can reverse sickness and disease! 

That's why I love this blog post on Gwenyth Paltrow's amazing blog, GOOP. She recommends a detox based on the sound advice of Dr. Alejandro Junger, the author of the new book Clean, which I highly suggest everyone reads. (I just bought a copy myself!) Junger advocates eating a clean diet and leading a clean lifestyle, even hitting up much-evaded topics like electromagnetic stress. It excites me to see a well-respected medical doctor address these issues head on! 

I love Gwenyth's deliciously simple and healthy recipes and beautiful pictures to go along with them! Read her post here. 

Check out the Clean Program here. 

Posted in healthy body By TB Admin

Nucleotideas are known as the building blocks of our DNA and RNA, which are the blueprints for every single cell in our bodies. They play an extremely important role in our cells the chemical structure that make up DNA and RNA, the roadmap for cells to know what their specific functions are.

Posted in healthy body By TB Admin

'Tis the season...for sickness! It's going around and if you're anything like the average American, you're just wondering when, not if, it's going to reach you! Why live in fear of getting sick when we have so much control over our own immune systems? Sure, we can't guarentee we won't come down with something, but we can take natural measure to assure maximum immune support that will not only leave us sick-free, but with vibrant energy and wellbeing instead!

During this season, we recommend everyone keep Nucleotide Complex handy. It's a must in the aresenal of cold- and flu-fighters. Nucleotides are natural building blocks and our cells contain trillions of them. However, they are depleted quickly when we get sick or are fighting infection and rebuilding critical supplies to meet the body's needs could take several days or even weeks. Fortunately, Swiss research has shown that taking nucleotides supplements can help stop colds and the flu in just one day, 96% of the time. When you feel something coming on, popping just a few Nucleotides can really nip it in the bud!

Vitamin C is another very powerful sickness-fighter. I mean, who hasn't heard that?! But, as with all supplements, you must be wary of the source of your Vitamin C as many available on the market contain binders, additives and fillers that interfere with maximum absorption. Even worse, most Vitamin C supplements aren't derived from food-based sources, but instead are manufactured synthetically in a lab. The Vitamin C we offer is derived from Camu-Camu berries, which is the richest source of natural Vitamin C on earth, wildcrafted from the Amazon rainforest.

So make sure your medicine cabinet contains these two powerful immune-building supplements. They can help prevent as well as help speed up the healing process. And don't forget about the little ones! Both Nucleotide Complex and Vitamin C Complex capsules can be opened and sprinkled into food or juice for children....or for adults, as well, who do not like to swallow capsules.

Posted in healthy body By TB Admin

In our opinion, ghee is extremely underused and we're intent on changing that, starting with this post! The #1 cooking oil in Indian cuisine, it's also known as "clarified butter". Ghee is made by simmering butter until three distinct layers form: a foarmy water-like substance on top, a solid butter layer and a milk solids layer. The middle, solid butterfat layer, is the "clarified" part, and the other two are removed. So, you can see that one of the wonderful benefits of ghee is that it's milk-free, perfect for lactose-intolerant consumers!

Ghee is free of hydrogenated oils, and high in saturated fat. Now, before you write this off as a bad thing, I'm going to digress for a bit. Saturated fat, despite propoganda and evey health article under the sun touting it as an "AVOID", has a plethora of benefits and shows up in food that is integral to a heart-healthy diet. That's, right, I said it, heart healthy. Take tropical inhabitants and their diets filled with fats from palm, coconut and cocoa, all very high in saturated fat. Most of them are lean and heart disease is virtually non-existant. Unfortunately, research has shown that when these native islanders move toward a more western diet, heart disease creeps in.

So what gives? I think it's time we point the finger at foods high in trans-fat, which raise levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol and lower good (HDL) cholesterol. They are also associated with inflammation which can lead to heart disease, stoke, diabetes, etc. Also, western diets are high in cheap vegetable oils (soy, cottonseed, corn oil, etc.) and lacking in heart-healthy omega-3's and -6's. Oh, and let's throw in stress...! So, to sum, don't let the high saturated-fat content of ghee turn us away, but instead consume it in moderation, especially if you already suffer from high cholsterol.

Using it ghee in moderation is easy because the more you cook it, the more the buttery flavor is released. It has a high boiling point, making it a wonderful cooking companion. 

Ok, but I saved the best for last. Ghee stimulates digestion by triggering the secretion of digestion-aiding acids. It's been used in India to treat ulcers and constipation and is even correlated with healthy eyes and skin. It's also high in antioxidants as well as increases the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Finally, ghee contains high amounts of butyric acid, a fatty acid with high anti-viral properties that's been shown to inhibit cancerous tumor growth.

Sold? Make your way to Whole Foods or your nearest health food store and pick up a jar of ghee. Although more expensive than regular butter, a little goes a long way, so it's well worth the high price!

Source: Ghee Nutrition: Benefits of the Indian Clarified Butter by Scott Kessman

Posted in healthy body By TB Admin