The future is now!
Thomas Edison:
“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.
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Every new discovery of bacteria shows us all the more convincingly that we have been wrong and that the million tons of stuff we have taken was all useless.
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“Surgery, diet, antiseptics — these three are the vital things of the future in preserving the health of humanity. There were never so many able, active minds at work on the problems of diseases as now, and all their discoveries are tending to the simple truth — that you can’t improve on nature.”
How timely now are those quotes that Thomas Edison spoke in the early 1900's. Dating back to 1902 and early 1903 several newspapers reprinted Edison’s predictions for the upcoming year. [1] It is certainly important to understand his statements in the context of the "medicine" of his time, but the statements still hold true today as we see more and more research devoted to the extremely important value of "food as medicine" and we have Hipocrates to thank for the very, very well known quote:
Hippocrates:
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
Putting it into practice, making it count:
There are undeniably core foundational ideas that I recommend to my clients that can have a huge impact on changing in how we nourish ourselves if we are willing to apply the following simple ideas to the seemingly challenging question "What should I eat?"
#1 First and foremost... Eat organic:
It really is valuable to commit to eating organic when ever possible, and at the very least avoid the foods shown here unless they are organic also known as "The Dirty Dozen".
Every year the EWG (Environmental Working Group) provides a list and it is always one to check with to know how to prioritize your shopping choices.
We have all heard the harmful effects that glyphosate has had on agriculture practices and the genetic modification of seeds that it's use requires. The most serious impact is the disruption of the gut microbiome which is our bodies first line of defense and protection from the external pathogens that can enter our body. But there is the undeniable increased risk of cancer that was proven in the very public lawsuit brought against Monsanto.
#2 Eat as local as possible:
I realize that not everyone who reads this blog will have a farm belt of readily available organic produce easily accessible to them but here in California there is no excuse. There are amazing farmers that offer CSA shares (Community Sustainable Agriculture) and we are blessed with wonderful Farmer‘s Markets throughout the state. If you are unsure of the closest and best option for you you can look it up here:
#3 Build your menu around plants:
To get the necessary micronutrients that we need for optimally functioning physiology we need a variety of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and then we can add as "condiments" clean, respectfully raised and prepared animal proteins. I already touched on the health benefits of this principle so check out "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!"
#4 Eat foods that are in season
There is irrefutable wisdom to the fact that what is locally able to grow and thus available to eat at any specific given time of year is the best foods to be nourishing our bodies with. Here is an amazing Seasonal Food Guide that will not only inspire you before heading to your local farmer's market but can also help you plan even your local grocery shopping by what is likely being sourced locally vs. what is certainly being imported in from regions that have different climate then we may have locally.
#5 Eat primarily unprocessed:
This one is probably the easiest, as if it's in a box, can, bag, or has ingredients that read like a chemical cocktail then you should limit or avoid it all together. There are certainly organic foods that come in shelf stable packaging but alway check ingredient labels! I was shocked when I started paying attention and realized that there were so many foods, especially canned foods that had the added ingredient of sugar! even beans... yes that is right canned Plain unflavored beans that had sugar as an ingredient! No Thank You!!
What supplements should I be taking right now?
I have devoted the large majority of the last two weeks to finding proven nutritional resources that are showing their very specific value to our over all health. This specifically includes the support needed for the optimal function and protection that our immune system provides when our bodies are properly nourished.
My blog post "Solutions for now... Solutions for life" was my response to these inquiries and so far all the resources recommended on that post have proved valuable. And the best source for these nutrients come from our daily intake of fresh fruits, vegetable, seeds, nuts, and healthy proteins.
These recommendations included: Vit-C, Vit-D3, Zinc, and the little known benefit of nitrate rich beets.
My first response to the real threat for not only the seasonal cold and flu but also coronavirus was to write "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!" where I also highlighted the virus health policy information found on website resources from local and national health officials. I also highlighted that there were things that every one could begin to focus on that had solid scientific evidence for their efficacy for not just their benefit to our health and well being but also their support of our immune system.
These recommendations included: Sunshine, Plant Based nutrition, Sleep, to name just a few valuable lifestyle shifts and resources that were timely and important.
The real truth...
Sometimes the simplest things are not only the most important to do, but also the most valuable to do. Simple doesn't mean easy because health habits require intention and commitment. It is often about starting out every day with a renewed commitment and acceptance of the fact that we are the only ones responsible for our health. It is about looking beyond the "knee jerk" quick fix that will "boost the immune system" With a magic bullet that may be promoted right now. It is about stepping back and realizing that our immune system functions the best when we take care of our complete health and well being from top to bottom from inside to outside. Your best chance of remaining healthy and the best chance your body has to sur-thrive-ing (not just surviving but thriving) should it be exposed to the current or any future virus... is to consider the status of our health as a whole.
Because here's the real truth... there is not a single supplement in the world that will fix your bad health habits, only you can make the choices that will transform your health.
To boost or not to boost... that is the question!?!
There has been much talk about "immune tonics" and I have received calls and questions about for which are best from many clients. I have encouraged those who have reached out to consider all suggestions with care and to use these supplements right now in with very careful moderation. Over activation of immune responses in the body is a real concern with not just CoV-2 but SARS, and MERS. This is not because these substances are bad, but because the way our body responds to these types of viruses can be bad!!
So far there are 3 supplements that I feel remain completely safe and valuable standouts for me. They are able to be found as whole plant sourced resources and include 1) Vit-C with one of the best sources being CamuCamu fruit, 2) Zinc with the best plant based source with the highest amount being Pumpkin seeds, and 3) the amazing blue green algae known as Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA. You can read more about this last nutritional resource with links for where to buy them in my blog post "The perfect food... Full of Love, Full of Life!" But for those of you local I have it in stock now.
So, If you want to know what I have added to my personal health resources not just for now but for long term here they are pictured below. In addition while my daily routine has completely shifted while I am currently at home... I have also made a personal health habit commitment to take regular mid day walks at peak sun times, and I have set up my temporary home office at my dinning room table where I get sunlight streaming in all day long for the free beneficial properties of UVB to produce Vit-D.
For a very limited time I am offering these 2 supplements that I currently have in stock at a special discount. As I am bound by a resale agreement so please contact me directly for pricing. I will providing front doorstep delivery for free within a 20 mile radius of my office in Los Gatos for anyone local who is interested in having these resources in hand ASAP.
• VM: 408-490-0308 or
• Email: info@cultivatedhealht.com
Health is in your hands... Cultivate it!
To mask or not to mask... That is the question!?!
One final note... There has been a lot of discussion, confusion, and frustration around the just the availability but also the use of properly fitted protective face masks, and their value in protecting us from contracting and spreading the virus. Like many of you I have been disappointed with the information and availability of this resources for our first line responders and healthcare professionals along side you all as well. In response to this I have 2 things that my research has brought me to that are worth considering for what we can do at home if we have a sewing machine and why it matters.
Why we should all wear masks - Is there scientific rationale?
How to make the best face mask with the household resources you may have:
A doctor explains how to make the safest face mask
References:
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