Children of the Corn

Can a mere name change hide the proverbial truth? Apparently the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) seem to think so, as they recently petitioned their good buddies at the F.D.A. for a name change for their "red headed stepchild" ..HFCS...a.k.a. high fructose corn syrup. They want to rename it corn sugar...why? Well, their reasoning is the consumer is confused by all the bad information out their from " hick" researchers at illustrious university's such as Tufts, who, by the way, specialize in nutrition, thus, making them confused about the entire subject. What I believe, is that the information out there is spot on and shines a light on a horrific frankenfood which has made its way into approximately 70 percent of supermarket convenience foods causing people to choose products without this sweetener. Basically, their pocketbook is being pinched and the Children of the Corn do not like it. It is ludicrous for them to feign empathy for the consumer when it is crystal clear that their profit margins are being encroached upon by the savvy shopper and that this is the sole reasoning behind the name change request!  I have utter disdain for one website in particular, which champions corn sugar; http://www.cornsugar.com/, there are supposed experts in the field of nutrition on this site, all of whom appear to be in the defensive mode, when fielding questions regarding corn sugar. The main theme of this site appears to be that corn sugar is metabolized the same way as other natural sweeteners by the body as there are exact ratios of glucose and fructose in corn sugar and all natural sweeteners....riiiiiight! The cous de gras of the entire diatribe regarding the relative benign status of corn sugar is summarized in the closing comments on the this site when their "expert" in nutrition states that all sweeteners, like all foods, need to be consumed in moderate doses by the populace!
Well, I hate to be the one to burst the corn sugar people's bubble and wake them up from their dreams of children with corn sugar lollipops dancing in their heads, but, the reality of the matter is that they are supporting the manufacturer of one of the unhealthiest food products to date, one which is directly contributing to a nation where two thirds of its people are obese or overweight as well as 8.3% of the population having Type II Diabetes or 25.8 million costing the U.S. approximately 174 billion annually (2007 data). This problem is compounding daily with many people throwing their hands to the wind and believing these health ailments are due to lack of activity and eating too much alone. However, the real reasons are more deep and complicated than that. We are lied to on a daily basis by major food producers regarding what is in our food supply and how it is effecting us. The fact that the Corn Refiners Association pays its nutritionists on their sponsored corn sugar site is a prime example of the white washing of the facts. High fructose corn syrup is a factory made substance and is six times sweeter than sugar....not the same as sugar or other natural sweeteners. There are genetically modified enzymes added to high fructose corn syrup which allows it to be altered chemically, changing the corn syrup compound, composed mainly of glucose to a mix of simple sugars. HFCS is manufactured to provide the same sweetness as sugar so the unknowing consumer can not tell the difference in taste. It is only high in fructose, and does not contain the same ratios of glucose and fructose as the CRA says! Glucose is the basic sugar that the body uses for energy and metabolism. It is one of the key building blocks of all carbohydrates and is often found as part of other slowly absorbed sugars found in beans and whole grains. Fructose is also one of those building blocks found in nature, where it is packaged with fiber and an abundance of other nutrients. Unfortunately, when fructose is processed into high fructose corn syrup, it is absorbed into the cells of the body more rapidly than natural sweeteners without any help! What this does is bypass the normal controls for appetite in the body, leading to a lack of fullness or "satiety"...leading to increased appetite and uncontrolled eating.

In summary, I am not telling anyone to go out and eat tons of regular sugar containing products, however, if you do have something sweet, make sure that it is a healthier snack. Also, start reading labels, and if you do not understand what you are reading, put the food down and walk away slowly, preferably to the produce aisle. Stick to the periphery of the store when shopping and invest in a cookbook or a cooking class or both. Knowledge is the only thing that will set you free and keep you healthy!

Is Common Courtesy Common at All?

Our world is developing into a dizzying array of multi taskers and zoned out electronic addicted zombies. Don't get me wrong, I too, love my computer, cell phone, although it it not the latest and greatest model, and LED T.V., however, I do miss good old fashioned conversation in person with another human being. I digress...anyways, I believe that approximately 99 percent of the rudeness which one encounters on a daily basis, can be traced back to the fact that people are genuinely not present in their daily encounters and this can largely be attributed to their lack of a solid foundation in etiquette as well as their dependence upon the utilization of electronics in their daily interface with others.  The recent unfolding disaster in Japan has shone a light on another side of humanity, one which used to be commonplace in the United States. The Japanese, despite being faced with loss of loved ones as well as a growing nuclear threat which could kill many, still exhibit a daily grace and selflessness, an example being the story of a 78 year old Japanese man who was portrayed on a local news channel rushing to clean his house, why? So he could then help his neighbor. When individuals from Japan, who are faced with possible death of themselves and the death of loved ones and such ultimate destruction, can put others before themselves, this behavior broaches sainthood in my opinion! In light of recent world events, I find myself wondering if it will take a disaster such as Japan's to wake us up to what really is most important in our lives. We surely have had plenty of homegrown disasters already, none of which appear to have brought the majority of us together.

Not long ago, showing courtesy was common...a social norm. Many social interactions were more enjoyable, or at the risk of sounding "trite" more authentic and original. Situations have seemed to flip-flop in the era we now live in, where any courtesy, or non drone-like behavior, is noted for its rarity, rather than its commonality. I am not trying to damn our entire populace, however, I am suggesting that we as humans, need to get out of our own little worlds, a.k.a. egos, and realize what a genuine social interaction is in fact. Surely, what it is not is...texting, face booking, tweeting, or driving like you are possessed by Dale Earnhardt's ghost to get to your next drab meeting, etc. By not developing our skills in the area of common courtesy, we are no longer considering how our actions impact others. The lack of courtesy as a value in one's life causes a person to operate on the basis of what is most convenient for them, for example, not allowing a person to cross a road in a cross walk when they have the right away, speaking on your cell phone while in the check-out lane in a supermarket, not saying please and thank you, the list is too long to mention and frankly, causes me to wonder what the hell is going on with humanity in general?

Many people, when faced with daily news of tragedy, such as Katrina, Christchurch and more recently, the Japanese disaster, do send donations...my question, is why does it take a disaster for people to respond? Why does an event have to be both catastrophic and pushed in the public's face in order for a response? 

I really think we all need to get back to the basics and to teach our young people the habits of courtesy. Why? Because manners and courtesy are essential in preventing the continued deterioration of modern society. Bad manners are expanding into many societal ills affecting us all on many levels such as: family, work, friendships, business and politics. It seems as if today's society regards courtesy as old fashioned and out-of-date. thus providing a rationalization for many people to behave rudely, thus, making interaction difficult and creating rifts amongst people. We all have the power individually to make a change as one person doing so creates a "ripple" effect of positivity in the world. I hope that at the very least, we become aware that our actions do affect others, especially during these huge times of planetary change.

Spring Cleaning Time is Fast Approaching!

To the majority of us, spring cleaning our houses is a "no-brainer" and is also viewed as a necessity as we want to clear the dust, cob webs, accumulated grime from our homes and leave the winter behind us. Although, many people are also realizing that they must do this with their body seasonally, especially in the spring, there are still people that are brainwashed by mainstream medical professionals into thinking the body is a self cleaning organism and no additional or external help is needed by the body in order for it to maintain homeostasis (balance). The fact is that nothing could be further from the truth! Especially during these toxic times we live in with fish kills, birds falling out of the sky, crop failures, massive earth quakes and consequent Tsunamis.

Most of our water, the main ingredient by which our bodies detox bad chemicals, is in fact, a major source of the very same chemicals that we are trying to detox, such as fluoride, chlorine, drug residue and up to 85,000 industrial chemical remnants which are now considered to be in our atmosphere/ground and water! The main detox organ is the liver, followed by the kidneys, lungs, colon, lymphatic system and skin. Toxins are ubiquitous in our bodies as well as our world. We breathe in toxins from our environment as well as ingest them from our food supply, as the further one eats up the food chain, the more toxins one is exposed to. I would suggest watching the film, Food Inc. to see first hand how "mass" market or commercial food is produced. After watching this movie, you will either become a vegetarian and/or pay closer attention to what you are eating! Internally, our bodies produce toxins via everyday functions. All of our biological daily functions produce what is called "free radicals" or biochemical toxins which if not eliminated properly, mainly by the liver, can irritate or inflame the tissues of the body by blocking the normal functioning of the body. It is becoming common knowledge, that the majority of  what ills our common society can be attributed to an underlying inflammatory condition in the general systems of the body. Almost everyone in modern society can benefit from periodic detoxification. There is currently a wealth of information regarding how to do so. In fact, cleansing is part of a trilogy of health as I like to think of it. The other parts of the trilogy being building and balancing the body as well. Individual lifestyle will provide the clues to when one needs to detox as detoxing is like a vacation for the overworked body. If you like to burn the proverbial candle at both ends 24/7, then I would recommend a quarterly detox geared specifically towards your body. Some key symptoms which indicate that a cleanse is necessary include but are not limited to: headache, fatigue, congestion, backaches, aching joints, digestive issues, allergy symptoms and chemical sensitivities.

It is suggested that most people at the very least do some kind of spring cleanse as most of us eat very heavy foods in the northern climates during the winter and the by products of this heavier diet needs to be cleansed from the body in order to prepare the body for warmer weather to come (or so we hope in the northern hemisphere)!

I would recommend starting your cleanse by drinking at least half of your body weight in purified water daily with the juice of a quarter of a lemon squeezed in the first glass of the day upon waking. I would suggest including a gentle cleansing supplement such as: milk thistle, artichoke, dandelion or turmeric...all helpful for liver cleansing..as well as increasing fiber intake, which must include both soluble fiber from fruits and vegetables as well as insoluble fiber, from whole grains, fruit skins, etc. Also, eliminate processed foods from your diet, sugar, caffeine and alcohol....I know, not fun...as I love my coffee and red wine, but, it is only for a short time and the results are worth it! I would suggest googling detoxification and choosing the program most appropriate for you. Some great books to get from the library or purchase from Amazon (used) are:" Fat Flush" from Ann Louise Gittleman and" The Detox Diet "from Elson M. Haas, M.D., etc. Our world is only going to get more toxic with a population approaching 7 billion and a reduction in funds for our Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S., so, it is only being proactive and smart to monitor your own health and pursue preventative measures. Do not wait until you develop cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. before you consider doing something right for your health. Being proactive and pursuing prevention is the best bet for all. I wish you well on your cleansing journey!

How Important is it to Find the "Right" Exercise?



We all live such sedentary daily lives, with most of us sitting 8-10 hours a day, that exercise has become a necessity. It does not, however, need to be drudgery as well. Most of us know that we feel better, look better, think better, etc. when we are physically fit, however, many people approach becoming fit with the same mindset they have while doing their taxes, or balancing their checkbook. The basic premise behind all of these activities is that a little pain for a period of time will produce the results desired and then one can go back to their lives...this may be why over 95 percent of the people that lose weight, gain all of it back and then some in a year after losing it! Those who are successful in maintaining a weight loss and their fitness levels, realize that they can not go back to their old lifestyles...ever. There are no quick fixes regarding weight maintenance, fitness and eating well. There are four common behaviors amongst those who have kept weight off:  eating breakfast daily, maintaining the proper ratios of fats/proteins/carbohydrates in daily diet, monitoring weight frequently by keeping a daily food journal, and last but very important, especially for women, getting an hour of physical activity or more daily at least 5 days a week.

I know you are all thinking, how the h-e-double toothpicks can I do that when I work 40 plus hours a week, have to clean, shop, take care of kids, elderly parents, etc.  The real question should be, how can I not do this? I believe the key to living a healthy lifestyle is to progress towards incorporating activities into your daily lives in which you truly love, and doing them for the sheer joy of becoming fit and loving to do them. This is what forms the basis of what is called "intrinsic" motivation. Most of us are "extrinsically" motivated, which is working towards a goal merely to look better, or for a wedding, reunion, etc. Being extrinsically motivated may help one to initially achieve their fitness/nutritional goals, but, it will not help one to maintain them. The number one low impact activity to start doing daily for the majority of people is to walk. I realize that this winter has been nothing short of BRUTAL for most people weather wise, with 49 out of our 50 states receiving small or copious amounts of snowfall, however, walking can be done all year with the proper equipment, such as Yak Treks on one's boots to keep them from slipping on the ice. One can also become a mall walker...it sounds like some kind of vampire, but, it is relatively easy to find an indoor place to walk in. It is also an activity that one can make more difficult by adding ankle or wrist weights. I would suggest trying  a lot of activities, of course as time and money permit, to determine which one makes you feel great and look forward to doing it. For me, after being an athlete most of my adult life, biking occupies the number one spot. I used to run several miles a week until bunion surgery sidelined me years ago and nothing other than biking has produced that endorphin like rush that running once did for me. What is so good about biking compared to running, is less wear and tear on the joints for me. I also never thought that I would exercise at home. In fact, I was the proverbial "gym rat" back in the day. However, since becoming a home owner eleven years ago and installing a home gym, I now enjoy the fact that I can go downstairs and spend an hour working out and not have to drive in our hellish traffic to a gym! I have also morphed from road biker, to mountain biker, finally to single speed bike rider...yes, they make those dang bikes with one speed just like the olden days. I will probably be biking as long as my legs allow me to do so, now that is intrinsic motivation. My wish is for all of you reading this blog to do the same. Finding what works for you is highly individualistic, but find you must, for we are exposed to too many daily stresses in our sedentary lives which can kill us before our time if we do not strive for fitness and health.

Salt...The Myth

Salt has been key throughout history in preserving foods and for adding flavor to foods, thus being very helpful in sustaining people throughout long brutal winters, especially in the Midwest, prior to refrigeration.

However, the Egyptians used salt for embalming...which should serve as a not too subtle hint, that what we know as salt, is not easily assimilated by the body and has many harmful effects. The "salt" I am speaking about is known as table salt which is basically a manufactured chemical containing one sodium ion and one chloride ion, known in chemistry terms as Na Cl. Table salt is 97.5 percent Sodium Chloride and 2.5% chemicals, such as moisture absorbents and iodine. While the body does need salt, it does not utilize it in this form.

Salt (Na Cl) can't be digested, assimilated, or utilized as food by the body. It has zero nutritional value. It is linked to hypertension, heart disease and osteoporosis. In fact, it is the number one cause of osteoporosis as consuming too much salt is akin to consuming too much protein in that they are both habits which expedite the excretion of calcium. The reason being is that the kidneys always pair calcium with sodium in order to excrete it from the body. Salt is also negatively affects the stomach by interfering with the digestion of food. It does this by only allowing 50 percent of Pepsin, an enzyme found in hydrochloric acid and responsible for aiding in the digestion of proteins, to be secreted by the gut. The result is what is called GERD, an acronym for severe heartburn. Salt is similar to sugar in that they both are an acquired taste by the body and one can break free from the hold salt has on the body by eliminating table salt and increasing green vegetables in the diet. We need little to no salt when we consume adequate green vegetables. In my opinion, the next best thing to green vegetables is Pink Himalayan salt. This salt is way better than sea salt as it regulates water content in the body, which is counter to table salt, which in fact causes edema due to the fact that it is so caustic to the tissues of the body that water is retained to neutralize its acidic effects. This not only adds "water" weight to the body, but eventually contributes to the malfunction of one's kidneys. Pink Himalayan salt also balances the acidity or P.H. of the blood stream, as well as blood sugar levels, regulates sleep, clears phlegm and mucous from the body, stabilizes heart beat and much more. I have been using Pink Himalayan salt for over a year now in cooking and in my Neti Pot, or nasal irrigation pot and absolutely love it. It naturally contains 84 minerals, or trace minerals and is considered full spectrum salt. Many people believe that sea salt is a better option to table salt and I beg to differ as sea salt can contain harmful pollutants, heavy metals, etc. from the ocean it is harvested from. Pink Himalayan salt can be obtained unground, ground or in a block. It is actually pink in color and adds wonderful flavor to veggies and other dishes. You can purchase it from Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and many Food Cooperatives. I suggest giving it a try and of course, up your veggies daily as well. I can virtually guarantee that you will not be going  back to table salt any time soon!