10 Reasons to Love Avocados

Hippocrates Health Institute posted about the health value of avocados, one of the most nutrient-rich and versatile fruits that can be eaten daily to enhance a person's health. Originally native to Central America, for hundreds of years avocados have been cultivated. Now they are used in numerous recipes: appetizers, salads, desserts, and even eaten alone. This fruit versatile in meal presentation can play a big part in the health journey by providing the body with nutrients and other healing properties. Externally used, the natural oils in avocados can also penetrate deep into the skin, making it a great addition to skin and hair care routines.

Book title "An Avocado a Day" as posted on Amazon

Here are 10 reasons why a person should love avocado: 

Regulates blood pressure

High source of fiber

Helps absorb nutrients from other foods

Contains more potassium than a banana

Loaded with heart-healthy, mono-unsaturated fatty acids

Can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Helps promote weight loss

Repairs damaged hair

Moisturizes skin

Treats sunburn

These are certainly some beneficial reasons to introduce avocado to the diet or as an addition to body care products.

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Just an aside for those struggling with severe systemic candida. During the early days of my hell-fight with severe systemic candida, I couldn't eat avocados ... maybe because I was having a hard time digesting fat, but those early days I was close to starving and could basically only eat chlorophyll-rich foods. Bone thin but after starting to feel better, I found that avocados were the go-to food for helping to regulate my weight, mood and energy. Without organic cold-pressed coconut oil and then avocados in those early days of acute sickness, I think I probably would have melted away. 

One more important point, after I started eating avocados regularly, I noticed that my vitamin A issues were being alleviated. Although I was eating as many vitamin A-rich foods as I could, my vitamin A was extremely low, causing all kinds of problems with my eyes, cartilage and throat. For the body to absorb vitamin A into the blood and gain benefit from the vitamin, fat is necessary. I very much believe it was the fat from avocado much more than the coconut oil, which was good to prevent acute weight loss and heal the GI tract, that helped reach a more stable health plateau. 

That said, I also noticed that if I ate avocados after 4pm, I couldn't fall easily to sleep that night. I usually eat a whole one in guacamole form: avocado, fresh squeezed lemon juice, Himalayan salt, maybe black pepper. Hmm, never heard of that before, but I do know that foods have different effects on the body. Would be nice to know if anyone else has experienced this strange phenomenon.

Allergy and Candida Cooking

While reading Allergy and Candida Cooking: Understanding and Implementing Plans for Healing by Lewis and Fink (Canary Connect Publications 2009), I found some particularly good insight on proactively helping the body to heal through careful dietary measures. 

Probiotics - What They Do:

• (some kinds) produce lactase for the lactose intolerant
• facilitate healing from IBS (inflammatory bowel syndrome)
• reduce diarrhea and constipation
• increase nutrient bioavailability, esp aids the absorption of calcium, zinc and iron (important in the treatment of candida)
• reduce acid reflux
• lower cholesterol
• contribute to the prevention of cancer, esp colon cancer
• properly balance yeast growth (vital for people with candida)

Natural probiotic food sources that promote friendly bacteria and prevent the spread of bacterial infections -- these foods are high in chlorophyll:

• alfalfa
• barley green
• chlorella
• spirulina
• green Kamut
• blue green algae

Anti-fungals for treating candida include:

• B-complex
• bentonite
• capryllic acid
• citrus seed extract (grapeseed)
• coenzyme Q
• garlic
• grape extracts (with caution)
• oil of oregano
• olive leaf extract
• psyllium
• tanalbit
• pau d'arco
• coconut oil
• olive oil
• foods rich in chlorophyll are also anti-fungal:
• kelp
• seaweed
• dulse

Essential Fatty Oils (EFAs)

These oils have Omega-3s and Omega-6s and are essential for reducing inflammation and rebuilding cells. They also reduce cholesterol, regulate hormones and fight infections:

• flax seed oil
• evening primrose oil
• GLA
• borage oil
• fish oils
• saw palmetto is important for men with prostatitis associated with yeast infection

Treatment That May Buffer Food Reactions

• drink 1/4 t. baking soda in 1/2 cup purified water. You may need to repeat the dose
• drink buffered, corn-free, citrus-free vitamin C powder dissolved in purified water
• drink purchased salt preparations such as a combination of sodium and potassium bicarbonates

The High Protein Concentration of Sprouts

Sprouts Have the Highest Concentration of Nutrition Per Calorie of Any Food

Sprouts are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, chlorophyll and protein. They are low calorie and contain little or no fat. The fat they do contain is the healthy fat that your body needs. As some of the most nutritious foods that exist, they make a great addition to any healthy eating plan. Use in salads, on sandwiches, added to soups or stir fried with vegetables. Enjoy these nutrient-packed delicacies as a snack all by themselves or added as a garnish to a main dish. Eat them raw or cooked. Of course, as with all food, the nutritional value is greater when they are eaten raw. But eating them cooked is better than not eating them at all.

Sprouting magnifies the nutritional value of the seed. It boosts the B-vitamin content, triples the amount of vitamin A and increases vitamin C by a factor of 5 to 6 times. Starches are converted to simple sugars, making sprouts very easily digestible. You can have them fresh all year round, even when fresh vegetables are hard to find. It's easier than planting a garden outside and they're ready much quicker. You can even grow them when the ground outside is frozen solid. And the best part is that you can grow the freshest, tastiest sprouts right in the comfort of your own kitchen. It takes less than 2 minutes a day and they are ready in 3 to 7 days, depending on the variety.

You can sprout seeds, beans, grains and nuts. Some of the most popular varieties are alfalfa, broccoli, red clover, radish, mung beans, lentils, garbanzo beans and peas.

Alfalfa sprouts are what people typically think of when you mention sprouts. They are the ones you commonly see at a salad bar. Rich in phytochemicals, they protect against cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and fibrocystic breast disease. They stimulate natural killer cell activity, which strengthens the immune system. What's more, they are beneficial in reducing symptoms of PMS and menopause, including hot flashes. Furthermore, they contain high concentrations of antioxidants, the body's defense against the destruction of DNA which is the cause of aging. Alfalfa sprouts are abundant sources of vitamins A, B, C, E and K, the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Also carotene, chlorophyll, amino acids and trace elements. They contain 35% protein. One pound of alfalfa seed produces 10-14 pounds of sprouts.

Broccoli sprouts have just recently become popular after it was discovered that they abound with the amazing cancer-fighting phytochemical, sulforaphane. Research studies have shown that they contain 50 times more sulforpohane than fresh broccoli. What's more, they contain glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, substances that protect cells from becoming malignant, at 10-100 times greater levels than in fresh broccoli. In addition, they are sources of plant estrogens, similar to human estrogen, and so are helpful in cases of PMS, menopause, hot flashes and fibrocystic disease. Nutrient dense, they are rich sources of vitamins A, B, C, E and K, anti-oxidants, the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Also carotene, chlorophyll, amino acids, trace elements and antioxidants. Broccoli sprouts contain as much as 35% protein.

Garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas, can be sprouted to make delightfully delicious hummus. It is much richer in nutrients than hummus typically made from cooked chickpeas. They can also be used in salads, soups or stir fried or steamed with other bean sprouts and vegetables. These sprouts are plentiful sources of vitamins A, C and E, the minerals iron, calcium, magnesium and amino acids. They contain 20% protein.

Pea sprouts are delicious raw or cooked. They can be sprinkled on salads and added to soups. In addition, they can be steamed or stir fried with other bean sprouts and vegetables. They are rich sources of vitamins A, B, C and E, all the essential amino acids, the minerals calcium, iron and phosphorus. They contain 26% protein.

Lentil sprouts, like pea sprouts, are very tasty and can be eaten raw or cooked. Add them to salads, soups, casseroles or steam or stir fry them with other vegetables. Rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, the minerals iron, calcium and phosphorus. They contain 26% protein.

Mung bean sprouts are the ones you typically see in Oriental cooking. Mung beans should be sprouted in the dark to avoid a bitter flavor. They are ready when they are 1.5 to 2 inches long. Abundant in vitamins A, B, C and E, the minerals iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium, and amino acids, they contain 20% protein.

Radish sprouts taste just like radishes. They are great on sandwiches or in salads. Their high concentrations of phytochemicals help protect against disease. And because of their naturally occurring plant estrogens, similar to human estrogen, they are helpful with PMS, menopause, hot flashes and fibrocystic disease. These baby green vegetables are rich sources of vitamins A, B, C, E and K, the minerals potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. In addition, they also contain carotene, chlorophyll, amino acids, trace elements, and antioxidants. They have a 26% protein content.

Red clover sprouts look like alfalfa sprouts and have a mild, sweet flavor. Rich in phytochemicals, in particular genistein, which is known to prevent the formation of new blood vessels inside a tumor, in essence starving the tumor, it is protective against diseases like cancer. Red clover contains naturally occurring plant estrogens, similar to human estrogen, so they are helpful with PMS, menopause, hot flashes and fibrocystic disease. They are contraindicated with tamoxifen treatment. Please consult your physician if you are receiving this treatment before using sprouts. They contain vitamins A, B, C, E and K, the minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus and zinc, trace minerals, carotene, chlorophyll and amino acids. They contain 26% protein.

Wheat Grass and Barley Grass

I've benefitted a lot from juicing, but have to say it takes tons of time. Because of my ultra-tiny apartment I don't grow wheat or barley grass to juice, but instead juice cucumbers and juice leafy vegies. I have to say, I really have energy on the days I drink my power juicy vegie-drinks.

And other greens -- very useful info!

Wheat Grass, the Complete Food

What is wheat grass?

• One of the richest natural resources of vitamins A, C, D, K and B-complex ... also a natural source of Laetril (B-17)
• The richest source of chlorophyll, which is the "blood" of plants, with a molecular structure that is almost identical to the hemoglobin molecule of the human blood.
• Contains beta-carotene, which is found in red, green, and yellow pigmented fruits and vegetables. Beta-carotene acts as a scavenger against harmful molecules flowing naturally through toxins inhaled from cigarette smoke, air pollution, or other environmental toxins.

What it will do for you:

• Drinking wheat grass and green juices helps your body to build red blood cells which carry oxygen to every single cell.
• Chlorophyll helps wash drug deposits from the body, purifies the blood and organs, and counteracts toxins. Wheat grass helps remove toxic heavy metals (lead, mercury, aluminum) that have become stored in the tissues.
• Wheat grass juice helps to increase the enzyme level in our cells, which aids in the rejuvenation of the body.
• Wheat grass is one of the most direct and highly concentrated forms of the sun's energy, and is the optimal energizer when it is juiced. Just 2 ounces of wheat grass juice is nutritionally equivalent to 4-5 pounds of fresh vegetables and contains 103 vitamins and minerals.
• The juice made from wheat grass is 70% chlorophyll and oxygenates the white blood cells of the body, in turn boosting the immune system.
• Wheat grass is also very beneficial for people who wish to lose weight. Just 2 ounces of wheat grass juice a day can increase your metabolism and make you feel great in every way.

30+ other facts about wheat grass:

• Wheat grass juice is one of the best sources of living chlorophyll available and is the basis of all plant life.
• Chlorophyll is the first product of light and therefore contains more light energy than any other element.
• Wheat grass juice is crude chlorophyll and can be taken orally and as a colon implant.
• Wheat grass is high in oxygen, like all green plants that contain chlorophyll. The brain and all body tissues function at an optimal level in a highly-oxygenated environment. Disease cannot exist in an alkaline and oxygenated body.
• Chlorophyll is anti-bacterial and can be used inside and outside the body as a healer.

• Dr. Bernard Jensen says that it only takes minutes to digest wheat grass juice and uses up very little body energy.
• Science has proven that chlorophyll arrests growth and development of unfriendly bacteria.
• Chlorophyll (wheat grass) rebuilds the bloodstream. Studies of various animals have shown chlorophyll to be free of any toxic reaction. The red cell count was returned to normal within 4-5 days of the administration of chlorophyll, even in those animals which were known to be extremely anemic or low in red cell count.
• Chlorophyll can be extracted from many plants, but wheat grass is superior because it has been found to have over 100 elements needed by man. If grown in organic soil, it absorbs 92 of the known 102 minerals from the soil.
• Wheat grass has what is called the grass-juice factor, which has been shown to keep herbivorous animals alive for a longer period of time.  

• Dr. Ann Wigmore and institutes based on her teachings have been helping people get well from chronic disorders of more than six decades using wheat grass.
• Liquid chlorophyll gets into the tissues, refines them, makes them over.
• Wheat grass juice is a superior detoxification agent compared to carrot juice and other fruits and vegetables. Dr. Earp-Thomas, associate of Ann Wigmore, says that 15 pounds of wheat grass is equivalent to 350 pounds of carrot, lettuce, celery, and other nutritious vegetables.
• Liquid chlorophyll washes drug deposits from the body.
• Chlorophyll neutralizes toxins in the body.
• Chlorophyll helps purify the liver.

• Chlorophyll improves blood sugar problems.
• Wheat grass juice acts as a detergent in the body and is used as a body deodorant.
• A small amount of wheat grass juice in the human diet helps prevent tooth decay.
• Wheat grass juice held in the mouth for 5 minutes will help eliminate toothaches. It pulls poisons from the gums.
• Gargle with wheat grass juice for a sore throat.

• Drink wheat grass juice for skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis.
• Wheat grass juice keeps the hair from graying.
• By taking wheat grass juice, one may feel a difference in strength, endurance, health, and spirituality, and experience a sense of well-being.
• Wheat grass juice improves the digestion. Wheat grass juice is high in enzymes.
• Wheat grass juice is an excellent skin cleanser and can be absorbed through the skin for nutrition. Pour green juice over your body in a tub of warm water and soak for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cold water.

• Wheat grass implants (enemas) are great for healing and detoxifying the colon walls. The implants also heal and cleanse the internal organs. After an enema, implant 4 ounces of wheat grass juice. Try to retain for 20 minutes or longer.
• Wheat grass juice is great for constipation and keeping the bowels regular.
• Dr. Birscher, a research scientist, called chlorophyll "concentrated sun power". He said, "Chlorophyll increases the function of the heart, affects the vascular system, the intestines, the uterus, and the lungs."
• Wheat grass juice can dissolve the scars that are formed in the lungs from breathing acid gasses. The effect of carbon monoxide is minimized since chlorophyll increases hemoglobin production.
• Wheat grass juice reduces high blood pressure and enhances the capillaries.
• Wheat grass juice can remove heavy metals from the body.

When drinking wheat grass, drink slowly, allowing the juices to mix with saliva. Drink the fresh juice within 15 minutes for maximum benefit to the body as the juice becomes oxygenated which reduces the juice's effectiveness and nutritional benefits.  

If storing wheat grass in a refrigerator because of time inconveniences in making fresh wheat grass juice both morning and evening, it is best to store the wheat grass in a glass container. Dark glass also minimizes light exposure which may also help extend the nutritional life of the juice.