Eggs on Toast

Want a really simple breakfast, then try my eggs on toast.

Really simple to do.

Ingredients

2 Eggs

2 Pieces of Sourdough bread Toasted
1 Tomato
Salt
Pepper

Directions

Turn on oven and heat to about 350F (175C) slice your tomato, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and put into oven for about 10mins

Once there is about 5mins left on the tomatoes

Heat pan on medium-medium high heat adding some butter. Make sure the butter is melted but not burning. Crack open your eggs and into the pan they go. Put your bread in the toaster. What I did was I kept the eggs just on the one side for about 2-3 mins. No flipping necessary. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Once eggs are done, toast will be done. Butter toast, place eggs on toast and done..Enjoy :)

The Switch

Switching from white foods to brown would make a lot of difference for yourself. There really isn't any nutritional value in white foods and you get less energy when consumed. The process is another big difference between the two.

Flour is made from wheat berries. The wheat berry is made up of
the bran, the germ and the endosperm. All parts are filled with
nutrients and are used in whole wheat flour.

White bread on the other hand, uses only the endosperm - the
starchy inner layer. There is a total of 30 nutrients missing in
white bread. The nutritional difference is immense and has
measurable impact on our health. 

The fiber content of whole wheat bread has several health benefits. Fiber helps the digestive system and it is shown that men and women who eat high fiber foods have less risk of having a heart attack and stroke. There is a risk of children getting diabetes for those that eat refined white flour.

Look out for words like 'wheat flour' or 'enriched wheat flour'
as they can be mostly made from white flour with just a small
amount of whole wheat added in.

Look for 'whole wheat' or other whole grains, like oat. And don't
be mislead by the name of the product. Names like wheat, whole
bran, stoned wheat, 12 grain and others are still mostly white
flour. The only way to know for sure is to read the label.

Brown Rice is similar.

Here is some information about brown and white rice. 

The process that produces brown rice removes only the outermost layer, the hull, of the rice kernel and is the least damaging to its nutritional value. 

The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids. Fully milled and polished white rice is required to be "enriched" with vitamins B1, B3 and iron.  

Nutrients in
Brown Rice
1.00 cup (195.00 grams)

Nutrient%Daily Value

manganese88%

selenium27.3%

magnesium20.9%

tryptophan18.7%

Calories (216)12%

Some other benefits of brown rice include 

• Manganese—Energy Production Plus Antioxidant Protection - Just one cup of brown rice will provide you with 88.0% of the daily value of manganese. 
• Women Who Eat Whole Grains Weigh Less - gain less weight from eating whole grains. 
• Brown Rice is Rich in Fiber and Selenium
• Lower Cholesterol with Whole Brown Rice
• Significant Cardiovascular Benefits for Postmenopausal Women
• Brown Rice and Other Whole Grains Substantially Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk

and many more

for more info about white and brown rice check out http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=128

White and Brown Sugar

When it comes to white sugar and brown sugar there isn't much of a difference from what I can find. Nutritional value is almost the same. White sugar is bleached white in the refining process and brown sugar is naturally brown but companies tend to add molasses to give it a "more" brown color. Basically personal preference is the case. Now if you are talking pure Raw Sugar this tends to be more beneficial and has more nutrients. Avoid Sweeteners at all cost as these are load with chemicals that are extremely harmful. 


More info about Raw sugar here is a link -  http://www.naturalorganiclifestyle.com/unrefined-raw-sugar.html

So why not make the switch?? It will be worth it. 

Sauteed Spinach

Tonight for dinner I decided to make some sauteed spinach and hummus bruschetta. The flavors of these two mix very well. Its a real simple dinner to make when wanting something light to eat for dinner or just want a snack. The bruschetta will go really well at a dinner party, small get together, potluck etc. These are two simple recipes that I know you will enjoy.

Sauteed Spinach


Ingredients

1 bag of baby leaf spinach
3-4 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbsp of olive oil
pepper
salt

Directions

Peel and dice or crush your garlic. Put the 2 tbsp of olive oil in a frying pan. Heat frying pan on medium-high heat. Add garlic then empty bag of spinach into a deep frying pan. (The garlic will cook really fast once the pan is warm so be sure not to burn it). Saute the garlic for about 30secs then add the spinach. Cook for about 2-3 mins till the spinach is wilted but not slimy. Serve adding pepper and salt to taste.

Serves 2 (Depending on bag size)

Hummus Bruschetta

This bruschetta was really easy to make. What I decided to use was some organic sour dough bread as this adds to the flavor. I think you get a really nice crunch out of it as well.

Ingredients 

6-8 Slices of Sour Dough (more of less depending on how much you want)
Olive oil
1 Tomato
1 Garlic Clove or 6-8 Roasted Garlic cloves (Refer to my Roasted Pepper Bruschetta for directions on Roasted Garlic. If you don't have time use just a normal garlic clove)
Hummus (Refer to my Hummus Recipe)
Paprika
Pepper

Directions 

Toast the sour dough slices to desired texture. Once done, take your tomato and slice. Take one of the slices and rub slice of toast. The slice of tomato should do about 2 slices of toast. Then rub with a garlic clove (or spread with roasted garlic clove). Spread hummus over bruschetta, drizzle with olive oil then sprinkle with paprika and pepper. Serve

Serves 3-4 if using 2 slices per person

The Benefits of Spinach

Tonight for dinner I decided to make some sauteed spinach. The reason I made spinach was because I just felt like something light and easy. Spinach is really great to eat when wanting some veg. I know some of you are probably thinking "nasty, spinach". The way I make it you will probably enjoy. It goes well with some grilled chicken or some Asian dishes. For those of you who don't know spinach has really great benefits. Once you read about them you will probably start considering it in your normal diet/food consumption.

Benefits of spinach are - It’s low in calories yet very high in vitamins, minerals and other phytonutrients. When you consume this healthy food, you don’t need to worry about your weight-loss diet as you take in abundant, good-for-you nutrients.

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, magnesium, folate, manganese, iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium, and vitamin B6. It’s a very good source of protein, phosphorus, vitamin E, zinc, dietary fiber, and copper. Plus, it’s a good source of selenium, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids. 

Spinach is loaded with flavonoids which act as antioxidants, protecting the body from free radicals. Researchers have discovered at least 13 different flavonoid compounds that act as anti-cancer substances. The various nutrients offer much in the way of disease protection.

The mineral iron is particularly important for menstruating women and growing children and adolescents. In comparison to red meat, spinach provides a lot less calories, is fat and cholesterol free, and an excellent source of iron. Because iron is a component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all body cells, it’s needed for good energy.

Another of the benefits of spinach is that this is a heart-healthy food. It’s an outstanding source of vitamins C and A which are antioxidants that help reduce free radical amounts in the body. The antioxidants work to keep cholesterol from oxidizing. In addition, folate is good for a healthy cardiovascular system, as well as magnesium, a mineral that helps to lower high blood pressure.

Gastrointestinal health can be guarded by eating more of this food. The beta-carotene and vitamin C work to protect the cells of the body’s colon from the harmful effects of free radicals. Also, DNA damage and mutations in colon cells may be prevented by the folate that’s present in this green leafy vegetable. Some conditions that are identified as inflammatory, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, migraine headaches, and asthma, may be helped because of the anti-inflammatory properties of some of the nutrients found in spinach. Studies have shown that consumption of green leafy vegetables such as spinach may slow the age-related decline in brain function. 

Whats the outcome..eat spinach :)

The Benefits of Juicing

If you are looking for an easy and effective way to do something good for you body, consider the health benefits of juicing. Juicing is preparing and drinking fruit and vegetable juices, and the many health benefits of juicing far exceed those of eating solid fruits and vegetables.

For one thing, the body can quickly absorb larger amounts of nutrients from juices than from solid foods because the process of digestion that is necessary when you eat whole foods is bypassed. Raw fruits and vegetables contain many substances that enhance health, and juicing benefits the body by providing the most concentrated and readily absorbed source of these substances.

Another one of the major health benefits of juicing is that it is an easy way to get beneficial enzymes, which are primarily found in raw foods, into the body. Enzymes in fresh fruits and vegetables have the vital role of converting food into body tissue and energy. Enzymes are also involved in metabolism, so one of the more valuable health benefits of juicing is that it can increase metabolic rate. Juicing also ensures that the body is getting sufficient amounts of phytochemicals, substances in plants that are considered among the most powerful ways to fight disease. While most people do not eat enough raw fruits and vegetables to obtain the amount of phytochemicals that would make a difference, it is relatively easy to drink enough juice to obtain sufficient amounts of these powerful nutrients. In addition, antioxidants and other immune enhancing properties are concentrated in juices.

Juicing can therefore help to accelerate recovery from illness. In fact, juicing with specific combinations of fruits or vegetables can target particular conditions and improve or alleviate symptoms.

More Health Benefits of Juicing 

Among the most interesting health benefits of juicing are its anti-aging benefits and its potential for alleviating symptoms of depression. The effects of juicing on depression are accomplished by providing a concentrated source of minerals like magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, and folic acid. Deficiencies of these nutrients are associated with symptoms of depression.

Further, the concentration of antioxidants in juices combats the damaging effects that free radicals have on skin and muscle. Juicing can help keep skin free from wrinkles and muscles well toned. In addition, increasing the intake of antioxidants by juicing can slow the onset of age-related illnesses

In conjunction with its positive effects on health, the benefits of juicing also include the fact that it is relatively cost effective and convenient, especially if you prepare your own juices. By staying healthy as a result of increasing your intake of fresh juices, you can also reduce the need for expensive medications. Since there are no side effects associated with juicing, you can drink as much juice as you are able to tolerate, thereby maximizing health benefits. There are many combinations of fruits and vegetables, and the variety of juices that can be prepared are likely to keep you in the habit of juicing once you realize the many health benefits that doing so can provide.

Herb of the week/MindTrac

Are you feeling stressed, depressed or have anxiety? Here is a herb that is a great alternative to ant-depression drugs etc. This also will help you have clarity of mind and to focus. Its called MindTrac.

MindTrac™ contains: Skullcap, Valerian, Oregon Grape root, Barley grass, Alfalfa, Kamut, St. John's wort, Mullein leaf, Lobelia, Gotu Kola, Ginkgo biloba, Sarsaparilla and Dandelion. All encapsulated products are in a pure 100% vegetable based capsule.

Mindtrac™ is an Emotional Clarity Herbal Formula

MindTrac™ is an Alternative to drugs for Depression, Anxiety, Stress & Hyperactivity

MindTrac™ will benefit: Adults, Adolescents/Children, Seniors

MindTrac™ contains properties similar to its drug counterparts without harmful chemicals.

Psychiatric drugs are far more dangerous to take than people realize. They have negative side effects including addiction, and they can produce withdrawal symptoms that are emotionally and physically distressing or even life-threatening. The herbs in MindTrac are formulated to support and heal the body naturally in response to stress. Drugs are used to treat the symptoms, NOT to cure the problem.

Cleanses - Science continues to show that the mind and the body are connected. Stress creates biochemicals which circulate along with the blood. Because the liver is already burdened by pollutants, these "stressful" by-products are less likely to be eliminated quickly. To reduce the burden on the liver, MindTrac contains three herbs - Sarsaparilla, Dandelion and Oregon Grape Root - to cleanse the blood and to stimulate liver detoxification.

Nourishes: A food base of Jurassic Green (flash dried Alfalfa, Barley, and Kamut) supplies the body with essential vitamins and minerals in an all natural form. B vitamins, Chlorophyll, Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium help regulate nerve transmission and muscle response.

Stimulates: St. John's Wort has been proven in scientific studies to mimic the effects of antidepressant drugs. It is so effective that we strongly advise against combining this herb with any antidepressant drug. To transition safely from prescription medicine to natural healing, check out our product called Liver Formula™.
MindTrac contains two additional stimulants, Gotu Kola and Gingko Biloba, to synergize the St. John's Wort herb! By improving the blood flow and oxygen circulation to the head, these herbs have been used traditionally to improve memory, nerve response and mental alertness.

Calms: Scullcap and Valerian root are both nervine sedatives and antispasmodics. Besides their calming nature on the nerves and muscles, these herbs promote regular and restful sleep. Mullein and Lobelia are antispasmodics as well as cleansers. They help cleanse the blood by assisting the lymph and the glandular systems.



For more information check out http://www.herbsfirst.com/

DISCLAIMER 

Remember I'm not a doctor or professional herbalist. I'm just getting the info out there for people to know there is an alternative to everyday medicine. For more info you should check out http://www.herbsfirst.com to have a professional speak with you about what this herb can do, dosage etc..