The first Healthy Diet Podcast of 2008 is about having a healthy colon and colon cleansing. Show notes: January is a great time to cleanse your colon because all the toxic holiday junk food is behind you. The colon is the body’s main elimination organ. If the colon is not working properly, toxins are not eliminated. When toxins build up it results in dis-ease of the body. A healthy colon food moves through it in 24-36 hours. A person should produce 2-3 bowel movements a day, one for each meal consumed. Infrequent bowel movements mean your system is backing up. Some of the possible signs of an unhealthy colon are: Headaches, fatigue, back pain, gas, body odor, bad breath, acne, and allergies. You can view actual pictures at BlessedHerbs.com from a colon cleanse (Not for the squeamish). Improve colon health by eating a whole food diet high in fiber. Animal products are hard to digest and contain no fiber. Find a good product like Fiber Cleanse from Hallelujah Acres. Good information on colon health at BlessedHerbs.com . Start the New Year right and improve your health by cleaning house. Visit the healthy recipe section of our web site for some delicious and healthy foods so you can stay cleaned out. Alan Tags: colon cleanse, colon cleansing, junk food, high fiber diet, colon

This month’s Healthy Diet Podcast is about news on organic leafy greens and the California raw almonds update. Show notes: $20 million, 4 year organic produce study coordinated by European Union. Found Up to 40% more antioxidants and mineral content higher. Even milk from organically raised cows had up to 90% more antioxidants than conventional milk. USDA issued an advanced notice of proposed rule making recently, trying to establish uniform growing practices to protect consumer health against ecoli bacteria. Farmers in California asked to take extreme measures that indirectly eliminate biodiversity on farms by destroying hedgerows around farms. Natural vegetation surrounding farm fields actually has many benefits for organic farmers. It’s the bagged leafy greens produced by manufacturing type farms that typically have the ecoli problems. Visit the Cornucopia Institute for more info on these regulations. Unbagged leafy greens have fewer problems and are more likely to come from smaller farms. The prevalence of the virulent E. coli 0157 in our food system is due to the animal industry being allowed to raise cattle in stressful environments on unnatural diets. A grass diet for cattle vs a grain diet reduces ecoli in the stomachs. Government is burdening the small farmers instead of dealing with the root issue. Almond farmers who sell 100 Lbs a day are required to pasteurize (aka kill) their almonds. Are these regulations really about protecting consumer health when the regulations result in a decrease in nutritional value? Almond framers using propylene oxide to pasteurize almonds is raising concern for consumers. Propylene oxide is a gas used for fumigation as part of the pasteurization process. Banned by European Union and Canada, the EPA identified it as a probable human carcinogen. There is a war out there on our health and it begins with the farmer and we urge you to continue to support local and organic farmers. Alan Tags: organic, leafy greens, california almonds, propylene oxide, antioxidants

Today’s Healthy Diet Podcast is about eating healthy for the upcoming holidays and for the New Year. Show notes: Get a jump start to meet and maintain health goals for the New Year. In our October newsletter, we highlighted more holiday health tips. Health is holistic: focus your goals on health for your whole body, mind and spirit. Eating healthy is a key to your health, but it’s not the only key. Get regular moderate exercise – it’s good for your body, mind and spirit. Duke University study shows exercise can be as effective as anti-depressants. Exercise has mental, physical and spiritual benefits. Wonderful time of year – get outside – enjoy fresh, cool air. Take time to de-stress and relax regularly. Chronic stress creates toxins, toxins lead to formation of acid, acid leads to disease. Jean shares how eliminating TV has resulted in less stress and better sleep. Alan shares how changing his negative thoughts while driving is de-stressing him. Set time aside to get daily spiritual nutrition. Take time to cultivate an attitude of gratitude – choose thankfulness. Plan healthy simple foods to eat daily. Try a new fruit or vegetable each week. Have nuts, seeds, fresh and dried fruits, and vegetable sticks around for snacking. Give yourself a gift of healthy encouragement. Sign up for Hallelujah Acres Newsletter. It’s free! hacres.com . Be encouraged by testimonies – wholesome recipes – practical information. Alan Tags: healthy eating tips, holidays, eating healthy, duke university, stress

Today’s Healthy Diet Podcast is about eating healthy for the upcoming holidays and for the New Year. Show notes: Get a jump start to meet and maintain health goals for the New Year. In our October newsletter, we highlighted more holiday health tips. Health is holistic: focus your goals on health for your whole body, mind and spirit. Eating healthy is a key to your health, but it’s not the only key. Get regular moderate exercise – it’s good for your body, mind and spirit. Duke University study shows exercise can be as effective as anti-depressants. Exercise has mental, physical and spiritual benefits. Wonderful time of year – get outside – enjoy fresh, cool air. Take time to de-stress and relax regularly. Chronic stress creates toxins, toxins lead to formation of acid, acid leads to disease. Jean shares how eliminating TV has resulted in less stress and better sleep. Alan shares how changing his negative thoughts while driving is de-stressing him. Set time aside to get daily spiritual nutrition. Take time to cultivate an attitude of gratitude – choose thankfulness. Plan healthy simple foods to eat daily. Try a new fruit or vegetable each week. Have nuts, seeds, fresh and dried fruits, and vegetable sticks around for snacking. Give yourself a gift of healthy encouragement. Sign up for Hallelujah Acres Newsletter. It’s free! hacres.com . Be encouraged by testimonies – wholesome recipes – practical information. Alan Tags: healthy eating tips, holidays, eating healthy, duke university, stress

Today’s Healthy Diet Podcast is about brain health and how good brain food plays an important role in taking care of your head. Show notes: Special announcement: Yahoo podcasts is shutting down on Oct 31st. Subscribe at iTunes, Podcast Pickle or Podnova. See the links in the sidebar to the left. If our brain is not functioning well, you are not going to function well. People ignore their brain, but the brain is involved in everything you do. Dr. Amen, says, “brain controls mood, personality, intelligence and adaptability. It experiences our hopes, dreams, sorrows, pains – it is involved in everything you do…influences how you get along with others, how you think, feel and act.” Diet is the number one way to care for your brain. Central Alternative Charter School in Appleton, WI removed all processed foods from students diets. They provided only fresh foods, water and 100% fruit juices. The project resulted in major positive changes in behavior and learning. To listen to the podcast on CACS here. Amen says: “food is a drug” that has powerful effect on the brain. Diet exercise are the cornerstone’s of Amen’s programs for anxiety depression. Amen’s dietary recommendations for good brain health: Plenty of water, adequate protein, complex carbohydrates and omega 3 fatty acids. More information on Dr. Amen can be found on his website. No podcast next week because we will be on vacation. Alan Tags: brain food, brain health, itunes, processed foods, dr amen

Today’s Healthy Diet Podcast is about brain health and how good brain food plays an important role in taking care of your head. Show notes: Special announcement: Yahoo podcasts is shutting down on Oct 31st. Subscribe at iTunes, Podcast Pickle or Podnova. See the links in the sidebar to the left. If our brain is not functioning well, you are not going to function well. People ignore their brain, but the brain is involved in everything you do. Dr. Amen, says, “brain controls mood, personality, intelligence and adaptability. It experiences our hopes, dreams, sorrows, pains – it is involved in everything you do…influences how you get along with others, how you think, feel and act.” Diet is the number one way to care for your brain. Central Alternative Charter School in Appleton, WI removed all processed foods from students diets. They provided only fresh foods, water and 100% fruit juices. The project resulted in major positive changes in behavior and learning. To listen to the podcast on CACS here. Amen says: “food is a drug” that has powerful effect on the brain. Diet exercise are the cornerstone’s of Amen’s programs for anxiety depression. Amen’s dietary recommendations for good brain health: Plenty of water, adequate protein, complex carbohydrates and omega 3 fatty acids. More information on Dr. Amen can be found on his website. No podcast next week because we will be on vacation. Alan Tags: brain food, brain health, itunes, processed foods, dr amen

Today s Healthy Diet Podcast is a continuation of our most recent post about Restless Leg Syndrome. Show notes: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) affects 12 million people in US. RLS is called a neurological disorder by some and a sleep disorder by others. Symptoms of RLS include: unpleasant feelings or sensations in the legs. Feelings described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling, or painful. Some have no odd feelings but have irresistible urge to move their legs. Generally symptoms come on at night and cause insomnia. Periodic Limb Movement of Sleep affects whole body with jerking every 10-60 sec. Conventional medical treatment uses same medication used for Parkinson’s disease and seizures. Requip, according to GlaxoSmithKline’s insert, may cause pathological gambling and increased libido including hypersexuality. Alan does not recommend using this drug if you are going to Las Vegas. Natural treatments use exercise, hot baths, massage, heating pads or ice packs. Natural treatments also may include supplements such as folate and magnesium. Jean has found relief from RLS by: Not eating several hours before bed time. Exercising her legs strenuously through out the day. Not sitting for long periods. Exercising legs and upper body prior to going to bed. Jean uses an essential oil formula which relaxes her legs found at Nature’s Wellness Oils. Jean was very surprised at how well this essential oil formula for RLS worked. Alan Tags: restless legs syndrome, rls, essential oils, requip, glaxosmithkline

Today s Healthy Diet Podcast is a continuation of our most recent post about Restless Leg Syndrome. Show notes: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) affects 12 million people in US. RLS is called a neurological disorder by some and a sleep disorder by others. Symptoms of RLS include: unpleasant feelings or sensations in the legs. Feelings described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling, or painful. Some have no odd feelings but have irresistible urge to move their legs. Generally symptoms come on at night and cause insomnia. Periodic Limb Movement of Sleep affects whole body with jerking every 10-60 sec. Conventional medical treatment uses same medication used for Parkinson’s disease and seizures. Requip, according to GlaxoSmithKline’s insert, may cause pathological gambling and increased libido including hypersexuality. Alan does not recommend using this drug if you are going to Las Vegas. Natural treatments use exercise, hot baths, massage, heating pads or ice packs. Natural treatments also may include supplements such as folate and magnesium. Jean has found relief from RLS by: Not eating several hours before bed time. Exercising her legs strenuously through out the day. Not sitting for long periods. Exercising legs and upper body prior to going to bed. Jean uses an essential oil formula which relaxes her legs found at Nature’s Wellness Oils. Jean was very surprised at how well this essential oil formula for RLS worked. Alan Tags: restless legs syndrome, rls, essential oils, requip, glaxosmithkline

Today’s Healthy Diet Podcast is about our new veggie burger recipe. Show notes: Today we share our newest dehydrator recipe - veggie burgers. It’s difficult to find veggie burgers without ingredients like soy protein isolate, natural flavorings, etc. In nutritional value, dehydrates are next best thing to raw. These veggie burgers have all the nutritional value preserved in the dehydration process. This makes them superior to any processed, frozen and cooked veggie burger from the store. The main ingredients in this recipe are sprouted wheat, celery, onion, sunflower seeds, walnuts, carrots. Blend in the Vita-Mix blender on low. Form into patties on teflex sheets. Dehydrate for 3-4 hours. The first hour is on high, then reduce the temperature to 105. These veggie burgers are great on their own or with a side of coleslaw. We ate them with Food for Life brand sprouted wheat rolls. The trick to dehydrating is planning ahead when you have to sprout/soak seeds/nuts. These veggie burgers were fantastic warmed in the dehydrator the next day. We’ve been hearing about a great site called www.goneraw.com. One of our listeners recommends their Rich Cheddar Sauce. Visit the veggie burger recipe at ezHealthyDiet.com Alan Tags: veggie burger recipe, veggie burgers, excalibur dehydrator, natural flavorings, sprouted wheat

Today’s Healthy Diet Podcast is about our new healthy corn chip recipe we make in our Excalibur Dehydrator. Show notes: Today we share our newest favorite recipe: homemade corn chips. This corn chip recipe has given us the ability to eat a completely unprocessed diet. Sadly, Corn Chips, aka tortilla chips have been a staple in our diet for some time. By investing in the Excalibur we now have no need for any processed foods. This Recipe was inspired by The Present Moment Café in St Augustine, FL Main ingredients are white corn, flaxseed, almonds, yellow bell pepper, and onion. We make this recipe in our VitaMix blender. Be careful not to spread the batter too thin on the Excalibur Teflex sheets. We are still working on a chip scoring process that is reliable. The recipe assembly time is about 30 minutes. This Corn Chip Recipe makes about 2 trays of chips (using the Excalibur). Price comparison with processed corn chips: One bag of Bearitos is $2.79. Two trays of home made corn chips costs between $3.25-$4.25. It is economical because we eat far fewer chips. We eat fewer chips because the home made corn chips are so nutritionally dense. Plus, the health benefits are worth the extra cost. Almond update: recently the Almond Board of California asked the USDA to delay the mandatory pasteurization of almonds until March 2008. For more information on this ruling to kill all almonds, listen to our Raw Almonds podcast. Don’t forget to share and encourage one another through the interactive portion of our Healthy Diet website. Please share your recipes, health tips and testimonies. Alan Tags: corn chip recipe, vitamix blender, dehydrator, bearitos, raw almonds