Refined sugar is lethal when ingested by humans because it provides only that which nutritionists describe as "empty" or "naked" calories. It lacks the natural minerals which are present in the sugar beet or cane.
In addition, sugar is worse than nothing because it drains and leaches the body of precious vitamins and minerals through the demand its digestion, detoxification and elimination makes upon one's entire system. So essential is balance to our bodies that we have many ways to provide against the sudden shock of a heavy intake of sugar. Minerals such as sodium (from salt), potassium and magnesium (from vegetables), and calcium (from the bones) are mobilized and used in chemical transmutation; neutral acids are produced which attempt to return the acid-alkaline balance factor of the blood to a more normal state. DID SOMEONE SAY BARLEY LIFE?
Sugar taken every day produces a continuously overacid condition, and more and more minerals are required from deep in the body in the attempt to rectify the imbalance. Finally, in order to protect the blood, so much calcium is taken from the bones and teeth that decay and general weakening begin. Excess sugar eventually affects every organ in the body. Initially, it is stored in the liver in the form of glucose (glycogen). Since the liver's capacity is limited, a daily intake of refined sugar (above the required amount of natural sugar) soon makes the liver expand like a balloon. When the liver is filled to its maximum capacity, the excess glycogen is returned to the blood in the form of fatty acids. These are taken to every part of the body and stored in the most inactive areas: the belly, the buttocks, the breasts and the thighs. HHMMMMMMMM
When these comparatively harmless places are completely filled, fatty acids are then distributed among active organs, such as the heart and kidneys. These begin to slow down; finally their tissues degenerate and turn to fat. The whole body is affected by their reduced ability, and abnormal blood pressure is created. The parasympathetic nervous system is affected; and organs governed by it, such as the small brain, become inactive or paralyzed. (Normal brain function is rarely thought of as being as biologic as digestion.) The circulatory and lymphatic systems are invaded, and the quality of the red corpuscles starts to change. An overabundance of white cells occurs, and the creation of tissue becomes slower. Our body's tolerance and immunizing power becomes more limited, so we cannot respond properly to extreme attacks, whether they be cold, heat, mosquitoes or microbes.
Excessive sugar has a strong mal-effect on the functioning of the brain. The key to orderly brain function is glutamic acid, a vital compound found in many vegetables. The B vitamins play a major role in dividing glutamic acid into antagonistic-complementary compounds which produce a "proceed" or "control" response in the brain. B vitamins are also manufactured by symbiotic bacteria which live in our intestines. When refined sugar is taken daily, these bacteria wither and die, and our stock of B vitamins gets very low. Too much sugar makes one sleepy; our ability to calculate and remember is lost.
Anywho - We enjoyed ourselves w/some naturally sweetened SWEETS!
Baked Fruit Crisps -Banana/Peach (gluten free)
- Crust - 8 inch pie round
Recipe Book #1- Mary-Ann Shearer - pg135 
I really would like a meal plan of sorts. Eating has been the hardest part. Not eating is not hard, but I am having trouble doing meals.
M. Douglas - I have made up my own lunches: Nibblets corn, olives, artichoke hearts, red bell pepper, cilantro, black beans, and AVOO. It is great. I make up four or five containers for the week. I add the bell pepper and cilantro in the morning, and take it to work. I also have a couple of grapefruits off my trees, some peaches and plums, and baby carrots. I have my Barley at school with 1/3 cup juice and 1/2 cup mineral water. It is very nice that way. I am not breaking out from any of the fruit: grapefruit, pineapple, oranges, etc. But I did get gumline decay from not brushing immediately after eating all the grapefruit. Not good!!
We just finished our second week of riding our bikes to school. He rides down with me every morning, then rides home. And he rides back to pick me up. He doesn't like me riding down the river bed trail by myself and seems to be enjoying the exercise. He also swims at the Y twice a week. When I am home, I lay out for 20 minutes of Vitamin D sun. Hard to get all that information straight. Some say from 10 to 2, others say before and after. I have a cot and rolled up fleece to be comfortable and go out for a little rest.
The discomforts of indigestion are so common in today’s society that indigestion is almost considered normal. The fact that over 2 billion dollars are spent each year on antacids is proof of this. Rather than using drugs to suppress symptoms (YES, Antacids are Drugs) wouldn’t it be wiser to remove the causes of indigestion?
Food Combining is based on the theory that different food groups require different digestion times. Digestion, one of the largest body processes (Parts of the nervous & circulatory system also play a role in digestion.) is helped the most by using foods which have roughly the same digestion time.
Different foods require different digestive enzymes to aid in the digestive process - some acid, some alkaline. As any student of chemistry will tell you, acids & bases neutralize each other. When acids and alkalines come in contact, they neutralize each other and this retards digestion.
Protein foods require a highly acidic environment for digestion while carbohydrates (starches & fruits) and fats require a more alkaline medium. Anytime 2 or more foods are eaten at the same time, and those foods required opposite conditions for digestion, the digestive process is compromised.
When carbohydrates and proteins are combined their stimulation to the digestive juices generates a conflicting response and produces a medium which does not digest either food very well. This situation often leads to indigestion, bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, and poor absorption of nutrients.
Any quick digesting foods, such as fruit, must wait until the slowest digesting foods leave the stomach before they can leave, a process which can take up to 6 or 8 hours.
For more information on Food Combining please read Chapter 4 - The In's & Outs of Digestion, in Perfect Health -The Natural Way.
NOVEMBER 15 – How to Survive the Holidays the
We will resume our Natural Way Café’s on JANUARY 24, 2009
Coleslaw prepared w/Veganaise
Fruit Salad
Vegetable tray
Brown Rice Crisps
Baked Bean dip
Hummus (w/secret ingredient)
Steamed Mushrooms
Veganaise dip (for mushrooms)
Cashew Ice Cream
Fresh Berries (Ice Cream Topping)
Popcorn – The
We enjoyed a 40 minute video by Mary-Ann titled “A Day with Mary-Ann”. In this video she prepares 12 delectable dishes for each meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) that are all found in her recipe books 1 & 2. This viewing provided a kick start to get back into trying out the recipes from her books. Jane finished off by giving an overview of the
At the June Café – Jane got attendees to help her prepare 20 different Gluten-free & Vegan recipes including breakfast, lunch dinner, snacks, deserts, and coffee/coffee creamer alternatives.
Mary-Ann attended and was thrilled to not have to cook the yummy concoctions herself (as she does with all food demonstrations). She was able to enjoy watching others prepare dishes and mingle with the crowd. After the feast began Mary-Ann opened up the floor to a question and answer time. Topics ranged from health issues such as constipation, to hot flashes, to the latest super drink to cure all cures. Everyone ate for at least two people, gained new insights into many of the popular health trends and thier individual issues, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Thank you
The Vegan/Gluten-Free Menu we sampled was as follows:
(Reminder - Step 1 - Begin ALL meals with something Raw before any Cooked food)
Breakfast
Lunch/Dinner
Dessert/Snacks/Drinks
The Natural Way is a lifestyle that has been researched and developed by author/nutrition expert Mary-Ann Shearer. Putting God made (natural) food into God made (no one is bionic) bodies will give you God made health (just like heaven)!
Mary-Ann is from South Africa and is considered the best selling health author in the Southern Hemisphere!
The Natural Way Café’s have been successful! The idea behind the name is to provide a support network for individuals who have chosen to follow the eating guidelines laid out in Mary-Ann Shearer’s book “Perfect Health-The Natural Way”. The first Café took place in June, followed by our August and most recently the September Café.
