Keep Your Health Tips

Health, according to the World Health Organization, is defined as:

The integral well-being of a person that includes spiritual well-being (Soul and Spirit).

Mental well-being: Which is what a person thinks and what his brain carries out,

Physical well-being is what our body lives, suffers, enjoys and desires,

Environmental well-being is a person’s agreement with his surroundings.

And all these joined to socio-cultural well-being, and socio-economic well-being. Health is NOT THE APARENT ABSENCE of ILLNESS. Unfortunately, most people think that Health is simply not being confined to a bed, not running a fever, or not being ill. Being healthy includes all the concepts of integral well-being described by the World Health Organization and not just the absence of illness.

What does Health have to do with Food and Nutrition?

Since you are reading this on your computer, you are probably aware that you can

- feed the hard drive of your computer by inputting new information.

- feed the container where you deposit trash, and fill it with something, anything at all.

- feed your body with anything, and you may be filling it with something that may not necessarily be good for your health, with no nutrients or good substances for you.

On the other hand NURTURE is a function of ingesting those NUTRIENTS that ARE essential for good performance of each of our cells, and of course our whole body.

So what those nutrients?

There are several types of essential NUTRIENTS. Classified in a broad and simple way these are

- Macronutrients,

- Micronutrients,

- Enzymes and

- co-Enzymes.

Besides these we have the new concept of Phyto-Nutrients known also as the nutrients coming from the vegetable kingdom.

It is important to mention oxygen and water. Without oxygen and water we could not live. Even though oxygen and water do not contain calories they are essential to our health and life.

“Mr. Energetic” or “Mr. Carbohydrate” also known as sugar and please don’t think that is just the sugar you use to sweeten your drink. This sugar comprises of a list of nutrients that include monosaccharides or simple sugars. Here we find the basic building blocks to create very important molecules. One kind of these molecules is called glyconutrients.

Additionally we find other sugars also known as complex carbohydrates made up of several molecules. Some are called disaccharides, and the prefix “Di” stands for two molecules monosaccharides and other called polysaccharides or starch - shaped by several monosaccharide molecules.

Next, we have the group called dietary fiber which are divided into two groups: Soluble and insoluble in water. They do not produce calories, but possess great features aiding the body in digestion.

What is the purpose of these molecules?

In summary, these molecules supply energy and assist us in the multiple and complex processes of our cells through out our life, from the first second of our life until the last. In another report we will concentrate on these processes. We will be covering Fatty Acids, Proteins, Trace Elements, Phyto Chemicals and others.

In conclusion, when we eat we are nourishing our cells. This is a concept that goes way beyond simple eating. You feed your body with what you want to eat, but you are not nourishing it.

Before we begin to nourish ourselves it is important to know that the foundation for good health is prevention. Prevention begins through radical changes in our lifestyle, by eliminating all harmful practices and learning to think correctly. Learn to relax your body with meditation, and have a better quality of life. All this is key to good health.

Elleyne VanBryce is a member of the AIANE (American International Association of Nutritional Education) and is currently being certified in Nutritional Education and Health. Visit her health blog today. She invites you to leave your comments.

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There is one activity that you can try both in winter and throughout the year that will give you a supply of fresh, nutritious and cheap salads in as few as four days. I am talking, of course, about sprouting seeds. Many varieties of vegetables and grasses can be used including alfafa, broccoli, fenugreek and mung beans which produce the familiar chinese beansprouts.

What equipment do you need to get started? Seeds can be sprouted in glass jars or trays, so for your first attempt, you can use any jar that you have to hand. Purpose made equipment is available from nurseries and other merchants if you decide to sprout seeds on a regular basis.

How do you grow them? First soak the seeds in water overnight, then drain off the water and place the seeds in your jar or tray. Since the seeds will expand up to 30 times their volume, do not overfill your jar. Keep the container at about room temperature (20c).

The only extra care required is regular rinsing which involves running the trays under a tap for a few seconds or filling the jar and then allowing the water to drain away. Do this two or three times a day, but at least every twelve hours. Make sure that the jars and trays are drained fully since too much water will encourage mould and the seeds to rot.

After a few days mini roots and shoots will develop. Harvest sprouts carefully by gently pulling ripe ones out from the rest. This allows less developed ones to continue growing so you get several harvests of perfect sprouts.

Why are they so good for you? When seeds have just sprouted there is an increase in proteins, enzymes and vitamins. They are also fresh, not having lost goodness in transit from the shop. Broccoli sprouts are rich in sulforaphanes, the anti-cancer agents which stimulate our body’s natural resources. Adzuki beans are high in fibre, minerals and vitamin B and are good for weight loss.

Any recipe suggestions? Add them to your salads, use for stir fries and include some in your sandwiches. Scatter a few on your bowl of soup instead of croutons. Try adding some to your baked potato filling or include them in an omlette. After the excesses of the Christmas holiday they are perfect for lightening the load.

Hugh Harris-Evans is the owner of The Garden Supplies Advisor where you will find further articles, gardening tips and product reviews.
http://www.garden-supplies-advisor.com

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