“Join the Dream”, said the Queen of Green!

The brain is an amazing organ-consisting of more then twenty-five billion cells that are the most highly developed of anything known. Linus Pauling. Two-time Nobel Prize winner and world-renowned scientist, noted that nutrient concentrations may not always be high enough to supply all the organs and tissues, especially the brain. This is due to absorption, and of course diet.

I’m going to recap a few things, as this will be the last post on ‘Feeding the Brain’. Remember: nutritional deficiencies alter our mental states and so much more. In fact, changes in our mood are the first signs that there’s a problem and you can bet it’s due to a deficiency. Depression, memory loss, anxiety, irritability, ADHD, ADD, OCD, etc. So feeding the brain and of course the rest of our body is so important. I can’t stress this enough.

Did you know that the brain has to compete with the heart, liver, fat cells, muscles and lungs for blood sugar (glucose). This is not just any glucose. Simple sugars from candy, sugar, etc. will not do. In fact, simple sugars will actually cause too much insulin to be released into the blood stream, lowering your blood sugar. This condition is also know as hypoglycemia, which in the end, damages the brain.

It is absolutely imperative that you get the right kind of glucose into the bloodstream. In order for the brain to function properly it requires four ounces of (the right) glucose a day. The right kind, if you haven’t guessed it already, is fresh fruit! No wonder children as well as adults naturally gravitate towards fruit. Our brains are instinctively telling us what we need. So next time you get an urge to have something sweet, grab some fruit, because that is what your brain really wants.

The brain also requires natural sodium (which is found in spinach and celery - not table salt), potassium, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and as stated in the previous posts on ‘Feeding the Brain’, iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc daily for the proper functioning of the brain. Here are some other nutrients to consider as well and they are just as important.

Trace Minerals such as:

• Chromium
• Selenium

Other minerals and vitamins, etc:

• Phosphorous
• Manganese
• Inosital
• Boron
• Vitamin B1, B6, B3, B9 (folic acid), B12,
• Bioflavonoids
• and phytochemicals

Antioxidants are also important as they protect against oxidation in the brain and the rest of our body. Research has shown that toxins and excess fat contribute to impaired brain function. What happens is, your brain cells will accumulate cellular garbage known as ‘lipofuscin’, which is a by product of fats and toxins. This kills and damages the neurons in your brain. So make sure you eat your greens, fruit, seeds, nuts, etc., in order to get your antioxidants. Vitamin A, C, E, beta-carotene, selenium, and bioflavonoids - which are potent antioxidants.

Here are some tips to help improve your brain function:

• Exercise. Go for a walk, bike, just get moving.
• Take time each day to breathe deeply.
• Use your brain. In other words don’t allow boredom or depression to sneak in. Do things that interest you and stimulate your mind.

To conclude; eat a healthy raw/vegan diet, consisting of a wide variety of fruit, greens, veggies, (sprouted nuts, seeds, grains) and wheatgrass.

Doing so will provide you with all the nutrients you need for health, energy, strength and brain power.

Brain Power Smoothie

You will get plenty of iron, calcium, potassium, beta-carotene, vitamin C, manganese, glucose and so much more from this power smoothie.

For this recipe it would help if you had a powerful blender like a Vita-Mix. I never measure when I make this. So I will do my best with the amounts. Don’t forget to play with it yourself. Who knows you might come up with something even tastier.

1 organic beet, cut in four (don’t peel)
3 organic carrots, cut in four
2 organic gala apples cut in four ( do not peel or core)
1/2-1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
a handful of goji berries
a handful of greens (spinach, kale etc.)
1 Tbsp. flax seeds and flax oil
1 medium organic banana
small handful of raw cocoa nibs (optional)
purified water (about 3 cups or more)

Place all ingredients in your Vita-Mix. Add enough water to cover half of the contents, you can add more if needed. Blend on high speed for 90 seconds until it is completely smooth. Use the tamper if needed. Your smoothie should be thick and smooth. Pour into large glasses and enjoy.

Makes enough for 2 people.

To your Health!

Monique

Another week has gone by. Amazing how fast it goes when you’re busy. With all the things that we put our minds through, it’s no wonder that some things fall through the cracks. On that note, I’d like to talk about the importance of Zinc in order for your brain (and body) to function properly.

Zinc has hundreds of function in the human body. Here is just a short list of some of those functions:

• important in the functioning of the immune system
• it assists in the healing of wounds as well as burns
• aids in the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates as well as other gastrointestinal functions
• assists in the function of the prostate gland
• helps the reproductive organs to stay healthy
• is essential in the formation of DNA and RNA
• Is needed in order from the brain, liver, thyroid and kidneys to function properly
• it also transfers carbon dioxide from the tissues in the lungs
• And so much more…

Try to avoid stress as much as possible, too much calcium in your diet, oral contraceptives, alcohol, and processed foods, as these things will all interfere with your absorption of zinc. There have been many studies done on zinc and the human body. One that stands out to me (being a mom), is one done on the connection between zinc deficiency and ADHD in children. The study revealed that when zinc was supplemented into the diet of children with ADHD, that the children responded very positively. Add this to all the other nutrients that are lacking in children with ADHD and behavior problems and you can see why these children are acting the way that the do. As parents it is so important to know this information so that not only can we make sure that our own children are getting everything that they need each day to function properly, but also so that we can help other parents by sharing this information with them so that they can help their children as well.

I know that you will all agree that our children are a very precious gift and we need to make sure that they don’t become another number to the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Here is a list of foods to get you started. In just a little over 1/3 cup of the following you’ll get:

pumpkin seeds - 10.30 mg, peanut butter - 7.17 mg, dried figs 1 mg. Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and sprouts, variety of sprouts, almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, mushrooms, peas, spinach, leafy greens, lentils and lentil sprouts, quinoa, amaranth, spelt, etc.

Start with this and be creative in the kitchen. We need 15 mg of zinc a day. Let your children help you and explain to them why these foods are important to eat. Don’t forget to add it to the list of the other nutrients that are needed for our brains.

Today’s recipe to complete this post is a treat for you and your little one.

Kaylee’s Ginger-Snap Bars

I named these after my daughter Kaylee. She loves making these in the kitchen. You can easily change the flavor by changing the spices or flavorings that your using. You can also change the type of nuts or dried fruit you are using as well. So be creative and have fun in the kitchen with your kids.

1 1/3 cup figs, chopped in half
1 1/3 cup almonds or other nut
1 tsp. ground organic ginger
1 tsp. ground organic cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground organic cloves

Process almonds in a food processor until ground but not quite. Add figs and remaining ingredients and process until it sticks together. Do not over process, as it will become oily if you do. Shape into bars with your hands or press into a square glass dish and then slice into bars. Wrap and freeze bars if not using right away.

To Your Health

Monique

Hi Everyone,
It assists in the acid-alkaline balance in the body

There is so much more, but I think you get the idea. Magnesium is very important, so much so that when magnesium levels are low it causes a number of problems, here’s a list:

• nerve cells become irritated
• muscles become tense
• adds to ADHD behavior in children, (as well as other behavioral, and mood problems)
• causes high levels of cortisol and adrenaline in the body, (which causes the body to lose even more magnesium)

So you can see from this why it’s so important to make sure that you eat a healthy diet, in order to get everything we need. If something’s missing, problems in the body will always happen.

The following is a list of things that cause us to lose magnesium in the body, so try to avoid them.

• Alcohol
• Diuretics
• Processed Foods
• Refined Flour
• Sugar
• Excess Protein
• Stress

Each day we need between 300-350 mg each day. Don’t panic, you can get everything you need on a raw/vegan diet. Here is a few examples to help you.

In just a little over 1/3 a cup (3 1/2 oz) of the following you’ll get:

Kelp 760 mg, Almonds 270 mg, Cashews 267 mg, Dulse 200 mg, dried peas 180 mg (you can sprout these and the amount increases), dried bananas 132 mg, dried figs 71 mg, Dates 58 mg.

Again there are many other fruits, vegetables, sprouts, etc. that contain good levels of magnesium.

Just to let you moms know, Raw Mom Stephani McGirr and I have been working hard to put together a book for parents on how to raise healthy and active raw/vegan children. It will give you far more information than I can give you here and it will cover everything you need to know to feel confident. You will have all the nutritional, scientific, and biological information at your finger tips, and so much more.

Something for you ladies to look forward to.

This post would not be complete without a recipe. One that will start you day off with a good dose of magnesium and many other nutrients as well.

Banana Mint Shake - (Magnesium Power Shake)

1/3 cup almonds (soaked)
2 large frozen bananas, chopped
3-4 dried figs
1 apple, cored
A handful of spinach
2-3 drops of mint extract or fresh mint sprigs
2 cups water
5 dried banana pieces (make sure they have been dehydrated and not sulfur dried)

Blend all the ingredients except the dried bananas, together. Blend until smooth. While the blender is running, drop in one dried banana at a time. Don’t over blend as you want it to have flex of banana chips in it.

Enjoy!

Monique

It’s been awhile since my last post, but it couldn’t be helped, as I was in an accident and home healing. I am almost myself again due to the incredible ability of our bodies to heal, when given what it needs to do so.

Now that I’m back, I’d like to continue the segment on ‘Feeding Your Brain’.

Another Critical Mineral for the brain is Calcium. Unfortunately many parents and children have been brain washed into believing that the best source for this mineral is cows milk. It’s amazing that with all the scientific data, that proves the opposite, they still tell us this and people believe it. Yesterday my daughter went to a sports event at the Mariners Center. She said they had all kinds of booths and were giving out free stuff. She was given a small book on smoothies, which she took as she thought, ‘Mom would love to have it’. She’s always thinking of others. I thanked her for it, opened it up, and you guessed it, the recipes all had dairy products in them in one form or another.

Then I looked at that back and guess what it said?……..’Developed by the team of Registered Dietitians at Dairy Farms of Canada’. Interesting. I wonder who gives them their paycheck! Obviously the have an invested interest, which I know first hand and it stinks. (Pardon my expression). Every single pamphlet; the ones on running, weight, exercise etc., were all promoting and/or produced by the Dairy industry. I’ll give them this, they know how to market lies very well, but there you have it.

We may not have billions of dollars like the dairy industry, but the one thing that we have that’s even better is our common sense. As mothers, our love for our children and others, and OUR amazing ability to TALK and spread the word, can grow like wildfire. Throughout history there have always been those that stand in the way of what’s right. But, knowledge, understanding and the TRUTH has and will always prevail. True knowledge is the key. So ladies be strong, open your mouths and let others know the truth, but remember to be tactful and discerning. You don’t want to beat someone over the head with it. Even if they look at you afterwards like you have ten heads, that’s okay. They’ll remember what you said and even tell someone else what you said, and that they think you’re crazy. But that’s ok too, because they just spread the word for you without even realizing it, and best of all, the person they are telling might just be the person that needed to hear the information.

Remember seeds spread, even if the one spreading it doesn’t mean to. It gets left for someone else and then it grows.

Here are some important facts on why we need Calcium and what the true best sources are:

Most of us know that it’s important for developing health strong bones, but did you know that it is also vital in stimulating the activity of the neurons in our brains? It is also important for the hundreds of other cellular processes that go on in our bodies, for example: it strengthens the nervous system, aids our heart rhythm, helps in muscle function and contractions, normalizes our metabolism, activates some enzymes, and aids in blood clotting, etc.

Here’s something you’ll find interesting. Studies show that children and adults who have brain related difficulties are also intolerant to dairy products. Calcium supplements are no better, as the FDA has found that many of them contain lead. That’s right, amazing what they try to feed us. This is why it’s so important to be informed.

As for dairy milk (which they say is the best source of calcium), it has only 295 mg per cup, and guess what? Our bodies can’t even use it. That’s right, instead of helping us build strong bones, it robs our bodies of the calcium and other minerals already found in our bones, all in an effort to neutralize the acid build-up caused by the foreign milk and the SAD diet. The body fights very hard to get rid of it. So much for ‘Does a body good’, not to mention the allergies it causes in children and adults.

Here is just a small list of foods (there are so many more, but this will give you a good idea), that contain highly absorbable calcium for our bodies. The kind our body really needs!

The REAL food that “Does a Body Good” (in 3 1/2 oz) are:

Sesame seeds - 1160 mg. Sesame seed milk (1 cup) - 1125 mg.
Kelp - 1093 mg.
Dulse - 296 mg
Almonds (soaked) - 234 mg. Almond milk (1 cup) - 604 mg.
Dried Fig - 126 mg
Broccoli - 103 mg

Other really good sources: Turnip greens, Beet greens, Kale, Swiss Chard, Parsley, Spinach, Fennel, Cress, Celery, Cabbage, Zucchini, Yellow squash, Pumpkin, Buckwheat, Hemp seeds, Brussels sprouts, Brazil nuts, Hazelnuts (Filberts), Apples, Bananas, Dates, Peaches, Pears, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, etc.

Of course this post would not be complete without a yummy recipe that is easy, quick, and will load you up with calcium as well. So without further ado:

“The Preparation of good food is merely another expression

of art, one of the joys of civilized living”

Calcium Power Smoothie

This smoothie has a wonderful purple color
1/4 cup soaked almonds
1 Tbsp. each of hemp seeds, sesame seeds, and chia seeds
2 -3 large organic banana’s (fresh or frozen)
2 cups water ( make sure it’s good water)
1 handful of Kale, Swiss Chard, and Romaine lettuce (you can use other greens if you like)
2 cups berry mix (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.) frozen or fresh

Blend everything together in a high speed blender until smooth. Pour into playful glasses and enjoy!

Until next week. Cheers to your health!

Monique

I realized something today, something that my husband has been telling me for years. I have too many books. My house is like a library. I’m not kidding. I was reorganizing my books last week and I came across a book I bought ages ago (back in 2002). I had forgotten I even had it. It’s a great book, and I thought it would be great to share some food for thought with you. The book is called ‘Is Your Child’s Brain Starving?‘ It’s written by Dr. Michael R Lyon and Dr. Christine Laurell. If you’ve never read it, it’s a great book to add to your library. It’s not a Raw Food book, but what it does talk about is feeding the brain, hence the title. It focuses on the connection between nutrition and behavioral problems such as ADHD, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and depression in children. If you have your doubts, I can tell you for a fact that the connection is very real. I have had what they call (OCD) obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was 6 years old. That’s about as far back as I can remember. Back then they had no name for what I had.. They knew nothing about it. In fact, they would put children with this problem in a mental institution. Scary.

My parents thought I was crazy. I remember one time , overhearing my parents talking about my problem. My mom wanted to put me in an institution, as she thought that I needed help and I would get it there, but good old Dad would have none of that. So I stayed safe at home with my family. There was times when I thought I was crazy, not knowing what I had and not knowing why I was different. At times I would wash my hands until they bled. I didn’t know why I was doing it, all I knew was that I had to, or I couldn’t function. The other children thought I was weird. It was not easy.

Okay, why am I telling you all this? Here’s the connection: my diet was not very good at all. Not even close. This was not my mom and dad’s fault. You have to understand that back then, no one really knew anything about nutrition. There was no nutritionist to go to. (Gee I feel ancient!) Anyway, as I got older, I learned about nutrition and also what I had. My husband was watching Oprah on TV (the talk show) back in 1987-88. He said, “Monique, come quick! You have to see this. I know what you have!” I ran in and there, and there they were, talking about OCD and they had some people on the show that had it.

Finally, I could put a name to what was wrong with me and I was not the only person with this problem. I was not alone anymore, I started crying, I was so happy. Only problem was, they said that apparently drugs were the only thing that would help. Not true, but back then I didn’t know any better, so I tried the drugs they gave me. This turned out to be a very bad idea. They made me suicidal. My husband and I threw them out and figured I’d just have to live with my condition. And I did.

Eventually, I started taking courses in health and nutrition. The health food industry started growing and more and more information was being shared with the public, which was great, but I didn’t find the answers I needed from these sources. In fact, I wasn’t even looking to fix my OCD, because I didn’t think I could. I started changing things in my diet because of my health, and what I discovered is that the more nutritious my diet became, the less compulsions I had. Can you guess what it was that made the biggest difference of all? Going vegan helped. Going mostly raw helped too, but it was the Greens (leafy greens) that made the biggest difference of all.

There are some very critical nutrients that the brain needs. In the weeks that follow I will be sharing some important information on feeding your children’s brain as well as your own. I will list the nutrients needed today, but each week I will go in depth on each one, so stay tuned!

Here’s the list: iron,calcium, magnesium,zinc, chromium, selenium, B1, B6, B12, antioxidants,phytochemicals, EFA’s, phosphatidylserine,protein, docosahexaenoic acid, micronutrients, etc.

I’m listing iron first as it is key to enzymes known as cytochromes. These enzymes are stored in what is known as mitochondria, which are like huge energy-generating stations. All the cells in our bodies contain mitochondria. The brain is no exception, as it requires enormous amounts of energy, and you guessed it, the brain is packed with these powerhouses. The parts of the brain that are responsible for attentiveness, higher judgment, and impulse control are the most complex. They also demand a large amount of energy. Therefore, these regions of the brain have the highest density of cytochromes. Science has found that children with even a minor deficiency of iron tend to have behavioral problems. Studies have also shown that when these children receive enough iron, their behavior improves.

Now before anyone goes running off and thinking that they have to pump their kids full of iron, consider this first: Does your child have an iron deficiency? If so, using an iron supplement is not always the best soluiton, as too much from a supplement can be toxic. Food is the best place to get a healthy source of iron, but no… not from liver. My father fed me plenty of that horrible stuff, but guess what? I had an iron deficiency until I became a vegan and started eating raw foods. That was when my iron levels became healthy, and it’s those wonderful Greens that did it! So if you want to do some good, load your kids and yourself with a variety of greens each day. There are some wonderful green smoothie recipes on The Raw Divas website, and ‘Green for Life’ by Victoria Boutenko is another great source of tasty ideas the whole family will love as well.

I’d like to share with you the Shrek Smoothie the kids at Meadowfields School love it. Your kids will love it to. They’ll get their iron and so much more.

Shrek Smoothie

2 large frozen banana’s
1 cup frozen mango
a large handful of Kale
water

Place the first three ingredients in your blender in the order given. Add enough water to just cover the fruit. Blend on high speed until smooth. You can add more water if needed.

To Your Health

Monique

Hope your week has been great. Spring is finely here, and like the song ‘Spring is in the Air’…,the birds are singing during the day and at night the sound of peepers can be heard near the pond in my back yard until early morning. Ooh the wonderful sounds. So peaceful. Our hearts feel lighter and freer at this time of year. There’s a lightness in your step and the thought of gardening once again is very strong. It might not be time for picnics and the beach yet, but it’s definitely time for lighter food now that winter has past.

Nutrition is still important especially when it comes to treats . So to ensure that you and your little ones are getting the best nutrition, eat the colors of the rainbow every day (red, green, white, yellow/orange, and blue/purple). I invite you to become a Rainbow King or Rainbow Queen. Here is your first job this spring as Rainbow King & Queen; when shopping, bring your little rainbow prince and princess (children). Let them help to pick out a colorful range of produce that they will use at home to make juices,smoothies and other treats. Make it fun and be enthusiastic. Make a reward chart that covers each day of the week. Get them to mark off when they have had their daily colors of the rainbow. Remind them that it is their duty as prince and princess to make sure the colors are where they should be, which of course is in their little tummies. For older ones, encourage them to read books on the environment, as well as health. When they become aware of the impact that their choices have on the world around them, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at their response. You might even have to try to keep up with them. Remember to keep it light and fun and they will be singing with health like the birds and peepers this spring.

So in light of this, today’s recipe is on the lighter side and is for the kid in all of us. Your children will love it to, so don’t forget to share.

Rainbow Pops

You can use different fruits for the different colors if you like. There are so many to choose from.

1 organic pear
1/3 cup water
1 large mango or 2 small ones
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup fresh strawberries
1/3 cup water

First wash and cut up your fruit. Place each fruit in a separate bowl. Measure out your water. Once everything is set up you are ready to start. Using your blender add your pear and 1/3 cup of water. Blend on high until smooth. Pour evenly between your moulds. Freeze until just set. Next do your mango and 1/3 cup of water, blend until smooth. Pour into your moulds over top of the frozen pear mixture.

Do the same with your strawberries. Freeze until set.

Make about 4 Rainbow Pops

To Your Health

Monique