Everything You Should Know About Watermelon

Watermelons Are Good For…

Prostate health, dehydration, constipation, infection, detoxifying, kidney health, blood pressure, appetite, diabetes, and heart health all benefit (or improve) with watermelon.

For various reasons, people sometimes have trouble drinking enough water each day.  Watermelon, since it is 91% water, can help with  hydration and electrolytes.

Watermelon hydrates our cells and balances the pH in our bodies.

Due to the citrulline content, this melon is also known to reduce and treat erectile dysfunction. Like Viagra, citrulline relaxes and dilates blood vessels.

Contents

Nutrition Composition of Watermelon

Watermelon is high in vitamin C (antioxidant), vitamin A (beta carotene), lycopene (antioxidant) and citrulline (an amino acid).

Recommended: How To Heal Your Gut

Tomatoes are known for their lycopene, the phytonutrient famous for fighting heart disease and prostate cancer. Unlike watermelon, you have to cook tomatoes in some oil to release the lycopene. Cup for cup, watermelon has 40% more lycopene than tomatoes.

Nutrition Facts for One Cup of Watermelon (ball scoops).  Raw, Typically Ripe Watermelon, 154g

Calories: 46 2 calories from fat
Total Fat: 0g 0%
  Saturated Fat: 0g 0%
   Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg 0%
Sodium: 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate: 12g 4%
  Dietary Fiber: 1g 2%
  Sugars: 10g
Protein: 0.9g 2%

Vitamins
Vitamin A 876 IU 18%
Vitamin C 12.5 mg 21%
Vitamin D 0 0%
Vitamin E 0.1 mg 0%
Vitamin K
0.2 mg
 0%
Thiamin 0.1 mg 3%
Riboflavin 0.0 mg 2%
Niacin 0.3 mg 1%
Vitamin B6 0.1 mg 3%
Folate 4.6 mg 1%
Vitamin B12 0 mg 0%
Pantothenic Acid 0.3 mg 3%
Choline 6.3 mg
Betaine 0.5 mg

Minerals
Calcium 10.8mg 1%
Iron 0.4 mg 2%
Magnesium 15.4 mg 4%
Phosphorus 15.4 mg 2%
Potassium 16.9 mg 5%
Sodium 1.5 mg 0%
Zinc 0.2 mg 1%
Copper 0.1 mg 3%
Manganese 0.1 mg 3%
Selenium 0.6 mg 1%
Flouride 2.3 mg

Glycemic

 Load

3
Index
(glucose = 100)		 72

Natural Remedies and Prevention with Watermelon

Watermelon has many health benefits and can help prevent and remedy some serious ailments, from erectile dysfunction to high blood pressure.

As for accessing the total medicinal benefits of watermelon, it is highly dependent on the variety of watermelon and the ripeness. Beta carotene and lycopene are usually bio-available in the highest quantities once the watermelon is completely ripe. And don’t be afraid to eat some of the watermelon rind; there are quite a few nutrients in there as well, particularly roughage and fiber.

How Watermelon Can Alleviate High Blood Pressure

Relaxed blood vessels mean a lower blood pressure. The arginine in watermelon that relaxes blood vessels has other health benefits. It promotes production of nitric oxide. In addition to relaxing blood vessels, this compound has been shown to reduce blood clotting and encourage smooth blood flow, preventing heart attacks and strokes. Also, increased hydration helps lower blood pressure and can help detoxify the blood as well.

Recommended: Hypertension – How To Lower Your Blood Pressure Quickly and Naturally

Why Watermelon Prevents Prostate Cancer

Watermelon contains more lycopene than any fresh fruit or vegetable. Lycopene has known antioxidant qualities to keep the skin, heart, and prostate healthy. Studies have shown that people who ingest lycopene can help the prostate regenerate faster and stay healthier longer.

Watermelon and Colon Health

Watermelon is particularly useful in fighting colon cancer due to its cleansing effect, it’s alkalinity, and it’s ability to hydrate cells. Watermelon aids in flushing the colon, kidneys, and to a lesser degree, the liver.

What Watermelon Can Do for Erectile Dysfunction

Arginine and citrulline make watermelon a wonderful natural remedy for impotence. Both arginine and citrulline relax blood vessels, including the vessels in the male reproductive system. Relaxed vessels allow for a natural erection response. Watermelon is also anti-inflammatory.

Macular Degeneration

With beta carotene, vitamin-C, lutein, and zeaxanthin, watermelon is one of the best foods for nourishing the eyes. These antioxidants will protect your eyes from other age-related ailments such as drying of eyes and optical nerves, as well as glaucoma.

Anxiety

While it is true that watermelon may lift your spirits just because it is a comfort food from your childhood, the vitamin B6 in watermelon doesn’t hurt either. B6 is a superb weapon against anxiety. This vitamin influences brain chemicals responsible for calming moods and allows you to make better decisions under stress.

Recommended: Natural Remedies for Anxiety

Skin

Lycopene is also beneficial for the skin. The antioxidants decrease free radicals from the body known for causing age-spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Hydration also plays a huge role in looking and feeling younger. Hydrated skin looks much younger and heals much faster than dehydrated skin.

Watermelon also aids skin in other ways as well, like removing excess oil from the skin that helps cause acne.

Detoxification

Dr. Ariel Policano, a naturopathic physician, says that watermelon helps the liver process ammonia, a toxic nitrogen-containing waste product left over from amino acid metabolism — and convert it into a molecule known as urea, a component of urine that is safely excreted from the body. Along with benefits to the colon, the liver, and the kidneys, watermelon is very good at flushing out the body, moving undesired waste to be evacuated.

Recommended: Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included

Watermelon Seeds

Watermelon tea is used by the Amish as a healing remedy. The seeds also have properties similar to pumpkin seeds that are good for your prostate.

Nutritional Composition of Watermelon Seeds

Watermelon seeds are a good source of vitamin B like Thiamin, niacin, and folate. Watermelon seeds are rich in minerals like magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, iron, potassium and copper. 100 grams of watermelon seeds provides around 139%, 87%, 82%, 74%, 44%, 20% and 37% of daily dietary values of these minerals respectively. Watermelon seeds are also a good source of dietary fiber which is essential for healthy bowel movements and digestion.

What You Can Do with Watermelon Rinds

It’s much more important to make sure to purchase organic watermelon if you plan to ingest the rind.

In a recent study, food scientists compared the nutrient content of flesh from different parts of a watermelon. They looked at flesh from the center, flesh near the stem, flesh near the blossom, and the flesh near the rind (known as periphery). There are concentrations of various nutrients (such as phenolic antioxidants, flavonoids, lycopene, and vitamin C) in all of the different areas tested. Overall, they found that the watermelon rind doesn’t offer any more benefit with nutrition than the flesh. The rind may have a little more citrulline than the flesh when measured by dry weight, but not by wet weight. So, if you want to eat the watermelon rind, you will receive many of the same nutritional benefits one gets eating the flesh, but the rinds also make great compost.

Watermelon Agriculture

Watermelons are a vine-like flowering plant that probably originated almost 5,000 years ago in the Kalahari Desert of Africa where botanists have found its wild ancestors still growing. Today, in the United States,  in the Southern states such as the Carolinas and Georgia, watermelons flourish as commercial crops.

Watermelon Varieties

There are many wild varieties ranging from super sweet to bitter that vary in size.  About 200-300 varieties are grown in the U.S. and Mexico, although there are only roughly 50 popular varieties.

The ‘Carolina Cross’

The watermelon that holds the current world record in weight at 120 kilograms (260 lbs) is a yellow flesh melon called the ‘Carolina Cross.’ This variety has green skin with red flesh and typically produces fruit between 29 and 68 kilograms (65 and 150 lbs). Planting to harvest is about 90 days.

The ‘Yellow Crimson’

The yellow crimson variety has yellow-colored flesh and is typically described as sweeter than red flesh melons with a taste of honey. The first fruits should be ready to harvest in mid to late summer, about 55 to 85 days after pollination.

The ‘Orangeglo’

With a very sweet orange flesh, the orangelo is a large, oblong melon that typically weighs 9–14 kg (20–30 pounds). The rind is light green with jagged dark green stripes.Planting to harvest is about 90–100 days.

The ‘Moon and Stars’

This melon variety wears a purple/black rind with many small, yellow circles along with one or two large, yellow circles (moon). The flesh is pink or red and has brown seeds. The foliage is also spotted. They weigh 9–23 kg (20–50 pounds). The time from planting to harvest is about 90 days.

The ‘Cream of Saskatchewan’

These melons grow well in cooler climates. They are small round fruits around 25 cm (10 inches) in diameter. They carry a thin, light green rind with dark green strips. The flesh is very sweet and there are black seeds. The melon takes 80–85 days from planting to harvest.

The ‘Melitopolski’

The Melitopolski has small, round fruits that are around 28–30 cm (11–12 inches) in diameter. The Melitopolski watermelons are popular in Moscow in summer. They  take about 95 days from planting to harvest.

The ‘Densuke’

With a black rind (without strips of spots) is grown only on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, where up to 10,000 watermelons are produced every year. These watermelons are expensive, with one selling at an auction for 650,000 yen (US$ 6,300), making it the most expensive watermelon ever sold. The average price is about 25,000 yen ($ 250).

Are there Genetically Modified Watermelons?

We know of no genetically modified watermelons in production. There were some experiments in Italy and the U.S., but at this time watermelons at the store as completely free of genetically modified organisms.

Seedless watermelons are NOT genetically modified. They are hybrid watermelons that have been grown in the United States for more than 50 years.

Those square watermelons they grow in Japan are not genetically modified either. They are just watermelon grown in a box.

Organic Vs. Conventional Watermelons

While not the worst offender, conventional watermelon is grown using pesticides known to cause health problems and kill bees. The good news is that the chemicals, for the most part, do not penetrate the rind and pass into the fruit. Watermelon is one of those fruits that you need not be too concerned with the toxicity levels if organic is not available.

We do not recommend eating watermelon from China (or any produce at all for that matter, organic or not).

Seedless Vs. Seeded Watermelon

Seedless watermelons are sterile hybrid fruits created by crossing male pollen for a watermelon with a female watermelon flower. This is similar to the mule, produced by crossing a horse with a donkey. This process does not involve genetic modification.

We have eaten hundreds of watermelon, and it’s getting harder and harder to find the seeded variety lately. Seedless watermelons take considerable knowledge to grow, but they ripen and are ready to harvest quickly. It’s more economical, specially on a large scale, to grow seedless watermelon.

We are the type of people to say we prefer the seeded variety for taste and texture, but the truth is, it’s actually a really tough call. The best watermelon I have ever had was seeded. But at least half in the top ten were seedless. And I’m better at picking out a good seedless melon. It’s more difficult for me with the bigger seeded varieties.

Every time we see a full seeded watermelon available we get excited. My whole family loves it, and we always are chasing that high we felt when we got the best watermelon we’ve ever had. Seriously, we love watermelon.

Fair-trade Watermelon & Human Rights Issues

We don’t know of any human rights issues within the watermelon industry. We also can’t recall seeing fair trade labeled watermelon. If you know of any, please let us know.

Tips for Growing Your Own Watermelon

Most watermelons require a long growing season, at least three months of temperatures that are 21 – 27 degrees C (70 to 80 degrees F or higher).

Start watermelon seeds indoors and use black plastic mulch.Buy seeds of an open-pollinated, heirloom variety that are a good fit for your climate (and then of course, save those seeds when you harvest the melons). If your growing season is less than 90 days, select short-season varieties such as ‘Million Bucks Hybrid’ or ‘Orange Sunshine Hybrid’.

When vines begin to ramble, a dose of boron will help melons produce sweeter flesh. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of borax in a gallon of water and spray the foliage and the ground by the plants.

Things You Didn’t Know About Watermelon

  • Citrullus Lanatus is the official name for watermelons.
  • Watermelons are the botanical cousins of cucumber, squash, and pumpkins.
  • Watermelons earliest recorded harvest dates back to 5,000 B.C. in Egypt.
  • Watermelons were buried in the tombs of kings to nourish them in the afterlife.
  • The world’s heaviest watermelon weighed 121.93 kg (268.8 pounds).
  • Watermelons have more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable.
  • Watermelon juice helps relieve muscle soreness and speed recovery.
  • Watermelon is 91.5-percent water.

How to Store Watermelons So They Last Longer

The shelf life of a watermelon depends on when the watermelon was picked and how it is stored. When properly stored, the shelf life of a watermelon past its picked or purchased date is approximately 7 to 10 days if left whole or 3 to 5 days if it is cut and in the refrigerator. Whole watermelon can last a few days longer in the fridge, but the cold temperature does diminish some nutrition.

How to Pick Good Watermelons

Recent research has shown that the highest lycopene and beta-carotene content occurs at the time when a watermelon is ripe.

Pick a dull looking watermelon.  A shiny appearance indicates an underripe melon.

Find the field spot.  This is that creamy yellow colored spot on the melon where it rested on the ground. The darker the color of the creamy spot, the longer it was on the vine sweetening up. If it is white (or not even there), put it back, because this indicates an unripe melon that was picked too early.

Give the melon a spank. You will get a dull thud if the flesh is too soft, which you don’t want. There should be a slight hollowness to the thump. Your hand should bounce off the melon, and the surface should be pretty hard/firm, but too hard with no give can mean it’s not as ripe as it should be just yet.

watermelon split heartIf you aren’t familiar with the term, “hollow heart” watermelons are those melons with a crack in the middle of the flesh from stem to blossom. They are typically sweeter due to the concentration of sugars within the cracks. Sometimes you can tell by the thump if you’ve thumped enough watermelon to know. If you get one of these that are not too dry, you’ve got yourself an awesome watermelon. Listen for the hollow sound when you thump them.

Sources and Further Reading



Is Your Deodorant Drugging You Through The Armpits Daily With This Neurotoxin?

(NaturalNews – Lance Johnson) As the temperature rises in the body, thousands of sweat glands begin to bead up, preparing to cool the body down. The average person possesses about 2.6 millions sweat glands — a built in thermostat. This system is made up of eccrine glands and apocrine glands.

Eccrine glands are the most numerous, harbored in places like the forehead, hands, and feet. These glands are activated at birth and do not secrete proteins or fatty acids.

Apocrine glands, on the other hand, do secrete proteins and fatty acids and are found in the genital area and armpits. These become active during puberty and usually end in hair follicles.

The sweat coming from both types of glands does not have an odor. Body odor comes from bacteria living on the skin. The bacteria metabolize the proteins and fatty acids secreted from the eccrine glands, ultimately producing an odor. That odor can be influenced by the type of bacteria living on the skin and the kind of food a person eats.

This often unpleasant odor is the reason why deodorants and antiperspirants have become a popular body care product today. Many people have their favorite brand but are unaware that many antiperspirants are actually drugs that change the physiology of the body. These antiperspirants contain an active ingredient that is scientifically validated to accelerate brain aging and cause Alzheimer’s disease. This drug is often rubbed into the sweat glands and taken up into the body.

Deodorants versus antiperspirants

Deodorants work by killing the bacteria that live on the skin. They are often scented to provide consumers with a pleasant fragrance. Commercial deodorants often contain hormone-disrupting chemical fragrances that absorb into the skin and disrupt the endocrine system. Natural deodorants use plant-based essential oils as an alternative to the chemicals. Many of these essentials oils give the natural deodorant more power, because they possess antibacterial properties that help drive away the bacteria in the sweat glands that cause the actual stink.

Antiperspirants, on the other hand, work in a much different way. Antiperspirants work by blocking the sweat glands, stopping the secretion of proteins and fatty acids. Most antiperspirants are made with aluminum salts like aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium compounds. Since antiperspirants change the physiology of the body, they are actually considered an over-the-counter drug in the US and are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Every antiperspirant sold in the US has a Drug Identification Number (DIN), denoted on the label.

Chronic aluminum exposure and neurotoxicity

In 1986, aluminum was first recognized as a neurotoxin in the USA. The US EPA has established a safe range for aluminum salts in public drinking water, which is 0.05 to 0.2 milligrams per liter.

In a 2010 publication of Neurotoxicology, researchers from the Department of Medicine at the University of California showed how extended exposure to aluminum salts causes neurotoxicity. In an animal model, aluminum was given at low levels to determine acceleration of brain aging. They found out that aluminum salts can increase levels of glial activation, inflammatory cytokines and amyloid precursor proteins within the brain. These increases are all indicative of accelerated brain aging. The aluminum salts effectively increased brain inflammation that is also present in Alzheimer’s patients.

Remarkably, aluminum salts like aluminum zirconium are marketed as the active ingredient in many commercial antiperspirants. Aluminum zirconium makes up 15 percent or more of most commercial antiperspirants! The label often warn consumers that the product can cause kidney damage too. Here’s an example antiperspirant label here.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.controlyourimpact.com
http://water.epa.gov
http://science.naturalnews.com



Why You Should Avoid Pasteurized Cow’s Milk

Got milk? Get rid of it.

In 2013, the Got Milk ad campaign celebrated its 20th anniversary. For all of these years, we’ve been told that milk makes our bones strong and healthy. But throughout this same time period, Swedish researchers have conducted a study of 61,433 women and 45,339 men and their dietary habits. Their study found a correlation between the amount of milk consumed and an increase in bone fractures, inflammation, and death! (This was not the case with fermented milk products – just cow’s milk).

rBGH and Milk

Since the 1990s the 20-30% of the American milk supply has been produced by cows who were given rBGH, a growth hormone, used to increase milk supply. Many other countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the 27 countries of the European Union have rejected the use of rBGH. Knowing this, rBGH was not a factor in Sweden’s study. One cannot help but wonder how much worse the results would be if a replication of the Swedish study was done in America.

Lactose Intolerance and Milk Allergy

Although many confuse the two, a lactose intolerance is not the same thing as a milk allergy. Lactose intolerance means that your system cannot tolerate milk because it does not have the enzyme, lactase, which is required to digest the sugar in milk (lactose). Lactose intolerance causes stomach upset, bloating, gas, and loose stools.

A milk allergy often causes the same symptoms along with inflammation and tissue damage. Often a milk allergy is present without the obvious digestion problems. Other health problems, especially frequent respiratory infections, ear infections, and sinus infection, suggest a milk allergy. Food allergies also interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.

Raw Milk

Raw milk is not pasteurized or homogenized. It still retains its full and rich heritage of vitamins, beneficial bacteria, linoleic acid, and enzymes – the very enzymes that help us to digest it (including lactase). When studies such as the Swedish study are published, we have to remember that the results were obtained from a population drinking (what we must assume is) pasteurized milk.

Conclusion

If you are going to consume milk or milk products, choose raw milk if it is available. It is a whole beneficial food if you are not lactose intolerant or allergic. Pasteurized milk is not a healthy food. It feeds Candida and other harmful microbes. If you are concerned about calcium, eat more green vegetables and avoid nutrient robbing, acidic, processed foods.

Pasteurized milk has no place in a healthy diet.

If you’re getting off pasteurized milk and other dairy products, it’s a good time to do a Candida cleanse. Also check out How Raw Milk Can be Dangerous.

Recommended Supplements:
Further Reading:

Sources:



Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs for Handling Stress

Times of high stress can affect your health, your sleep, and your entire sense of well-being. While chronic long-term stress is a cry for a change of lifestyle and a more serious intervention, sometimes we go through stressful periods knowing there is an end in sight. If this is your situation, know that a good diet, 8 hours of sleep a night, exercise and the following supplements can help see you through.

Note: This article is the short version of Natural Remedies for Chronic Stress.

The following supplements will help you feel more relaxed, help you avoid illness, and help you sleep:

  • Vitamin B complex
  • Tryptophan
  • Calcium Magnesium
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D
  • Multi-vitamin or Total Nutrition Formula
  • Omega 3s
  • Melatonin (if insomnia is a problem)
  • Valerian Root (if insomnia is a problem)

Vitamin B Complex

While a few of the B vitamins are regularly recommended for stress, it is always best to take B vitamins in a B complex form, as B vitamins work together. Research has also shown that taking one B vitamin alone over time can actually cause deficiencies in other B vitamins. B vitamins are nature’s valium. They soothe the nervous system and aid in many functions in the body and brain. They may also help you sleep.

L-Tryptophan

L- tryptophan is an amino acid our body needs in order to make serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is the basic “feel good” neurotransmitter, whereas melatonin is needed for sleep.

Calcium and Magnesium

Calcium and magnesium work together. Magnesium is calming to the body. You can take it as a supplement or soak for 40 minutes in epsom salts.

Vitamin C and Vitamin D

In times of great stress, the immune system is often suppressed. An extra boost of vitamin C and vitamin D aid the immune system and may keep you from catching a virus or a bacterial infection at an already difficult time.

Multi-vitamin or Total Nutrition Formula

Times of high stress are a good time to ensure all of your nutritional needs are met. A daily multi-vitamin and/or Total Nutrition Formula will aid you in getting all the nutrients your body requires. (You can buy it at Green lifestyle Market or make your own Total Nutrition Formula at home.)

Omega 3s

Krill oil, flax seed oil, fish oil, or a good oil blend will help with stress and aid in concentration and mood stabilization.

Melatonin and Valerian Root

If L-tryptophan and B vitamins have not reversed your insomnia, add melatonin and valerian root to your nightly routine. Also see Natural Insomnia Cures. (see link below)

Conclusion:

Coping with stress in a healthy way includes a healthy diet, adequate exercise, good sleep, and avoiding those shortcut stress reducers that do more harm than good. Don’t rely on drugs, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, or junk food to help you through stressful times. They don’t help at all, even though it may seem like they do at the moment. This is a time to take excellent care of yourself to minimize the stress on your body even though there is more than enough stress in your life. For more information on how to deal with stress, especially if your stress is chronic or long term, see Natural Remedies for Chronic Stress, and Natural Remedies for Adrenal Fatigue.

Recommended Supplements:
Further Reading:
Sources:

Dr. Oz

Life Extension–tryptophan



How To Quit Smoking Naturally

Smokers are adept in compartmentalized thinking. All the expense, the fuss, the mess, the smell, the frustration of addiction, and the very real fear of cancer and other medical consequences are pushed aside or buried deep in the psyche when they are actively smoking. When you get honest with yourself, you know you want to quit. Who doesn’t want to be smoke free?

Smoking is a complicated addiction. There is much more at play than a simple addiction to nicotine. Smokers are addicted to the very act itself. Taking that break, the deep breathing involved, the camaraderie of other smokers–all of these factors come into play when you quit.

Prepare Yourself to Quit Smoking

First and foremost, break the cycle of self-delusion. Do your research. I could do it for you, but the facts will deliver a bigger punch if you look them up yourself. How many die of cancer each year? Each day? How many other deaths are related to smoking? Check out a picture of smoker’s lungs versus healthy lungs and see the damage you have done! Know that your lungs can be pink and healthy again–the choice is yours.

Do a pros and cons list. Are there really any good reasons to keep smoking?

Go out and buy yourself some straws. Short fat ones are the best, of course. And buy some bubbles, the kind children blow.

Stock up on the following:

  • Vitamin C
  • Lemons, cranberry juice without added sugar, cayenne pepper, stevia (recipe)
  • B complex vitamins
  • Calcium and magnesium (recipe)
  • Lots of fresh, organic, raw produce
  • Fruit juice (without added sugar)

Stop buying cigarettes by the carton. Buy one pack at a time.

Pick a target date. Do not plan to stop when you know you will have to complete an important assignment or report. That report will become the excuse to go buy more cigarettes. It’s best to choose a day when you will be off work for a day or two (or more).

The night before you plan to quit, smoke that last cigarette, then clean house. Throw away all of your smoking paraphernalia–ashtrays, lighters, cigarette cases. Drown any remaining cigarettes and cigarette butts. If they are wet, you can’t retrieve them from the trash. Take a B vitamin and get a good night’s sleep, you’ll need it.

Getting Through the First Few Days–The Blood Sugar Connection

The first three days will be the most difficult. The connection between nicotine and blood sugar is a major factor. Nicotine is a trigger to release blood sugar. Your body may need a few days to reset itself, to learn to release blood sugar on its own. Smoking a cigarette releases blood sugar in seconds while eating takes twenty minutes or so. This is why cigarettes have been such a crutch when you have needed that boost of energy or clear thinking. It’s not just the stimulant effect of nicotine you crave–it’s the brain craving glucose as well.

This blood sugar connection is the reason so many people gain weight when they quit smoking. They replace that quick blood sugar release with foods that release blood sugar quickly–like candy. But this starts them on a roller coaster of rising and falling blood sugar. When the blood sugar plunges, they eat more sugar, and the nicotine cravings increase. If you avoid this trap, you won’t gain weight.

The first thing in the morning when you crave that first cigarette, drink a cup of juice. Then eat plenty of protein for breakfast. Do not eat sugar! Take your vitamins.

For the first three days (or longer if needed) eat throughout the day. The secret is to eat healthy, organic, nutrient dense foods. Stick to protein, fruits, and vegetables. Throughout the day, drink cranberry lemonade (see recipe below). It will help flush toxins out of your system. Aim for a gallon a day. That’s one cup every waking hour.

After breakfast, take the time to cut up a bunch of veggies to snack on throughout the day. If you are a meat eater, it is also a good time to cook some chicken wings or drumsticks or any other meat that you can grab cold out the fridge for a few bites of protein.

If cravings get really bad, drink a cup of fruit juice, but follow 30 minutes later with some protein.

After 3 days, ditch the fruit juice, but keep up the cranberry lemonade. It’s a good habit to continue.

Vitamins To Take When You Quit Smoking

  • Vitamin C – 1,000 mg twice daily (remember to titrate down if you stop taking vitamin C)
  • B Complex vitamins–1 or 2 a day (never take one B vitamin for any length of time–it will make you deficient in the others)
  • Calcium and magnesium–once a day

Vitamin C will help you flush toxins and nicotine from the body. B vitamins will help you sleep and calm your nerves. Your friends, family, and co-workers will appreciate your taking B vitamins as well. Calcium and magnesium work together. Magnesium reduces stress. A forty minute epsom salts bath will release toxins and flood your body tissues with magnesium.

What To Expect When You Quit Smoking

You may find that you are really tired–and sleepy. This is due to both the blood sugar connection and the nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine is a stimulant, after all. Allow your body to rest. Sleep at will, but exercise as well. Your lymphatic system needs help to circulate lymphatic fluid and you need your immune system to help you detox. A brisk walk once or twice a day will benefit you in many ways.

When the cravings hit, you will experience both a physical reaction and an emotional one. That voice in your mind, that voice of addiction, will tell you any number of things from “One won’t hurt!” to “I can’t do this!” Talk back. Do it out loud. “Yes, I can!” or “Yes, one will hurt!” Say it loud and clear. But if the arguing with your inner voice continues past the first three days, dismiss it. Tell yourself that you will no longer listen to the voice of addiction.

Shillington’s Formulas

Shillington has a couple of formulas that can help with withdrawals and healing from smoking.

Huff N Puff Formula (or click here to purchase)

  • 1 part lobelia
  • 1 part mullein

This Huff and Puff is also great for detoxifying, removing tar and mucus, and healing the lungs from a lung infection or any other lung issues.

Doc Shillington’s Nerve Sedative Formula Recipe (or click to purchase)

  • 2 – parts Valerian Root
  • 2 – parts Lobelia Seed Pods
  • 2 – parts Passion Flower
  • 1 – part Hops Flowers
  • 1 – part Black Cohosh
  • 1 – part Blue Cohosh
  • 1 – part Skullcap
  • 1 – part Wild Yam

Parts are by volume. Blend all ingredients together and make into a tincture using a 50 – 50 Blend of Alcohol (100 proof vodka) and distilled water. For more, see How to Make a Tincture.

What Else Can You Do to Help Yourself through Withdrawals from Smoking?

Smoking involves behaviors that are as addicting as the smoking itself. The hand to mouth ritual, the deep breathing involved in inhaling smoke, the outside (hopefully) break in your daily routine, these behaviors are missed when you quit.

For the long term, learn how to breathe properly and consider taking up meditation or yoga. For the short term, take big deep breaths every time you think about smoking, and every time you think about breathing. Suck on a straw. Straws will allow you to repeat that behavior, the deep draw of air, the hand to mouth motion. You’ll be surprised how much this will help you when that craving strikes. If the whimsy appeals, follow this with blowing bubbles. It’s nice to think you are putting bubbles into the air instead of noxious smoke.

You may quit for weeks, months, or even years and find that nasty little voice comes back to tell you, you can smoke just one. Or that voice tells you that you can just smoke tonight while you are at this bar or this party. And guess what? You can. You can smoke one cigarette or a whole pack and not smoke the next day, but this slippery slope is the first step back to smoking. If you could have had a take it or leave it relationship with smoking, that’s what you would have had. But you didn’t, did you? And I would be willing to bet you have never known a single person who did. Smoking is a strong addiction. Unlike alcohol, which many people can enjoy in moderation, smoking is usually an all or nothing proposition. Alcoholics may be able to drink one drink–today. But once they start drinking, they will return to their addictive behavior. It is even worse for recovering smokers. When you quit, never ever smoke again. If you slip up–stop. Keep quitting until it sticks.

If you smoke a pack a day, you are spending $5.00-$6.00 dollars a day or more on a nasty, filthy, suicidal addiction. That’s $150.00 to $185.00 or more a month. What else can you do for yourself with that money? How about a massage every other week? A membership to a gym? Clothes? That special something you can’t afford but could save the money to buy? Consider putting that cash you would have spent on cigarettes into a jar where you can see the money you are saving each day. Whatever you buy with that money, spend it on yourself. You deserve it. You’ve won.

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Further Reading:
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Cherries – The Superfood You Should Know About

Cherries are Good For…

Anti aging, gout, reducing muscle pain, blood pressure, osteoarthritis, colon cancer, insomnia, metabolism, Alzheimer’s, and preventing strokes are all things cherries are known to help with.

Contents

Nutrition Facts for Sweet, Raw Cherries, 1 Cup, No Pits & for Tart, Raw, Red Cherries, 1 Cup, No Pits

Sweet Cherries / Tart Cherries

Calories: 97 / 77 3 / 4 calories from fat
Total Fat: 0.3 / 0.5 g 0 / 1 %
  Saturated Fat: 0.1g 0 / 1 %
   Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg 0%
Sodium: 0 / 5 mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate: 25 / 19 g 8 / 6 %
  Dietary Fiber: 3 / 2 g 13 / 10 %
  Sugars: 20 / 13 g
  Starch: 0g
Protein: 2 / 1.6 g 3%

Vitamins
Vitamin A 98.5 / 1988 IU 2 / 40 %
Vitamin C 10.8 / 15.5 mg 18 / 26 %
Vitamin D 0 0%
Vitamin E 0.1mg 1%
Vitamin K 3.2 / 3.3 mcg 4%
Thiamin 0.0mg 0%
Riboflavin 0.1mg 3%
Niacin 0.2 / 0.6 mg 1 / 3 %
Vitamin B6 0.1mg 4 / 3 %
Folate 6.2 / 12.4 mcg 2 / 3 %
Vitamin B12 0mcg 0%
Pantothenic Acid 0.3 / 0.2 mg 3 / 2 %
Choline 9.4 / 9.5 mg
Betaine 0mg

Minerals
Calcium 20 / 22.8 mg 2%
Iron 0.6 / 0.5 mg 3%
Magnesium 16.9 / 13.9 mg 4 / 3 %
Phosphorus 32.3 / 23.2 mg 3%
Potassium 342 / 268 mg 10 /8 %
Sodium 0 / 4.7 mg 0%
Zinc 0.1 / 0.2 mg 1%
Copper 0.1 / 0.2 mg 5 / 8 %
Manganese 0 / 0.2 mg 5 / 9 %
Selenium 0mcg 0%
Flouride 3.1 / 0 mcg

Glycemic

 Load

8 / 10

Index

(glucose = 100)

22 / 20

Health Benefits, Natural Remedies and Disease Prevention with Cherries

Anti-Inflammatory – The FDA sent out warning letters to cherry growers some years ago insisting that the cherry companies quit making health claims that some of the compounds in cherries may reduce pain and inflammation. Cherry growers were told to stop citing scientific studies showing that cherries are packed with unique anthocyanins and other compounds that are proven to mediate inflammation. But of course they do. In fact, 1 cup of cherries has the same effect as one regular strength ibuprofen.

Cherries, especially tart cherries (or tart cherry juice), reduce muscle soreness and are an amazing supplement for DOMs (delayed onset muscle soreness), arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, working out, and other such issues that cause muscle soreness.

Fat Metabolism – Researchers found that when rats were fed whole tart cherry powder along with a high fat diet, they gained less weight than rats that did not consume cherry powder on an otherwise identical diet.

Insomnia – Cherries are a good source of natural melatonin, imperative for healthy cognitive function, circulatory strength, and proper sleep cycles. This can help also alleviate jetlag and insomnia.

Antioxidants – The antioxidants found in cherries are said to boost memory and may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Antioxidants also help slow aging in many other ways, including appearance.

Cardiovascular Health – The anthocyanins in cherries are pigments that give red cherries the red color. Anthocyanins may activate and help regulate genes that are involved with fat and glucose metabolism, which should help reduce the risk for such health issues as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Cherries are also very high in potassium, which is known to help regulate heart rate and lower blood pressure.

Cancer Prevention – In addition to the anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that help prevent cancer, studies have shown that the anthocyanins prevents cancer (and there are a host of other benefits to individual cells as well).

Gout – Due to their anti-inflammatory properties, and their alkalizing effects, cherries and cherry juice should be a staple for anyone suffering from gout.  One study showed that people with gout may be able to cut their risk of recurrent gout attacks in half by eating 20 cherries a day.

Sweet Cherries vs. Tart Cherries

There are many varieties of sweet cherries available. The most common are Rainer and Sweetheart. Other common varieties include bing, Chelan, tieton, Skeena, and lapins.

Sweet cherries are typically larger than tart cherries and usually have a bit of a heart shape to them. Sweet cherries can range in color from golden with hints of red (like the Rainer) to dark, deep red (like the Sweetheart).

With the health benefits listed above, tart cherries come out the winner every time. Sweet cherries are very good for us, but tart cherries have more of the best health properties and a little less sugar as well. If you cannot find fresh, tart cherries, try tart cherry juice. Black cherry juice is well known for its proven health benefits.

Common tart cherry varieties (also known as sour cherries) include English morello, early richmond, Meteor, montmorency, and north star. Tart cherries in the United States usually come from Michigan. These cherry trees are much better suited to cold weather.

Tart cherries are typically used for juicing and cooking. Their tart flavor also bodes well with sugar. Tart cherries are typically softer and smaller than sweet cherries.

While a bit harder to find at the supermarket, raw tart cherries are making a comeback, due in part to their potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cherry Agriculture

Harvesting tart cherries is a delicate process; they are hand-picked so they keep their stems to keep them from leaking or spoiling. Leaving the stems on also slows down the ripening process.

Tart cherries are soft and must be handled gently. Sweet Cherries are less susceptible to  damage and are a bit easier to harvest.

Cherry Season – Harvest

The cherry harvest in the United States begins in southern California around the end of April with the Brooks cherry, a hybrid that is a cross between a Rainier and a Bing.  Harvest season comes to an end in California by early June, which is when the season begins in Washington State. By September cherries will be gone from stores until the next year.

Most sweet cherries continue to be produced in Washington, California, Michigan, and Oregon. Michigan produces the bulk of tart cherries for the U.S.

Are there Genetically Modified Cherries?

At this time there are not any genetically modified cherries. There is some research being done on producing a GMO cherry that has no pit.

Organic Vs. Conventional Cherries

Cherries are one of those crops that gets an extremely heavy dose of pesticides. They were on the “Dirty Dozen” list for 2010, a report put out by the Environmental Working Group that picks the 12 most toxic laden, heavily chemically treated crops.

There are more than 40 toxins found on conventional cherries from pesticide sprays: 20 known hormone disruptors, 7 neurotoxins, 8 toxins that effect reproduction and development, and 14 chemicals known to contribute to the death of honeybees.

Things You Didn’t Know About Cherries

  •  In the United State the consumption of fresh cherries increased by 150% from 2000 to 2009.
  •  Because the fruit has a very short shelf life, cherries are brought to market quickly.
  •  In the United States, there are more than 1,000 different varieties of cherry tree.
  • In addition to their wonderful fruit, the cherry tree is known for its beautiful flowers.
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Question: What is Trisodium Phosphate and What Is It Doing In Our Food?

(NaturalNews – Zach C. Miller) Certain working professionals, such as carpenters and painters, might know what trisodium phosphate (TSP) is. They’d know that TSP is an industrial cleaning agent used for paint prep work, as a degreasing agent, as a mildew remover, siding cleaner and lead abating agent. However, what these working pros wouldn’t expect is for TSP to be in their breakfast, lunch, and toothpaste!

TSP used for industrial cleaning comes with first aid warnings on it due to the compound’s extreme alkalinity. Yet, breakfast cereal manufacturers are bold enough to put this product in their cereals and even list it right on the ingredient label! Go ahead right now and look in your cabinet, if you have a mainstream breakfast cereal in there you might see TSP listed on the label in plain sight.

TSP and the FDA’s hypocrisy

The FDA has approved TSP to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Because of its alkalinizing cleaning properties, TSP has been used in dishwashing and laundry products over the years. But government studies have found that TSP is bad for the environment and as such TSP was phased out of common household cleaning products in 2011. The hypocrisy of this is outstanding; TSP is bad for our ecology, but it’s okay to put it in food!?

Along with GMOs and gluten, TSP is another item you’ll probably want to add to your list of things to avoid in foods that you buy and support with your dollar. Luckily, TSP usually is easily visible on the ingredients list, so if you know where to look you can avoid buying it for your family.

What types of products contain trisodium phosphate?

Among the cereals that contain it are Wheaties, most types of Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Trader Joe’s brands, and others. It appears that most General Mills cereal brands contain TSP. However, there are many brands of cereals that potentially have TSP added as an ingredient so check your labels. Some other foods and products that contain TSP include:

– Processed meats
– Processed cheese
– Many canned soups
– Commercial cakes and baked goods (added as a leavening agent)
– Toothpastes
– Baby toothpastes
– Mouthwash
– Hair coloring and bleaching products

The FDA has stated that TSP is not a risk in food, but on the PAN Pesticides Database-Chemicals website it clearly states to avoid contact with TSP, either internally or topically (as in hair products). Some of the health problems that can arise from ingesting TSP are: irritation the gastric mucosa, reduction of lactic acid in muscles, a mineral imbalance leading to loss of calcium from bones, and calcification of the kidneys. The daily recommended value of TSP is 70mg. Western diets consisting of junk food sometimes reach upwards of 500mg of TSP, which leads to an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and other health problems.

Sources for this article include
http://www.onlineholistichealth.com/trisodium-phosphate-food/
http://www.nutrition.und.edu*1
http://www.foodfacts.com
http://www.activistpost.com