Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Body Balance

Well, technology and I are becoming friends again. It was a tough, but we worked through it. Lets just hope we stay friends.

So there’s my technology update. Lets talk about my Amazing Grass 2 week challenge update. I’ve really enjoyed all the wonderful emails and nutritional information. As a Nutrition Manager, I am bombarded with health fads, diets, etc. so it’s nice to finally see some real ingredients in their products, which is REAL FOOD, REAL WHOLESOME FOOD! But how does real food “balance” us out? Have you ever wondered that? Today’s key point in my 2 week challenge talked about body balance, PH Level balance in fact!

As a wife of a professional athlete (aka the hubs), I’m always looking for foods that might balance his training, keep him nourished, and well recovered! So many factors play into this. Lets take a look at how we become “off balance” and what we can eat or do to get back “in balance.”

Common factors which disrupt the alkaline balance:

 source http://amazinggrass.com/2weekchallenge


“Our thoughts, emotions and stress-levels are very strong factors that are often overlooked when trying to reach alkalinity. They physically create large amounts of acid in our blood when being experienced. Your thoughts are creative and will have a physical manifestation. This is a saying that is very true. Stress can cause serious breakdowns and problems within your body no matter how healthy you are eating. That is why stress-management and deep-breathing exercises are so important and can change the state of your body.

All natural foods contain both acid and alkaline forming elements. In some foods, acid-forming elements dominate and vice versa. Such acid-forming foods include animal proteins, cooked oils, alcohol, pasteurized dairy, caffeine, refined/processed grains & carbohydrates, and most cooked nuts & legumes that have not been soaked and/or sprouted first.

Other prevalent factors that induce an acidic state within us are: tap water, most bottled/spring water, distilled water, smog, radiation, pesticides, chemical preservatives, food dye, and additives.

Lastly, over-exercising your body can actually create an acid state in the body. When people are so concerned about losing weight and go to the gym 2-3 hours daily and are not losing the weight, they get frustrated and stressed. This state of being can create too much acid (lactic acid) in the body. Exercise regularly but moderately.

Identify choices to create a target balance of 65%-80% alkaline-forming food; 20%-35% acidic foods; and a minimum of half your body’s weight in ounces of alkaline water.”
Example categories of alkaline-forming foods and beverages include:
  • All organic fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Sea vegetables such as kelp and nori
  • Fermented foods such as Kombucha Tea, miso, tempeh, unpasteurized yogurt
  • Raw, sprouted nuts & seeds (almonds are the most alkaline)
You can refer to the Acid-Alkaline Food & Beverage Chart below:
 

Alkalizing Foods – Goal 70-85%

VEGETABLES
Garlic
Alfalfa
Artichoke
Asparagus
Avocado
Fermented Veggies
Watercress
Beets
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chlorella
Collard Greens
Corn, raw
Cucumber
Dandelion Greens
Eggplant
Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Mustard Greens
Dulce
Dandelions
Edible Flowers
Onions
Parsnips
Peas
Peppers
Pumpkin
Rutabaga
Sea Veggies
Spinach
Spirulina
Sprouts
Squashes
String Beans
Swiss Chard
Alfalfa
Barley Grass
Wheat Grass
Wild Greens
Nightshade Veggies
FRUITS
Apple
Apricot
Avocado
Banana
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Currants
Dates/Figs
Grapes
Grapefruit
Guava
Lime
Melons
Nectarine
Orange
Lemon
Lime
Mango
Peach
Pear
Persimmon
Pineapple
Plum
Pomegranate
Prune
Raisins
All Berries
Tangerine
Tomato
Tropical Fruits
Watermelon

ORIENTAL
VEGETABLES

Maitake
Daikon
Dandelion Root
Kelp
Shitake
Kombu
Reishi
Nori
Umeboshi
Wakame

SWEETENERS
Stevia
Honey, Raw & pure
PROTEIN
Sprouted beans
Almonds
Chestnuts
Tofu (fermented)
Flax Seeds
Flax Oil, cold-pressed
Pumpkin Seeds
Tempeh (fermented)
Squash Seeds
Sunflower Seeds
Millet
Sprouted Seeds
Raw Nuts-Soak 1st
Young Coconut meat

OTHER
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agar
Bee Pollen
Lecithin Granules
Probiotic Cultures
Green Juices
Veggies Juices
Fresh Fruit Juice
Organic Milk (Raw/un-pasteurized)
Mineral Water
Alkaline Water
Green Tea
Herbal Tea
Dandelion Tea
Ginseng Tea
Banchi Tea
Kombucha
Young Coconut Water
Alkaline Water

SPICES/
SEASONINGS

Cinnamon
Curry
Ginger
Horseradish
Mustard
Chili Pepper
Sea Salt
Miso
Tamari
All Herbs
So what’s a wife to do for this hard training hubs? Make a good balance snack but of course! I use this snack for post workout for him and/or along with breakfast.

Key ingredients:
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and my secret ingredient that makes it taste delish!
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blend all together, and now you’ve got a perfect alkaline “balancing” green goodness! Yes, I know it green, but its what’s inside that counts, right?
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And yes, I always make extra for me!!
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What foods do you use to keep “in balance?” Name one food from the list that your willing to try, if any? I have yet to try AGAR but I think I’ll pick it up next time I am at Natural Grocer.

Alrighty, stay warm out there!!!! Oh and HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY! Please, no more winter Mr. Punxsutawney Phil.

Cheers,
LC
p.s
Don’t forget enter the Amazing Grass giveaway. I’ll announce the winner Friday along with a workout, YEA!