If you’ve ever read the label on a traditional mustard jar, you’ve probably wondered what some of those ingredients with long names are.   While mustard naturally keeps well, most makers add preservatives and other chemicals to give it a longer shelf life.

The good news is that you can make a very tasty raw food mustard and know that all the ingredients are high quality and safe.     Here’s my favorite recipe for mustard.  It takes just a few minutes to make and you can keep it in your refrigerator for up to a month.

Raw Vegan Mustard Recipe

Tools: Blender

Ingredients:

• 1 C yellow mustard seeds (soaked and rinsed)
• ½ C apple cider vinegar
• ¾ C dates (well packed)
• 2 Tbl honey
• ¼ – ½ C water
• 2 tsp salt

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until creamy, adding water as needed. The mustard may taste quite bitter at first; the bitterness will subside the longer it sits. It is best to make this mustard two or three days before you are planning on using it to let the flavors settle. Store in a jar in the refrigerator for up to two months.

Makes about 3 cups

Mustard Seed Health Benefits

• Speeds up metabolism
• Stimulates digestion, increasing saliva as much as eight times more than normal
• Inhibits cancer cell growth and possibly prevents other types of cancer as well
• Treatment of skin diseases through the application of sulfur found in mustard
• Reduces in the severity of asthma
• Decreases symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
• Lowering of high blood pressure
• Prevention of migraines
• Facilitation of gastric juices which aids digestive problems and gives digestive aid
• Soothing of sore throats, bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia

Source:   http://www.whfoods.com

==>> More Raw Food Recipes Here

One of the things I always enjoy about late summer in the U.S. is the amount of delicious locally grown fruit and vegetables that are available.  This year, I’ve been eating fresh California figs, Colorado peaches and apricots, Blueberries from Oregon and some amazing watermelons and cantaloupes from Colorado.

Most of the time I enjoy these fruits by themselves, but every once in a while I add a little bit of raw organic tahini to them for an extra calcium and fat boost.   By far my favorite fruit to eat tahini with is fresh organic grapes.   I’ve been enjoying that combination all summer and am happy that my 1 year old daughter also like it. 

There are many health benefits associated with eating raw tahini and grapes – here are some of the best.

The Health Benefits of  Raw Tahini

As long as you get raw and organic tahini, it has several health benefits of note.

Raw tahini is a very good source of  the following minerals:

• manganese -  to strengthen bones, collagen and connective tissue such as ligaments
• copper – antiinflammatory and antioxidant that can provide relief from arthritis
• calcium – great for growing kids and for prevention of migraines and colon cancer
• magnesium – excellent for heart health and lung health
• iron – blood builder and booster
• phosphorus – helps to metabolize proteins and calcium
• zinc – to increase bone mineral density

Raw tahini also contains dietary fiber which promotes healthy elimination

Finally raw tahini contains two special kinds of lignans (fiber) called sesamin and sesamolin.  These fibers have been seen to help lower cholesterol and to prevent high blood pressure.

The Health Benefits of Organic Grapes

For their part organic grapes are high in:

• flavonoids – these phytonutrients give vibrant purple color to grapes and help prevent blood clots as well as support heart health
• phenylic acid – this compound has been found to help protect the arteries from oxidation as well as maintain the heart
• resveratrol – this nutrient is a great antioxidant and helps keep the heart muscle flexible and healthy

To make an ultra healthy snack of raw tahini and grapes, I simply grab a 1/2 teaspoon of tahini and put a grape on top and then enjoy the taste explosion in my mouth.

==>> Get More Raw Food Recipes Here

**note – nutritional data from:  http://whfoods.org/

Here’s a note for all of the Vegetarian friendly folks out there.

I recently went to one of my favorite cities in the U.S. -  Boulder, Colorado and was pleasantly surprised to find a new (at least to me) vegetarian restaurant.   My family and I went with my friend David on the day we arrived in town and had a truly remarkable meal.  We liked it so much we ended up going back on our short stay in Boulder.

The restaurant is called “Leaf” and is located just off of Pearl Street on 2010 16th St.  The decor is elegant modern and the feeling in the space is very clean and relaxed.   Here’s a photo of the interior:

Unlike many veggie places I’ve been,  “Leaf” provides vegan and raw choices as well as takes care to present the food in a beautiful and gourmet fashion.   Also on the menu are all sorts of interesting cocktails, mocktails and healthy drinks.

I had a great sprout salad in addition to a peaches and cream dish.  Plus I sampled the raw wrap and the polenta.

If you’re passing through Boulder, Leaf is well worth the effort to visit.   Pass the info on.

Since my daughter is about to turn one year old, I’ve been doing quite a bit of research on the reality of raising kids on raw and vegan foods.    The consensus is that while it may indeed be much healthier overall than eating a standard diet, raw vegan kids do need some supplements especially when they are very young.  This includes kids who are eating lots of leafy greens.

According to Shazzie, author of “Evie’s Kitchen” there are several nutrients to watch out for:

• Calcium
• Vitamin D
• Vitamins K1 and K2
• Iron
• Choline
• DHA
• Vitamin B12

Shazzie has written a great article on the subject that goes into detail about these nutrients.   If you have raw vegan kids or know someone who does please read it and pass it on!

What Are Cloves?

Cloves are the dried flower buds of evergreen trees that grow in tropical climates. Here is a photo I took recently near Munduk, Bali of clove flowers growing on the slopes of the volcano.

After they are harvested, the flowers are sun dried.  The majority of cloves are used to produce cigarettes called “Kretek.”  But the highest quality harvests are reserved for export to the spice market.

What Are the Medicinal Properties of Cloves?

Whole cloves have a number of powerful medicinal properties that have been known for hundreds of years, thanks in large part to their continual use in Aruvedic medicine.  In tropical climates cloves have been used as a remedy for all of the following conditions:  scabies, cholera, malaria and tuberculosis.

Here are the main healing properties attributed to whole clove powder and essential oil of clove.

Stimulation of the digestive system. Cloves promote the flow of enzymes in the stomach which can help speed digestion, increase metabolism and ease flatulence.  Cloves have also been traditionally used to stop vomitting.

Use as an effective local anesthetic. Clove and clove oil have long been used in dentistry for pain relief.  This is in large part due to high concentrations of Eugenol.

Use as an antispasmodic. A poultice made of cloves can reduce muscle pain, spasms and cramps.  A tea made with clove is also effective for supressing a cough.

Cloves are antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiseptic. This makes them ideal as a daily immune boosting supplement.

Cloves are extremely antiparasitic and can help in the elimination of various intestinal parasites.

Cloves act as a natural insect repellent.

How to Use Cloves

Whole cloves be powdered and taken internally and/or used externally.   Here are a number of ways to use cloves based on given conditions:

Cholera — In treating the most severe symptoms of cholera, boil about 4 grams of cloves in 3 liters of water until 1/2 the liquid has evaporated.  Then drink the remaining liquid.

Cough — Chew one or two cloves mixed with a 1/2 teaspoon of honey.  Alternatively you can make a tea of cloves by following the recipe above.

Earache — Soak a whole clove in sesame or coconut oil for 2-3 hours.  Then place the clove in the ear, being very careful not to put it anywhere near the eardrum.

Muscle cramps/pain — Grind a handful of cloves into a fine powder using a coffee grinder and mix with 1-2 tablespoons of sesame, olive or coconut oil.  Place the poultice over the affected area.

Parasites — Grind cloves and take 1 teaspoon daily.  For this remedy to be effective you must continue it for up to six months.

Toothache — Grind cloves into a powder and mix with a teaspoon of honey and then place on the affected area of the mouth.

Upset stomach and/or vomiting — Drink clove tea and/or chew 1-2 cloves carefully.  Alternatively, mix 1 teaspoon of clove powder into water and drink.

Daily immune boost — I use cloves almost daily by taking one capsule full of clove powder.  That’s about 1/2 of a teaspoon.   I do take 1 day off every week or so.

Where to Buy Cloves

Whole cloves can be found at most supermarkets.  I recommend that you buy them whole and grind them yourself as pre-ground cloves will be less potent due to oxidation.  Also, try to find organic cloves whenever possible.

As a remedy cloves are relatively inexpensive.  You should be able to purchase 100g of cloves for less than $5 US.

What about Essential Oil of Clove?

Essential oil of clove retains most of the properties of whole cloves and can be easier to use for certain applications such as toothache.   If you are considering using clove oil, you need to make sure that it is 100% pure and therapeutic grade.  Otherwise you may be using an oil that has been cut with chemicals.  Contact us for a good supplier.

Raw Mini Pizza

So, you’re looking into a raw food diet and wanting to make it easy on yourself. First thing I want to say is “congratulations.” Going raw, even just part way, can transform your life in more ways than you can imagine. I’ve been doing it now for 10 years and I feel like a different person altogether. Over the years I’ve helped a lot of people transition to raw food lifestyles and I’ve learned quite a bit about what works and what doesn’t. I’ve put this little guide together to make raw food easier. I hope it helps you.

TIP ONE: When you first start out with raw foods you’re going to see some amazing looking dishes like raw pizza and raw chocolate.

If you’ve got a restaurant where you can eat them, great! If not, please do not stress about learning to make them right away. Raw food chefing is a skill that takes a while to master. I had a lot of success with doing things like eating 4 or 5 avocados with some seaweed when I first started into raw. The main point is, don’t try to get to fancy to early or you might just get frustrated.

TIP TWO: Learn about superfoods and get them into your diet as soon as you can.

Here’s the thing. Not all foods are created equal. Some are incredibly high and dense in nutrients, proteins, minerals, fatty acids and so on. You’ll have a much better chance of succeeding on raw food if you start eating them early on. That’s because these foods will give you much of the nutrition you need while you’re making the transition. Some examples of superfoods include goji berries, flax seed oil, coconut oil, bee pollen and spirulina. A great way to get them into you is to blend them in a smoothie. My morning superfood smoothie usually takes me through the day until 3 or 4pm.

TIP THREE: The sooner you can complete a thorough herbal cleanse the better.

For years, you’ve probably been eating some kinds of food that don’t digest well. When you change to raw, some detox will happen automatically. But you can really improve your results, if you complete an herbal cleanse quickly in your raw path. I waited two years to do it, but I really wish I hadn’t. I can’t really describe to you how great I felt after my first cleanse. The one I use is called the “ultimate cleanse” by Brett Elliot

Following these tips will save you some time and get you to the “juice” of the raw lifestyle faster than most people. Soon enough you’ll have some friend or family member coming up to you and asking why you’re looking so much younger and healthier.

Click here to succeed on the raw food diet. I’ve made it easy for you with a great introduction back on my website: http://eating-raw.net

Each minute, even without applying any conscious breathing techniques, we breathe between 6 and 10 liters (1.5-2 gallons) of air – that’s 8600-11.400 liters (2200-2900 gallons) per day. This makes the air we breathe by far our most important contact with the external world and the fundamental way we energize and vitalize our bodies everyday and all day long.

Breathing is responsible for 70% of the cleansing and purification of our bodies (20% by perspiration, 8% by urine and 2% by excrement). In particular, it’s the oxygen in the air we breathe that burns away the toxins. After drawing in a deep breath, the air we consume moves into our lungs and then passes over millions of tiny membranes through which it enters our blood stream.

It’s been medically established for over 50 years that  disease can’t exist in a properly oxygenated body:

“Deep breathing techniques which increase oxygen in the cells are the most important factors in living a disease free and energetic life…Remember, where cells get enough oxygen, cancer will not, cannot occur.” Doctor Otto Warburg, Nobel Prize Winner

“Oxygenation through deep breathing boosts the immune system and can rid the body of chronic illnesses.” Dr. Sheldon Hendler, Medical Researcher

“Deep diaphragmatic breathing stimulates the cleansing of the lymph system by creating a vacuum effect which pulls the lymph through the bloodstream. This increases the rate of toxic elimination by as much as 15 times the normal rate.”

Dr. J.W. Shields, M.D.

Here are some easy ways to get more oxygen everyday:

1. Exercise more – especially low impact aerobic exercise. Rebounding on a mini trampoline is my choice; a 30-minute session has been shown to oxygenate the blood twice as effectively as running.
2. Take long walks in mountain or sea air that is positively charged with negative ions – breathe deeply and enjoy!
3. Regularly go to a yoga class - in one recent study students at UC Davis increased their lung capacity by 7% after practicing yoga just three times a week for 8 weeks! (This level of increase is unheard of among traditional athletic trainers)
4. Eat more Green foods - leafy greens like spinach and grasses and wheat grass are up to 42% Oxygen. Green foods are high in chlorophyll that increases hemoglobin production and thus minimizes the effects of carbon monoxide. Wheat Grass has even been found to dissolve scars formed in the lungs from breathing acid gases.
5. Use therapeutic-grade essential oils that enhance lung function: Pine, Fir, Thyme, Raven and R.C. (“Respiratory Condition” – from Young Living Oils) are my favorites. Place a drop on the palms, rub together and breathe deeply. Also rub oils over throat and lungs. Essential Oils are highly oxygenating and nourishing to the cells due to their ability to penetrate the skin and carry oxygen through the cell wall to the nucleus.
   Note: Use only therapeutic-grade A essential oils
6. Mentally program yourself to breathe deeply throughout the day - especially when you are around trees and plants. It’s easy and free!

Hi everyone,

I just made my first “article video” for Youtube.  It’s about the benefits of eating raw organic maca powder.  Thought I’d share it with you here.

Click here

Mark

One of the newest foods that is gaining a lot of attention for its therapeutic and daily health benefits is “Salba.” Most people haven’t yet heard of it, but I imagine that this will change soon.

The History of Salba

1. Salba was first used as food as early as 3500 B.C., and served as a cash crop in central Mexico between 1500 and 900 B.C. According to Spanish manuscripts, the Aztecs ate the seeds of this semitropical plant, also known as “chia,” to improve their endurance. They believed it gave them mystical, almost supernatural energy and power.

2. In the 1500s during the Spanish conquest of America, leader Hernan Cortez was convinced that if he could destroy the crop, he would win the empire from the Aztecs. He set acre upon acre on fire to destroy the will of his enemy.

3. After the Spanish conquest of Mexico, the mysterious seeds were probably introduced to Spain around 1521. Famed botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) gave these seeds the botanical name Salvia hispanica L.

4. Knowledge of this plant was revived in 1991 when Adolfo and Alfredo Mealla began cultivating it in Argentina in 1991. The brothers painstakingly sorted out the few nutritionally consistent white grains from the black ones and replanted them to produce an all white harvest with higher nutritional density. In 1994 Alfredo gave this grain a new name, Salba, which is a combination of the botanical name “Salvia hispanica L.” and the Latin name for white, “Alba”.

5. Starting in 1994 the grain was extensively researched at the University of Toronto leading to the conclusion “could be considered the world’s most nutritious food crop and thus can be used as a global remedy for world hunger.”

6. In 2004 Salba was introduced to North America and to Canada where it is continues to receive acclaim.

What Makes Salba So Powerful

Salba is the highest known whole food source of omega-3’s found in nature;(3 1⁄2 ounces of Salba® contain as much omega-3 as 28 ounces of Atlantic salmon)

Salba has:

• more calcium than 3 cups of whole milk
• higher, and more bioavailable protein content than soy, and more vegetable protein content than 1 1⁄2 cups of kidney beans
• the highest natural fiber content (43g per 100g) of any food -more fiber than 1 ¼ cups of All-Bran cereal
• the iron equivalent of 3 cups of raw spinach
• the Potassium content of 1 1/2 bananas
• as much Vitamin C as seven oranges
• antioxidant capacity three times the strength of blueberries with Myrecetin counts 270 times the strength of red wine

What are the benefits:

Dr. Vladimir Vuksan – one of the developers of the revolutionary gylcemic index – calls Salba “the perfect functional food.”  Dr. Vuksan studied the grain intensively for 6 months and reports these findings in the article, “Seeds of Wellness: Return of a Supergrain” in The Saturday Evening Post (Nov/Dec 2005).

Here are some of the findings:

• Salba reduced after meal blood glucose and plasma insulin levels, compared to the control diet
• C-Reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, was significantly lower (40%) than control at the end of the study
• Salba significantly lowered the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (>10mm/5mmGH)
• Salba decreased coagulation (blood thinning) by 30%
• No adverse effect was noted on glycemic control or blood lipids as previously seen with high doses of omega-3 fatty acids

Salba also shows promise as a fiber supplement to keep the bowels moving well while at the same time providing Omega 3s, iron, magnesium and vitamin C.

How to use Salba:

Salba can be taken in its whole form or ground when used in cooking. Salba can be added to yogurt, cereal, salads, beverages, and used in baking. Refrigerate Salba after grinding.
Where to find Salba:

Salba is the only grain that holds a medical patent (60-274.256). It It is also non-GMO certified and currently maintains the Canadian Kosher Certification: COR 302.

It is sold in health foods stores and online. As it is so new, you may have to ask your health food store to order it.

Other links:

yeast infection Sleep Apnea Symptoms hypnosys sleep disorders Sleep Center remove facial hair cellulite diets that work yeast infection cures fasting to lose weight

First of all a big happy new year to you!

I’m really looking forward to 2010.    I’ve got a 3 new projects that I will launch this year.

The first new project is my upcoming Fresh Start Retreat.

I decided to create this retreat because, simply put, there was nothing else out there like it.   What I’ve done is combine a living food detox program with the power of a  form of Qigong called the “Bone Marrow Cleanse.”  It’s been used by centuries for martial arts experts to clear and strengthen their energy fields.

From March 6-13, 2010 we will gather in an intimate center near Ubud, the heart of traditional and spiritual Bali, for a holistic health program that includes:

• 100% Living Foods by Chef Leah Rinaldi
• The “Utlimate Cleanse” Herbal Detox from Medical  Herbalist Brett Elliot
• Daily Qigong and Kindness Meditation with Mark Ament
• Detox Spa Treatments including Cranio Sacral and Raindrop Technique
• Balinese Purification Rituals
• Natural Health Talks

We’ve got room for about 20 people this year and spaces are starting to fill.   If you’re ready to refresh, renew and reorient yourself this year have a look at:

www.freshstartretreat.com

More soon.

Have a great day!

Mark