Margarine - The Un-Health Food

Some of you have asked me which is better, Butter or Margarine? Well, over the years the processed food industry has managed to hoodwink the American public completely regarding the "healthy" aspects of margarine. Margarine is marketed as a pure, golden vegetable oil that is low in cholesterol and good for your heart. In fact, nothing could be farther from the truth! This is what margarine really is.

Margarine was first vegetable oil - a liquid at room temperature. Unfortunately, this oil is usually already rancid. But that doesn't matter because the oil will be subjected to extreme heat or boiled. This *new* semi-congealed mass resulting from the first treatment smells so rotten that it is unmarketable. So, it undergoes a deodorizing process. After this, the material heads to a new vat where hydrogenation takes place. This vat contains metal shavings, predominantly nickel oxide. Nickel oxide is highly toxic and is impossible to remove completely from the final margarine product.

Hydrogenation is the spraying of hydrogen gas under immense pressure and temperature into the oil in the presence of the metal catalyst for up the 8 hours. The liquid oil is changed into a semi-solid "trans" fatty acid, which is very harmful since it interferes with normal metabolic processes. These abnormal metabolic reactions can cause in increase in cholesterol. So, these "low cholesterol" margarines do just the opposite of what they market.

Next, soap-like emulsifiers are squeezed into the oil, keeping water from separating out. Starch is then added to increase consistency. It is then bleached to remove any color. Then strong sulfur-refined coal tar dyes are used to add color. And since there is no taste (due to bleaching and the steam cleaning)strong flavorings are added. Let's not forget those preservatives too! Finally it is ready for packaging.

Now that you know the makings of margarine, skip it completely. Other offenders include: Crisco, deep fryers, and the majority of peanut butters, which are fully hydrogenated. These food cause you liver, heart and blood vessel trouble.

So when a little butter is called for - Go ahead - Use real butter! This healthy natural fat is loaded with fat-soluble vitamins, enzymes, and essential fatty acids.

And never forget: Everything God made is better than anything man-made

The Soda Rush!

According to the Nutrition Research Center, this is what happens to your body within 1 hour of drinking a can of soda:

-10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system, which is 100 percent of your recommended daily intake. You'd normally vomit from such an intake, but the phosphoric acid cuts the flavor.

-20 minutes: Your blood sugar skyrockets. Your liver attempts to maximize insulin production in order to turn high levels of sugar into fat.

-40 minutes: As your body finishes absorbing the caffeine, your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and your liver pumps more sugar into the bloodstream. Adenosine receptors in your brain are blocked preventing you from feeling how tired you may actually be.

-45 minutes: Your body increases dopamine production, tricking you into feeling pleasure and adding to the addictiveness of the beverage. This physical neuro response works the same way as it would if we were consuming heroin.

>60 minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine, which boosts your metabolism a bit further. High doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners compound this effect, increasing the urinary excretion of calcium. The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (You have to GO!) Your body will eliminate the bonded calcium, magnesium and zinc that was otherwise heading to your bones. And you will also flush out the sodium, electrolytes and water. Your body has eliminated the water that was in the soda. And in the process it was infused with nutrients and minerals your body would have otherwise used to hydrate your system or build body cells, bones, teeth.
-60 minutes: The sugar crash begins. You may become irritable and/or sluggish. You start feeling like crap. Time to grab another soda!

Sore Throat Soothers

As allergy season is finishing, some of you may still be feeling the effects. Here are some pointers to remember the next time you have a sore throat.

1. Try a Humidifier when your throat feels dry.

a. How it works: It keeps the air around you moist as to not dry our your mucous membranes. Add some Apple Cider Vinegar to the mix (5 parts water : 1 part vinegar) to cleanse and heal.

2. Eat some fresh garlic when you start to notice a tickle

a. Garlic has some “tremendous immune stimulating” effects. It has anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities. Holistic physicians recommend taking one to two crushed cloves and eating them on a cracker once a day.

3. Use Zinc lozenges when possible.

a. Why Zinc? As the lozenge dissolves, the zinc ions migrate up the nose and throat, where they bind to and may halt the virus causing a cold. One study showed those who took a zinc lozenge every 2-3 waking hours cut their cold duration in half!

4. Gargle with Salt Water when your throat is feeling sore and scratchy

a. This solution will kill bacteria in the throat and will help to increase blood flow to help speed recovery. Mix one tsp of salt for every 2 cups of warm water.

5. Herbal Tea

a. If your throat is sore all day, some herbal varieties may contain an immune booster, such as goldenseal root, Echinacea, licorice, or marshmallow herb.