2 Keys to Understanding Acidity and Alkalinity and How to use Raw foods for Healing

How to associate Acid with Yin and Alkali with Yang

Did you know raw foods can have an important role in healing? This article will discuss the balancing properties of various foods, and the difference between acidity and alkalinity and why you need to know these important facts. Isn't it absolutely wonderful to be able to heal your body while enjoying nature's bounty and all that it has to offer?

Acidity and Alkalinity

Acidity and alkalinity can be measured by the pH scale, a numerical range from 0 to 14:7 is neutral, lower numbers indicate increasing acidity, and higher numbers indicate increasing alkalinity. In layman's terms, pH is a measure of hydrogen-ion concentration or activity . Acidity is a state of excess hydrogen, and alkalinity is a state of insufficient hydrogen. " Excess" and "insufficient" are, of course relative terms; pure water has a pH of 7, whereas the human body is, overall slightly alkaline.

To help simplify this concept lets associate Acid with yin qualities and alkali with yang qualities. An acidic condition , thus, could also be described as a yin excess, and an alkaline condition could be described as a yang excess. Taking this concept to another level, those foods are acid- forming in the body stimulate yin, while those foods that are alkaline-forming stimulate yang.

Electrolytes can affect the body's pH balance. Electrolytes are minerals (including, calcium, lithium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium) that, when in solution, conduct electricity. Alkaline elements attract a negative charge, and acid elements attract a positive charge.

Pay attention my friends to your body lactic acid build up in your body leads to your system becoming more acidic, and cellular function is diminished. Most people will find that being slightly a little more alkaline is healthful and will help your well being benefit from being more alkaline through your diet; being overly alkaline, however, is unhealthy. Always try to be aware of the right amount and the right kinds of food that will help you and your health goals and needs. These are true facts that you need to know and make good decisions about. Good luck and have a healthy day!

By, Natalie Pyles

Health and Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author, & NSA Speaker

1 Fitness From the Inside Out

How to Win with Fitness with One Body, One Mind, One Heart, and One Spirit

We are made up of 4 dimensions and need to understand these 4 in order to achieve lasting results in our fitness efforts and in life in general. Over the years of being in the health and fitness industry I've come to great understanding of human and life needs not just the physical realm alone. It is my duty to help you understand these value systems and principles to have lasting, and sustainable results. When you work hard for something with discipline, determination, and dedication you will appreciate it so much more and be less likely to repeat history with your quick fix mentality and approach that society has put right in your face day in day out. I'm sure partly what you believe has been taught maybe true maybe not but if it sounds too good to be true with no effort it probably is my friends. Your body is a system of many parts and it cannot be out smarted so try to understand yourself from the inside out which will lead you to victory with your hard earned fitness efforts.

First off you are a Physical being which can be related to the body. You can look at it as Physical Education instruction in the development and care of the body ranging from simple calisthenics to training in hygiene, gymnastics, and performance and management of athletic games. The laws of nature are important and require us to be physically active to be fully happy and healthy.

Secondly the human Mind is the part of an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and esp. reasons. It can be your view point, opinion, mood, desire, and intention. Lastly it is your own intellectual ability. I believe what matters to you really matters and finding your voice in fitness will make all the difference in sustainable results.

Third your Passion the human Heart what do you feel strongly about? What do you love about fitness? What angers you about fitness and why has it failed you in the past? Do you treat your body and health with affection and set enthusiastic goals to stay excited about? These are all very important to keep your fitness lifestyle and vision going time after time.

Fourth and lastly, your Spirit the life giving force, your breathe, your flow, essential or real meaning of something, intention, and your conscious. This is why when you know how to eat and exercise right you are violating your spiritual being this is being in tune with your inner self, awake, alert, and not being asleep or unconscious to what is going on around you.

I know in my heart I will continue to try to spread the fitness truth and help people to better understand their shortcomings, their strengths, and to find life strategies and proper planning to avoid the pitfalls before its too late. Yes it may not come over night and why it is so hard to face the truth when it comes to weight loss, fitness, health, wellness, and nutrition for some I don't know. I will tell you this my friends if you try long enough and hard enough your true fitness potential can become a reality. Have a healthy day!

By, Natalie Pyles

Health and Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author, & NSA Speaker

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How You and Your Family can take the Green Ultimate Family Expedition

How to take a Volunteer Family Vacation Experiencing Nature, Science, and Education


Imagine you and your family, off on a scientific expedition, like studying whales in British Columbia or helping manage a rain forest in Puerto Rico. Did you know this is possible for you? Next year, instead of going to the seaside resort, an amusement park, or a cruise, plan to take your family on a volunteer vacation. Not only will you save money, have a terrific adventure, and provide valuable manpower on projects that are helping the planet and all its inhabitants. This would create an amazing bond between you and your family while showing acts of kindness and grattitude to the world. Nature is one of the most enjoyable FREE gifts of all. Escaping into nature is also very destressing and where we tend to be most creative.

Many volunteer vacations are a subset of a booming trend known as "ecotourism." That means environmentally conscious travel to places where nature is the main focal point and attraction. Many of the places where nature is at its most dramatic are in less developed countries, so ecotourism aims to benefit the people who live there - by using local services (for example hiring guides or eating at local restaurants) and helping protect the place your visiting. While there are an increasing number of high-end-eco-resorts, there are also many inexpensive opportunities to stay in comfort surrounded by spectacular scenery- especially if your willing to volunteer your time.

In addition to the specific project you're working on, there's usually a lot more to enjoy: the company and camaraderie of fellow volunteers; the travel to spectacular locales; meeting, working, and living with local folks; and spending your time off exploring the area can create memories for a lifetime.

Here are a few tips to research if this is something you find attractive for you and your family:

1. Sierra Club offers "Service trips" Visit www.sierraclub.org and search on "volunteer vacations."
2. If you would enjoy picking grapes in California's beautiful wine country or learn about organic gardening in the splendor of the southern Colorado Rockies. Visit www.wwoofusa.org

I hope you find some of these helpful tips valuable and you too can make use out of a memorable trip for you and your family. Have a happy and healthy day!

By, Natalie Pyles

Health & Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author , & NSA Speaker

Five Famous Fibs and Fables: The Worst Nutritional Advice Ever Given

How to Determine if Food Combining is right for You

Fib 1. The Philosophy of food combining, in which certain foods are said to compliment or oppose each other in the digestive process, is based primarily on cooked food and cooked food only! When you are following a Raw foods diet, which is bountiful in the enzymatic activity that aids digestion, proper food combining is not as critical. It does become critical, however, for people with poor assimilation, digestion problems, low energy levels, diabetes, and high performing athletes.

Fib 2. If you are eating a completely Raw diet or trying to convert to mostly Raw diet these rules should apply only if you are not experiencing any health concerns, these food-combining guidelines will be helpful to you and your energy levels throughout the day.

Fib 3. Not properly mixing foods that require different digestive times and enzymes can cause food digestion to be difficult or slow. This is a very true fact my friends and you should experiment with this a little try to pay attention to times you feel really sluggish and not energetic I can guarantee it is something you ate that is having a hard time digesting. Starch Digestion, for example begins in the mouth and requires alkaline digestion secretion; but protein digestion begins in the stomach, where acid secretions such as hydrochloric acid and pepsin are found. When mixed, the alkaline and acidic secretions neutralize each other, resulting in poor digestion of both starch and protein.
Fib 4. Drinking beverages simultaneously with meals does not affect the diluting of your digestive juices. Yes it does and ideally try to drink one half-hour before a meal or one and a half hours after. This is also great for weight loss drinking lots of H20 will fill you up without filling you out and when your meal comes around you will already feel full.

Fib 5. It is good to mix fruits and vegetables together. I don't know about you my friends but that doesn't even sound good. Fruits and veggies are not generally best when mixed together. The exceptions to this rule are avocado (a fruit), which combines well with vegetables, and celery and lettuce, which combine well with fruit. Avoid combining acidic fruits such as grapefruit with sweet fruits such as raisins, because acidic and sweet fruits require different digestive times and secretions. Not to sound inapropriate or anything but people who find themselves complaining that fruit gives them gas can blame it on improper combining or the fact that that the fruit is cleansing bacterial overgrowth from the digestive tract.

For optimal digestion, try to eat light foods before heavy foods, because the lighter foods (being more watery) will be digested more quickly. Eat fats and proteins at separate meals. Example: 1 tspn of Organic Peanut Butter and a small sliced apple or 3 oz of albacore tuna fish with 6 low salt Triscuits. Those are great mini meal ideas with the right combination! Save Raw desserts such as cakes, cookies, and puddings to be eaten at least an hour after a meal and only a couple times per week. I hope these tips help you my health and fitness friends. Have a healthy and happy day!

By, Natalie Pyles

Health & Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author, NSA Speaker

When is National Peach Month?

The month of August is National Peach month.

What is this Holiday for?
This holiday is for honoring and enjoying the great flavor of juicy peaches! So go get yourself a few. Eat them right off the tree, sliced in cream, make peach cobbler with ice cream or you can even blend them in delicious slushies. It doesn't matter how you eat them just as long as during this month you celebrate National Peach month by eating them in as many ways as you can think of and if You want Healthier ways & Recipes just ask me of course!

What is this Holiday for?
This holiday is for honoring and enjoying the great flavor of juicy peaches! So go get yourself a few. Eat them right off the tree, sliced in cream, make peach cobbler with ice cream or you can even blend them in delicious slushies. It doesn't matter how you eat them just as long as during this month you celebrate National Peach month by eating them in as many ways as you can think of

Peach Facts
The peach (Prunus persica) is a species of Prunus native to China that bears an edible juicy fruit also called a peach.

It is a deciduous tree growing to 5–10 m tall, belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. It is classified with the almond in the subgenus Amygdalus within the genus Prunus, distinguished from the other subgenera by the corrugated seed shell.

The leaves are lanceolate, 7–15 cm long and 2–3 cm broad. The flowers are produced in early spring before the leaves; they are solitary or paired, 2.5–3 cm diameter, pink, with five petals. The fruit is a drupe, with a single large seed encased in hard wood (called the "stone" or "pit"), yellow or whitish flesh, a delicate aroma, and a skin that is either velvety (peaches) or smooth (nectarines) in different cultivars. The flesh is very delicate and easily bruised in some cultivars, but is fairly firm in some commercial cultivars, especially when green. The seed is red-brown, oval shaped and 1.5-2 cm long. Peaches, along with cherries, plums and apricots, are stone fruits (drupes).

The scientific name persica, along with the word "peach" itself and its cognates in many European languages, derives from an early European belief that peaches were native to Persia (now Iran). The modern botanical consensus is that they originate in China, and were introduced to Persia and the Mediterranean region along the Silk Road before Christian times. Cultivated peaches are divided into "freestone" and "clingstone" cultivars, depending on whether the flesh sticks to the stone or not; both kinds can have either white or yellow flesh. Peaches with white flesh typically are very sweet with little acidity, while yellow-fleshed peaches typically have an acidic tang coupled with sweetness, though this also varies greatly. Both colours often have some red on their skin. Low-acid white-fleshed peaches are the most popular kinds in China, Japan, and neighbouring Asian countries, while Europeans and North Americans have historically favoured the acidic, yellow-fleshed kinds. wikipedia

• Favorite Peach Dishes
• Peaches & Cream
• Peach Cobbler
• Peach Cheesecake
• Peach Pie

We'll do it the Healthier Way my Friends!


How can this holiday be celebrated? * By growing your own peach trees. * Learn to cook with peaches! * Blog with us about it! - We can all gain insite on healthy ways to use and cook with peaches! * Send Free E-Greeting! - If your ready to get together with your friends don't forget to invite them with these fun Internet Invitations. Have a Perfectly Peachy Party!

P.S. Healthy Tip: Try Peaches & Low fat Cottage cheese its Yummy & Simple

"How eating Seasonally and locally supports you most nutritiously and healthfully"

18 Raw Recipe Tips before you get started on your Recipes

Before you get started on a recipe, here are a few basic points to keep in mind:

Your ingredients should be raw, of course (raw carob powder, raw tahini, raw almond butter, unpasteurized miso, and so on). A few recipes call for items that are not raw . These can be used for flavor, if desired or ommitted.

• Use Organic produce when possible.
• Wash all produce.
• Peel what needs to be peeled (for example, bananas, avacados, jicama, papayas, and any waxed produce); otherwise, leave the peel on (for example, carrots, apples, and unwaxed cucumbers).
• Remove large, hard seeds, such as those as of dates and prunes, and also some smaller ones, such as those of citrus fruits and papayas.
• Remove woody stems, such as those as figs and apples.
• Use pure water in any recipe that calls for water (or for soaking).
• When a recipe calls for soaking nuts or seeds you'll typically soak them in twice as much water as their dry volume. Large nuts are generally soaked from eight to twelve hours. Small nuts and seeds are generally soaked from four to six hours. Rinse nuts and seeds in a colander after soaking, and drain them well and quickly before using them. Discard the nut soak water in the garden or use it to water plants. It is not for consumption. Dried fruit should be soaked in a small amount of water (just enough to cover) until it is tender. The soak water can usually be included to add moisture to a recipe. Certain recipes may deviate from these guidlines.)
• Soaked dates are called for as a sweetener in many recipes; if your using soft dates, however, you do need to soak them.
• It's fine to substitute! Try using almonds for walnuts, raisins for dates, lemon juice for lime juice, and so forth.
• If what you are processing in the food processor or blendor looks like it needs more water, add a little at a time.
• Feel free to omit any seasonings, including salt, from any of the recipes.
• The times given for food dehydration are not exact , as so much depends on the moisture of the food and the surrounding climate. You are the best judge of when something in your dehydrator is ready.
• When dehydrating, keep the dehydrator's temperature set to just under 100 degrees F.
• Consider using raw soups as salad dressings and as sauces for entr'ees or side dishes.
• Be joyous in your food preparation. Pray, sing, chant, and smile!
• It takes only a moment to decorate. Love, good cheer and humor conveyed through beautiful food will inspire others to try it and like it!
• Use your imagination be creative and have fun!

By applying eating seasonally to your life you are doing a great act of eating locally grown foods at the time in which they will naturally ripen. This vary act equates to saving money (food costs less when it's plentiful), and lastly you are supporting your own health (foods are most nutritious when and where they ripen), supporting local farmers and reducing wastes are also key to making a much better effort to our community and your health. I hope you enjoy and have a happy and healthy day!

By, Natalie Pyles

Health & Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Author, & NSA Speaker