Kristen's Raw

I will tell you right up front that Kristen Suzanne, author of a series of Kristen's Raw food books/un-cooked recipe books is a friend of mine. We met over ten years ago at a small gym where we both worked out incessantly, as well as trained for and competed in some amateur body building competitions together. She ended up moving out West and we lost touch. In that time she went from eating a body builder's diet to living a Vegan/High Raw lifestyle. We got back in touch recently and I credit her for my Green Smoothie habit and Raw food awareness.

Kristen is a chef and authority on the Raw/Vegan lifestyle. She is encouraging and inspirational in her enthusiasm for clean eating and a true believer that good nutrition prevents disease. I recently read her book Kristen's Raw: The Easy Way to Get Started & Succeed at the Raw Food Vegan Diet & Lifestyle and I have to say, if you are at all interested in going Raw, even a little bit, you may want to pick this up. She explains why Raw is important, the health benefits of going Raw and how to go about transitioning all or a portion of your diet.

Personally, I have been able to incorporate many of her ideals and suggestions into my non-Vegan diet and believe that no matter where you are in your journey to eat better and live a more holistic lifestyle, there are benefits to be had.

For more information check out http://www.kristensraw.com/ or http://kristensraw.blogspot.com/

- Shannan

Is Raw Milk Safe?

Here is a topic today that may give a few people pause. There seems to be a lot of misinformation about raw milk as evidenced by a recent comment from a friend of mine. The topic of me purchasing raw milk for the last year came up and she asked me, "Don't you guys get sick from that?" I have to interject a little humor here - would I really purchase something and require my family to consume it if it made us sick?? I know I'm a nut, but cut me a little slack. :)

You might wonder what exactly raw milk is? Well it's simply milk straight from a cow or goat that hasn't gone through the pasteurization process. It's usually purchased fresh from a local farmer. I started purchasing raw goat's milk from a local farmer about a year ago and will soon change to raw cow's milk from another local farmer. The goats and cows are pastured as much as possible and fed pesticide-free grain when supplemented.

There has been a lot of negative press about raw milk and the public perception is that you will contract horrible diseases like listeria if you consume milk raw. Let me give you some interesting information about the safety of raw milk.

Raw milk has built in protective systems, most of which are destroyed during pasteurization

• Raw milk contains lactoperoxidase which uses small amounts of H2O2 and free radicals to seek out and destroy bacteria. Interestingly other countries are looking at using lactoperoxidase instead of pasteurization to ensure the safety of commercial milk as well as for preserving other foods.



• Raw milk contains lactoferrin which steals iron away from pathogens and carries it through the gut wall into the blood stream and uses it to stimulate the immune system. Lactoferrin will kill a wide range of pathogens but does not kill beneficial gut bacteria. In fact, in a study involving mice bred to be susceptible to tuberculosis, treatment with lactoferrin significantly reduced the burden of tuberculosis organisms.



• Raw milk contains B-lymphocytes which kill foreign bacteria and call in other parts of the immune system for support.



• Raw milk contains macrophages which engulf foreign proteins and bacteria.



• Raw milk contains neutrophils which kill infected cells and mobilize other parts of the immune system.



• Raw milk contains T-lymphocytes that will multiply if bad bacteria are present and produce immune-strengthening compounds.



• Raw milk contains Immunoglobulins (IgM, IgA, IgG1, IgG2) which transfer immunity. This is especially helpful if you purchase milk from a local source as the cow/goat will build immunities to local bacteria, virus, and allergens which will then be passed through the milk.



• Raw milk contains antibodies which bind to foreign microbes to prevent them from migrating outside the gut and initiate immune response.



• Raw milk contains polysaccharides which encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut and protect the gut wall.



• Raw milk contains oligosaccharides which protect other components from being destroyed by stomach acids and enzymes; bind to bacteria and prevent them from attaching to the gut lining; and other functions just being discovered.



• Raw milk contains medium-chain fatty acids and enzymes which disrupt cell walls of bad bacteria.



• Raw milk contains hormones and growth factors (natural ones - not the added synthetic kind) which stimulate maturation of gut cells and prevent leaky gut.



• Raw milk contains mucins which adhere to bacteria and viruses, preventing those organisms from attaching to the mucosa and causing disease.



• Raw milk contains fibronectin which increases anti-microbial activity of macrophages and helps to repair damaged tissues.



• Raw milk contains glycomacropeptide which inhibits bacterial/viral adhesion, suppresses gastric secretion, and promotes bifido-bacterial growth.



• Raw milk contains B12 binding protein which reduces vitamin B12 in the colon which harmful bacteria need for growth.



• Raw milk contains bifidus factor which promotes the growth of Lactobacillus bifidus, a helpful bacteria which helps crowd out dangerous germs.



• Raw milk contains beneficial bacteria like Lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria which crowd out bad bacteria and produce lactic acid that kills bad bacteria.

Whew! Sorry about that! That was way too much information and I almost didn't include everything, but I really want to impress upon you what raw milk contains that contributes to it's safety. Not only do all of these components protect the milk and make it safe for drinking, but all these components are added to your body through drinking the milk. This gives your own immune system a huge boost.

Here's the bad news. When milk is pasteurized most of these components are completely inactivated and those that remain are greatly reduced in their capacity to fight bacteria. Studies as early as 1938 showed that heating milk actually supports the growth of harmful bacteria by inactivating "inhibins" (factors that inhibit bacterial growth).

Raw milk is often blamed for causing infections with dangerous ornganisms. One such organism is Listeria monocytogenes which is a deadly food pathogen that can cause severe illness, fetal death, premature birth or neonatal illness and death. A 2003 USDA/FDA report, compared to raw milk one is 515 times more likely to contract Listeria from deli meat and 29 times more likely to receive Listeria from pasteurized milk than from raw milk. In response to a Freedom of information request the CDC provided data on raw milk outbreaks from 1993-2005. During this time there were no cases of food borne illness from raw milk caused by Listeria.

In addition to not containing harmful bacteria, there is some evidence that suggests that raw milk will actually fight harmful bacteria that comes into contact with it. Researchers in 1987 added Campylobacter to chilled raw milk. On day 0 there was 13,000,000 bacteria per ml. On day 9 there were less than 10 bacteria per ml. In another challenge test in 2000, researchers found that Lactoperoxidase in raw milk kills added fungal and bacterial agents. As recently as 2002 BSK Food and Dairy Laboratories inoculated raw colostrum and raw milk with three pathogens. The pathogen counts declined over time and in some cases were undetectable within a week. The conclusion of this test was that raw colostrum and raw milk does not appear to support the growth of Salmonella, E. Coli or Listeria monocytogenes. Just as a point of reference it's interesting to note that E. Coli can survive on coins for 7-11 days at room temperature and Salmonella can survive 1-9 days on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. These are fairly hardy organisms.

Raw Milk versus Pasteurized Milk

From 1980 to 2005, the CDC attributed 19,531 illnesses to consumption of pasteurized milk and milk products. This is 10.7 times the number of illnesses attributed to raw milk during the same period. Raw milk sales represent about 1% of the nations total milk sales. Adjusting for bias, pasteurized milk is 1.1 and 15.3 times more dangerous than raw milk on a per-serving basis.

Why do we pasteurize?

During the 1800s the death rate was 50% among urban children drinking "Swill Milk" or milk produced in inner city confinement dairies. The cows in these dairies were fed brewery swill and raised in unimaginable filth. In addition, water was often added to the milk to make it go further. To combat the poor quality milk the famous germ scientist, Louis Pasteur, called for pasteurization, or heating, of all milk in order to make it free of any potentially harmful bacteria, no matter how it changed the quality of the milk. It was never meant to be a permanent fix, but only a temporary remedy until milk could be clean again. In time, inner-city swill dairies were outlawed, milking hygiene was improved, and consumer access to refrigeration was improved thereby making pasteurization unnecessary. Unfortunately though, pasteurization has become a way of life and most can't imagine drinking milk any other way.

So in a word, yes, raw milk is safe and arguably safer than pasteruized milk. However, raw milk like any food is only safe if it's produced under safe conditions. It's very important when choosing a raw milk source that you know your farmer and make sure that he is following safe farming practices. For more information check out the Campaign for Real Milk site.

Karla

Winter Health Survival Guide: 10 Easy Steps

I found this post on Healthy Child Healthy World and thought it was great. So I am sharing...
- Shannan

Posted by Janelle Sorensen November 24, 2008 on the Healthy Child Healthy World blog.

‘Tis the season of sniffles, sneezes, fevers, and flu. At my house, we’re in the midst of virus cycle number one and I just pulled out the vaporizer for the first time of the season. As my daughter and I waited for the little engine to warm up after months of sitting idly in the basement, we spoke glumly about how much we despise the string of illness and misery winter inevitably brings. Then a thought emerged from the cloud of congestion that had taken over my cognition, “Why is every winter so filled with illness and why do we just hopelessly accept that fate?” This winter we are fighting back, and you can too. Keep your family in tip-top shape by following these easy tips.

1. Get plenty of Zzzzz
Studies show that sleep deprivation can make you more susceptible to illness by reducing the number of cells in your body dedicated to fighting things like microbes. The average adult needs about 6-8 hours of sleep. A newborn may need up to 18 hours a day, toddlers require 12 to 13 hours, and preschoolers need about 10 hours. If your child doesn’t nap, try putting him or her to bed earlier.

2. Bust a family move
Exercising increases your sickness-fighting cells. Get the whole family in the habit of exercising together to improve your health and to enjoy some quality time together. Try walking, hiking, biking, yoga, or just crank up some fun music and have a dance-off.

3. Engage in germ warfare
• Make sure everyone washes their hands often with soap. Ditch the antibacterials because research shows plain soap is just as effective. Sing the ABC’s while vigorously lathering palms, between fingers, around nail beds, and the backs of hands. Pay particular attention to hand hygiene before and after each meal, after playing outside, using the bathroom, handling pets, blowing noses, and after being anywhere in public. • When you're out and about, carry non-toxic wipes or hand sanitizer with you for quick cleanups. Check out CleanWell’s plant-based, biodegradable products, All Terrain Hand Sanz Fragrance Free Antiseptic Hand Sanitizer, or EO Hand Sanitizer. • If someone in the family gets sick, keep his toothbrush separate from everyone else’s. Give it a good soak in boiling water or run it through the dishwasher after the illness isn’t contagious anymore to get rid of any lingering germs or viruses. • Wash your hand towels in hot water every three or four days during cold and flu season.• Sneeze and cough into your arm or a tissue. Coughing into your hands puts the germs right where you can spread them to any object (or person) you touch.

4. Drink up
You have probably heard how important it is to drink plenty of fluids when you are ill, but it’s just as important for preventing illness. Adequate hydration keeps the tissues of the respiratory system moist, which prevents microbes from settling in. Hydration also helps the immune system work properly. Opt for fresh, filtered water.

5. Air out
Open a window or two in your home just a crack for a few minutes each day. You’ll let out indoor air pollutants that may be stressing your immune systems as well as chase away germs.

6. Keep it cool
An overheated home promotes dry air, the perfect environment for viruses to thrive. And when your mucous membranes (i.e., nose, mouth, and tonsils) dry out, they can't trap those germs very well. Lowering the heat in your house 5 degrees and using a room humidifier helps maintain a healthier level of humidity in the winter. Buy a hygrometer to measure humidity and keep your home at around 50 percent.

7. Relax
Declare a family time out each day. During these few minutes have everyone close their eyes, breathe deep, and think happy. Meditation reduces stress. Reduced stress means less susceptibility to illness.

8. Pump up with produce
Carrots, kiwis, raisins, green beans, oranges, strawberries: they all contain such immunity-boosting phytonutrients as vitamin C and carotenoids. Cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, are good sources of betacarotene and help protect against free-radical damage. They also contain vitamin C and calcium. Try to get your child to eat five servings of fruits and veggies a day. Eat at least half of them raw and when you do cook them, be careful not to overcook. Overcooking destroys the immune enhancing properties. Learn more about feeding your immune system.

9. Go easy on the sweets
Sugar makes the body acidic, just the way pathogens like it (they thrive on sugar). So especially during cold and flu season, reduce sugar intake (that includes corn syrup and HFCS, as well).

10. Take a supplement
According to Dr. Alan Greene, “most kids today do NOT get the micronutrients they need from what they eat. Not by a long shot. By some estimates, only 2% of kids regularly eat the recommended number of servings of different food groups.
 A daily multivitamin/mineral is more than just a safety net for occasional nutritional shortages, it is an important tool to support healthy growth and a healthy life for your child.” Talk to your physician about your child’s specific nutritional needs and check out Dr. Greene’s Nutritional Supplements.

Red Clover (Trifollium Pratense)

It's time once again for an herb talk! Today I want to talk about Red Clover. Other names for Red Clover are Purple Clover, Cleaver Grass, Meadow Clover, Bee Bread, Trefoil, and Cow Grass. For Red Clover we are only interested in the blossoms of the plant. The funny thing about this herb is that most of us have this growing abundantly in our own backyards or that field next to us. If you trust the nutrient content of the soil in your backyard and don't use chemicals - harvest and dry some of this herb.

Nutrients

• Vitamins: Vitamin C, B-complex, Vitamin A, Vitamin F, Vitamin P, and Vitamin E.



• Minerals: tin (very high), chromium (very high), calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, postassium, iron, copper, selenium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, sodium, and molybdenum.

Natural Healing

• Because of its unique assortment of nutrients, Red Clover shows an affinity for the digestive, urinary, respiratory and glandular systems.


• Blood purifier, especially when used in an infusion with burdock and blue flag. A blood purifying herb will help restore your body to a state of balance and health by purifying the blood and getting rid of impurities. It will also improve the function of the organs that are involved with filtering the blood such as the kidney's, liver, bowels and lymphatic system. This will result in clearer skin, more energy and organs that function optimally. Blood purifying herbs give you a gentle way to detox. In addition they also increase the body's production of urine and mucous and will promote menstrual flow. These are all avenues that the body can use to carry toxins out.
  
• Used to treat cancer especially esophageal and breast, auto-immune disorders, inflammatory skin conditions, bronchitis, jaundice, hot flashes, kidney problems, inflammatory bowel disorders, liver disease, skin disorders and a weakened immune system.
  
• Helps to increase milk supply in nursing mothers.


• Red Clover has antibiotic properties against several bacteria especially the pathogen that causes tuberculosis.
  

Warnings: You should avoid Red Clover if you are pregnant or taking anticoagulant medication.

How to use

• Add a few tablespoons to a Green Smoothie or a salad.



• Make a standard infusion or tea and enjoy a few cups.
  

I don't currently have any of this wonderful herb, but I know what I will be purchasing the next time I place my order with either Mountain Rose or Frontier.

I want to add a side note about herb use. I know there is a mainstream tendency to come out with a new supplement that will save your life and everyone rushes to buy it only to be disappointed with the results. Some examples would be echinacea, St. Johns wort, L-Tryptophan, and etc. When you read about herbs look to see the systems that the herb supports and the conditions that the herb has been used to treat. Each herb has a unique combination of vitamins and nutrients and should be used to correct deficiencies or to support organ systems that need that combination. If you have a deficiency or imbalance you will notice a difference, if you don't have a deficiency or imbalance you may not notice a difference, but can rest assured that your body is using those nutrients and probably preventing you from future difficulties in those organ systems. Everyone has their own unique needs from a nutritional standpoint and you should choose an herb or combination of herbs that match what you are experiencing not what the latest supplement craze tells you to buy.

Karla

Food Matters Video

I just received my Food Matters video in the mail this week and could not wait to watch it. I ran across the trailer for this dvd on Facebook of all places and was intrigued. The basic premise of this documentary is that "you are what you eat" which we have all heard a hundred times, but I don't believe it has really sunk in for most people.

So I got the girls to bed and sat down with my husband to watch it last night. I thought it was great and if you believe, like Karla and I do, that nutrition can and does influence your overall health and likelihood of disease, you will love it. The film was made up of several experts in holistic nutrition, raw eating and vitamin supplementation. They all believe that our typical western diet is the cause for many if not all of our major ailments and when I say ailments I mean the biggies like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. We all know this in the back of our minds but they actually showed how cancer can be reversed - impressive.

I went to bed last night inspired and motivated to study hard and learn more about holistic nutrition and to do a better job of eating myself. We really do need to eat our fruits and veggies. They can be life savers!

If you are interested, I believe that you can download the film for $4.95 or purchase it for $29.95 at http://www.foodmatters.tv/index.html. To any of my local friends, I have it if you would like to borrow it!

Good Housekeeping

One area that I have yet to delve into is the area of natural cleaning supplies. It might have something to do with my dislike of housekeeping :) or it may be my secret love of the smell of a freshly Pine Sol cleaned room. At any rate, I would really like to find some natural cleaners to protect my family from harmful chemicals and also to protect the environment. I've struggled in this area in the past because I've tried products that didn't clean well or that were marketed as natural, but contained as many harmful chemicals as any other cleaners. Today I would love it if you could give me some tips. Write in and let me know what your favorite natural housecleaning and laundry products are and why. I would love to hear about commercial products or even better, products that you make at home. For instance, I've heard that vinegar is a great cleaning product, but how do you use it?? Give me some tips people! I look forward to hearing from you!

-Karla

Goal Setting

With the new year upon us, it is time to embrace what is ahead and set some goals for 2009. These could be the same goals from last years that haven't quite come to fruition or they may be fresh, new milestones that you hope to achieve. Either way, I hope you have the focus and motivation to make one or two goals a reality this year.

Embracing the belief that sharing goals publicly holds a person more accountable and increases the chance of follow-through, I will share a few of my goals for 2009 and I hope you will share some of yours, big or small. (And, in June if you can't for the life of you remember what those goals were, they will be available in the Living a Whole Life archives for you to browse.)

My 2009 Goals
1. to complete my holistic nutrition studies and earn my Certificate in Nutritional Counseling
2. to increase my daily raw food intake through juicing or munching to 75%
3. to run 10 miles by August so I can participate in a popular race in my area
4. to feel young, energized and ready to take on the world when I turn the big 4-0 in the Spring
5. to increase blog visits and interaction by providing informative posts that help others improve their health and well-being. (so please keep reading and share!)

I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Now let us know what you want to accomplish in the next 12 months. Okay, I will start for you...

1. to read Living a Whole Life as often as possible...now the rest is up to you!!

Happy New Year!!

- Shannan (and Karla)