Fasting: Is Fasting Good For You?
Energy 🔥 Feed Your Brain
FASTING – The Body Repairs.
After holiday feasting..try fasting! I found out that some of my friends knew so little about fasting, it was time to explain it in layman’s terms. What it really means to you and your body.
Fasting really starts after approximately 18 hours when your body begins the ketosis process. Then, fasting forces the brain to feed on body fats. This is called AUTOPHAGY: SELF or auto EATING phagy. Long fasts is proven as an optimal way of healing the body. Autophagy phase lasts longer* the longer you fast. You get energized during your fast and a bit of euphoria kicks in after some time. Your body and brain begin to feel good. Things smell better. Your kidneys and organs are working better. People who get sick, tired and nauseous during a fast sometimes shows that the body was really polluted BEFORE the fast began. (some exceptional cases of course). They should look closer to their diet and not blame the fast for their malcontent. Before a fast, the individual should go into it with a smart attitude and preparation. Preparation is choosing good foods, stop snaking and be mindful of what you are putting in your mouth. Preparing yourself mentally is most important.
Nobel Prize Winner ~ 2016 ~ Regarding Autophagy
Yoshinori Ohsumi is a Japanese cell biologist specializing in autophagy, the process that cells use to destroy and recycle cellular components. published by wikipedia
Yoshinori Ohsumi’s Nobel Prize was specifically for Mechanisms of Autophagy: From Basic Yeast Biology to Therapeutic Potential. Autophagy has been researched and penned since about 1963 as advancements were being developed from time to time. People were learning more and more about it.
Fasting ~ A Clean Burn 🔥
The fat burn begins as Ketosis sets in. [Stage one]. Ketosis may start in 18 hours or 2 days. It depends on how much you weigh and you metabolism. How do you know when you are in ketosis? You need to perform a litmus test to determine if you are in ketosis. These stick tests are sold online and at Wallmart. Ketosis burns fat in your body like a clean, gas flame. Short 12-18 hour fasts may not prove as efficient as a 24 -to -36 hour fast session. When we are ingesting carbs (bread, pasta) and sugar (danish pastry) and fats (rib eye steak) , the body uses the incoming fuel, primarily the brain burns glucose. The body burns glucose like an old coal stack emitting black smoke. Think of black, cloudy smoke in your body. Your brain is not happy. It does not like this contamination to the brain. FASTING: Now that our body is starving, the liver releases its stored glycogen into glucose to feed the brain. The brain is still hungry. The brain starts to eat ketones found in your stored fatty tissues as a fuel instead of the usual ‘incoming’ glucose. Exercise also burns both glucose and ketones. Remember, the ape man never ate sugar. He survived well. Sugar kills.
Autophagy – Build A Smarter Brain
YOU REALLY want to get into this phase.
Autophagy is the second stage in fasting. Its prime function is to break down old inefficient cells and build new, beautiful cells. Autophagy can help the immune system by cleaning up toxins and infectious agents. The main function of autophagy is to help maintain normal functioning (homeostasis) in the cells. Your body begins to create new health cells and build stem cells. And, at the same time, old, damaged cells are being eliminated from the body.
AUTOPHAGY
AUTOPHAGY Process During A FAST << Left ~ ~ Right >> ORGANELLE cell
FASTING Builds New Cells
Aging and cell death are synonymous. Broken cells are removed from the body. New organelles (mitochondria) are created by the body’s natural process as damaged organelles are disposed. Fasting allows the construction of new cells. Fasting builds good cells throughout your body at the same time as it eliminate broken cells. You may even start looking younger*! As you fast away your belly fat, you will not get saggy skin. No surgery to remove flappy skin for fasting patients that have lost a lot of weight; according to Dr. Jason Fung, M.D. Canadian nephrologist. Fasting carries those dead skin cells away. Losing weight without fasting can give you saggy arms (aka: saggy skin). I have slight bat wings. But no saggy, floppy skin. or anywhere else. You will see the neck tighten as the skin recedes as a result of fasting!
You will always feed your brain with incoming food (glucose). Bad food like processed food is toxic and contaminated. We need to remind ourselves from time to time. However, we do not always act on our best decisions. Ice cream ~ for instance. I can not bypass this luxury. Or – butter. But, we can balance our lives. We can stop a lot of processed foods. I have no problem with that. I slip from time to time. Don’t punish yourself. You just get back up! One day, I may not even see ice cream I may forget all about it. TOO Sweet! Yuck!
Fasting For Cancer Patients
Doctors are talking about prescribing a 3 day fast before starting chemo or radiation treatment. It’s in trials. And, dare I say will be mandatory at some point. This will happen sooner then you think. It will hinge on positive outcomes.
What is ketosis?
Ketosis is the accumulation of ketone bodies or ketones in the blood. Ketosis occurs in healthy people during fasting and during strenuous exercise. In excess, blood ketones can produce a toxic level of acid in the blood, referred to as ketoacidosis.
NOTE: A currently popular diet known as the ketogenic diet, in which 75% of the daily calories come from fat, is believed to induce ketosis and autophagy. There are insufficient studies on the long-term effects of the ketogenic diet.
Russel Wilder
Russel Wilder first used the ketogenic diet to treat epilepsy in 1921. He also coined the term “ketogenic diet.” For almost a decade, the ketogenic diet enjoyed a place in the medical world as a therapeutic diet for pediatric epilepsy and was widely used until its popularity ceased with the introduction of antiepileptic agents. The resurgence of the ketogenic diet as a rapid weight loss formula is a relatively new concept the has shown to be quite effective, at least in the short run. published by wikipedia.com
My understanding is how influential food is to support medical treatment. Even better, as a prevention before anything alarming happens.
* In general: a lot of fructose(sugar) consumption ages you. Eat in moderation.
- Mitophagy is a subset of autophagy.
- is the dispersement and building of Mitochondria mitochondria and the building of new mitrochondria found in the organelles cell.
- ondria.
SUGAR WILL AGE YOU!!!!
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Freezer Stews ~ Comfort Food!
Freeze It Fresh ..Cook It Slow
❤️ Fall In Love ❤️ With Our Savory Stews ❤️
No time to cook? Start making your own ‘bulk’ freezer food. Healthy, low cost flavor town meals.
Winter Squash+Lentils +Collard Greens STEW
Butternut Squash/Lentil Freezer Stew Recipe
Ingredients
▢ vegan + gluten-free
▢ 1 medium yellow onion chopped
▢ 4 large garlic cloves, minced
▢ 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 5 cups)
▢ 1 – 14 oz can light coconut milk
▢ 3 vine-ripe tomatoes
▢ 3 tablespoons tomato paste
▢ 1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed and drained
▢ 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
▢ 1 teaspoon Ancho chilli powder
▢ 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
▢ 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
▢ 1 teaspoon sea salt
▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste
▢ 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
▢ 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
▢ 2 cups chopped collard greens (approx.)
▢ chopped cilantro and sliced green onions, for garnish
▢ cooked brown rice or quinoa (optional)
Instructions
Label a gallon-sized plastic freezer bag with the name of the recipe
and use-by date (3 months from the day you prep). Add cooking instr.
To your freezer bag, add onion, garlic, butternut squash, diced
tomatoes, coconut milk, lentils, tomato paste, and spices.
Remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag. Seal and place
in your freezer for up to three months.
When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or in the
morning by submerging the freezer bag in a bowl of warm water.
Add freezer bag contents to the slow cooker along with 4 cups of
vegetable broth. Top with lid and cook on high for 3 hrs or low
for 6 hrs, or until lentils and butternut squash are soft,cooked
Stir in apple cider vinegar and collard greens, stir, and let
stew sit for a couple of minutes to allow the greens to cook.
Portion stew into bowls and top each bowl with fresh cilantro
and green onions before serving. You could also serve this stew
over cooked brown rice or quinoa.</em>
How Long do Frozen Slow Cooker Meals Last?
These meals will last for 2-4 months in your freezer. They’re perfect to prep in advance for busy seasons of life, before having a baby or for family members wanting to incorporate healthy habits… really anytime and for anyone!
Healthy eating in a snap! Busy holiday season and you still want to eat healthy Make freezer chili. Add whatever you want in one gallon freezer bags. They are coming up with reusable freezer bags too. How good is that!
Healthy Tip: In a box or has a bar code – leave it on the shelf!(some veggies/tomatoes have bar codes -at your own discretion)
Why Do You Need Freezer Meals?
Don’t end up with freezer burn or your freezer could end up with a weird stench and we don’t want that!
When buying storage for meal prepping, check to see the guidelines for freezing and heating.
Here are some containers you should look into:
1. Glass containers with lids
2. Enther meal prep containers
3. Glass jars
Freezer Meals
No time to make dinner? You don’t feel like it? Take out is not your only solution. It is time for you to start making freezer meals! Think healthy eating?
Which Would You Pick?
Processed Shepherd’s Pie <—>Homemade “Freezer” Shepherd’s Pie
There is a big difference between freezer meals and store-bought frozen meals. Freezer meals are made by you, so you get to choose exactly what kind of healthy foods and ingredients you put into the recipe. Store-bought frozen meals can be very processed and do not have a huge nutritional value. Your own freezer food gives you complete potion control and foods you love.
FREEZER MEAL BENEFITS
- Meal-prepped freezer meals are going to be a healthier alternative to the store bought processed freezer meals. By creating your own freezer meals you will know exactly what foods you are eating and you will know that it isn’t processed food. Plus, at the grocery store you can buy fresh produce to use in the meals you make at home.
2. Ultimately, you will spend less money because you will be making meals in bulk with the food you buy at the grocery store. YOU will less likely grab takeout as often.
3. Homemade freezer meals are a great option when you are having guests over. If you want to heat up the primary entrée you have in your freezer. Spend time preparing other parts of the meal, like sides, appetizers or desserts. Meals in your freezer that are already made is an easy way to reheat food and have a delicious meal ready to eat in no time!
4. Freezing food that you have meal prepped is a great way to keep food fresh for longer. The shelf-life of food increases when it is stored in the freezer, so you will have delicious meals ready to heat up that can be stored longer in the freezer than it can in the fridge or pantry.
FREEZER MEAL PREPARATION
Making more than one serving is an amazing way have a meal ready now and many meals ready to enjoy in the future. HEAT🔥 AND SERVE 🍲: Having a big batch of a meal in your freezer is a great option
Prepare a ton of different meals and store them into serving size freezer containers. As much as your freezer can hold.
FREEZER MEAL TIPS
IMPORTANT Bacteria in the food before freezing will begin to multiply if you thaw frozen food in hot water.
- Some recipes are better to freeze than others.
- Let hot food cool down a little before freezing it.
- Thaw foods in the fridge, under cool water or on a defrost setting in the microwave.
<–Sweet Potato Shepherds Pie
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Cranberry -Apple Crisp -53 Calories
A Treat For The Holidays!
Pucker up for a tart twist to traditional Apple Crisp. This recipe is only 53 calories per serving! Both a delicious side dish for your entree or a light a dessert with a dollop of Greek Yogurt. Try low calories–> Peach Crisp–> click here.
Cranberry -Apple Crisp ~ Light & Sugar free!
Cranberry Apple Crisp takes a lot less effort then pie. You’ve heard of tangy rhubarb/strawberry pie. Y-U-M! This is another great combo. Cranberries adds that tangy taste.
Cranberry Apple Crisp
INGREDIENTS
– 5 apples (any variety)
– 1/2 bag of cranberries
– 1/2 cup brown sugar (Truvia, brown MONK FRUIT*)
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
– 2 tbsp fresh orange juice (I had clementines that day)
– 1/4 cups almond flour -or any gluten free flour
– 1/4 cups uncooked old fashioned oats
– 1 tsp ground fresh cardamon (use mortor and pestal-or-bullet blender)
INSTRUCTIONS
1, Slice the apples into julienne-type sticks. Put them in a large bowl with half a bag of cranberries.
2. Mix together the orange juice, 1/4 cup of Zero Cal. brown sugar, and the cinnamon, then stir that mixture into the apples.
3. Spray a baking dish and spoon in the apple mixture in.
4. In another bowl, mix the oats, 1/4 brown sugar, 1/4 cup almond flour. If you’d like, you can add 3 Tbsp margarine or vegan buttery sticks (I did not add to this recipe: thus the low calorie count.)
5. Distribute this oat topping on top of the apple-cranberry mixture in the pan.
Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes.
Number of Servings: up to 16
Presentation : Thanksgiving Dinner Main course side dish
*MONK Fruit: Monk fruit extract contains zero calories, zero carbs, and is about 150 times sweeter than table sugar. It doesn’t raise blood glucose levels, making it a useful choice for people with diabetes. tart with less sugar – taste; it before adding more. You’ll get it to match your own palate.
53 Calories!
This is a very thin topping. You can use the crisp instead of plain cranberries at your holiday dinner. If you slice this up into 16 portions you will get 53 calories per serving.
Is your Dessert TOO SWEET?
I wanted to make a tasty “CRISP” that did not have overly abundant amount of sugar. Not sure why some recipes are loaded with sugar. A friend commented about apple crisp recipes (not mine):-She decreased the brown sugar to 1/2 cup ( 50% less) and increased the oats to a scant cup. Also, she was gifted with a basket of pears and substituted pears for apples. Plus added a handful of slivered almonds. I feel the flavors were better with the decrease of sugar. I have made this for several gatherings and it has been quite a hit.
VARIATIONS: Get Creative!
It’s fun coming up with different fruit and vegetable combinations. Squash and apple always paired well together. Make this recipe, add walnuts and fill your acorn squash and bake as usual.
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Roasted Sun Dried Tomatoes
I am a firm believer in the power of a roasted vegetable. Not only can virtually every vegetable be cooked in this way — no recipe required — but roasted vegetables are also universally pleasurable to eat. Have a picky eater in the house? Roasted sun dried tomatoes tantalize your taste buds. Roasted tomatoes on your pizza with feta and spinach is a treat! YUMMMM!
Air Fryer Wins!
I dehydrated my tomatoes in the oven and in the air fryer. The air fryer won out in clolor and in flavour. No oil added. I did add olive oil and garlic with herbs as I jarred my sun dried tomatoes. When I say sun dried it is definitely my artificial sun from the air fryer! Like many other cooking methods, air-frying triggers a chemical reaction — the Maillard effectTrusted Source — that improves the color and flavor of air-fried food.
Oven dried Roma tomatoes, and in “sur la table” air fryer. My air fryer looks like a toaster oven. I want to see inside. The air fryer resulted in brighter and tastier tomatoes. So pleasantly surprised! From this picture I let the tomatoes sit longer in the air fryer. They got smaller and crispier. But, stayed a bright red.
Follow the temperature and times suggested by your dehydrator. It may take up to 8 hours in the dehydrator – to dehydrate the tomatoes to the right consistency.
TIPS For Best Results
Use about 3 lbs of tomatoes (or more) It varies. Follow these instructions to get optimum results
- Try sprinkling the tomatoes with other herbs that you may prefer, such as rosemary or thyme.
- Be careful not to over-dry the tomatoes. They should still be somewhat pliable and have a chewy texture.
- You might also consider adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or white wine vinegar to each jar prior to sealing them. The acid helps to preserve them even further.
- To avoid spoilage for longer storage, don’t add garlic.
- Sun-dried tomatoes should last a month or more when refrigerated.
I put my sun dried tomatoes on pizzas, sandwiches, burgers and salad. Feta cheese is a must in the salad and pizza. These two flavors really pop together.
There is a Tomato Land at Flavor Town!
Simply Splendid Food 