Cleansing : Cornered and Questioned.

         As of late... I’ve had a myriad of questions that have addressed the topic of Cleansing. I know if you are walking around with a respectable pulse you’ve heard of one or all of the following. The master cleanse, the juice cleanse, the 7 day detox, the 14 day cleanse, Apple Cider vinegar and lemmon water diet, fruit juice cleanse, and a slew of others that have crept their way into the fitness magazines, infomercials, or your local yoga studio (so sad). Well before you reach for that liquid diet or 1/5 serving of calories to maintain your current muscle mass…let’s talk.

This one is going to be short because it pretty cut and dry. Cleansing crash regiments…. you don’t need it.

The end.

Ohh…you’d like me to justify my point? OK, here it goes.

Your body is built to cleanse. That’s what is does naturally…it’s not something you can jumpstart, cheat and skirt around in a 14 day plan.  What goes in must eventually come out, and so goes the vicious cycle. Altering what you eat is a great idea….but focus on whole foods consisting of dark leafy greens, colorful veggies some fruit, some nuts and organic proteins raised in sensible/ friendly manner.( your cow or chicken should be able to roam in the field, feed on clean grass and lay down in something other than his own feces) And make this choice for life, not a two week period that satisfies your short term goal of fitting into those Jordash tapered white wash jeans …GOD that’s a hot visual. 

Instead shoot for an eating regime that puts you in a place to high kick without sticking…yes, this is a real add.      

                                                  

Did I just date myself? Yes, yes I did. But…I digress….

Whole food, healthy portions, and lots of water will do a great job of fueling your body and trust me baby…you were born this way…you will rebalance and cleanse very well.  Your body will rebalance itself/ unless you have a major digestive issue: IBS, Crones, Leaky gut, food allergies or lower G.I. issues. If this is the case seek out a naturopathic doctor to evaluate your issues and set you up with a program for rebalancing.

         We probably all have toxins accumulated in our system. And what is the best way to deal with them? I believe undertaking several long-term measures are a better approach than drastic short-term steps (although perhaps a minority of those trying a drastic diet may notice some benefits such as mental clarity or a sense of wellbeing, others may get worse). Probably because you stopped eating the shit you normally do and not because of strict regimen of lemon juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, etc, etc. The body does not like going off balance too much and for too long. Our body tries to maintain homeostasis, a balanced state where everything is functioning properly. Fasting, or these drastic detox regimens alter this homeostasis, often in a harmful way. Liver glycogen stores are depleted, alterations occur in the mineral and electrolyte balance in the blood, muscle and bone tissue start breaking down (reduced metabolic rate), changes occur in the acid base balance, alterations occur in the fatty acid composition of cells, and immune function may be impaired.

         Let me explain it in another way.  If we try to live with honesty, treat yourself and others with respect, and not lie or steal…. a cleanse: is in direct violation of these principles.  You are stealing and robbing your body of the nutrients it deserves.  You are lying to yourself because you will never be able to maintain this standard you are setting for yourself for an extended period of time.  You are tricking your body (master cleanse/simple sugars) into an altered state of stress and manipulating your body’s natural talents to survive and burn fat, in a quest for vanity.  And trust me when your body finds out…i.e. after the fast is over.... it will NOT BE HAPPY. Just substitute “cleanse” for “masturbate” in the following picture and you get the idea…woooooww. 

     The weight / clarity/ clean feeling will not last and you will end up in a deeper hole than when you started. With fitness and nutrition there are no short cuts as with life. Trust me the easy button just doesn’t feel that good unless you climb up a mountain to push it.

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Please feel no obligation to click the donation button at the top of the page.  Know that when donating, 10% of your gift is going towards Sloan Kettering Medical Center for cancer research and the rest is driving this author towards publishing a cook book, an educated research article per week and health receipts with detailed instructions. Send around the love and dig deep for the cause. 

Disclaimer *Again I am not  a medical doctor, and while I have played one onstage, this article is an summary of many studies, and opinions through out the nutritional and medical community. Take everything with a grain of *sea salt, and find your own truth. Find what speaks to you. shanti! 

Emu Oil: Natures Transdermal achy spot remover

            If I told you bird back fat could help give you younger-looking skin, lower your cholesterol, and minimize joint pain, would you believe me?  No?  It’s fine.  I don’t think I would believe that nonsensical jibber-jabber either.  UNLESS I TRIED IT . . . AND IT WORKED.  IN YOUR F??##%$$&&&ING FACE!  Sorry.  My inner caveman needed to yell and do a happy dance over my own personal experience with EMU OIL.  Like I always say, I would not recommend something unless I had tried, tested, and treated myself with said product and let me say, I feel great.  And as for my skin, well just yesterday a girl in J. C. Penny told me I had the skin of Justin Bieber.   Winning!  In addition to physical well-being, by the end of this one you will have learned something about birds, Australia, and Omega 3, 6 and 9's.  Should I give you another reason to keep reading?  Ok . . . you just checked your Facebook 30 seconds ago and no one has commented on anything.  Moving right along.

           

                   In the hot deserts of Australia thrives the non-flying bird known as the emu.  

Resembling an ostrich of sorts, this foul stands 5 to 6 feet tall.  It is believed that the emu is a survivor of prehistoric times and dates back some 80 million years, roaming the outback of Australia. The Aborigine tribes relied upon the emu for their existence. The emu provided them with food, clothing, shelter . . . and a life free from arthritis?  Quite possible.  In fact, one useful survival tool given to the emu to flourish under extreme temperatures and direct sunlight is a very thick layer of subcantancerous back fat!  Until the late 1990s, emu oil had been quietly used for more than 1,000 years by the Australian Aborigines in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and skin irritation. Modern scientists and doctors became curious when they realized that painful arthritis was largely absent in many Aboriginal tribes, while at the same time an estimated 10% of modern Australians and 15% of Americans are daily arthritis sufferers. This major clue led the way to the first major clinical study of the “wonder oil”, (as it is referred to today) led by a Dr. Peter Gosh. His conclusion was summed up in the paper, The Anti- Arthritic Activity of Emu Oil, which demonstrated that emu oil does eliminate inflammation and pain in many patients and that people can get real results from this ancient remedy. His specific results were charted as follows:

ARTHRITIS PAIN REDUCTION

Day 1  Day 4  Day 7  Day 11  Day 14

1% 30% 50% 82% 100%

REDUCTION OF ARTHRITIC SWELLING

Day 1  Day 6  Day 12  Day 17

1% 22% 48% 100%

I have to say that personally, I experienced very much the same results over a 2 to 3 week period. Overuse and rehearsing for two shows at the same time had left me with some mild patellar tendonitis and a sore wrist. I used 2/3 drops of emu oil 3X a day and after about a week, I started to notice a real difference. Minimal swelling remained and I noticed that pain had diminished in the area previously under stress.  In about three weeks my knee and wrist felt better than they had in a long time. These results drove me to look even deeper into the why’s and how’s of emu oil.

Does everyone remember my blog about fish oil? OK, it was a while back (January of 2010).  You could go back and read it again . . . But, I digress.  Essentially, we are looking at a very similar product here. An oil packed with Omega 3’s. And what do Omega 3’s do?  Well, to quote myself, “Omega fatty acids, particularly EPA, have a very positive effect on your inflammatory response. Through several mechanisms, they regulate your body's inflammation cycle, which prevents and relieves painful conditions like arthritis, prostatitis, cystitis and anything else ending in "itis."

Hold onto this idea and let’s jump to the next paragraph and look at the mechanical makeup of emu oil.  Go!   

           

On a scientific level, emu oil contains a wonderful balance of 3, 6, and 9 Omega fatty acids. The oil is approximately 70% unsaturated fatty acids (these lower cholesterol and decrease inflammation), the largest component being oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated Omega 9 fatty acid. Emu oil also contains about 20% linoleic acid (an Omega 6 fatty acid).

Does this sound like a lot of crap, percentages, and numbers? I feel you, but let me sum up what I see.  I see a high percentage of oleic acid. Still doesn’t ring bells for you?  And why should it?  You probably spend your time enjoying life as opposed to sticking your face in science textbooks.  That’s why you have me. The monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, is a known enhancer for transport of bioactive compounds into the skin, thus rendering the fatty acid compositions in emu oil extremely penetrating or . . . big word . . . ”transdermal”. This stuff is literally spot treatment Omegas for the areas that need help in your body! It was designed perfectly by nature to deliver spot treatment - natural Advil-esk aid to your aching body! Hurray!

OK, I feel exhausted from summing that all up so I am going to cut it short:  emu oil has been studied and verified to lower cholesterol, soften skin and make your face look like mine.

It's true: there are additional studies which site the effect of Emu oil lowering cholesterol much like fish oil, a benefit yes....but I'm concerned with americas aches and pains for now.!

Let me end with a word of caution: Not all oils are created equal! As great a natural health wonder as emu oil is, it is a wonder why so many companies muck up their formulas with dangerous additives. Emu oil products have been found to include parafen preservatives, and related dyes have been added as preservatives and color enhancers. So, do your research and buy organic.  As always I know a few companies which are reputable. However, be your own advocate for health.


Again I am not  a medical doctor, and while I have played one onstage, this article is an summary of many studies, and opinions through out the nutritional and medical community. Take everything with a grain of *sea salt, and find your own truth. Find what speaks to you. shanti! 

Emu Oil: Natures Transdermal achy spot remover

            If I told you bird back fat could help give you younger-looking skin, lower your cholesterol, and minimize joint pain, would you believe me?  No?  It’s fine.  I don’t think I would believe that nonsensical jibber-jabber either.  UNLESS I TRIED IT . . . AND IT WORKED.  IN YOUR F??##%$$&&&ING FACE!  Sorry.  My inner caveman needed to yell and do a happy dance over my own personal experience with EMU OIL.  Like I always say, I would not recommend something unless I had tried, tested, and treated myself with said product and let me say, I feel great.  And as for my skin, well just yesterday a girl in J. C. Penny told me I had the skin of Justin Bieber.   Winning!  In addition to physical well-being, by the end of this one you will have learned something about birds, Australia, and Omega 3, 6 and 9's.  Should I give you another reason to keep reading?  Ok . . . you just checked your Facebook 30 seconds ago and no one has commented on anything.  Moving right along.

           

                   In the hot deserts of Australia thrives the non-flying bird known as the emu.  

Resembling an ostrich of sorts, this foul stands 5 to 6 feet tall.  It is believed that the emu is a survivor of prehistoric times and dates back some 80 million years, roaming the outback of Australia. The Aborigine tribes relied upon the emu for their existence. The emu provided them with food, clothing, shelter . . . and a life free from arthritis?  Quite possible.  In fact, one useful survival tool given to the emu to flourish under extreme temperatures and direct sunlight is a very thick layer of subcantancerous back fat!  Until the late 1990s, emu oil had been quietly used for more than 1,000 years by the Australian Aborigines in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and skin irritation. Modern scientists and doctors became curious when they realized that painful arthritis was largely absent in many Aboriginal tribes, while at the same time an estimated 10% of modern Australians and 15% of Americans are daily arthritis sufferers. This major clue led the way to the first major clinical study of the “wonder oil”, (as it is referred to today) led by a Dr. Peter Gosh. His conclusion was summed up in the paper, The Anti- Arthritic Activity of Emu Oil, which demonstrated that emu oil does eliminate inflammation and pain in many patients and that people can get real results from this ancient remedy. His specific results were charted as follows:

ARTHRITIS PAIN REDUCTION

Day 1  Day 4  Day 7  Day 11  Day 14

1% 30% 50% 82% 100%

REDUCTION OF ARTHRITIC SWELLING

Day 1  Day 6  Day 12  Day 17

1% 22% 48% 100%

I have to say that personally, I experienced very much the same results over a 2 to 3 week period. Overuse and rehearsing for two shows at the same time had left me with some mild patellar tendonitis and a sore wrist. I used 2/3 drops of emu oil 3X a day and after about a week, I started to notice a real difference. Minimal swelling remained and I noticed that pain had diminished in the area previously under stress.  In about three weeks my knee and wrist felt better than they had in a long time. These results drove me to look even deeper into the why’s and how’s of emu oil.

Does everyone remember my blog about fish oil? OK, it was a while back (January of 2010).  You could go back and read it again . . . But, I digress.  Essentially, we are looking at a very similar product here. An oil packed with Omega 3’s. And what do Omega 3’s do?  Well, to quote myself, “Omega fatty acids, particularly EPA, have a very positive effect on your inflammatory response. Through several mechanisms, they regulate your body's inflammation cycle, which prevents and relieves painful conditions like arthritis, prostatitis, cystitis and anything else ending in "itis."

Hold onto this idea and let’s jump to the next paragraph and look at the mechanical makeup of emu oil.  Go!   

           

On a scientific level, emu oil contains a wonderful balance of 3, 6, and 9 Omega fatty acids. The oil is approximately 70% unsaturated fatty acids (these lower cholesterol and decrease inflammation), the largest component being oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated Omega 9 fatty acid. Emu oil also contains about 20% linoleic acid (an Omega 6 fatty acid).

Does this sound like a lot of crap, percentages, and numbers? I feel you, but let me sum up what I see.  I see a high percentage of oleic acid. Still doesn’t ring bells for you?  And why should it?  You probably spend your time enjoying life as opposed to sticking your face in science textbooks.  That’s why you have me. The monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, is a known enhancer for transport of bioactive compounds into the skin, thus rendering the fatty acid compositions in emu oil extremely penetrating or . . . big word . . . ”transdermal”. This stuff is literally spot treatment Omegas for the areas that need help in your body! It was designed perfectly by nature to deliver spot treatment - natural Advil-esk aid to your aching body! Hurray!

OK, I feel exhausted from summing that all up so I am going to cut it short:  emu oil has been studied and verified to lower cholesterol, soften skin and make your face look like mine.

It's true: there are additional studies which site the effect of Emu oil lowering cholesterol much like fish oil, a benefit yes....but I'm concerned with americas aches and pains for now.!

Let me end with a word of caution: Not all oils are created equal! As great a natural health wonder as emu oil is, it is a wonder why so many companies muck up their formulas with dangerous additives. Emu oil products have been found to include parafen preservatives, and related dyes have been added as preservatives and color enhancers. So, do your research and buy organic.  As always I know a few companies which are reputable. However, be your own advocate for health.


Again I am not  a medical doctor, and while I have played one onstage, this article is an summary of many studies, and opinions through out the nutritional and medical community. Take everything with a grain of *sea salt, and find your own truth. Find what speaks to you. shanti! 

Growing your heart 10x in one act

       This story is brought to you by the quest for the perfect boot. Did you say perfect butt…as in ass? NO, I mean boot like shoe…like these boots were made for walking. This quest led me to a man named Murray, which then led to a bookstore, and then back to Murray. Then it led me to a computer and will hopefully lead you back to Murray. (Confusing I know…but please try and follow.) As New Yorkers know . . . and we do know everything . . . there is that one perfect pair of shoes you can wear with anything. Even more specifically, there is the New York actor: one who needs an even more specific shoe they can wear with everything, AND travel around the country having it serve as a viable piece of footwear in all climates. This was me. Now that I am embarking on extended employment throughout the country I felt it time to find one boot to suit all occasions: opening nights, traveling, outings, bus trips, outdoor excursions and midget partnering Yoga (huge in Oregon). So . . . you may be reading and wondering how my usual twist on a healthy supplement or natural physical improvement comes into this article. Trust me, it will be there. 

         So where does one search for boots in the city?  Shh . . . I’m going to tell you.   Take the yellow train with an N on it to 8^th street.  From there you walk west on 8^th and after about 4 blocks you will be in the heart of about 5 boot shops, all alike in stature and décor, most of them having opened up in the early seventies and eighties and carrying thousands of shoes. Many so old they were born from a discontinued model and have only one size . . . but if you’re that lucky Cinderella who’s little pig hoof fits, you’ve got yourself a vintage treasure. Oink.

        Moving along . . . So, I found a great pair of a Harley Davidson Roadster motorcycle boots.  They had a flat black finish, great price, decent fit (ish), and in the pressure of the moment I bought the cool, affordable, not-so-great-fitting-boot and went on my merry way. Fast forward two Avenues and 15 city blocks later and I had problems.  The boots I “NEEDED” to wear out of the store were doing some serious damage to my hooves.  My heels hurt, my big toe was thrust over the 2^nd biggest toe, my arches were throbbing, and it was a general  mess. Actually, on the subway my bunion said, out loud no less (in a NYC wise guy accent), “Hey, hey!  Are you fucking kidding me with this situation down here?  I just met the pinky toe and we are opposite sides of the foot-hemisphere!”  Needless to say . . . that was an awkward moment for everyone.  Stupid talking bunion.  Dumb Boots.

         At this point I knew there was only one thing to do: go back.  Go back with my shoppers pride dragging on the floor and ask for a refund.  I also realized the odds of this, having worn the shoes into the street: not good. (Somewhere in this story I found better boots, while trying to help a friend shop for herself . . . this is the way shoe karma goes . . . you always find great stuff when looking for someone else).  So I made my way back down to 8^th street and Stylish Shoe (singular…not plural) to make my plight. My first obstacle was a Portugese woman at the desk with a limited English vocabulary and the look of death.  As I walked back into Stylish Shoe with my boots in a plastic bag, she already knew what I wanted.  I simply got the shake of a head and the sentence, “We no taking boots back from customer.  Store Credit for you!”  Then she called over the owner . . . Murray.  Murray looked as though he had seen better days and approached my front counter with a pace that would rival a turtle.  He again opened with a quote of store policy and asked me if I could find something else I wanted to exchange the boots for.  In my retort I explained I had gotten a new pair already, I lived on tour, and had no room to travel extra shoes, I also offered to pay a 20 $ restocking fee if he would return the shoes… as I didn’t want to have boots I couldn’t wear and hated the idea of them going to waste in my trunk.  He took a moment, paused and smiled.  In a jewish east village accent, he said, “I always like to work with the customer.  And for you, today, we are returning the shoe.  Come, let’s get you a refund.” I was happy, to say the least.  And then I noticed something.

         As Murray struggled to fill out paper work…. his right hand was trembling so bad he could not write with a pen. His assistant took over and began the task.  In this awkward moment I bluntly asked (like I do), “What’s going on with the hand?”.  “Parkinsons”, he replied.  At this moment some would have said, ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘That’s terrible’.  I did not.  I feel anyone who is struggling . . . no, living . . . with any disease wants least of all, pity.  I mean, we all have our cross to bear and this was Murray’s, but my sappy condolence would do anything BUT lighten the load.  So I didn’t skip a beat.  I proceeded to converse and ask how far along he was, daily medication list, and how he was dealing with day-to-day life.  ( As many know I consider myself an unofficial expert on all things medical.)  He then pulled back his flannel shirt to reveal a large box hung from his shoulder, wires ran into his stomach from a the machine which beeped and blinked like an electric lunch box. He spoke with the simplest matter-of-fact tone, “What’s been hard lately is the stomach cancer, for which I’m being infused daily with chemo.  But this little device lets me continue to run the boot shop during the day.”  I was floored.  “Jesus,” I said, as if to call someone down here right now and give this guy a hand. This moment got me.  I had nothing. The only place my mind could go was to what it must have been like for him to be there selling boots on that day . . . or dealing with fickle customers who couldn’t make up their minds (cough).  He proceeded to tell me that he had no family left, only a passing friend to help him get through really bad days and that the store was his last hurrah. Being a retired accountant, he spoke of how he had always dreamed of owning a nice shoe store. 

         After a long pause I jumped in.  “Well, Murray, I know this is a tough time, but can I ask how you are fueling your body while in this process of extreme stress and large doses of medication?” “McDonalds.  I do love cheese and coffee, lots of takeout . . . Things that are easy”, he replied.   Without another breath I knew why I was there.  I jumped in with the benefits of a healthy diet, book recommendations, and talked about my experience as a cancer survivor. I explained how he could gain energy and put himself in a position to better deal with chemo through better nutrition. I told him that of course I’m not a doctor, but I believe this with my whole heart:  That what you put in reflects the energy yield in your body’s systems. And right now, Murray, you need everything you can get.  He attempted to scribble down what I had said down on the back of a receipt, the chicken scratches on the back of the paper hurt my heart.  He then asked if candy and sweets were good before bed.  Hmm . . . frustrated, I felt like I had just given an iPad demo to my grandpa and then he tried use it as a cutting board.   I knew he needed more time, help, and info.  I collected myself, said my goodbyes, and wished him the best. As I left he said, “You know, I really want to know more about this good food stuff, and I want to eat better. I just don’t know how.” I smiled and just said, “Be strong, my friend.” 

         The second I left the store my heart started to race, I ran to the clerk at Barnes and Noble and asked for Chris Carr’s Crazy, Sexy, Cancer Tips.  A paint by numbers guild to fool-proof cancer treatment nutrition. This book, one of my faves, outlines every guideline I believe in when it comes to what to and what NOT to eat.  It’s a great read for anyone looking to change up the standard American diet and takes into account everything a person needed to heal: mind, body and spirit. It uses bold print and pictures and most chapters are not more than a dozen pages long, yet to my dismay, the book was out! Crap. The manager then asked me to hold on a second and noticed she had seen a box at the top of the stairs of new books and I quote, “We get orders in all the time, you never know what’s going to be in there.” So, as you may have guessed, they opened the box and what was the first book?  Crazy, Sexy Cancer Tips. Cha-ching!

         I wrote a small note inside the front cover and headed back to Stylish Shoe (singular).  I found Murray hard at work with a few customers and waited patiently by the door.  As he did before, he slowly made his way over to me with a look of confusion.  “Did you forget something?” he asked.  “No Sir, I bought you this book and I want you to promise me you will read it. I’ve given you a business card so anytime you have any questions please call me.” Murray tried to talk but nothing came out. All he could do was stumble to the register, eyes full of tears and pull out money to give to me. “Here.  Here, I will pay you . . . let me give you something?!” “No.  I am giving you a gift and I am wishing you strength. I will check back in a few months . . . be well.”  As I started out the door, (now I’m crying and are the other sales people as well as the two patrons in the store) he raised his hand and shouted “ God bless . . . God bless you.”  And that was it.  That was my life changing experience.

          As I walked down the street my head was spinning.  I could only hope Murray would find a support system and come through his struggle the better for it.  I thought about my experience, how lucky I was to have such a great family and caring friends who took care of me when I was sick. And then it hit me . . . I had this epiphany. Life is very short. Ten thousand years human beings have risen and fallen and the things in life that seem so important mean nothing at all. Your job, your house, your credit cards, the role you want in a show so badly, that audition (I’m clearly narrating for an actor), anything material.  These things which consume us will not with stand the test of time. So, what will?  Kindness. Kindness towards your fellow man or woman could send unknown waves of positive energy through generations.  Imagine if we all woke up tomorrow and found a stranger, someone you owe nothing to. You find this stranger and you connect.  You offer your ear, your time, a smile . . . maybe a cup of coffee.  Who knows?  And it doesn’t have to be a stranger, it could be your friend . . . no one if off limits!

         So, relating this to my health blog, do you remember in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, the part when he gives the presents back to the Whos in Whoville? Remember when his heart swelled and grew ten times?! Yeah . . . that just happened to me. So I can assure you it will be good for you and your heart! And acts of kindness are free.  So get going! Unless you buy them a book….but it’s still not expensive. That book was one cocktail at the bar, so don’t say you can’t afford to treat someone…it’s just a choice what we spend our money on.

        Also, I’m gonna put the address for Stylish Shoe up here and if anyone feels like and is in the area…possibly shopping for boots….stop by and give Murray a hug, or shop at his store or send him a smile! He could really use it!

                                                      Stylish Shoe 

                                 All Season Boots

                                      "The Best Of The West"

                                              212-533-5909

                                   19 west 8th street NYC 10011

                                           bet. 5th and 6th Ave.

New Year, New food, New Protein!

If you’re anything like me, you are surveying the caloric damage of the past 30-40 day holiday season and wondering to yourself . . . How is my underwear not ripping at the seams?!  Shrimp, cheese logs, fruit cake, pizza rolls, meats, and cheeses in excessive quantities, and enough alcohol to pickle yourself.  My answer to that?  Elastic.  Well . . . take a deep breath, and say to yourself: it’s over. And if you are reading this, it’s true that you made it out alive.  And If you are reading this from heaven, then I apologize for not writing this blog about a wonderful new product 15 days earlier. Hand is out.  Slap it.

Now, since we are entering a new year and it’s a great time to start a new habit I’d like to throw something out on the table:  Sunwarrior Brown Rice Sprouted Protein.  Not one word, but 6, so it must be good.

In all seriousness, I‘d like to talk about one way we can start the year off right, and that is with a wonderful new source of protein. Until now, there has not been a vegan raw protein with a complete amino acid profile available to the masses which I could rave about so effortlessly. Great tasting, great value, and great nutrition.  But before we go into the benefits of this stuff, let’s talk about protein for a moment. Then I’ll tell you why I like this one so much...because it levels the playing field with the former standard protein sources Moooooo.....

WHAT IS PROTEIN:  It’s an organic compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. One of its jobs is to synthesize structural proteins like muscle. Protein is also responsible for synthesizing structural hormones like insulin, growth hormone and Insulin Growth Factor I. These are anabolic hormones that can influence many functions in the body, including muscle growth, recovery, strength, and absorption of nutrients into your muscle cells. Muscle soreness, general fatigue and overall weakness accompany low protein consumption.

Wrap your head around this:

-Although your body appears to be unchanging as a mass, it is always in a constant state of growth and dying. Body protein is constantly being turned over as old cells die and new cells replace them. Science has proven that 98% of the atoms in your body are replaced within one year. In three months, your body produces an entirely new skeleton. Every six weeks, all the cells have been replaced in your liver. You have a new stomach lining every five days.  What?!  Every month you produce an entirely new layer of skin as dead cells are shed and new cells grow underneath. The proteins in your muscles are continually turned over as muscle is broken down and new tissue is synthesized. Every cell in your body is constantly being recycled. Where do all these new cells come from? These new cells come from the protein you consume every day . Proteins contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen , and sometimes other atoms. They form the cellular structural elements, are biochemical catalysts, and are important regulators of gene expression

In order for protein synthesis to occur (a magical process by which your body utilizes it), an adequate supply of both essential and non-essential amino acids is vital. If one of the essential amino acids is missing, synthesis is halted. Any amino acids that are not used within a short time cannot be stored for future use. Restriction in protein intake will result in protein degradation and muscle breakdown, i.e. your body becomes weak and frail. Like the old bag lady slumped over the fire hydrant at 50^th and 8^th.  Sweet . . . but frail.

The recommended daily Allowance of protein intake is .036 grams per pound of body weight, however this does not account for any outside stress such as exercise. <Cough, cough>.  Also, there are recommendations that say 300-500 grams a day (which is excessive and there is no literature to support this amount or any benefits it may yield). International Sports Sciences supports a diet including .8 gm/per pound to maintain a positive nitrogen balance and enable muscular gains.

So . . . we have established why we need it. Fair? Fair.

Now the reason I’m excited about the Sunwarrior protein: it levels the playing field of non-animal-product-based protein. Till recently there was not a great option for someone to supplement protein intake from a non-animal source. You could either do soy, which jacks up you estrogen levels. Or there was hemp, unsprouted brown rice, or pea protein . . . yuck. Believe me, I have tried them all.  They are all bad-tasting, and I found it very hard to keep muscle on while using these products as a supplementation to good old fashioned whey or meat. Here are some things this the product has going for it:

 “At 85% protein, Sunwarrior has the highest (non soy) raw (not heated over 90 degrees) whole grain sprouted vegan protein on the market.

           

By using a third generation process, we have created the best tasting vegetable protein on the market that has a silky smooth texture that blends well and tastes great compared with other chalky and grainy vegetable proteins.

           

We use old world process of combining the sprouted endosperm and the bran from raw sprouted whole grain brown rice. This unique process creates the first complete hypoallergenic protein, which is made up of all 9 essential amino acids and other non-essential amino acids in a perfectly balanced amino acid profile.

           

It has a 98% correlation rate to Mother's Milk and a 98.2% digestion efficiency making it one of the highest digestibility and efficiency ratings of any other protein sources (compared to whey and soy).

           

It has the highest net protein utilization score of any vegetable-based protein and the highest ratio of amino acids converted to proteins.

           

Unlike the extraction processes of other proteins, our method of extraction uses neither chemicals nor acid hydrolysis. We only use organic enzymes during the process and our process is 100% Organic Compliant.

           

Naturally rich in vitamins and minerals, Sunwarrior Protein contains high amounts of antioxidants tocopherols, and tocotrienols and other essential nutrients such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorous, iron and potassium.

           

Increases efficacy and absorption of vitamin, minerals. There has been a direct correlation between the use of Sunwarrior Protein and the absorption of vitamins.

           

Because Sunwarrior Protein is so digestible, it can be easily assimilated by infants, the elderly and adults The World Health Organization may be using Sunwarrior Protein in the future to feed malnourished individuals, because of the hypoallergenic profile, and superior absorption that Sunwarrior has shown to have.”

           

Love this!!!!!!!!!!!  There is currently a clinical trial that shows promise that Sunwarrior Protein aids in the absorption of vitamins in AIDS patients. There has been a direct correlation between the use of Sunwarrior Protein and the absorption of vitamins where other proteins do not provide such synergistic affects during intake. Weight loss clinical studies in Japan have showed that by providing rice protein as a staple in a diet, that it can be used as a weight control vehicle, particularly because of the superior absorption rates. Diabetes: there are clinical studies going on right now which show that because of the balanced nutritional profile of rice, it helps to actually maintain the diabetic affects of sugars, which could be used in diabetic products to help control insulin levels. Cholesterol: clinical studies have shown promise that Sunwarrior has cholesterol-lowering potential and the USDA is currently using Sunwarrior in trials to see if it may help control high blood pressure.

I don’t know what else to say, except I really think this is a keep on my Freddie Four Star List.  Oh yeah, I’ve started a list. This is on it. That is all.

As always I recommend a scoop of this in a smoothie with some flax seeds some fruit, and bringing it along with your for and in between meal snack. It’s also a great way to start your day.

Another recipe I use it for are my tahini protein balls:

-2 scoops sun warrior protein

-1/2 diced apple

-1/4 cup flax seeds

-1/2 cup rasins or dates

-2 teaspoons vanilla extract

- ¼ cup crushed walnuts

-1 ½ cup of tahini butter

Place all ingredients in a bowl and churn together! Then roll in coconut flakes! Raw and about 8 gm of protein each!

www.freddiekimmel.com

"livestrong"