I love kiwi! I would describe it as a sweet, tropical, large green grape with a fuzzy wrapper. :)
But isn't cool that God created something so sweet and delicious that is actually also super healthy? Yeah it is!!
Top 5 Health Benefits of Kiwi
1. Immunity Booster
Yes, that's right! One ripe kiwi has over 64mg of Vitamin C which is well-known to boost the immune system.
2. Potassium Powerhouse
With over 215mg of potassium, the kiwi helps keep your electrolytes in balance without all the acidic by-products created by Gatorade.
3. DNA Shield
Oxygen-related damage to the DNA in human cells is no match for the kiwi! Different compounds of phytonutrients in the kiwi actually prevent the oxidation. Antioxidants, like the kiwi, are known to help prevent heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
4. Sweet Weight Loss Skills
With the kiwi being low on the glycemic index (only 47-58!) and full of natural fiber, filling up on ripe kiwi will not only taste good but shred the fat and keep you slim.
5. Asthma Superhero
"A study published in Thorax that followed over 18,000 children aged 6-7 years living in Central and Northern Italy found that those eating the most citrus and kiwifruit (5-7 servings per week) had 44% less incidence of wheezing compared to children eating the least (less than once a week). Shortness of breath was reduced by 32%, severe wheeze by 41%, night time cough by 27%, chronic cough by 25%, and runny nose by 28%."1 So be sure to increase your fruit intake and not your pharmacy runs for more cough medicine and inhalers.
**The body is constantly trying to heal itself, so work with it instead of against it.
"To wrongly suggest that people need to eat animal protein for proper nutrition encourages consumption of foods known to contribute to the incidence of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, many forms of cancer, and other common health problems." – Jeff Novick, M.S., R.D.1
So why is this "What About..." series so important?
How many people do you know who struggle with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and allergies? If you're like me, then you might say, "Hummingbird, that's practically everyone I know."
Sadly, that is often the case today. But it doesn't have to be! There is hope for health! There are changes that can be made to prevent disease and often reverse it. But you must know that your best health can not be achieved if you don't have peace with God Almighty (read My Story here).
I admit, just a few years ago, I too thought that not eating animal protein would make me sickly and weak, and therefore anyone who chose to not eat meat was crazy. Educating myself obviously changed my opinion... or maybe now I'm just crazy. :)
There are so many misconceptions about protein, and there are many reasons for that. So, I'm hoping to clear some of those up with Part 1 of "What About Protein?"
Fact #1 – Protein is Important to Life
Contrary to what you might think that I think, I still believe protein to be important even if I don't eat any animal products. I bet you can find Fact #1 in practically every reliable source out there. But in case you doubt, simply follow the links provided below. 2, 3 Science has known for a long time that animals and humans die if they don't get enough protein.
Fact #2 – Protein is Made from Amino Acids
Amino Acids have been called "The Building Blocks of Life." And it's true. There are 9 essential amino acids that the body cannot make, hence the name "essential."4 They have to be provided by the food we eat.5
Fact #3 – All Produce Has Protein
In The China Study, Dr. Campbell talks about how all too often meat is synonymous with protein and protein with meat.6 To a point, this is understandable because protein was first discovered in meat. But the science is out there, folks. All whole food produce has protein.7 Look it up and see for yourself at Cronometer.com! Type in what I had for breakfast this morning - a 12 banana smoothie - and see that I consumed over 15 grams of protein in one meal.
Fact #4 – "Low Quality" Protein is Better
"Many people think that the best quality protein comes from animals, but science has proven time and time again that the opposite is true." –Dr. Campbell from Forks Over Knives Extended Interviews.8
What is quality anyway? Today, it's often confused with whether or not the source has a complete protein or its efficiency in becoming human protein.9 Quality protein is efficient in body growth which is automatically associated with health. But in reality, animal protein has been shown to increase the risk of cancer. In a study done by Dr. T. C. Campbell, he was able to actually turn off cancer in rats by either decreasing animal protein to <10% or switching them to plant protein, even if he gave them more than 20% plant protein.10 This is a very interesting study that is discussed in the movie Forks Over Knives and its sequel. But that doesn't mean one should isolate the plant proteins. This often creates an imbalance in the body. Dr. Janice Stanger says, "The ratios of one nutrient to another in a varied whole foods diet are perfect. Too much is not better than too little. Supplements over-concentrate a few select nutrients at the expense of others. The person, using them, ends up with too much of one vitamin or mineral, for example, and too little of others."11 It's better to eat whole foods, so that your body will be able to decide how much of each nutrient – including protein – should be released and absorbed into the body. Oh the awesome wisdom of our Creator to put that into His creation!
Fact #5 – Protein Deficiency = Calorie Deficiency
The only way you can have a protein deficiency is if you're not getting enough calories overall.12 Even the very rare disease originally associated with protein deficiency in spite of sufficient caloric intake, known as Kwashiorkor, is now realized to be caused by insufficient calories. It's mainly seen in countries with famine. You've probably seen pictures of those starving children in Africa with the bloated tummies. It is very sad. Dr. McDougall says it best:
When these children come under medical supervision, they are nourished back to health with their local diets of corn, wheat, rice, and/or beans. Children recovering from starvation grow up to l8 times faster than usual and require a higher protein content to provide for their catch-up in development—and plant foods easily provide this extra amount of protein. Even very-low protein starchy root crops, such as cassava root, are sufficient enough in nutrients, including protein, to keep people healthy.12, 13
I used to buy expensive vegan protein and meal powders, until I realized that I was calorie deficient, not protein deficient.
Well, I hope this Part 1 of "What About Protein?" cleared some things up!
Check out Part 2 to find out more!
One of the biggest excuses people give for why they can't eat a healthy vegan diet is how much it costs.
That's unfortunate because healthy eating shouldn't be expensive.... And I'm here to tell you that itdoesn't have to be!
While, yes, it will most likely cost more than $1 a meal; if you use my tips, you should have no problem keeping it under $75-100 per adult a week.
Tip #1 Buy in Bulk
If you live near a produce wholesaler that sells to individuals and not just businesses, then lucky you! That's a great place to get boxes of bananas, mangoes, lettuces, apples, grapes, tomatoes, cucumbers, peaches, whatever is your favorite! Often, regular grocery stores or healthy food stores will give you a case discount (typically 10-15% off). Before I was married, I would get my weekly 40 lb. box of organic bananas at my local Bi-Lo grocery store for around $25 because I asked for a case discount. Not bad! Now, my husband and I get a 40 lb. box of organic, free trade bananas twice a week from a local organic market for just over $30 each.
Tip #2 Buy Seasonal
Not only are summer time oranges not as sweet, but also they are often not as cheap. Find out when certain produce is in season. Berries are cheaper (and fresher!) in the summer when there's plenty on the bushes and on the shelves, persimmons are cheaper in the fall, but bananas and papaya are available year round. Buying produce in the proper season means it will typically have a better price tag and a better taste.
Tip #3 Buy Local
Sometimes, buying from a farmer's market or straight from the farm is cheaper... but sometimes not. Where I live, it's still cheaper to buy some produce at my local Trader Joe's. But hey, that's local, right? ;) It is a good idea, though, to check it out just to be sure. Sometimes, you just can't top the quality and taste from farmer's market produce; plus, it's good to invest in the local farmers. Other times, you just need to save money, and that's okay.
Tip #4 Grow Your Own
Live in an apartment with no deck? No problem! You can still grow your own herbs in a window like I did! You can grow anything from basil that comes in a pot with dirt in it to green onions that are in a bag from Walmart. Potted plants: water about once a week, and snip off only what you need. Green onions: at store - pick ones that have some roots left; at home - rinse, place in jar, fill with about 2" of water, and snip only the green portion when needed so that it can regrow.
Tip #5 Buy Starches
For those trying to go all raw – Kudos! I love eating all raw and recommend it, but there are definitely times when I need to save one more $20 bill a week. For those happy simply eating low fat vegan, be sure to buy your organic potatoes, corn/rice pasta, corn tortillas (salt free!), or rice to keep costs down.
**Comment down below to share how you save money on a healthy diet!
Like and Share to spread the word about how a low fat vegan diet can help with health and nutrition!
When determining cost, you ought to look at what you spend and what you save, as well as how important each item is to you in each category. I wanted to give y'all a look at what a typical week/month of groceries is for me and my husband. I'll show you what we spend, but most importantly what we've saved. :)
Weekly Grocery List for 2 Adults
(prices are rounded up and don't include tax)
2 boxes Bananas - $63
2 heads Celery - $2
4 lb. Grapes - $12
1 bag Apples - $3
Fresh Seasonal Fruit (berries, citrus, etc.) - $10
2 Iceberg Lettuce - $3
6 Romaine Lettuce heads (2 bags) - $6
5/6 Lemon or Limes (or 1 bag every other week) - $2
Fresh Herbs (depends on what I want to make) - $2
1 bag Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes (rotate every other week) - $4
1 bag/ 1 lb. of corn/rice noodles - $2
3 lb. Tomatoes - $9
3 lb. Cucumbers - $4
1 lb. raisins (emergency snack) - $3
4 bags frozen fruit - $10
Monthly Grocery List (add 1 or 2 items to weekly grocery list to spread cost out)
10 lb. box of Dates (fall/winter item) - $55
1 lb. Coconut Crystals - $5
Specialty Fruit - $20
**Average Weekly Total - $155 for 2 adults ($77.50 each)
That's great! Especially considering that it's an investment in your health!
What do I save eating vegan?
I've saved so much since eating this way! I know that God is ultimately in control of health, but I also believe that He allows our choices to greatly influence it as well.
Since going low fat vegan, I've overcome a lot of health issues.
I've saved money on...
Prescription medications – overcame my autoimmune disease!
Digestion medications – no more need for Pepto Bismol or Bean-o...yuck.
Vitamins and supplements - why take it when my food is better quality than the pill?
Makeup - no more dark circles under my eyes or grey skin
Acne products - my skin is finally clear!
Hair care products - no more dull or oily hair
Lotions and creams - no more year-round dry, itchy skin
Special nail polishes - no more weak, brittle nails
Anti-itch creams - no more head-to-toe hives (Praise the Lord!)
Specialty food items - no more gluten, dairy, soy, egg, nut, yeast-free breads, cookies, milks, etc.
So do I think eating low fat vegan is worth it? You bet I do!
Comment down below to share what you've "saved," whether it be money or health, since you've gone vegan!
Have you ever wondered how you can trust God in the midst of pain and suffering?
I remember one particular season in my life when I was going through so much pain physically and emotionally. I wondered if the God I thought I believed in when I was younger was even really there. Why would God allow this suffering to happen if he is really in control? Like many, I struggled with believing if God is really good and if he even cared about what I was going through. During the end of this one particularly painful season, I decided that for three days I would read my Bible and try to pray. I said, "God, if you're real then you're gonna have to change me, because there is nothing in me that likes what I'm going through or likes the fact that you're in control."
So for three days I read and prayed. A week passed and I continued to read and pray. And over the period of about ten days, God totally changed me. Instead of seeing God through the eyes of my circumstances, I began to see him for who he really is. I confessed my selfish heart to God, and asked God to help me be like his selfless Son Jesus. A peace started to grow in my heart and hasn't left since, and God started to put in my heart desires that weren't there before...to thirst and hunger to know who God truly is, to read my Bible to satisfy that thirst, to pray knowing that God was listening and caring, to be with other born-again Christians, and encourage others. These were things I know were not there before. God changed me and has continued to change me since.
Where did I read in the Bible? To be honest, I can't remember exactly because I read its books from all over. I'm sure I read Job, Romans, 1 John, 2 Corinthians, and others. The truths found in these books and more are clearly laid out in Jerry Bridges book Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts. I read this book about a year after my struggle described above, and found it to be a huge help in re-encouraging me to continue to trust God even though my circumstances still hadn't changed.
Are you depressed with what's going on around you?
Are you mad at God for giving you something or taking something away?
Do you know someone who is hurting?
Want to be ready for when "real life" hits you?
Grab your Bible and Bridges's book and a pencil. As you read through Trusting God, underline and take notes in the book and look up passages in the Bible to understand the context of the verses Bridges uses.
It's been a huge help to me and others whom I know have read it.
So please take the time to understand what God wants you to know about Himself.
I adapted the Zesty Avocado Poppers recipe from Megan Elizabeth's Easy to Be Raw recipe ebook. Her ebooks were a huge help when I first went raw! She gives you lots of simple recipes with ingredients you can find at pretty much any grocery store.
Apples w/ Carmel Vanilla Date Dip
Apples!
juice from 1 lemon
10-15 Medjool dates, pitted (if you don't have a high-speed blender, soak the dates for 1 hr.)
1/2-1 c. of water (can use the soaking water)
1 t. vanilla
1 t. cinnamon
Cut apples and place in bowl. Squeeze lemon juice over the apples. Then cover the apples with just enough water. Set aside.
Place the pitted dates in your blender. Add 1/2 cup of water, vanilla, and cinnamon. Blend till smooth. Add more water till you reach desired consistency.
Drain the apples and place on a platter, and pour the date sauce in a pretty party bowl. Enjoy!
Zesty Avocado Poppers (Hummingbird version)
1 1/2 - 2 c. plus 1 c. pineapple, fresh or thawed frozen
1/4-1/2 avocado
1/2 c. plus 1/4 c. green onions, chopped
3 Medjool dates, pitted
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1/2 plus 1/4 red bell pepper
3 large cucumbers, sliced about 1/4 in. thick
Slice the cucumbers and place them on your platters.
Place 1 1/2 cups of pineapple, avocado, 1/2 c. green onions, dates, celery, and 1/2 red bell pepper into the blender and blend till creamy. You may need to stop the blender and scrape the sides and press down to get it going.
Chop up remaining pineapple, green onion, and bell pepper.
Spoon the dip onto the cucumber slices, and assemble the toppings. Enjoy!
**Tip: To make assembly easier, pour the dip into a plastic bag. Cut the tip of the corner off and use it like an icing bag!
I know, I know... it may be hard to believe that some creepy looking green thing can be so delicious, but it's true!
It's great because it's sweet, savory, crunchy, and satisfying!
As you make it, it may be hard to not eat it just as a fresh salad (hmmm...maybe another recipe!), but it is sooooo worth the wait! The dehydrator condenses and deepens all the flavors so that they create a beautiful spectrum of tastes and textures. It's wonderful.
This genius kale chip recipe is taken from Amada Pure Vida. Check out her blog for more great recipes!
Ingredients:
3-4 ears of fresh corn
1 red bell pepper
Juice from 1 lime
1 garlic clove OR handful of fresh chives
dash of cayenne pepper
Blend the ingredients and massage into de-stemmed kale leaves.
Spread out evenly on trays (or cookie sheet with wax paper) and dehydrate at 110F for 12-15 hours (depending on the humidity where you live).
Have you ever wondered what is the most important thing about a person? Does that person get to decide what is most important about themselves? Or is the most important thing the same for all people? Is it the church that decides, or does God decide what is most important?
Growing up, I loved artsy craftsy things. If it included paint, glue, color, or clay you could count me in! One year for my birthday I got a child's pottery wheel. I would spend hours trying to mold the perfect cup or dish. I'd dream of a design fit for an exquisite art magazine, only to find that my toil brought forth a small lump of clay with a dip in the middle. But did that stop me from being so proud of it that I couldn't wait for it to dry so I could paint it and display it? No way! But I had bigger plans for my creation than just display art. I wanted to put stuff in it.... a penny, a marble, a piece of string... whatever my little hands could find. And if somehow my "dish" broke, I wouldn't throw it away because I knew how much hard work went into it. Instead, I would fix it and try to use it for it's purpose again by putting the marble back in it.
Where I was...
In a similar way I think of my own life. When God created me in my mother's womb, He had a purpose: for me to glorify Him with my life (1 Corinthians 10:31). It took me a while to understand what it means to "glorify" someone, but it means to accurately represent them. How do I do that for a perfect God? I need to love and obey Him (Matthew 22:37). But even as a care-free baby I couldn't do that. Yes, of course I didn't have much cognitive development, but I have to admit that my parents weren't the ones who taught me to be selfish as a baby or to lie, cheat, steal, or be unthankful as I grew older. I figured that out myself. I failed my purpose from my beginning... What's even greater is I sinned against the Almighty God who is the Creator of everything (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23).
What I did...
When I understood that I had disobeyed an eternal God and was therefore worthy of eternal separation from God in hell (Romans 6:23; Luke 12:5; Luke 16:23), I realized there was nothing I could do to save myself. Anything "good" I did was actually counted against me (Isaiah 64:6-7). I was helpless and hopeless in and of myself. Just like a broken piece of pottery not fulfilling its purpose, I too was broken not fulfilling my God-given purpose. I would try to give my life purpose by doing what I thought was right or helping people, but even in those things I felt ultimately empty. But God... 2 of the best words I've read in the Bible. "But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). I had heard about Jesus Christ dying on the cross for my sin and thought it was good news (James 2:19), but didn't realize that God requires the kind of belief that actually changes the way I live ( James 2:14-26)... heart belief, not just head belief (Romans 10:9). This new understanding demanded action. I could either accept it and submit to God's rules, or I could reject it and face the consequences of my decision. If I decided to believe that God and the Bible are just a bunch of fairy tales and lies, it wouldn't change the truth (Romans 3:3-4). So, that was it... I decided to submit to the God of the universe, admit that I was a sinner, ask Him to forgive me, and ask Him to save me from the punishment for my sin (Romans 10:9). And He did! (1 John 1:9)
Where I am...
Better than I could have ever mended my broken pottery dish as a child, my loving God washed my heart of sin and made it new (2 Corinthians 5:17). The decision I made years ago has changed not just my lifestyle, but my life. I am certainly not perfect and I fail every day, but now I live a life of daily repentance and a life dependent on God's grace. I truly want to know all there is to know about the great God who saved my soul. I no longer read my Bible (or pray or go to church) to check it off my list of "Good Christian To-Do's," but I do it because I desire to know what God says, to obey Him, and to glorify (accurately represent) Him with my life. I am finally able to accomplish my life's purpose (Revelation 4:11)! How fulfilling! ^_^
What is most important?
The most important thing about a person is their soul (Matthew 8:36-37).
If you think you're unworthy of God's forgiveness for one reason or another, I recommend you read the books of John and Romans in the Bible. It will help you understand the nature of God's love and how Jesus was the Perfect Sacrifice for all mankind.
Also, some of my friends made a really good video explaining what it means to know God.
Well, maybe you shouldn't scream for it... although it is pretty stinkin' good ice cream!
I LOVE ICE CREAM!!!! Always have, always will.
When I first developed my food allergies, I thought I had to give up one of my favorite desserts... cookies 'n cream ice cream.
In one sense I did have to give it up, but in another sense I gained something so much better!
No more stomach aches, blood sugar crashes, can't-think-straight-after-eating-a-half-gallon-tub binges. Now, there's only pure joy and energy gained from this delectable dessert! What could be better?
To make the ice cream, I use my Yonanas machine. I've heard of some people using aChampion Juicer too, but I don't have one. So if you have one and you make banana ice cream, take a picture and let me know how it turns out!
Also, when I freeze the bananas I like to peel them, half them, then freeze them in a gallon ziploc bag. Be careful not to overstuff the bag, otherwise it might freeze into one huge mass of frozen solid bananas. I try to rinse and reuse the bags too. At least this is what I've found to work.
Recipe:
Frozen Bananas
Frozen Strawberries (or choice of frozen fruit)
Coconut Sugar
Fresh Organic Blueberries
Let your frozen fruit sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, just long enough to soften them a little (you can also run them under hot water).
Turn on your Yonanas machine, place your bowl under the spout, and start putting a couple banana halves down the chute and press them through with the plunger. Alternate your fruits till finished.
Sprinkle some coconut sugar and blueberries on top of your strawberry banana ice cream, and enjoy!
I just bought a couple pounds of heirloom tomatoes from Trader Joe's the other day, and I just love the simple beauty and uniqueness of their colors and shapes!
God created such beautiful fruit! and it's for our enjoyment! Pleasant to the eyes and pleasant to the taste! What a blessing! So don't forget to thank the Lord for the food He's provided for you. ^_^
MMMmmm.... chilled, refreshing, creamy, smooth, sweet banana pudding... gotta love the stuff!
In fact, I've been loving it so much I've had it for breakfast lunch and dinner the past couple days (in addition to other stuff, of course)!
Ingredients:
5 fresh super ripe, super sweet bananas
2 frozen super ripe, super sweet bananas (for easy freezing: peel, break in half, then freeze)
1/2 pint blueberries
dash of cinnamon
Peel fresh bananas and throw into blender, then put the frozen bananas on top.
Blend till smooth. If using a Vitamix, you'll need to slowly blend to high speed while using the plunger. Then once you get a good amount of liquified banana, just pulse it to keep the bananas from oxidizing too much and losing any sweetness. If using a regular blender, blend some then turn off the blender and press the bananas down. Repeat, then pulse till smooth.
Pour into a pretty glass, and top with blueberries and a dash of cinnamon.
machine. I've heard of some people using a
too, but I don't have one. So if you have one and you make banana ice cream, take a picture and let me know how it turns out!
