So many people experience stress on a regular basis. Chronic Stress affects our state of mind, our ability to properly function, our sleep, and our moods. For many people, chronic stress leads to anxiety which unfortunately takes a heavy toll on the adrenal system. The best remedy overall is to eat a healthy diet with organic foods high in B vitamins, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and the omega-3 fatty acids which all can help you ward off the more serious effects of stress.

Natural aloe vera gel has some incredible potential health benefits. In a study done in the UK, researchers gave people with active ulcerative colitis, (inflammatory bowel disease), aloe vera gel to drink (raw gel, not processed commercial juice). After four weeks of drinking aloe vera gel in water twice per day, there was improvement and even remission in some people of ulcerative colitis, compared to those given plain water.

Cinnamon should definitely be included in the “superfood” category for many reasons. Did you know that cinnamon has super-antioxidant power, and is several hundred times more potent than any fruit or vegetable? Cinnamon contains: B-complex vitamins, as well as chromium, iron, zinc, and calcium, and in studies it has been shown to help prevent brain tissue damage that leads to Alzheimer’s. The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease reported that cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin, both found in cinnamon, inhibit the clustering of a protein called tau, which forms lesions in the brain that lead to Alzheimer’s.

Apples – overall tonic and contain pectin, a fiber that’s good for the digestive tract, supports immunity. Research shows apple can lower Alzheimer’s risk. Apples contain vitamin C, copper, magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, trace minerals. Apricot – rich in beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, B5, copper iron, potassium, fiber.

While natural stevia is a wonderful sweetener, if you consume Truvia, it’s chemically processed and is made with genetically modified ingredients. You may wish to consider switching to natural stevia powder (it’s green, not white). Truvia has three ingredients: erythritol, rebiana, and natural flavors. Rebiana is made from the stevia leaf by soaking it in water. It’s manufacturer Cargill claims that the process as similar to making tea.

Artichokes –  contain folate, vitamin-C, vitamin K. Are also a rich source of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium, iron, manganese and phosphorus. Arugula – beta carotene, vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, B2, B5, iron, copper, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, omega 3, omega 6. Asparagus – diuretic, laxative, pre-biotic and thus feeds the good bacteria in the gut, promotes heart health, vitamin C, beta carotene, folic acid, B1, B2, B3, fiber, anti-cancer, great for cleansing the kidneys.

Non-dairy milks are a wonderful way to feed your body nutrient-dense, delicious and healthy substitutes for inflammatory dairy. However, relying on store bought brands can sometimes introduce toxic additives into your system, such as carageenan. Carageenan is not only in non-dairy milks, it is found in protein powders, condensed milk, cottage cheese, coconut water, many brands of ice cream (both dairy and non-dairy) and vitamins. This ubiquitous ingredient is extracted from Irish Moss and used as a stabilizer for various foods.

I get asked this question all the time: do I follow food combining “rules” and are they important? It’s a popular topic, but what really works and what takes food combining a little too far are two different things. There are some “experts” out there who tell people that their digestive issues are due to poor food combining. More often than not, the digestion is compromised due to limited release of HCL, enzymes, bile, poor gut flora, gut inflammation and other issues that are regularly misdiagnosed.

Sweet potatoes are one of the greatest sources of beta-carotene of all vegetables, even higher than carrots. One small sweet potato contains 369% of your daily need of vitamin A! They are also loaded with vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and carbohydrates, and are a good source of fiber, as well as a rare low-fat source of vitamin E. The Center for Science in the Public Interest ranked sweet potatoes as number one in Vitamins A and C, folate, iron, copper calcium, and fiber.

Citrus Fruits are AMAZING for health and they are often ignored as some of the more exotic fruits seem to have taken center stage lately. Check out these 5 really important reasons to get citrus into your diet on a regular basis! 1. Rich in compounds called flavonoids, which have anti-cancer properties. Citrus flavonoids can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent the spread of tumors.

Stress and anxiety can seem to be a normal everyday occurrence for many people. So many of us just become accustomed to a high stress level, until it is soon perceived as acceptable. But over time this chronic stress and the resulting constant stream of cortisol creates long term damage including premature aging, weight gain, high blood pressure, and contributes to many other diseases.

Balanced body chemistry is extremely important in order to maintain health, which is one reason consuming a diet high in alkaline foods is important. Acidosis, or over-acidity in the body tissues is one of the primary factors underlying many diseases. Staying alkaline depends on the efficient functioning of our body’s three natural buffering systems, and so we want to do all that we can to support the proper functioning of those systems.

Many of you have heard of Maca by now, it’s fairly common to see it in most stores. And, that’s a good thing. Maca is truly a super food in every sense of the word, and the hype is well deserved. Maca is a root that has been used in Peru for a very long time, and is in the radish family. It is considered an adaptogenic root that can help you deal with stress, give you energy, provide hormonal balance and increase physical endurance.

’ve been drinking hibiscus tea for years because it’s delicious and healthy! But now, there are even MORE reasons to enjoy this delicious flower tea. Hibiscus flowers contain a substance called Gossypin, a flavone that has been found to suppress inflammation and cancer. In fact, scientists have now found that gossypin has the ability to totally stop melanoma cells from growing.

I get asked often about nutritional yeast: what is it, do I need it, why should I use it, how should I use it and what brand should I use. Let’s start with the basics for those who aren’t aware of what it is. Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that is sold as a food product and marketed primarily to plant based eaters. Nutritional yeast is made from a single-celled organism called Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, cultivated on molasses, and then harvested, washed, and dried using heat processing to deactivate it. You can find nutritional yeast in individual containers or in the bulk bins of your local health food store.

Best nuts for men: Brazil Nuts, Pecans. Brazil nuts are packed with selenium, a mineral that can protect against prostate cancer. Just one nut contains more than a day’s worth, so you don’t need a lot! Pecans are also good for men’s health, because they are loaded with beta-sitosterol, which is a plant steroid that is also promotes prostate health.

Seaweeds are the most nutritionally dense plants on the planet. They can contain up to 10 times more calcium than milk and eight times as much as beef. The chemical composition of seaweeds is very close to human blood plasma, which greatly helps build our own blood. Seaweed also has the ability to alkalize the body, and protect us from a wide variety of toxins including heavy metals, by converting them to harmless salts that the body can eliminate.

I’ve been drinking quite a bit of turmeric tea and juice lately. Turmeric is often talked about these days, but few people truly know the amazing benefits of this inexpensive amazing spice. To date, over 5,000 medical studies have found over 600 potential health benefits of turmeric! It’s no wonder it has been used for over 6,000 years. The major benefits of turmeric come from a polyphenol known as curcumin.

Pineapples are one of the most versatile and nutrient rich fruits we can consume. Most of use stick to eating the sweet, fleshy, nutrient dense part of the pineapple. But did you know that most of the powerful enzyme Bromelain exists mostly in the core and that you can make an incredibly healing tea out of the skin and core combined? Bromelain is important because it helps to improve protein digestion, reduce inflammation and treat indigestion.

There are so many herbal teas available to us that can truly add amazing healing to our lives. Many people are hesitant to try new herbal teas, and limit themselves to the more common black, green or white teas, and their varieties like chai, earl grey, matcha and perhaps a few common herbal teas like chamomile and yerba mate. But there is a veritable medicine chest of teas available to us in nature, and I would love to share those with you!