By and large, Americans don’t eat enough fruits and veggies. Not only do fruits and veggies contain a wonderful source of vitamins and minerals, they also contain fiber (roughage). Moreover, fresh (and let’s include organic) fruits and veggies contain countless other ingredients including antioxidants and bioflavinoids (both of which help fight cancer and give a boost to the immune system). Specifically, antioxidants destroy free radicals (and free radicals, an oxygen molecule with an aberrant electron, are known to destroy cell membranes, RNA, DNA and cell mitochondria—Not Good!) Colon cancer is quite prevalent in the USA (suggested to be the second most common form of cancer). The daily intake of fiber is suggested to be 30-40 grams. Most Americans consume less than 10 grams per day. Fiber acts like a broom to clean the gastro-intestinal track, most notably, the colon. Toxins that don’t get swept out can cause problems (e.g. colon cancer). Whenever possible opt for organic produce which contains markedly less petrochemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides). So… do like your mother suggested and eat a variety of fresh fruits and veggies.
Stress Tip for the Day:
You may have heard a lot about the raw food diet these days. While the jury is still out on eating exclusively raw (uncooked) foods) this much we do know: heat is known to destroy vitamins. Moreover, plopping veggies in water to cook leaches the vitamins and minerals out into the water, which then gets thrown away. Steaming veggies is the best approach). Regardless of how you cook veggies, the real message here is to consume a variety of fresh fruits and veggies.
Links and Books Worth Noting:
I would highly recommend reading Michael Polan’s book, In Defense of Food. Polan gained deserved recognition for his best selling book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, which is also a good read.
Quote for the Day:
“When in doubt, eat dark green leafy vegetables.” — Anonymous
“When you realize all of the petrochemicals on our foods, saying grace before a meal takes on a whole new meaning.” — Brian Luke Seaward
Photo for the Day:
I had a chance to roam the fresh food markets in both Florence and Venice this week; quiet the sensory experience, and a photographer’s delight. Rumor has that Moldovia had the best Veggies in the world, but I for one LOVED what I ate in Florence and Venice. Enjoy!
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 12 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (7e) and the newly released, A Beautiful World: The Earth Song Journals. He can be reached through his website: www.brianlukeseaward.net
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
