Protein from Vegetables vs. Meat… What’s the big deal?

4 Comments October 7, 2014 DrD4Health

What you eat impacts everything from your skin to your bones to your cognitive abilities… It even contributes to how animals are treated in this world!

Ounce for ounce and Calorie for calorie… Broccoli and Kale provide more protein than Porterhouse steak!!!

Cooked Kale and Broccoli also provide more Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C and Folate than Beef Short Loin and Porterhouse Steak.

Protein is a macro nutrient necessary for the proper growth and function of the human body. Although there are vegetables that have proteins, Harvard School of Public Health found that it critical to eat a variety of protein choices so you can get all of your Amino Acids! Growing evidence reveals high-protein food choices do play a role in health—but eating healthy protein sources like avocados, beans, or nuts in place of red meat can lower the risk of several diseases while lowering cruelty towards animals🌝.

A study from May 2012 by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that saturated fats found in red meat and full-fat dairy products causes the brain to age more quickly than other kinds of fat. The good news is that you can slow brain aging by consuming healthy oils like Avocado, Coconut Oil and other monounsaturated fats.

This Protein Juice blend includes:

1/2 an Avocado
1 Cup of Cashews
3/4 Cup of Raspberries
3/4 Cup Mango
2 Cups of Mixed Greens (Spinach, Kale, Moringa )
1/4 Cup Cucumber
1 Cup of Coconut Water
1/2 Lemon

There is considerable debate over the amount of protein a person needs to consume per day, but the current recommended daily intake is listed below:

BENEFITS OF EATING PROTEIN FROM VEGETABLES & FRUITS:

Various studies show that eating even small amounts of red meat, especially processed red meat, on a regular basis is linked to increased Free Radicals, increased risk of Heart Disease and Stroke.

People who are Gluten Sensitive or have GI issues also tend to have low digestive enzymes and need to be extremely careful about eating meat, paying particular attention to added dyes, antibiotics and of course, gluten.

Meat is very high in fat, cholesterol and if non-organic, it has synthetic hormones. Many meat proteins in food are found to be responsible for food allergies and mucus in the gut?

Meat causes your body, mind and organs to age, where Organic Vegetables promote Anti-aging, they are high in Vitamins & Antioxidants, have good Fiber, low-fat Protein, and they are great for your Heart and Brain.

Try replacing red meat with healthy proteins such as this Protein Juice Blend above – you may greatly lower your risk of disease, you will be having cruelty free meals and discover that life can be Yummy Yummy Baby with out meat!

Stay healthy and happy! ~ Dr. Dee

Raw Vegan Southwest Zucchini Lasagna

23 Comments September 29, 2014 DrD4Health

Cumin, cumin, cumin…

There are some things I miss about Texas, such as, friendly drivers, everbody loving the same team, all of my childhood friends and the taste of Cumin! My momma was always adding Cumin to everything! I just love the smell and taste of it!
Tex-Mex food is just different than Southern Californian Cuisine. Oh don’t get me wrong- I do love the flavors out here… but nothing says home like Southern-Tex-Mex food with Cumin!

Why Cumin? It appears Cumin has been used by thousands of years by the Egyptians, Indians and the Native Americans…

Cumin seeds contain numerous phyto-chemicals that are known to have antioxidant and anti-flatulent properties. The seeds are also an excellent source of dietary fiber.

The active ingredients in Cumin are known to improve gut motility and be a digestive aide by augmenting gastro-intestinal enzyme secretions.

A study on rats by researchers at Mysore University, published in the “Indian Journal of Medical Research” in 2004, found cumin useful for both dyspepsia and diarrhea which are prevalent in Celiacs. Cumin appears to stimulate the liver to secrete more bile, which aids in the breakdown of fats and the absorption of nutrients, leading to healthier digestion. In the study, cumin increased bile secretion in the rats by 71 percent.

Cumin Essential Oil is also of great benefit! Cumin oil is a bactericidal, carminative, digestive, diuretic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, detoxifier, emenagogue, stimulant, nervine, and tonic substance.

This Golden Spice is an excellent source of minerals like iron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium, zinc and magnesium. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is required for red blood cell formation. Zinc is a co-factor in enzymes regulating growth, development and sperm generation.

Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps maintain our heart rate and blood pressure. Our body uses Manganese as a co-factor for the powerful anti-oxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

Cumin spice also contains great amounts of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, and other vitamins like vitamin E, vitamin A and C. There is so much goodness in Cumin, it’s easy to see why it’s been used by various cultures around the world! Oh, how I love learning the healing properties of food!

I want to take this opportunity to remind you that it is very important to know our B-Vitamin Status! Are you experiencing any pain, inflammation, auto-immune issues? Being aware of our homocysteine levels and genetic polymorphisms is very helpful in maintaining long-term health and well being. In the meantime, Cumin is a great way of helping you get some vital nutrients, vitamins and anti-oxidants!

I’m not sure how my mom always made Cumin work into her recipes, but she did! Here is my attempt at channeling her Cumin that always left us Cummin back for more! Mmmm… this lasagna is Yummy Yummy Baby!

Savory Southwest Lasagna Ingredients

3 Zucchinis
Zesty Cumin Marinara (See below)
Cashew Cheese (see below)
1 Tomato, sliced
1/3 Cup of Red Onion, sliced
1/3 cup Black Olives, sliced & pitted
1/3 Cup Sun Dried Tomatoes
Fresh Oregano
Cumin

Instructions for Lasagna

To make Zucchini Strips, use a Mandoline slicer or a large ceramic peeler for long thin slices.
In a 9 X 13 baking dish, create layers with Zucchini ribbons on the bottom (as if pasta layers).
Next, gently slather the Cashew Cheese on Zucchini, then spread 1/2 the diced tomatoes, 1/2 sliced Red Onions.
Next pour & spread 1/2 the Marinara, then sprinkle 1/2 the black olives over Marinara, then Oregano leaves.
Create your second layer by repeating the exact same steps.

Zesty Cumin Marinara

3 Medium Tomatoes (about 3 cups chopped)
1 1/2 Cloves Garlic
3/4 Cup Fresh Basil leaves
1/3 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 Juice Lemon (fresh)
1/2 Juice Lime (fresh)
2 teaspoons Pitted Medjool Dates
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 teaspoon Rosemary
1 teaspoon Sea Salt
5 Tablespoons Sun-Dried Tomatoes
1/8 teaspoon of Cumin

Instructions for Zesty Cumin Marinara

Put all of the ingredients inside a food processor, EXCEPT the sun-dried tomatoes. Once the mixture is smooth, slowly add the sun-dried tomatoes until you see that it is thickened and not too runny.

Ingredients for Cashew Cheese

3 Cups of Soaked Cashew Nuts
Juice of 1 Lime
Juice of 1 Lemon
3 Cloves of Garlic
3/4 Cup of Basil leaves
1 teaspoon of Sea Salt
1 Cup of Spring Water

Instructions for Garlic Cashew Cheese:

Place all ingredients in the Food Processor, but slowly add in the water until you see that it is a smooth and creamy texture.
This cheese can be used for so many different things, including wraps and vegetable dip to name a few.

First Layer

Second Layer

I’m looking forward to hearing about your South-Western Italian Night!

Stay Blessed! Dr. Dee

Vegan Coconut Milk Recipe! Yummy!

3 Comments September 19, 2014 DrD4Health

Coconut Milk:

Aloha… For over 2 years my husband and I have been making this Coconut Milk to supplement my breastmilk.

We started giving him the Coconut Milk originally out of desperation, then continued to give it to him for stomach health, brain health and overall good body fat.

Coconut milk has become a staple in our refrigerator and a delicacy for us. I am finally able to truly enjoy milk again, the great thing is… I am enjoying milk that truly is good for me, not because the FDA said so, but because my body continually tells me so…

I hope that this piece inspires you to give it a chance, especially if you have dairy intolerance and sensitivities.

I know you truly are going to find that Coconut Milk is so Yummy Yummy Baby!

Instructions for Silky & Yummy Coconut Milk from Scratch:

First pick out a minimum of 2 Young Thai Coconuts that do not have pink on the bottom. A tiny tiny amount of light pink should be ok, but the more pink, the greater the likelihood of it being rotten or compromised.

The amount of Coconuts will vary because each Coconut is unique, some have a lot of meat and others have a lot of water.

Young Thai Coconuts

Use a the bottom edge of a Meat Cleaver to strike the Coconut. There is a sweet spot that is in the outer-center perimeter of the Coconut- with practice you will find it every time! Follow the perimeter in a Circular Pattern until the circle is completely open. Gently remove the top of the Coconut. Please mind your fingers when striking the Coconut.

STEP 1

Next use a large bowl to pour the Coconut Water into… then transfer it to a glass or cup and save it.

Use the front or the back of a spoon to gently but firmly extract the meat from the inside wall of the Coconut. If you press too hard you will scrape off too much of the inner wall and make more work for yourself…

STEP 2

This is what the Extracted Coconut Meat will look like. Do not worry if some of the shell is left on the meat, use your fingers to gently rub/pick it off. You can also use the Coconut Water to bathe the Coconut Meat.

STEP 3

You will also gently remove the Coconut Meat from the top of the Coconut… Depending on how much water the Coconut yielded and depending on how thick or thin you want your milk, you may need to use additional store bought Coconut water.

STEP FOUR

Next you will combine the Coconut Water and Meat. Use a strainer to make sure that you remove any particles from the Coconut Water, especially if you used it to bathe the Coconut meat. Repeat for the second Coconut. (Generally you want enough Coconut Water to fill to the Max line of the Nutribullet or a minimum of 1 1/2 to 2 cups of Coconut Water.

STEP 5

After using the Nutribullet, Vitamix and Ninja, we found the Nutribullet to make the silkiest & smoothest milk. If you are making it for an adult it probably doesn’t matter, but if you are using it for baby formula, I would strongly suggest a Nutribullet. *I have no affiliation with Nutribullet.

STEP 6

Blend it for about 45 seconds. By using soft Young Thai Coconut meat (instead of hard/mature meat) and by using the Nutribullet, there isn’t a need to strain the milk through a cheese cloth… It is instantly silky & creamy. You are ready to add anything you like to it or drink it fresh! Mmmm!

Silky Smooth Coconut Milk

Every other night for 2 1/2 years we made this Coconut Milk for our baby’s Coconut Milk Formula. We also drink it ourselves using various recipes.

Here are a couple of things you can add to the milk before you blend it and make it even more Yummy Yummy Baby:

Organic Vanilla Extract (1-2 drops)
Organic Almond Extract (1-2 drops)
Organic Toffee Extract (1-2 drops)
Organic Banana, Strawberries, Mango… really the list goes on and on!

Add anything that you would normally add to a smoothie, including ice and frozen produce!

Yummy Coconut Milk!

Mmmmm Enjoy… you are going to have a new obsession!

It is so Yummy Yummy Baby!

See you soon! Dr. Dee 🙂

Tasty Tomato Tidbits-Coconut Vegan-Veggie Wrap

10 Comments September 18, 2014 DrD4Health

Aloha everyone! Yes, many of us love tomatoes… but do we all know exactly why they can be good for us? Tomatoes are oh so tasty, but better yet, they contain very powerful healing agents that are Scientifically proven! Today I am sharing why Organic Tomatoes are such a big party of our family’s diet.

Organic Tomato Health Facts:

FOR MEN:

Medical research revealed that Lycopene is the only nutrient that turned out to have SIGNIFICANT preventative value against Prostate Cancer. Due to the high lycopene content in tomatoes, eating Organic Tomatoes in any of it’s various forms more than 2 times a week, can help reduce the risk of Prostate Cancer by 21-43%.

Cooking Organic Tomatoes in oil encourages intestinal absorption and results in a two-to-threefold rise in plasma lycopene concentrations. We cook our tomatoes in Coconut Oil because of it’s other healing properties.

FOR WOMEN:

Lycopene helps women guard against cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia, (CIN), tumorous tissue growth in the cervix.
Lycopene is a powerful inhibitor of the growth of breast, endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) and lung cancer cells.

FOR MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN:

Organic Tomatoes are good for the eyes.

Lycopene, the most abundant carotenoid in the blood serum, was found to be the key antioxidant that guards against ARMD ( Age-Related Macular Degeneration), a condition that may cause blindness.

Tomatoes are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium and Potassium.

Lycopene is an inhibitor to heart disease.

Organic Tomatoes are perfectly safe and healthy to eat, Tomato leaves are actually toxic.

NaturalNews.Com reported that foods rich in cooked tomatoes may boost your body’s ability to ward off skin damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays and stave off the effects of aging, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Universities of Manchester and Newcastle, England, and presented to the British Society for Investigative Dermatology.

After three months of eating Organic Tomato Paste, researchers analyzed skin samples from 20 participants and found that volunteers who had eaten the tomatoes exhibited 33 percent more protection against sunburn than those who had taken olive oil alone. They also had higher levels of procollagen, a protein that plays a crucial role in preserving skin structure.

The scientists believe that lycopene neutralizes free radicals that are formed when UV radiation strikes the skin. These free radicals have been linked to cancer and the effects of aging.

The best part of all these studies were the results that demonstrated it did not matter in what form we ate the Tomato, it only mattered that we ate Organic Tomato. The health benefits included, Organic Tomatoes, Organic Tomato Sauce, Organic Tamato Paste and Organic Ketchup. So here I’m including a quick recipe that includes tomatoes. This is one of the recipes that proves Fast Food doesn’t have to be junk food to be Yummy Yummy Baby!

COCONUT VEGGIE WRAP

Coconut Veggie Wrap

Recipe:

Coconut Paleo Sheet, Fresh Tomato Chunks, Fresh Zucchini Shavings, Fresh Coconut Slices, Fresh Carrot Shavings, Fresh Cilantro, Fresh Mixed Greens.

Sauce: Vegenaise, Apple Cider Vinegar, Mustard, Honey, Salt, Pepper (all measurements to your taste)

Fun Fact:

Tomato is a fruit. The confusion arose after the 1890s when the US supreme court named Tomato a Vegetable for taxation purposes. A fruit is the edible part of the plant containing seeds, a vegetable is stem, leaf or root.

Sending you Love & Light, Dr. Dee 😉

References:

Giovannucci, Edward et al., “Intake of Carotenoids and Retinol in Relation to Risk of prostate Cancer,” Journal of the National Cancer Miracle Nutrient That Can Prevent Aging, Heart Diseaseand Cancer,” Advanced Research Press, Inc. 1999. Hauppauge, N.Y.

Tomato Research Council, Article, “Lycopene in the American Diet,” Undated

Hanley, Daniel Q., “Tomatoes, Oranges, Pasta and Soybeans Studied as Cancer fighters,” AP, April 14, 1997

Kumpulainen, Jorma T. et al, “Natural Antioxidants and Food Quality in Atherosclerosis and Cancer Prevention,” Royal Society of Chemistry Information Services and Scheer, James F., “Tomato Power! Lycopene: The Miracle Nutrient That Can Prevent Aging, Heart Disease and Cancer,” Advanced Research Press, Inc. 1999. Hauppauge, N.Y.

Meres-Perlman, Julie A., Ph.D., “Serum Antioxidants and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Population-Based Case-Control Study,” Archives Ophthalmology, December, 1995, Vol. 113:1518-1523.

Aviram, Michael, Ph.D., “Lycopene and Antherosclerosis,” A publication of Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and Scheer, James F., “Tomato Power! Lycopene: The Miracle Nutrient That Can Prevent Aging, Heart Disease and Cancer,” Advanced Research Press, Inc. 1999. Hauppauge, N.Y.

Journal reference: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (DOI: 10.1021/jf0401540)

Coconut Milk Vegan Baby Formula…

27 Comments September 17, 2014 DrD4Health

I love Coconut Milk, Coconut Water, Coconut Meat, Coconut Oil, Coconut Candy, Coconut Cookies, Coconut Cake, Coconut everything! I am definitely cuckoo for Coconuts!

As a child, my mother would repeatedly tell me how great Coconut is for my stomach and my skin. I always heeded her advice about the topical uses, especially for wrinkles and stretch mark prevention, but I never really ate Coconut for medicinal reasons unless she gave it to me. Coming from a Native American mom who would use food, plants and herbs as healing remedies, I came to learn that many of the remedies are now backed by Science.

Upon the birth of my second son, I mysteriously developed a severe stomach bacteria. I was advised to temporarily stop breast feeding if I didn’t want to pass the bacteria back and forth. What was I going to do? I didn’t have a plan B for Breast Milk.

I vigorously started studying every formula out in the market. I couldn’t believe what I found… I consistently found toxic ingredients that are known carcinogens in the majority of the world except the U.S. The majority of countries have banned the use of these ingredients, but we are giving it to our newborns and babies in our hospitals and homes?!?

I felt as if I was in the twilight zone! This isn’t happening… this isn’t happening! After studying further, I learned that there are many alternative home made milks that we can make for our babies who have allergies, bacterial infections, intolerances and sensitivities. Coconut Milk and Hemp Milk are similar to Mother’s Milk, they take some work to make, it requires adding various ingredients, but it is Healthy, Healing, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free and Low on the allergy index.

Please understand that I am not saying that Coconut Milk or other milk alternatives replace a Mother’s milk, I am saying you can create a safe alternative if Mother’s Milk is not a viable choice. Most of all, I am saying that Mother’s milk is a life force that can not be replicated by cows, goats or factories. Breast Milk is the sweetest milk I have ever tasted, yes… I tasted it, 🙂 and it is so understandable why babies prefer it, thrive the best on it and receive so many healing properties.

Coconut milk has been found to treat and relieve sore throats and even stomach ulcers, and like Breast Milk, it is very calming to the body and digestive system. The nutrients in Coconut also aid the body in over all immune system health. It’s B vitamins also aid in many immune and nervous system functions.

Unlike other unhealthy fats, the unique properties of Coconut also contain a large amount of MCTs and Lauric Acid, which is the primary fatty acid found in Mother’s Milk. Lauric acid is what makes breast milk so digestible and is believed to protect the body from infection and boost the immune system.

The great thing is that Coconut Milk is great for all of us, regardless of our age!

Home-made Coconut Milk is also a safe alternative for Diabetics who are concerned with the properties in Dairy Milk. Coconut Milk has a Low Glycemic Index and High Dietary Fiber. The human body cannot digest the dietary fiber in coconut, therefore it has no hazardous effects on Blood Sugar. Best of all, Coconut Milk is lower in sugar than Dairy Milk.

It turned out my baby did get the stomach bacteria and became very very ill and lost a severe amount of weight in less than a week. It was a very rough and scary time for us. After endless hours and days of research and consulting with various Naturopathic and Functional Medicine Doctors, we implemented the undeniable research on Coconut Milk, Oil and meat and it worked… It truly worked!

Our baby started to gain healthy weight, improve the quality of his poop and best of all… he began to thrive and heal! I was able to continue breast feeding and we couldn’t be happier! This was done in conjunction with other nutritional support, like probiotics and digestive enzymes, but that is another blog. 🙂

Here is a Yummy Yummy Baby recipe for Vegan Coconut Milk Baby Formula:

3 Cups of home-made Coconut Milk (Its easy after you do it once)
1 Tbsp Unsweetened, Rice protein or Pea protein (we prefer Rice protein)
1 1/2 Tbsp of Grade B Maple Syrup
1 tsp Calcium Lactate Powder
2 tsp of Infant Probiotic powder (we use Klaire Infant Probiotics)
2 tsp Vegan Omega 3 DHA
2 tsp of Extra Virgin, Unrefined, Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil
4 Cups of very good quality water

*Optional 1/4 Ripe banana

Combine all of the ingredients in a Large Cup Nutribullet and blend (you may have to split it in two depending on the size of your Nutribullet, Vitamix, Ninja, etc… Refrigerate immediately and use within 48 hours.
The formula will separate from the oils, so please shake before pouring into a bottle or cup and gently warm for baby.

***We later discovered a formula we felt was not perfect, but pretty wonderful. It is a great supplement once your baby is a Toddler. The Name is Toddler Supreme by Peaceful Planet.

***Important Legal Disclaimer: This recipe is intended to be a supplement for a nursing or formula-fed child’s diet. It is not intended to be a complete replacement, and should only be used when the Mother’s Milk is not available, Allergies to Store Formulas, Sensitivities/Intolerances to other formulas or because you don’t want to give your baby the carcinogens in some formulas…

Again, this blog does not replace the advice of your healthcare practitioner, this is me sharing what worked for my family.

* Next up… How to make Coconut Milk! Mmm! Yummy Yummy Baby!

Dr. Dee

Resources:

http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/