Whole Food: Chlorophyll (supplement)

Being anemic, especially when pregnant, I was having a hard time breathing and was a little low on energy--which doesn't work for the life I like to live. So I asked my midwife what to take. She gave me a list of high iron foods and some other things, but I saw cholorphyll on the list and asked about it. I was especially wondering because I'd had a friend mention it to me the week before, but I'd never heard of it before (except in high school science about plants).

Basically cholorophyll is responsible for the green color in plants and converts the sun light into energy for the plant--like plasma for humans. It is rich in calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, zinc and potassium and also contains vitamins A, C and E. And, the best part...it is a whole food! Not a man made chemical pill or anything (which many people have told me iron supplements don't full absorb, so I didn't like taking them.

In summary, liquid chlorophyll purifies the blood and removes toxins from the digestive system.
When ingested, chlorophyll helps to do the job of hemoglobin in rebuilding and replenishing our red blood cells, boosting our energy and increasing our wellbeing almost instantly. Hence why it's great for anemics--low iron.


Chlorophyll Benefits

• Anti Carcinogenic: Chlorophyll blocks the metabolism in the body of harmful chemicals known as procarcinogens that damage DNA.
• Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory: contains high levels of vitamins A, C and E, and is has antioxidants and can help reduce inflammation.
• Chelation of Heavy Metals: has the ability to bind to and remove toxic heavy metals such as mercury making it an extremely powerful healer.
• Antiseptic: while chlorophyll doesn’t actually have antiseptic properties of its own, it, quite remarkably, DOES have the ability to aid our body’s tissue in destroying germs. By strengthening tissue, it increases the disease resistance of cells and, at the same time, prevents the growth of bacteria!
• Treats Bad Breath: Firstly, as a deodoriser, it will eliminate odours in the mouth and throat, but secondly (and more importantly) it promotes a healthy digestive tract – which is the primary reason for bad breath.
• Rapid Delivery of Magnesium: this has a highly alkalising effect on the body and helps to deliver much needed oxygen to cells and tissues.
• Contains vitamin K, C, folic acid, iron, calcium, protein: which are all also essential in building and repairing red blood cells and boosting our immune system.

I've been taking it for a month now and it sure has helped with my breathing, so I imagine my red blood cell count is both higher and of better quality. And it's nice to know my body is detoxing at the same time! And, there are no noted side effects or problems...and that's assuming you're not just drinking tons of it straight all the time--within reason. A spoonful a day is good.

I just take 1 T of liquid cholophyll a day in a glass of water--natural mint flavored. It tastes like cold mint tea, but extra "green" tasting. And I plan to regularly keep it up, since I know my body needs it and it's again a WHOLE FOOD! Can't beat that!

I bought a big bottle for $12 in the natural foods isle that has healthy supplements and probiotic stuff. And it will last a long time. (I've actually tried three brands now and some were disgusting. I like the one by Nature's Way, not by World Organic or Nature's Sunshine)

Grains List: Properties and Flavors

Here are two lists of Grains and their properties.

The first is a list of how long it takes to cook each grain, categorized by time.

The second is a list of grains to compare properties of flavor, gluten free options, texture and best uses.

Great little kitchen aids if you plan to move into whole grains, beyond white flour!

Sugar Substitutions

Here is a sweetener substitution guide for healthier sweeteners you can use in place of which sugar and so on. The list has measuerments and recipe alterations needed via baking or liquids.

(sorry if it's hard to read...I'll work on it)

Cooking Oils: What to use for what temperature?

Here is a list of oils to use in cooking for certain temperatures.

(sorry if it's hard to read)

Notice Olive oil shouldn't be used for over 325 degrees.

And of course it's healthiest to use unrefined oils if possible.