Web Toolbar by Wibiya Dr. Jay Weber
February 19, 2012

Harvard Declares Dairy NOT Part of Healthy Diet

The Harvard School of Public Health sent a strong message to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and nutrition experts everywhere with the recent release of its “Healthy Eating Plate” food guide.  The university was responding to the USDA’s new MyPlate guide for healthy eating, which replaced the outdated and misguided food pyramid.

Harvard’s nutrition experts did not pull punches, declaring that the university’s food guide was based on sound nutrition research and more importantly, not influenced by food industry lobbyists.  The greatest evidence of its research focus is the absence of dairy products from the “Healthy Eating Plate” based on Harvard’s assessment that “…high intake can increase the risk of prostate cancer and possibly ovarian cancer.”  The Harvard experts also referred to the high levels of saturated fat in most dairy products and suggested that collards, bok choy, fortified soy milk, and baked beans are safer choices than dairy for obtaining calcium, as are high quality supplements.

Kudos to Harvard for promoting greater consumption of vegetables and fruits, as well as healthier protein options such as fish, beans or nuts.  And kudos to Harvard for ignoring the lobbyists and showing the USDA what healthy eating is all about.

Dr. Jay’s Note:  Using a bio-response technique over the last few years, I have performed hundreds of Individualized Food Analysis for my clients. From these results, I am more than comfortable to recommend that we should all avoid dairy products as it causes an internal stress response (as does Canola Oil). Internal stress can manifest into a wide range of health issues depending on how the individual personally responds to excess stress. The dairy industry has had awesome advertising & lobbing success in the U.S. - However, avoid dairy if you want to get the most out of life.

11:00am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZuwZPyGgfHtI
(View comments) 
(Notes: 3)
  
Filed under: food Nutrition health holistic living holistic healing wellness inner peace 
February 18, 2012

Michael Pollan’s Food Rules Animated in Stop-Motion

Based on Michael Pollan’s talk “Food Rules” given at the RSA, this animation was created in the context of the RSA/Nominet Trust film competition. Using a mixture of stop-motion and compositing, our aim and challenge was to convey the topic in a visually interesting way using a variety of different food products. We made a little table top set up at home and worked on this a little over three weeks.

Dr. Jay’s Note:  Michael Pollan has remained one of my favorite authors for a few years now. I highly recommend his work.

11:00am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZuwZPyGd0sC0
(View comments) 
(Notes: 12)
  
Filed under: food holistic living holistic healing health Nutrition nature natural health wisdom wellness inner peace 
February 16, 2012
Household Pollutants Environmental groups and laws regularly “police” the emission of toxins and pollutants into the outside air and waterways. But who is monitoring the toxins that you and I encounter in everyday household products and household chores? Take for example microwaving food. Some plastic containers contain chemicals that mimic the actions of certain hormones, disrupting the proper balance of these hormones in the body. These chemicals attach themselves to the food in the plastic containers in the microwave when they are heated. Or how about dry cleaning your clothes? While there are strict laws on the chemicals that can be released into the air, many clothes are dry cleaned using perchloroethylene or PERC that leaves that familiar dry-cleaning smell in your clothes. PERC is being evaluated for its role in causing breast and other cancers. If your drycleaner uses PERC, remove the clothes from the plastic bags and allow them to air before putting them away. Other common pollutants we encounter in our homes every day include:  Read More

Household Pollutants

Environmental groups and laws regularly “police” the emission of toxins and pollutants into the outside air and waterways. But who is monitoring the toxins that you and I encounter in everyday household products and household chores?

Take for example microwaving food. Some plastic containers contain chemicals that mimic the actions of certain hormones, disrupting the proper balance of these hormones in the body. These chemicals attach themselves to the food in the plastic containers in the microwave when they are heated.

Or how about dry cleaning your clothes? While there are strict laws on the chemicals that can be released into the air, many clothes are dry cleaned using perchloroethylene or PERC that leaves that familiar dry-cleaning smell in your clothes. PERC is being evaluated for its role in causing breast and other cancers. If your drycleaner uses PERC, remove the clothes from the plastic bags and allow them to air before putting them away.

Other common pollutants we encounter in our homes every day include:  Read More

11:00am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZuwZPyGWBYfm
(View comments) 
(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: wellness Stress management holistic living inner peace health happiness Nutrition food 
February 15, 2012
Try Sprouting to Improve Your Health One of the easiest and healthiest ways to improve your diet involves something you can do in your own home – sprouting! Sprouts, also called “living food,” are one of the most nutritionally complete foods you can eat. The Chinese became aware of their nutritional value many centuries ago, and for good reason – sprouts are rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and proteins that are essential to your diet: Broccoli sprouts contain a high percentage of cancer-fighting agents – in fact researchers have discovered that 3-day sprouts contain 20-30% more of cancer-fighting antioxidants than the broccoli you buy in the supermarket Sprouts are easily digested and aid in the digestive process Sprouts are fresh, easy to grow and harvest and are inexpensive Growing you own sprouts provides you with organically grown salad greens – no pesticides or toxic chemicals to worry about! Sprouts you can grow yourself can help keep your immune system functioning in tip-top condition The best types of sprouts to grow include alfalfa, wheat grass, barley grass, buckwheat, garlic, chives, baby sunflower, Chinese cabbage, purple turnip, and curly kale.  Read More

Try Sprouting to Improve Your Health

One of the easiest and healthiest ways to improve your diet involves something you can do in your own home – sprouting!

Sprouts, also called “living food,” are one of the most nutritionally complete foods you can eat. The Chinese became aware of their nutritional value many centuries ago, and for good reason – sprouts are rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and proteins that are essential to your diet:

  • Broccoli sprouts contain a high percentage of cancer-fighting agents – in fact researchers have discovered that 3-day sprouts contain 20-30% more of cancer-fighting antioxidants than the broccoli you buy in the supermarket

  • Sprouts are easily digested and aid in the digestive process

  • Sprouts are fresh, easy to grow and harvest and are inexpensive

  • Growing you own sprouts provides you with organically grown salad greens – no pesticides or toxic chemicals to worry about!

  • Sprouts you can grow yourself can help keep your immune system functioning in tip-top condition

The best types of sprouts to grow include alfalfa, wheat grass, barley grass, buckwheat, garlic, chives, baby sunflower, Chinese cabbage, purple turnip, and curly kale.  Read More

11:00am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZuwZPyGSyhLa
(View comments) 
(Notes: 1)
  
Filed under: food Nutrition organic health holistic living holistic healing inner peace wellness vegetarian vegan 
February 4, 2012
Sugar tax needed, say US experts Sugar is as damaging and addictive as alcohol or tobacco and should be regulated, claim US health experts. According to a University of California team, new policies such as taxes are needed to control soaring consumption of sugar and sweeteners. Prof Robert Lustig argues in the journal Nature for major shifts in public policy. The Food and Drink Federation said “demonising” food was not helpful as the key to health was a balanced diet. Several countries are imposing taxes on unhealthy food; Denmark and Hungary have a tax on saturated fat, while France has approved a tax on soft drinks. Now, researchers in the US are proposing similar policies for added sugar and sweeteners, amid concern about the amount of sugar in the diet. The consumption of sugar has tripled worldwide over the past 50 years, with links to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.  Read More Dr. Jay’s Note:  A much bigger issue than sugar, in my opinion, is the excessive amounts of artificial sweeteners that is added to our foods due to cost effectiveness. Real sugar, preferable organic, does not typically cause harm when consumed in moderation. Fake sugar, however, almost always creates a stress response within. Taxing all fake food while subsidizing real food would quickly change the collective overall health of society.

Sugar tax needed, say US experts

Sugar is as damaging and addictive as alcohol or tobacco and should be regulated, claim US health experts.

According to a University of California team, new policies such as taxes are needed to control soaring consumption of sugar and sweeteners.

Prof Robert Lustig argues in the journal Nature for major shifts in public policy.

The Food and Drink Federation said “demonising” food was not helpful as the key to health was a balanced diet.

Several countries are imposing taxes on unhealthy food; Denmark and Hungary have a tax on saturated fat, while France has approved a tax on soft drinks.

Now, researchers in the US are proposing similar policies for added sugar and sweeteners, amid concern about the amount of sugar in the diet.

The consumption of sugar has tripled worldwide over the past 50 years, with links to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.  Read More


Dr. Jay’s Note:  A much bigger issue than sugar, in my opinion, is the excessive amounts of artificial sweeteners that is added to our foods due to cost effectiveness. Real sugar, preferable organic, does not typically cause harm when consumed in moderation. Fake sugar, however, almost always creates a stress response within. Taxing all fake food while subsidizing real food would quickly change the collective overall health of society.

11:02am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZuwZPyFtrLmU
(View comments) 
(Notes: 8)
  
Filed under: food wellness health holistic living Nutrition inner peace diet fake food 
February 1, 2012
Are Diet Soft Drinks Bad for You? ScienceDaily (Jan. 31, 2012) — A new study finds a potential link between daily consumption of diet soft drinks and the risk of vascular events. Individuals who drink diet soft drinks on a daily basis may be at increased risk of suffering vascular events such as stroke, heart attack, and vascular death. This is according to a new study by Hannah Gardener and her colleagues from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and at Columbia University Medical Center.  Read More Dr. Jay’s Note:  Eliminating soft drinks, both diet & regular, from your lifestyle is one of the wisest health decisions you can make. If you read the ingredient list of these beverages you will mostly see unnatural chemicals listed. It is extremely difficult to experience inner peace & reach your potential in all aspects of your life if your body is consistently dealing with chemical warfare within.

Are Diet Soft Drinks Bad for You?

ScienceDaily (Jan. 31, 2012) — A new study finds a potential link between daily consumption of diet soft drinks and the risk of vascular events.

Individuals who drink diet soft drinks on a daily basis may be at increased risk of suffering vascular events such as stroke, heart attack, and vascular death. This is according to a new study by Hannah Gardener and her colleagues from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and at Columbia University Medical Center.  Read More

Dr. Jay’s Note:  Eliminating soft drinks, both diet & regular, from your lifestyle is one of the wisest health decisions you can make. If you read the ingredient list of these beverages you will mostly see unnatural chemicals listed. It is extremely difficult to experience inner peace & reach your potential in all aspects of your life if your body is consistently dealing with chemical warfare within.

11:00am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZuwZPyFjjizD
(View comments) 
(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: wisdom wellness inner peace health holistic living Nutrition food 
January 28, 2012

What You Drink

What you drink is one of Dr. Jay’s Seven Keys to True Wellness. Here he discusses what fluids you should drink daily to create better overall health.

11:02am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZuwZPyFWGTyn
(View comments) 
(Notes: 1)
  
Filed under: wellness water wisdom health holistic living inspiration inner peace Nutrition food 
January 26, 2012
USDA To Require Healthier Meals In Schools With Updated Nutrition Standards Less salt and fat. More whole grains, fruit, veggies and low-fat dairy. This is what kids can expect in the school lunchroom soon, according to new nutrition standards for school meals announced today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and first lady Michelle Obama. “When we send our kids to school, we expect that they won’t be eating the kind of fatty, salty, sugary foods that we try to keep them from eating at home,” Obama said in a statement. “We want the food they get at school to be the same kind of food we would serve at our own kitchen tables.” And remember all the political shenanigans over pizza as a veggie? Yes, pizza can technically still count as one serving of veggies. But that slice of pizza won’t be served alone. The new standards call for two servings of vegetables per meal. So the pizza will come with a side of carrots or green beans.  Read More Dr. Jay’s Note:  Far from perfect but a movement in the right direction. For those of us that are more nutritionally mindful & aware, packing school lunches is still the healthiest option.

USDA To Require Healthier Meals In Schools With Updated Nutrition Standards

Less salt and fat. More whole grains, fruit, veggies and low-fat dairy. This is what kids can expect in the school lunchroom soon, according to new nutrition standards for school meals announced today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and first lady Michelle Obama.

“When we send our kids to school, we expect that they won’t be eating the kind of fatty, salty, sugary foods that we try to keep them from eating at home,” Obama said in a statement. “We want the food they get at school to be the same kind of food we would serve at our own kitchen tables.”

And remember all the political shenanigans over pizza as a veggie? Yes, pizza can technically still count as one serving of veggies. But that slice of pizza won’t be served alone. The new standards call for two servings of vegetables per meal. So the pizza will come with a side of carrots or green beans.  Read More

Dr. Jay’s Note:  Far from perfect but a movement in the right direction. For those of us that are more nutritionally mindful & aware, packing school lunches is still the healthiest option.

11:00am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZuwZPyFPJwX9
(View comments) 
Filed under: wellness health holistic living Nutrition food children's health parenting inner peace 
January 25, 2012
Geoengineered Food? Climate Fix Could Boost Crop Yields, But With Risks For a few years now, a handful of scientists have been proposing grandiose technological fixes for the world’s climate to combat the effects of global warming — schemes called geoengineering. Climate change has the potential to wreak all kinds of havoc on the planet, including the food system. Scientists predict that two variables farmers depend on heavily — temperature and precipitation — are already changing and affecting food production in some arid parts of the world where there isn’t a lot of room for error. And if the problem worsens on a larger scale, it could do a lot of damage to agricultural yields and food security. At some point, governments may decide “to do something desperate to protect our food and our people,” Ken Caldeira, an environmental scientist at Stanford University, tells The Salt. And that “something desperate” could be geoengineering. One proposal scientists are batting around is to fill the upper atmosphere with tiny particles that could scatter sunlight before it reaches, and warms, the Earth’s surface. Sulfate droplets inside volcanic ash clouds already do this naturally. So the idea is that a few million tons of sulfates, sprayed into the stratosphere by airplanes, could produce the same effect artificially.  Read More Dr. Jay’s Note: It seems to me that whenever we have tried to manipulate nature in the past, nature has let us know who the boss is. Having respect for the incredible unseen wisdom that governs all natural processes is an important aspect of the holistic lifestyle. Living with nature & not fighting against her is essential to reaching our potential.

Geoengineered Food? Climate Fix Could Boost Crop Yields, But With Risks

For a few years now, a handful of scientists have been proposing grandiose technological fixes for the world’s climate to combat the effects of global warming — schemes called geoengineering.

Climate change has the potential to wreak all kinds of havoc on the planet, including the food system. Scientists predict that two variables farmers depend on heavily — temperature and precipitation — are already changing and affecting food production in some arid parts of the world where there isn’t a lot of room for error. And if the problem worsens on a larger scale, it could do a lot of damage to agricultural yields and food security.

At some point, governments may decide “to do something desperate to protect our food and our people,” Ken Caldeira, an environmental scientist at Stanford University, tells The Salt. And that “something desperate” could be geoengineering.

One proposal scientists are batting around is to fill the upper atmosphere with tiny particles that could scatter sunlight before it reaches, and warms, the Earth’s surface. Sulfate droplets inside volcanic ash clouds already do this naturally. So the idea is that a few million tons of sulfates, sprayed into the stratosphere by airplanes, could produce the same effect artificially.  Read More

Dr. Jay’s Note: It seems to me that whenever we have tried to manipulate nature in the past, nature has let us know who the boss is. Having respect for the incredible unseen wisdom that governs all natural processes is an important aspect of the holistic lifestyle. Living with nature & not fighting against her is essential to reaching our potential.

11:00am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZuwZPyFLwSkJ
(View comments) 
(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: holistic living health wisdom wellness Environment food food safety inner peace inspiration nature 
January 20, 2012
The French Paradox How do the French do it? They eat some of the richest, fat-laden foods in the world, yet they are some of the slimmest people in the world. In fact, only 7% of their population is considered obese! Red wine consumption is one explanation for this phenomenon. You know the French and their wines! One of the active ingredients in red wine is resveratrol, a grape compound from the skins of red grapes that reportedly fights cancer, heart disease and degenerative nerve disease. This fact alone led to an increase in red wine consumption worldwide. One other thing about the French - they start out the day eating most of their daily food consumption, and then their meals get smaller as their day goes on. Portion control seems to be another one of the main explanations for the paradox. Most portions are 25% smaller than what we’re accustomed. Read More

The French Paradox

How do the French do it? They eat some of the richest, fat-laden foods in the world, yet they are some of the slimmest people in the world. In fact, only 7% of their population is considered obese!

Red wine consumption is one explanation for this phenomenon. You know the French and their wines! One of the active ingredients in red wine is resveratrol, a grape compound from the skins of red grapes that reportedly fights cancer, heart disease and degenerative nerve disease. This fact alone led to an increase in red wine consumption worldwide.

One other thing about the French - they start out the day eating most of their daily food consumption, and then their meals get smaller as their day goes on.

Portion control seems to be another one of the main explanations for the paradox. Most portions are 25% smaller than what we’re accustomed. Read More

11:00am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZuwZPyF4QZH4
(View comments) 
Filed under: wellness weight loss inner peace holistic living Nutrition food health happiness 
Liked posts on Tumblr: More liked posts »