IS YOUR FOOD CAUSING FATIGUE?

We all know and understand that food plays a very important role in how you feel.   We need to feed our bodies food that will provide proper nutrients and minerals so that we can have energy throughout the day and function at optimal health levels.  Our bodies will let us know what foods makes us feel good or make us feel bad. 

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF FOOD

A diet that consists of sugary, processed, meat and unnatural foods can increase cancer rates, diabetes, heart disease and stroke because of the artificial flavours and colours, GMO’s (genetically modified organisms), MSG (monosodium glutamate), trans fat, antibiotics and hormones.  Here are some foods that are consumed in large quantities and why they are bad for your body and overall health:

Milk

• Doesn’t provide the calcium our bones require
• Increases risk of fractures
• Mother’s milk is good for babies i.e., human to human, cow to calf, goat to goat, etc. once weaned off milk, animals and humans never need milk again.

http://saveourbones.com/osteoporosis-milk-myth/

Meat

• Contain artificial preservatives which are very toxic to the body
• Most meat today, contains antibiotics and hormones
• Many animals are raised on foods that are unnatural to their diet and are fed GMO’s
• Ingesting inhumane meat is unhealthy for the body and soul (the trauma and violence an animal goes through – all that negative energy is then consumed and lives within those who eat it)

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/the-secrets-out-the-reason-red-meat-is-so-bad-for-our-health/

Processed Foods (mostly boxed and packaged for longer shelf life)

• Can be high in added sugars, low in fiber and whole grains, processed with sodium, high in fat or include trans fat and lots of saturated fat

Soft Drink/soda/pop/colas 

• Too much sugar
• No nutritional value
• Could cause early menstruation in young girls

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF FOOD

Eating a plant-based diet consisting of 80% fresh, raw and organic produce is vital for our bodies to receive proper minerals and nutrients.  Eating a plant-based diet, consisting of more vegetables than fruit is beneficial for the following reasons:

• More energy and less fatigued
• Lower cholesterol
• Lower blood pressure
• Lower risk of cancer
• Better blood sugar 

You can provide the body all the proper nutrients, vitamins and minerals on a plant-based diet that includes whole grains, seeds and nuts.  Taking a proactive approach to our diet is a great way to prevent illness and maintain a healthy body.

Eating a vegetarian and vegan diet is not only a health benefit to you, it is an excellent way to be environmentally conscious and save hundreds of animals from being slaughtered/murdered.

http://www.forksoverknives.com/we-are-more-than-what-we-eat-the-hidden-benefits-of-eating-a-whole-food-plant-based-diet/

Sources:

• http://www.forksoverknives.com/
• http://www.onegreenplanet.org/
• http://www.naturalnews.com/
• http://www.thechinastudy.com/
• http://www.vegsource.com/event/campbell.htm

 Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

DOCUMENTARIES THAT INSPIRE POSITIVE CHANGE

How many times have you heard the following statements:

• “One person can’t make a difference”
• “What we don’t know won’t hurt us”
• “Ignorance is bliss”
• “They (politicians/companies) won’t do anything, so why bother”
• “I’m not voting – it’s not going to make a difference anyway”
• “That’s (insert subject matter here) not true, I don’t believe it”

We all have a responsibility to educate ourselves and to seek the truth.  If we continue to walk around with our ‘blinders’ on, we remain ignorant to the events that are happening around us.  Ignorance is not bliss, it is just plain ignorant.

I have compiled a list of documentaries that explore different political and social issues that have allowed me to become more informed and educated on the certain specific topics of what the films are based on.  I hope that you allow yourself to ‘remove the blinders’ and become more aware of what things are happening throughout the world, who the players are and become inspired to act for the greater good of the planet, your health and for the wellness of all of humanity.  Here is my list:

Forks Over Knives (2011)

Directed by Lee Fulkerson

This movie examines the benefits of a low-fat whole foods, plant-based diet as a means of combating a number of diseases.  It also provides an overview of a 20-year China-Cornell-Oxford Project that led to Professor T. Colin Campbell’s findings, outlined in his book, The China Study (2005) in which he suggests that coronary disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer can be linked to the Western diet of processed and animal-based foods (including dairy products).

An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

Directed by Davis Guggenheim

Al Gore’s film about the current and potential future effects of global warming or climate change.

Zeitgeist:  The Movie (2007)

Directed by Peter Joseph

Presents a number of conspiracy theories based on religion, the financial crisis and the September 11, 2001 attacks.  This movie has companion pieces in the form of Zeitgeist:  Addendum and Zeitgeist:  Moving Forward.

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)

Directed by Michael Moore

A look at the Bush administration and the events that took place prior, during and post the 9/11 attacks.  This documentary is currently the highest grossing documentary of all-time (preceded by Madonna’s Truth or Dare, which held that title for 11 years).

I Am (2011)

Directed by Tom Shadyac

Narrated by Tom Shadyac – this movie follows Tom’s personal journey to seek the answers of the nature of humanity and materialism after a near-fatal bicycle accident in 2007. 

The Times of Harvey Milk (1984)

Directed by Robert Epstein

Looks back at the rise, death and legacy of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to get elected into public office in the United States.

Blue Gold:  World Water Wars (2008)

Directed by Sam Bozzo

This movie looks at the world water crisis and examines the impacts (both environmental and political) on the planet’s decreasing water supply

Who Killed The Electric Car? (2006)

Directed by Chris Paine

Narrated by Martin Sheen, this movie explores the creation of the electric car and the bureaucracy/politics as to why they were not made widely available.  A great companion piece to this documentary is the 2011 documentary (also directed by Chris Paine) entitled:  Revenge of the Electric Car.

March of The Penguins (2005)

Directed by Luc Jacquet

A look at the lives of a group of emperor penguins in the Antarctica and the hardships they face.  This Oscar-winning documentary is narrated by Morgan Freeman, Sotie Grabol, Marek Kondrat, Gosta Ekman, Amitabh Bachchan and Fiorello.

Sicko (2007)

Directed by Michael Moore

Investigates the state of the health care system in the United States and compares it to other health care systems around the world.

Vegucated (2011)

Directed by Marissa Miller Wolfson

Explores the challenges faced by those who have chosen a vegan diet.

Bowling For Columbine (2002)

Directed by Michael Moore

This film takes an in-depth look at the causes of gun violence in America after two students went on a shooting rampage in a Columbine High School.

Inside Job (2010)

Directed by Charles Ferguson

Who helped create the 2008 financial crisis that crippled world economies?  This film helps us answer this question.

10 Questions for the Dalai Lama (2006)

Directed by Rick Ray

This movie follows the filmmakers attempts to seek the 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) in hopes of asking His Holiness questions such as:  “Why are the poor traditionally so much happier than the wealthy?” and “Is it necessary for a society to abandon its centuries old traditions to move into the future?” – just to name a few.  The move also delves into the history of various cultures despite the threat of the political dangers.

Grey Gardens (1975)

Directed by David Maysles, Albert Maysles, Ellen Hovde and Muffie Meyer

This documentary looks into the everyday lives of a reclusive mother (Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale – Big Edie) and daughter (Edith Bouvier Beale – Little Edie) who both live in a run-down, rodent infested home.  Both reminisce about the past and their socialite past.  A HBO film called ‘Grey Gardens‘ starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore was aired on HBO in April 2009.  The film won six Primetime Emmys and two Golden Globes.

Super Size Me (2004)

Directed by Morgan Spurlock

Morgan documents himself as he eats nothing but McDonald’s – the results are not very surprising but never-the-less interesting.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

HEART DISEASE IS NOT THE END – SO ARE MANY OTHER AILMENTS……

I have just recently finished watching the documentary directed by Lee Fulkerson and produced by John Corry – FORKS OVER KNIVES.  Much of the nutritional information in the movie, about eating a plant-based diet, I was already informed about but there was still much I was not aware of.  For instance; I know that by eating a plant-based diet, I am able to receive just as much protein as meat-eaters do.  I also know the environmental implications of cattle farming and the devastation this has caused to our forests/environment, not to mention that we could feed all of the worlds hungry with the grain that is used to feed the animals being raised for the meat industry.

I think this movie will prove to be an ‘eye-opening’ experience for many who do not want to believe that many of what ails them could be stopped and even reversed, such as; heart disease, high blood level, high cholesterol, diabetes and even cancer (just to mention a few).  The evidence is available to all who are open enough to receive this message.  Who doesn’t want to remove medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes???  Which person would not want a more healthy lifestyle free of bloating, sinus infection, asthma and cancer?

We have been told and made to believe that meat and dairy is necessary to ensure a healthy body and to ensure that we receive all the proper nutrients.  If this is truth – why are so many of us in the United States and Canada becoming so obese?  This obesity is leading to so many preventable deaths – people are not being told the truth.  Who is at fault here?  Is it the consumer for not taking the initiative to understand that nutrition and exercise is key to our well-being?  Is it the meat/dairy industry for making us believe that eating animal products is beneficial to our health?  Is it our governments – for not holding the meat and dairy industry accountable for their lies?  Are our governments not supposed to work for those who have elected them into office or do they answer to the meat/dairy and pharmaceutical companies that continue to keep us sick?

I have so many friends and family members who complain about their weight, their blood pressure and their cholesterol levels – some are even taking medication for their ailments at such a young age.  I inform them that it could be their diet and their consumption of animal products such as milk/eggs and meat – they just don’t believe it. A friend of mine has pork once a week (from what I know of) – this person also consumes eggs, sausage, bacon, butter, milk and pancakes every time we have had breakfast together yet, they never question why they are taking medicine for their high blood pressure and cholesterol levels?

My blog is not intended to judge anyone for their lifestyle choices – If someone chooses not to see the evidence with their own eyes or hear it with their own ears, that is their prerogative – just please stop making judgements about my lifestyle choice on becoming a vegan.  I have made an ethical decision not to eat or buy animal products again and if that makes you feel uncomfortable, than maybe you need to ask yourself why.

Here is a link to more information about the movie FORKS OVER KNIVES and a link to their website, which provides such amazing information about nutrition and how to begin your path to a more healthy you and healthier lifestyle, what more do you have to lose?

www.forksoverknives.com