Treat Your Body Good

 

I forgot to mention that I had pineapples and papaya that I also carried along to work with me to snack on when I got hungry last week.

All I do is eat fresh fruit, vegetables and legumes.

Not everyone is able to tolerate or adapt to the vegan/vegetarian lifestyle.

However, it is very important to eat healthy and take good care of one’s body no matter what type of food one eats.

Every now and then we may desire something sweet that may not be healthy for us. Everything should be done in moderation.

These days we have items of non-dairy ice cream and pizza alternatives that are very tasty and not too bad as far as nutrition goes.

To each his or her own.

Whatever one does be good and honor one’s self. Our body is a sacred temple that we should constantly love and respect.

 

 

 

 

 

The Main Course

 

I made a delicious dinner last night.

I cooked some Spanish rice, steamed some broccoli florets, and sautéed some fresh shrimp.

Yes, I am vegan for the most part, but on rare occasions (once in a blue moon) I may chow down on scrumptious shellfish.

Later on, I sunk my teeth into three juicy mouthwatering icy-cold fresh oranges.

I love my fresh fruit!

Mixing Business With Pleasure

 

During my twelve hour shifts this past week I made sure I was prepared with healthy and nourishing meals to take along with me beforehand.

I had bottles of Mango juice smoothies, large cut portions of watermelon, a six-pack box of raisins, organic corn and organic broccoli florets that I heated up in the microwave.

 

Taking A Bite Out Of Temptation

It is important that we take care of ourselves and watch what we put into our bodies.

I eat quite healthy. I became a vegetarian at twelve, turned strictly to a vegan diet at fourteen, then went back to vegetarian at eighteen, and now once again I am back to a strictly vegan diet.

I had returned to a permanent pure vegan lifestyle for a few years now (no poultry, seafood, or dairy). Throughout it all though, I never went back to eat any type of red meat or pork for about thirty-three years now. I did not even have any desire to.

All I eat is fresh fruits, grains, vegetables, legumes, and nuts.

Whatever I consume has to be plant-based. I stay away from table sugar and salt and unhealthy fats as much as possible and I do not cook with any of those ingredients at all.

I had gotten a taste for a pizza last week.

Pizza, in general, is not a very healthy snack coming out of a pizza parlor or a frozen food aisle and should be avoided or consumed very sparingly due to its artery-clogging properties. It is too cheesy and greasy, a bad option to raise cholesterol levels. A homemade pizza can be healthy if prepared with the proper and well-portioned ingredients.

I would not dare to have ate a dairy/animal derived pasta dish, nor would I have been tempted to indulge. The idea is totally repulsive to me. Nonetheless, there is a pizza on the healthy side minus the salt and if not eaten too often.

It is the Vegan Harvest American Flatbread Pizza that I discovered some years ago.

It is quite expensive now but it was on sale at my local Stop & Shop last week for $5.99. Sometimes there is a buy one get one free deal. Whole foods also sell this non-GMO Organic vegan pizza.

The regular price is $8.99 which is far too much, especially for the size of the pizza. Altogether, I purchased eight. Three boxes for me and five more for my family who also loves this pizza.

I had not had any of the vegan pizza in a long while now so I delved into my pies as a treat, and definitely not to make a habit out of it even though the product is totally vegan (the mozzarella cheese alternative is made from tapioca starch and coconut oil), not containing any cholesterol or trans-fat.

It also only contains 1g of saturated fat and 1g of added sugar (2g of sugars altogether). The sodium content on the other hand is quite high, but like I said I do not make a habit out of eating the pizza often.

This pizza is so delicious and I always enjoy every bite of it!

 

Visit:

(https://dailyinspirationsforyourlife.wordpress.com/blog/

https://dailyinspirationandencouragement.wordpress.com/)

 

Health And Wellness

I ate shrimp and rice for dinner the night before last. Afterwards, I drunk one or two full cups of ice-cold apple juice.

When I cook that particular meal it always comes out delicious and filling. I’ve bought and fixed shrimp quite a few times lately. It had been a while since I’ve eaten shrimp.

I don’t have a problem finding the product on the shelf. They are a little expensive compared to the other items of seafood stocked in the local supermarket, and certain people aren’t too eager to purchase these particular quality of shrimps on account of the price, even though they are worth the money.

As I sit here in my living room I decide what to prepare for dinner tonight and at the same time I have a memory enter into my mind.

The thought reflected on one of the wealthy clients I worked with for a few months a few years ago. She was a retired business attorney who practiced law for nearly 20 years at Home Box Office, specializing in satellite transactions and international partnerships with movie studios and cable companies to bring HBO abroad.

Anyway, one day we took a cab from her million-dollar rented apartment that she came to eventually own, situated in Manhattan, NY to her hair-salon that was located on the second floor of a fancy building.

While I waited for my client to get her hair colored, washed, blow-dried, and styled I killed time by going down to one of the first floor restaurants to order me some food to take back to her apartment.

I was staying at her home for nearly the entire week straight-working a double and extended day shift. Usually I’d do four days a week overnight with her, but her day caregiver was temporarily off schedule, and I covered her shifts as well as mine.

There inside the restaurant I ordered shrimp with french fries, a side of vegetables, two packages of mixed fruit, and a vegan smoothie.

I placed my order for take out; the order summed up to a little over fifty dollars.

I saved all of my food to eat later that night except for the smoothie, and one of the packages of fruit.

I sat at one of the restaurant tables and ate my delicious fruit while I sipped on my green-colored smoothie that was made purely of vegetables, fruit, and spices.

Aside from having juiced raw fruit and vegetables in my juicer years ago, I had never tasted one of these modern-day smoothies that are usually made with dairy yogurt or whatever else.

I was surprised at how very good the smoothie that I had tasted, considering the combination of the raw vegetables mixed in together. I can’t remember the entire ingredient list but the beverage did contain spinach, carrots, apples, celery and a few other nutritious edibles along with lemon and spice.

 

An Indulgence

I had a lovely hot shower earlier today. The water felt so good beating down on my head as I washed my hair within the process.

A shower is very therapeutic and relaxing and I always sleep even better after taking one.

Once I got dressed and ready, I went out to run a few errands. The weather was kind of nice but I still dress warm for the meanwhile. It’s not the time yet to go without a jacket or a sweater; this weather is not dependable.

When I returned back home, I snacked on some chips and granola bars. Yesterday I made two delicious non dairy milkshakes, I love my milkshakes!

I usually prepare my shakes with soymilk. I love particular ice creams that are also made with soy milk, almond, or cashew milk.

Cashews are great, I love everything cashew-cashew milk, cashew ice cream, and cashew nuts!

Cashews are even high in protein and very nutritious as most nuts tend to be. It is nice to consume things that taste good and that are good for the body. I’ve been eating cashews for years; I just don’t eat them too frequently, they are quite expensive.

Vanilla and french vanilla naturally flavored non dairy ice cream blends wonderfully with cashew, almond and, of course, vanilla soy milk.

I’m in paradise when I drink those thick rich shakes!

 

What Goes Around Comes Around

Shortly after I quit working at Toys R Us eight months ago it had got back to me that Bibi got fired as she was caught stealing from the store. See, the bitch got her’s even though she thought she was untouchable. The bitch couldn’t fight the universe and her inevitable karma! (https://misslatoya.wordpress.com/2017/02/10/at-one-of-my-current-jobs/)

 

Another New Year

What’s in the cards for the New Year?

I can see the goodness that many of us with “open eyes” hope and call out for as the energy of the 2017 eclipse has already made some rapid positive changes and I am sure that I’m not the only one at all to have recognized these special events as they shall enter strongly and variously into the year 2018.

I’ve been busy with constant work not too much time for anything else but here and there time to rest and relax. Although I don’t traditionally celebrate Christmas I had a wonderful holiday weekend last week that I really enjoyed.

I look forward to continuing to live peacefully, healthily and spiritually within my own personal journey and I’ve been quite lucky and feeling very blessed good things continue to happen to us good people regardless of the evil that lurks within the world we’ll remain protected an unaffected as long as we believe and stay true to our own celestial nature.

On my way out to shop yesterday I checked my mailbox and received a nice letter from my place of work I guess the preview to the beginning of my New Year is making it’s entrance already!

My Mail

The Body Is The Temple

Make vegetarian pizza with Chao vegan cheese (my choice of cheese if need be)

Plant-based is absolutely the best way to go and I go that way naturally and that diet is also compatible with my blood-type as our blood-types have a lot to do with our distinct personalities (https://misslatoya.wordpress.com/2013/07/08/blood-typepersonality-type/).

In the early nineties a little over twenty years ago there was a health food store that I use to go to and purchase vitamins and vegan food from because back then I had stopped eating poultry and seafood altogether along with red meat. I hadn’t eaten red meat since I was about twelve. It was until I turned about eighteen that I would eat poultry and fish here and there and I still do from time to time but I never went back to eating red meat and I never will.

Then I use to head a little further down to Grand Union supermarket to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables-oh, those were the good ole days!

Use only healthy quality soy grounds if able to find it nowadays-Miss LaToya

This particular health food store sold quality products and they had a veggie protein soy grounds item that came in a package inside of a box that didn’t need to be refrigerated. And I use to cook it in a sauce and stuff it inside a pita-like pocket bread and it was so healthy and delicious I don’t see anything like this nowadays.

My mother and one of her friends had ate a meatless veggie burger from there once back then and told me how good that it was I had never ever had a veggie burger until recently.

I had a black bean veggie burger that tasted good and that filled me up as I heated and covered it with Chao brand original creamy vegan cheese slices (the only non dairy cheese that I ever tasted that could actually pass for cheese).

There is not really any good tasting or quality vegan cheese on the market except for Earth Balance vegan white cheddar puffs and Chao-Miss LaToya

“Daiya” vegan cheese slices were the nastiest thing I had ever tasted in my life and the shit had made me sick for a few days. “Tofutti” cheese slices were more on the style of Kraft singles American cheese yet the product still didn’t taste all that hot.

Just because something is labeled vegan or vegetarian doesn’t necessarily mean that it is healthy or nutritious for us it all depends on how the food was processed and manufactured. I don’t trust too many items which is why I do stick to simple fresh foods and grains like broccoli, pineapples, rice and the rest of that yummy stuff that is so very nutritious and healthy but I do like my soy milk by “Silk”, soy ice cream by “So Delicious” and oil and fruit-based buttery spread and white cheddar vegan puffs that is not made from any dairy by “Earth Balance”.

Garlic is one of the most clean and nutritional foods garlic a day will keep the doctor away, and it is also good in keeping evil spirits away-Miss LaToya

Soul Food

This past Friday, Sunday and Monday which was yesterday I enjoyed a nice and wonderful day at work doing my occupational activities and so far everything was professional as it should be and that is the way that I like it; to go to work enjoying what I do with no bullshit just doing good business, providing sufficient performance and helping out the customers as they need and inquire none of us that are genuinely productive and constructive and that mean well have any time for nonsense just peace and contentment.

When I got off the job I went straight to the neighborhood grocery to pick out some items and was so delighted to come across a great quality non dairy plant-based buttery spread that I had heard of and a non dairy vegan/vegetarian cheddar style cheese that I hadn’t paid attention to even notice was stocked there in that supermarket for as long as I have been going there. Now I don’t have to go out of my way or spend a fortune to buy my certain other non dairy items to indulge in as they are at a reasonable price and nearby location.

My day was made after I left that supermarket as I love to eat and live healthily it is just exciting to me to know there are so many foods becoming more available for the vegan and vegetarian lifestyle to choose from. I love my soy meat (textured soy protein that I deliciously discovered years ago back in the early nineties) I love my very vanilla non dairy soy milk, vanilla non dairy ice cream and non dairy alternative cheese and butter all made from plants, fruits, vegetables and vegetable oils.

Our own personal environment and lifestyle play a significant role within keeping our aura/energy field as well as mind, body, and spirit maintained, unaffected and protected against negativity and darkness and that livelihood comes natural when we are in tune to the universe within our own specific innate tendency.

 

 

So Natural

How I Stopped Constipation/The Essential Benefits Of Turmeric by misslatoya

Ayushi said 4 days ago

I agree with the turmeric remedy to get rid of constipation. I had started getting constipated and had such a food regime to keep it under control. It would be fine for ten days and then return on the 11th day or so. I gave turmeric a try and I haven’t been constipated in two months now. It’s probably too soon to say anything but the problem was so frequently recurring earlier that two months have been such a relief!

You said 2 minutes ago

I am so into healthy eating and caring for the body I even use a natural deodorant product that contains the safest of ingredients and that is endorsed by many cancer treatment centers as it does not supply any harsh chemicals like the commercial brands do only mineral salts and plant based extracts and the deodorant works so well and wonderfully for me.

That would be really great if the Turmeric does turn out to be a solid remedy for you within the long run I hope that it does, if not, hopefully you will fine another natural source that works in harmony with you and within your corresponding food regimen and body chemistry, because that is the key for all of us as unique individuals with different bodily constitutions and the circumstances that effect our overall functions as well as our digestive tracts.

We need to find things that are agreeable with us in order for it to work properly and thoroughly, and what may be a remedy for us may not always be or serve as the same productive treatment or cure for someone else.

In our occasional search to find the specific things that will cater to our own personal individual needs and growth that may also call for the vital improvement within whatever it is that may sometimes ail us I am sure that at the same time we are all reaching for that ultimate goal of consistently endeavoring to maintain the most optimal of health that is possible.

Fresh, Pure And Wholesome

I take good bites out of life; the chunks that I know are going to be the most nutritious and beneficial for me. I eat and live very health-wise. Aside from feeding our bodies we also have to feed our brains and without a healthy constitution our minds will lack the virility that it needs to properly energize and function.

We are spirits walking around within our shells of flesh yet while we are here on the earth it is very important to maintain that vibrant and flexible shell with love and respect.

My Lifestyle Delights!

I am free today and I have the entire weekend off and I am thrilled that I am in the mood to write today and my mind is on my taste buds and how I have been able to grocery shop and continue to find my favorite foods that go in accordance to my vegetarian lifestyle and that were available on the shelves.

I barely eat unless it is within my strict categories of quality and preference.

During and through out the last past three weeks up until now I had bought and fried some fresh whiting that had went deliciously well with my favorite Uncle Ben’s white rice. I also had bought fresh Perdue chicken wingettes and skinless chicken breast tenderloins to also go with my tasty white rice.

I indulged in preparing and eating both Mueller’s and Ronzoni thin spaghetti noodles that I heated and covered in a “Combo” flavored Prego sauce, a sauce with a distinctly delicious taste that is loaded with chunky garden vegetables that blends in entirely well with chopped carrots, zucchini, tomato, onions, green peppers, celery, garlic and spices.

I bought out all of the pouches of Betty Crocker corn bread/corn muffin mix that I made with pouring and stirring in my favorite Silk very vanilla soy milk so that I won’t run out of the product any time soon because every time I would go into the supermarket it was always sold out so I beat others to it this time!

And I caught the Cabot brand Monterey Jack cheese on sale and I eat that cheese because not only is it high quality but it is not made with any type of animal rennet just vegetable, and I grilled it over my Thomas English muffins.

I hadn’t really eaten cheese in about two whole years and I don’t eat it too often anymore like I use to yet when I do it is only natural cheeses (mozzarella, swiss and monterey jack) that contain vegetable/plant rennet.

I’ve had my chunks of whole watermelon that I usually eat with a spoon already for this year that I had brought when I got home in the morning-along with my other fresh fruit salads that I’d pick up and buy on the way to work to take to my overnight shifts to snack on.

We have to live and do what makes us happy and although it is nice to go out to eat once in a while if one can trust the outside service and their sanitary practices there is nothing that is more satisfying than cooking and eating one’s own freshly bought and managed foods.

Like I have said before, to me, home cooking tastes far better than restaurant cooking and it is much cleaner and healthier because you know exactly how it is being prepared and served.

On The Go

Regardless of how hectic the chores of life may bring or become we must always find the time to take care of our selves in the ways that are fit within harmony to our own specific conditions.

When one constantly works the extra long overtime hours that I usually do it is very important to eventually get the adequate amount of sleep as well as the nourishment to eat.

Depending on the circumstances I do not always have the time to prepare my own food at home after I come from work and I rarely pack up food to take with me to my job as it serves as an inconvenience to me since I am particular about sanitary practices within environments inhabited by multiple parties.

I do not like using the shared refrigerators and microwaves that are often shared as they are occasionally unclean and/or disorderly and if I were to store my outside brought food inside of any public appliance I’d securely cover and wrap my items up within Tupperware along with a plastic bag.

So most of the time I will just bring a already unopened snack and purchase a beverage out of the vending machine for during a meal break yet there are also the times where I could go to a nearby store or market that was located near my workplace and buy some fresh fruit salad, hero/round roll sandwich, crackers and so on.

Even restaurants I would sometimes visit or order from if my workplace was not surrounded by any stores and eateries that I preferred to occupy or patronize.

As I am already particular about what I eat and where I eat from nowadays I do not really seek to eat out from restaurants unless it is a day when I know that I hadn’t consumed anything at all and I am not able to hold out for a later time. I am even more so specific about eating out now because I’d rather cook my own grocery shopped and freshly made foods.

If I do eat out from restaurants I am sure to limit my orders to healthy vegetables and salads that I love without the worry of possible disagreeable added ingredients that are normally found in cuisines that are not particularly health conscious of the dishes that are made.

It made me so happy this time around this last past week up until the present how my travel period allowed me to have the time to home prepare and eat my own favorite meals while also having some time left over to chill out at my residence aside from the pampers of taking a nice hot shower.

Even before I arrived home in the morning I still had time to run a few errands if needed be, I was blessed and felt so very good. And I still have that natural unconditional exhilaration.

When the body is kept equip and supplied with the proper and beneficial necessary fuel the constitution in return reciprocates. It is like my body is programmed to fit into my favorably demanding schedules as I am never off balanced or too tired to function accordingly to my job requirements.

I am consistently alert and graceful within presence and attitude.

When I do get home I don’t even fall asleep right away or even at all, to be honest, little periods of in between natural meditations serve as essential within the rejuvenation process. Those significant intervals are lifesaving and propelling.

Even though I have a steady yet fast paced workload and adventurous life I still keep up to date on the news and the situations in relation to my maintenance otherwise I do not have the time for much of anything else, although, I do enjoy my writing!

I treasure the free time that I do get to have when the moments call for it no matter how long or how short the duration and I treasure my rest and the nights of overdue sleep when tiredness sneaks by to creep and gently fall upon me.

 

 

Sustenance:(https://ladylatoya.wordpress.com/2016/01/06/sustenance/)

Red Lobster Versus Home Cooking:(https://ladylatoya.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/red-lobster-versus-home-cooking/)

My “Appetite” For The New Year!

I’d like to kick in the New Year by doing one of the things that I like to do best and that is eating.

Chilling again this New Years Eve as I did the last in the comforts of home in the cozy dim light of my bedroom snugged in bed with my favorites of foods and watching a good suspense or horror flick.

The only thing missing is a beloved pup or dog to snuggle up and hang out with but that will come in time.

I haven’t drank cows milk in two years because I now only drink soy milk (https://ladylatoya.wordpress.com/2015/12/02/soy/) so I’d like to have a full cup of cold and delicious “very vanilla” soy milk along with a medium-size delicious pizza pie, another thing that I have not had in a while, I haven’t eaten a pizza because I also have not touched cheese in about two years now.

I am very careful what I put inside of my body as I have been a vegan turned vegetarian for over twenty years and I will once in a while eat cheese strictly if it contains either vegetable rennet or no rennet at all and I cannot expect or depend on pizza shops in general to prepare their dishes with the same dietary restrictions that many of us have concerns about in regard to our lifestyles so I’ll just have to make my own homemade pizza with the high quality ingredients that I prefer.

For a delicious dessert I’d love to have a yellow cake with white icing as I haven’t baked and ate one in about a little over ten years but I have baked some great oatmeal cookies since then.

These three appetizing delights of mine would set off this New Year coming in for me with a “Bang!”

 

How I Stopped Constipation/The Essential Benefits Of Turmeric

Normally, i’ve always had a very healthy digestive tract. I move my bowels frequently just about every day, and sometimes twice in a day.

The first time i had ever encountered hemorrhoids i was ten years of age. I remember sitting on the toilet seat of my home straining to defecate. I was constipated and parts of my stool would just not release. As I continued to put strenuous effort upon my rectum i had began to feel sore, sharp stinging pain, and burning sensations.

I developed swelling around the both sides of my anus. Two hard and severely painful lumps. It was bad. So bad that from then on I never put any extra strain other than necessary during a bowel movement. I never forgot the experience of having those terrible external hemorrhoids.

As I grew older i developed prolapsed internal hemorrhoids which sometimes flare up before, during, or after one of my menstrual cycles. These type of hemorrhoids enlarge and protrude outside the anal sphincter. Mine have itched, bled, and caused burning and shooting pains.

One remedy that i’ve found to relieve most of the annoyance is a vitamin named “Rutin”. Rutin is a bioflavonoid that has strong antioxidant properties. One of the reasons why Rutin was effective in helping my hemorrhoid discomfort is due to the fact that it strengthens the blood vessels. I took 500mgs daily.

Aside from that, i also occasionally developed a severe constipation that would reoccur. My stool would get stuck inside the passageway of my rectum. And i could feel the poop as it stretched my anus.

The only solution that i had at the time was to get up from the toilet (if no one at home was available to head out to the store for me or able to bring me up something to eat or drink) with hard stool partially exited out of my behind, to go consume a fruit or vegetable.

Prune juice, raisins, or some quickly boiled plant food usually did the trick. I’d be successfully discharging the stopped up remains of my bowel movement in no time.

This one day though, I wasn’t so lucky. Nothing worked. Not the prune juice or anything else that i tried. I literally had to take one of my hands and pull out a portion of my stool and, it was huge. I had to dig in a little around the inside of the anus to remove extra fecal excess so that i could push out the rest.

After going through that I decided to never be in that situation ever again. At the state I was in I knew that constipation if-severe enough-could kill an individual.

I am a health fanatic. And i take a good load of top quality vitamins. So in my search to add to my collection of supplements when needed, I had come upon Probiotics. And i saw that they were good not only for the digestive system but also for overall health-which I was looking to improve on in certain areas.

The Probiotics worked very well. And every time I go to purchase a vitamin for one reason I end up finding out how they serve to help me out in other ways. And that is always a great thing to discover.

The same thing happened when i read up on the herb Turmeric. When I studied the benefits that Turmeric had to offer I became interested in giving the vitamin a try. And i did.

When I took my first vegetarian capsule of 400mg standardized turmeric extract (root) and 372mg curcuminoids i noticed a change within my body the same day. And after taking my Turmeric supplements for four years straight i have never been constipated again.

Natural Cures For Menstruation/Using Vitamin Supplements As A Sufficient Remedy Against Discomfort During The Menstrual Cycle

A lot of women suffer from constant menstrual pain/cramps that is sometimes severe and unbearable during their menstrual cycles, and many of them heavily rely on over the counter medications that contain ingredients that may not be safe or necessary. The same goes for prescription drugs that are prescribed by a doctor.

The most common forms of over the counter pain medications available on the market are non steroidal anti-inflammatory and acetaminophen. Both of these medicines work uniquely in that one brings relief to pain by reducing the production of prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances produced in various tissue that cause pain and inflammation. They are derived from amino acids. And they mediate a range of physiological functions like nerve transmission and metabolism.

And the other functions by working on parts of the brain in which “the pain messages” are received.

Between the two drugs, only one is also able to bring about a reduction in irritation and swelling (inflammation), and those are the non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. However acetaminophen and the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs both lesson fever and alleviate pain caused by and/or associated with stiffness and muscle aches.

When i was in my early twenties I use to faithfully purchase the over counter product Advil (the ones that came in the yellow box). Ibuprofen was the only pain killer that had worked on me.

And in my opinion, Advil was the best pain reliever out there on the market, and i also liked the ingredients that the product contained. The two nice tasting caplets gave me satisfactory results yet they’d wear off over a certain period of time during the day or night. Then i’d have to proceed with further dosages.

From a very early age my mother made sure that i took quality vitamin supplements every day. I began with the “Flintstones” brand. When i turned fourteen i became a strict vegetarian, only wanting to put the nutrients that were of high value inside of my body. I would only eat fresh fruits, vegetables and grains.

I ate soybean proteins that had taken the place of red meat. And when i whipped up my meals they would taste delicious. My vegetarian creations tasted so much better and fresher compared to non vegetarian, fast, and unhealthy prepared foods with garbage ingredients.

I stopped drinking soda and milk and would juice my own fruits and vegetables. I visited a particular health food store that was located in my neighborhood quite a lot back then and started a lifelong course and preference for supplements that were well suited for me.

I only had the strong, intense desire to consume the nutritious and natural things. And the benefits were and still are very rewarding.

Whenever I visited a doctor i never viewed them all as total experts or ultimate figures of authority. A lot of them are indeed very qualified, knowledgeable in their field, and good at what they do. Nevertheless, doctors are still human and make mistakes. They don’t hold all of the answers and they all cannot be completely trusted.

I remember years ago at New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center Located In Manhattan, New York getting prepped up for a pelvic or abdominal CAT Scan. I continuously inquired about the IV dye (Iodine-based liquid) that I was going to be shot up with. I already had drank a load full of Iodine the day before and prior to my scanning.

I made clear that I wanted the hypo allergenic version of the contrast. And I made sure that i was fully informed about every detail regarding my welfare and the procedure. I apologized to one of the medical professionals who had attended to me. I told her that i was sorry for giving her such a hard time.

The woman responded to me in return by saying “No, not at all. You’re smart. Most of the people who come in here to the hospital are stupid. They act like the doctors are gods and just let them do anything and don’t ask any questions”. And i have to admit that i was surprised to hear that. Shocked that she even imparted that knowledge to me. I was still quite young back then. Older people who came there to the facility weren’t as cautious and savvy the way that i was.

I always had a lot on the cap and steadily educated my self through literature and evaluation about the human body and various pills, topical solutions, and so on. I often knew the particular things that were wrong with me before a doctor made the diagnosis. I also gave suggestions that the doctors often agreed upon. And i also knew back then that i had the absolute right to refuse any treatment or medication prescribed to me by any health care professional.

It is very important in life for us to not only observe our surroundings but, to constantly stay aware and gather as much information as possible regarding what pertains to our personal well being.

On my journey of discoveries I came upon two fantastic supplements that I had taken apart from one another amongst the other vitamins that I take.

The first was the M.D. Select Advanced Probiotic 30 billion Enteric Coating “Vitamin Shoppe” brand (which did not need to be refrigerated). I started taking the then vegetarian capsules three years ago for overall health and received a little something extra in return which i did not expect. I noticed an end to all pain during my menstrual cycle. Even when i did not consume the supplement regularly on a day to day basis.

All I had to do was take was one dosage of the 30 billion strains of good bacteria and my pain was knocked out for the rest of the day-and sometimes even for the next entire day depending on the severity of the discomfort. If the pain was worse than usual i’d have to take two, but that was it! And the pain disappeared in less than an hour. I’ll say about a good twenty to thirty minutes.

I had only got a result like that from taking my mother’s 500mg prescription strength Dosage of Naproxen Sodium that she’d share with me during those particular times of the month. I had been stopped my consumption of Advils, they just weren’t making the cut anymore. And they were nowhere near as sufficient as taking one dose of Naproxen Sodium that also killed the pain for the following days to come.

The 24 billion Flora Smart Biotract Delivery “Renew Life” brand is another very good high quality effective product which also does not need refrigeration.

No matter how much relief that i gained from taking my mother’s Naproxen I needed a better solution because this non steroidal anti-inflammatory prescription drug that my mother had gotten from her doctor had harsh side affects.

If administered over a long enough period of time, and depending on how it was consumed (Naproxen was advised to not be taken on an empty stomach or to be taken with milk), Naproxen Sodium could cause ulcers and i wanted to avoid getting a hole burned in my stomach.

Now second and last but not least is 1000 0r 1500mgs of MSM which is methylsulfonylmethane. MSM is organic sulfur. A sulfur-containing compound that occurs naturally in a variety of vegetables, grains and fruits. And, it also occurs in humans and animals alike.

MSM is great and well known for a number of things such as arthritis and joint pain. And along with the many other health benefits-including the detoxifying and antioxidant properties-that come from taking this wonderful and natural vitamin, there are no serious/dangerous side affects.

However, we are individuals and what will work for some may not work for all.

Vegetables, vitamins and minerals may not “always” be definite miracle cures. However, they certainly do aid In making us healthier and making us function much better. They definitely work and provide excellent results right away and in the long run.

MSM is my ” 500mg Naproxen Sodium Substitute”. It is my “Miracle Cure”. The ultimate natural cure for my menstrual pain and cramps. And to me it is a miracle pill because it doesn’t just take away the discomfort for a day-but for the days afterward.

Nutritious Desserts/Healthy Desserts That Provide Nourishment

It is wonderful to know that as a vegetarian one is not limited when it comes to enjoying sweet tasting desserts.

And not just sweet tasting desserts but desserts that are also healthy and agreeable to eat.

As long as we are consciously aware and particular about the ingredients that are used to prepare a dessert, we may consume and indulge in as many variety of sweets that are available to choose from.

More frequently now in this day and age there are more products on the market that cater to the vegan and vegetarian lifestyle.

Certain health food store merchandise tend to be very expensive. Everyone cannot always afford to buy high quality vegetarian oriented foods.

So many people just result to purchasing their items at their local grocery. Which at times can be just as much expensive as shopping at one of those health food stores that specialize in organic and all natural and nutritious health food products.

Whether one chooses the local supermarket or the store for special dietary needs both are able to provide the proper and necessary ingredients to make a favorite and delectable dessert or sweet.

Even if one just wants to buy a dessert that is already made on the shelf. There are brands that are vegan and vegetarian suitable.

For those who like to bake their own fancy recipes there are the basic, simple, and deluxe ingredients to gather for preparation.

I like to be very creative and sample and substitute the old fashion recipes that ordinarily included shortenings (lard) and artificial flavorings.

In my opinion, the baked sweets that are the most natural and “less” animal derived taste the best.

The “vegetarian” ingredients needed to make the most healthy and nutritious desserts are:

All purpose flour, cake flour, pastry flour, bread flour, and prepared graham cracker crusts (for cheese cakes and pies). Some also prefer rice and/or potato flour, and so on.

Baking powder, baking soda, vegetable oil, coconut oil, coconut milk, butter, butter milk, whole milk, cornstarch, white sugar, brown sugar, powder sugar, salt, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and distilled white vinegar.

“Vegans” can also use soy milk, rice milk, soybean margarine or “Earth Balance” brand natural buttery spread (all 100% vegan), soft tofu, and non dairy cream cheeses to bake with.

And, depending on the kind and type of dessert that is going to be made, flavoring options could include cinnamon, nutmeg, pecans, coconut flakes, and whatever else that may satisfy one’s fancy.

I love ice cream. My favorite flavors are vanilla, french vanilla, and butter pecan. My favorite brand of ice cream is Haagen Daz.

The ingredients contained in the Haagen Daz ice cream is all natural. The vanilla is made with
cream, skim milk, sugar, egg yolks and vanilla extract.

The butter pecan is made with cream, skim milk (lactose reduced), sugar, pecans, coconut oil, butter, corn syrup, egg yolks and vanilla extract.

Ice cream is considered as a type of junk food by many people, however, I disagree. I do not believe that ice cream itself is a junk food. It all depends on how the product is manufactured.

A lot of ice creams on the market are not processed very well even though some claim to be natural.

Brands with ingredients that contain mono and diglycerides, yellow 5 and 6 (synthetic coal tar dyes that are made from industrial waste) and other very unnecessary substances, I absolutely stay away from.

Breyers ice cream is another very good brand that is made with just a few all natural ingredients such as milk, cream, sugar, egg yolk, tara gum and natural flavor.

And there are a few more other high quality ice creams that are out there on the market that contain the appropriate nutrition.

Although pizza is not a sweet it is sometimes a treat-and one that has also gotten a bad reputation for being considered as a type of junk food by many people.

I have to disagree again. Pizza that is prepared with the correct ingredients can be a very healthy and nutritious meal or appetizer.

There is the dough, the oil, the tomato sauce, and the cheese. What is so unhealthy about the combination of those preparations?

Pizza’s and desserts that are made with the finest quality ingredients are much more nutrient and less more bad for one’s health than when compared to certain lunches and dinners that contain beef and pork.

Sweets do not have to be copiously poured and glazed with sugars.

The excessive use of sugar in a dessert or beverage is what would most likely contribute to the poor health in individuals. Especially if one is constant with their intake of high sugary foods and sweets.

I for one cannot tolerate high levels of sugar within my diet. Sugar will sometimes sit up inside of my chest area as it is unable to digest properly.

And I do not like a food or beverage that has too sweet of a taste. It is not at all satisfying.

Delectable does not equate gross amounts of sugar. My desserts are just as fine and rich with great flavor with the minor portions of sugars, salts, and butters that I may include.

Less is often more in certain cases as is the same with particular foods.

If a dessert contains too much grease or oil that can also be a problem.

So the bottom line is that the constant intake of any particular ingredient (especially a wrong or bad ingredient) which is used in excess to prepare a food or beverage is what makes the item unwholesome, and not good for one’s health.

Whenever I shop for a product I always check out the contents. I often can tell what is of good quality and worth buying.

Some people just have an eye or gift for spotting the right things.

As a dedicated vegetarian I have to keep my eyes and ears open to all of what is out there. Good or bad. Old or new. And open to the things that are up for suggestion, and that are in the making.

It is gratifying and exciting to be a vegetarian. What is more better than one who takes great pride and pleasure in caring for them self.

I love reading my V.I.P. Vitamin Shoppe packages that come to me free through the mail. I receive health magazines and literature all towards maintaining health, health products, coupons and more.

I even watch out for the health of a pet.

Animals in my care would get nothing but the best of treatment, mentally and physically.

Canines bodies are more sensitive then us humans. Things effect and work faster on them than if it were to be given or applied to a human being.

I am generous as well as cautious in the care of a pet when giving them something to intake.

All of my puppies and dogs had got spoiled. They all ate table food.

And if one of them got sick or got hurt by accident and I could not get them to the vet right away or did not have to because it was not a major emergency, i’d give them some of my internal antibiotics (for a bacterial infection) that I had on hand.

Eye drops (for red irritated eyes), and topical Neosporin (topical relief and healing that I used on my pet for raw skin cause by a dog collar).

These medications had worked just fine on my canines.

It is said by some to not serve a puppy or a dog milk due to the fact that the beverage may cause them to develop tapeworms.

Well one of my dogs that I had for seventeen years loved milk and ice cream. They were her favorite foods. And she never once had any tapeworms.

My dog also loved carrots. She and I use to sit up and eat the fresh carrots all of the time. My dog was my eating buddy.

At times I can eat at just the same capacity as a canine pet.

Whether one eats like a dog or a bird we can rest assured that our nourishment of desserts are filled with the quality that we put into them for the continuous indulgence that we love to enjoy.

Chocolate Is A Sweet That I Cannot Eat/My Mind And Body’s Intolerance For Chocolate. I’d Prefer Peanut Butter Over Chocolate Any Day Of The Week

As some of us know chocolate is derived from the cacao bean which grows in pod-like fruits on the tropical cacao tree called the “Theobroma”. Although there are four major types of cacao trees grown throughout the world (the Forastero, Criollo, Trinitario, and Nacional) a very large percentage of the beans are cultivated in Africa.

There are a few myths associated with the consumption of chocolate, however, I am not here to confirm or deny any of them.

I have heard in detail that dark chocolate is supposedly rich in minerals, high in antioxidants, naturally possessing the good fat (the cocoa butter that is found in the cacao beans), cuts the risk of cardiovascular problems, has properties that reduce stress, relieve cough, relieve diarrhea, boost intelligence, and that prevent diabetes and give protection from the sun due to flavonoids. The nitric oxide production increase is said to contribute to the drop in insulin resistance among some.

I’ve also heard a few other things that I am not sold on. Such as, the chocolate being responsible for expectant mothers able to better handle their stress during their pregnancy. And as a bonus they delivered happier children. And supposedly, in general, chocolate stopped the cravings for particular foods that were fattening, therefore aiding in a method of proper weight loss.

Now for the negative side. Chocolate is regarded by some as containing a very high caffeine content. A cause of migraine headaches, hyperactivity, tooth decay, and acne. And there are those who disagree with these claims, declaring that they are untrue.

I know myself that there are millions and billions of people out there in the world and everyone will not always be medically, mentally, emotionally, and physically affected in the same way as that of another person. Not everyone will come into agreement in regards to certain matters. And that is natural and logical.

We are all different. So are our bodies. None of our constitutions are exactly alike.

As a young child, before I hit my teens, I loved chocolate. I was a chocoholic. It was my favorite flavor. And I just could not get enough of those delicious tasting Hershey candy bars.

Now and then my mother would bake her own homemade chocolate chip cookies from scratch. I’d delightfully eat up pieces of the morsels that she’d position into the malleable roundly shaped cookie dough.

On my birthdays my mother always purchased yellow cakes with chocolate icing until I started requesting for all chocolate desserts for my special occasion.

A time came when my little body would be in the bed balled up in the fetal position, suffering from a very severe and terrible pain. The degree of pain was really unbearable. And it happened a couple of times more before my mother eventually took me to a doctor.

The doctor told my mother that the cause of my illness was due to my consumption of chocolate and coca cola. And that I should refrain from eating and drinking these products.

My mother and I did heed the doctor’s advice. Though later on as I grew older I fell into temptation and I began to consume the chocolate and coca cola again, knowing that I was not suppose to. However, by the time I had entered into my early teens I stopped completely.

The results have been grand, especially since that is the time when I became a serious vegetarian. I did not, and I still do not crave or desire the taste of soda or chocolate. A complete change had come over me.

I know that chocolate is naturally a vegetarian food but it is a substance that does not at all agree with me. And all of the additives that go into preparing chocolate during manufacture to enhance taste and texture just makes the product very unhealthy.

Peanuts are a natural food that I love and enjoy eating. Peanuts are in the “Legume” family. They come from a leguminous plant, which also have fruits that are in the form of pods.

There are two type of legumes. The immature, and the mature ones. Peas and green beans are immature legumes since they are harvested before they mature on the plant.The dried seeds that are found inside the pods that hang from stems of particular plants are the mature legumes.

Pinto beans, black eyed beans, red beans and black beans-all of which I love-have high nutrient properties. Nutrients that include selenium, magnesium, folate and antioxidants. Legumes are very rich in antioxidants.

They are also an excellent source of protein as we know for a fact that we can gain from peanuts. They are low in fat and are a great source of fiber, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron and zinc just like potatoes.

So peanuts outdo chocolate in a nutshell.

Now as peanuts are a delight to me they are also a danger to certain others because of the allergic reactions that some may have from eating them.

I know that I definitely cannot eat walnuts. I get sick almost immediately after ingesting them. I get a severe pain that travels down to my backside. I’ve even vomited on account of the walnuts that I ate. We must take precaution because as we know, some food allergies are life threatening.

I remember talking to a paramedic who’d arrived to my home one day to see if I needed to go to the hospital. As a usual procedure he asked if I was allergic to anything. I told him that a doctor told me to stay away from chocolate and coca cola when I was a child.

His words were “It probably was that caffeine”.

I am not a large fan of caffeine. And that is the reason why I do not drink tea unless it is caffeine free, like herbal teas. I love the cinnamon apple flavored. I use to enjoy the decaffeinated black tea by Lipton-It tastes so great with milk-but there is still small amounts of caffeine hidden in there. When something is decaffeinated residue is always left behind.

I don’t like the way caffeine keeps me up if I drink enough of it. I could be wanting to go to sleep and then unable to. And it does give me a headache in the process.

The best bet is to stick with what naturally does not contain any caffeine if one is particular about their concerns.

A thing that I personally noticed about tea is that it fills me up. It takes away hunger. I don’t know if it is the combination of tea and sugar or what. Those who want to diet may consider using tea as a method for possibly controlling their appetite to lose weight. One never knows it just might work for some.

There are so many delicious ways to use peanuts. I have roasted them in their raw state, and spread them on my whole wheat breads in their smoothed out state. I eat them along with their peanut butter in granola bars, cracker snacks, cookies and sometimes just with a spoon.

What a pleasure it is when we know that what we love to eat also serves to us a high nutritional value.The peanut butter taste is so rich with deep good flavor.

My Regimen For Dairy/The Restrictions On My Dairy Intake

Cheese does have an odor. In fact, it stinks. Nevertheless, many of us still resort to including the food in our diet.

Another thing stinks when it comes to cheese. The way in which certain companies manufacture the product. Some cheeses are processed with derivatives from pork. Pig enzymes.

I am a vegetarian so I only eat cheeses that contain vegetable rennet. It is important to know what is being put into our foods today. It is also important to know how these products are being made and why they have to be made in their particular fashion.

Specific food preparations are not always necessary and are able to be replaced with better alternatives.

If everyone was completely aware of each and every detail that went on within the manufacturing process of certain items I am quite sure that they would not want to eat them.

Some of the ingredients that are put into the foods that we eat can make us sick and can contribute to further health problems.

It is bad enough that a lot of food product labels are misleading and not explanatory enough to discern. One has to be careful about the hidden ingredients that are not listed on certain labels.

I have never been allergic to dairy products in any way. However, my digestive system will not tolerate large amounts of butter and milk. I do not seem to have a problem from eating a large quantity of eggs or cheese.

When it comes to butter I definitely have to consume in moderation. I only cook with a small amount of it when I prepare a meal or dessert.

And I can only apply a small amount of butter onto toast if I plan to eat quite a few slices within or through out the day.

I have funny eating habits. I can eat or nearly eat a whole loaf of bread up in one day. I regularly eat peanut butter sandwiches on whole wheat bread.

I do not normally eat three times a day, though when I do eat it is in large quantities. And I am very slim in size. When people would see me go to eat they’d say “You’re going to eat all of that by yourself?” or they would just look at me and laugh.

It does not bother me one bit. I love to eat in abundance. I have a very healthy appetite. And I pay for it with my own money so no one should complain.

When I was a little girl my mother would tell me that my eyes were bigger than my belly. Now that I am much older I see that my belly and my eyes are equal in comparison. I can handle what is agreeable to my body and in excess.

Nobody likes to be sick. In pain with gas. Suffering from abdominal or pelvic discomfort, then vomiting and letting out the nasty bowel waste

And that is why no matter how much I like to eat I take precaution on the things that I can only have in moderation.

I cannot eat too many products at a time and in large portions that contain butter though it is not that way with me when it comes to products that contain milk.

If there are products made with milk ingredients I can eat as much of them as I want. I just cannot drink too many cups of milk straight.

Although I do not have any problems regarding cheese eating too much of it can bring about constipation. I settled my constipation issues years ago with the herb Turmeric. So as long as I take my supplements I do not have to worry.

One snack that I ate constantly was melted swiss and monterey jack cheese atop a split hot onion bagel. Cream cheese spread in between a hot onion bagel was also one of my favorites as well as a delicious piece of cheese cake.

I haven’t had a boiled or scrambled egg in years. I remember that boiled eggs went good sprinkled with salt. And I use to like my eggs scrambled with pepper. I also enjoyed eating egg sandwiches on toast with lettuce and tomatoes.

I do eat some products that contain egg ingredients.

The only problem that I have with eggs is that they may cause me to have and/or pass gas. Other than that a large quantity of egg consumption is not harsh on my stomach.

I love the no yolk egg noodles. They taste so good mixed in with sea salt, pepper, and butter. I usually eat the noodles with my boiled chicken breasts or thighs.

I also love potato salad that is made with chopped boiled eggs. Macaroni and tuna fish salad, and potato salad are two of my favorite dishes.

There are many pleasures in life and food is one of them. It is said that too much of something is not so good. And that may be true for some things in particular. It all depends on what the matter is at hand. I do not think there is anything wrong in being overindulgent as long as it is of our benefit, and no harm comes about in the process.

If we did not over indulge in certain things we would not learn or improve. There is always more than one way to think and to look at things.

The only time to not indulge in what one is interested in is if there is a cause for harm or danger.

If I did not frequently indulge in my love for writing I would not be writing this article right now, expressing the graveness of what we put into our bodies and, how I have to be careful just like many other people do about what to eat in moderation.

Once we keep establishing all of the things we can and cannot do we will continue on living a better and healthier lifestyle physically and mentally.

Vegetarian Meals That Are Delicious/The Life Of A Vegetarian Is Not A Flavorless One

Some people think that going vegetarian means an end to the appetizing meals that usually taste good. It is quite the contrary. There are a number of pleasant foods out there for us vegetarians to consume.

Eating is one of the natural enjoyments of my life. And I love to cook for myself when I am in the mood. Anyone who knows me knows that I eat the things that are very nutritious yet at the same time, satisfying.

Vegetarians are not limited in their options when it pertains to the choices of meal plan.

Potatoes are a fantastic example. There are a wide variety of ways in how to use potatoes. They can be baked, boiled, roasted, mashed, scalloped, wedged and so on. No matter what style or fashion that they’re prepared in they make a great dish.

French fries are one of my favorites. I fry them in pure vegetable oils. I notice that sunflower oil gives them the most distinct and crisp flavor.

Chicken is another wonderful example. There are also a large variety of ways in which chicken can be prepared. Chicken is baked, boiled, broiled, roasted (and also rotisserie), barbecued, grilled, smothered, fried and sauteed.

I like pasta a lot. I eat meatless pasta dishes such as baked ziti, lasagna, macaroni, and spaghetti. I love pizza too.

The cheeses, seasonings, and sauce is what brings out the good flavor in the pasta. Spaghetti, lasagna and ziti taste so much better to me without the meat. That is just my preference.

There is a high quality pizzeria that has been located in my old neighborhood for over a decade now. The establishment even gained public notoriety by the media for being the number one best tasting quality pizzeria in all of New York. I saw footage of the television program that one of the cooks appeared on. And I recognized him from the restaurant.

I’d been eating from this particular pizzeria for years, since childhood. They serve this delicious chicken pizza that is loaded with parsley, tomatoes, cheese, and chunks of chopped chicken. They also serve broccoli and spinach pizza pies.

Vegetables always liven up a meal. Especially when they are mixed in with rice, green peppers, shrimps, onions and the like.

I cannot resist the taste of corn, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, string beans, green peas and lima beans. And, do not mention salad. There was a nice zesty Italian “Good Seasons” brand dressing that came in a packet that I use to prepare and pour over my freshly made salads. The flavor was simply grand.

Most corn bread and cake mixes have lard ingredients in them (vegetable shortening). I only use the ones that do not. There are some name brand all butter and/or pure vegetable oil mixes. They are just hard to come by.

Popular name brands are not always a guarantee of quality. Lesser known and lesser expensive items can be just as good or effective and, sometimes even better.

I am not into and never have been into yogurt or tofu. I never had a smoothie either and I do not desire to. I’ll stick to my french vanilla and vanilla ice cream milk shakes and “Ensure Plus” health drinks.

My diet consists of a blissful food regimen. One that keeps me essentially happy and healthy. My lifestyle is not at all demanding or compromising. It comes naturally and easily.

The Things That Go Good With Milk/My Solution For Consuming Large Portions Of Milk

Milk is a beverage that I love. I do not drink milk the way that I use to, however, when I do I cannot drink milk straight in large amounts.

There was a time when I could drink as much milk as I wanted and it would not bother my digestive system. Now that I am older things have changed.

If I consume over three medium size cups of milk within a day I will be on the toilet seat stricken with diarrhea.

Some times when I eat or drink certain things they can taste so good that I cannot get enough of what I intake. And when a food or beverage is healthy and nutritious there is not too much harm that can result from overindulging, unless one has a serious medical problem such as diabetes and so on.

I took a notice of how whenever I ate or drank something that I used and combined with milk, I was able to consume as much of quantity as I wanted within one day.

I could eat numerous bowls of cereal with milk and my stomach would not at all get agitated. If I drank four to five medium size cups of hot or cold milk that was combined with my favorite Nestle Nesquick brand “very vanilla” flavored drink mix or Nestle Carnation french vanilla classic instant breakfast drink mix, it would not bother my digestive system at all.

Maybe the comparison has more to do with the ingredients that are in the other products. It is very possible that my body is better able to absorb high volumes of milk that are partially blended with other substances.

As I am particular about the things that I put into my body milk is no exception. I do not drink just any manufactured type of the beverage. I do not buy milk from cows that are treated with the hormone rbst.

I once tried soy milk. I could not stand the taste of it, though.

Milk in general has good properties. I know for a fact that it counteracts poison. And everyone knows that milk is a very good source of vitamin D. I take vitamin D supplements. Vitamin d2 (ergocalciferol) to be specific.

Milk also tastes very good. Especially when the beverage is cold or on ice.

There are the things that also go great together with the consumption of milk, especially sweets. Cookies and cakes, of course. Along with ice cream (shakes), tea and a variety of coffees.

For breakfast or lunch milk goes good with crescent rolls, toast, cold cuts, sandwiches and grilled cheese.

Some people like to dip their fruit and pastries in milk. And some people even drink and use milk as a laxative.

I drink milk only once in a while. I eat good quality vanilla ice cream rather frequently. So i am not exactly a milk fanatic. Yet I am crazy about the ice cream. As one grows they sometimes change. And that can include in ones dietary intake.

I remember when I was a child how I could not stand the taste of strawberries. In my late teenage years as well as now in my adult years, I just love them.

Sometimes our preferences are a mind thing. We may see a flaw, smell a specific odor, or hear about an undesirable ingredient that is contained in one of our favorite foods and get turned off by it. In other instances our taste buds merely evolve.

I been stopped eating cold boxed cereal. Those type of products are not really very nutritious. Hot cereals such as grits, farina, and oatmeal are wholesome and nourishing. I always loved oatmeal. And oatmeal an raisin cookies.

I do not know for sure if I am absolutely lactose intolerant or if my body is just responding to an issue and condition that triggers when I ingest large amounts of milk. Whatever the case or cause may be, I recognized the problem long ago when it began and I discovered a remedy of better tolerance for my consumption of drinking milk.

Living The Life Of A Vegetarian

I was raised and brought up on quality. My mother always made sure that i had the best of things. She never introduced me to any type of junk. And food was no exception. I was a very well taken care of little girl.

I also had my own naturally developed sense of style and taste that helped to distinguished my identity growing up through the years. From the beginning, i was always my own person, not influenced by anyone or anything. I was very observant, very opinionated, and very analytical.

And while other young teens were out running wild, hanging tough, partying hard, and selling their royal oats, I was home deciding what i wanted out of my life.

I knew that i wanted to be a writer and i would write and type up stories on the electric typewriter my mother had bought me. And i also knew that i wanted to lose a little bit of the weight that i had gained.

I was never a chubby child. I had always been on the slim side. It wasn’t until after I turned twelve that i noticed my body starting to fill out a bit. I was never at all self conscious about the way that I looked. My figure was solid and very well proportioned, I had a very attractive shape. However, when i walked my legs would rub together and that felt annoying. I’d also get tired kind of fast. My energy lagged a little.

As I was in the process of change upon entering into my teenage years I decided to change my eating habits. And i didn’t waste any time in doing it. Once I put my mind to something I will see it through.

I was very interested in becoming a vegetarian. The idea just seemed so right for me, it agreed with my personality. A young girl who was clean, healthy, and pure.

One of my favorite music super stars at the time was “Madonna”. I loved everything about her back then. And when I read In a magazine that she was homeless and would eat french fries out of public garbage cans before she became famous-from people who had thrown away the remains of their fast food meals-I was dead set.

Madonna claimed that she refused to eat any left over pieces of burger due to the fact that she was a “vegetarian”. So she did serve to me as a boost of inspiration.

At the start of my endeavor I became a very strict vegetarian. I only ate grains, vegetables and fruits. I drank only water and juice from fruits that i juiced.

When I turned nineteen years of age, I decided to settle and make a few adjustments to my diet. I accepted eating poultry, shrimp/fish (I love whiting), and dairy along with my usual regimen.

I still did not drink any soda. I didn’t have any desire to. And I still don’t til this day.There is no real nutritional value in those beverages. I did, however, start to drink milk again because I just loved vanilla milkshakes. And I drink only concentrated natural juices with textures that are “transparent”.

I am well aware that some people in particular do not consider chicken and seafood eaters 100% “pure vegetarians” but, nevertheless, I do fit into the category. I continue to refuse to consume anything that is derived from beef or pork.

I am very particular about what i put into my body. I check ingredients religiously and I will call up the company in which a product is manufactured in order to find out further detail regarding the quality.

I love breads. The majority of breads sold out on the market contain mono and diglycerides. An ingredient that I am not fond of and will not intake. There are the vegetable diglycerides which I do not prefer either. Certain labels are making an effort to bake breads with more natural contents now. They are starting to come out with bread titled “Simply Natural”.

Nothing beats Nature’s Pride breads in my opinion. It was an all natural brand. I just loved the honey and whole wheat flavors. Since “Hostess” shut down-the company which produced Nature’s Pride-the product was discontinued.

Haagen Daz is my favorite all natural brand of ice cream. The vanilla and butter pecan flavors are my preferences.

I am careful about cheeses that i eat as some are made with pig enzymes.

I purchase “Purdue” brand chicken and “Shady Brook Farms” turkey wings. I love the fact that purdue packs their chicken pretty clean. There is not so much messy slime to rinse and wash off. And their poultry does not have any animal by-products, hormones, or steroids. Their chickens are fed vegetarian diets and proteins.

I’m a constant rice eater. I love “Near East” brand and flavors. And i am crazy about “Uncle Ben’s rice. I’ve been eating that product ever since childhood. Both brands are vegetarian suitable, and Uncle Ben’s rice is naturally fat free.

I’ve been a fifteen year V.I.P. member of the “Vitamin Shoppe”. Every time i enter into their establishment I feel like a kid in a candy store. A great place to indulge in all of the vital necessities that contribute to good health.

I take Vitamin A. Both retinal palmitate and beta carotene. I also take the Vitamin B Complex supplements, Vitamin C, Vitamin D2 ergocalciferol (plant derived), Vitamin E d-alpha tocopheryl succinate, and quite a few more other vitamins and minerals.

How we treat ourselves on the inside will inevitably compliment us on the outside. As vegetarians we constantly and continuously rejuvenate ourselves. A lot of benefits come along from watching what we eat. Our cells function more properly. Our bodies ultimately cleanse and detoxifies-which results in regularity and better circulation. We heal better, and much faster. And we may even look better.

I know that a lot depends on a person’s metabolism and genetic make up but I have tremendous energy as a vegetarian. I am very youthful in my appearance. I have the figure of a teenager. And I feel just great. I’m in the best of health and shape as far as my “way of life” is concerned.

We become incredibly rich within our well-being altogether when the state of our wealth is valued to us for having great health. What better is there to reap the excellent rewards of a lifestyle that is dedicated to loving oneself.

Vegetarian/Vegan

I’ve been a vegetarian since the age of fourteen. And when I started out back then, I was a very strict one, only eating fruits and vegetables. I visited the health food stores getting my veggie-friendly sustained release vitamins and non-animal product foods. Soybean protein foods took the place of ground beef and tasted much better and fresher.

I juiced my fresh fruits and vegetables at home with my “Hamilton beach” juicer. I learned about juicers through the “juice man” who use to do those infomercials late after hours. My mother even bought me a juicing book stating just exactly what each fruit and vegetable represented and how they benefited the body.

I didn’t drink any soda, and I still don’t, as it serves as no genuine form of benefit or appeal to me. I only drink natural juices that I can see through and I love vanilla milk shakes.

When I reached nineteen, I settled just a little, and without regret. I accepted eating only poultry, seafood (whiting/shrimp), and dairy along with my fruits and vegetables. I know some do not consider chicken and fish eaters “pure vegetarians” however I still fall into the category. I still refuse to touch anything containing beef or pork. I’m very careful checking ingredients in foods even if I have to call up the company for verification.

Bread is one thing that I am particular about. Most bread found out on the market contains mono and diglycerides, something I definitely do not want to intake. Vegetable diglycerides are alright but I’d prefer none at all. So there are only two breads in particular that I eat in my location containing only naturally baked ingredients.

For years now, more natural sources became a necessity for me in my life. Instead of resorting to on the market medications all I have to do is pop a vitamin. Advil use to be the only thing that worked for me when it came to menstrual pain or the occasional headache. I can’t remember how long it’s been since I took an Advil.

Much to my surprise and relief I discovered that a single probiotic capsule or msm (methylsulfonylmethane) tablet knocked out my pain right away and for a long period of time (the entire day). Sometimes I may need to take two msm tablets twice for one day if the menstrual cramps are severe. Turmeric supplements are even good for pain. And these three natural vitamins are valuable for many more other things than just pain.

Vegetables, vitamins and minerals may not always be definite miracle cures but they certainly aide in making us healthier and making us function better. They definitely do work and provide excellent results.

My Golden Girl

I have a pretty labrador/ golden retriever that I adopted from north shore animal league back in September of this year. She is a nice cream color. I named her lailah. She was eight weeks old at the time and so very smart. Already she was paper trained and knew what it meant to give a kiss. She shows gratitude when we clean up behind her and feed her. She is very feisty, gives much attitude and I just love her!

Lailah is four months now. She jumps into my bed to sleep with me every night even though she has her own pillow bed.

Twenty-six years ago I adopted a shepherd/collie from north shore and she was amazing, a very special dog with psychic ability. I was told by a family member that I would never get another dog like her within my lifetime, that I may get something close to what she was. And I know that no dog will ever compare to Brandie or take her place and they don’t have to because she’s still around in the spirit realm we have visits in my dreams.

Lailah does come close. When I got Brandie she was seven weeks and I had seen her potential which proved me right later on down the road. Shortly after I brought lailah home I detected she was a spiritual puppy. She confirmed it the day after yesterday morning in front of us all as she fiercely stared, barked and sniffed at an apparition. I’ve been blessed again with a pup designed just for me.

Most dogs are special and those who have a little something extra should be treasured

I feed lailah the best. I give her Purina one/puppychow/beneful/one step beyond. I give her a little table food from time to time but not so much that she will stop eating her puppy food. And a few months ago I went on the pedigree website printed out a form for recently adopting a new puppy. They sent me two coupons. One for a twenty-pound bag of food and one for four cans of food. A whole month’s supply of free puppy food sure came in handy!

Wheat Grass

In my mid to late teens i use to visit and purchase certain items from a particular health food store in my area. During that time in my life which was about fifteen years ago i first learned about wheatgrass.

I had a juicer at home, but it was a high-speed juicer and not the appropriate one for extracting the juice from wheatgrass. Conveniently, the health food store had a slow-turning juicer (wheatgrass juicer) and i was able to sample out what it was like. Once wheatgrass is juiced there is a limited time that you have to drink it before it loses it’s potency.

It is said that the things that taste very nasty are the best things for you and i do have to say that wheatgrass juice was one of the nastiest things that i have ever tasted! Wheatgrass juice though is the most nutritious and cleansing juice that there is. Wheatgrass itself is seven inch tall grass that is grown from wheatberries on one inch of soil.

Wheatgrass juice benefits many parts of the body including the liver, kidneys, glands, spleen, muscles, bones, teeth, blood cells and hair.

Wheatgrass juice protects the lungs and blood from air, toxins, cigarette smoke, heavy metals and water pollution. The juice of wheatgrass can also be applied to the skin or scalp. It can be used to wash out the eyes, teeth, gums and sinuses. And, it can be implanted rectally to cleanse and heal the body’s large intestine.

Wheatgrass also works as a weight loss remedy by suppressing the appetite and by stimulating the metabolism and circulation. Not only do humans benefit from the abilities of wheatgrass but animals as well! It has aided the reproduction and maintenance in herbivorous mammals.

What i also learned back then is that wheatgrass contains a full spectrum of trace elements, minerals and vitamins. Those in particular include amino acids (protein) , special enzymes, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, chlorophyll, vitamins E, C, A and B complex.

And, just a few of the many conditions that are responsive to wheatgrass are ulcers, infection, anemia, hay fever, constipation, diabetes, colitis, bronchitis, asthma, skin disorders, acne, fatigue, hypoglycemia, heart disease, circulatory weakness, blood pressure (high or low) and aging.

Ginkgo Biloba

I’ve been taking Ginkgo Biloba as one of my daily supplements for nearly six years now and it has been beneficial for me. When i first begun to take the supplement i used the “Solgar” brand, which was a very good product.

After a while of taking it, though, i noticed on the label that there was a great drop in some of the contents.

Originally, the amount per capsule that i was intaking was 60mg of Ginkgo Biloba Extract ( standardized from the leaf ) and 375mg of Raw Ginkgo Biloba Powder ( also from the leaf ).

Then i noticed the raw powder was reduced to only 30mg. And even though the raw Ginkgo Biloba Powder is much less significant in affect ( compared to the standardized Ginkgo Biloba Extract ) regardless of mg, i still phoned the “Solgar” company to find out what was going on.

A particular person there at the company told me that there were numerous calls from others who were using the product and who had also noticed the drop in mg.

I was asked my telephone number as a general inquiry and told that i would be notified once a reason was determined. No one ever got back to me. So i just changed my brand.

I have been using “Ginkoba” for nearly three years now and it is just as great-if not better!

Ginkgo Biloba is an herb. It’s main benefit is to improve brain function by aiding the increase of “oxygen-rich” blood flow to the brain. It is also known as the “smart pill”.

Ginkgo Biloba is just not limited to the one main area that I’ve mentioned. More than 300 studies have shown over the past 30 years that not only does Ginkgo Biloba help improve mental functioning but has other benefits as well.

1. Ginkgo works by increasing blood flow to the brain and throughout the body’s network of blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to organ systems.

2. It increases metabolism efficiency, regulates neurotransmitters, and boosts oxygen levels in the brain which uses 20% of the body’s oxygen.

3. Ginkgo also helps control the transformation of cholesterol to plaque associated with the hardening of arteries, and can relax constricted blood vessels.

4. The benefits of enhanced circulation in the brain include improved short and long term memory, increased reaction time and improved mental clarity.

5. Ginkgo has also been shown to be a supportive herb for treating infertility in males and impotence.

6. Ginkgo Biloba helps prevent damage to the organs from free radicals, and also blocks the platelet activating factor which causes some skin disorders such as psoriasis.

7. Ginkgo Biloba’s beneficial effects on the circulatory system also helps in the treatment of eye and ear disorders.

Jason W on July 30, 2010 at 3:52 am said: 

Gingko Biloba is a very good supplement unfortunately the company of SOLGAR was purchased by a Big Pharmaceutical Company a couple of years ago which would explain the considerable drop in the quality. I would go in another direction like GOTU KOLA which is Nerve Regenerative and Restorative Herb and a Nervine Herb meaning it’s calming.Gingko is an excellent herb but NOT when You are on Beta Blockers,ACE Inhibitors,or Statin drugs because they all thin blood and compete. Oh yeah that includes Coumadin AKA Warfarin this is the Most POTENT bloodthinner offered by Big Pharma so take that with Gingko and they will be fighting for the last seat on the Same Bus. Ecclectic Institute makes a NICE Gingko Biloba/Gotu Kola combination that has no fillers and binders in there like Magnesium Sterate or Stearic acid because these surpress the immune system. Taking Gingko with Vitamin E is also a bad idea too blood thinning if taken at all they should be taken at least 4-6 Hours apart. I hope this is helpful.

misslatoya on July 31, 2010 at 3:01 am said: 

Thank you so much for your input. Personally, I been stopped taking Ginko Biloba a very long time ago. I’ve found something much greater that agrees with me and my body, however, I will leave your comment for those who it may be helpful towards.

Jason w. on August 24, 2010 at 4:35 am said: 

I think You’re Wonderful By The Way For Having This Format.