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Why its time to get hold of a Haddock
6 May 2005
Food manufacturers...
They make me laugh.
Yesterday I heard that tens, maybe even HUNDREDS, of food products are to be recalled from the supermarkets because they contain a food dye that could harm you.
And surprise surprise, the problem seems to be profit.
There's a lot of conflicting news flying about at the moment, but from what I understand, big food manufacturers have been buying in food dyes from unhygienic, unsterilised sources to cut costs, make more profit, and make sure their bonuses are fatter than ever.
I really would laugh, if it wasn't so depressing.
So as ever, it REALLY pays to buy fresh - fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meat, fish and poultry, fresh bread, fresh EVERYTHING. After all, why do you need to dye a pea? Isn't it green enough already?
It's bad enough that most processed foods are stripped of nutrients, minerals and vitamins, without having to risk your health.
So do yourself, and your family, a favour, and use fresh produce wherever you can.
There. Rant over.
Now then, back to the subject in hand - have you got that fish ready...?
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This is the perfect time to detox
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Back in an earlier issue of the Good Life Letter I said you should postpone the post-Christmas detox that most glossy magazines were shouting about.
Why?
Because in the Winter months, your body needs more fat and more hearty, warming foods to battle the cold and keep viruses at bay while your defences are lower.
But now that Spring is well and truly here, no more excuses! (and I'm talking to myself here). So let's get started…
I'm going to go hardcore, and recommend a 7-day detox.
I know I know... this seems like an awfully long time. My wife can't even go A DAY without chocolate.
But I promise you, sticking with the detox for 7 days will be worth it.
It will help improve your digestion, freshen up your skin, and clear out unwanted toxins to help your body absorb the nutrients it craves.
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Oh, and you could end up losing a bit of weight too.
Okay, are you convinced? If you're not, you can skip the next bit
You see, you have to WANT to do this! If you're forcing yourself to do this, or feel like you're being nagged, then it probably won't do you any good.
Doing something you don't want will only increase your stress levels, which releases acidic hormones and ups your toxins.
And that defeats the object.
So if you're having a problem committing yourself to a detox, try this trick:
Rather than focusing on the sacrifices you're making (and I'm going to keep them to a minimum), think of the end result - more energy, younger skin, better sleep and more vitality.
I promise you, you really WILL feel better, so I think it's worth giving a go.
Check with your doctor to make sure you're ready to detox, but once he gives you the all clear, just follow this schedule for the next 7 days for a fresher, healthier you.
- Give up exercise! Here's a nice little side effect - you're not meant to do any vigorous exercise during this week! Your body will be working hard enough pushing out your body's poisons. Instead, go for a brisk walk every day, just to get your heart going and to reduce stress levels.
- No fags! Of course, there are dozens of reasons to quit altogether, but if you haven't made that mental step yet, then try your best to cut out smoking during the detox.
- Stock up on the fruit and veg! Berries, kiwi fruit, oranges, broccoli, sprouts, spinach artichokes and peppers are all excellent cleansers.
- Leave these out! No tinned products, nothing processed, no pasta, white bread, rice or sugar.
- Give oily fish a miss! This is a first, but DON'T eat oily fish during your detox. They're more likely to be contaminated with heavy metals. Instead, stick to cod, sole and haddock.
- Eat loads of fibre. This will flush through your gut and clean up any nasties lurking around inside you.
- Go nuts! And seeds (though that didn't have the comedy value of nuts). They're both packed with antioxidants, essential for seeing off free radicals.
- Have a ginger bath! Adding ginger to your bath will cleanse you
internally as well as externally, and make you feel relaxed. Put approximately 1/8 cup of grated ginger under the running tap. Run some warm water in at first and get in the bath. Once in the tub, turn on the hot and make it as hot as you can stand. Then just lie back and
relax for forty minutes.
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Time for a cuppa… but one that treats cancer?
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The Honeybush plant grows from the Southern to the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Locals have used it for hundreds of years to treat a wide range of ailments, from constipation to rashes.
But recent research suggests it may be helpful in the prevention of breast, prostate and uterine cancer.
Studies at the University of The Free State in South Africa found that Honeybush is indeed a good relaxant, helps with constipation and can be applied to the skin for rashes. But it also contains phytoestrogens, which may be helpful in the prevention of breast, prostate and uterine
cancer.
Pretty good going from a simple brew.
But is this one even better…?
Rooibos tea grows in the Cedarburg mountain area near Capetown, and clinical studies (undertaken in Japan and at the University of the Orange Free State in South Africa) have revealed this tea has a remarkable amount of health benefits packed into one small leaf. Amazingly, this tea contains over FORTY polyphenol compounds and flavonoids that act as anti-oxidants. So what does that mean? Well, to put it plainly, this tea is anti-allergic, anti-mutagenic, anti-spasmodic, anti-bacterial, anti-aging and anti-viral. |
All right, so it wasn't putting it that plainly. But the evidence is there to support a claim that this is indeed a super-tea. Furthermore, Rooibos tea contains alph-hydroxl acid, a substance known to promote healthy skin conditions. Plus it's full of iron, potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, manganese and sodium. So put the kettle on, and have a nice cup of...er... Rooibos. Seriously, I think this tea is well worth taking a look at.
That's all for today. Have a great weekend, treat yourself to the good things in life, and think about starting that detox next week (after you've chatted to your doctor).
Best regards
Ray Collins
The Good Life Letter
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