Vegetarian diet or meat eater?

There are so many different opinions out there on whether to eat meat or not. We have doctors, specialists, scientists, nutritionists, dieticians, & alternative & holistic health educators, and they all have a different "opinion". First off, just to be clear, medical doctors are not adequately trained in nutrition and/or prevention of disease unless they study it on their own time....so asking a doctor for nutrition advice may not be the best idea......just saying.
I grew up as a meat eater, then became a natural foods vegetarian when I was about 22-24, became a vegan and 90% raw when I was 25-27, then went back to being vegetarian for quite a few years, and now I have a whole foods natural diet of ALL foods! I always thought that being a vegetarian was the best diet for everybody and that human beings are not meant to eat meat...EVER! So over the years I have some very good feedback on the different stages of health my body has gone through by eating meat and not eating meat. I have to say, when I became a vegetarian I felt great! My energy was higher, my digestion was efficient, I was never bloated any more, my elimination habits became more regular, I slept better, my gums were healthier, and I lost a few extra pounds of water/bloat/puffiness. Now, I always attributed this to "no meat" but it really came down to what I had changed in my overall diet. When I became vegetarian I wanted to be healthier, so I ate raw salads with every meal, ate more raw fruits, I started juicing every day, started eating raw nuts and seeds, I added different varieties of beans and legumes, and started learning how to cook natural home made meals and eliminated the junk I ate before....no wonder I felt better, with or without meat! Then came the vegan/raw diet. I felt great for the first year and noticed some more positive changes. I felt cleansed, slept great, woke up refreshed and never tired, and only needed about 5-6 hours of sleep, my bowel habits were very regular with hardly any smell, my eyes, skin, hair, & nails were all healthy and radiant! Then after about a year, I gradually started to notice a big decrease in my energy in the afternoon (I always had to nap at about 3pm), I started to lose lots of hair (even though when it grew back it was shiny and healthy), my front teeth were starting to form brown/grey circles which weakened my enamel, my immune system was starting to crash, my menstruation ceased, I had scalp eczema, and I was skin and bones....BUT, I still would never admit that my vegan diet was "not healthy!"

So over the years of meeting vegan/vegetarian people and observing their health, reading different opinions of renowned health specialists, as well as seeing the way other cultures who have limited diseases eat,  I have changed my "opinion"......I definitely believe veganism should NEVER be a lifetime eating plan...and that vegetarians should always include some animal products like organic eggs, wild fish, kefir, organic butter, raw organic cheeses, organic raw milk/cream if you can find some, animal broth soups, & fish oils.
Now saying all that, I do highly recommend a natural vegan or vegetarian diet for limited times during a detox/cleansing program or just to give your digestive system a break for a short time.
There are important fats, minerals, trace minerals, & vitamins that animal products do contain that benefit the health of our organs, especially the Adrenal Glands. If our Adrenals become depleted & burnt out, we can not replenish and heal them without including adequate protein sources from clean organic meats, poultry, eggs, and fish. (combined with a strict natural diet, relaxation, and natural supplementation.) A vegetarian diet and especially a vegan diet, do not supply these glands with enough nutrients to deal with major stresses, especially if you live a constant stressed out life...so gradually over time you may end up with burnt out adrenals which can sometimes take years to heal and replenish. So from my experience as well as studying health and nutrition over the years, I recommend a whole food natural diet with some organic/wild meat and animal products included. I no longer believe that the vegetarian diet is the optimal diet for health , but I also do not believe in the over indulgence of meat at every meal either. It's about being knowledgeable and smart about your food choices, doing a bit of research, and also using some common sense....eat to live, don't live to eat! Stay away from things that are not considered food and eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, vegetable & nut proteins, vegetable & nut fats, animal protein, animal fats, complex carbohydrates, sprouts, live fresh juices, and super foods!

**(pork and shellfish are NOT in the same category as "meat" and "fish".....they should always be avoided and NEVER considered as food)


Cathy Francilia
Cathy's Corner
Find me on facebook - Facebook.com/CathysCornerAromatherapyNaturalProducts

Looking for a healthy salad dressing recipe?

Do you want to eat more salads but wonder what the heck to dress it with? So many people decide they need to eat a healthier diet by including more salads, but end up using a bottled store brand of dressing to pour over top! These dressings are just a combination of processed refined oils, (which contain no health benefit whatsoever and are actually detrimental to health) water, all types of sugar, white refined vinegar, artificial flavour enhancers, table salt, and more. Some brands have a paragraph of un-natural  ingredients on the label, not to mention the ingredients that are not listed! (GRAS ingredients)

Here is a simple recipe that supplies the body with necessary essential fats which is a must for optimal health! Pre-make and keep in your fridge in an old salad dressing bottle or glass jar. (proportion is half oil, half vinegar)

- 1/2 Raw apple cider vinegar (the only healthy "vinegar" that contains beneficial health properties & supports digestion)
- 1/8 Organic un-refined virgin olive oil (mono unsaturated fatty acid rich - should be combined with an omega 3 rich oil due to olive oil's low EFA (omega 3) content.)
- 1/4 Organic flax oil, Hemp oil, or Camelina oil (abundant essential omega 3's)
- 1/8 Organic un-refined sunflower oil (omega 6 rich)
- 1 to 4 TBSP Raw un-pasteurized honey (has beneficial medicinal properties)
- 1 to 4 TSP Raw garlic, grated or minced (immune booster, natural anti-biotic)
- 1 to 4 TSP Raw ginger, grated or minced (immune booster, aids digestion)
- 1/2 to 1 TSP Paprika (anti-inflammatory)
- Dash cayenne pepper (anti-inflammatory, great for circulation, heart, & digestion)
- 1 to 2 TBSP Dried herb of choice - oregano, basil, dill, tarragon.
- Himalayan salt & ground pepper to taste
Combine everything in a jar or bottle and shake. Always keep refrigerated.
cathyscorneraromatherapy.ca

Do you suffer from canker sores?

If you are a victim of recurring canker sores, there are a few things you can do to naturally relieve and heal these annoying sores.
First off, it may be a good idea to address the issue as to "why" you are getting them. Sometimes it may be linked to food allergies and especially gluten sensitivity. It might be a good idea to have a "delayed onset" food allergy test to see if that may be a reason...food and gluten sensitivities play a role in all sorts of body ailments and "disease".
Nutritional deficiencies may also be a culprit....some people are lacking important amino acids and B vitamins. Find foods that you can regularly supplement your diet with.
Stress and hormonal imbalances...if this is you, examine your lifestyle and make some important changes. (faulty nutrition, stimulants (excessive alcohol, caffeine, white sugar), poor sleeping habits, being too busy to take important time to relax, negative thought life, stressful job &/or home).
An acidic body......Make sure your diet contains PLENTY of alkaline foods! (see my blog on body alkalinity)
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate in your toothpaste can also cause recurring canker sores....switch to a natural brand, but BE CAREFUL. Most natural brands you find at the health food store still have SLS in the ingredients! Read the labels..if you are unsure, ask.

Here are a few natural remedies you can do to heal these suckers once they appear!
- Myrhh essential oil or tincture....apply directly to sore or mix with a little warm water and swish in mouth. (repeat a few times a day)
- Goldenseal tincture...mix with warm water and swish in mouth (repeat a few times a day)
- Licorice root....steep herb (root) for about 20-30 min in hot water as you would a tea. let cool and use as a mouth rinse (repeat a few times a day) Can also try a chewable licorice root tablet. (DGL)
- Sage tea...Steep herb in hot water for 20-30 min.....use as a mouth rince. (repeat a few times a day)
- Raw onions...eat these regularly to help healing as they contain beneficial sulpher.
- Oil pulling....beneficial for healing mouth conditions. My "Ultimate Puller" includes calendula, myrhh, & oregano! Click Here

Other beneficial remedies to try as well....Taking Acidophilus capsules or eating Kefir, Calendula flower tea (as a mouth rinse), Alfalfa herb tea (as a mouth rinse), Salt water rinse, eating raw garlic, Tea tree essential oil (can mix along with myrhh), drinking fresh carrot juice (supplies beneficial beta carotene which converts to healing Vit A)

Benefits of Coconut oil!

The health properties of coconut oil have been known for years! The mainstream health industry has just caught on to this wonderful, miracle food. It has been used forever for its milk, water, oil, and "meat" ...... The perfect food!
I love to use this as an external therapy for my skin as well.
It has unbelievable healing properties that most people don't know about. I always have a bottle or two in my cupboard for cooking, baking, and as a therapy for all sorts of ailments!
The saturated fats this oil contains has a very positive effect on health, contrary to what we were told years ago by the health care industry due to their "studies". (their studies were based on hydrogenated coconut oil, not raw, unprocessed oil!)
Breast milk also contains "saturated fat", the same as coconut oil (Medium chain fatty acids-MCFA). Studies have been done by adding coconut oil to formula on low birth weight babies. They found that they gained more weight than babies who were using a formula supplemented with a regular vegetable oil. The weight was physical growth, not fat storage! The MCFA's allowed babies to absorb the essential fats and improved the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, & proteins.
(To supplement breast milk with higher amounts of MCFA's for the development & healthy growth of your baby, it is crucial to eat the oil, milk,and/or shredded or fresh coconut for a rich, nourishing milk)
For people that don't digest fats well can eat coconut oil without hesitation. These MCT's do not require pancreatic enzymes or bile for digestion. (great for people who have had their gallbladder removed or have gallbladder issues)
Also, Coconut oil produces energy NOT fat, which makes this a great weight loss supplement!

Here are some of the benefits of unprocessed coconut oil.........It helps clear kidney or bladder infections (clearing up in a matter of days), reduces epileptic seizures, soothes & heals inflammation due to Colitis, Crohns disease & other digestive complaints, prevents heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes,diabetes, liver disease, osteoporosis, tooth decay, & premature ageing, promotes weight loss, kills virus's, bacteria, & fungus, protects against cancers, protects against parasites, relieves chronic fatigue, reduces eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, & dandruff, relieves skin dryness/flaking, protects skin from the sun, speeds healing of injuries when applied, great hair and scalp conditioner & healer, removes lice, & prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, & age spots . Wow!
And I haven't even started on the benefits of coconut water.....next time. :)

To make an easy versatile skin salve, combine a few TBSP unprocessed coconut oil with a few drops of lavender essential oil & Vit E (optional). Just stir to combine or use an electric whisk. Put into a glass jar with lid....Easy as that!
You can also add other healing oils to it, but no need.....this will work wonders for all skin conditions! It will feel very oily at first, but it does not take long for your skin to fully absorb it....A little goes a long way!
If using for external fungal infection, you can also combine with tea tree oil & oregano oil for a more powerful formula.
Also for bad cases of eczema or psoriasis, you can add a little evening primrose oil to the salve to speed the healing!
Keep in a cool spot, as this will start to melt at temps above 75 degrees. (do not refrigerate or salve will be too hard to apply) 

**To obtain the healing properties of the coconut, a good quality oil must be chosen.........here are a few things to look for:
Certified organic by USDA standards
Non refined
No chemicals added (including hexane)
No bleaching
No deodorization
No hydrogenation
Made from traditional coconut palms only, no hybrid or genetically modified (GMO) varieties
Made from fresh coconuts, not the dried "copra" used in cheap oils
Made without heat processing

Keeping the body alkaline

As we know, paying attention to what we put into our body can determine superior health or debilitating disease. Being aware of the acidity and alkalinity of certain foods is an important part of choosing our daily diets to prevent ill health. Viruses and disease thrive in an acidic environment attacking organs, joints, muscles, tissues, & glands. These health problems are caused by too much tissue acid waste and can be corrected by balancing the alkalinity/acidity of the body.
Make sure the majority of the foods you eat are alkaline.....80% alkaline to 20% acid. Find a good food chart laying out the alkaline and acid values of different foods and use that as a guide at first....you will be amazed at how many acidic foods are eaten on a daily basis. Eating a diet of acidifying foods on a regular basis leaves an extremely high vulnerability to cold's, flu's, moodiness, insomnia, skin problems, arthritis, gout, injuries, & everyday aches and pains that we think are "normal" for our age....not to mention more serious diseases like cancer.
Most people get up in the morning and have a coffee first thing (highly acidic), then they may have a doughnut or muffin (highly acidic), for lunch maybe a ham sandwich or tuna melt (highly acidic), a drink of pop or pasteurized fruit juice (highly acidic), and for dinner could be any kind of meat with some rice and a glass of wine (highly acidic). All these food items are not just slightly acidic, but extremely acidic!
If you know me, you are aware that I am always recommending eating alkalizing foods and eating a whole, natural diet with the addition of fresh juices & Wheatgrass!
Try alkalizing yourself and I know you will feel the difference!

Visit Cathy!

Sunscreen Facts!

Did you know studies have proven that individuals who use sunscreen products, avoid the sun,  & spend their days under fluorescent lighting actually are more likely to get melanoma than those who don't use sunscreen & who get regular sun exposure? 
Skin cancer is actually caused by Vit D deficiency and nutritional deficiencies! Vit D deficiency is the most common medical condition in the world effecting 90% of the population! Our bodies need sunlight for optimal health & function. Never avoid the sun or think you are doing yourself a favour by slathering on cancer causing sunscreen products. ESPECIALLY on your young children! I cringe when I see parents applying their kids with this stuff. The only way to protect their skin is to slowly expose them to it. Kids are a lot less prone to burning than adults are and they NEED the Vit D!
Obviously you want to have common sense about it.....gradually expose your skin to the sun a little bit each day uncovered, wear a hat if going to be out for a long period of time, know your limit, seek shade when needed, etc. The more you are exposed, the longer you can handle the sun without burning. 20 min to 1 hour per day is adequate for optimal Vit D production. Vit D prevents cancers, osteoperosis, depression, heart disease, & even obesity and diabetes!
Stay away from commercial sunscreen products which contain toxic ingredients like oxybenzone, methoxycinnamate, Paba, Retinal Palmitate...these are all cancer causing as well as contributing to other health issues! If you are looking for something to put on your skin before you go out into the sun for a light protection which still allows for Vit D production, opt for natural ingredients like Shea nut Butter, Raw coconut oil, Jojoba oil, & Zinc Oxide. They protect as well as nourish and heal the skin before and after sun exposure. And most important is a diet high in antioxidant rich berries, fruits, & vegetables, as well as natural fats like raw nuts and seeds, coconut meat and its oil, flax seeds and oil, avocado, & un-refined olive oil. Internal sun protection comes first! If you have a crappy diet of processed foods and alcohol, the less protection you have from burning! So make sure you hit the fruit & veggie stands for local in season produce, and indulge for the health of your body & skin!
www.cathys-corner.ca