Tricks for a Healthy Halloween

Hallowe'en is full of fun but also the  not-good-choice sugar season. But like anything, there are opportunities to make event his daunting haunting season one full of healthy choices. Here are a is a couple of healthy tricks for the haunting season:

1. Full up the kids with healthy food & protein before TorT'ing.
2. Examine all treats for choking hazards & tampering.
3. Explain to children what sugar load does to them - it's a chance to educate!
4. Eat a teaspoon of Chia to counter sugar load - balances by 40%

5. Have one treat a day - that's why it is called a treat!
6. Have kids rate candy for nutritional value or NOT and group them for best choice to worst (think about additives, MSG, coloring)
7. Eat an equal amount of fruit to candy.
8. Think about donating candy to encourage 'out-of-me' focus.
9. Make treats at home full of healthy fats (coconut oil) and healthy sugars (Coconut Sugar)
10. Walk or run the block tonight - rain or shine it's an opportunity to exercise.

Happy Hallowe'en - have FUN!

Lead a Long, Super-Life with SUPERFOOD!

The best way to promote longevity and lead a long, happy, and healthy life is simple - It starts with a good balance of good-for-you foods and a moderate daily exercise to reach a healthy lifestyle. Raw, unrefined and minimally processed foods are the best kinds of foods to eat as they jam in plenty of heart healthy and longevity increasing goodies. Make a start by cutting out foods that contain unhealthy substances as bad cholesterol, added bad sugars, trans fats and saturated fats. Its really as easy as swapping out that unhealthy, bleached and highly processed flour for a more nutrient dense flour such as oat or coconut flour that’s super high in nutrients and fiber in your yummy baked goods instead… your kids won’t know the difference! Superfoods, are becoming more and more popular, and for great reason too! Superfoods are nutritionally dense foods that are high in fiber, are minimally processed, unrefined and have shown to have many health benefits. Lets have a look at a number of superfoods that can be easily found today and after plenty of research, have been shown to be beneficial to our bodies in many ways, including promoting longevity on both the inside and out:

Brilliant berries:

Berries are famous for their large antioxidant content which is vital in assisting our bodies in fighting off harmful free radicals, and also to protect our cells from any damage, whether it be from the environment around us, or the type of lifestyle we may lead in todays busy world. Goji berries contain a whopping 500x more of the free radical fighting antioxidant Vitamin C alone, compared to that of an orange along with an abundance of other important antioxidants and healthy nutrients needed for a long healthy life. They have been called the longevity fruit and for good reason too! They are very rich in carotenoids such as beta-carotene and zeaxanthin which helps to protect our eyes retinas by absorbing blue light and acts as an important antioxidant that prevents cell damage in the eyes which could in turn lead to development of age related macular degeneration which is the leading cause of vision impairment in people over the age of 65[i]. Free radicals cause gradual cell damage that responsible for visible aging and can also boost development of some genetic and age related diseases such as cancer or dementia. Goji berries also contain a large amount of polysaccharides which causes the body to produce more human growth hormone (HGH) from the pituitary gland which can help slow down the aging process. Goji Berries are very beneficial in cardiovascular health and our circulatory system, due to their super cholesterol lowering properties, which helps to keep your heart in tip-top shape and your blood balanced - two very important aspects of a healthy human body.

Radically raw plant foods:

Raw fruits, vegetables and seeds such as hemp and chia are all part of a balanced diet with their large, naturally occurring amount of nutrients and minerals. They contain fabulous anti-cancer phytochemicals (naturally occurring plant chemicals), which provide stress damage resistance to the cells in our body and therefore help to prevent development of aging, and certain stress or age related diseases[ii]. Essential fatty acids and high antioxidant levels found in seeds such as hemp and chia, help to boost cardiovascular health by lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol levels, maintaining the health of your skin, hair and nails and therefore protecting them from signs of aging, helping to boost visual acuity, decrease the risk of developing Dementia and Alzheimers disease, along with protecting the brain from aging effects, helping to maintain alertness and mental health. Raw plant foods also contain anti-inflammatory properties, which have been associated in helping to reduce inflammation in related health issues such as arthritis, which can provide some comfort and relief to associated pain to those certain affected areas.

Great grains:

A unique polyphenol called Avenathramides can be found in oats and has the ability to keep the arteries clear and free of any plaque build up. This same compound lowers the pro-inflammatory cytokines that can cause inflammation in the body, that is associated with certain health issues such as Parkinsons disease, Alzhiemers and cancer. Beta-glucan is another substance found in oats, which help to boost our immune system, which is very beneficial in the elderly to keep their resistance strong to certain diseases and illness.[iii] Quinoa is another ancient grain jam-packed with longevity loving goodness. It contains high levels of magnesium, which help to relax your muscles and blood vessels that affects blood pressure and is crucial for cardiovascular health. Manganese and Copper act as antioxidants in your body to get rid of disease causing substances which may be effective in treating conditions artherosclerosis, breast cancer, diabetes and insulin resistance helping to prolong a long, healthy life.

RAWsome Cacao (raw chocolate):

Unlike commercially processed and refined chocolate bars, antioxidants are preserved in raw cacao and score a huge 62,000 on the ORAC scale. By keeping cacao in its raw state, it results in a much higher level antioxidants that are not lost during intense processing methods that can dissolve plaque built up on artery walls, keeping them clear and are therefore less likely to negatively affect your hearts health. Raw cacao, being one of the richest natural sources of antioxidants has twice as much as red wine and three times the amount of green tea! These antioxidants, along with anandamides (neurotransmitters) help to increase cardiovascular health by improving blood vessel dilation, blood pressure and also lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels which are all essential in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death in North America. A feel good stress defense shield called serotonin helps us to have a good nights sleep and also protects us from stress related diseases as we age. In addition to all of these essential disease fighting substances, there are phytochemicals found in cacao that reveal it may be the most chemically complex food on earth when consumed in raw form and in every human diet to promote well-being and longevity[iv].

For more information on how to use these delicious, long-life superfoods, visit www.mumsoriginal.com for some fantastic recipe ideas!

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[i] http://www.mdsupport.org/library/zeaxanthin.html

[ii] http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=4773&Section=NUTRITION

[iii] http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/eating-longevity

[iv] http://www.ajcn.org/content/77/6/1466.short

Facts about fibre-licious foods for a fantastic healthy you

Facts about fibre

Many people know that more fibre is needed in their daily diets and some of us don’t quite consume enough. Consuming more fibre can help in many different ways. Some people may need it to lower cholesterol or blood sugar, or simply to help with regular bowel movements.

According to a panel of Canadian and US scientists, the daily intake of fibre for women aged 50 and under is 25g, and for men its 38g. Women over 50 require 21g and men require 30g. This isn’t because as you get older, you need less, it’s because as you age your body doesn’t need as many calories.

Unfortunately, many of us in North America only consume 50% of the recommended daily intake. So why is it so important for us to get the full recommended daily intake and why is this so detrimental for our health and well being? The issue is that by not consuming atleast the recommended daily intake of fibre, we could be putting ourselves at a bigger risk of some major health issues, ones that are bigger than irregular bowel movements.

Before society was introduced into todays processed fake fibres lots of different whole foods contained a whole whack of healthy mixed fibres – whole grains, beans, fruits and veggies. Sadly today, companies are adding in isolated (bad) fibres in powder form to foods that should not even contain ANY fibre at all. The simple question still remains ‘but why?', no one knows. Lets look at how fibre can help you avoid some major health issues;

Heart Disease

Data and previous studies have shown a link that fibre prevents cardiovascular disease. It has been found in a past study that there was a lower risk of heart disease in people that reported eating the most fibre.  These studies also showed that the foods that helped protect the cardiovascular system the most were grains, and the fibre found in them.  One thing that scientists however are uncertain of, is if the fibre protecting our hearts is soluble or insoluble fibre. This is due to fibres link with cholesterol – soluble fibres seem to reduce cholesterol, where as insoluble fibres do not. The best way to protect your heart and keep you pumping is to eat a balanced mix of whole grains, fruits and vegetables to keep you covered, instead of processed fibres such as those added into yogurts and frozen deserts etc. This way your keeping the full fibre package in your diet.

Diabetes

Once again, evidence has shown that fibre is also linked to another huge health issue today, diabetes. Just like heart disease, incorporating fibre from whole foods in your diet such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables is linked to a lower risk of diabetes.

Results from 2 studies – one on 65,000 women, and another on 43,000 men, showed that those who reported eating the most fibre from grains (approx. 8g) showed a huge 30% less risk than those consuming the least amount (approx.. 3g). Scientists believe that it’s the gummy-like soluble fibres in oats and barley tend to keep blood sugar levels under control. This could potentially be because of the idea that fibre slows down absorption of carbohydrates in foods, so blood sugar levels do not peak.

Colon Cancer

Since the 80’s as time and technology have progressed, the idea that fibre can prevent colon cancer is still somewhat inconclusive. Over 3 years, 700 people were told to eat 13.5g of wheat bran and another 700 were told to eat only 2g daily. At the end of this study, those consuming more fibre had no fewer pre-cancerous colon polyps that those consuming a lot less. A second study was conducted, that this time included 2000 people over 4 years. The first 1000 were told to eat a low-fat diet rich in fibre (36g daily) from whole foods, and the second 1000 people were to eat their normal diet. Once again, at the end of the study, those consuming a low-fat, fibre-rich diet had no fewer polyps. A third and much larger study by EPIC (European investigation into Cancer & Nutrition) who tracked 500,000 people in 10 countries over 5 years this time.  This time, the results were a success – the people out of those 500,000 who were consuming more fibre showed a whopping 40% lower risk of colon cancer.[1] So why is it possible that two studies failed, and one showed huge success? It is possible that its not just about ‘fibre’, but rather something about fibre-eaters that lowers their risk. Although lowering the risks of heart disease and diabetes is larger, cancer may possibly be prevented by consuming more fibre over a more lengthly period of time.

Obesity

What if eating fibre rich foods could also help you maintain your weight? Fibre can potentially slow down the rate of food leaving your stomach, keeping you full for lengthier periods of time. A study on approximately 75,000 women who increased their fibre by 12g daily, had an 8lb weight loss. A second study was with 22,000 men who increased their fibre by 20g and had a weight loss of 12lbs. This weight loss is based on eating high fibre whole foods, as opposed to high-fibre snacks and foods that are still high in calories.

So whats the difference – Isolated and Natural fibres

As mentioned previously, nowadays companies are adding in isolated fibres – Inulin, cellulose, and oat hull fibres to foods and labeling them with ‘added fibre’. This type of fibre is not naturally occurring. In order for fibre to be helpful, it has to be soluble or insoluble to help with certain conditions. For example, to lower bad cholesterol, fibre has to be soluble and viscous. Inulin, a non-natural fibre, is soluble but not vicous so it wouldn’t have the same effects on the human body as a natural fibre.

When talking also about regularity, Inulin and other false fibres are eaten up by the gastrointestinal tract before making it through. Therefore, they don’t help with this either. The only thing these types of fibres can do for you, is to give you regular gas build up and other gastrointestinal issues. Who wants that? The scary thing is that both isolated and naturally occurring fibres are all labeled the same on food products. So whats the best way to ensure your getting the good stuff? Whole foods!

Add in these super foods to your daily diet to ensure a fibre-rich, super healthy lifestyle and find out what health problems you could help youself avoid.

Hemp

• Contains good cholesterols, reduces imflammation, and improves circulation and is amazing for lowering your risks of heart disease.  
• Contains high quality lean proteins needed to naturally balance blood sugars and improve circulation; great for helping those with diabetes and also helping to avoid it.
• Natural appetite suppressant , high in fibre, leading to reduced cravings for sugary, starchy foods. Users have reported losing up to 1lb per day in some cases; fabulous for those with obesity concerns and weight loss.
• Helping to clear bowels, fantastic for helping with regularity.
• Natural hemp oils found in hemp hearts contain plant sterols reducing risk of colon cancer.

Quinoa

• High in magnesium which helps with keeping blood vessels healthy, improving cardiovascular health and reducing risk for heart disease.
• High in manganese, magnesium, folate, and phosphorous preventing diabetes and aiding those with it.
• Low in calories. Full of vitamins and minerals to aid breakdown of fats. Perfect for those wanting weight loss, or those needing help with obesity.
• A complete protein, high in fibre, making it easy to digest so the body doesn’t have to work hard to break it down or store it in the stomach for long, helping with regularity.
• Reduces secretion of bile acids which are linked to colon cancer.

Oats and Oat products

• Lowers cholesterol, aiding in lower risks of heart disease.
• Balances blood sugar levels reducing diabetes risk and diabetic complications with those already diagnosed
• High in soluble fibre, aiding in slower digestion and an extended sensation of fullness, helping those with weight loss and/or obesity.
• Helps to rid the body of toxins due to high soluble fibre, helping with regularity.
• Anticarcinogenic due to high fibre content, aiding in colon health and preventing colon cancer.

Chia

• Reduces levels of imflammation in the heart, prevents fatty deposits and supports cardiovascular health helping with the prevention of heart disease.
• Stabilizes blood sugar. Supporting diabetes  prevention and conditions.
• Reduces cravings for sweets, boosts metabolism, and high antioxidant, great for weight loss and management and those struggling with obesity.
• Easily digestible and high in fibre helping you with your regularity and prevention of colon cancer.

Cacao

• Highest dietary source of magnesium, supporting your heart, decreasing blood pressure, lowering bad cholesterol, and dilating blood vessels, amazing for heart disease prevention
• High in dietary fibre and rich in antioxidants (richest natural source!) aiding with regularity, obesity, and the prevention of colon cancer. 

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[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12737858

Superfoods - The Conqueror of Cancer?

Cancer as we know, is the one of the leading causes of death, alongside heart disease, here in North America and has effected many of us, one way or another. There are many cancer risk factors, that if we take care of ourselves properly can be prevented such as; diet, weight and physical activity. A whopping one third of all cancer deaths come from bad diets and lack of physical activity alone (1). After many years and billions of dollars in research, what if all along the foods we eat can act as preventative medicine to help conquer cancer? Just by taking a little more notice of the foods we put into our bodies, could potentially make cancer history, so it dies off and is one never to be seen again instead.

So what are the most important foods to consume to help beat cancer? Foods rich in antioxidants (such as carotenoids and Vitamin C), Omega-3 essential fatty acid (EFA), phytochemicals (plant chemicals) and high in fibre have shown to be beneficial in warding off nasty cancer causing substances. Lets take a look at what foods contain these super substances:

Antioxidant abundance:

Antioxidants are the body’s major defense against free radicals and oxidative stress. Free radicals cause havoc in the body, causing damage everywhere in their path. Antioxidants neutralize them, therefore stopping them in their tracks to ensure they can’t cause any further damage. It only makes sense to consume more antioxidant rich foods, to make sure we have a consistent supply of these fantastic little free radical fighters to maintain optimal health. Antioxidants pack in a powerful punch when it comes to putting up a fight with cancer causers and diseased invaders. They can be found in many fresh (organic is best) fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits,, green leafy veggies, broccoli and goji berries along with chia and hemp seeds, and raw cacao. By taking a look at the US department of agriculture and their ORAC scores (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity), raw cacao powder is one of the highest sources of antioxidants at a staggering 98,000 ORAC score. Raw cacao nibs come in close behind at a massive 62,000, with goji berries coming in with a huge 25,000 score. Consumption of Goji Berries has shown to have huge impact on human health, performance and disease prevention (2) Comparing these numbers to the recommended per person 3000-5000 ORAC unit consumption per day, raw cacao and goji’s jam in a truly unbeatable amount!

Veggie proteins and Omega-3

Sadly, the majority of society today sees fatty steaks and burgers as their only protein source that can hide a lot of scary chemicals. The truth is, there are a lot of whole food vegetable protein options our there also including seeds, vegetables and grains that contain a lot more than just protein and are such a versatile (and easy!) addition to any family’s diet. An abundance of Omega 3 essential fatty acid, fiber and complete protein can be found in nutrient rich foods such as quinoa, hemp seeds, chia seeds and vegetables which all contain an amazing full package of cancer fighting substances to help keep you happy and healthy inside and out.

Upping your intake of these foods and their plant-based proteins, compared to that of fatty meats, has been shown to have anti-cancer benefits due to reduced intake of ‘bad fats’ and increase of cancer fighting phytochemicals, protein, omega 3 and fiber. An Italian study showed a diet rich in vegetables protects us from the risk of developing the most common epithelial cancers and nasty neoplasms (3). 

An essential fatty acid, Omega 3, has also been shown to have anti-cancer benefits by weakening and reducing cancer cells from a variety of cancers such as colonic, pancreatic, prostate and breast cancers found in humans (4). So how about this simple solution to help contribute to a cancer fighting body: cut out (or at least reduce to start) fatty meats, and increase crisp, fresh vegetables, wholesome whole grains such as nutty quinoa along with hemp and chia super seeds. Sounds delish and your body will thank you!

Say goodbye

What if by following these simple, dietary changes we could help beat cancer forever? The evidence is there that by cutting out bad dietary habits and simply starting by avoiding those drive-thru’s, increasing exercise, and including a daily diet that incorporates all of the above antioxidants, vegetable proteins, and wholesome fiber packed grains, we can stand up for our bodies and say NO to cancer. After all, isn’t a whole superfoods diet like this the type we should be eating anyway?

For RAW-some recipes on how to help you conquer cancer with these top superfoods, visit www.mumsoriginal.com and help prepare to say good riddens to cancer.

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[i] http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/EatHealthyGetActive/ACSGuidelinesonNutritionPhysicalActivityforCancerPrevention/acs-guidelines-on-nutrition-and-physical-activity-for-cancer-prevention-intro

[ii] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18211023

[iii] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18211023

[iv] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19442044

Raw Cacao for Ravishing Skin

Were you ever told when you were younger if you ‘eat too much chocolate you’ll get bad skin!? If you didn’t know already, then you’ll be pleased that it’s not in fact chocolate (in raw cacao form that is!) that contributes to poor skin health. Raw chocolate, known as cacao, or ‘food of the gods’ has actually shown to be extremely beneficial for our skin’s health, along with an abundance of other superb health benefits due to its pure, antioxidant rich and nutrient dense composition. By consuming raw cacao on a daily basis, you are actually benefitting your skin in so many ways that you may not have ever known, providing it with a true medicine straight from nature. So stay away from processed and highly sugared chocolate bars and get chomping on that raw cacao!

Raw cacao and its sky rocketing amounts of amazing antioxidants are what make raw cacao contribute to super skin. Collagen, found naturally in our skin, decreases as we age eventually leading to droopy and weathered skin. The aging process can also sped up by environmental pollutants, free radicals, and damage from the natural sun in todays busy world. The good news is that natural flavonoids, an antioxidant, found in Cacao helps to protect collagen in the skin, helping to slow down the aging process. These same flavonoids also improve skins appearance and texture by increasing blood flow to the skin, delivering healthy beneficial nutrients faster while decreasing the skins sensitivity to light, helping to protect our skin from harmful UV rays.

These fantastic flavonoids along with a substantial amount of natural sulphur found in cacao, have also been shown to improve skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and even acne. Increased blood flow to the skin from cacao’s large antioxidant content results in better delivery of nutrients and the removal of nasty toxins from the blood, expelling them for good from the body. For those who may currently suffer with acne or oily skin, don’t fear - cacao can aid and benefit your skin too. Cacao aids your skin to help reduce overly oily production by gently and slowly drying it out. Its antimicrobial properties may help reduce inflammation, so those pores won’t become blocked and those unsightly and unwanted pimples will slowly dry away. Toss or sprinkle raw cacao into homemade baked goods, smoothies, oatmeal or simply eat on its own and start to notice a difference in your skin with cacao’s super-cleansing content!

For delicious recipe ideas on how to use Mum's Original Raw Cacao Nibs, Cacao Powder, Coconut Cacao Nibs or Cacao Beans for better skin from the inside out, visit us at www.mumsoriginal.com.

Sugar Chart - Everything You Need to Know About Sugar!

Everyone loves to "eat sweet" at least once in a while. But what are the best sweet choices for you and your family? Here at Mum's Original, we know how important it is for you to know where your food comes from, and want to provide you with the best food possible that you can benefit from by putting into your body. We’ve made it easy for you with our super sugar chart. Here you can find and compare all different kinds of sugars, from the naturally occurring super-healthy all the way to the artificially processed chemical kind.

By simply changing your sweetener of choice in your morning coffee to a healthier, more nutrient rich option, you could benefit your health in ways you never knew you could. Take a look at our sugar chart, we’ve done the research for you and we’re sure you will be just as surprised as we were. We have also provided you with our ‘Best, Better, Bad’ simple shopping list so you can still enjoy a little sweetness in a healthy, nutrient rich way. Keep it handy – it will help you to easily ensure that you pick the best sugar options for your family’s health, right off that grocery store shelf! After all, you are what you eat!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR SUGAR CHART!!!

Help beat heart disease with these top heart-healthy superfoods

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD),  are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels.  Heart attacks and strokes are the most common form of CVD which are basically blockages that prevent blood from flowing to the heart or brain.  CVD is the leading cause of death in North America and especially those with diabetes.  This prevalent disease  kills more North Americans each year than all of the different forms of cancer put together. [1] Along with a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise, no smoking, blood pressure checks, and maintaining a healthy weight - you can help beat CVD by using one useful weapon….superfoods.

Powerful antioxidants found in a variety of superfoods help to fight off harmful free radicals which also contribute to a heart disease and a whole number of health issues such as diabetes. In addition, a diet that includes superfoods containing high fiber, Essential Fatty Acids and anti-inflammatory properties all work to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, chronic inflammation and blood clotting in the human body which are other nasty contributors to CVD and diabetes.[2]

You can easily decrease your risks of developing CVD and diabetes by using these top delicious superfoods daily and help to maintain a healthy heart:

Wheat Free Oats

• High in fiber, folate and essential fatty acids.
• Helps keep arteries clear and levels of bad cholesterol down.
• Keeps you feeling full for longer, reducing cravings for unhealthy, sugary snacks.
• Consuming low glycemic Oats/Oat products can help reduce your risk for developing diabetes which is a risk factor for heart disease.
• Opt for nutrient dense, high fiber quick flake or steele cut oats for maximum benefits as opposed to instant options -  they contain bad for your body sugars that your body doesn’t need.
• Reach for Oat Flour instead of White Flour to increase fiber content in baking and cooking.

Raw Cacao

• Blood thinning effect helping to avoid blood clots and reduce stress on heart.
• Reduces inflammation in the body.
• Contains oleic acid, a heart healthy monounsaturated fat that can help to reduce blood pressure.
• One of the richest natural sources of antioxidants (a staggering 98,00 ORAC score for raw cacao powder), higher than red wine and green tea. These antioxidants help improve blood vessel dilation and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.
• 1 to 2% of cacao is Theobromine (an anti-bacterial) which helps to dilate blood vessels resulting in the heart not having to pump as hard.
• An excellent source of magnesium which relaxes blood vessels.
• Ensure 2 Tablespoons a day of raw cacao nibs or raw coconut cacao nibs for benefits, and ensure that raw cacao powder is used instead of the over processed and nutrient deficient Dutch or processed cocoa powder.

Quinoa

• Good source of magnesium – a mineral that helps relax blood vessels.
• Works as a prebiotic, providing the body with healthy bacteria to help fight off damaging free radicals.
• Help to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and blood sugar.
• Long term studies indicate that 6 servings of whole grains per week can help slow the progression of atherosclerosis (plaque that narrows blood vessels) and stenosis (narrowing of the diameter of arterial passageways).[3]
• Swap out your gluten rich pastas and high starch white rice dishes for nutrient rich quinoa ones.

Goji Berries

• Reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increases HDL (good) cholesterol.
• Contain cyperone (an active ingredient), a sesquiterpene that benefits the heart and blood pressure.
• Anthocyanins (the red flavonoid pigment in Goji berries) help to maintain the strength and integrity of coronary arteries.
• Rich source of four polysaccharides can help to reduce blood pressure.
• Can neutralize free radical superoxide by up to 40%.[4]
• Use gojis instead of high sugar low nutrient dried fruits like raisins or apricots. A handful a day keeps CVD away!

White Chia

• Reduces blood sugar swings by up to 40% as it slows down the conversion of carbohydrates to simple sugars – beneficial for diabetics and therefore reducing risk of heart disease.
• Helps to thin blood up to 22% so your heart doesn’t have to pump as hard without affecting coagulation.
• Extremely high Essential Fatty Acid content (3:1 - Omega 3:Omega 6) which supports our cardiovascular system.
• 2-4 Tablespoons of chia a day will have huge heart effects. Simply sprinkle on foods that you use!

Coconut

• A natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial which help to eliminate bacterial/viral lesions on artery walls.
• Can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and reduce insulin levels.
• Regulates blood cholesterol levels as well as triglycerides to help with heart disease prevention.
• Coconut sugar is a low glycemic natural sweetener that will decrease body's insulin levels and keep liver-fat-forming-fructose to a minimum!
• Extremely high fiber in Coconut Flour to help reduce bad LDL and increase the healthy HDL.
• Prevents oxidization of cholesterol, one of the main causes of atherosclerosis.
• Swap out bad flour choices for coconut flour. Use coconut oil in lieu of canola or olive oil when frying and opt for coconut sugar for baking and daily use as a sweetener. Your heart will thank you.

Banana

• Contains oleic acid, a heart healthy monounsaturated fat that can reduce blood pressure.
• High in fiber which helps control blood sugar levels by slowing down the release of sugars from the digestive tract, therefore reducing your risk of heart disease later in life.
• Soluble fiber content helps lower cholesterol levels by promoting the excretion of bile to excrete bad cholesterol from the body.
• Eat a banana a day, or more simply use 1-2  Tablespoons of banana powder in smoothies,  add to  dips, use in salad dressing and in baked goodies.

Visit us at www.mumsoriginal.com to find out more about these amazing super healing superfoods and how to use them with our fabulous recipes!!

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[1] http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm

[2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16407732

[3] http://www.ahjonline.com/article/S0002-8703(04)00507-1/abstract

[4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=chinese%20study%20on%20goji%20and%20SOD

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Himalayan Rock Salt – A Natural Alternative to Toxic Junk in the Trunk

Guest post by co-founder and Superfoody, Ann Barnes

Stuffed Up

Over time, any bad food that you've ever eaten (like procesed food, high bad-fat foods simple carbohydrates and sugars) often get left behind as our bad-choice calling card. Where does it get left? Well this undigested food and waste material build up and stick to the walls of our intestinal tract and colon. With over 25 - 30 feet of digestive tract, this micro-ecosystem becomes a breeding ground for anaerobic bacteria, which over time can cause serious health problems. Additionally, this toxic enviornment lays the foundation for a 5 star rated hotel stay for parasites which are commonly absorbed by exposure to: animals, soil, contaminated water or improperly cooked meat (pork is especially dangerous)[i].

Common complaints such as constipation and poor bowel movement (3 times a day is the goal) are indicators of an impaction of hard left behind fecal matter in the small intestine, large intestine and colon.

Symptoms of fecal build up include:

• a sensation that the bowels haven't completely emptied
• bloating of the abdomen
• headaches
• skin rashes
• "rumbling" noise when digesting food
• gas
• indigestion
• infrequent bowel movements
• hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass
• loss of appetite
• pain or pressure in the belly
• some bleeding as a result of straining

There are a number of ways to remove these toxins: colon hydrotheraphy (colonic irrigations); enemas (which only gets the last 8-12 inches of the digestive tract); herbal supplements (which don't cleanse the digestive track but just empty it and can also have side effects) and laxatives (which can lead to side effects including dehydration and loss of muscle around the colon lining) and most simply a "salt water flush".

Salt Water Flush

A salt water flush (SWF) is one of the easiest and quickest ways to clean your colon, stomach and the intestine. It will help to remove stored up toxins, left behind fecal matter, parasites and bacteria from your entire digestive tract. The SWF works as the salt water's saliency is the same as your body's saliency. So the water does not get absorbed into the body, but rather simply is flushed right through. The salt allows for your insides to be cleansed as well. Salt is a natural way to kill bacteria, which is why we rinse our mouths out with salt water to kill mouth bacteria or do salt gargles when we have a sore throat. So while this is winding its way through your system it has the same effect.

The SWF can help to:

• cleanse & oxygenate the colon, small and large intestines

• removes unwanted waste matter
• removes extra weight and can help jump start to a new diet plan
• promotes optimal colon health
• promotes and nourish friendly intestinal flora
• can hemp remove parasites such as candida (overgrowth of yeast and/or fungus) that have damaging side effects
• improve digestion
• improve skin
• promote better sleep
• increase the strength of the immune system

Get Started

To do a salt water colon cleanse, make sure that you do it when you have time to be close to the ‘loo’ so schedule at least a half or full day to do it. So make sure you have nothing to do and don’t need to leave the house.

The salt water colon cleanse starts with:

·       one quart (8 cups) of lukewarm pre-boiled purified water

·       add one heaping tablespoon of Mum’s Original Inner Mountain Himalayan Rock Salt (do NOT substitute for ionized table salt)

·       add one tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)

Stir or shake it until the salt fully dissolves. Drink this salt water mixture quickly (within 30 minutes). For optimal results lay down and gently massage your stomach down to your colon area to help break up accumulated fecal matter. Within thirty minutes to two hours after drinking the SWF you will feel pressure on your colon (and may hear gurgling noises) and will feel the need to go FAST! You may have several bowel movements over the next few hours and they may be very watery – which is what you want.

After your cleanse, all bacteria has been removed – the good and the bad - so don’t forget to take some probiotic supplements or eat fermented foods like sauerkraut to ensure that colon-friendly good bacteria can be effectively replaced. Help your system remain clean by getting the right amount of fiber rich foods: like chia, hemp and oatmeal, along with a colon-friendly diet that includes nutrient rich foods like fruits and veggies, beans, gojis and quinoa.

Always consult your doctor before undergoing a colon cleanse.

[i] http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets/Parasites_and_Foodborne_Illness/index.asp

Ann Barnes, is the co-founder of Mum's Original and considers herself a "Superfoody". As a mother of two young children, Ann left her fast-paced career as an entertainment lawyer to pursue her love of health, nutrition and easy healthy-home cooking. She is the author of the healthy living book: "BETTER BEING",  which provides simple answers and recipes for clean and balanced living. Now leading an organic, gluten free and vegan lifestyle, Ann shares her healthy tips and whole food recipes to help everyone to get a little bit better.