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Healthy Living For Students

June 5th, 2011

How To Guide To Healthy Living For Students

healthy living for students

Healthy living for students can be challenging.
Money and time are often tight, and long hours spent studying can leave you mindlessly reaching for fatty and sugary snacks for energy.
The typical student lifestyle is often heavy on alcohol, take-outs and partying. All of this can lead to many people gaining significant weight during their student years, which can be very difficult to shift.
To avoid having to go through the pain of trying to lose the weight gained during an unhealthy student lifestyle, why not make a commitment to living healthily during your student years? By incorporating some of the principles of a Raw food diet, you can not only eat economically and prepare healthy foods quickly, but you will also have abundant energy which is bound to have a positive effect on your grades. A healthy, well nourished body will also be able to withstand the rigours of student life much more effectively, so you will still be able to “burn the candle at both ends” whilst feeling the effects far less!
Here are some top tips to living healthily as a student:

Healthy Living For Students Top Tip # 1

Make eating healthily fast and hassle free.
As a student, you have a busy life, and most often need to grab food on the go.
Set aside one afternoon a week to prepare healthy food for the week ahead.
For example, chop and freeze bananas that can be thrown in smoothies later in the week.
Prepare a batch of healthy salad dressing that can be tossed over salads throughout the week. Mix together nuts, seeds and cacao nibs to that you can grab a handful of whenever you need some energy.

Healthy Living For Students Top Tip #2

Make healthy eating the economical choice
There is a popular misconception that eating healthily is expensive. But if you add up the cost of take-outs, ready meals and other convenience foods you will see that eating healthy can actually be much more friendly on your wallet. Buy healthy ingredients in bulk whenever possible to save both money and time. Do some research to find out which stores offer discounts to students, and use price comparison sites to find the best weekly deals. Ordering your weekly groceries online can also prevent you impulse buying and making unhealthy choices. Write out a list and stick to it.

Healthy living for students does not have to be difficult, time consuming or expensive. With a little forward planning and organization, you can eat both healthily and cheaply as a student, by incorporating some of the principles of a Raw food diet.

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Posted in Eating for Energy, Food For Thought, General Nutrition

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Stocking A Natural Foods Pantry

May 23rd, 2011

How To Stock A Natural Foods Pantry

natural foods pantry

If you want to improve your diet, and move over to a diet higher in Raw, plant based foods, then by having a well stocked pantry full of natural foods you will be able to create endless Raw food recipes.

Many of the following ingredients form the basis of many of the meals in Eating For Energy, as well as Raw food recipes you may find elsewhere.

It is not necessary to stock your pantry with all of these items at once. Draw up a meal plan for a week or two at a time, and slowly stock your kitchen with these items. Some are more expensive than others; however, by shopping around and buying in bulk you will save money in the long run.

You will also find that once you have all of these ingredients, your weekly grocery shop will mostly consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, with only the occasional need to replenish these things.

Your Natural Foods Pantry – Nuts, Seeds and Dried Fruit

Nuts are one of the most important ingredients in a natural foods pantry. They are included in some form or another in a large proportion of Raw recipes. The most economical way to buy Raw nuts is in bulk, and this is definitely a good idea as you will find yourself using such a large quantity of them.

There are a huge selection of nuts to choose from, the ones I suggest to start with are:

  • Almonds, Cashews, Macadamia Nuts, Walnuts, Pecans, plus any other favourites you may have.

Seeds are another essential feature of a natural foods pantry, providing an instant high energy snack full of vitamins, minerals and protein. They are also great for adding to smoothies and sprinkling on salads. Some essential seeds to start with include:

  • Hemp, Pumpkin, Sunflower, sesame, flax and pumpkin, plus Alfalfa seeds for sprouting

Dried Fruit provides a natural source of simple sugars which are great for a pre workout snack. They are also add a delicious sweetness and texture to salads. Stock up on:

  • Raisins, Goji berries, apricots, cherries, dates

Your Natural Foods Pantry – Grains

Non glutinous grains are the easiest to digest and are the basis of many Raw recipes, providing a rich source of protein as well as many other vitamins and minerals. Stock your
natural foods pantry with:

  • Buckwheat Groats (technically a seed, but can be used as a Raw cereal when sprouted), Quinoa, brown rice, amaranth and millet

Your Natural Foods Pantry – Pulses and Beans

Always have a selection of pulses and beans on hand, so you can have a constant crop of home grown sprouts:

  • Lentils, Chickpeas, mung beans, adzuki beans

Your Natural Foods Pantry – Dried Herbs and Spices

Dried herbs and spices will transform the flavour of your dishes, as well as being an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. You will find yourself using them in almost every dish, so stock up on as many as you can.

  • Sweet Spices: Nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, cardamon
  • Spices for heat: Chilli powder, red pepper flakes, paprika and cayenne pepper
  • Asian Spices: Ground coriander, cumin, garam masala
  • Black Pepper and Himalayan Sea Salt

Your Natural Foods Pantry – Coconut Products

Although coconut is a nut, it deserves its own section, due to the wide variety of ways you can use coconut in your Raw dishes. As well as fresh coconuts, be sure to keep in your natural foods pantry :

  • Shredded coconut, Coconut Oil, Coconut Water, Coconut Butter

Your Natural Foods Pantry – Oils

Raw oils provide you with essential fats, and are delicious as salad dressings and mixed into smoothies for extra nutrition. Some oils to have are:

  • Olive oil, Flax oil, Sesame Oil and Fish Oil

Your Natural Foods Pantry – Raw Sweeteners and Sweet Ingredients

Natural sweeteners do not have the same effect on blood sugar, as refined sweeteners such as processed sugar. They are used in soups, smoothies and in Raw desserts.

  • Agave nectar, Raw Honey, Cacao Powder, Cacao nibs, Vanilla Extract

Your Natural Foods Pantry – Sea Vegetables

Sea vegetables are used to make Raw sushi and wraps, as well as being sprinkled over salads and other Raw dishes. Make sure you have:

  • Dulse/Kelp flakes, Nori sheets

Your Natural Foods Pantry – Extra Ingredients

Your natural foods pantry and refrigerator could also include the following:

  • Tahini
  • Braggs Liquid aminos
  • Fermented Sauerkraut
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Nutritional yeast

Boosters ( To be added to smoothies, soups etc, for extra protein:

  • Spirulina Powder
  • Hemp protein Powder
  • Glutamine Powder

All of these ingredients will enable you to make the meals in the Eating For Energy 12 week meal plan (with the addition of fresh fruit and vegetables), and will provide you with an incredible natural foods pantry.

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Advantages Of Organic Food

May 16th, 2011

Advantages Of Organic food – Is It Really Worth It?

advantages of organic food

Are you always hearing that organic food is superior to non-organic, but aren’t sure why? After all, organic food is expensive and difficult to find, right? Wrong!

Here are the reasons why NOT eating organic can cost you a lot more in the long run, and how with a little planning it doesn’t have to cost more than non-organic food.

Below are some of the advantages of organic food:

1.) Organic food has more nutritional value, having been grown in nutrient dense soil, free from chemicals that are designed to kill living things.

2.) Organic food is infinitely better for the environment that non organic – the pesticides and chemicals that are used in intensive farming methods wreak all sorts of havoc.  Polluting the water supply, contributing to soil erosion and poisoning the water supply are just some of the effects caused by non organic food production methods.

3.) Organic foods taste so much better – purer, like nature intended. As you begin to eat a larger proportion of organic foods you will be shocked at the difference you notice in taste between organic and non organic foods.

Ways to enjoy the advantages of organic food on any budget:

1.) Buy in bulk – these days, it not just fruit and vegetables that are available in organic, there is an organic version of almost everything. Buy organic foods that have a long shelf life (such as nuts, seeds, cacao, oil etc.) online in bulk. This will cost more initially, but you will end up saving much more in the long run (and spending less than on your usual non organic food!) and will save you the hassle of having to shop so regularly. You could even get together with a neighbor or family member to split large packs of bulk organic produce so that you both get to benefit from the saving while reducing the initial financial outlay.

 

2.) If you don’t want to switch to everything organic, then choose which foods you do switch to organic wisely. Fruits and vegetables that are generally sprayed most heavily with pesticides include grapes, strawberries, bell peppers, apples, peaches, cherries, celery, apricots and bananas.

 

3.) Consider growing your own! Maintaining your own organic fruit and vegetable garden is one of the most cost effective and spiritually satisfying ways of getting more organic produce into your diet. If this is not an option for you, then at the very least grow your own organic sprouts and some windowsill organic herbs.

As you switch to higher quality, Raw organic food, you will find yourself having less desire for expensive processed convenience foods. You will also be infusing your body with nutrient dense food which will leave you feeling satisfied with less. Organic foods give you the maximum nutritional bang for your buck meaning that you will start to focus less on quantity and more on quality.

As you can see there are many advantages of organic food, and with a little forward planning going organic doesn’t have to cost any more. As you can see, NOT going organic may prove to be far more costly in the long run. With the above tips and tricks you can enjoy the full advantages of organic food in the most cost effective way possible.

 

 

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Living The Raw Food Lifestyle

May 10th, 2011

Tips For Living The Raw Food Lifestyle

raw food lifestyle

Choosing to eat a diet high in raw food is more than a dietary choice – it is a lifestyle choice. By choosing this healthy lifestyle, you are taking control of your own destiny – a destiny that includes abundant energy, great health and a conscious decision to lower the environmental cost of feeding yourself and your family.

It can sometimes be difficult to stay on track, as our societies, especially in the developed world, are designed to enable us not to have to think about our eating habits. Therefore, making the decision to switch to a raw food lifestyle can be a daunting one, but as long as you are armed with the correct information then it can be an easy and enjoyable transition. Also, once you have switched to a high eating a higher percentage of raw food you will feel so amazing that you will never want to go back! Here are a few great tips to make switching to Raw as easy as possible:

Educate Yourself Fully On The Benefits Of A Raw Food Lifestyle

Find out everything you can about the health benefits of switching to a high Raw diet, and the amazing changes this will bring to your life. This will fire you up to start incorporating more Raw foods into your diet and to embrace the Raw food lifestyle. Eating For Energy provides in-depth information on all aspects of eating Raw, and gives you all the advice and motivation you need to get started.

Surround Yourself with Those Already Living The Raw Food Lifestyle

 

Nothing is more inspiring than surrounding yourself with those that are already living and loving the Raw food lifestyle. This can include stopping by regularly to blogs such as this one, joining Raw food groups on Facebook and participating in Raw food forums. In some of the larger cities in the US, Canada and Europe there are also regular Raw food meet-ups where like minded people can get together to eat Raw food and discuss the Raw lifestyle. Do a search on Google, or stop by a forum to see if you can find a meet-up near you.

 

Prep Your Kitchen For Success

Nothing is more likely to hinder your ability to succeed with your Raw food lifestyle than being unprepared to make Raw food meals. If you don’t want to invest in all of the ingredients and equipment to make a wide variety of Raw recipes straight away, then you can gradually incorporate more raw meals into your diet every week, and build up your Raw food store cupboard and kitchen equipment slowly. Use the meal plans and recipes in “Eating For Energy” to get started, and see this article on basic kitchen equipment for creating Raw food meals to help you out.

By preparing properly to embrace a Raw food lifestyle you are much more likely to find this an exciting and enjoyable transition.

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Maintaing A Raw Food Diet Meal Plan On The Go

May 5th, 2011

How To Maintain A Raw Food Diet Meal Plan When Travelling

Raw Food Diet Plan

For those of us who try to maintain a high Raw lifestyle, or are considering doing so, one of the most challenging aspects is maintaining a raw food diet meal plan when travelling.

Most of us are faced with some form of travel that involves making food choices outside of the home on a weekly or even daily basis.

This includes travel to work, staying with friends, meals in restaurants, business trips, weekends away and family vacations.

While it may seem like an impossible task to maintain a Raw Food Diet Meal Plan during these times, with a little forward planning and know how it can become second nature to live “Raw” and still be able to lead a normal life!

Tops Tips For Maintaing Your Raw Food Diet Meal Plan “On The Go”

Tip #1: Research “Raw” Restaurants, Shops and Take-Outs On Your Route

If you are taking a road trip then do some research before you set off, of places that you will be able to stop off that will have Raw food diet options. This could include restaurants, take-outs or grocery stores. If you can plan your route so that you are able to stop off at some of these places, it will save the need for packing so much of your own food.

This also applies to your daily trip to work, or other places that you regularly travel to locally. There may well be a vegan restaurant, or a health food store which is only a couple of blocks away from your regular route that you don’t even know about! You may be pleasantly surprised at how many options are available to you once you start looking!

Tip # 2: Always Travel With Foods To Help You Stick To Your Raw Food Diet Meal Plan

If you find yourself in a situation where there are no Raw or healthy food choices available, then having your own supply of healthy Raw snacks can keep you going until you are able to access more suitable foods. This will also stop you from becoming ravenously hungry and giving in to unhealthy options. Some Raw food options that are great for travel include Raw granola, nuts, seeds, dried fruit and smoothies (kept in a cool bag).

Tip # 3: Get Raw food delivered to your destination

If you will be travelling away from home on vacation or business, then there are a number of options for having Raw food delivered to your hotel or place you are staying. For example, research in advance having an organic fruit and veg box delivered to your destination. In many countries where the Raw diet is beginning to gain more momentum, there are now companies that will deliver a complete daily or weekly Raw food diet meal plan to your door. Check out what options are available in your country.

 

Tip # 4: Plan Ahead When Eating Out

There is no need to refuse invitations to eat out with friends when following a Raw food diet plan. After all, you are likely to lose your resolve to stick to this lifestyle in the long term if you feel as though you must miss out on social situations. Research local restaurants in your area that provide Raw options, and suggest these as venues for your next meal out. If you do not have control over where you are eating, then plan ahead by checking out the menu online. This way you can decide on the healthiest option, and won’t need to spend hours agonising over the menu when you arrive at the restaurant. Lastly, if you do need to stray away from your Raw food diet plan for the occasional meal then don’t stress too much. Just make an effort to choose the healthiest options possible, and remember that as long as you aim to eat Raw around 80% of the time you will still reap enormous health benefits.

I hope these tips have given you some great ideas on how to stick to your Raw food diet meal plan, while still living in the real world!

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