THE IMPORTANCE OF CHICKPEAS IN THE DIET

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a staple that should be in everyone's pantry.  First of all, they are an excellent source of protein so anyone who wants to cut back on animal protein definitely needs chickpeas in their diet.  Chickpeas are also an anti-inflammatory, which has been discussed on this blog as vitally important to our overall health.  Another nutritional benefit of eating chickpeas is the fiber benefits.  Again, fiber has been discussed on this blog as vitally important to good health.  Chickpeas are also good regulators of blood sugar and cholesterol.  And along with other high-fiber vegetables, chickpeas help to flush toxins from the body, and they may reduce colon cancer risks.

It really is easy to include chickpeas in your diet on a regular basis.  Add them to salads, toss them in soups and casseroles, etc.  As a diabetic, I sometimes just open a can of chickpeas and eat a spoonful or two if my blood sugar starts to spike.  If chickpeas are not a regular part of your diet, you should consider adding them!

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TOXINS

Our bodies are bombarded with toxins on a daily basis.  We consume toxins when we eat fruits and vegetables with pesticide residue, we get mercury from fish, much of what we eat is food that has chemicals added for preservation, etc. Our foods also contain food dyes, chemical flavorings, and food additives.  We all get these things into our bodies no matter how carefully you think you watch what you eat!

We also breathe toxins into our bodies no matter where you live.  Our cars, factories, etc release methane and carbon monoxide into our air.  Smokers cause carcinogens to be released by their cigarette smoke.  All of us breathe this air.  It is impossible to breathe and not take toxins into your body.

 We drink toxins, too.  Some of the toxins in our drinking water include methane, bleach, and ammonia.  Swim?  Chlorine along with other chemicals are in the water and are absorbed by the skin and swallowed by swimmers at times.

Our bodies, however, are made to detoxify themselves.  That is why we have a liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, etc.  Their role is to keep our bodies detoxified by using our circulatory, digestive, and lymphatic systems.  What you eat and drink has a huge part to play in how well these systems are able to do their jobs.  Unless recommended by your doctor, you do not need to use cleansing fasts, diets, products, etc (in fact they could be harmful!).  But you do need to eat properly and keep your body hydrated!  Below are some natural, healthy ways for you to keep your body cleansed.  I'm sure there are many more but here are a few of the basic ones:

• Drink plenty of water.  A glass or bottle of water a day will not cut it.  You need to have 6 to 8 glasses a day!
• Drink green tea.  Green tea is an antioxidant that washes toxins from the body.  It also contains a special antioxidant, catechins, which is believed to increase liver function.  Remember, liver is one of our natural detoxification systems. Make a habit of having some green tea every day.  Whether you drink it hot or cold, remember to include it in your daily diet.
• Make sure you are eating healthy fiber every day.  An apple is a good example.  Not only does an apple have fiber (eat the peel), but it also has a high-water content to help with hydration.  Fiber is essential to keep your colon cleansed therefore eliminating toxins from your digestion system.
• Eat raw food every day.  Raw food is food that is not processed or cooked to death.  Fruits, nuts, veggies, etc should be included in your diet every day. 
• Include seeds in your diet.  Snack on or add to baked goods, cereals, etc the following: flax seed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
• Omega-3 oils help lubricate the intestinal walls.  Toxins become absorbed by the oils and thus eliminated from the body.  Include olive, canola, and/or flax seed oils in your diet.  Also, the oils in avocado are omega-3s.  Certain fish are also high in omega-3s.
• Garlic stimulates the liver to produce detoxification enzymes.  These enzymes help to filter toxins from the digestive system.  Learn to flavor foods with fresh garlic.

Read this article over two or three times if necessary but get these ideas ingrained into your psyche so they become an everyday part of your diet.  You will be doing your body a huge favor and it will respond by making you feel better and be healthier.  You only get one body.  It is up to you to take care of it.

Are these foods and others like them a regular part of your diet?  If they aren't, they should be!

BENEFITS OF COLORFUL FRUITS & VEGETABLES PART III

This is the third and last post regarding the benefits of adding colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet.  Again, remember this is only a partial list of colorful fruits and veggies and some of the unexpected benefits you can get from them.

• PURPLE - Beets get their color from betalain which helps to flush toxins from the body.  No need for harsh "cleansing" routines, just add a serving of beets to your diet every week.
• Purple cabbage (often referred to as red cabbage) has 6 times the vitamin C and more antioxidants per 100 grams that does green cabbage.

• BLUE - Blueberries are often referred to as the ultimate brain food since they defend against dementia and Alzheimer's.  Studies have also shown that persons who eat 2 cups of blueberries per week have a 25% less likely chance of developing Parkinson's disease.

• WHITE - Yes, there are white foods other than processed bread and pasta!  Garlic is known for its sulfur compounds that convert to a gas that lowers blood pressure.  Garlic also reduces the risk of blood clots by stopping platelets from becoming too sticky!
• Cauliflower which contains both vitamin K and omega-3s is known to defend against chronic inflammation and to lower one's risk of both cancer and heart disease when eaten on a regular basis.

• BLACK - Blackberries contain salicylate, a natural pain reliever.  They also soothe stomach cramps and ward off atherosclerosis.
• Raisins and other foods containing the mineral boron may provide some of the same benefits as estrogen therapy for women in menopause.

I'll just imagine you have found a few benefits in some fruits and vegetables that you had never known existed or had even considered.  Amazing how God created foods to take care of our bodies when used correctly!

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