Choosing Health: A Lifestyle for a Positive Way of Living - Part 3

Begin the journey with basic knowledge for a healthy kitchen and learn why Teflon and silicon coated utensils are toxic.

A healthy kitchen is a good kitchen. Anyone can learn the basics. Keeping close to the Food Pyramid will guarantee good eating habits.

Keeping fresh fruits and vegetables on hand is always best. Frozen is second best. Canned and processed foods should be kept to a minimum. If opting for these, try to purchase brands that contain the least amount of sodium and additives.

It takes a lot of energy for the body to filter out excess salt and artificial ingredients. By eating healthier, you will conserve energy. The bloodstream quickly absorbs nutrients and weight is easier to maintain when the liver and kidneys are not overtaxed.

Unnecessary calories are stored in fat cells. It is beneficial to drink six to eight glasses of water daily. When water is taken on an empty stomach, toxins are released and washed away.

Drinking water, green tea and fresh fruit and vegetable juice will aid in the reduction of weight. Remember it takes the body a lot of energy to digest heavy proteins and fats.

It is just as easy to prepare fresh vegetables as it is frozen or canned. With the newest utensils available, fresh foods can be prepared in minutes, even sooner than frozen foods. Vegetables do not have to be cooked for long periods of time. Don’t be intimidated by vegetables you’ve never tried before. They are all good for you.

Cooking in woks and cast iron pots and pans are easy to clean and a great way to add iron, a necessary mineral, to meals.

Lemon will add lithium to your diet. Fresh lemon juice is alkaline and will neutralize the stomach’s acids. Try drinking a glass of water with a fresh squeezed lemon at least once a day. There are nutrients in lemons that will aid in stabilizing emotions. While discovering new eating habits, don’t forget to experiment and have fun.

Experiment with stir-fries! These are easy to learn and easy to make. Learning to chop and slice is therapeutic. If time is of the essence, supermarkets now carry packaged produce already cleaned and sliced for you. It might cost a bit more, but these are very handy to have around and you will save time.

Toxic Teflon and Silicon Coated Utensils

When Teflon and silicone coated utensils are overheated, poisons escape and will kill pet birds. If you choose to own a bird, please discard any Teflon and silicone coated pots and pans. A bird’s delicate structure cannot handle these invisible, poisonous fumes.

See Part 4 of this series - Choosing Health: A Lifestyle for a Positive Way of Living - Part 4