Life can be complicated… we expend so much energy in our quest to find purpose and fulfillment, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, meaningful employment and financial stability. Add to that all of our concerns about the well being of our loved ones and the stability of the world around us filtered through a myriad of conflicting messages from all of the experts… running on this treadmill of life can be exhausting!But staying healthy doesn’t have to be complicated. Trying to supplement our health with multiple vitamins, minerals, oils, concentrated fruit extracts and diet guidelines according to body type, generational tendencies or in response to symptoms can be simplified by eating a variety of healthy, living foods. Supplementation is not a bad thing but it is no substitution for healthy eating.The best way to ensure getting sufficient nutrients (protein, fats, and carbohydrates) is to eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans and legumes. Eating our nutrients in their whole form provides the necessary protein and fiber needed with the appropriate balance of necessary trace elements needed to provide the most nourishment to the body.

· Live foods produce life in our bodies while dead foods tend to produce inflammation, which leads to disease. Cooking food destroys the enzymes which are essential for breaking down our food for proper assimilation.
· In order to be fully absorbed and utilized, supplements need to contain all of the trace elements that are found naturally with those vitamins/minerals contained in the supplement. Many of these trace elements have yet to be discovered, so it is unlikely that all of them are present in any supplement, unless it is a whole food supplement.
· Avoid synthetic or standardized supplements which may cost less but are missing valuable micronutrients. Standardization is a process which extracts a particular constituent of a plant—the part considered to be the active ingredient—changing its composition from a plant to an isolated chemical.
· Inorganic minerals are not fully assimilated and tend to deposit in weakened areas of our body resulting in calcium deposits, kidney stones, and arterial plaque.
· Distilled water, because it contains nothing but pure water, will draw the deposited inorganic minerals from our body and eliminate them. It will not pull organic minerals from your body since your system recognizes them as food and readily makes use of them.

A few of my favorite SALAD SUPPLEMENTS

Sprouts: to add a mega-nutrient punch to your diet, sprout anything that can be sprouted—beans, lentils, alfalfa seeds, broccoli seeds. The roots of the alfalfa plant extend 40 feet into the earth and are packed with living, organic vitamins and minerals. Sprouting increases the potency of these nutrients by as much as 1,000% and can be added to salads, soups and sandwiches.

Dandelion greens: these are naturally bitter, but add an interesting flavor when combined with other mixed greens. Dandelions feed the liver which works overtime to purify the toxins from our body.

Parsley: nourishes the kidneys.

Beans: a great source of fiber that helps stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce sugar cravings.

Beets: for building the blood. Raw is best.

Avocado: contains nearly 20 vitamins and minerals including lutein for eye health

Cucumber: high in potassium and good for the skin, digestion and combating inflammation.

Nuts and seeds: decrease your risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes, and tones the skin. Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts and seeds are most beneficial raw and unsalted.

Flaxseed: the best vegan source of omega fatty acids. Sprinkle flaxseed whole or ground.

Dressing: extra virgin (the least processed) olive oil (heart healthy—high in antioxidants and Vitamin E), raw apple cider vinegar (draws out inorganic minerals from the body and assists with digestion and weight loss), fresh minced garlic (natural antibiotic), and cayenne (for the heart and circulation). To sweeten a bit, add a few drops of stevia (whole plant stevia contains chromium which assists in regulating blood sugar) or raw honey.

Additionally, raw fruits and vegetables (high in protein, fiber and phytonutrients) and the ingredients listed in my salad dressing are alkaline. Cancer, fungus, bacteria and viruses cannot survive in an alkaline environment!

Snacking on raw vegetables with hummus is a great way to increase your vitamin and mineral intake and the fiber content from the beans is very satisfying. Fruits and raw fruit bars are also great to have on hand for between meal snacks.

Too much in life is complicated—getting the nutrition we need every day doesn’t have to be. Making gradual shifts towards healthier eating is really quite simple.

Wishing you abundant health!