Juice Booster Ingredients > Want to Elevate Your Smoothie or Juice Blend to the next level?

 
If you are looking for 5 new ingredients to add to your morning smoothie or juice, please read on! These five organic, natural and raw ingredients will pack your drink with lots of nutrition, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and trace elements that will keep you going through the day! If you missed SET 1 – JUICE BOOST INGREDIENTS, click here or our new SET 3 – SMOOTHIE BOOSTERS. Otherwise, here are 5 new nutritious ingredients that will give your juice a boost!

Juice Booster #6 > Just Add Spinach

An easy way to elevate the health benefits and nutritional value of your juice blend, spinach is one of nature’s best superfoods. A cup of spinach has nearly 20% of your daily dietary fiber requirements which will help in your digestive processes and lower your blood pressure. Recent studies also link spinach to fighting prostate and other cancer with its high levels of phytonutrients. Adding spinach as a juice booster also improves your vision, disease immunity, and brain function in addition to maintaining healthy bones and skin. Just adding spinach to your juice or smoothie will also fight inflammation. Spinach is also very high in antioxidants, which help in combating atherosclerosis as well as osteoporosis. You can find organic spinach at any local grocer or farmer’s market or you can easily grow your own. Spinach is one of our favorite juice boost ingredients!

Smoothie Boost Ingredient #7 > Just Add Hemp Seeds

One of our favourite juice boost ingredients at Just Add Good Stuff is hemp seeds. This is nature’s highest botanical source of essential fatty acids. Hemp Seed as a smoothie booster ingredient will aid as an anti-inflammatory agent, improving circulation and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. In addition, there are no known allergies to hemp seeds, so they are completely safe for people who are sensitive to lactose, sugar, gluten or nuts. In addition, food cravings are reduced and therefore, hemp seeds are often added into a weight loss program. A juice boost ingredient like hemp seeds will also help you increase focus and energy levels in addition to reducing stress. Hemp seeds are a superfood and there are several reasons for this. They contain high levels of protein (including 20 amino acids … and all 9 essential amino acids). In addition, the hemp seed juice booster also contains fatty acids, Vitamin E and lots of fiber. They are easy to digest and offer a rich source of natural phytonutrients, the disease protection that will aid in your immunity against diseases and infection. Just Add Hemp Seeds!

Juice Booster #8 > Just Add Maca

Derived from a herbaceous plant that is found on the high plateaus of the Ande’s Mountains in Peru, South America, the maca root vegetable has often been referred to as the ‘Peruvian Ginseng’ because of its many health benefits. Often coming in powder form, adding maca as a juice booster will give you lots of added nutrients and energy. A relative of the turnip and rash, the maca root smells a bit like butterscotch and adding maca to your morning smoothie or as a juice booster will help treat everything from chronic fatigue to anemia. Not only that, but maca in any form when consumed will reduce stress levels, anxiety, depression and help balance your mood. In addition, the maca juice booster can also contribute to clearing acne in a natural way in addition to promoting sexual function in both femals and males. Athletes use maca juice boosters to increase energy. WARNING > DO NOT add maca to your smoothie or juice booster if you are breast feeding or if you are pregnant.

Smoothie Booster Ingredient #9 > Just Add Lemon

Many of us forget that lemons help us balance our body’s pH levels. Although acidic in taste, once our body metabolizes lemon, they are alkaline which is the key to good health. Just add lemon into your daily smoothie or juice to boost your immune system as lemons are very high in Vitamin C and potassium. In addition, studies have shown that pectin fiber in lemons help curb food cravings and therefore have been an essential ingredient in many weight loss programs. As well, the smoothie booster ingredient also aids our gastrointestinal tract and keeps things moving in our digestive system. Another often overlooked property of lemons is that they hydrate our lymph system which prevents dehydration and adrenal fatigue. The lemon juice boost also decreases blemishes, acne and wrinkles, promoting healthier skin.

Juice Booster #10 > Just Add Seaweed

Seaweed has been around for centuries and it serves as an ideal choice for any morning juice blend or smoothie if you are looking for more Vitamin A and C as well as magnesium, iodine and calcium. Seaweed doesn’t contain any fat, and a serving only contains 5 to 10 calories, making it a great choice for vegetarians and vegans. The juice booster seaweed includes edible species like Red Dulse, Black Hijiki and Green Kumba, and all are equally nutritious and tasty additions to your smoothie or juice booster. Some of the health benefits of seaweed include aiding your digestive system and lowering your high blood pressure. As well, recent studies have shown that adding seaweed into your diet may have anti-cancer properties. So instead of just having seaweed as part of your sushi roll, try seaweed as a juice booster!

Just Add Good Stuff recommends adding some or all of the above juice boost ingredients into your daily smoothie or juice. Please consult with a health professional to make sure you are not allergic to any of these juice boosters. The 5 juice boost ingredients recommended in this article are: spinach, hemp seeds, maca, lemons and seaweeds.

Everything You Need To Know About Calories > Ultimate Calorie Infographic

Thanks to your friends at LifeQuotes4U, here is the ultimate calorie infographic that explains: what a calorie is, calorie recommendations, examples in fast food and take-out meals and how calories are burned in exercise and through sport. It’s a real eye-opener!

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CALORIES

 
The calorie infographic above gives you an idea of how calories are measured and how they are burned (or not burned) off through fitness and exercise.  Just Add Good Stuff believes that it is important for all of us to be more aware of what we are putting in and on our bodies and understanding what calories are and where they come from is essential in controlling our nutrition and diet.  It’s up to us to make sure that we are feeding ourselves with nutritional foods and not empty calories.  As mentioned in this calorie infographic, a calorie is the approximate amount of energy that is required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.  The term ‘calorie’ was first used in 1824 as a unit of measurement of heat.  It has now come to be used as a unit of measurement of the energy contained within food and drink.  When you look at labels, cal (all lower case) is 1 small calorie.  This is NOT to be confused with Cal (with a capital ‘C’) which is equivalent to 1000 small calories (cal).  The Cal is also known as the kcal (or kilocalorie).  Remember that most packaging labels use cal and NOT kcal or Cal.

Calorie Recommendations according to…

 
As you see in this calorie infographic, the NHS (Great Britain) recommends that the average man requires 2,500 Calories per day.  The average woman, in comparison, requires only 2,000 Calories per day. On the other hand, the USA Government recommendations for daily Calorie intake is as follows:

2-3 Years Old = 1,000 Cal for males | 1,000 Cal for females

4-8 Years Old = 1,400 Cal for males | 1,200 Cal for females

9-13 Years Old = 1,800 Cal for males | 1,600 Cal for females

14-18 Years Old = 2,200 Cal for males | 1,800 Cal for females

19-30 Years Old = 2,400 Cal for males | 2,000 Cal for females

31-50 Years Old = 2,200 Cal for males | 1,800 Cal for females

51+ Years Old = 2,000 Cal for males | 1,600 Cal for females

The USA Government also recommends these levels of ‘empty calories’ per day for males and females (see below).  The estimated empty calories intake is for unusually physically active individuals. Empty calorie are those that are derived from solid fats or added refined sugars.  Cakes, sweets, soft drinks, fast food, all contain a high number of empty calories as seen in this calorie infographic:
 

2-3 Years Old = 135 Cal for males | 135 Cal for females

4-8 Years Old = 120 Cal for males | 120 Cal for females

9-13 Years Old = 160 Cal for males | 120 Cal for females

14-18 Years Old = 265 Cal for males | 160 Cal for females

19-30 Years Old = 330 Cal for males | 260 Cal for females

31-50 Years Old = 265 Cal for males | 160 Cal for females

51+ Years Old = 260 Cal for males | 120 Cal for females

The Problem Starts Here > Calories in Fast Food

 
In 2013, the top 10 most unhealthy foods from America’s five most popular fast food chains are absolutely horrific when you are looking at empty calories intake.  The problems with fast foods from Hardee’s, Burger King, McDonalds, Wendy’s and KFC are that they contain a whole lot of empty calories and not much nutritional value.  Here are the 10 most unhealthy foods from these popular fast food chains according to the calorie infographic:

10. Burger King – Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich (750 cal)

9. McDonald’s – Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese (750 cal)

8. KFC – Chicken Pot Pie (790 cal)

7. Hardee’s – 1/3 lb Original Thickburger (810 cal)

6. Wendy’s – Baconator (970 cal)

5. Burger King – Double Whopper With Cheese (990 cal)

4. Wendy’s – ¾ lb Triple (1,060 cal)

3. McDonald’s – Big Breakfast with Hot Cakes (1,090 cal)

2. Burger King – Triple Whopper with Cheese (1,230 cal)

1. Hardee’s – The Monster Thickburger (1,300 cal)

And The Problem Continues with Calories in Takeout Foods…

 
But the problem with empty calorie intake doesn’t stop at the top five fast food chains.  Popular takeout foods are also loaded with carbs and empty calories as noted in this calorie infographic:

5. Fish and Chips (838 kcal)

4. Kebabs (1,000 kcal)

3. Indian Foods like Chicken Tikka Masala, Pilau Rice, and 1 Plain Naan Bread (1,338 kcal)

2. Chinese Foods like Sweet/Sour Chicken, Egg Fried Rice and Vegetable Spring Roles (1,436 kcal)

1. Pizza – 12” standard size (1,835 kcal)

But, Calorie Intake is not the only problem…

 
As you know, eating is not the only problem in America.  It’s also the lack of exercise that is causing us to be the most obese nation in the world. Take for instance the examples in this calorie infographic.  Calories burned by a 150 lb person during 1 hours participation in exercise:

Dancing > 370 cal > The average Chinese takeaway would take 3:53 (yes, that’s 3 hours and 53 minutes) of dancing to burn off the calories consumed in Chinese takeaway food.

Football/Soccer > 468 cal > A McDonald’s Big Breakfast with Hotcakes would take 1 hour and 20 minutes to burn off when playing intense football/soccer.

Swimming > 603 cal > A Hardee’s Monster Thickburger would take 2 hours and 9 minutes to burn the calories when swimming!

Jogging > 675 cal > The average Indian kebab takes 1 hour and 29 minutes to burn off when jogging!

Other Calorie Inforgraphic Interesting Facts and Figures:

 
In 2011, Americans spent $117,000,000,000 on fast food.  There were 311 million people living in the United States in 2011, making the giant fast food industry approximately $376 per person!  Per campita consumption of fast food in 2005 around the world was: $566 in the US, $456 in Canada, $390 in Great Britain and $363 in Australia!  In the UK in 2011, there were 5,400,000,000 visits to fast food restaurants.  Even more striking is that half of all meals consumed in Britain are from fast food joints!
 
More information is online here: http://visual.ly/ultimate-guide-calories

LEMON INFOGRAPHIC > Just Add Lemons … Top 10 Health Benefits of Lemons, Interesting Facts/Figures, Lemon Recipes and Nutritional Value

The Just Add Good Stuff INFOGRAPHIC SERIES continues with our Lemon Infographic. These truly unique health food infographics (or infograms) that we design provide you with interesting facts and things about the best fruits, whole foods and vegetables in addition to general health details. From weird and wacky facts to nutrition information per serving, these infographics is a starting point to help you kick start a more happy and healthy lifestyle. We hope you enjoy them!

 

PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

Just Add Lemons! Lemons are well known for their sharp and acidic, bitter but zingy flavor. They are rich in vitamin C and low in sugar. They go well with sweet and savoury dishes and all parts of the lemon can be eaten, juiced, dried and used. Not only that, but lemons aid in the proper function of our digestive, immune and circulatory systems in addition to balancing our body’s pH. Here is the Just Add Good Stuff Lemon Infographic:

TOP 10 Health Benefits of Lemons as described in the Just Add Good Stuff Lemon Infographic:

1. maintains our pH balance (they are alkaline in our bodies)
2. lemons are high in vitamin C & potassium which boost our immune system
3. stimulates our gastrointestinal tract and the peristalsis
4. lemon juice clears skin, no matter your skin type by removing toxins
5. act as a natural, non-evasive, non-threatening diuretic
6. lemons homeopathically freshens breath & cures mouth sores
7. helps keep our skin healthy, moisturized and glowing
8. lemons are very high in pectin fiber which aids in weight loss
9. rich in proteins, magnesium, calcium, fiber, flavanoids
10. lemon hydrates our lymph system, alleviates constipation & stress

Lemon Nutrition Facts as described on our Lemons Infographic

• Serving Size = 1 fruit (2 1/8″ diameter)
• Calories = 17
• Calories from Fat = 2
• Total Fat = 0.17 g
• Cholesterol = 0 mg
• Sodium = 1 mg
• Potassium = 80 mg
• Total Carbohydrate = 5.41 g
• Dietary Fiber =1.6 g
• Sugars = 1.45 g
• Protein = 0.64 g
• Vitamin A = 0% RDI
• Vitamin C = 51% RDI
• Calcium = 2% RDI
• Iron = 2% RDI

Healthy Lemon Recipes on our Lemon Infographic

1. Good Morning Lemon Berry water
2. Lemon Coconut Quinoa Hemp main dish
3. Green Lemon Infused smoothie

* All of our recipes are gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan! Click here for more recipes!

Things You May Not Know About Lemons as described on our Lemon Infographic

• 1 WHOLE lemon contains a day’s supply of a vitamin C, but the JUICE only contains 1/3 of the recommended daily intake
• Lemons are GREEN and turn YELLOW due to temperature, not ripeness (just don’t buy brown ones)
• The CITRIC ACID in lemons prevent oxidation of fresh raw foods
• Lemons are a natural & versatile household cleaner
• Roll a room-temperature lemon under your palm for max juice
• BOTTLED lemon juice aren’t as good as fresh organics
• Lemons came from Southern India, Northern Burma, and China
• The lemon tree is considered an evergreen
• The Meyer lemon is a cross between a lemon & an orange or mandarin

The Just Add Good Stuff lemon infographic (we also call it our lemon infograph) talks about general lemon facts and nutritional details. For more info about the health benefits and nutritional information, please contact us and we will find out more from licensed dieticians and medical science professionals. It is our goal to provide the best information possible and to help inspire you to become more healthy through diet, nutrition and fitness. The lemon infographic will be updated whenever necessary, as studies and clinical research provides us with more insight into the health benefits of lemon which would affect our Top 10 lemon health benefits. In addition, we constantly experiment with uses of lemon in various dishes, so our recipes will also reflect that. Lastly, if we find any more interesting facts and figures about lemons in general, we will also update the ‘Did You Know?’ section of our Just Add Good Stuff Lemon Infographic.

The information on this infographic is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended to nor should it be a substitute for advice, consultation or visits to your health care provider.
‘Nutrition Facts’ provided by FatSecret.com and verified by Just Add Good Stuff.

Key Tips to STAY AWAKE… without caffeine

Having troubles getting up in the morning even with a good nights’ sleep? Having problems staying awake at work? Do you have problems staying awake after a rigorous work out? Feel like taking a nap after a heavy meal? Below are some key tips to stay awake during the day… (hint hint … it doesn’t include drinking caffeine or taking caffeine pills!)

Millions of North Americans are addicted to caffeine. Caffeine in itself, if taken in moderation is actually not that harmful to the human body or mind. However, excessive caffeine intake produces many side effects that are tough to reverse. Caffeine addiction is getting more prevalent in today’s society as people get caught up with work, are stressed out, get less sleep and don’t eat well. And in many cases, we aren’t even aware that we are addicted to caffeine in order to stay awake and focus on the tasks at hand. Some of the negative effects of caffeine addiction include having problems sleeping, getting dependent on caffeine in order to focus or stay awake during the day, needing caffeine to wake up in the morning, post caffeine intake crashes when the effect wears off and diuretic problems. In some cases, caffeine addiction used to keep you awake during the day, also prevents you from sleeping during the night. And so the cycle continues until you eventually burn out.

There are many ways to get out of this caffeine routine. Some keys to getting up in the morning and staying awake and focussed during the day is in your diet and food that you eat. It’s no surprise that the food that you eat provides the fuel that you need to get through a day. So if you consume the right and nutritious foods that are nutrient rich, chances are, you will have enough fuel to last you through the day without having to consume any caffeine.

 
Here are key tips to stay awake without the use of caffeine!

Key #1 > Reduce the Meat

 
Meat is protein rich and usually high in fat. Therefore, meat is more difficult to digest when compared to whole foods, vegetables and fruit. As the process of digestion takes longer, more energy is required to process meats through our body, which essentially wear us out. In addition, many types of meat are pesticide ridden and contain tonnes of hormones which can also impact your energy levels during the day.

Key #2 > Drink Lots of Water

 
As our bodies are composed of mostly water, our mind and body requires lots of water for hydration and proper system function. It’s recommended that you drink at least 8 glasses of water, and even more if you are exercising or playing sports. If you find that your urine is darker than a pale yellow color, chances are, you aren’t drinking enough water to keep you hydrated as well as to flush out toxins that may be building up in your body during the day. Lack of adequate water will make you sleepy and fatigued.

Key #3 > Don’t Snack on Sugary Foods

 
If you find yourself snacking on candy or other foods high in refined sugar, chances are you will get a mid afternoon burn out. By 3pm in the afternoon, our body is usually very low in blood sugar and therefore, we tend to snack at that time (usually have a cup of coffee or eat a candy bar). By snacking on foods that are high in refined sugars, we are actually only causing more problems. To avoid the sugar cravings in the afternoon, try snacking on whole foods and fruit with a low glycemic index rating instead.

Key #4 > Eat Less But More Often

 
Instead of going with the traditional 3 meal routine (breakfast, lunch and dinner) that we are all so used to since we were kids, go with a 4 to 5 meal program. Since blood sugar levels play an essential role in our energy levels through the day, eating fewer and larger meals tends to cause our sugar levels to spike and crash. This is especially true when there are 5 or more hours in between meals. Splitting up our nutrition intake into four or five smaller meals a day will prevent the spikes and crashes in our blood glucose levels, giving us a more balanced feeling of being nutritionally satisfied throughout the day.

Key #5 > Say YES to Whole Foods

 
Whole foods such as seeds provide nutritional balance that takes time for our bodies to digest and break down, providing us more energy throughout the day and a more steady supply of energy after we consume them. Carbohydrate rich foods, on the other hand, are digested more quickly and require more energy for digestion, causing energy spikes and crashes that prevent us from staying awake during the day.

Key #6 > Say YES to Fruits

 
The key here is to eat fruit with low glycemic index ratings on an empty stomach. Because fruit takes less time to digest than denser carbohydrate and protein rich foods, eating organic raw fruits on an empty stomach will give our blood sugar levels a quick boost without the crash.

Need a Juice Boost? Try Adding These 5 Nutritious Ingredients For Your Next Juice…

 
Need an ingredient change or addition to your juice routine? Getting tired of the same flavors? Not reaping the benefits of multiple superfoods in your juice? Here are 5 nutritious ingredients that will give your juice a boost! Click here for SET 2 JUICE BOOSTERS! Or our new SET 3 – SMOOTHIE BOOSTERS

Juice Boost Ingredient #1 > Just Add Kale

 
Leafy greens have amazing health benefits but there is one leafy green that outshines the rest. You’ve guessed it…. KALE is the #1 superfood when it comes to greens as it contains zero fat, is low in calories and high in fiber. In addition, kale is extremely high in iron, Vitamins A, C and K, calcium and powerful antioxidants. These vitamins and minerals give kale the edge when it comes to anti-inflammatory foods. Not only that, but this juice booster also gives you cardiovascular support and is a great detox superfood as well.

Juice Booster #2 > Just Add Chia Seeds

 
Many people have heard of chia seeds, but not many people add it to their morning smoothie or juice. We recommend adding chia seeds as a juice booster to start your morning off on the right foot. Just a tablespoon of chia seeds will do the trick. Chia seeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory agents. It’s fiber cleans out our digestive tract too. Chia seeds as a juice boost also features amazing amounts of phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and manganese in addition to being a gluten free addition to your morning smoothie.

Juice Boost Ingredient #3 > Just Add Blueberries

 
Wild blueberries will give you a boost in essential anthocyanins, vitamin A, C, E & B complex in addition to several minerals that will boost your immunity and prevent infections. The high concentration of antioxidants will combat free radicals and lower your risk of heart disease through cardiovascular support. In addition, the blueberry juice booster will also help prevent cancers, improve brain function and aid in your urinary and digestive systems. Now this is a great juice boost for any morning juice or smoothie!

Juice Booster #4 > Just Add Spirulina

 
Not your average juice booster, spirulina is a cyanobacteria (algae) that is rich in health benefits. Incredibly high in protein and nutrients, spirulina is extremely rich in iron, B-12 content, gamma linolenic acid (GLA), omega-3 fatty acids, natural chlorophyll, potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, sodium and zinc just to name a few. As a juice boost spirulina will also give you great amounts of Vitamin B-1 (thiamine), B-2 (riboflavin), B-3 (nicotinamide), B-6 (pyridoxine), B-9 (folic acid), C, D, A and E! Not only that, but a spirulina juice boost will also help in preventing allergies and fat burning.

Juice Boost Ingredient #5 > Just Add Cacao

 
By using raw cacao powder or cacao nibs as a juice boost, you will be adding a healthy supply of potassium, calcium, Vitamin C, iron and copper into your daily diet. Also rich in magnesium and iron, cacao provides healthy doses of antioxidants to fight free radicals in addition to Vitamin E, copper and magnesium that help heart function. Cacao also balances serotonin levels which contribute to feelings of happiness and contentment.

Just Add Good Stuff recommends adding some or all of the above juice boost ingredients into your daily smoothie or juice. Please consult with a health professional to make sure you are not allergic to any of these juice boosters. The 5 juice boost ingredients recommended in this article are: kale, chia seeds, blueberries, spirulina and cacao.

8 Signs That You Have a Vitamin Deficiency

Aches and pains, cracks or rashes, sleeping disorders and stress may be a result of many things. When you are not feeling 100%, your body is likely telling you that something is wrong. Sometimes, the signs are quite apparent right away and at other times, they just build up over time.

Your body will go to any length to let you know when there is something wrong. With unhealthy diets, little nutrition knowledge and lack of fitness, many of us have become vitamin deficient or mineral deficient in multiple ways. The latest studies say that over 80% of all North Americans are either vitamin deficient and/or mineral deficient in at least 2 ways. You may not get a life threatening disease from vitamin deficiency, but you can end up with impaired body and mind function. This can cause many human disorders including stress, weight loss, weight gain, immune impairment, sleeping problems, cardiovascular and digestive problems.

Some of the disorders caused by mineral deficiency and vitamin deficiency are evident externally, while other deficiencies are undetectable as they affect the inside of our mind and body like a cancer. If left untreated, the deficiencies may lead to longer term problems. Both a healthy set of vitamins and minerals are essential in property function of our body and mind.
 

Here are 8 signs that you have a vitamin deficiency or a mineral deficiency or a combination of both:

Sign #1: Painful muscle cramps

 
Vitamin/Mineral Deficiency: If you are suffering from painful cramping of the muscles in your toes, legs, feet or lower back, you are likely deficient in CALCIUM, POTASSIUM and/or MAGNESIUM. This can be caused by irregular or low intake of these minerals and vitamins through your diet and/or heaving sweating from fitness or hot weather.

How to Fix the Vitamin Deficiency: While exercising, make sure that you are eating more fruits and vegetables that are high in calcium, potassium and magnesium as your body tends to sweat these minerals and vitamins away, leaving you malnourished. The quick and easy fix is to eat more dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale and even dandelion. Other vegetables high in these minerals include bok choy (a Chinese vegetable) and broccoli. Fruits that are high in magnesium, potassium and calcium are bananas, squash, cherries, grapefruit (in moderation) and apples of all types. Whole foods that can also fix this vitamin deficiency include hazelnuts and almonds.

Sign #2: Abnormal bleeding and failure to clot

 
Mineral/Vitamin Deficiency: In many ways, this is one of the most worrying of the body clues because it involves blood. When you have more bleeding than usual and/or failure of your blood to clot (from injuries, nose bleeds or cuts), you may be deficient in CALCIUM, PHOSPHOLIPID, VITAMIN C and VITAMIN K. This is usually caused by a lower than recommended intake of these vitamins in your diet. If this is a regular occurrence, you may have one of many coagulation problems or diseases and you should consult your health physician as soon as possible.

How to Fix the Vitamin Deficiency: When you have problems with bleeding and clotting, you need to pay attention to this ASAP. Here are some foods that are rich in calcium and vitamins that will help your condition: pinto beans, red beans, white beans, tofu, bok choy, kale, spinach and broccoli. If you are not vegan, you can also try salmon and sardines which are high in calcium. Other foods that are rich in Vitamin C and K include oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, tomatoes, sweet red peppers, potatoes and broccoli.

Sign #3: Cold sores and mouth sores

 
Mineral/Vitamin Deficiency: From the higher level, cold sores are actually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and it’s noted that most adults in North America have this virus. Usually, it is transferred via kissing or coming into close contact with someone who has an active outbreak. Certain things in our life and diet trigger the onset of cold and mouth sores, which can be prevented and treated in many ways including: flu/chest infections, exposure to sun, wind exposure, hormonal changes (like pregnancy) and emotional/physical stress. Therefore, cold sores are not directly linked to a vitamin deficiency or mineral deficiency.

How to Fix and Treat Cold Sores: although not directly caused by deficiencies in minerals or vitamins, cold sores can be treated and prevented by diet choices. Lysine is an essential amino acid that inhibits the spread of the herpes simplex virus. Foods that are rich in lysine include legumes (and for those we are not vegan, milk, fish, cheese and certain types of meat). In addition, lemon ointments, green tea, reishi, honey and zinc are all known to fight cold sores. Zinc is of particular note, because research studies have shown that zinc will make a cold sore go away faster.

Sign #4: Cracks around the mouth

 
Mineral/Vitamin Deficiency: This clue is different from the cold and mouth sores as this is just the cracking of the skin around your mouth. The vitamin and mineral deficiency when you have this condition is likely caused by a lack of IRON, INC, VITAMIN Bs like NIACIN (B3), RIBOFLAVIN (B2) and B12.

How to Fix Cracks Around Your Mouth: This is also an easy and quick fix. For vegans, look for legumes/lentils, peanuts, tahini, Swiss chard and sun dried tomatoes. In addition, for non-vegans, look to add poultry, certain seafoods (like oysters and clams), eggs and tuna into your diet. Vitamin C also enhances the absorption of iron, so pair the above iron rich foods with cauliflower, broccoli, kale and red bell peppers.

Sign #5: Abnormal numbness or tingling of the feet and/or hands

 
Vitamin/Mineral Deficiency: both tingling and numbness of the feet and/or hands is usually caused by a lack or deficiency in B VITAMINS. This lack of vitamins often causes anemia (destruction or slow development of red blood cells). This in turn results in hormonal imbalances, fatigue, depression and even anxiety. The deficiency in B Vitamins such as folate (B9), B12 and B6 can lead to more serious mental and body issues.

How to Fix this Vitamin Deficiency: Eat more organic vegetables that contain folate and other B Vitamins. These include beets, asparagus and spinach. Whole foods containing essential B Vitamins include black beans, lima beans, kidney beans and black beans. For non-vegans, add eggs, poultry, bi-valve seafood and octopus into your diet.

Sign #6: White or red acne like bumps all over

 
Mineral/Vitamin Deficiency: Most likely, you are deficient in multiple vitamins and minerals including: VITAMIN A, VITAMIN D and essential fatty acids. Sometimes it runs even deeper, as the red or white acne like bumps all over your body and face can be a result of a deficiency of beta carotene which the body uses to make Vitamin A. Untreated deficiencies of this type can lead to dry mucous membranes around the eyes, slow wound healing, cracked skin, dry and rough skin as well as reduced senses, so it can be serious!

How to Fix the White/Red Acne Like Bumps: Increase your daily intake of healthy fats (and reduce your intake of trans fats and saturated fats). This can be accomplished by eating more chia, hemp and flax seeds, walnuts and almonds and for non-vegans, sardines and salmon. For Vitamin A deficiencies, you can also add more dark leafy greens into your diet (including spinach and kale) in addition to vegetables like red bell peppers, sweet potatoes and of course, carrots.

Sign #7: Upset digestive system and bloating

 
The Vitamin Deficiency: If you are experiencing problems with your digestion, stomach aches and upset stomach after eating, you are likely deficient in VITAMIN B1 also called THIAMIN. The vitamin deficiency causes poor appetite, unintended weight loss, gastric upset, bloating, vomiting, and nausea. More serious forms of the Thiamin deficiency can even cause mental depression and an inability to concentrate.

The Fix for An Unhealthy Digestive System: There are many thiamin rich foods that you can add to your diet to fix the problems associated with stomach aches. These foods include: marmite (yeast extract), sesame butter/tahini, sunflower seeds, dried herbs (like coriander, poppy seeds and sage), pine nuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, and pecans. Other non-vegan sources of thiamin include fish and pork chops. You can also try incorporating pro-biotics into your diet for better digestive system function.

Sign #8: Face rash and hair loss

 
Vitamin Deficiencies: Many people attribute both hair loss and a scaly red rash on the face to stress and lack of sleep. However, it can be a sign of a more serious vitamin deficiency that includes the lack of proper amounts of Biotin (Vitamin B7). This can cause not only pale, dry and scaly skin, both also emotional depression, upset stomach, loss of appetite, and hair loss. Unfortunately, our bodies are not designed to store most B vitamins, so we need to replenish them through diet and nutrition daily. In addition, weight lifters who eat raw eggs are particular vulnerable to a lack of Biotin (B7) because raw eggs are rich in avidin which decreases the absorption of Biotin in our system.

How to Fix the Face Rash and Hair Loss: For vegans, getting Biotin B7 vitamins into our system is as easy as eating more avocados, mushrooms, cauliflower, soy beans, nuts, bananas and raspberries. For non-vegans, you can eat for COOKED eggs (rather than raw eggs).

Do you have other weird body signs that you would like us at Just Add Good Stuff to research? Let us know and let’s continue this discussion!

GOING VEGAN > How Veganism Has Changed My Life

My Vegan Experience > What I’ve Learned by Going Vegan

Since embarking on my vegan journey this year, I’ve received incredible support from family, friends and strangers.  I have to admit that many people, including myself, were very skeptical about veganism and how I could manage without eating my favourite foods that included fast foods, fruit juice and lots of candy.  It’s now been more than 5 months since my vegan experience began and this article serves to talk about things that I’ve learned by going vegan and how my life has changed due to veganism.

My initial goals for going vegan and learning about veganism included the following:

1. Live a healthier and happier life through a vegan diet and vegan lifestyle

2. Educate myself on general health and vegan nutrition programs

3. Become more aware of what I’m putting into and on my body through making tough conscious decisions

4. Debunk myths about veganism or vegans that were unconsciously planted in my brain during my adolescence

5. Continue my ever changing fitness and core training routines

6. Learn to cook (both raw dishes and cooked meals) that follow a vegan diet

7. Talk to and research about vegans or people who have experienced going vegan

8. Watch at least one documentary per week about food, water, whole foods plant based diets, veganism, vegetarianism, physiology or happiness/emotions

9. Inspire those around me to adopt a vegan diet and to experience veganism (for perhaps 1 month at least)

I haven’t felt more physically and mentally strong since going vegan five months ago.  It’s been a life-changing experience so far, and this 1 year experiment may need to last a lifetime.  I’m really enjoying educating myself about veganism and what it means to be vegan in addition to becoming more aware of everything surrounding us when it comes to our food supply, diet and fitness.  All of these things contribute to a healthier and happier life and I’m very grateful to have embarked on this vegan experience at this point in my life.  If you are interested in learning more about my first 5 months of going vegan, please read below.

My Vegan Experience > 10 Unexpected Personal Benefits of Going Vegan

1. Going vegan has allowed me to sleep a lot better.  I’ve never slept through a night before (unless with harmful medication), but now, I get at least 5 to 6 hours of solid sleep a night.  I attribute this to my vegan diet and lifestyle.

2. Simply said: I don’t get painful migraines anymore.  I used to get at least a migraine every other day.  They were painful and crippling both physiologically and mentally.  I couldn’t work, play or relax.  I haven’t had a single migraine since starting my vegan diet!

3. I also used to get allergies throughout the year that were triggered by pollen, temperature or altitude changes.  These allergies were often debilitating, causing an unstoppable runny nose, itchy eyes and migraines.  I still get allergies, but certainly not as bad as before I went vegan.  If I get a runny nose or itchy eyes, I can take a half dose antihistamine and the allergy will disappear completely.

4. Since my vegan experience began, my body weight has continued to be very stable (around 155-160 pounds).  As an athletic person who weight trains, I certainly didn’t want to lose any body weight or muscle mass by cutting out animal based proteins and whey protein powders from my daily routine.  However, I’m pleased to say that I’ve found plenty of plant based natural protein sources to accommodate my protein needs for fitness.

5. Further to my body’s physiological changes, I’ve noticed that my body fat content has actually decreased since going vegan.  I’ve now got a more ‘defined’ body that actually looks ‘more muscular’ even though my body weight hasn’t changed.

6. By switching to a whole foods plant based diet, I no longer have extreme tiredness in the afternoon (I often had to take naps around 2-3pm).  I also don’t have the sugar spikes and troughs throughout the day, which has lead to a more balanced and healthy life.

7. My teeth are whiter than before.  Yes, that’s correct!  My teeth have increasingly become more white since cutting out candy, refined sugars and sugary drinks from my diet.

8. My digestion is better and I’m more regular (enough said).  I also don’t get heartburn, cramps or bloating anymore (enough said there too).

9. I’m a lot less anxious now.  Whether it was too much caffeine or refined sugars, I was always anxious about something: work, schedules, travel and everything else.  Now, I feel like I’m a lot calmer and more patient with everything… which is who I was when I was younger.  It’s nice to get this feeling back. It’s great to have control again.

10. My skin is clearer and my hair is healthier and shinier.  I’ve also noticed that other small things have changed gradually, including healthier looking skin, hair and nails.

My Vegan Experience > 10 Interesting Things I’ve Learned by Going Vegan

1. Never assume anything.  Always educate yourself in what matters most to you.  If it’s veganism or going vegan or health & nutrition in general, self-educate.  It’s a life changing skill, so work on it!

2. My top 10 superfoods include: spirulina, raw cacao, maca, papaya, kale, spinach, chia, hemp, flax, lemon.  These are followed closely by: banana, goji, almond, pistachio, wheatgrass, blueberry, ginger and broccoli.

3. Top 10 food products that are most susceptible to food fraud: milk, olive oil, honey, saffron, fish, coffee, orange juice, apple juice, black pepper and tea leaves.

4. Dirty Dozen fruits and vegetables that are laced with pesticides: apples, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, hot peppers, imported nectarines, peaches, potatoes, spinach, strawberries and sweet bell peppers.  This is followed closely by kale and summer squash.

5. Clean Fifteen fruits and vegetables that are the cleanest and contain the fewest pesticides: asparagus, avocados, cabbage, cantaloupe, sweet corn, eggplant, grapefruit, kiwi fruit, mangos, mushrooms, onions, papayas, pineapples, sweet peas (frozen) and sweet potatoes.

6. The United States just approved a pesticide that has been linked to the Honeybee Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD whilst the European Union just banned the same substance for at least 2 years.

7. Always buy organic, locally grown produce.  Not only are they the safest to consume, but they are also the healthiest when it comes to nutritional value.

8. Almonds, cashews and hazelnuts have the highest nutritional value when it comes to nut nutrition.  This is followed by pistachios and peanuts.  Of course, these nuts should be roasted and not salted.

9. There are always more healthy alternatives and substitutes for unhealthy foods and processed products.  Take for instance… baking and eggs are synonymous with each other.  However, you can easily substitute an egg with 1 tablespoon of flax with 4 tablespoons of water when baking.  Or, you can also substitute refined sugar with organic dates, coconut palm sugar, stevia or honey.

10. Our bodies require a lot less food (in terms of weight/quantity) when we focus on eating nutritious whole foods and plant based foods.  Our bodies are filled with more nutritious calories (versus empty calories) which tell us to stop eating sooner.  Because of this, we spend less money on food now when compared to the pre-vegan lifestyle.  Now that’s food for thought.

My Vegan Experience > 5 Other Funny, Weird and Wacky Things About My Experience Going Vegan

1. It has only been 5 months, but organic wheatgrass has NOT stopped my hair from turning grey, nor has it turned my grey hair back to black.  Perhaps it’s just a myth, or maybe I need to keep growing and eating wheatgrass to see these benefits.  In any case, I’m not taking wheatgrass so that I stop greying … my friends tell me that I look more distinguished and perhaps sexy with grey.

2. I buy all of my organic produce from a local market on my way back from the gym.  It’s a family run Chinese market that sources fresh, organic and beautiful vegetables and fruit that I can’t get anywhere else.  They refer to me as ‘The Papaya Man’.  But lately, I’ve bought more organic kale than papaya, and so they’ve changed my name to ‘The Healthy Kale Guy’.  They’ll probably end up just calling me ‘The Strange Vegan Guy’.

3. Because I wanted a true vegan experience, I decided to start a vegetable garden in my backyard.  One day, the topsoil (essentially, it was shit … but I hate to use that word, but it really was just shit) arrived and they dumped it all in the back lane that is used often by my neighbours.  Unfortunately for me, I had to spend hours shoveling this manure into my vegetable gardens … it was tough work, smelled really horrific, but hopefully it was worth it.

4. While going out with friends and family, I often felt like a ‘social pariah’.  I felt like an outcast and sort of ‘isolated’ from my friends because not many other people were going through my vegan experience at the same time.  In addition, many people often made fun of my vegan diet and veganism in general, which was hard to take at first.  However, as time went by, I realized that these people were manifesting their own fears and doubts about their own diet, nutrition and fitness.  In many ways, there were only trying to justify their unhealthy lifestyle by putting down veganism, which is unfortunate.

5. When I went vegan, I didn’t know what kale, Swiss chard, spirulina, raw cacao or maca were.  No idea.  Didn’t know if they were vegetables or fruits or meat or whole foods.  Things have changed.

I started my ‘vegan’ experience by gradually taking out the ‘bad stuff’ and ‘bad food’ in my diet while continuing to exercise at least 5 times per week.  I didn’t go cold turkey on things like organic meats (mainly chicken and beef), gluten or dairy products.  I did, however, go cold turkey on all candy and fast food from the beginning. It took about 30 days (1 month) to get from a very unhealthy lifestyle to a completely healthy vegan diet and nutrition program.

I understand that many people don’t have the support network, time or commitment to make a full scale life-long change to veganism, and that’s why I started Just Add Good Stuff.  I want to inspire people to take on a whole foods plant based diet as much as possible, but I also understand the complexities of everyday life that are so unique to every person.

Therefore, Just Add Good Stuff, is all about taking the ‘bad stuff’ out of our lives gradually while adding more ‘good stuff’.  By doing so, you can still enjoy life to its fullest … and in many ways, by taking care of your health first, you will be much happier, successful and healthier in everyday life.

I am proud to call myself a vegan.  Now, I challenge you…

GREAT TIP > Here’s the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides … which fruit & veggies are pesticide ridden and which are the cleanest? Find out here!

The 2013 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has just been published!  We’ll try to explain what the EWG calls the Dirty Dozen™ which are the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables in a grocery store in addition to the Clean Fifteen™ which include the 15 healthiest produce products you can find.  The 2013 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides™ by the EWG is a perfect way for you to avoid unhealthy produce while taking advantage of the healthiest ones during your grocery shopping visit.

Obviously, it is important to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your clean eating diet.  And most of us understand that many of these produce products are exposed to numerous insecticides and pesticides that are detrimental to our health.  The EWG 2013 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides™ is an easy guide for anyone to follow when it comes to selecting foods that will give us the best nutrients while limiting the negative effects of contaminants.  Although the Environmental Protection Agency has tried to restrict the use of some pesticides and chemicals on our crops because of their toxicity and direct/indirect links to health conditions in humans, many of these pesticides are still detected on foods that we think are absolutely safe.  One thing to note is that even if the Environmental Protection Agency bans certain pesticides and chemicals, there will still be residual amounts of contaminants on our food for years to come.  As with last year, the EWG 2013 Shoppers’ Guide to Pesticides™ includes 2 main lists (Dirty Dozen™  and Clean Fifteen™) plus other pertinent details.

Here is the 2013 Dirty DozenTM on the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides™:

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Cherry Tomatoes
4. Cucumbers
5. Grapes
6. Hot Peppers
7. Nectarines – imported
8. Peaches
9. Potatoes
10. Spinach
11. Strawberries
12. Sweet Bell Peppers

The 2013 Dirty Dozen™ on the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides™ includes the fresh produce that is the most UNHEALTHY for human consumption.  This is because the Dirty Dozen™ on the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides™ includes the most CONTAMINATED vegetables and fruits found on our grocery store shelves. This means that the Dirty Dozen™ has the most pesticides, chemicals and other contaminants and should only be eaten in MODERATION and only have rigorous washing.  They are laced with chemicals that are detrimental to our health and well being.  It is especially important for parents of small children, as these pesticides and residual chemicals can adversely affect a child’s health for years to come.

* Also note that the 2013 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides™ also includes the PLUS List.  According to the EWG, the PLUS category highlights two crops – domestically-grown summer squash and leafy greens, specifically kale and collards. These PLUS crops did not meet traditional Dirty Dozen™ criteria but were commonly contaminated with pesticides EXCEPTIONALLY TOXIC to the nervous system.  So watch out for these two!

Here is the 2013 Clean Fifteen™ on the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides™:

1. Asparagus
2. Avocados
3. Cabbage
4. Cantaloupe
5. Sweet corn
6. Eggplant
7. Grapefruit
8. Kiwi
9. Mangoes
10. Mushrooms
11. Onions
12. Papayas
13. Pineapples
14. Sweet Peas (frozen)
15. Sweet Potatoes

The 2013 Clean Fifteen™ is the LEAST CONTAMINATED and therefore healthiest vegetables and fruits you can find at your local grocery store.  This means that the Clean Fifteen™ contains the LEAST amount of pesticides and chemicals. Go Clean Fifteen™.

The EWG Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides™ also talks about 3 other important issues surrounding the lists.

Firstly, organic produce will always contain little or no pesticides or chemicals and is therefore healthier than traditional cultivated produce.

Secondly, genetically modified produce (or GMOs as they are commonly referred as) are not usually found in the fresh produce section of a grocery store.  This is because the genetically modified seeds are used in processed foods that are usually in the packaged foods section.  The genetically modified GMO foods are also found in animal feed and biofuels.  Two of these such genetically modified foods that appear in almost everything and anything processed are CORN and SOY. Therefore, many GMOs are not listed in the Clean Fifteen™ nor the Dirty Dozen™ on the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides™.

Lastly, some genetically modified crops make it to the produce section.  A small percentage of sweet corn and zucchini are GMO but most Hawaiian papaya is a GMO.  Because the United States law does NOT require labeling of GMO produce, a consumer can’t easily tell if they are buying a GMO or non-GMO product.  Therefore, always go with the ‘organic’ choice wherever possible.

More information about the EWG Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce lists are online here.

Rip Esselstyn’s Whole Foods Plant Based Diet Books & Videos!

You’ve probably heard the name before. Your friends may have mentioned Rip Esselystyn in passing or you may have watched Forks Over Knives, an eye opening food documentary about health, diet and nutrition.

Wherever you’ve heard the name Rip Esselstyn is not important. What’s important is Rip Esselstyn’s teachings on whole foods plant based diets. Not only that, but this hunk is also a best selling author with his health/nutrition and recipe book The Engine 2 Diet: The Texas Firefighter’s 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds, which was also featured on Forks Over Knives. Since then, he is following up with a 2nd book called Rip Esselstyn My Beef with Meat: The Healthiest Argument for Eating a Plant-Strong Diet. Here’s more about this amazing role model…

Rip Esselystyn Background

Rip was born in Upstate New York and attended the University of Texas at Austin on a swimming scholarship between 1982 and 1986. During that time, Rip Esselstyn was an All American swimmer, winning numerous swimming awards during this collegiate years and becoming a household name on the swimming circuit. After University, Rip Esselstyn became a successful triathlete, competing against the world’s best for over 10 years. In late 1990’s Rip retired from being a pro-triathlete and became a professional firefighter and emergency medical technician. Soon after getting his certifications, Rip Esselstyn started working at the Austin Fire Department’s Engine 2.

The Rip Esselstyn Whole Foods Plant Based Diet

As with most people in North America, Rip Esselstyn grew up eating a standard ‘Western-style diet’ which consisted mainly of animal protein, some vegetables and fruit, lots of carbohydrates and starch and of course, fast food and soda drinks. What’s interesting is that during Rip Esselstyn’s triathlete competition years, he switched over to a whole foods plant based diet. He was inspired by some of his dad’s teachings in this subject area and decided to go into an entirely whole foods plant based diet as of 1987, years before he retired from competing in professional triathletes.

In collaboration with Gene Stone, Rip Esselstyn published his first book, The Engine 2 Diet: The Texas Firefighter’s 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds back in 2009 and it quickly became a best-selling health, nutrition and diet related book of all time. The Rip Esselstyn whole foods plant based diet was based on his personal experiences from switching between a Western style diet to this whole foods plant based routine. Part of the reason why he published Rip Esselstyn The Engine 2 Diet: The Texas Firefighter’s 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Poundsbook was also because the number of cardiac related emergencies he saw as a firefighter. As we all know, integrating a whole foods plant based diet such as Rip Esselstyn’s The Engine 2 Diet lifestyle will help reduce the risk of cardiac diseases and heart attacks. The Engine 2 Diet by Rip Esselstyn and Gene Stone appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List and was endorsed by many celebrities, notable public servants and others. You can learn more here: www.TheEngine2Diet.com.

Rip Esselstyn’s whole foods plant based diet book The Engine 2 Dietalso made it onto the highly acclaimed Forks Over Knives documentary. Forks Over Knives is one of Just Add Good Stuff’s most favorite food documentaries and is a must-see! The Engine 2 Diet on Forks Over Knives solidified Rip Esselstyn place as one of the leading role models for a whole foods plant based diet and lifestyle. What Forks Over Knives and The Engine 2 Diet combination did for many people is that someone such as Rip Esselstyn, can live an extremely healthy and fit lifestyle while incorporating many ‘scary’ diet and nutrition related changes to their lives. In many ways, Rip Esselstyn’s appearance on Forks Over Knives showed that it can be done with commitment, awareness and self-education. The movie was quickly followed by Forks Over Knives Presents The Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue with Rip Esselstyn.

Rip Esselstyn My Beef with Meat: The Healthiest Argument for Eating a Plant-Strong Diet

Rip’s latest book was released in mid May 2013 and is called Rip Esselystyn My Beef with Meat: The Healthiest Argument for Eating a Plant-Strong Diet. Not only does it contain a lot of new material, but My Beef with Meat: The Healthiest Argument for Eating a Plant-Strong Diet by Rip Esselstyn but it also has 140 new Engine 2 Diet recipes that are healthy, easy to follow and quick to prepare (as usual). Great tips and recommendations are also made throughout the book and you can easily purchase it on Amazon (hard copy or Kindle) as of mid May. In essence, My Beef with Meat: The Healthiest Argument for Eating a Plant-Strong Diet by Rip Esselstyn is a follow up to his The Engine 2 Diet book. The first book was mainly recipe based, while Rip’s second book, My Beef with Meat: The Healthiest Argument for Eating a Plant-Strong Diet is more about education and dispelling many myths surrounding health and nutrition. Rip argues that many of today’s worst diseases are diet related and therefore, can easily be reversed with the implementation of a plant strong diet, as explained in My Beef with Meat: The Healthiest Argument for Eating a Plant-Strong Diet by Rip Esselstyn. Here is the background information about My Beef with Meat on Amazon:

For the millions who are following a plant-based diet, as well as those meat-eaters who are considering it, MY BEEF WITH MEAT is the definitive guide to convincing all that it’s truly the best way to eat! New York Times Bestelling author of The Engine 2 Diet and nutrition lecturer Rip Esselstyn, is back and ready to arm readers with the knowledge they need to win any argument with those who doubt the health benefits of a plant-based diet–and convince curious carnivores to change their diets once and for all. Rip Esselstyn reveals information on the foods that most people believe are healthy, yet that scientific research shows are not. Some foods, in fact, he deems so destructive they deserve a warning label. Want to prevent heart attacks, stroke, cancer and Alzheimer’s? Then learn the facts and gain the knowledge to convince those skeptics that they are misinformed about plant-base diets, for instance:

You don’t need meat and dairy to have strong bones or get enough protein
You get enough calcium and iron in plants
The myth of the Mediterranean diet
There is a serious problem with the Paleo diet
If you eat plants, you lose weight and feel great

My Beef with Meat by Rip Esselstyn proves the Engine 2 way of eating can optimize health and ultimately save lives and includes more than 145 delicious recipes to help readers reach that goal.

Here are some of his other teachings:

Eating a plant-strong diet is the best way to fight the dangerous fires raging inside us—fires that create all the chronic Western ailments including heart attack, stroke, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.

The fat and cholesterol in animal products clogs up arteries and can cause impotence, which research shows may be an early sign of heart disease. But men, you can treat this without Viagra. Instead, eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans.

Some people ask: is Rip Esselstyn gay?  Because Rip is so secretive with his personal life, many people have asked that question at least once: Rip Esselstyn gay?  Most indications is that Rip Esselstyn is NOT gay.  However, many journalists looking for the latest scoop on Rip Esselstyn’s sexuality have always brought this topic up to garner more followers (which to us is disgusting).  For gay men, Rip Esselstyn gay would be unreal.  To them, a gay Rip Esselstyn will break down all barriers in terms of sexuality and masculinity.  So when you ask is Rip Esselstyn gay, who really cares?  He is a role model for EVERYONE … a handsome firefighter dedicated to bringing awareness to health, diet, nutrition and fitness.  He is also a dedicated spokesperson for clean eating whole foods plant based diets.  Yes he’s handsome, well spoken and a great role model … and because of his secretive personal life, this doesn’t mean that Rip Esselstyn is gay at all.  What is means is that there are certainly lots of people who want a gay Rip Esselstyn … and it’s certainly just their dream.

The only nutrient that plant-based foods lack is vitamin B12. But you can get a daily supply by downing a glass of fortified soy milk or a bowl of fortified cereal.

Some trendy diets claim that all carbohydrates are bad guys, yet of the three macro-nutrients that provide calories in our diet (carbs, protein, and fat), carbohydrates are the body’s primary fuel source. They’re responsible for managing your heart rate, digestion, breathing, exercising, walking, and thinking.

RECIPE > Avocado Dill Dip Recipe

Spring is in the air! When spring comes along, we at Just Add Good Stuff just love the smell of dill and other herbs! In addition, it’s the perfect time for avocados … we mean really ripe and organic avocados from the local grocers.

Combining the two ingredients, organic dill and organic avocados, makes for a great Spring dip or spread. Whether you are hosting a lunch/dinner party or just relaxing outside with a book, try the avocado dill dip and spread for a healthy alternative to packaged dips. As you can see, ALL INGREDIENTS are completely RAW and ORGANIC. This easy-to-make and easy-to-follow AVOCADO DILL DIP RECIPE will only take you 10 minutes or less to prepare. And once you’ve tasted this avocado dill combination, you won’t want anything else!

Check out the avocado dill dip recipe below in addition to some top avocado health benefits and dill health benefits below for your perfect Spring snack that is both nutritional as well as filling!

Avocado Dill Dip Recipe

If you are looking for a quick and dirty recipe for an Avocado Dill Dip or Spread, here it is! This Avocado Dill recipe is enough for 2 to 4 people with organic crackers or gluten free bread. Can be used as a dip or a spread, whichever you like!

Please share with your friends and family!

Servings: 1 medium sized bowl
Preparation Time: 10 minutes (or less)

Here are the ingredients for the Avocado Dill Dip Recipe:

2 Avocados (overly ripe and organic if possible)
½ cup Lemon Juice (preferable freshly squeezed organic lemons)
¼ cup Dill (preferably fresh organic dill)
1 tsp Garlic (organic and minced)
1 tsp Agave (raw and organic … plus, this is optional!)
½ tsp Salt (unprocessed)

Here are the preparation directions for our favourite Avocado Dill Dip Recipe:

Step 1: Get your food processor out and plugged in
Step 2: Wash all of your ingredients
Step 3: Get the avocado meat out (see below section: The BEST WAY to Peel an Avocado > Avocado Preparation guide)
Step 4: Add the lemon juice into your food processor
Step 5: Add the dill (no need to chop it … but take the stems off)
Step 6: Add the finely minced garlic
Step 7: Add the agave syrup (if you want … no need to add agave)
Step 8: Add a pinch of salt
Step 9: Blend using your food processor for about 30 to 50 seconds
Step 10: Serve with crackers and/or bread
Step 11: Enjoy and share with your friends and family

The BEST WAY to Peel an Avocado > Avocado Preparation

It is vital that you learn how to prepare an Avocado via the best way to peel an avocado for your avocado dill dip recipe. A recent UCLA research team showed that in California organic avocados, the greatest concentration of beneficial carotenoids is in the dark green fruit of the avocado closest to the peel. Therefore, it is essential to learn how to prepare an Avocado the right way. To preserve the area with the greatest concentration of antioxidants, you basically want to peel the avocado with your hands, as you would a banana. The BEST WAY to Peel an Avocado in avocado preparation is as follows!

Step 1: First, cut the avocado length-wise, around the seed
Step 2: Holding each half, twist them in the opposite directions to separate them from the seed
Step 3: Remove the seed
Step 4: Cut each half, lengthwise
Step 5: Next, using your thumb and index finger, simply peel the skin off each piece

By following the above best way to peel an avocado, you can ensure the greatest concentration of antioxidant and nutrient levels in your avocado dill recipe.

Avocado Dill Health Benefits

Eating raw and organic avocados, dill and lemons have great health benefits and lots of nutritional value. The key here is that all ingredients are completely RAW and ORGANIC so that they retain all of their nutritional benefits and ultimately their health benefits. Here are some of the most notable benefits for each of the main ingredients in this avocado dill dip recipe.

Organic Dill Health Benefits

The health benefits of dill are well documented and tested. Here are our top 8 dill health benefits that you should be aware of: sleep aid, calming effect, bone health, anti-bacterial herb, fights free radicals and digestive benefits. In addition, other health benefits of dill include the treatment of headaches/migraines in addition to hiccups! Bet you didn’t know that!

Organic Avocado Health Benefits

The health benefits of avocados are also well documented and far reaching when it comes to personal health, nutrition and well being. Here are some of our favourite avocado health benefits in no particular order (there are many more, which we will write about in a separate article): lower cholesterol levels, assist in a healthy heart and circulatory system, control blood pressure (lowers stress) and features anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the avocado health benefits also include promoting eye health, regulating blood sugar levels (important for diabetics), preventing birth defects and reducing the risk of strokes. Other great organic avocado health benefits include its use in skin care (treatment for psoriasis) in addition to increase in nutritional absorption during meals and a cure for bad breath! Bet you didn’t know this one either!

Organic Lemon Health Benefits

Just Add Good Stuff touched upon some health benefits of lemons in our blog post: WAKE UP AND DRINK THIS! Here are a few more health benefits of lemons that most people don’t know about: lemons can assist in abolishing acne, cure bad breath, help anxiety (lowers stress levels and decrease fatigue), treat canker sores and mouth sores. In addition, other organic lemon health benefits include treating fevers/migraines, treating the common cold or flu, treatment of eczema and healing hypertension. These are in addition to the lemon health benefit that we all know and hear about: balancing our body’s pH levels.