Sodium bicarbonate

One of my major interests is health and nutrition. Recently I have been getting interested and learning more about the pH of the human body. (A very good book if you are interested is The pH Miracle). The pH of our bodies is very delicately balanced, and much depends on what we ingest, and how our bodies respond to various foods. Overloading our bodies with acid forming foods creates a acidic pH in our bodies. Over time too much acid can cause body tissue to break down, and greatly effects blood circulation. Too much acid scientifically is called metabolic acidosis can cause a variety of problems in the body.

This is where Sodium Bicarbonate comes in. Sodim Bicarbonate (also commonly known as baking soda) is alkaline. It is not only an amazing household cleaner, it is also good for making your drinking water Alkaline, (to help your body have a more alkaline pH), AND I recently discovered is an amazing face wash. My sister told me about it and I figured it couldn't hurt. I had a breakout for over a month that I couldn't clear up with my regular face wash. I just scrubbed it with a bit of baking soda, and immediately it looked better, and was completely gone with in a week. Really it makes sense. Acidic toxins, are sweated from our body, so often breakouts are caused by the high acidic levels. Baking soda, alkaline, neutralizes this and helps to wash away oils, and wah-la no more breakout. Also the baking soda is slightly grainy which gently exfoliates as well. Isn't science (and Sodium Bicarbonate) amazing ??

For more Baking Soda Tips visit http://www.armhammer.com/

This blog written by Robert Young, Ph.D a good resource as well http://www.articlesofhealth.blogspot.com/

In Defense of Food

This morning I started reading In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. (Only on page 10 and I already adore it...) He wrote the book to answer what to eat, after writing An Omnivore's Dilemma which examined the sources and methods of food production of various sources.

He says: Eat real food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

I really like that. That pretty sums it up. However its not always that easy. First off its not always easy to get your hands on what I consider real food. Everyone has their own definition of what what "real food" is. To me "real" food should be raised by yourself, or nearby, and should be raised sustainably and naturally. This means eating in season, and planning for the winter. Such old fashion notions...

This isn't always "practical" in our busy lives, and busy society. This is one of my plans for our future is to grow at least the majority of my own fruits and vegetables. I have found over the last couple of years that it is easier said than done. There is so much to learn about caring for plants. It cannot be learned over night. Slowly I have learned more and more. Learning which plants do well in which season, soil needs, water needs, which plants can handle shade, which need complete sun. Which plants don't grow well in Oregon because of the mild summer temperatures, and how to grow them anyways. Which plants can grow well year round in the mild winters....

Its wonderfully fascinating to discover. Trial and error, building on what you learn each year, slowly gaining more and more successes. I love it! I am planning to have a large three season garden at the raised beds at my workplace this year(how great is that ? I get paid to garden?) and a perennial flower garden.

I can't wait!