Unfortunately due to my crazy schedule lately, I’ve been consuming too much fast food for my liking. We all know fast food is bad for us but which fast foods are the worst. I found a list dietblog.com.

Yes, I have been eating fast food lately but the good news is (sorta good news I guess) none of my meals are listed below. Review the list and see If you need to make some changes.

• Junior Bacon Cheeseburger (Jack in the Box)
• Cheesy Double Beef Burrito (Taco Bell)
• Breakfast Sausage Biscuit (Burger King)
• McDouble (McDonald’s)
• Junior Bacon Cheeseburger

The key factors used to determine how health or unhealthy the meals were.

• High fat content
• Grilled meat
• Processed meat
• Dairy products
• Fiber
• Sodium
• Fruit and vegetables

For More Information On Ken Coward Visit His Personal Website. You Can Also Follow Ken On Twitter.

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Not many of you know how close we came to losing our health freedom. Thanks to the actions of thousands of informed people we all can go on continuing to take our health for granted. If you took action against this horrific bill I say thank you. If not, educate yourself and let’s prevent this from happening again. The following video provides the bad news. The article below explains the good news.

I am on the mailing list for Alliance for Natural Health USA. They sent this yesterday:

March 5, 2010

Your Victory on the McCain Bill

We did it!

It’s all thanks to the action that you took.

Hundreds of thousands of messages poured into the Senate opposing Senator McCain’s bill, the bill that would have wiped out current legislative protections for dietary supplements. More and more messages were arriving by the day. The entire Congress began to take note. Senator McCain was embarrassed by our ad whose headline pointed out that he was misrepresenting and did not seem to understand his own bill.

Word is now racing around Capitol Hill that Senator McCain met with Senator Orin Hatch, a champion of natural medicine, and told him that he is withdrawing his support for the bill he authored, the so-called Dietary Supplement Safety Act (S 3002). This means that the bill as written is now dead.

Is this the end of the story? No. Having given his word to a fellow senator, McCain is not likely to resume his support for the bill. But we do need to see a declaration from McCain himself. We will need to see if McCain will try to offer some modified version of the bill. And there has also been no word from the other co-sponsor of the bill, Senator Dorgan.

We will keep you posted. In the meantime, it is time to celebrate your accomplishment. The democratic process worked. The people spoke and a powerful senator reversed course. It was all because of you, the active citizens willing to take time and make the effort to defend natural and sustainable forms of health and healthcare in the often hostile environment of Washington, DC. As we all know, Washington is ringed today with special commercial interests. They have millions of dollars of campaign contributions to hand out and gigantic lobbying budgets. But in the end, politicians have to answer to the people.

Thank you!

Gretchen DuBeau, Executive Director

Hunter Lewis, President

Alliance for Natural Health USA

For More Information On Ken Coward Please Visit His Personal Website. You Can Also Follow Ken On Twitter.

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1. Squats- Any type of squat is a great way to burn calories. Squats allow you to use many muscles at the same time. The more muscle used the more calories burned. You can squat with dumbbells, body weight, kettle bells, your kids, anything that works.

2. Pushing exercises- Pushing exercises require a great deal of muscle as well. Examples of pushing exercises are bench press and push ups.

3.Pulling Exercises- Pulling exercises consist of  rowing or pull-ups, dumbbell rows, seated rows, anything in a pulling motion is going to work a lot of musculature so a lot of your upper back, some of your arms, your lats, and even a little bit of your lower back if you keep that – by holding yourself in that static upright position.

4. Single Leg Exercises-  Single leg exercises are great because you are using the large muscles of the leg and you also incorporate balance and proprioception (Its input comes from sensory receptors distinct from tactile receptors — nerves from inside the body rather than on the surface. Proprioceptive ability can be trained, as can any motor activity.)

5. Total Body Abs- I dread these movements but they really get the calories burning. These are core exercises but they incorporate the arms and legs as well. Examples of these exercises are mountain climbers, dive bombers and burpies.

For More Information On Ken Visit His Personal Website. You Can Also Follow Ken On Twitter.

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February is Black History Month. I decided to interview an African American Natural Health Care Practitioner. Reggie Smith has a powerful story everyone needs to hear. Reggie  discusses the African American Natural  Health care Practitioner. He also discusses ways to overcome chronic disease. This is a very informative interview, I enjoyed doing it and I hope you enjoy it as well.

To learn More About Ken Coward Visit His Personal Website. You Can Also Follow Ken On Twitter.

For More Information On Reggie Smith and His Program Visit His Personal Website.

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I’ve already told you that cardio alone is not the way to go for eliminating  fat. Today I will take things back to basics. To burn fat you need to build muscle and burn calories. As you know from previous articles lifting weights is the best way to burn calories and build muscles. There are certain types of exercises that are a must when you’re trying to develop  a lean, athletic, sexy, body.

Multi joint exercises will build the most muscle and burn the most fat period.  Multi joint exercises are exercises that use movement across two or more joints. One reason these exercises are so effective is, they mimic everyday activities. Walking, jogging and lifting are all movements that take place at multiple joints, they are also activities that require more muscle. Wouldn’t it make sense to provide resistance to movements we  use everyday? Wouldn’t it also make sense to exercise as many muscles as you can at once? That’s what you do with multi joint exercises. When you jog on a treadmill for 30 minutes you will initially burn more calories than If you were to lift weights for the same time, generally speaking. The key with lifting weights is your body will continue to burn calories throughout the day to maintain your newly developed muscle. A few examples of multi joint exercises are listed below.

Squats

Lunges

Bench Press

Push Ups

Pull Ups

The video below provides you with eight multi joint exercises to help you get started.

For More Information On Ken Coward Visit His Personal Website. You Can Also Follow Ken On Twitter.

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Numerous times, I’ve discussed  how chronic disease in the United States is at an all time high. I’ve also discussed the dangers of processed foods.

Today I will discuss a simple way to counter chronic disease which will allow you to live a long healthy life. All you have to do is learn how to alkaline your body.

The majority of foods we eat, once digested, absorbed and metabolized release either an acid or an alkaline base into the blood

The PH level of the blood let’s us know if we’re acidic or alkaline.

Your PH stands for potential for health. PH ranges from 0-6.9, which is acidic, to 7-14 which is alkaline. For the body to function at it’s highest level it must be able to balance the acid and the alkaline. The ideal PH level at which this balance takes place is  7.36-7.44. The reason you need some acid in your body is due to the fact some parts of the body require acid such as the digestive system.

Below I have included a list of acidic foods and alkaline foods as well as a powerful video which explains exactly why you need to alkaline your body.

Alkaline Foods you can eat freely

Vegetables
Brussels Sprouts +0.5
Broccoli
Peas, Ripe +0.5
Asparagus +1.3
Comfrey +1.5
Green Cabbage, March Harvest +2.0
Lettuce +2.2
Onion +3.0
Cauliflower +3.1
White Cabbage +3.3
Green Cabbage December Harvest +4.0
Savoy Cabbage +4.5
Lamb’s Lettuce +4.8
Peas, Fresh +5.1
Zucchini +5.7
Red Cabbage +6.3
Rhubarb Stalks +6.3
Leeks (Bulbs) +7.2
Watercress +7.7
Spinach, March Harvest +8.0
Chives +8.3
French Cut Green Beans +11.2
Sorrel +11.5
Spinach (Other Than March) +13.1
Garlic +13.2
Celery +13.3
Cabbage Lettuce, Fresh +14.1
Endive, Fresh +14.5
Cayenne Pepper +18.8
Straw Grass +21.4
Shave Grass +21.7
Dog Grass +22.6
Dandelion +22.7
Kamut Grass +27.6
Barley Grass +28.1
Soy Sprouts +29.5
Sprouted Radish Seeds +28.4
Sprouted Chia Seeds +28.5
Alfalfa Grass +29.3
Cucumber, Fresh +31.5
Wheat Grass +33.8

Root Vegetables
White Raddish (Spring) +3.1
Rutabaga +3.1
Kohlrabi +5.1
Horseradish +6.8
Turnip +8.0
Carrot +9.5
Beet +11.3
Red Radish +16.7
Summer Black Radish +39.4

Fruits
Limes +8.2
Fresh Lemon +9.9
Tomato +13.6
Avocado (Protein) +15.6

Non-Stored Organic Grains And Legumes
Buckwheat Groats +0.5
Spelt +0.5
Lentils +0.6
Soy Flour +2.5
Tofu +3.2
Lima Beans +12.0
Soybeans, Fresh +12.0
White Beans (Navy Beans) +12.1
Granulated Soy (Cooked Ground Soy Beans) +12.8
Soy Nuts (soaked Soy Beans, Then Air Dried) +26.5
Soy Lecithin (Pure) +38.0

Nuts
Brazil Nuts +0.5
Almonds +3.6

Seeds
Sesame Seeds +0.5
Cumin Seeds +1.1
Fennel Seeds +1.3
Flax Seeds +1.3
Caraway Seeds +2.3
Sunflower Seeds +5.4
Pumpkin Seeds +5.6
Wheat Kernel +11.4

Fats (Fresh, Cold-Pressed Oils)
Olive Oil +1.0
Borage Oil +3.2
Flax Seed Oil +3.5
Evening Primrose Oil +4.1
Marine Lipids +4.7

Foods you should eat sparingly

Fish
Fresh Water Fish -11.8

Fruits
(In Season, For Cleansing Only
Or With Moderation)
Rose Hips -15.5
Pineapple -12.6
Mandarin Orange -11.5
Bananna, Ripe -10.1
Pear -9.9
Peach -9.7
Apricot -9.5
Papaya -9.4
Orange -9.2
Mango -8.7
Tangerine -8.5
Currant -8.2
Gooseberry, Ripe -7.7
Grape, Ripe -7.6
Cranberry -7.0
Black Currant -6.1
Strawberry -5.4
Blueberry -5.3
Rasberry -5.1
Yellow Plum -4.9
Italian Plum -4.9
Date -4.7
Cherry, Sweet -3.6

Foods you should eat sparingly

Cantaloupe -2.5
Red Currant -2.4
Fig Juice Powder -2.4
Grapefruit -1.7
Watermelon -1.0
Coconut, Fresh +0.5
Cherry, Sour +3.5
Bananna, Unripe +4.8

Non-Stored Grains
Brown Rice -12.5
Wheat -10.1

Nuts
Walnuts -8.0
Macadamia Nuts -3.2
Hazelnuts -2.0

Fats
Sunflower Oil -6.7
Coconut Milk -1.5

*source: “Back To The House Of Health”
by Shelley Redford Young

Acidic Foods You Should Avoid

Root Vegetables
Stored Potatoes +2.0

Meat, Poultry, And Fish
Pork -38.0
Veal -35.0
Beef -34.5
Ocean Fish -20.0
Chicken (to -22) -18.0
Eggs (to -22)
Oysters -5.0
Liver -3.0
Organ Meats -3.0

Milk And Milk Products
Hard Cheese -18.1
Quark -17.3
Cream -3.9
Homogenized Milk -1.0
Buttermilk +1.3

Bread, Biscuits (Stored Grains/Risen Dough)
White Bread -10.0        White Biscuit -6.5
Whole-Meal Bread -6.5
Whole-Grain Bread -4.5
Rye Bread -2.5

Nuts
Pistachios -16.6
Peanuts -12.8
Cashews -9.3

Fats
Margarine -7.5
Corn Oil -6.5
Butter -3.9
Sweets
Artificial Sweetners -26.5
Chocolate -24.6
White Sugar -17.6
Beet Sugar -15.1
Molasses -14.6
Dr. Bronner’s Barley
Malt Sweetner -9.8
Dried Sugar Cane Juice -18.0
(Sucanat) -9.6
Barley Malt Syrup -9.3
Fructose -9.5
Milk Sugar -9.4
Turbinado Sugar -9.5    Brown Rice Syrup 8.7    Honey -7.6

Condiments
Ketchup -12.4
Mayonaise -12.5
Mustard -19.2
Soy Sauce -36.2
Vinegar -39.4

Beverages
Liquor -38.7
Wine -16.4
Beer -26.8
Coffee -25.1
Fruit Juice, Packaged, Natural -8.7
Fruit Juice Sweetened With
White Sugar -33.6
Tea (Black) -27.1

Miscellaneous
Canned Foods
Processed Foods
Microwaved Foods
*source: “Back To The House Of Health” by Shelley Redford Young

For More Information On Ken Coward Visit His Personal Website. You Can Also Follow Ken On Twitter.

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In my previous article dealing with gluten I discussed why you need to avoid gluten.  In this article I will discuss  gluten free diets. My source for this particular article is the Mayo Clinic.

The first question one might ask is, what exactly is a gluten free diet? A gluten free diet is a diet that “excludes the protein gluten, which is found in grains such as wheat, barley or rye.” Following a gluten free diet can be challenging. As long as you educate yourself on gluten free foods  and stay consist with a gluten free meal plan, gluten free can become a part of your everyday lifestyle.

Below I have listed the foods the Mayo Clinic recommends you avoid in a gluten free diet.

• Wheat
• Barley
• Rye
• Farina
• Graham flour
• Semolina
• Durham
• Bulgur
• Kamut
• Kasha
• Matzo meal
• Spelt (a form of wheat)
• Triticale

“Oats may not be harmful for most people with celiac disease, but oat products are frequently contaminated with wheat, so it’s best to avoid oats as well. The question of whether people eating a gluten free diet can consume pure oat products remains a subject of scientific debate. Difficulties in identifying the precise components of grains responsible for the immune response and the chemical differences between wheat and oats have contributed to the controversy. “

Avoid all foods or food ingredients made from many grains, including:

• Wheat
• Barley
• Rye
• Farina
• Graham flour
• Semolina
• Durham
• Bulgur
• Kamut
• Kasha
• Matzo meal
• Spelt (a form of wheat)
• Triticale

Avoid these products unless labeled ‘gluten free’
“The following grains are gluten free as grown, but may be contaminated by other grains during harvesting and processing. Verify that these are processed in a gluten free facility before consuming them:”

• Amaranth
• Buckwheat
• Quinoa

There are still many basic foods allowed in a gluten free diet. These include:

• Fresh meats, fish and poultry (not breaded, batter-coated or marinated)
• Most dairy products
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Rice
• Potatoes
• Gluten free flours (rice, soy, corn, potato)
• Wine and distilled liquors, ciders and spirits

The video below does a great job of summarizing gluten and gluten free foods.

For More Information On Ken Coward You Can Visit His Personal Website Or Follow Him On Twitter.

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Why Is Gluten Public Enemy Number One?

Gluten is a hot topic these days. It seems to be in almost everything. To me that says something must be wrong with it. I  decided to provide you with a few pointers explaining the benefits of avoiding  gluten.

First I will define gluten.Gluten is the substance that gives dough its elasticity and makes pasta and bread chewy. Along with starch, gluten resides in the endosperm of seeds in the grass family (grains), where their purpose is to nourish the growing seedling as it sprouts. Unlike starch, which is pure carbohydrate, gluten is made up of glycoproteins — that is, sugars combined with proteins — mainly gliadins and glutenins, which come in a range of shapes and sizes themselves.

1. Take Back Your Energy- Gluten is full of sugar, which will provide your body with temporary energy. Gluten will also spike your blood sugar, which leads to crashing of your blood sugar, which leads to no energy.
2. Less Digestive Stress- Gluten  may cause Celiac Disease. Which  leads to inflammation and damage of the small intestines. This can also inhibit the body’s ability to absorb vital nutrients.
3. Weight Loss- When you hear the word inflammation you should also hear the word obesity. Inflammation is a major cause of many chronic diseases including obesity.
4. Improve Your Skin- Many skin problems work from the inside out. Rashes, hives, eczema and acne can all by symptoms of the immune system reacting to digestive trauma caused by gluten.
5. Mental Clarity- Generally speaking, avoiding foods containing allergens and sticking with basic whole foods can lead to increased memory and concentration.

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I just don’t understand it.  There is a health crisis taking place in this country and people couldn’t care less.

The health crisis in the African American community is at another  level. Our breast cancer numbers are unbelievable,as well as our prostate cancer, heart disease, and diabetes numbers. Why do we embrace unhealthy lifestyles? Why do we embrace food that we know is garbage? It’s so frustrating for me, but I think it comes down to one word – accountability.  It’s so much easier to laugh at a man or woman who is 5’7” weiging 350 lbs.

We tell our women, “It’s OK to be obese, as long as you’re confident.” That’s a lie. The bottom line is if your lifestyle puts your health in jeopardy, then you need to make a change.  When an obese celebrity says eat what you want, do what you want, people lap that up. What seems to happen most of the time is, that same celebrity is told to change his or her lifestyle or (s)he won’t be here much longer. Then, that celebrity will start preaching the correct message, which is health first.

It makes me sick when I hear women that lead  healthy lifestyles being referred to as “skinny Bs.” Those ladies should be embraced as examples of how everyone can live long, healthy lives.  Chronic diseases shouldn’t be dominating our community like they are. We need to educate ourselves on the power of living healthy.

I’m a living example. I’ve had a kidney disease called FSGS since 2002.  FSGS causes scarring of the kidneys, which leads to improper  filtering of the kidneys. I was told in 02’ that there wasn’t a cure, and that I’d be on dialysis within two to three years.  I studied this disease, made some changes to my lifestyle and eating habits, and my kidneys have been stabilized since  2004 with no dialysis. A friend of mine had a cousin that was diagnosed with a kidney disease around the same time I was. I saw that same friend a few years ago at a local gym. I asked him how his cousin was doing.  He told me his cousin had passed away. His cousin neglected his medications because he didn’t feel any negative symptoms (which is very true, you don’t)  and he later lost his life.

The death of my friend’s cousin could have been avoided. Unfortunately  in the African American community scenarios like his happen much too often. I’ve been called a “health freak” numerous times. I’ve had people ask me “why do you eat that crap?” This is  amazing to me.

When I was diagnosed with my kidney disease the doctors had no idea how I acquired it.  It had nothing to do with living an unhealthy lifestyle, just “bad luck” I guess. This, however, is not the norm. Years of eating fried, fatty, sugar-laced foods is the downfall of thousands of African Americans yearly. I think this kidney disease was a blessing in a way, because I wouldn’t be here trying to inform people of the changes that need to be made in our community if I hadn’t been afflicted.

To all the PC readers, this message isn’t about being “mean” to the obese, it’s about  getting people to understand the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. We all deserve to live long, healthy, disease-free lives. The only way we can do this is to educate and motivate people to understand how important living healthy really is.

I’ll try this approach. we all work hard to provide our families with the best of the best. Imagine if you lost half of your household income. Imagine if the money you had saved for your children’s education suddenly had to go towards medical bills for a disease you didn’t have to have. This happens all the time in our country.  Medical bills are one of the major causes of bankruptcy in the United States.

I would like to think being healthy is enough motivation for people to make a change. If this isn’t the case, think how devastated you would be if your American dream was shattered because of lacking the discipline to change your eating habits. Please, folks, consider making a lifestyle change, it will be the best move you’ve ever made for you and the people you love.

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In my last article I discussed the five worst foods for your body. In this article I will discuss the five best foods (super foods) according to healthcastle.com.

1. Walnuts – As a tremendous source of protein, walnuts top the list. They are also packed with fiber, vitamin B magnesium and antioxidants.
2. Flax Seeds – Flax seeds provide omega three fatty acids. They are known to have heart benefits, high fiber and the antioxidant lignan. Flax seeds are also known to help prevent cancer.
3. Pomegranates – I’ve seen pomegranates on quite a few super food lists. Pomegranates contain, polyphenols, tannins and anthocyanins, all powerful antioxidants. Pomegranate juice is what you need to become familiar with. Lowering cholesterol and reducing blood pressure are its  claim to fame.
4. Salmon – Salmon is backed by the American Heart Association; they recommend two servings a week. There may be no better source of protein and omega fatty acids.
5. Dark Greens - I’ve been preaching about the benefits of dark green since day one. Particularly, kale, chard, collard greens, bok choy, broccoli, asparagus, and green beans. All are packed with iron, calcium and vitamins A and C. Dark greens are nutrient-dense foods which fill you up, keep you regular (high in fiber), and keep the heart healthy. Four servings of vegetables are recommended daily by the American Heart Association.

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