posted June 11, 2005 07:54 PM         

I have been eating a LOT of raw almonds in the past 2 months. Mainly because I am vegetarian and I have a lot of dietary restrictions right now due to a health issue.

So I figure I eat at least 1/2 c. of raw almonds each day. I just opened a new bag from Whole Foods and they are the best I've had so far. I was buying some from a vendor at the farmer's market each week, but now I like WF's better.

I also eat Luna Nori Crackers every day which have raw sprouted almonds in them.

posted June 12, 2005 03:37 AM         

They are high in fat, but they are also VERY good for you, I only eat raw, and not the baked.

mmmm almond butter.....all almond stuff is delish!

I'd say if you are going to pig out on almonds all day, then just limit all other fats in your diet.

posted June 12, 2005 03:44 AM         

French novelist, Collette, is quoted,"Eating too many almonds, they add weight to the breasts."

Also:
Like eating too much of anything, eating too many almonds at one sitting can have unwanted effects: most notably abdominal bloating and heavier bowel movements. This is due to the high fiber content found in almonds.

Fiber, in normal amounts, is a good thing. Fiber promotes a healthy colon and reduces cholesterol thereby reducing the risk of certain cancers and heart disease.

People who have diverticulitis or other intestinal disorders need to be cautious. Some might be counseled by their health care providers to refrain from all nuts depending on the severity of their condition.

It would be very difficult to "overdose" on almonds, but eating too much of anything, including almonds, is not recommended. http://www.awesomealmonds.com/faq_too_many.htm

posted June 13, 2005 03:18 PM         

I dunno, Nephthys...I think as long as you are reasonably healthy and active, and aren't eating pounds of almonds and avocados a day, you shouldn't have to worry too much. They are some of nature's perfect foods. The reason we obsess so much about fats is because most of the American diet consists of foods so highly processed that they are barely even food, and difficult to digest.

The avocado is loaded with so much good fat; it doesn't become unhealthy till you start adding in grocery store (as opposed to health food store) mayonaise, which is loaded with sugar, chemicals, and probably hydrogenated oils. An avocado contains the type of Vitamin E that your body can process and use. Our bodies need good healthy fats.

I look at women, especially those over 35, who eliminate most fats from their diets, and almost without exception, their skin looks dry and flat.

If I'm reading between the lines properly, I think I understand the health problem to which you refer. There are those who have claimed that coconut oil is very good to help the healing. The website from which I bought mine is, I think, this:
www.tropicaltraditions.com

It's completely organic with minimal processing.

posted June 13, 2005 03:58 PM         

it helps also to really be aware of your water intake. i know you hear it all the time...but it's so important on a daily basis.

an excellent book - Your Body's Cries for Water - illustrates that so many of the common, serious diseases of today are simply signs of severe dehydration.

this occurs over years and years of not adequately supplying your body with water.

and what i'd thought you'd be interested in is this: that, as we all know, brain functioning requires immediate energy, and a quick way to get that is with sugar. our bodies' hunger signals, much of the time, are from the brain requiring a quick energy fix. but what is not as well known, is that the brain requires just as much hydroelectric energy. that means from water. so the big thing i'm attempting to convey here: when your brain needs additional energy, it signals your body. our bodies interpret this as hunger pangs...but just as often, it is thirst. so oftentimes, when we feel hungry, our bodies really may be craving water, and we don't realize it...as all we recognize is the sensation of hunger! the doctor who wrote this book believes people gain weight because they eat when they are really thirsty, and not hungry.

try drinking water when you feel so ravenous...in addition to religiously drinking 6-8 8oz containers of water daily. this is the bare minimum. if you already feel you drink this much water daily, and it's adequate, try adding a few more cups per day. you body may be trying to tell you need more.

i'm not suggesting that your medical condition would be cured with water...i just think it's remarkable that this book shows how important daily water intake is to our body by showing how many diseases of today are nothing more than dehydration. it's written by a well respected md.

also, if your body has gone years without adequate hydration, it can take a while to restore it to an acceptable hydrated state.

you probably are well aware of your daily water intake. if so, i hope this post will help other people. i hear it daily, from this website, healers, etc. etc....'drink more water'...and i never really paid it that much mind. i mean, i buy bottled water, grab one now and then...every once in a while think, oh i should drink more water today, and maybe drink a few more cups of water that day...

but i've never really consistently watched my daily water intake...and it shocks me to realize how little water i actually drink day to day. and any other fluid does not count! you need that minimum amount of water daily for your body to function properly...i always thought, well i drink the herbal teas, the juice...but no...it's not the same!

so many people in this book described how upping their daily water intake cured their cravings, their mood swings...and so many, many more medical ailments.

it's amazing that i just haven't realized this until now. that's an excellent book, and i know it's message would help so many people, if they would just get it. this doctor thinks the entire medical field would be revolutionized if people would just drink enough water -- DAILY.

anyway, that's my contribution. i don't believe lots of almonds or avocados will do anything to you except make you healthy and strong.

posted June 13, 2005 04:31 PM         

Saffron, that is a GREAT book! (Your Body's Many Cries for Water) Yes, it's messaqe WOULD help so many people.

posted June 13, 2005 11:45 PM         

I have always drank a lot of H20 all of my life;
1. because I'm always thirsty
2. because I know it's good for me
3. just because I like it

I drink more H20 than most people.
I really can't force drink any more because of work and school, and I have a small enough bladder as it is!

I also eat a lot of vegetables and (usually) fruit. So I get a lot through that.

I agree with what you guys said about H20.

Don't know much about coconut oil ~ so it's suppose to help with *you know what* Went to the link but don't have much time to read right now.

Thanks for all of your support everyone!!

posted June 14, 2005 09:00 AM         

Saffron, I read that book years ago and I too love it. He has a new one out, but I haven't picked it up yet. I have always been a water drinker, and drink a minimum of a gallon a day.Usually it's much more than that. I never touch soda pop. Really, I don't drink much else but a little wine or other adult beverages (last night I had some imported Meade, MmmMmmm), and a very rare cup of coffee.

So I'll echo Saffron: drink more water. When you think you've had enough, drink more. Give it time, and you'll start noticing wonderful differences.

posted June 14, 2005 11:43 PM         

a few ice cubes
1 or 2 strawberries
a few frozen, wild, organic blueberries
Almond or Rice milk or both
1 T. Total EFA (essential fatty acids)
1 T heaping T. rice protein powder

posted June 15, 2005 10:55 PM         

You can add or delete any ingredients that you like. I use Nutribiotic's Vegan Vanilla Rice Protein Powder.