The deadly truth about the fish fry

There is a lot I love about the African American Culture.  The love for the arts which involved music, dance and art is just one example.  However in most communities you will find a lot of food places.  Majority being Fast Food Restaurants.  And second to that you will find privately owned Chicken Shacks or Fish Fry Restaurants.    I remember as a kid my aunt would take me at least once a week to get a “fish dinner”.  Boy was I excited.  Something about eating it although that taste was no tastier than anything else I ever eaten.  Somehow I convinced myself that it was the best thing I ever tasted.  And every week I looked forward to the “fish dinner”.

The fish dinner was also popular at the many hair salons I went to.  If the owner of the hair salon belonged to a church she would often be apart or support her church in raising money with a fish fry.  And of course you wanted to support the woman who does your hair.  So you spent a little extra money on both your hair and a fish dinner.  In the end were supporting her business and her church.

As I think back to all those years of eating fish dinners I can’t imagine how many calories I consumed over the years just on a fish dinner alone.  So I decided to do some research.  What I found out was astounding.  I must also tell you my motivation behind writing this blog.  My father who raised me just suffered a heart attack last week. This is nothing new to me.  I am very aware of the statistics on African American and Heart Disease.  I will also share that my mother died of a heart attack in 2007.  So I feel it is necessary to share with ALL of you.  So you can begin to protect yourself and your families.

So let’s start here.  How many calories do you think are in the average fish fry? Good question right?  I was blown away when I found this out.  So the average fish fry 1100 per serving.  Yes, 1100.  That does not include the ever popular “All You Can Eat” fish fry.  Think about it, this once per week tradition equals about 500 calories more per dinner per week than the average person should be consuming.  Over a year period, you are consuming an extra 26,000 calories which can turn into adding 7.5 pounds per year.     

I am happy to announce that my father is fine.  And he is resting comfortably.   When I spoke to him he admitted that he was scared.  That he never imagined something like this happening to him.  However I wasn’t surprised.  Many of us never imagine things like this happening to us.  That’s not until it happens.  So let’s begin on educating ourselves about health.  There are so many healthy alternatives.  Research and find out what you can do to live a healthier lifestyle.

By the way this is only information on the “fish fry” Imagine how many calories in a chicken dinner.

 

Sowing Seeds

I remember the first time I heard about sowing seeds.  I didn’t quite get it,  I think I just wasn’t ready to receive it.   That would mean I would have to change.   That would mean that I would have to make serious changes to my life, but was I ready to make changes to my life.  If you look at the picture above you will see that the man’s hand has a puncture on it.  Kind of like Jesus.  That’s because it is Jesus.  Even The Messiah had to sow seeds.  He did not just have people believe him right away.  His follower’s came because he built a relationship with them.   This resulted with his disciples.

As I take a closer look at sowing seeds I realized that once the seeds are sowed that everything doesn’t end there.  You have to plow the seed and water the seed.  You can plant them and have an expectation that they will grow.  They will grow into something so magnificent and incredible but it will take time.  But instead of nurturing the seed you just plant the seed and wait.  Then one day you decide to water it.  On another day the rain comes in and you are thankful because you know the rain will take care of it.  A few months pass and you notice that the plant is not sprouting.  You wonder why.  Looking back you remember that you

1) Planted the seed 2) Watered it once and  3) The rain came in and took care of everything.

You become upset and discouraged.  You think why is your next door neighbors Mary plants already standing and thriving.  Mary is no better than me you think.  You instantly think how silly your words were and you sit down and remember the truth.  You did not sow your seed.  You left it to fend for itself.  Now months later you have nothing but a bare ground to look at.  If only I watered the seed you think.  I would have beautiful plants just like Mary.

Realizing that it is too late.  You think maybe I should start watering it now.  Maybe I can start now.  I want the same thing Mary has.

Mary was out everyday sowing her seed and watering it.  She kept the weeds out and the insects out.  She would have a smile on her face everyday as she milled the ground.   This was the way she lived her life everyday.  She kept everything in order.  You on the other hand will need to find out what Mary’s secrets were.  Everything in her backyard looks amazing.  So you decide to make the changes in your life.  You go out and get the equipment you need to create a beautiful garden.  You even decide to bake a fresh batch of cookies and take them over to your neighbor.  You hope that she would share her ideas and ways to create “the perfect” garden.

You go over to Mary’s before you can get a word out.  She says…Hi honey I was just thinking about you.  Forgive me for intruding but I wanted to lend you advice for your garden.  You are excited and overwhelmed with joy.  Why of course.  I would love your opinion.  By the way would you like to have some cookies?  Sure Mary says.  You had no idea that this would happen.  All you did was set the intention and showed up at Mary’s door.

A year later you have a beautiful garden.  You finally took the time to sow your seed and nurture your garden.  You also began spending more time with Mary and learning everything that she knows.  You even bought some books on gardening.  Life was like you never thought it could be.  This is how life should always be you think.  Now when you get tired of your garden you can always go next door and and enjoy Mary’s garden.

Diet and Excercise

I hear these words so much.  In order to be healthy you need to eat a healthy diet and exercise.   This may be true but people still struggle to do this everyday.  I am amazed at how many people think if just one without the other is all they need.  And then there are people who hear their personal Physician say they need to change their ways.  And if they don’t that may die as a result of not keeping there life’s in check.

Just recently one of my aunts was diagnosed with Diabetes.  She has been over weight and on many yo yo diets for years.  I also know for the past several years she has just given up on loosing weight all-together.  There was a time when she did something.  If she was not on a diet she was at least walking.  Today she is doing absolutely nothing.  I heard her tell my cousin (her daughter)  Listen I have been fat for years and that’s not going to change.   Interesting enough she said that a week before she was diagnosed as being a Diabetic.    What’s more interesting is that she still thinks she doesn’t need to change.  She told my other aunt yes I am a diabetic.  But it’s really not that high.  I was completely blown away when I heard that.  She is still not taking responsibility for her health.  I did offer and suggest some ways that she could lower her blood sugar levels.  She was some what receptive.

I am so amazed at how people would rather kill themselves than change their diet and exercise.  What has gone wrong in our country and in our communities.   How do we get people like my aunt to see that if they don’t change that there will be severe consequences.  Where do we find ways to get them to see that their problems are affecting not only them but the people who love them as well.

I am committing myself to changing the life’s of both the people I love and the people in this country.

I am The Oxygen Coach

Clove Tea

I bought fresh cloves from Whole Foods and for the first time I made clove tea it detoxify s the body. Clove contains significant amounts of an active component called eugenol, which has made it the subject of numerous health studies, including studies on the prevention of toxicity from environmental pollutants like carbon tetrachloride, digestive tract cancers, and joint inflammation .  You can buy whole cloves from Whole Food Market.  Add on tablespoon of whole clove.  Add 4 cups of water let simmer over night.

You can also make a Clove Latte Tea.  Simply by adding Indian Chai Tea.    Both the clove and Indian tea should be very hot and simmer for a while.  For best results let both teas simmer over night.  Then warm it up and add organic coconut milk with organic maple syrup or agave nectar.

I’m on a mission to to bring healing foods to your dinner table.
I am The Oxygen Coach

Felicia’s Eggplant Lasangna

Batter

2  Medium size eggplants

2 Cups of organic wheat flour

2 Cups of organic corn meal

3 Cups of almond milk

2 Tablespoons of fine Himalayan Salt

Sauce

2 Cups of organic tomato sauce

1/4 Balsamic Vinegar

2 Tablespoons of organic maple syrup or  (yacon for diabetics)

1/2 Cup of chopped green onions (topping)

1 Tablespoon of minced onion

2 Cups Grape seed Oil

2 Cups of organic yellow shredded cheese

Flax seeds as desired

Optional

1 Stalk of Rosemary

Ground cracked pepper

Let cook slow

Fry eggplant in grape seed oil (lightly fry)

Preheat oven on 400

Layer eggplant in dish.  Pour sauce.  Then layer eggplant once more.  Repeat if desired.  Then top with cheese, green onions and flax seeds.

Let cook for 15 minutes just enough that the cheese melts.

What is Nitric Oxide (Hint take a walk)

Nitric Oxide, a gas that occurs naturally in the body, may do more than any prescription drug to prevent heart attack and stroke.

Nitric Oxide is essential for healthy circulation. It helps dilate blood vessels, prevent blood clots and regulate blood pressure. It also helps inhibit the accumulation of dangerous arterial plaque.

How It Works: Nitric Oxide helps prevent heart disease and stroke in the following ways: Expanding blood vessels: Nitric oxide protects the blood vessels smooth muscle tissue from harmful constriction. This allows the flexibility necessary for blood to circulate with less pressure.

Dr. C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at Women’s Heart Center says a daily exercise regimen is crucial to help heal the arteries that have been damaged.  Exercise stimulates cells to make nitric oxide, a natural chemical helps arteries dilate.

Walking is the perfect remedy.

BBQ Seiten with Rice and light Salad with Lemon Juice and Organic Corn Tortilla Chips

Seitan
8 Ounce of Upton’s Naturals Ground Beef Style Seitan
2 Cups of brown rice (already cooked)
1 Tablespoon minced onions (optional)
1 Tablespoon of Montebaldo 100% Pure Grape-seed Oil
1/3 Cup of Bone Sucking BBQ Sauce
1 1/2 Teaspoon Ultimate Superfoods Himalayan Crystal Salt (Fine Stone Salt) 16 oz bag.
Add all contents fry lightly for 10-15minutes

Salad
2 Cups of dark organic greens/lettuce
1 Large size hot house cucumber (cut in circles)
2 Medium size tomatoes (cut in small cubes)
1 large lemon
1 teaspoon Ultimate Superfoods Himalayan Crystal Salt (Fine Stone Salt)

Put all fruit in first. (except lettuce) Slice lemon in half. Squeeze lemon then add Himalayan Crystal Salt (Fine Stone Salt) Pour juice over greens then add all other fruit. Top with cracked black pepper.

Tortilla chips
Frontera Brand All Natural Lime +Sea Salt Tortilla Chips

Roasted Split Pea Soup

Sauce

Using a a full size skillet level bottom of the pan with Grape Seed Oil

Slice up two medium size red bell peppers (let fry well until brown)

Cut up one medium size  yellow onion (long slices)

Add one big pinch of Ultimate Superfoods Himalayan Crystal Salt (fine stone ground) 16 oz bag, grinned with fingers.

Add Muir Glen’s Organic Fire Roasted Crushed Tomatoes, 14.5 oz.

Fry lightly for 5 minutes – Ready to pour into pot with split peas.

Split Peas

In a separate pot, soak 2 cups of peas over night in hot water (2 cups)

Clean and rinse peas (add 6 cups of water)

Add on tablespoon of Ultimate Superfoods Himalayan Crystal Salt (fine stone ground)

Let cook for 1 hour.  The peas will appear and have a frayed look, then add sauce.

Let cook for another 20-25 minutes then set aside to simmer.

Cilantro: An herb that asssits in heavy metal detoxification

So what are the benefits or cilantro an herb also goes by the name of coriander.   I remember the first time I was introduced it was by a childhood friends family.  The family was Mexican and I remember my friends mother would make every thing fresh from salsa to shrimp cocktail to even enchiladas.   I loved  the smell.  Matter of fact  I looked forward to when his mother made salsa and I would grab a spoon and dip it in to get the first taste.  My fondest memories of cilantro was always a  delightful one.

As I began to study cilantro I wanted to know why I got such a wonderful feeling whenever it was present.   In my research I found that cilantro’s energy is warm.  This is amazingly funny  because according to the five earth elements it falls under metal.  The earth element for metal is sadness.   However according to the five elements of taste it falls under spicy.   The five elements for spicy and taste falls under joy!  So that would explain why I love it so much.

Now as I get  more into the health benefits of cilantro understand that this is a powerful herb.    So powerful that it could not be consumed by itself.    When preparing cilantro always make sure you mix at least one once of cilantro per 8 ounce glass of water.  Cilantro is commonly used in many heavy metal detox programs.  It’s been found to remove HEAVY metals from the body.  In the process in which you can instantly remove large quantities of heavy metals you would have to do it using an enema.  The quick release of an enema prevents loosen metals from doing further damage on the way out.

Cilantro and a coffee enemas can be fast, effective way to remove those toxic metals.  However like many detoxification methods, they’ll need to be done repeatedly to achieve through results.

You may need a heavy metal detox if:

You eat non-organic foods grown in pesticides and fertilizers

Eating fish- living in polluted environments become polluted   (just as we do)

Smoke cigarettes, there are hundreds of chemicals in cigarettes-heavy metals too.

Foods cooked in aluminum cookware or aluminum foil

Take over the counter-drugs, including antacids

Use mainstream deodorants: Females often apply aluminum after shaving and creating small holes in skin.  Aluminum absorbs either way, but this makes it easier.

Dandelion “The invader”

Yes it’s spring time and you are probably seeing a whole lot of these around.    I know many of you may find these annoying especially if they are growing in your garden.  But there is a reason for this.  As a kid I would see the dandelion growing across the lawn and think they were so beautiful and I would pick them and think how lucky am I to get free flowers that are so beautiful.  Today I know that if any thing grows in such abundance that it always means something good.

The dandelion got it’s name the invader because it grows any and everywhere.  This beautiful yellow flower peaks it’s head in many places that it is not wanted.  Little that you may know that the dandelion is the most healing plant we have on this PLANET.  That’s right!  The weed that you love to hate can possibly save your life.  For the person with liver problems or gallstones.  The dandelion root will act as a tonic and free you from reoccurring infections.

The herbal remedies made from the leaves of the dandelion are used as a diuretic, it is also used in the treatment of high blood pressure which it accomplishes by reducing the total volume of fluid present in the body at any time. As a detoxification agent, the root of the dandelion herb is considered to be one of the most effective and beneficial herbal remedies. The waste products accumulated in the liver and the gall bladder is removed by this herbal remedy and it principally affects the functioning of the liver and the gallbladder. The kidneys are also stimulated by the dandelion at the same time and it enables the rapid removal toxins through the urine produced.  So next time you get upset about dandelions growing in your garden remember they serve a significant purpose one of which can save your life.