[TMIC] Nutrition suggestions

[Kalekea]

The following is part of my response to an email from Grace.  I though others might be interested in some of this, so have copied it here to send to all.  Please keep in mind, these are just suggestions that work for me.  You have to consider what feels right for you:       Now, I don't know what will help you, but let me share with you some of the things that I've done.  I can't say if it will help you or not, but extra natural nutrients never hurt anyone!   1 - The first thing I did in the hospital, once I realized I might go totally numb (which I didn't - but I got scared!)  I called my daughter who understands a lot about good nutrition, and asked her to make me some vegetable broth.  When your body is not well, and needs to heal, you need all the good nutrition you can get.  When you're healing, that takes energy, and sometimes when you're really sick, it's better for your body to not have to waste energy on digesting food.  (This is NOT to suggest that broth is always better than plain food!  I'm suggesting broth for short-term situations.  Currently, I still make broth when I can, for in between meals or for when I'm not feeling too good, but most of the time, I still eat regular meals.)   BROTH:  The main recipe calls for 3 quarts water, 3 med to lg potatoes, skins on, 3 stalks cut celery, and 1 or 2 large leaves of any greens (collard, mustard, kale, etc. OR 1/2 bunch parsley).  I also add a little onion, a couple fresh garlic cloves, carrot, or any other veg I have.  I also usually add 1 or 2 T whole grain barley.  Bring to a boil, and simmer.  Basically, I cook the heck out of the veg's.  Then strain everything out of the broth, throwing all the solids away, and drink the broth.  This is a very ALKALINE drink, which is why it tends to be healing.    I know this sounds wasteful, but I look at it like this: it's cheaper than meds or even vitamins!  Sometimes I've saved the veg, and served them w/a little melted cheese on top, and maybe some chopped chives on top, too.  But remember, you've cooked most of the vitamins out of them.  YOU drink the broth that's left, which has all the nutrients, but will not use up a lot of energy for your body to digest.   2 - If you have (or can borrow) a juicer, make fresh vegetable and fruit juices.  It's humbug just b/c of the necessity of cleaning the juicer each time (and may also seem wasteful - same applies here as above)!  But again, a lot of nutrients, without taxing your digestive system!  My favorite (not necessarily for taste, but for making me feel good) is 3 stalks of celery with 1/2 a cucumber.  Add a little parsley, if you have some, or a little carrot.  Apple is good, but if you're at all sugar sensitive, use tart apples and dilute with water.  The same for straight carrot juice, which has a high glycemic level (as do fruits, which is why I prefer veg.)  Again, this is very alkaline.   3 - I'm not telling you to drink juice and broth INSTEAD of food (unless maybe you just don't feel good enough to eat), but maybe try to substitute the drinks for any snacks you might have.  Or just drink them in between meals.  You have to listen to your body here, and see what feels right.   4 - For your meals, I'd suggest mostly fruits and vegetables, fresh if possible.  Many people push for organic, which I'm sure is better, but not always easy to find, and often very expensive.  I'm NOT at all against eating meat, dairy, and grains, but most of us get plenty of them.  When I feel the worst (especially the banding), I feel better if I eat only fruits and veg (and alkaline grains) for awhile.  I think one reason is because they're more easily digested and pass through the body more quickly.  Since things don't 'move' like they used to before TM, this makes sense to me.  Again, you have to listen to your body.    5 - Another reason this helps me is because fruits and vegetables are (almost all) alkaline.  Your body needs a balance of acidic and alkaline, but most people tend to eat more acidic food (meats, junk food, breads).  Many nutritionists feel that over acidity leads to all disease.  The ideal is a PROPER BALANCE between acidic and alkaline, but if we're already sick, chances are, we need more alkaline.  If you really want to know, you can buy pH tape, and check yourself first thing in the morning, before you eat anything.  Or at least 2 hours after a meal.  6.0 or below indicates a seriously depleted electrolyte condition.  6.1 to 6.3 indicates depletion, but may not be serious.  6.4 to 6.8 is good.   6 - the food pyramid is a good general guide to healthy nutrition.   7 - one more easy thing: I try to start the day with a large glass of water, with a squeeze of a 1/4 FRESH lemon or lime in it.  This is easy, and said to be cleansing.  Also alkaline.   I could say more, but will stop here, for now.  No, I'll add one more thing!  This looks really good in print, but I'd be the first to admit, that it often takes all my energy just to do these things.  Making broth, fresh juice, and cooking fresh vegetables is time consuming, but I try to do the best I can - some days are better than others.  I really feel better when I do, though.  And I have to keep reminding myself that one of my first priorities needs to be getting better.   Take care all, Sally