75% of our nation’s healthcare spending is used to treat diseases that are treatable by nutrition.

So, chances are, if you’re having unpleasant experiences dealing with your health insurance costs, services and choices, then Obamacare is not the one to blame, YOU and what you’re eating are to blame. That’s right, food! Why? 

Well, first of all, you are to blame if you’re relying on a broken system to give you what you need in terms of reliable AND affordable care. Did you not know that it’s broken? Well, now you do, so what are you going to do about it? On the other hand, you knew it wasn’t a good functioning concept based on various reasons, yet you engage in it anyway and then just complain about it. Didn’t anyone ever teach you that complaining does nothing to fix a problem; whereas, voicing your concern AND coming to the table with a viable solution WILL go a long way to fix many problems?

Secondly, we all are to blame if we haven’t yet taken the time to learn about, test for ourselves, and hence believe the nutrition experts, who for years have been saying most diseases and illness are treatable via proper nutrition. So, if we’re not part of the solution by getting and keeping our bodies healthy and off pharmaceutical drugs, then we are part of the problem.
​ 
Okay, I’m finishing ranting and will now hop off my soapbox. 

For your viewing enjoyment–and maybe a little encouragement–check out below how Oprah and her staff fair adopting a vegan regimen for a week. 

Love & RAWspect,
Terri, aka, t-RAW

​Where I live on the West Coast, I can enjoy watermelon pretty much year round. However, to enjoy the best, and most sweet tasting watermelons, I must patiently wait until summertime rolls around. Boy, is it a long wait for a watermelon lover such as myself.

As much as I love this wonderfully humongous fruit now, I loved it ten times more when I was younger. When pregnant with both my children (now in their mid twenties), I craved watermelon. I mean, I could and most times did, eat a whole one per day. Thank goodness there are only  0.36g of fats,  0.038g of saturated fats,  0.088g of monounsaturated fats, and  0.119g  of polyunsaturated fats in each cup of watermelon, because I couldn’t stop eating it. It certainly provided me a lot of electrolytes, which my body truly needed. I stayed very ill with both pregnancies, experiencing that “morning sickness” syndrome throughout the entire nine months. With all the vomiting I did (I just had to go there, right?), my body highly welcomed watermelon’s fiber, sodium and potassium–not to mention just the overall hydration–to restore my body to an alkalined state.    

Going back even further in my childhood, I cherish great memories as a small child watching my maternal grandfather, the master of watermelon eating, strategically chew the juicy meat of the fruit on one side of his mouth, while spitting the seeds out on the other.  Naturally, us kids worked hard at imitating him. 

Unfortunately, my grandfather, and millions of other people throughout the generations, had it all wrong about those seeds! For decades, people–me included– have been spitting out the most nutritious part of the watermelon! Gasp! Extracting the seeds became so common that soon fruit growers were genetically modifying watermelons, and a host of other fruits,  like grapes for instance. That’s why it’s so easy to purchase seedless watermelons, while you’re hard pressed to find any with seeds. 

We’ve been duped! We pay big money to purchase this GMO fruit WITHOUT the seeds when in essence, doing so is giving us less for our money (not to mention all the other dangers we read about GMO processing). Have no fear! The information is widely available to us nowadays so we can enjoy the whole fruit and do so to our wildest contentment!

Now, excuse me while I go get a bowl of this wonderful melon for breakfast, as you read below about its many benefits to our hair, skin and overall health… 

Here are 17 benefits that blogger stylecraze gives for watermelon seeds:

1. Your body requires amino acids but there are some essential amino acids such as arginine and lysine which the body cannot produce on its own and these have to be provided from food sources. Watermelon seeds contain some of these essential amino acids such as tryptophan and glutamic acids. Lysine helps in calcium absorption to facilitate formation of collagen and connective tissues in the body whereas arginine improves the body’s metabolism, cardiovascular system and sexual health.

2. Watermelon seeds are good sources of magnesium with 100 grams of seeds providing 139 percent of the recommended daily requirement. Magnesium is vital for normal heart functioning, maintenance of normal blood pressure, supporting metabolic process and protein synthesis. It is also beneficial in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and hypertension besides controlling blood pressure and diabetes.

3. Watermelon seeds contain lycopene which is good for your face and also helps in improving male fertility.

4. These seeds are excellent sources of multivitamin B and can replace some of the supplements. Vitamin B present in watermelon seeds comprises of niacin, folate, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid. B vitamins are vital for maintaining healthy blood, nervous system and effective immune response.

5. These seeds can be used for treating diabetes. Boil a handful of watermelon seeds in 1 liter water for 45 minutes, keeping the pot covered. This concoction should be taken every day like tea.

6. Watermelon seeds are effective in recovering health after illness and sharpening your memory.

7. Almost half of the watermelon seed contains oil which comprises of 20 percent saturated fat and the rest monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat including omega-6 fatty acids. One cup of dried watermelon seeds contains around 50 grams of fat which constitutes about 80 percent of the daily recommended value. Thus, watermelon seeds are an important source of calories and energy.

8. Protein deficiency is quite common, leading to diseases like marasmus and kwashiorkor in poorer countries of the world. Being high in protein, watermelon seeds can be extremely beneficial in combating protein deficiencies. One cup of dried seeds provides about 30 grams of protein. Protein and its amino acids are vital for growth and repair of muscles, skin and connective tissues as well as for making enzymes. Protein is also required for the maintenance of long and strong nails.

Skin Benefits of Watermelon Seeds:

In addition to their health benefits, watermelon seeds are good for your skin as well.  Being rich in nourishing nutrients such as unsaturated fatty acids like oleic and linoleum acids, watermelon seeds keep your skin healthy and glowing from inside. Some of their benefits for skin are as follows.

9. The unsaturated fatty acids in watermelon seeds keep the skin moisturized, soft, firm, well-toned and prevent acne and other skin disorders.

10. Watermelon seeds prevent signs of ageing because they contain antioxidants and oils which make your skin look younger, healthier and more vibrant. These benefits can be observed by consuming a handful or two of watermelon seeds a week.

11. Water melon seed oil, also known as Ootanga oil or Kalahari oil is extremely beneficial for your skin. Being light in texture, it does not clog skin pores, thus allowing your skin to function naturally and is a great moisturizer. Due to its excellent moisturizing properties, watermelon seed oil is used as an essential ingredient in baby oils.

12. Watermelon seed oil also removes sebum, dirt and grease that build up in your skin pores and are responsible for causing acne and giving a dull appearance to your skin. This oil is suitable for all skin types including dry, oily, acne prone and maturing skin.

13. Watermelon seed extract locks moisture, thus combating the ageing degradation. It also rejuvenates the elasticity of your skin.

14. The wide array of nutrients contained in watermelon seeds protects your skin from certain types of skin cancers and infections as well.

Hair Benefits of Watermelon Seeds:

As stated earlier, watermelon seeds have a high content of protein in them which can keep your hair healthy and shiny. This protein contains certain essential amino acids such as lysine, arginine, tryptophan and glutamic acid which are needed by your body to keep your hair healthy and strong.

15. Roasted watermelon seeds contain copper which is involved in the production of melanin. As you know, melanin is a pigment that provides color to your hair and skin.

16. In addition to its skin benefits, watermelon seed oil can also be used for your tresses. As pointed out earlier, this oil is light in texture that gets absorbed easily without clogging the pores of your scalp. It provides moisturizing benefits and improves hair growth by maintaining hair and scalp health.

17. Watermelon seed oil provides the hair with
essential fatty acids which are needed by your hair to prevent breakage and keep it moisturized.

Here are 10 benefits blogger stylecraze gives for watermelon juice:

1. Keeps the heart healthy:

Watermelon is very rich source of Lycopene which is an antioxidant that helps to defuse ‘free radicals’ that could potentially damage tissues and organs of the body (1).

2. Ideal diet for weight loss:

As it mainly comprises of water and minerals and negligible amount of fats it is best suited for weight loss diet. Being rich in electrolytes and Vitamins it proves to be a complete power packed fruit (2).

3. Stress Buster fruit:

Watermelon is high in vitamin B6 (3) which is used by the body which relieves from fatigue, stress, anxiety etc.

4. Anti-aging agent:

The presence of Lycopene in it is also beneficial for the skin as the antioxidants tend to decrease free radicals from the body and retards the process of aging quite effectively (4).

5. Instant source of energy:

It is an excellent source of instant energy as it contains electrolytes (sodium & potassium), minerals and carbohydrates in it which keeps the body hydrated and energetic (5).

6. Fibre rich fruit:

Being a fibre rich fruit (6) it adds bulk to the food and is very helpful in digestion and the water content is responsible for flushing out the toxins from the body.

7. Perfect fruit for skin problems:

It is very good for the skin and removes excess oil from the skin which cures many skin problems like acne and pimples (7).

8. Natural moisturizer:

It proves to be a natural moisturizer and toner for the face and keeps the skin glowing and well hydrated (8).

[ Read: Best Food For Clear Skin ]

9. Remedies to disease:

It is believed that a glass of watermelon juice everyday will keep diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and colon cancer at a good distance.

10. Maintains Blood Pressure:

As it has good proportion of electrolytes, it keeps the blood pressure on a check and normalizes it efficiently (9).

***

Bottom line,  watermelon is a terrific fruit to consume as one of your top choices towards a healthier you. With 0mg of cholesterol, and a makeup of 89% carbohydrates, 7% protein, and 4% fats, it would behoove you to bring it to your and your family’s meals as much as possible. 

Love & RAWspect,
Terri 

Check these publications out for great melon juicing tips and recipes!

Living Superfood Recipes – downloadable version 
​Living Superfood Recipes – print version
26 Tips for Healthier Juicing – downloadable

​Remember last fall when I showed you my first attempt at fruit art? No doubt, it had to be a watermelon. This summer, perhaps I’ll try my hand at it some more and become a more skilled fruit scuplturer. 

Day 28 Nutritional Tip: Need to lose weight? Take organic apple cider vinegar to assist.

​This is a continutation from Day 27’s tip. This is such an important point to make about ACV that I wanted to draw it out from the list of its other many benefits. So here goes:

While straight shots are a popular way to drink ACV — don’t. Because its highly acidic, over time ACV has the potential to do real damage to both the esophagus and tooth enamel. Instead, dilute ACV into water. In general, one to two tablespoons mixed into eight ounces of water is the sweet spot (like you’ll find in this delicious ACV honey drink).

Now that you have the formula down, you need to know exactly when to drink it if you’re looking to reap any weight-loss benefits. Carol S. Johnston, PhD, directs Arizona State University’s nutrition program and has been studying ACV for more than 10 years. Johnston recommends drinking an ACV drink once or twice a day and always right before you eat; you want the ACV to be in your stomach before any food makes it way there.

Johnston told the Washington Post that ACV helps to block some starch digestion whenever you eat. Since less starch (and less calories, essentially) are being digested by the body, the spike in blood sugar is lessened. Adding to this benefit is that the good-for-you bacteria in your gut happily feeds on this undigested starch, which can lead to less bloating and a healthier digestive system. If you drink ACV without food, there won’t be anything for it to work off of, which probably defeats the whole purpose of drinking vinegar in the first place.

Love & RAWspect,
Terri

On this 27th day of the National Month of  Nutrition, I want to highlight the benefit of organic apple cider vinegar as a catalyst in a host of healthy natural remedies! It’s antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. What more could you ask for? This one bottle holds the key to nutritional meals, natural healing and even super duper cleaning!

Read some of apple cider vinegar’s many uses under #2 on the label in the photo.

Want more info? Click below as a blogger covers 35 reasons to use this j http://blogs.naturalnews.com/35-reasons-use-apple-cider-vi…/

Love & RAWspect,
Terri

Day 13 Nutritional Tip: Preventing and treating high cholesterol can be done simply and effectively with these 5 methods…

What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a substance that is much like wax in appearance and texture and it is located in all the cells of the human body.
Good cholesterol is needed for the body to function properly and the body makes all the required cholesterol that it needs. It is used for making hormones, substances that help you digest food properly and for Vitamin D.
Cholesterol can also be found in many fatty foods and therefore some people suffer from a high risk condition known as high cholesterol.

Anatomy Of Cholesterol

• LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein and is the “bad” type that causes heart disease.
• HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein and is the “good” type.

Too much LDL cholesterol in the blood can be quite serious and can lead to cardiovascular disease. One of the problems is that high blood cholesterol does not cause any symptoms by itself, which is why a lot of people are unaware of their condition. In order to detect high cholesterol a blood test is required that can be ordered by your doctor or nurse practitioner.

High Cholesterol Facts
According to the Centers For Disease Control:

• Those who have high cholesterol are 2 times more at risk for heart disease, which, is the leading cause of death in the United States.     
• 71 million American adults, which, equates to 33.5% of the population have a high LDL count.   
• Only 1 out of every 3 adults with high cholesterol manage to get it under control.   
• Less than 50% of those with high LDL counts seek treatment or incorporate the necessary lifestyle changes required to lower their levels.

5 things you can do today to prevent or lower high cholesterol
There are a lot of things that each person can do to lower and prevent high cholesterol. This article will review some of these methods, and what diet and lifestyle changes are necessary to prevent high cholesterol to begin with.

1. If you are an obese or overweight person then losing excess weight is a great way to prevent and lower high blood cholesterol.  Losing anywhere from 5-7% of your bodyweight is enough to see significant change for the better. The best way to lose weight is to focus on foods that are low in calories, such as, fruits and vegetables and also by increasing physical activity.
2. Start eating oatmeal for breakfast. According to the Mayo Clinic, the high amount of soluble fiber in oatmeal reduces the amount of cholesterol the body is able to absorb. It is recommended that one consume 25-35 grams of soluble fiber daily to have a positive effect.
3. If your goal is to prevent or stop high blood cholesterol (LDL) then saturated fat is not your friend, and so its consumption must be kept to a minimum. Many animal products, such as, red meat, cheese and whole milk are the main sources of saturated fats. It is recommended that saturated fats account for only 7% of your daily calorie intake. So, if you eat red meat regularly then you need to replace it with soy protein products, lean proteins, like salmon, cod or perch. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol then seek the advice of your physician as to your consumption of saturated fat products.
4.  Men who regularly drink green tea have a lower level of blood cholesterol than men who do not, according to the University Of Maryland Medical Center. It has been found that polyphenols in green tea might have the ability to block cholesterol from forming. It is best to enjoy green tea in pure form, without added sugar or artificial flavoring. Brew it at home and enjoy with mint leaves, lemon and lime juice.
5.  Regular exercise is another great way to prevent this high risk condition. Aerobics, jogging and walking are all effective workouts to increase the levels of good cholesterol and therefore reduce the bad. 30 minutes a day is enough to have a positive effect. If you are out of shape then you can begin with three 10 minute sessions daily and work your way up to a full 30 minutes.

Conclusion
The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends adults get a blood test for cholesterol through their doctor each and every five years. This is the only way to know whether you are affected or not and in this case knowledge is half the battle.

If you are diagnosed, then it is really important that you follow your doctor’s orders and the methods provided above to get it under control. Lowering your cholesterol can reduce your risk of having a heart attack that can lead to premature death, and the need for bypass surgery or angioplasty.
​
The above are some of the best ways to avoid a completely preventable condition and to ensure a healthy and long future. Also, the good news is that it is never too late to make a change and there are many ways to lower cholesterol levels. Certain lifestyle changes are all that is needed to see a positive change and often very quickly. 

Love & RAWspect,
Terri, aka T-raw

In need of some delicious recipes to help lower your cholesterol? Click below for the perfect solution. 

Recently, I answered a question for a girlfriend of mine inquiring about a good plan of action in regards to natural well care for her mother who is taking a blood thinner, called Coumdin. My first question was what is her reason for taking this drug ?Her reply was Hepititus C.  

So, here are good strategic plan of action consisting of FIVE important things to consider when your doctor puts you on blood thinners: 

1) Find out from the doctor specifically why the blood thinners were prescribed. Sounds like a crazy thing to ask, but many times the side effects of these anticoagulants are worse than the risk of any blood clotting. So, for instance, if it’s being prescribed as purely a precautionary measure, there are far more effective, and safer, actions to take! Blood thinners are given to people at risk of stroke, high blood pressure and such; when dietary changes can safely and effectively correct those very conditions.

Bottom line, a patient should NOT be afraid to ask the doctor at least 10 related questions–or do the research themselves–before they allow themselves to take that, or any, prescription! One of the main questions to ask (after the obvious question of “WHY am I taking this?”) is if the doctor has a plan of action for the patient coming off the medication? Or does the doctor expect the patient to just take this forever?

2) Learn how blood thinner medications work.  Most people think they actualy thin the blood (which seems logical), but they don’t.

Here are the workings  of the blood thinner, Coumadin:
http://www.drugs.com/coumadin.html

Here are the workings  of the blood thinner, Xarelto:
https://www.xarelto-us.com/blood-thinner/how-do-blood-thinners-work?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Anticoagulants&utm_term=what%20causes%20blood%20clots&utm_content=Blood+Clot+-+General|mkwid|xKnTlfrQ_dc|pcrid|7690239425

3) Learn what causes blot clots in the first place. Usually, it can be traced back to dietary issues, obesity and a sedentary life–all which can be corrected within 7 to 30 days WITHOUT medication! 
http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/blood-clots/basics/causes/SYM-20050850

4) Educate yourself on all the side effects of the blood thinner medications. The main common side effect is decreased white blood cells. What does that do? That increases the chance of excessive bleeding. Following are all the side effects associated with Coumadin–both common and rare, along with their severity level according to WebMD.  http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4069/coumadin-oral/details# 
Common side effects of Coumadin:

• Decreased White Blood Cells     Severe
• Diarrhea     Less Severe
• Feel Like Throwing Up     Less Severe
• Gas     Less Severe
• Hair Loss     Less Severe
• Stomach Cramps     Less Severe
• Taste Problems     Less Severe
• Throwing Up     Less Severe

Rare side effects of Coumadin:

• Abnormal Liver Function Tests     Severe
• Allergic Reaction caused by a Drug     Severe
• Anemia     Severe
• Bloody Urine     Severe
• Calcification of Cartilage in the Bronchus     Severe
• Calcification of Cartilage in the Windpipe     Severe
• Deficiency of Granulocytes a Type of White Blood Cell     Severe
• Gangrene     Severe
• Hemorrhage     Severe
• Hepatitis caused by Drugs     Severe
• Hives     Severe
• Inflammation of Skin caused by an Allergy     Severe
• Inflammation of the Liver with Stoppage of Bile Flow     Severe
• Itching     Severe
• Life Threatening Allergic Reaction     Severe
• Obstruction of Blood Vessel by an Atheromatous Embolus      Severe
• Tissue Death     Severe
• Vasculitis     Severe
• Yellowing of Skin or Eyes from Liver Problems     Severe
• ChillsLess      Severe
• Loss of Skin Color     Less Severe
• RashLess      Severe
• Swelling of the Abdomen     Less Severe

5) Consuming whole, plant-based foods can do the same for the body as blood thinner drugs.  Eating in a healthy manner is the best prescription for your body to allow it to heal from or prevent all the diseases that are dietary related: diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cancers of various types, fibroids, auto-immune issues, and the list goes on and on. However, mixing plant-based foods with some drugs such as blood thinners, may cause a negative reaction within the body.

Typically, your doctor won’t tell you the reaction is due to the fact that when eating the green leafy vegetables and other plant-based foods, the body is getting everything it needs from that food to repair itself. So combining that food with the medicine means you’re taking double doses of medicine every day, and yes, that would be a problem. So, what does the doctor tell the patient faced with this dilemma? Stop eating the vegetables that are interfering with the medicine. I know for a fact, they do this. My beloved friend, Juana’s, doctor told her to stop eating her vegetables and stop drinking her green juice while she was going through chemo therapy. My beloved friend was then dead within three months. 

​
So, there you have it. Just a few things to consider when your doctor says you must go on blood thinners. It doesn’t have to be that way! It SHOULDN’T be that way! Juana would still be alive today if she was confident enough to believe she knew what was good for her body more than the doctor knew. I’m not blaming her, because  it’s very common for people to make that mistake. I’m here, though,  to encourage you to STOP making that mistake.

I just spent about an hour of my time researching and writing this blog. No doctor is going to do that for you–there’s simply not enough hours in the day for them to do that. So, guess what? YOU must research and read. YOU must learn. Empower yourself with the knowledge to stay alive!

Food IS God’s medicine; and this medicine has NO SIDE EFFECTS!

Love & RAWspect,
Terri, aka T-RAW
R.each A.nd W.in your transformation to a healthier you!
817-896-7679

Can you name the herbs in the image above? If so, then congratulations! You can now self-medicate if ever your doctor says you need blood thinners. Better yet, start consuming these herbs and the foods mentioned above on a regular basis and you will never have to hear the doctor tell you that!

Juice Plus+ (JP) is a product I would take in place of blood thinners. JP is whole, plant-based food in capsule, gumnmies and powered shake form. Even when consumed while you’re continuing with your regular way of eating, JP will begin to make a huge improvement in your quality of life. For more information, contact me or click the image. 

Day 7 Nutritional Tip: Juice daily to take in lots of nutrients.

Green juicing is best for weight reduction because it increases the amount of oxygen needed for your body’s metabolism to function at its optimum level.

Kale or spinach are the best greens for juicing. With either you can take a short cut and save time by buying them from Costco or Walmart (no judgment, pls) in a large bag already cut up and washed.You can’t go wrong when there’s only one ingredient listed on the nutritional label!

In my juices and smoothies, I use a wonderful whole food protein shake mix to boost my veggie, fruit, berries & grain intake for the day by 100%. The product has been backed by board certified physicians and medical professionals for almost 30 years.

Here’s what they are saying:
http://terriliggins.juiceplus.com/…/reduce-oxidative-stress…

http://terriliggins.juiceplus.com/…/effects-of-whole-food-n…
​
http://terriliggins.juiceplus.com/…/take-ownership-of-your-…

​Leave a comment if you have any questions or  want to know more about the product I use!

Love & RAWspect,
Terri, aka T-RAW

​
First, rid your body of the symptoms of malnutrition. Most people don’t realize that obesity is a result of malnutrition–eating fake foods with empty calories keeps your body yearning for more; hence, overeating.

Secondly, repair the damage that processed foods has caused by consuming proper nutrition. This will raise your energy level and start turning back your body’s aging process.

I’ve published a booklet giving 10 steps that, if done consistently over the next 10 days, will help you rid those 10 or more pesky pounds that have been lurking around forever! I’m proof that it works!
​
Get it here: http://getproducts.followterri.com

Love & RAWspect,
Terri, aka T_RAW

A lot of people run right to the medicine cabinet and grab a pill bottle  when they have a headache or sore muscles. Knowing what I know about all the side effects of those over-the-counter and prescribed drugs, that is perhaps the worse thing you could be doing–unless of course you’re looking to add more damage to the situation. Of course you don’t want that! So, here’s a better solution…

Listed below are five amazing foods designed by nature to relieve your body of aches, pain and soreness. And guess what? They come with NO side effects! 

1) Blueberries, tart cherries and other dark-colored fruit
These dark fruits have potent nutrients that accelerate the elimination of waste products in your body. They raise the sleep hormone, melatonin, so you get better rest. Other powerhouse fruits in this category include strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and plums. 

2) Leafy greens and cruciferous veggies
Leafy greens include kale, chard, collards, mustards and others. Cruciferous veggies include broccoli, cauliflower, and  brussels sprouts. These green vegetables have an armload of benefits. Check them out:

• helps the body safely eliminate the hormone estrogen
• improve the metabolic processes
• gets rid of free radicals that slow down the body’s healing
• reduce inflammation
• reduce insulin response
• lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol
• provide low glycemic energy
• support the function of the thyroid
• improves hydration

3) High-glycemic fruits 
These are fruits like watermelon, pineapple and kiwi.
The energy source for your muscles is the muscle glycogen store. These fruits help to rehydrate and replenish that storage area. They act as a protective antioxidant for your muscles by suppressing inflammation. Other benefits include:

• improve nitric oxide production
• deliver nutrient-rich blood to damaged muscle tissue
• raise the blood’s antioxidant status
• provide compounds that help fight pain 

An important side note: try to avoid these fruits in juice form. The manufactured  juices contain no fiber as the whole fruit does, plus lots of sugar and additives go into the making of those concentrates.

4) Almonds & other nuts
Eating a variety of fats from nuts offers a protective measure for the body. It also provides it in just the correct ratios of the different forms of fat. Whether omega-3 fat or omega-6 fat, they’re balanced for proper energy or repair. A variety of nuts is best. For instance, here are what a few of these powehouse nuts are known for:

• Almonds – omega-6 fat that boosts energy and is an antioxidant that performs well in aiding with recuperation
• Brazil nuts – raises tetosterone, contains selenium, magnesium, zinc and a host of minerals good for hormone balance and recovery
• Walnuts – nutrient rich, improves energy usage in the body giving it an anti-fatigue factor

5) Tumeric, cinnamon and ginger
These two spices are derived from rhizome plants. They are very powerful anti-inflammatory agents and have been known to speed up the body’s recovery from soreness, pain and even injuries. Tumeric, especially, is a poweful super food. Studies have shown that the anti-inflammatory, pain-killing compound in tumeric called curcumin is effective in the treatments of so many things from wound healing to cancer.

There you have it! Just think, these are only five of the long list of FOODS not medicine that can give you the pain relief and healing your body needs. So, the next time you reach to open the medicine cabinet–which is, no doubt, simply a habit–reach for your kitchen cabinet instead. 

In upcoming blogs, I’ll continue to share more superfoods with you. In the meantime, I challenge you to go online and see how many “healing foods” you can find. Make a list of them and become eating your way to health!

Love & RAWspect,

​Terri, aka T-RAW

ACCREDITATION PUBLIC COMMENTShare your comments by March 23, 2016

NCQA invites the public to comment on updates impacting Health Plan Accreditation, Case Management Accreditation and Managed Behavioral Health Organization (MBHO) Accreditation, as well as the introduction of a new Case Management Accreditation program for organizations providing Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS).
PROVIDE FEEDBACKUpdates Involving Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)Long-term services and supports help older Americans, and those living with disabilities, live happier and healthier lives by providing access to services and quality care so they can remain independent in their homes and communities.

The fragmented nature of the delivery system is especially challenging for individuals needing LTSS because many require both medical care and LTSS. Effective coordination between clinicians, caregivers and providers in the community may reduce the need for acute medical care and prevent or delay nursing home placement, improving quality of life and reducing costs.

It is important that organizations providing LTSS implement best practices for person-centered care planning, effective care transitions and measuring quality improvement to support individuals living independently in the community.
NCQA is launching a new Case Management Accreditation program specifically geared towards organizations responsible for arranging LTSS. In addition, NCQA is integrating new requirements to better serve people receiving LTSS in its Health Plan Accreditation (HPA) and Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organization Accreditation programs. The proposed standards will deliver better care for vulnerable populations and will ensure that organizations in charge of delivering care:

• Institute person-centered care planning. The individual using care and services controls activities surrounding care planning.
• Manage care transitions. Organizations have a process to effectively manage transitions, support individuals during transitions and reduce unplanned transitions. 
• Use a critical incident management system. Organizations have a dedicated system to promptly report, track and follow-up on incidents such as abuse, neglect and exploitation.
• Coordinate services. Care and services are coordinated for individuals who have complex needs and multiple providers, and care gaps are closed.
• Set qualifications for providers. Organizations set and verify qualifications and provide training and support to home- and community-based service providers.

Updates to Health Plan Accreditation, Case Management Accreditation for Clinical Programs and MBHO AccreditationNCQA is proposing retiring and evolving several standards from Health Plan Accreditation, MBHO Accreditation and the existing Case Management Accreditation program to reflect changes in how care is being delivered and to avoid duplication of federal regulations.
​
How to Participate in Public CommentRead and comment on the proposed changes online. The public comment period begins at 9 a.m. ET on February 24 and ends at 5 p.m. ET on March 23, 2016. Updated products will be releasedJuly 25, 2016. The Case Management program for organizations providing LTSS will be effective upon release. Changes to the existing HPA, MBHO and CM programs will be effective for the 2017 year.

Thanksgiving is upon us–at least the planning portion of it. Settling in on all the details about who in the family is hosting this year’s dinner; what the menu will consist of. 

Well, for anyone who’s on a healthy journey and changing up their dietary regimen as a result, this can be a rather stressful time of year. What to eat, what not to eat, feeling the pressure to fall off the healthy-eating band wagon, just until January, if you know what I mean.

To that I say, if the pressure is there, then you aren’t sick and tired of being sick and tired. This will be my third Thanksgiving as a rawtarian and I haven’t once “fallen off the bandwagon.” You know why? Because I never put that type of pressure on me in the first place. My first Thanksgiving as a new convert, we went to friends’ home who were not vegetarian, vegan or raw. It was okay though. We brought several raw dishes for everyone to enjoy and that’s what I mainly ate from. I then had about two little scoops of the hostess’ sweet potatoes and a little helping of corn. I knew it wouldn’t be the end of the world in doing so, so I ate it and all was fine.

As I’ve gained and maintained a disease-free body, I’m now only 95% raw, instead of 98%. So, with that 5%, I’ll eat cooked oatmeal, or a dallop of some vegetables that are cooked and all is good. I will, however, not use the 5% to consume any meat–I just will not do that. 

Therefore, my Thankgiving holiday will remain meatless. But if you just have to have your turkey in order for it to feel like Thanksgiving, here are some healthy alternatives for you…

Vegan turkey that looks like a turkey or the famous tofurky:
http://inhabitat.com/6-vegan-vegetarian-and-raw-food-turkey-alternatives-for-thanksgiving/

Or perhaps you want to go with something like a meatloaf. This is a really cool vegan loaf maker. Just select what ingredients you want to go into your personalized loaf, hit the submit button and watch the magic:
http://www.veganlunchbox.com/loaf_studio.html

I cannot vouch at all for how tasty any of these are or how safe they are for your organs, but anything has got to be better for you to consume old Tom Turkey himself.  

I myself will stick to my fruits, veggies, berries and grains and not try to imitate a turkey. I’m emotionally detached from the whole falsehood of the Pilgrim thing anyway, so perhaps that allows me to enjoy the holiday by focusing on gratefulness rather than the bird of the hour.  

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

RAWspectfully yours, 
Terri, aka T-RAW​

My inner artist spirit came out for a brief appearance the other day, as I created this 60th birthday cake for my gourmet raw food chef hubby guy. It sure was difficult getting that base even (as you can see, I never totally accomplished it), but oh well, not bad for this first time ever watermelon sculptor.