"Potatoes ..."

"I don't have time
To feel the pain
Why should I feel?
I can't complain ...
Heeeeey ...Potatos in the dark
Pickles in the light
Cabbage on wheels
Drive around"

~ Caffeine ~ Potatoe ~

***

Today as I was getting my tatters ready for baking I started to wonder exactly how many of these suckers I have eaten over the last 33 weeks.  On the Gerson therapy, we are required to have at least one baked potato for lunch and one for dinner.  So, loosely calculating ... close to 500 potatoes thus far on the therapy.  Holy tatters Batman!!! ~ that is a whole lotta carbs no?  And I say carbs for a reason ... you see for the longest time, I stayed away (as most of you do) from loading up on carbs.  The myth "carbs make you fat".  Well that sure as heck is not the case.  Carbs don't make you fat, the "toppings" make you fat ~ oils, butters, creams, dressings, dippings, and fixings.  And if you really think about it ... it makes sense.  Now this is referring to real carbs, not packaged, processed and canned.  We all know that well, that stuff is just not good for us at all.

One of the main principles in the Gerson therapy is to provide the body with a high potassium and low sodium diet.  Within Charlotte Gerson's book "Healing the Gerson Way", she writes about her father's discovery around these two minerals and how their imbalance in the body can lead to serious health issues.  Once sorted, our bodies can heal as they are made to do so.  Yet the average diet is far from this.  Most diets these days are rich in sodium which lead to various dis-eases including cancer.  So why is sodium so bad for us?  Well sodium itself is not "bad" but remember the saying ... everything in moderation?  To the point, excess sodium feeds tumours allowing them to grow.  

So back to why I ingest soooooo many potatoes.  Well, to get my diet back to the higher potassium and lower sodium ratio, the more potatoes the better ... because potatoes are enriched with potassium.  An average size potato has 110 calories and 750 mg of potassium compared to 10 mg of sodium.  Also as an added bonus, potatoes are the cheapest source of potassium.  As you know all of our produce is organic, but we can still purchase a 5 lb bag for ~ $8.  Not bad when you consider an average bevy at the Starbucks is ~ $5.

So as I eat my potatoes twice a day, I can't help but smile and think of a few potato funnies to share with you.  They may make you laugh, but at the very least, may peak your craving today for potatoes ...

• What do you call a baby potato? A small fry!
• What do you say to an angry 300-pound baked potato? Anything, just butter him up.
• What does a British potato say when it thinks something is wonderful? It’s mashing!
• Why did the potato cross the road? He saw a fork up ahead.

"Same Difference ..."

"the more I know 

the less I doubt

that you know less

the more you are finding out

same difference everywhere"

~ Entombed ~ Same Difference ~

***

The other day when my sister and I were chatting, she shared with me her recent purchase of Coconut water.  She asked me if I knew the difference between Coconut water and Coconut juice and for that matter, Coconut milk.  I guessed that juice meant sugar added and milk and water were one in the same.  But I really didn't know for sure.  So being the curious one that I am, I started to look into the difference and if they were one in the same.

So what did I find out ... well Coconut water can also be called Coconut juice in some circles, while in others, sugar IS added, so reason to read your labels!  Coconut water is only found inside the tender young coconut as you must get the coconut off the tree before it matures.  At this early sage, a green husk hides the clear water inside the fruit.  As the fruit ripens, the inner coconut grows sweeter, developing first into a soft substance called coconut jelly, then into the harder meat.  Coconut milk is the water that comes from the meat/shell of the coconut.  The color and rich taste of the milk can be attributed to the high oil content.  

And what is the hoopla about coconuts and the health benefits associated with it ... well they have loads of vitamins and minerals.  A few key nutrients include lauric acid, chloride and iron.  As well as important electrolytes potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and phosphorous.  In fact the potassium content is twice the level than a banana ~ and we know electrolytes are important for optimal health of our muscular, cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems.

Some studies have shown that the water/juice of a coconut may help with a number of minor to severe health conditions because of the antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory antioxidant activity within. Whew!  say that 5 times fast.  But seriously, this drink has been used to regulate blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as boost energy levels and increase metabolism in the body.  And unless you have an allergy to coconuts, there appears to be no side effects.  

So where do you buy this magical liquid ... well it is readily available in cans or bottles from many grocery stores of online retailers.  Again, check your labels regarding sugar content.  Fresh plastic wrapped coconuts can also be purchased at many Indian and Asian grocery stores during the summer.  When buying fresh coconuts with green husks, look for those with some light brown spots as well since these are considered to have the greatest water content.  On a side note, some have noted that the water from Indian coconuts tends to be sweeter than Thai.  Also, when using fresh coconuts, try to drink the water as soon as possible since the nutrients can begin to dissipate after being exposed to air.  And similar to other liquids, it can also be refrigerated for 10 to 12 hours if it is sealed in a tight container.

If you are shopping around and looking for a good brand of coconut water, Jess Ainscough, the Wellness Warrior (also a fellow Gerson patient) wrote a great blog post recommending a Coconut water company in Australia, C Coconut.