Good Nutrition the Essentials

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food

Hippocrates

Wellness Home and Good Nutrition

A major component of the Wellness Home is healthy nutrition. Eating a balanced diet is vital for good health and wellbeing. Food provides our bodies with the energy, protein, essential fats, vitamins and minerals to live, grow and function properly. We need a wide variety of different foods to provide the right amounts of nutrients for good health.

There are six basic nutrients required for good health. 

These include:

Carbohydrates-Carbohydrates are grouped into two categories: simple and complex. Carbohydrates are the main energy source for the brain. Without carbohydrates, the body could not function properly. Sources include fruits, breads and grains and starchy vegetables.

Protein-which is broken down into amino acids by the digestive system. Protein is the major structural component of cells and is responsible for the building and repair of body tissues. Lean protein sources such as low-fat meat, dairy, beans or eggs. There are many other vegetable sources of protein, if that is your personal choice.

Fat-The fat in food includes a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fats.  Fat is an energy source that when consumed, increases the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins including vitamins A, D, E and K. Choose healthy options such as omega-3-rich foods like fish, walnuts and vegetable-based oils. Omega-3s help with development and growth. Limit intake of saturated fats such as high-fat meats and full-fat dairy. Other smart choices include nuts, seeds and avocado.

Vitamins- both water and fat-soluble. There may be slight differences in the amounts of specific vitamins for men versus women, but in general, the essential vitamins that your body needs are:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• B vitamins

The best way to get these vitamins is to eat a healthy and balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. A multivitamin may also be useful to help fill in the gaps if you have a restrictive diet.

Minerals- These essential nutrients, those that your body needs but cannot produce, include the inorganic substances found in foods such as: calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, chloride and Trace Minerals.

Water- said to be our most essential nutrient, read more in Down the Hatch. Water helps to maintain homeostasis in the body and transports nutrients to cells. Water also assists in removing waste products from the body. We recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces per day.

Whenever possible choose fresh organic produce. We strive to eat as natural as possible and avoid processed foods. Many processed foods, including canned and frozen vegetables contain added sugar. In our Wellness Home we make a conscious effort to keep our sugar consumption at a healthy level, 36 grams or 9 teaspoons a day for me and 25 grams or 6 teaspoons a day for the ladies in the house.

Unfortunately, our busy fast-paced lives often impede with our choices for healthy eating.  I’m sure we have all experienced the trials and tribulations in shopping, food preparation and all that goes in to preparing and consuming healthy meals. One way to counter act this is supplementing our food. Many supplements fall short in what they deliver in terms of natural provided nutrients. 

Nikken’s philosophy (and ours) is that the best way to take care of our nutritional needs, is the natural way. Nikken created the first complete program based on natural, organic ingredients. These fill the nutritional gaps in our daily diet, to help us "eat right," even when our meals may fall short of their nutrtional mark. Organic-Based Nutrition means that all ingredients are carefully chosen, and the organic content is maximized. 
Nikken Kenzen® Wellness nutrition is founded on a whole-food philosophy. These organic-based solutions help bring our daily diet closer to nature and is an integral part of our Wellness Home.

Here are three of our favorite products that are core to our nutritional needs:

Kenzen Vital Balance® Meal Replacement Mix- We kick-start every day with a KVB shake.

KVB’s formula contains organic moringa and naturally sweet monk fruit in addition to organic pea protein and organic vegetables. It is designed to help burn fat and boost metabolism as well as promote healthy brain function and the elimination of toxins in the body. With pre- and probiotics to assist in digestive and immune system activity, the Kenzen Vital Balance formula is food for action and food for thought—for people of all ages. 

Naturally-sourced protein from organic pea, organic rice and organic chlorella to promote the formation of lean muscle mass without the high levels of saturated fat and calories associated with animal protein.
Contains Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), sourced exclusively from palm kernel oil, serve as “brain food” to support cognitive sharpness and for weight loss to assist in burning fat, boosting metabolism and regulating the appetite.*

Jade GreenZymes®- We have glass of JGZ’s twice a day.

Called "nature's perfect food," barley grass is said to have more nutrition than an equal serving of any other vegetable. The barley grass in organic Jade GreenZymes® is beneficial in helping balance pH, supporting a strong immune system, and assisting in maintaining blood glucose levels that are already in the normal range. 

Made with organic barley grass and our Proprietary Blend of organic acacia and organic pearl barley seed extract powder.

Kosher and vegan certified and USDA Organic.

Kenzen Super Ciaga® - We use this once a day and have developed some very delicious drink variations.

An organic mixed superfruit juice concentrate made exclusively with organic fruit content. This advanced formula is made with a select group of superfruits chosen for their nutrient and antioxidant characteristics. Highly concentrated, it has an exceptional ORAC value. 

Excellent flavor enhancer when diluted and mixed in with other beverages or water.
• Great replacement for sodas that may contain artificial sweeteners or lots of sugar. Simply mix with Nikken PiMag® water or seltzer for a naturally sweet beverage.
• Certified Kosher by Earth Kosher.
•USDA certified organic.

• No preservatives, 12 month shelf life.

Super Ciaga bottles are made of an environmentally-friendly polymer that contains no bisphenol-A (BPA) or other potentially harmful chemicals, are easily recycled and compared to glass, require fewer resources to store and transport.

An effective nutritional strategy is more than just what we eat. It requires attention to many self care processes that can affect our well-being. Quality sleep, proper hydration with healthy water, reduction of our body burden of toxic chemicals and stress management are all important for improving and maintaining good health.

One of the most important decisions we make every day is what we eat and drink. It is everyone’s Choice to eat Healthy or not.

Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.*

Nutrition in Your Wellness Home

To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art. 

Eating You Alive

“People aren’t living longer, they are dying longer.” This is the first statement in a trailer for an upcoming in theater broadcast event of the movie “Eating You Alive”.  For more details on the film and showings check out their webpage.

EatingYouAlive.org is a non-profit 501(c)(3) committed to promoting the power of a Whole Foods Plant Based lifestyle through films, television and online platforms.  With a fresh and passionate perspective, our mission is to produce content that educates and inspires audiences to implement the changes that have been proven, through science and experience, to reverse disease, create a more sustainable planet and promote a more compassionate global community.

Half of all adults in the U.S. struggle with chronic health conditions including cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, Alzheimer’s and arthritis just to mane a few. Twenty-five percent of us 2 have two or more chronic health issues. Seven out of 10 deaths in the U.S. are a result of chronic diseases, yet it is estimated that over 80% of chronic disease is preventable.

Despite countless dollars spent on medical research, new drugs and innovative technology to improve our health, more Americans are disabled and dying from chronic disease than ever before. Nearly 70% of our population are on some type of prescription medication. We fill over 4.3 billion prescriptions per year. Many chronic and degenerative conditions are becoming epidemic and the United States currently leads the world in almost every disease and chronic condition.  Although the U.S represents 4.4% of the world’s population, we consume 75% of the world’s pharmaceutical drugs.

At some point you must ask, Why? What is causing all of this dis-ease? This is the impetus for the film “Eating You Alive”. From information listed on their web page they are advocates for plant based whole food nutrition. Although, Heather and I are not vegan, we do try and include as much whole foods, while eliminating processed foods in our Wellness Home.  We are very cognitive of our sugar consumption as well as the other aspects of the Self Care Awakening.

Whole Food Nutrition

Whole food nutrition is the basis of our Nikken Active Wellness product line and much of our nutritional support in our Wellness Home is provided by Nikken.  Nikken Wellness Organic-Based Nutrition is designed to bring the daily diet closer to nature. Each ingredient is carefully selected and where possible the organic content is maximized. The Nikken concept of Whole Body Renewal includes a Core System to help meet daily needs, and modules that offer support for specific biological activities: gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, immune, and skeletal support.

A few of our daily favorites are Kenzen Vital Balance®, Jade GreenZymes® and Kenzen Super Ciaga®.

Just think about it, one of the most important decisions we make every day is what we eat and drink. It is everyone’s Choice to eat Healthy or not. It is our biggest aspiration that you will Be Healthy by Choice, not by Chance, and if you have the chance you may want to catch “Eating You Alive” at select theaters on April 5th.

“quick, power-up, healthy Kenzen Vital Balance protein snack recipe”

½ cup rolled oats
1 scoop of vanilla or chocolate Kenzen Vital Balance pea protein powder
(our fav is chocolate)
½ cup peanut or almond butter
¼ cup honey
½ Tbsp Chia seeds
Dried Cherries
Water

• Combine ingredients in a bowl only adding water as needed
• Mix until ingredients start to form a ball
• Form into bite sized balls and chill until firm
Check out Kenzen Vital Balance: https://goo.gl/SiWe42 🤗