Here’s an artistically well-produced infomercial for a cactus fruit drink.
They really hype it as some miracle-cure…. I don’t endorse that style… but I do like hearing people talking good about cactus. And the scenery in the video is pretty, as is the creative filming…. and if you want to buy fruit direct and make your own drink.. join our mailing list, when we start selling the fruit in another month… you could get notified and buy the fruit from us.
The supposed super-nutrient in nopal cactus fruits is an antioxidant called ‘Betalains’.
I’ve often heard anecdotal evidence that the fruits are very healthy….
Letha Hadady, author of FEED YOUR TIGER:
”If you have diabetes or are at risk, there are several supplements that are easy to use and find in north American healthfood stores. ..Here is nopale cactus, which grows wild in the desert southwest, Mexico and throughout Latin America in dry climates. It also lowers blood sugar gradually and it tastes mild enough for the entire family. “
There’s a fair number and variety of people in the world.
Some ain’t too bright.
And some others are smart, but play around.
Online, it can be hard to tell who is playing silly for the afternoon, and who is just plain bonkers all the time.
Yahoo has a Question-Submission site so folks can post their questions, and have readers in the ether sphere answer them. They posted a page of ‘The worst and the Saddest Questions’…. and yes, if they were not just playing around and joking…. some of those folks really need to wake up and get counseling.
There were many I enjoyed reading….but one of my favorites is the person in the US state of Georgia who heard that Russia was invading Georgia… but this person seems to be one of the few Georgians who does not realize there is a Republic called Georgia just to the South of Mother Russia…. here’s what this Red-Clay gal said….
“I live in georigia (sic), but i don’t see russia no where not even sound but they say theres tanks should i be worrie
i heard on the news that rusia had invaded but i don’t see them no where whats goin on”
Yeah, I hope Jessica B is
actually a student in some (US) Georgian University, and that her letter was just funnin’ around.
In some electronics work, the workers are told to keep one hand in their pocket, that way they cannot accidentally grab another wire and complete a circuit electrocuting themselves.
I’m in an Alanis Morissette mood lately. The timbre and whining qualities of her voice appeal to me on occasion. But the deep philosophies in her lyrics are what really strike me.
Life just goes on, and you gather a little more information day after day. As info accumulates and you have a larger and clearer picture of the whole deal, you can start to see where there is waste, and you can eliminate the waste from your life.
Year by year, you should know more and more, and have less and less wasted action and waste of life. In the end, it is life alone that matters, and nothing else counts…. then you are at the threshold, and ready to step across.
Tao teh Ching
Chapter 48
Common learning consists in adding something new each day,
In pursuit of the Tao,
every day something is dropped.
Day after day something else is lost,
until one reaches the point where one is able to do much by doing nothing.
Less and less you know and desire,
until you reach the state of non-action.
By not striving to control the world, it offers itself to you.
You cannot master the world by trying to enforce change on it.
Passing through life we are often confronted by situations that seem outside of our control… sometimes people retreat inward… reducing their exposure to the outside world…. but Man is a social animal… we need the tribe, the family, to continue our internal enrichment and provide companionship. But what of the lost ones wandering with no one? Can they be reached out to? If you extend your hand to such a one…. who knows but that you will, in so doing, pull yourself to a higher place.
The first film I was ever in is on IMDB now…. it is a ten minute short film called ‘Eating Alone’ by the Director Ron Moon. Thank you Ron, for giving me my first film role.
I’m even on the poster for the film!… well, that’s my legs anyway.
“According to a letter from the FDA General Mills’ advertising violates the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The agency said claims that Cheerios ingredients can lower cholesterol within a certain amount of time, all while providing cancer-fighting and heart-healthy benefits, essentially makes Cheerios “a drug” by their definition. And no drug in this country can be legally marketed without an approved new drug application.”
That is why I don’t often mention the healthy aspects of eating cactus.. nor the e-mails we’ve gotten letting us know that some of our customers feel that cactus has done them good.
So I’ll let others mention the fact that cactus can lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugars.
Another article can take postings from the famous book ‘Prickly Pear Cactus Medicine’by Ran Knishinsky…. on cactus cures….
Speaking of Ran Knishinsky, he is the world’s leading authority on eating cactus for health benefits… he has a book called ‘Prickly Pear Cactus Medicine’ that is presently the seminal work in the field. In his book, cactus seems like the plant that can cure the world….
Jim and Denise write about the effects of cactus…. and list the same effects as above… in addition they include the following…
“Prickly Pear Cactus has also been shown to reduce the severity of hangovers if taken in advance before drinking. Nausea, dry mouth, appetite loss, and alcohol-related inflammation were all reduced in test subjects who ingested Prickly Pear Cactus prior to drinking. You can actually mixed Prickly Pear Cactus Puree’ with alcohol. Prickly Pear Cactus Margarita seems to be a favorite.
The only true test that matters is “YOUR OWN” test and see if it works for YOU…”
As professor of nutrition Winston F. Craig, Ph.D., writes to the HighBeam Encyclopedia, the prickly pear can help with diabetes, lower blood sugar…
In the same article.. Mike Adams writes….
“• For many diabeticsor prediabetics, nopal is a complete replacement for prescription blood sugar drugs. It regulates blood sugar with no negative side effectsand no liver damage (which is one of the primary side effects of blood sugar prescriptions). Safety note: Do not halt prescription drug use except under the direct supervision of a naturopathic physician.
• Nopal is a key ingredient is many highly effective (and safe) blood sugar regulating nutritional supplements (see resources, below).
• Conventional medicine, including drug companies and the FDA, do not want the public to learn about nopal because it would cost Big Pharma hundreds of millions of dollars in annual profits from diabetes drug sales. The public is intentionally kept ignorant about natural treatments for diabetes as a way to maximize corporate profits.
• Most doctors have never heard of nopal, nor its blood sugar balancing effects, because the use of medicinal herbs is simply not taught in medical school. Virtually all M.D.s are nutritionally illiterate when it comes to herbs and food supplements.
• Native Americans, who are suffering under an epidemic of diabetes, desperately need to be re-taught the medicinal uses of desert plants. If nopal were widely harvested and used to help regulate blood sugar in Native Americans, the diabetes rate would fall sharply. But conventional medicine, dominated primarily by rich white men, chooses to deliberately deny honest information about nutritional supplements to Native Americans. In doing so, Native Americans have been isolated from their land and their medicinal wisdom. “
Regulates Blood Sugar Levels.
Considerable research shows that Nopal is effective in stabilizing and regulating blood sugar levels. With regulated blood sugar levels, you’ll have more energy, less fatigue and in general, an elevated mood. Nopal works by slowing digestion of carbohydrates that inhibits insulin production. It may help strengthen the liver and pancreas which makes it easier for your body to convert sugar into stored glycogen that supplies the body with energy.Reduces Cholesterol.
Nopal delivers amino acids, fiber and B3 that may work to reduce cholesterol, tri-glyceride and LDL levels. Studies suggest that Nopal breaks down fat and fatty acids and purges excess bile acid that is converted into cholesterol. Niacin (B3), an important element of Nopal, helps transform LDL (bad) cholesterol to HDL (good).Supplies All Essential Amino Acids.
Nopal is one of the few plants containing all essential amino acids in an absorbable-branched chain. The essential amino acids are isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Amino acids are used by every one of the 30 trillion cells in an adult human body.
The 17 amino acids in Nopal play a vital role in almost all body functions. They help maintain and repair muscles, organs, nails, hair, skin, ligaments and glands.
Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals.
Nopal Powder contains important minerals and vitamins that may help detoxify your entire body including the liver and pancreas. Nopal delivers essential minerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and iron) and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C.
Improves Immunity.
Nopal provides many phytochemicals, which may help keep you healthy by fighting off disease-causing pathogens.
So, in the end… our regulated society, and the ‘Powers-that-Be’ prohibit me from making any statements as to the efficacy of cactus for health and wellness. I am not a doctor, I have no medical training (other than ’First-Aid’ training in the Army), and I only eat cactus because I just plain like it (I’m an eater). But if you wish to find out about the health benefits of cactus… I think you will find many resources out there….
Bob Jones was an early naturalist of the area… he pushed and after some time, the Southern Pacific Railroad ‘right-of-way’ was used to make this trail. It runs from the 101 Freeway, to San Luis Bay….
This is really a great place for locals and visiting vacationers to walk… it follows the creek… so you are in the canopy of the willows and other water-loving trees. You are likely to see waterfowl… and if very early in the morning, before the joggers and roller-bladers come out, you will likely see much local wildlife.
The Bob Jones Bike Trail is a very safe place for a family or lone females to roam, I’ve even seen uniformed Sheriff’s Officers on bicycles patrolling this path! Yay, go cops! It passes alongside the properties of several resorts and private homes, so there are many vacationers as well as locals who will use this paved trail for recreation. You are not likely to be alone on this trail, it can actually carry a large number of people on weekends and holidays. The scenery is nice and the trail is a very beautiful example of California river-stream habitat… and on hot days, being under the cooling canopy of the trees and near the cool water… very nice. Yes, this is a good place to be on a warm day.
they referenced some of the varieties that have to be cooked… our best ones are great raw.
One quote from the article….
“Very nutritious, nopales are rich in dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. They also contain vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin K. Minerals are also plentiful, as nopales contain potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, and manganese. They also contain flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Nopales have no saturated fat or cholesterol, and very little sodium.
Nopales can reduce the glycemic index of a meal, and have been used to decrease the level of glucose in diabetics’ blood. Pills and powders made from the plant have also become popular, as its health benefits are becoming more widely known. The American Heart Society, for example, is researching the use of nopales to help manage cholesterol levels. ”
The Organic Institute is looking for its first-ever consumer ambassador to serve as a spokesperson for all those who are passionate about organic agriculture and products. All we need is a 30-second audition video from you making your pitch.
Participation is easy:
Through May 8, join our YouTube group and submit a 30-second video at www.youtube.com/group/organicidol explaining the moment you realized organic products are worth it. Make us smile. Make us cry. Make us laugh. Make us think. Heartfelt, creative and quirky videos are welcomed, and encouraged.
Once your video is posted, tell your friends to view it! That’s because the Organic Institute’s board will consider the top 12 videos with the most views by May 8 as the initiative’s finalists.
Members of the Organic Trade Association will select from the 12 finalists who they feel is the best fit as our consumer ambassador. We’ll notify the winner in May, and he or she will be unveiled June 17 in Chicago at the All Things Organic Trade Show.
In addition to receiving a trip for two to Chicago for the trade show, the winner’s story will be shared on this Web site. And, he or she will be featured in the Institute’s next consumer advertising campaign, currently set for Fall 2009.
We know a local lady who is a ‘Healthy Foods Wiz’. Like many immigrants, she has a way of looking at things differently from other Americans… she was born and raised in Africa, in Senegal the semi desert country. Her family ate the local wild herbs and used them medicinally in the old traditions. In time she got interested in both modern medicines and the herbal traditions she learned from her elders.
She eventually joined the US Army, and became what we called a ‘Green-card soldier’…. that is someone who finds a fast-lane to USA citizenship through serving the country they wish to live in. While in the Army she got two Master’s degrees, then went on to get a PhD. When she told the Army she wanted them to pay for a second PhD, they said that while they like soldiers to be educated, they didn’t need ‘Double PhD’ soldiers. So when her term wasup she went into civilian life. She now has a shop in the next-town-over where she sells nutritious treats and sells them over the Internet to anyone in the country. She can speak to you, diagnose your ailments, and with her list of herbs and tinctures, make up something that might help you.
I like this gal a lot…. she is what this country is all about, someone who knows and grew up in a bad way, and sees the shining city on the hill… she scrambled through the bushes, up that hard slope with her gaze on the beacon….
NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF OF THE PRIZE!
She is now putting on a healthy eating festival on Saturday (dang, I’ll be in Santa Barbara and Montecito that day)….
You are cordially invited to celebrate Healthy Living with us on the 14th of March from 2pm till 6pm. For a nominal price of $15.00 for adults and $7.00 for children (ages 12 and below), come enjoy a buffet of great healthy foods. Choices of appetizers, entrees, desserts and beverages will be available.
See you soon.
In health,
Abiola Oladoke, Ph.D. Wellness Consultant/Health Coach
Healthy Palate
2015 South Broadway
Santa Maria, CA 93454
805-757-9802 www.healthy-palate.com
