Raw food or cooked?   Both are good and both have their place. Yes, a raw vegan diet will cleanse the body and reset many things (like a health reboot).  But sustaining a totally raw diet for a long time is difficult and, I would venture to say, not necessarily healthy for everyone. Chinese medicine explains […]

In health there are many aspects that interact together.  One problem that is just beginning to be understood better is the idea of gluten.  Many people are reacting to gluten. Some are actually celiac, some mimic celiac etc.  The low quality of today’s wheat and flour contributes to these issues. But there are so many […]

There are people who have healed from very serious illnesses, chronic diseases, autoimmune conditions and so on just from adopting a plant based vegan diet. There are others who healed on a keto diet. And others have healed on a raw food diet. So what is the best? There actually is no best diet. The […]

Health includes physical health, emotional health and of course spiritual health. We cannot separet them. If a person is spiritually healthy, it will make a difference to physical health. For a Jew, eating kosher makes a difference in health. Even if a Jew eats healthy food, if that food is not kosher it certainly will […]

I am not a believer in a totally raw vegan diet. But i do believe raw foods add a very vital element to health.We need a combination of both raw and cooked fruits and vegetables. Raw foods do add important enzymes and vitamins and minerals to our diet. But besides raw foods, sprouted foods are […]

A huge segment of society uses packaged and processed foods on a daily basis. Many people exist on packaged snacks. But what is wrong with that? If you study societies where people have longevity and good healthy, you will see that they generally avoid processed foods. Everything is made fresh from scratch. And this is […]

This statement is really true. Nowadays, the most important aspect of health care is preventative. We need to do our best to prevent health issues in order to maintain good health. Preventative medicine includes proper diet, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, emotional and psychological health and learning/teaching about health at a young age in order […]

Why do we like plates full of color?  And why do we crave salty, sugary and oily foods? We like colors because every color is healing to different organs and energies in our bodies and we need all the color spectrum for good health.  Different colors contain different vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.  For example, the […]

Are beans necessary to eat for health? Certainly we know that most cultures have dishes that center around beans. Most places with a large percentage of centurions have many foods that include beans. Most Mediterranean countries have many recipes that utilize beans. But they also often combine them with other foods that make them easier […]

Many people like their bread well toasted, their meat well roasted and foods deeply fried or sauteed to the point of being very charred. People like the taste and even texture of well cooked foods. But is this healthy? Studies now show that overly baked , fried or broiled (or bar b que) foods are […]

Digestion has many parts to it. First it begins in the mouth, with proper chewing of one’s food. The Rambam says that if one does not chew well, the food will not be digested adequately and the nutrients not absorbed as well. It will go out of the system not properly broken down.So breaking down […]

The digestive process is strongest in the morning after a night’s sleep. That is why breakfast is a very important meal of the day. It is good to have some protein for breakfast too, as it helps sustain energy and cut down the need for snacking between meals. The digestion is slowest or weakest at […]

Are oats truly healthy? There are different opinions on that. They definitely do offer good quality fiber and help to lower cholesterol.  But they also can be hard to digest. Many are contaminated with other grains or non organic oats. Oats must be organic or they are grown with round up sprayed on the crops. […]

Today so many people suffer from autoimmune conditions and illnesses caused by or aggravated by inflammation.  Why so much inflammation?  I do believe it also is connected to our emotional health. Inflammatory emotions: anger, anxiety, fear, frustration….these all contribute to our health, or lack thereof…. I believe emotional health has a lot to do with […]

Many people find it difficult to afford meat or even chicken these days. Even fish has become expensive, let alone dairy!  So what should we eat?? Well, this is where a vegan diet or plant based diet comes in handy. I would not recommend totally discarding meat or dairy, if you have no problems with […]

What are the best snacks to eat? Many people crave snacks. This is a habit most of the western world is used to. In America people snack far too much. There is often a mid morning snack, an afternoon snack, an evening/pre bedtime snack….and that is besides dessert after meals!  People associate snacks with sugar […]

Health is a holistic matter. It is not just about eating nutritious food.   Why is it that Italians are so healthy and americans are not?   Yes, quality of foods in Italy are better, but besides that, Italians know how to enjoy life. They eat together as a family or with friends. They have a […]

What foods are inflammatory? Foods high in unhealthy fats such as grain fed beef, chicken, too many eggs,  dairy and refined grains like white flour  or pasta.  Many people who have colitis are unable to eat meat as it flares their diarrhea and other symptoms.   Certain oils are inflammatory such as too many omega 6’s […]

Today’s world revolves around cell phones, ipads, computers, social media, video games etc. etc. It is a society of addictions. Everyone suffers some sort of addiction, whether it is to our phones, drugs, liquor, movies, food etc. How can we combat this? By allowing technology to be put on the back burner. Use it only […]

How important is exercise for good health? Obviously the human body is meant to be used and to move a lot.  In past generations, just living an everyday life meant walking all over (nobody had cars), working hard to do laundry (at the riverbank,by hand), stoking the fireplace with wood in order to cook, washing […]

The body has an amazing ability to heal, given to us by our Creator. We just need to provide the body with the right natural resources. that includes proper diet, rest, exercise, herbs and even mental/emotional health. Proper nutrition is so important for health. As much as eliminating wrong foods is important, equally important is […]

This happens to everyone at some point in time. The secret is to know how to get back into balance. If, for example, you eat too much bread in one day, the next day you may not want to eat bread at all. Or, if you eat something with too much oil, avoid oil for […]

People who wish to lose weight often go on a strict diet. There are many types, weight watchers being one of them.  And you can and do lose weight.  But is this a healthy way to lose weight? Not really. Weight watchers allows unhealthy foods as long as calories do not exceed a certain amount. […]

In order to eat a properly balanced diet, one needs a good variety of food. For example, if one day you eat bread three times a day, breakfast, lunch and supper, by the night time you may find yourself feeling uncomfortable, overly full and not balanced inside. The body needs variety and proper portions. Also, […]

Most societies are now promoting extreme exercise: pilates, aerobics etc. People are pushing themselves more than they are physically capable of. Is this healthy? we know that exercise is important to stay fit, control weight, improve immunity and prevent diseases, stroke etc. But is too much exercise healthy?In short, NO. While exercising is a must, […]

Is meat healthy or not?  The Rambam considers meat to be a healthy item, eaten in moderation. Meat gives energy and strength to a person. One who is feeble or ill or a woman recovering from childbirth often need to eat meat to regain their strength.  Therefore, is it best to be totally vegan and […]

This is a good question. Studies have shown that for someone wishing to lose weight and to control cholesterol more effectively, a plant based vegan mediterranean diet seems to work better than a regular mediterranean diet which incorporates some meat,chicken, fish , dairy etc. Nevertheless, I still say it depends on an individual. Everyone is […]

Something many people are not aware of is the importance of proper food combinations. Some combinations will enhance nutrition, absorption of minerals and will even increase protein. Eating some lemon or tomatoes with a meat meal or afterwards can enhance absorption of iron, for people suffering from anemia . Certain wrong combinations of food will […]

Many people struggle with trying to lose weight or trying to eat healthier. Most make the mistake of denying themselves many foods or many categories of food in order to control their appetite and reduce their consumption of food. But this is very counter productive. Most diets are not sustainable in the long run. Most […]

Herbs and spices are very valuable to boost the immune system and preserve good health. Most middle eastern cultures utilize a lot of herbs in cooking.  We should try to introduce more herbs and spices into our foods. For example, fresh thyme, fresh oregano, fresh basil and rosemary all have tremendous health benefits and provide […]

If a person is emotionally upset, nervous, stressed , angry etc., certainly this negatively affects digestion. It also contributes to demineralization and a feeling of weakness, fatigue and lack of energy. It is essential to learn how to relax and deal with one’s emotions in a healthy way.  It can help to drink a bit […]

So, after all this preliminary discussion, what should a balanced diet menu look like? Your plate should always have a healthy carb, a healthy source of fat such as avocado, walnuts, butter, olive oil or tahini (and even animal fat such as good quality butter or some fat from meat is fine: much better than […]

IMMUNE SYSTEM Keeping our immune systems healthy is the key to fighting off viruses , infections and keeping our bodies properly balanced.  Many nutrients are important for an optimal immune system. Vitamin C is one, but rather than taking supplements, it is preferable to add vitamin c rich foods such as lemon juice, oranges, fruits, […]

WEIGHT LOSS I should take a moment to say that although being obese is unhealthy and can lead to many health problems, being a bit overweight is not necessarily as much of a problem as people tend to think. People who are a bit heavy are often stronger and have more energy . Studies recently […]

When we eat well, sleep properly, have adequate exercise and fresh air, we keep our immune systems functioning to the maximum, hence aiding resistance to viruses and bacteria.  This is something many people do not realize. For example, in the winter, when the weather is very cold, if we are lax about dressing properly when […]

There are many people who want to claim that a vegan or totally plant based diet is the answer to all the ills of society. But is it? Now new studies have come out showing that many vegans are missing important nutrients that can affect cognitive functioning and can also affect health in many ways. […]

Sugar definitely is one of the most problematic foods out there, especially the refined sugar we have today. In the past, nobody had refined sugar. Everyone used honey or perhaps maple syrup in certain parts of the world. But sugar as we know it today did not really exist. And any society that did introduce […]

After all this discussion, what type of diet is the most balanced in many ways (out of the numerous diets we know of today) and would offer the most health benefits?The so called “Mediterranean diet” is certainly more of a balanced system. There are no absolute rules. It is just about limiting red  meat to […]

Canned foods are used a lot in our society.  It is a convenience, quick way of eating and it definitely has it’s place. In general, canned foods are not very healthy, and certainly avoid cans that have BPA in them. Try to avoid a lot of canned foods that are very acidic, if possible. Tomato […]

People world wide  drink gallons of coffee a day.  Yes, there are many studies showing the health benefits of coffee. But again, each person is an individual. For one person, coffee brings energy and an ability to function better. But for a person who is very stressed or has adrenal issues, too much coffee (or […]

What about salt? In western society salt is considered unhealthy and to be kept to a minimum  . Many people are on low salt diets these days. However, the latest research now shows that it is very important to eat an adequate amount of salt.  Some studies indicate that the explosion of gluten intolerance and […]

Nuts are healthy when consumed in moderation (and preferably raw rather than roasted, even dry roasted). But again, dry roasted nuts at times are okay (such as pistachios).  There are so many different nuts and all provide nutrition and are helpful as snacks.    I do believe it is good to incorporate some nuts into one’s […]

Everyone requires some type of oil or fats in their diet. But how much? And which type? In general, frying is unhealthy and should be avoided, except for special occasions.  Olive oil is one of the better oils if you do need to stir fry a bit.    Heavy fatty foods are not great for most […]

Dairy products are a subject of great controversy in today’s society. Conventional dairy products are not necessarily healthy, especially in USA. The cows may be given antibiotics, hormones and gmo feed.  And all of that can seep into the milk. Many cows do not graze on grassland . Most of the dairy we consume in […]

Fruits should be eaten in moderation as well. According to the Rambam, fruits are healthy but not in big amounts and only when ripe. And the healthiest fruits are grapes , figs and almonds. However, in todays world where most fruits are tampered with and where many fruits are not organically grown, we need to […]

We need to eat protein, but in moderate amounts. We do not have to eat a huge steak for supper. A small portion of meat or chicken or fish is adequate. And a good rule of thumb (based on Torah laws) is to always eat lighter food before heavier food. If, for example, a person […]

 G-d has however ordained general rules of health that work through nature which should be practiced to keep the body clean and functioning to its best capacity.   He set up nature in such a way that for the majority of people ,certain health rules keep our systems clean and functioning well and to prevent illness.   […]

But what is the real answer for promoting good health?  What is the healthiest diet, if there really is one?Actually, nothing is an absolute.  We need a balanced lifestyle and a balanced diet.  Moderation and balance in everything is the key. And a “one size” diet does not fit all!  That is the first very […]

Nowadays there are so many diets claiming to have the answer to long life and good health. There is the paleo diet, the Nordic diet, the raw food diet, macrobiotic diet, vegan diet, vegetarian diet (some who eat fish, some who don’t; some who eat eggs, some who don’t; some who eat dairy, some don’t) […]

This blog is about food. Food for thought. It is about health, diet, lifestyle and balance. It is about what is wrong with our lives nowadays….and what we can do to improve quality of diet, health, emotional wellbeing and life. Much of the problem with today’s society, particularly in America, is a lack of balance: […]