Sweet Weekly Blog

Welcome to the Sweet Wheat® blog! Here you can get great tips on how to get the most out of wheatgrass juice powder, how to stay in shape and feel great. We invite you to join us weekly as we post new entries. Feel free to make suggestions or ask questions. We're happy when you're happy and healthy. Thanks for reading and stay SWEET!


March 3rd, 2010

Energy Boosters Part 3

This is the final installment of “Energy Boosters”.

It’s important to eat foods that have digestive enzymes, or take digestive enzymes, as they help break down proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fiber making it possible for your body to absorb the nutrients in them. Enzymes turn the food into energy for use in the body. Raw foods have more enzymes than cooked foods so eat plenty of raw fruits and veggies! It’s also a good idea to take a multivitamin/multimineral supplement (Sweet Wheat® is great for this and has live enzymes too) as so much of the food that we eat today has been processed and has lost a lot of its nutritional value.

Exercise is one of the best natural energy boosters out there. To achieve optimal health, it is vital to exercise at least 2-3 times a week. While some people think this means sweating in the gym for hours on end, this is not necessarily the case. Intensity is key, not duration! Give your body a good, intense workout for 20-30 min a few times a week and rest in between, allowing rebuilding to occur.  That’s it!

Every so often it’s good to do a colon cleanse to eliminate toxins and parasites from the body. Doing a twenty-four hour fast once a month can really help your body’s energy levels, as well as help eliminate salt and sugar cravings. The body spends about a third of its energy on digestion and elimination alone. By avoiding solid foods for 24 hours and only taking in liquids, like water and fresh, organic juices, you give it break and let it use some of its stored energy to fight disease, eliminate toxins, etc. By eliminating these, the body will be dumping them into the digestive tract (colon) so if your colon is already clean, you get a feeling of wellness and increased energy and mental clarity. If, however, the colon is not clean and working properly, all the toxins get reabsorbed into your bloodstream making you feel sick.

Sleep is the most simple and obvious natural remedy for low energy levels. It is recommended that we get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. However, many of our schedules don’t permit that. But even increasing your sleep by 15-30 minutes a night or taking a short nap can make a drastic difference in your energy level. A reason to avoid caffeine drinks is that it can mess with the quality of your sleep. Bodies need sleep to repair, so we can stay healthy! Even if you’re able to sleep after drinking caffeine, it can interfere with your quality of rest and recovery. So eat, drink and sleep your way to a healthy and an energetic lifestyle!

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February 25th, 2010

Energy Boosters Part 2

In our last post we talked about various foods that naturally help to boost energy. Here are some meal ideas to get you started!

Breakfast:

Plain, fat-free yogurt with low-sugar muesli, berries and a small glass of fruit juice

2-egg omelette with low-fat cheese, veggies, turkey, 1 slice of whole grain toast topped with low-fat cream cheese and a small cup of grapefruit juice

Shredded wheat cereal with skim milk, a banana, and 1 egg

Snack:

Apple with low-fat cheese

Banana with all natural peanut butter

Half of a whole grain English muffin with low-fat, melted cheese

Lunch:

Veggie soup with a slice of whole wheat bread topped with low-fat cream cheese, 1 grapefruit and a glass of skim milk

Turkey sandwich on whole grain bread, spinach salad with low-fat dressing and a small glass of orange juice

Grilled chicken sandwich on whole grain bread with half a cup of sliced tomatoes and a pomegranate

Snack:

1 whole grain rice cake with a piece of turkey

Half a cup of chickpeas with chopped tomatoes and cucumbers and low-fat dressing

1 boiled egg with a slice of whole wheat bread

Dinner:

Wild salmon, 1 baked potato with low-fat sour cream, steamed broccoli, sliced peaches and a glass of skim milk

Grilled lean steak, a small portion of whole grain pasta, steamed spinach, blueberries and a glass of grapefruit juice

Baked chicken and brown rice, spinach salad with low-fat dressing, 1 plum and a glass of skim milk

Snack:

Low-fat yogurt with a small handful of nuts

Small portion of low-fat cottage cheese and pineapple

Mixed berries and banana

Join us again for extra tips on how to jump start your energy levels!

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January 20th, 2010

Energy Boosters Part 1

Eight out of ten Americans complain of low energy levels on a regular basis. This can stem from overexertion, bad diet, too much stress or any number of factors. Instead of relying on fancy caffeine loaded beverage’s to keep you energized, why not choose yummy, healthy foods and drinks along with a few other simple remedies to boost your energy and keep you running full throttle all day long?

First things first! Everyone needs the right combination of carbohydrates, protein and fat at regular intervals to keep them feeling fresh and ready to take on the world. Start your day with a shot of Sweet Wheat® organic wheatgrass juice powder (or capsules), loaded with nutrients and eating healthy meals and snacks every 3-4 hours throughout the day will help keep your blood-sugar levels even so you don’t have energy ‘highs’ and ‘lows’. Even if you’re dieting, don’t skip meals or snacks as this makes you hungrier and less energetic and lets those cravings sneak in making it harder to stick to your diet! If you’re craving something sweet, try a piece of fruit and if you’re craving something salty, try a lightly salted, whole grain rice cake with low-fat cream cheese. Eating fried and fatty foods can make you feel sluggish.

When you think of an energy boost, you probably think of caffeine. However, caffeine gives a quick energy burst and then results in restlessness, insomnia and dependancy later. It also taxes the adrenal system and can lead to long term health problems. If you absolutely crave caffeine (to stay up for a long night of work or something) try green or white tea. Both have less caffeine than coffee and provide beneficial antioxidants in return. However if you want to use something that will boost your energy and help your whole system including the adrenal’s use another shot of Sweet Wheat organic wheat grass juice or some ginseng. Limit alcohol intake as it stresses the body and does nothing to help energy. Not drinking enough pure clean water can cause you to feel tired due to dehydration. Think of it in this way, human bodies are 45% to 70% water and work a bit like a stream. By drinking lots of water, you’re running fresh water through the body to keep it clean and hydrated. Without enough water, stagnation, toxicity and overweight occur. Drink lots of water and a small amount of organic fruit juices with no added sugar. Try to stay away from added sugar. Sugar, like caffeine, gives you an energy high spike with a blood sugar crash.

Superfoods are foods packed with important nutrients, healthy fats and oils, antioxidants, and other energy boosters that keep you perky and ready to focus.

Some superfoods are:
Organic Wheatgrass juice – Sweet Wheat®
Organic tomatoes
Oats
Wild salmon
Broccoli
Spinach
Blueberries
Pomegranates
Nuts
Garlic
Green tea
Bananas
Organic red apples and all natural peanut butter (no sugar)
Hummus and veggies (carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower)
Extra virgin olive oil (try to stay away from butter, margarine, etc.)

When eating breads or pastas, stick to whole grain over white as the white stuff is very low on nutrients and causes a bigger spike in your blood sugar than whole grain products do.

Join us again for meal ideas!

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January 14th, 2010

Fight Stress with Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1, also called thiamine, is a very important vitamin for fighting stress. It is needed to obtain energy from fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It is also vital for proper nervous system function and a healthy heart and is essential for growth in children and fertility in adults. Luckily it’s found in tons of foods including whole grain cereals, breads, porridge, oats, brown rice and other whole grains, dairy products, eggs, yeast extract, nuts, seeds, beans, peas, most veggies, including wheat grass juice, red meat (especially pork), duck, mutton, liver and offal. The daily requirement of B1 varies person to person depending on calorie intake since more is needed if you eat a lot of carbohydrates.

The body only stores a small amount of B1 so a deficiency can develop quickly with inadequate intake. Here are some of the symptoms of Vitamin B1 deficiency:
Tiredness
Changes in or loss of appetite
Sugar craving
Headaches
Muscle fatigue
Poor concentration
Mood changes
Irritability
Depression
Restlessness
Insomnia
Night terror
Heart problems
In extreme cases, a condition called beri-beri can result which is sometimes seen in third world countries.

B vitamins, especially B1, play a huge role in relieving depression, anxiety, restlessness, sleeplessness and nightmares. The suggested daily intake is 1.0 to 1.5 mg. However, if you’re deficient you’ll need to get more. B1 is available in 100mg-500 mg tablets or capsules and it is water-soluble meaning the body will naturally get rid of any excess that you intake. So don’t worry about taking too much since trouble related to this are extremely rare. However, if you’re going to be taking B1 as a supplement on a regular basis, you should also take B Complex to balance out the other B vitamins and Vitamin C is also good to take with it.

As a final suggestion, B1 is easily ruined by cooking food due to it’s sensitivity to oxygen and heat, so try to handle and cook foods containing B1 as little as possible. Use of garlic and/or onions helps with the absorption of B1.

Your friends will love the new, happier you and so will you!

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January 6th, 2010

Natural Solutions for Sinus Trouble

Hayfever is an allergy that is induced by seasonal plants, airborne chemicals and dust particles which causes sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses often linked to hayfever. Many people resort to allergy medications to relieve these symptoms yet certain vitamins, minerals and oils can help prevent and alleviate these instead.

Antioxidant vitamins and minerals help eliminate toxins, etc. from the body keeping in clean and healthy. Vitamin C (1,000mg minimum) should be taken every day for sinus and gum health. It helps to build and repair red blood cells, bones and tissues, while protecting against bruising and infection by helping keep the immune system strong and healthy. If a sinus infection has already set in, you can take up to 2,000 mg of vitamin C four times a day to help knock it out. High doses of vitamin C can cause diarrhea, which will actually benefit your body by cleaning out the gastrointestinal tract. This is good if you have a sinus infection or another respiratory ailment as it cleanses the body. Be sure to drink lots of water to stay hydrated. If the diarrhea goes on too long, cut back on the Vitamin C. Vitamin C has to be balanced out by other vitamins such as Vitamin A, B complex, E, Zinc and Selenium. When you raise the dosage of C, you also need to increase the dosages of these. Consult a nutritionist to find out the right amounts for your body.

Omegacin is the essential fatty acid group containing Omega 3, 6 and 9, along with a number of antioxidants. Some fatty acids come from flax while others come from fish oils, such as cod liver oil which is high as well in Vitamin A and D. These help keep the body lubricated so it can stay loose and flexible. This makes it easier for toxins and other waste products to leave the body, keeping mucous membranes clean and clear.

There are also some foods that can help keep sinuses clear, such as garlic and horseradish. Garlic reduces inflammation, congestion and other respiratory infections, such as sinusitis. It contains quercetin, which is a natural antihistamine. Horseradish has antibiotic properties that help clear the sinuses and respiratory passages. Also do not forget your green!  Sweet Wheat® is loaded with live enzymes to break down mucus, plus minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. You can even use it with some sea salt and lukewarm water as a sinus flush. So give yourself a daily boost of health!

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December 7th, 2009

See Better with Veggies!

Everyone has heard that carrots are good for your eyes but did you know that there are many other veggies that can help too?

Green beans and broccoli contain lutein and zeaxanthin, substances that protect the retina from damage caused by certain types of light. They also have Vitamin C which may help reduce the risk of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. Broccoli also contains beta-carotene which the body converts into vitamin A, an anti-oxidant that helps your eyes adjust to light changes, moistens them, helps prevent cataracts, and has been shown to help prevent blindness from muscle degeneration. Brussels sprouts and chili peppers are two other good sources of lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene and Vitamin C.

Carrots are the most famous veggies for healthy eyes as they contain high amounts of beta-carotene as well as lutein, zeaxanthin and Vitamin C. Kale is another one of the best as it is an excellent source of all these nutrients as well. Spinach is another one that is really beneficial and turnip greens take the final spot in terms of the very best veggies for your eyes.

Corn, mustard greens, peas, and squash are all good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin and fair source of beta-carotene and Vitamin C. Yellow corn is better than white corn and for squash, the darker the color, the better. Red peppers, collard greens, dandelion leaves, sweet potatoes and yams are also great for beta-carotene and Vitamin C. For sweet potatoes look for darker flesh as these will contain more beta-carotene.

Leafy lettuces are a good way to get lots of lutein and zeaxanthin and you’ll also get some beta-carotene while you’re at it. Look for dark greens and reds. Leeks and celery also have lutein and zeaxanthin. For celery, go darker, although this may be more stringy. Hey, more fiber!

While tomatoes aren’t technically vegetables, they are a good way to get some beta-carotene and Vitamin C and are an excellent source of lycopene, the substance that makes tomatoes red. Lycopene helps with Vitamin A obtainment. The lycopene in tomatoes is easier for the body to use when the tomatoes are cooked in or eaten with oil, so spaghetti sauces, salsa, and even ketchup are good sources of lycopene. However, you should look for sauces, etc. that don’t contain sugar as these are healthier.

So eat your fill of veggies, and live to SEE your wildest dreams!

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November 30th, 2009

Body Fat Percentage

There is a lot of focus on losing weight these days. However, most people really just want to lose body fat and lower their overall body fat percentage. There is a big difference in terms of health and how one feels between being skinny and being lean and healthy.

Fat is essential to many of the body’s functions such as regulating body temperature, protecting organs and tissues and energy storage. However, there are two types of fat. The first is essential body fat and this is the stuff that you need to stay healthy. Then there is storage fat. This consists mainly of fat stored just under the skin. While you also need some of this, too much is unhealthy and when someone is “overweight” this is what we are talking about getting rid of.

Here is a basic chart to see the different body fat percentage categories.

Percentages for Women:             Men:
Essential Fat    10-12%                2-4%
Athletes             14-20%               6-13%
Fitness               21-24%               14-17%
Acceptable        25-31%               18-25%
Obese                 32%+                  25%+

As you can see, women naturally need more body fat to be healthy. Women with too little body fat can incur a cessation of periods and eventually become infertile. In general, too low a body fat percentage can increase the risk of disease, bone trouble, weakness, dizziness, exhaustion, etc.

So know you’re body fat percentage and check it regularly if you are dieting or exercising and use this as an index of your progress. Stay fit and stay healthy, healthy being the key!

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November 2nd, 2009

Aspartame – Yay or Nay?

Aspartame, also known as Tropicana Slim, Equal, NutraSweet and Canderel, is a sugar substitute that has received many opposing reviews. Here is some of the information on it for you to make your own decision.

Aspartame is made from two amino acids and methanol (or wood alcohol). Too much methanol (approximately 8 grams) is poisonous and can lead to brain damage, blindness and even death. Furthermore, methanol converts to formaldehyde at 86°F, our bodies being plenty warm to make the conversion. After that it changes to formic acid, the poison found in fire ant stings, which can cause metabolic problems.

There are around 6,000 food and beverage products on the market that contain Aspartame. Some of these include: diet and regular sodas, mints, cereals, sugar-free and regular gum, cocoa mixes, frozen and gelatin desserts, juices, laxatives, chewable vitamin supplements, pharmaceutical drugs, shake mixes, tabletop sweeteners, teas, coffees, wine coolers and yogurt.

Aspartame is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar and has a negligible caloric value due to the small amount needed to produce a sweet taste. The sweetness, however, is not the same as that of sugar, having a slower onset and lasting longer. Aspartame has become a widely used sugar substitute for people with diabetes. Diabetics, however,  are healthier avoiding sweets altogether.

While Aspartame itself does not cause tooth decay, the acid in soda does and although it’s cheaper than sugar, Diet Coke is the same price as the original! Aspartame also causes a craving and is, thus, addictive causing you to consuming more.

Some of the physical and mental effects associated with Aspartame consumption are:
Eye problems including decreased vision, blurring, bright flashes, tunnel vision, protruding, bleeding, pain in one of both eyes, decreased tears, blindness in one or both eyes
Ear problems including ringing or buzzing, intolerance to noise, hearing impairment
Headaches, dizziness, unsteadiness
Confusion, memory loss
Severe drowsiness, insomnia
Severe slurring of speech
Severe hyperactivity, restless legs
Tingling or numbness of the limbs, severe joint pains
Convulsions, epileptic attacks, myoclonic jerks including hiccups, tremors
Severe depression, irritability, anxiety, severe aggravation of phobias
Heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, aggravation of respiratory allergies
High blood pressure, aggravated hypoglycemia
Nausea, diarrhoea, bloody stool, abdominal pain
Pain on swallowing, severe lip and mouth reactions, excessive thirst, facial pain
Severe itching without rash, hives
Aggravation of diabetic complications
Severe reduction or cessation of periods
Weight gain, marked weight loss, bloating
Thinning or loss of hair
Frequency of voiding, burning upon urination
Increased susceptibility to infection

Doctors suggest that Aspartame may be responsible for cases of:
Brain tumors
Multiple sclerosis
Epilepsy
Parkinson’s
Alzheimer’s
Mental retardation
Lymphoma
Birth defects
Fibromyalgia
Diabetes
Arthritis
Reduced fertility in men

If you need a sugar substitute, try Stevia, honey or agave nectar and save yourself the trouble that comes from Aspartame!

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September 15th, 2009

The Soy Debate

There are many people who tout the benefits of soy while plenty of others bash it as being dangerous. Lets examine both sides a bit and make our own educated decision.

Soybeans contain all the amino acids that are needed by the human body. These must be obtained through food and supplements, as the body cannot make them on its own. Soybeans also contain protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, B vitamins and calcium and have no cholesterol.

The American Heart Association suggests people consume soy products as part of a “healthy heart” diet and the FDA has endorsed soy as a way of lowering cholesterol after looking at 27 different studies in 1999. These studies showed that it takes approximately 25 grams of soy protein a day to reduce bad cholesterol by 10 percent in people with levels of 160 and up and as one’s cholesterol levels approach normal, soy has less benefit.

Soybeans also contain isoflavones, which are weak estrogen-like substances made by plants. These can help compensate for estrogen levels that are too high or too low. By competing with estrogen, the isoflavones are believed to lower the negative effects that estrogen can have on the body, possibly helping to prevent a number of health related problems, such as hot flashes, osteoporosis, and breast cancer. This theory has been borne out in animal studies and observational studies of Asian women who have high soy diets and a lower incidence of breast cancer than American women. Sounds pretty good right?

However, a number of studies have also produced conflicting results. One study gave women soy supplements and showed that fluid taken from their breasts had a rapid multiplication of breast cells which is sometimes a sign of breast cancer. Animal studies have also shown that human breast cancers that were transplanted into mice grew faster when the mice were fed soy isoflavones.

Some people worry that eating too much soy can have harmful effects on men, as too much estrogen can, in theory, cause fertility and/or sexual issues. Science has indeed found that large amounts of these estrogen-like substances can affect fertility in animals. Sounds pretty bad. But remember that men have eaten soy for hundreds of years in Asia without widespread fertility problems.

As you can see, further studies are needed to fully close the debate. Like most foods, eating soy in moderation has no evidence of being harmful. If you want to add a touch of soy to your diet but aren’t sure you’ll like the taste, try cooking tofu with other ingredients like veggies and spices since the tofu will absorb these flavors and taste delicious. Just 4 ounces of tofu has 13 grams of protein! Vanilla and chocolate soy milk are another tasty way to include soy in your diet. One thing to watch out for, however, is that most soybeans today are genetically modified. So, look for non-GMO or organic soy and enjoy!

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Posted in Cancer, GMO, General, Health, Nutrition, soy | 5 Comments »


August 14th, 2009

Chlorophyll for Life!

Many of us have heard that chlorophyll is good for us but don’t really know why. What is chlorophyll and why is it good for us?

Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants and algae and is the vital ingredient for photosynthesis (the process that plants use to obtain energy from sunlight). Chlorophyll is basically plant blood in that it does the same functions for plants that our blood does for us. Not only is the function of chlorophyll similar to that of blood, its chemical make up is even similar. The only difference is that the central atom is magnesium, whereas blood has iron. Chlorophyll is key for metabolic functions in plants, such as growing and breathing. This discovery led scientists to search for the metabolic and other health benefits chlorophyll might be able to provide humans. And they found plenty!

Chlorophyll is an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory substance with other healing properties, such as tissue repair and growth. It can even be used to treat wounds! Chlorophyll helps blood deliver magnesium and oxygen to all of the body’s cells and can be found to help in the absorption and removal of excess calcium and other heavy minerals found in the body. It can also be used to treat kidney stones. Chlorophyll assists in the neutralization of inhaled pollution and can stimulate red blood cells, improving oxygen supply and is, thus, a wonderful dietary supplement for people who smoke. It can also help reduce odor in breath, body waste and sweat.

As with vitamins A, C and E, chlorophyll can help neutralize free radicals in the body. A free radical is an atom or group of atoms that is unstable and highly reactive, thus, damaging cells in the body. They are thought to accelerate cancer, heart disease and other age-related diseases. Chlorophyll is believed to reduce the ability of cancer-causing agents to bind with the DNA in many of the body’s organs and can also help to lower cholesterol. So, whether you’re taking it to help heal the body or simply to stay healthy, you can see that it’s important to get enough chlorophyll.

The most obvious source of chlorophyll is green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, field greens, bok choy, etc. However, when you heat these foods, a lot of the chlorophyll is destroyed. That’s why it’s important to have a good amount of raw, leafy greens as well. In addition to this, you can take supplements, such as chlorophyll extracts, liquid solutions or tablets. Sweet Wheat® is a wonderful source of chlorophyll. Just look at its color…GREEN!

DISCLAIMER: The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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