The Choice

by Bernadette Bohan

  It follows that what we need is natural, pure water. Water that does not ‘take’ or ‘give’ nutrition. Water that simply does the job it is intended to do: hydrate all the cells of our bodies so they can work efficiently.

  We need to clean up the water coming into our homes. It is an easy and effective step to take, and I’ll tell you how.

  How to Clean Your Water

  Plastic jugs with water filters are limited in their effectiveness. These merely use a screen to separate only particles of dirt sediment from water. The good news is that there are two very effective water systems currently available:

  • Distilled Water

  The use of a home distiller is a very effective way of cleaning your water and leaving it free of contaminants. Tap water is heated to 100° centigrade, a temperature at which bacteria, germs, viruses and cysts are killed. The steam rises, leaving behind dissolved solids, chemicals, salts, contaminants and impurities. This steam then condenses into distilled water – water just about as clean as you can get. These distillers are available in portable, compact units (at the lower price range) or larger more permanent units (higher priced). The smaller units need quite a bit of cleaning so they are not always suitable for busy families.

  • Reverse Osmosis

  This filtration system uses the principle of reverse osmosis to remove 95–98 per cent of all the mineral and chemical contaminants from raw tap water. Reverse osmosis was originally designed to make sea water drinkable for the Navy. You may remember from your schooldays how osmosis works: if a salt solution and a water solution are separated by a membrane, the water will pass through the membrane to reach the salt in order to achieve equilibrium. It is the process by which our cells absorb nutrients. Using this system, by reversing the process the two are separated again – salt and contaminants on one side; pure water on the other. Reverse osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane that removes not only particles but a very high percentage of dissolved contaminant molecules from water. Several separate filters remove rust, dirt, chlorine, organic chemicals, multi-chemical compounds and micro-organisms and bacteria. The system usually fits under your sink unit and has a separate tap that you can have installed on your kitchen work-surface or sink, and gives you an unlimited supply of good drinking water. It is easy to maintain, and the filters only need to be changed once a year.

  Getting Started

  Both these systems give you water which is clean, fresh and delicious, and I’m sure it will encourage you to drink it in preference to fizzy drinks, coffees and teas. It takes time to adjust to drinking larger amounts of water, and gradually you will get used to it. Adding some lemon juice and warming it to body temperature is a very easy way to consume those extra few glasses that your body so desperately needs. As an added benefit, your kettle will no longer fur up with lime deposits. Thanks to the purity of the water produced, both these systems are used within medical and pharmaceutical laboratories, which I think is a pretty good recommendation. Check the Resources section at the end of this book for ideas on where to find a system to suit you. They are not cheap, but in the long run much safer, more convenient and economical than buying gallons of bottled water.

  Your body will immediately feel the benefits.

  Step Three: Powerful Foods

  In my experience most people find that any changes to the food they eat are the most challenging to make. I have found it best to find alternatives and add them to the diet before eliminating those foods you are already used to.

  In this section I will tell you about some powerful food groups which you can add to your diet to make your body stronger at fighting disease. I want you to feel positive about the changes, because only then will you actually incorporate them into your lifestyle.

  The good news is that to put good foods back into our diet is easy.

  Nitrilosides

  One group of foods you should know about are the Vitamin B17 foods, or nitrilosides. They have been called the ‘missing link’ in our modern diet. Before the Industrial Revolution our bread was made with millet, a rich source of B17. Around the beginning of the last century it was discovered that wheat was easy to grow and cheaper to produce, and this one massive agricultural change took that important source of B17 away from the population. In countries where people consume foods rich in B17, there are lower rates of degenerative diseases such as heart disease, cancer and arthritis. Studies show that nitrilosides are highly effective in protecting us from disease. Fortunately, Nature has provided us with many common foods which contain these nitrilosides.

  Wheatgrass is the richest source, but humans can only digest this in juice. Other good sources include apricot kernels, apple seeds, pear seeds, bitter almonds, walnuts, pecans, blackberries, gooseberries, cranberries, buckwheat, lentils and millet. And – wait for it – sprouts!

  Sprouts

  The greatest boon to my diet – in terms of what I eat, rather than drink – has without question been the discovery of sprouting. These little seedlings contain so much of the vital health-giving nutrients that they simply cannot be ignored. Foods that are sprouted contain the most concentrated and easily assimilated forms of the nutrients we are in desperate need of. They are one of the best natural sources of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids (which are proteins in a digestible form). I include sprouts I have grown in my own kitchen in sandwiches, salads, stews, cereals, juices and soups. They are always fresh, they are cheap to produce, and – although you can find them in some organic supermarkets – anyone can grow them. They can also be slipped unobtrusively into family meals!

  Sprouting is a wonderful source of nutrition that can be prepared in your own kitchen, and takes about five minutes a day. From three to four ounces of seeds you can produce five litres of sprouts. When activated by moisture and warmth, a huge amount of life force is released: they begin to grow, and after a few hours they begin to release Vitamin C, a process which continues for up to a week. After a few days they release the B vitamins. They also contain protein, vitamins A, B-complex, C, D and E, enzymes, iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium, amino acids and essential fatty acids.

  Sprouts have been found to:

  protect against cancer, arthritis, heart disease and other illnesses

  help the body to flush out waste

  improve immune system function

  improve mood and vitality

  Getting Started

  You will need a few clean wide-necked glass jars covered with net or muslin secured with an elastic band; and a selection of organic seeds – available from health-food stores (not garden centres!).

  Soak the seeds in their jars in water overnight or for 6–12 hours.

  Rinse and drain. They should be placed at a 45-degree angle so the water drains off.

  Rinse and drain the sprouts twice daily.

  When the sprouts have grown, place in indirect sunlight.

  After a day or two small green leaves will appear.

  They are now ready to eat. Put a lid on the jar and refrigerate.

  They can be stored for up to a week. (If they have not sprouted, or you forget to rinse them, throw them out and start again.)

  Some of the easiest seeds to start with, to my mind, are the following:

  Alfalfa

  Red

  clover

  Fenugreek

  Onion

  Sunflower

  Sesame

  Pumpkin

  Some Powerful Supplements

  This is an area I would like to touch on as I believe many people spend a lot of money on supplements and are often confused as to what to buy. So here are the basics, as I call them. I am often asked my opinion on supplements, and my advice is to obtain nutrients through food. I don’t advise people to take supplements because I have found the scientific evidence too contradictory, and if you are juicing you will be getting high doses of nutrients direct from Mother Nature. However, I do make an exception for these three supplements – essential fats, enzymes and
probiotics.

  Essential Fats

  These are also known as omega-3 and omega-6 fats. They are not produced by the body, so we must supply the body and the brain with these fats. Because of recent trends towards low-fat diets, most of us are so low in these essential nutrients that our bodies cannot survive properly without them. Before I list a few of the benefits (too many to describe here!), let me first say this as clearly as I can:

  Essential fats do not make you fat.

  Excessive carbohydrates make you fat.

  If you restrict your carbohydrate intake you will not gain weight. It is essential to feed the brain – it is a large organ and must be supplied with essential fatty acids. Some of the most common signs of deficiency of these fats are dry skin conditions such as eczema, as well as acne, allergies, water retention, and a sluggish metabolism – which can result in obesity.

  The benefits

  Essential fats are nature’s moisturizers, making skin soft and velvety smooth and forming a barrier against loss of moisture and dehydration. Dry skin is not life-threatening, so the body will rob from the skin to supply the vital inner organs. You can obtain excellent results with essential fatty acids against eczema, acne and psoriasis; you will tan better and burn less. Essential fats increase metabolic rate and noticeably boost energy levels which increases calorie burning. These fats keep us slim! Essential fats also balance hormones and reduce the symptoms of PMT and the menopause, which is good news for women. They greatly assist in reducing inflammation and improving mobility in the joints where arthritis is a problem, thereby reducing pain and discomfort. They significantly help children suffering from dyslexia, hyperactivity and attention deficiency.

  Sources

  Essential fats are easy to obtain in seed oils such as flax, sunflower and sesame. They are also present in oily fish but as most fish harbour parasites and sometimes environmental poisons, healthy fats from fish might be accompanied by some less desirable substances. Seeds oils should be refrigerated or they will become completely ineffective. You can add these oils to food (your body will absorb them more easily) such as salad dressings, mashed potato, or steamed vegetables. Start with small amounts, gradually increasing to allow your body to adjust. Your skin and hair will love these fats.

  Enzymes

  I have mentioned enzymes in the sections on juicing and sprouting, and here they are again. Enzymes are behind every chemical and muscle action in your body, from digestion to the repair of damaged tissue. They convert the foods we eat into smaller, usable nutrients and play a key role in all the body’s systems.

  Enzymes come from two sources: internal and external. Internally, the digestive system secretes enzymes in saliva, gastric juices, and in the pancreas and intestine. External enzymes are best found in raw food. Nature endows all raw food with the enzymes required for its digestion. Modern food-processing techniques and cooking methods destroy almost 100 per cent of these enzymes needed for the vital job of breaking down and absorbing food. Our diets no longer contain as much raw food as they once did. Our bodies also produce fewer digestive enzymes as we age or if we are ill. Cooked food, alcohol, stress and micronutrient deficiencies also take their toll on our enzymes reserves and decrease production. This combination puts enormous strain on our digestive system.

  Food allergies, gas, bloating, digestive upsets, weakened immunity, low energy levels – these can all be signs of insufficient enzymes. If we can take on more live, enzyme-rich foods in the form of juices, sprouts and raw food it saves the body from using up its own enzymes, freeing it up to concentrate on staying healthy. Enzymes protect our cells from free-radical damage, and as such they help protect us against the ageing process. Wow! Enzymes are at the heart of my Change Simply plan.

  An enzyme supplement is one of the most powerful supplements available. Everyone can benefit from using digestive enzymes to improve digestion and nutrient absorption. People with digestive problems can obtain excellent results in a relatively short time. These are what I discovered when I was unable to keep food down during my chemotherapy treatment and the benefit was immediate. They can be taken in capsule form, or the capsule can be opened and sprinkled on cold or warm (but not hot) food. This is not a supplement to ignore.

  Probiotics

  Poor eating habits and the use of antibiotics in food production, as well as medical treatments, can wreak havoc on the delicate balance of our gastro-intestinal tract and immune system. Probiotic supplements can be of benefit for a wide variety of conditions. They enhance the immune system and prevent unfriendly organisms from gaining a foothold in the body. They are amazing at preventing overgrowths of yeasts and fungal infections. They are recommended for candida, for instance, because they establish large healthy populations of friendly bacteria that compete with candida, and can be used externally to combat a variety of yeasts and fungal infections. Probiotic capsules can be broken open and the contents placed in socks or underwear, and they can also be taken orally. Probiotics also provide protection against mouth ulcers and sore throats, and can impair the growth and activity of the harmful bacteria that are responsible for intestinal disorders such as E. coli and salmonella. They are highly recommended during and after courses of antibiotic treatment. Friendly bacteria also protect against the harmful effects of radiation and pollutants.

  One important fact to remember when buying probiotics – refrigeration ensures maximum potency and stability, and they can only be left un-refrigerated for short periods of time. They work best if taken immediately after meals when the acidity of the gastric juices has been diluted by food and is not as concentrated.

  Probiotics are absolutely essential for proper digestion, strong immune function and overall health. They are a must for your home remedy kit.

  *

  I have chosen the foods and supplements in this section because of the powerful effects they can have on our bodies. Don’t underestimate the value of food: it keeps us alive.

  Step Four: Safe Personal Care

  The cosmetic industry spends billions of dollars each year persuading us that we need their products. We assume these products are safe, yet there are many harmful chemicals used in day-to-day products like toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, moisturizers, body lotions and make-up. Our generation is the first to be exposed to the dangers of these harmful chemicals, and not only are we exposed to these products, we are persuaded to buy them by some of the most sophisticated advertising techniques of our day. So check your labels, just as you do with food, and beware of words such as ‘natural’, ‘organic’ and ‘hypoallergenic’ – these merely mask the truth behind these prettily packaged toiletries, cosmetics and soaps.

  Fluoride: I have talked about the dangers of fluoride in our water, and this same danger exists in toothpaste. America’s labelling laws are many years ahead and more stringent than ours, and on toothpaste packaged in the US a sign now appears by law: ‘If more than is needed for brushing is accidentally swallowed, contact a poisons control centre immediately.’ As little as 1g ingested can cause dangerous poisoning. Fluoride accumulates in body tissue and can be poisonous when ingested over long periods of time. We use this dangerous substance twice or three times a day. Surely something that is this toxic shouldn’t be going into our mouths.

  Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is a harsh detergent used in commercial shampoos and toothpaste. When ingested it is more toxic than if it were taken intravenously. It is rapidly absorbed and readily penetrates the skin. It is also retained in the eyes, brain and liver – particularly in the eyes of the young, and its effect in the liver and brain is cumulative. Skin allergies, contact eczema and cataracts (and mouth ulcers, in the case of toothpaste) are some of the risks we are exposing ourselves to when we use this harsh chemical. It has been found to cause liver and skin cancer in animal studies – and yet it is used in many children’s shampoos and bubble bath. There are many safe shampoos on the market. Make the change.

  Aluminium found in antiperspirants is highly toxi
c to humans. The removal of this chemical from antiperspirants has been called for by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) advisory panel in the United States. A positive link with Alzheimer’s disease has been proven by recent research which found the brains of victims contained large amounts of aluminium. Breast cancer, DNA damage and osteoporosis are other dangers associated with this chemical, and products containing aluminium compounds are listed as suspected carcinogens. The continuous use of antiperspirants containing these suspected carcinogens makes no sense to me when there are so many safe alternatives readily available.

  Propylene Glycol: this is a strong skin irritant that is systemic, and can get into the bloodstream. It is found in many skincare products, make-up, body lotion, baby wipes and hair products because it prevents the escape of moisture. It is also found in paint, liquid laundry detergents, anti-freeze and brake fluid. Safety data sheets are supplied when this product is used in industry stipulating that the user must avoid skin contact. It weakens the immune system and has been found to cause kidney damage and liver abnormalities. Do you still feel comfortable using this on your skin or wiping your baby with this chemical?

  So what do you do about all this scary stuff? Simple. Just buy products from health shops, on-line, or from distributors (see Resources section) that are safe. There are many alternatives, and once you know what to look out for, it’s easy. Remember these four: