The Carb Myth

CARBS MAKE YOU FAT! 

~ A lie told to you by the dieting industry disguised as health professionals, only to rip you off of your money, happiness, and health.

As a species, not only do we thrive off of carbohydrates, but we, biologically need them. Evolution has allowed us to come so far, only as a result of our carb-based diet. Carbohydrates are often misunderstood. When someone exclaims they are on 'a diet', one typically would think that involves calorie restriction, limited carbohydrates, sugars, and fats. Another ever-popular idea is the insane increase of protein, notably, animal product protein. The saddest part of it all, aside from acquiring all the protein from genetically modified, mass produced, and poisoned meat and dairy, is that the entire effort may as well be useless for long-term aspects. If you limit the amount of carbohydrates taken in, the protein is actually rendered USELESS. 

Carbohydrates are the fundamental part of the muscle building process. They fuel the cells to do the work you are stressing on them, and if you cut out carbohydrates, the protein you consume is only used as that fuel, or stored as body fat. By consuming excess protein, you will not see result as the rate that protein can be synthesized is limited, thus, it will be either used as fuel or stored as fat.

Another important concept is that carbohydrates are usually nutrient-rich foods, giving you sufficient calories to fuel your body's cells to FUNCTION. If carbs are cut and calories are restricted, the body goes into starvation mode. In starvation mode, it is nearly impossible to build muscle, as your body grasps anything it can to feed itself: its own muscle.

THAT IS AS UNAPPEALING AS IT SOUNDS.

Not only that, but the brain does not function properly without sufficient energy supplied, especially since our bodies were meant to run on glucose. 

Glucose is the body's main energy source, it is a sugar that is mechanizable for energy purposes, either on demand, or for later. Without it, we cannot function AT ALL.

Glucose stores in the body as glycogen and is used to power the brain as well as the muscles. The glycogen relationship to performance is collaborative; the more glycogen, the more energy for the performance activity. That goes hand-in-hand with glucose, meaning, the more CARBOHYDRATES put in = the more energy. In an evolutionary and survival standpoint, the more energy the better.

Unfortunately, nowadays, people waste away on the couch, hour upon hour and never see the outside world or the potential energy they can use. Not everyone is an athlete, but the human species, like many other species, was biologically made to MOVE. To optimize this, carbohydrates are available and ideal. 

Back to glucose, glycogen not only stores in the muscle, but also in the liver. This glycogen is known as the 'brain food'. The brain works quite differently than regular muscles, as it cannot store glycogen or use the excess fat as fuel. If inadequate glucose is provided, this can lead to many downfalls such as fogginess, lightheadedness, inability to concentrate, depression, anxiety, and many other mental health problems. Not only do low-carb diets result in muscle loss, but they result in a number of brain-related adverse effects. For example, when someone depletes their carbs, cohesively, depleting calories, the amount of glucose is shortened, meaning the amount of glycogen is limited. If this is so, the brain begins to tell the body it needs quick energy. Rash decisions are made as cravings heighten. Deprivation leads to bad decisions and binges occur. This sends the brain false information that the body is being nourished, as it was that desperate for sufficient energy. 

This is the perfect downward spiral and cycle for dieting companies. 

In short, listen to what your body needs and do not deprive yourself. By nourishing the body, the mind is also calmed and nourished, leading to a happy, healthy, whole life. Carbohydrates do not make a person fat, it is the deprivation or the poor judgement in food choices that lead to obesity and dissatisfaction, the secret formula of the dieting industry. Everyone deserves to be happy with their body, and since the beginning of human existence, carbohydrates have been the key to living a healthy life. It is so crucial to replenish the cells that have worked so hard to aid in daily tasks, and by living a nourishing lifestyle, with a diet of rich, abundant, earthy, natural, wholesome foods in balance with activity, the only outcome includes positive results.

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Oil-free Crispy Sweet Potato Baked Fries

Finally, it's summer! The best time to have a delicious side (or meal) of sweet potato fries. Personally, ever since I was a young tot, I much preferred these sweet treats as opposed to the standard potato fries and especially over poutine! Shocker, a Canadian who dislikes poutine! Mind you, growing up my taste buds have developed a lot, nonetheless, I highly detest even the idea of poutine. For health, crucially, but it just seems so unfair to treat my stomach that way, exposing it to highly saturated fats, grease, oils, and god knows what else.

So if you're like me and want the delicious taste, alongside many health benefits, try these fool-proof fries! Trust me, you won't stop after just a few, and you won't have to feel guilty about it!

You will need:
1 Sweet potato
Fresh Rosemary
Ground Cinnamon
Freshly Ground Pepper

Baking sheets

So the first step is to find a sweet potato. I'm not gonna lie, I always would opt for the organic option, however, sometimes it can be very expensive, and if you are on a tighter budget, the inexpensive deal is always the winner in most cases. If you do purchase inorganically, just make sure to rinse THOROUGHLY, or better yet, peel the skin off to avoid unwanted toxins and chemicals. The skin though, does contain vital minerals and antioxidants, so I like to leave the skin on for added benefits.

Once you have found yourself a nice potato, cut it into fry-like strips about the size of a slender finger. This way, they will be more crispy and fry-like. Authentic.
Put the slices into a baking sheet and pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F.

 For added spice and flavour, I have been really liking this combination. I add fresh rosemary, cinnamon, and top it all off with some freshly ground pepper.
Alongside being a High-carb Low-Fat Vegan, I also like to keep the sodium levels DOWN. In this day in age, so many cases of obesity, diabetes, heart conditions, high-blood pressure, and even some cancers are related to poor choices in diet, such as an overdose on salt. Sparingly salt is fine, Himalayan if you wish to add some more flavour, but even so, natural foods will provide the essential minerals needed to keep our blood pumping in a healthy manner.

 So, back to the recipe...
Rinse the rosemary and sprinkle is all over the fries.

 Feel free to add lemon zest as well, then sprinkle on the cinnamon and pepper.

 Meanwhile, I also made a salad to go with my crispy chippies. I simply grated some carrot, put it on a bed of spinach, kale, added some red kidney beans, and some hemp hearts.

Once the fries crisp up, which should be in a half hour to about forty-five minutes, depending on the power of your oven, serve alongside a salad or just have them alone.

Can you say, yum?

INGREDIENTS
1 Sweet potato
Fresh Rosemary
Ground Cinnamon
Freshly Ground Pepper

Baking sheets

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Set oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Thoroughly rinse the sweet potato under hot water and dry off.
3. Slice into 'fry-like' wedges, about a slender finger's form. Place uniformly into pan, not overlapping as overlapping them will not allow them to bake right through, evenly.
4. Sprinkle with fresh rosemary, ground cinnamon, and freshly ground pepper.
5. Pop in the oven for 30-45 mins (depending on the power of your oven)
6. ENJOY 

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Living your life right, awake and asleep - sleep, exercise, food

Whoever you are, you have no doubt woken up one morning, probably after a long night with hardly any sleep or had a restless sleep, with a cough, a headache or, my favourite, a groggy throat accompanied by muscle soreness. Although we should aim for at least eight consecutive hours of undisturbed sleep each night, sometimes that late night tea or eager discussion can keep us wired or can affect our sleep cycle. The key to having a restful, pleasant sleep is to abstain from the thing that will have our brains on a constant run, aka, smart phones, tablets, laptops, any screens, and even books. In some cases, a book can put you to sleep because your eyes are so tired and heavy, while other times the plot only escalades, intriguing you more.

The most relaxing thing for me before bed is to reflect on my day and, in a stressless way, think about the next day. Growing up with obsessive-compulsive thoughts, I was constantly wired. Making checklist after checklist, anxiety running through the roof as I recount different scenarios. It wasn't until recently I have been able to manage my hyper-active mind. I find with meditation and deep breathing, the entire body, as well as the mind has the chance to relax and live in the moment.

Alongside that, I often practice yoga to maintain balance and power in myself. Calming, soothing, and stress-relieving, it is something I recommend we all take part in. 

To add on, another key component to a healthy, soothed mind, is a healthy body. What better way to treat your body than with the right fuel and exercise. 

I cannot stress enough how crucial it is to be active, and while living an active life, to be present, including when you nourish yourself. 

So many people slave for hours at the gym on a machine, practically in a dungeon. Getting cardio in is fantastic, but there's more to exercise than trudging on a harsh surface continually, going, literally, nowhere. Don't get me wrong, I do go to the gym daily, or when I can, but I also take into consideration that life is happening OUTDOORS. Even walking with your best friend, your dog, your mom, your dad, sibling, or running along the lakeshore, cycling through the city, and exploring your surroundings releases endorphins, maintaining happiness while keeping your body healthy and fit. 

Finally, nutrition is the most important aspect of living a balance life. Again, many unsatisfied people will slave hours at the gym, but return to their comfort, or what they believe to be it. Fast food or processed junk. Many people are, sadly, unaware of how damaging this food really is, no matter if you work it off or not. You can always differentiate someone who nourishes their body with what works for them with whole, organic health foods, from someone who just ordered a Big Mac with an extra order of fries or a ready-made frozen meal out of a package. People GLOW when they are nourished right. Through their skin, eyes, hair, body, physicality, body language, nails, the list goes on. Their vitality is so rich and luminous. 

Since being vegan, my skin has cleared up, I am hardly sick, my hair is softer and thicker, my skin softer, and my overall well being and energy is thriving. I have never felt so good in my life. So many foods nowadays are jam-packed with unnecessary hormones, sodium, fat, processed sugar, and toxins to the body. Veganism isn't a restricting diet, it's a life-prolonging and enhancing lifestyle. For so many reasons, ethically, and health-wise, living a plant-based lifestyle is a win.

In closing, by staying healthy, you will be happy no matter what, I promise. 

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Fruit Galore!

It would be an understatement to say I love fruit.

Even as a small child, my family and I have been fruit fanatics. Many memories were made sitting outside for breakfast by the pool, munching away on an entire cantaloupe. My love for cantaloupes is so immeasurable. They are my favourite slice of nature's sweet cake. I can't remember a day I've gone without fruit in general, and if I have, then it couldn't have been a very memorable one.

I hear so many people criticizing fruit bats saying, "that amount of carbohydrates and sugar is going to make you fat". The truth is, fruit is so beneficial to us and provides so many positive, cleansing, satisfying things! Cutting it out will only come back to bite you in the butt in terms of health. Like everything, it serves a purpose in our diets, and think about it, as long as we have been walking the earth, fruit has been available to us, and sometimes in prehistoric settings, it was our only survival option! Now, looking back at our ancestors, obesity was not prevalent. Why is that? Not only were we active 24/7, (not lazing in front of screens) but we also ate an abundance of healthy, unprocessed foods, including fruit. So, although fruit may have a lot of sugar, don't be afraid! Fruit has the HEALTHIEST form of raw sugar on the planet!

So drop the fat-free, sugar infused yogurts and processed dieter's cookies and satisfy your sweet tooth with nature's finest, natural desert! The most awesome thing is, it doesn't even have to be a treat!

One of the best qualities of eating large quantities of fruit, is that you get the nutrients necessary, you get the incredible energy spike, and the temporary bloating eases within minutes! Maximum, it takes about 30 minutes for a 'fruit belly' to subside. Since fruit is also water rich, you are being hydrated without having to remind yourself to guzzle down heaps of water. So not only is it tasty, satisfying, and fun to eat, but it is also very refreshing and hydrating!

So, enjoy life, enjoy fruit, and enjoy the earth and all it has to give you!

If you're interested in seeing more pics like this, my instagram is @beetingballerina and I post daily.

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

~Albert Einstein 

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