The Wonders of Garlic!

The Honorable Elijah Muhammad said, "You may eat as much garlic and onion as you like, but no sweet potatoes and no white potatoes."

Garlic's health benefits and medicinal properties are well documented. Garlic is considered a "wonder drug" and has a reputation in folklore for preventing everything from the common cold to the flu. Raw garlic is used by some to treat the symptoms of acne and there is some evidence that it can assist in managing high cholesterol levels. It can even be effective as a natural mosquito repellent.

In general, a stronger tasting clove of garlic has more sulphur content and hence more medicinal value it's likely to have.

Modern science has shown that garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic, albeit broad-spectrum rather than targeted. The body does not appear to build up resistance to the garlic, so its positive health benefits continue over time.

There are two main medical ingredients which produce the garlic health benefits: allicin and diallyl sulphides.

Allicin is an excellent anti-fungal and has antibiotic properties. Allicin starts to degrade immediately after it is produced, so its medical effectiveness decreases over time. Cooking speeds up this degradation and microwaving appears to destroy allicin totally and eliminate any health benefits.

Diallyl sulphides are also less volatile than allicin. They do not degrade as quickly and, importantly, the health benefits survive cooking.

Diallyl sulphides do not share the antifungal properties of allicin. However they are reportedly good for the blood and circulation. The sulphides help to lower the levels of "bad" cholesterol, hence garlic might help to keep the heart and cardiovascular system healthy. Diallyl suphides also have a reputation for boosting the immune system.

Food God Suggests

By The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad
Updated Jan 19, 2009 - 9:29:00 AM

What food does Allah (God) suggest? He suggests the food that is good for us and does not make us ill. Food that is for human consumption and not for animals.

Never before have we gone so far astray. The European White race, blessed with the privilege of eating the best food the earth provides, has taught us to eat the worst (divinely prohibited) food. We eat all the time, three and four times a day. This is enough to wear out the intestines of a brass monkey.

Eat a single meal a day, no matter what anyone says. If your doctor says that you should eat more than one meal a day, ignore him with a smile, and eat only once a day. If he tells you he eats three meals a day, tell him that his length of life is about the same as his patients. Then, tell the doctor to try eating one meal a day.

The more idle our stomachs are, the longer they will last. The more we tax our stomach, the sooner it wears out. We all try to live as long as we can because nature never teaches us that we should not try to live. We do not have a nature that teaches us to die, or teaches of life somewhere else.

No matter how staunch a believer the Christian may be in a life after the grave, if he gets sick, he sends for the doctor. He prays to stay on here and not to go to the unknown.

To live a long time, Allah, in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad, has taught me life must begin with the type of food that will prolong life. We have been talking about bread. There are people so poor they have no choice, and there are some so rich who still have no choice.

Whole wheat bread, cooked thoroughly, is the best bread. It should be ground very fine. It can be ground almost as fine as its white kernel. Never eat corn bread. As I said, rye bread is all right for the hardworking man. Even at that, it should be cooked twice.

The Christian civilization has taught the so-called Negro slave to eat freshly baked bread, white biscuits or white rolls, just out of the oven, and it scorns old bread, which is better for the stomach than freshly baked bread or cakes.

There are many foods we would like to teach you not to eat, but at present so many of you cannot avoid eating them.

We must prepare and grow our own food, because this is a highly commercialized world. They graft a lot of food, and some of this food is not good for our stomachs.

Soy bean flour is very rich, and not good for our stomachs. Our stomachs are too delicate for soy bean flour, therefore, leave those beans alone. The animals, especially cattle and hogs, love them. Grind them up and they will eat them. They are very high in protein. The lima bean is another large bean advertised by the devil for you to eat. which will almost burst the lining of the stomach and intestines of a Texas bull. They said "that one is good for the nigger." Do not eat the smaller ones, either, the ones they call "baby lima beans" (baby belly busters).

Pastries and cakes -- the kind made with crusts of white flour and sweetened with white sugar, so sweet you can still taste them the next day, are not good for our stomachs. All this hastens you to the graveyard sooner than you would like to go. We should eat fruit and fruit pies. I love that little black blueberry pie; huckleberry, as we call it in the South. But do not make it with white sugar or crusts of white flour. Use brown sugar and whole wheat flour for your pie and cobbler crusts.

Apples are better when eaten raw than when made into pies. This goes for pears, peaches and bananas. All fruit is better for you raw than cooked. When fruit is raw, we get the benefit of its natural vitamins. If possible, never eat cooked fruit.

If you must eat meat, always eat the cleanest, such as healthy and tuberculosis free beef. The lamb is the best. Most beef is too coarse for our stomachs. The lamb is a much finer grained meat.

Eat small young pigeons (squabs) which have never flown from their nests. Do not eat any bird that has been free to fly around and look for its own food. This is the teaching of Allah to me. Chickens are not fit to eat. You have to nurse them so carefully to keep them away from filth.

If you would like to find good food, such as lamb, beef or even chicken, if you are a Muslim, buy it from the strictly Orthodox Jew. Be certain it is an Orthodox kosher market, because some Jews eat the pig. Orthodox Jews are excellent in protecting their health, even spiritually trying to do and eat like their prophet Mossa (Moses) taught them through the Divine teachings of Allah. If you respect yourselves as Muslims, the spiritual Orthodox Jew will respect you. Of course, no one will respect you unless you respect yourself.

Do not buy the Christians' ready prepared ground meats, or any ready ground meat. Buy the quality meats that you like, and have them ground by the kosher butchers, through their meat grinders, because they do not have the pig near their shops. They are like us, they hate the divinely Prohibited flesh. If you must eat rice please brown it thoroughly in your oven or on top of your stove with a little butter or Oil to keep it from Sticking. Keep stirring it vigorously. Remember, eat only one meal, once every 24 hours.

(Text from "How To Eat To Live,” Book 1.)

Taking Responsibility for Our Health

By Audrey Muhammad
Updated Mar 31, 2009 - 3:04:56 PM

The wisdom of gradualism, Part I

Some people can quit things “cold” and for others it takes time. The concept of gradualism which is “proceeding or changing by steps or degrees” is also mentioned in the Hon. Elijah Muhammad's book, How to Eat to Live, Book I. In regards to eating one meal a day, he writes, “First drop to two meals a day, then one meal a day, and then one meal every other day. It is better to do it this way so that you will not make yourself sick (p. 60).

Personally, I went from a four meal a day meat-eater to a one meal a day vegetarian. I gradually stopped eating a heavy pancake breakfast to only eating fruit in the morning. I also stopped my midnight pizza deliveries from my college days. Gradually, my four meals went down to one meal. Granted, I may have a flashback to my “2-3 meal a day” days, but I always feel best when I get up in the morning and pray and later eat my one meal.

There is no mystery God where ‘poof' and things happen. There is a process for everything. Every action is preceded by a thought, sometimes it is a quick thought, but if you dwell on it long enough, you may act on it. How many of us have found ourselves at midnight thinking about a piece of pie left in the refrigerator. We continue thinking about the pie until we finally get up and go eat the rest of it. This is why we must continually guard our thoughts and feed and strengthen them with positive “life-giving” information. As I was “feeding” my thoughts the other day with the book, Closing the Gap, I found myself re-reading the wonderful points in the introduction of the book. One point that really resonated with me was, “In order to become anything, you have to “be” the thing desired” (p. xvii). How do you “become” something? Aren't there steps? Yes. Is there a process? Absolutely. Anyone who has obtained greatness as an athlete, minister, teacher, inventor, etc., went through a process of “becoming” while holding the “vision” of what he or she wanted to “be.” You have to start walking the walk and talking the talk beforehand. It is called “practice.” (smile)

Another quote that stood out was, “Magnetism is not generated; it is displayed. Health, wealth, beauty and genius are not created; they are only manifested by the arrangement of your mind—that is your concept of yourself.” (p. xix) What is your “self-concept” or idea or thought of self? Your self-concept affects how you treat yourself and others. If you have a poor self-concept or hold the idea that you are not very valuable, you will not take the necessary steps to safeguard yourself. We all need to take the time and go through a thorough self-examination, self-analysis and self-correction.

During the Saviours' Day weekend, I got the opportunity to speak to Dr. Nkenge Muhammad, an OB/GYN from Savannah, Georgia, who was giving participants feedback for improving their health. She said that I would be surprised at how many people haven't even tried the basics of improving their health by simply starting an exercise program. “If you decide you don't want to take medication, you should be working with your physician and discuss what lifestyle changes you can make so that you are less likely to become dependent on medication later. The first two steps are eating healthy and exercising,” said Dr. Muhammad.

What are some gradual steps we can take? First, write down your goals, long and short term. Large goals and small goals. Second, ask for guidance from God. Ask for dedication, resources and strength. Third, write out a three-day food diary. Document what you eat and when for at least three days. This will be a part of the self-examination and self-analysis. Make the necessary changes in your diet. A simple place to start is to change your drinks between meals to all water, no juice, soda or high calorie coffee drinks. (You would be surprised that we can drink almost 800 calories a day if we have one iced coffee, smoothie and two bottles of juice.) Lastly, take time to plan and schedule exercise. Our leader does it, why don't we?

It is time that we take responsibility to improve our health and build a community of healthy men, women and children. To get a weekly inspirational fitness message on physical, spiritual and financial fitness, send an email to getfit2live@gmail.com. Let us “get fit to live” together in 2009. A new beginning! May Allah (God) bless us all with peace, love, health, wealth and happiness.

(Audrey Muhammad, a certified personal trainer and aerobics instructor, is the author of Get Fit to Live: Be your best You! available on amazon.com or write to Get Fit to Live, P.O. Box 61402, Raleigh, NC 27661-1402. Please consult a physician before beginning any new workout or dietary plan. Send questions and comments to AudreyMuhammad@hotmail.com or visit www.getfit2live.org)

Blacks are most obese group

Blacks are most obese group

By MIKE STOBBE (AP) – 16 hours ago

ATLANTA — Nearly 36 percent of black Americans are obese — much more than other major racial or ethnic groups — and that gap exists in most states, a new federal study finds.

About 29 percent of Hispanics and 24 percent of whites are obese, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday. Overall, about 26 percent of U.S. adults are obese.

Racial differences in obesity rates have been reported before, and health officials were not surprised to see larger proportions of blacks tipping the scales.

But the new CDC report is the first to look at the gap state-by-state, finding blacks had significantly higher obesity rates in 21 states and somewhat higher rates in many others.

Experts believe there are several reasons for the differences. People with lower incomes often have less access to medical care, exercise facilities and more expensive, healthier food. In many places, minorities are disproportionately poor.

"Poverty is a very strong driver of obesity," said Kelly Brownell, director of Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity.

Attitudes about weight also are believed to be a factor, said Dr. Liping Pan, a CDC epidemiologist. Researchers cited a 2008 study that found black and Hispanic women had significantly lower odds of being dissatisfied with their body size than white women.

"Black and Hispanics are more accepting of high weight," Pan said, adding that heavy people who are satisfied with their size are not likely to diet or exercise.

However, it could be that over time as people struggle with poverty and environment "they come to accept the higher weights," Brownell said.

Obesity is based on the body mass index, a calculation using height and weight. A 5-foot-7-inch adult who weighs 190 pounds would have a BMI of 30, which is considered the threshold for obesity.

The data comes from a national telephone survey of more than 1 million Americans over the years 2006 through 2008.

For blacks, the highest obesity rate was in Maine, where 45 percent were obese. Tennessee was the state where Hispanic obesity was most common. And West Virginia was the fattest state for whites.

But generally, obesity was most common for both blacks and whites in the South and Midwest.

The study also broke down the groups by gender, and found black women were the heaviest, with 39 percent counted as obese. Black men were next, at 32 percent, then Hispanic women, 29 percent, Hispanic men, 28 percent, white men, 25 percent and white women, 22 percent.

The study is being published this week in a CDC publication, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
On the Net:
* CDC report: http://tiny.cc/PZBTZ

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hzIFI1z5dR3Hj2lGrAAJ9wLbi82gD99FQ86G0

FDA requires new labels for over-the-counter painkillers

FDA requires OTC painkillers to carry new warnings on liver damage, bleeding risks

New rule covers acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs (aspirin and ibuprofen)

Ibuprofen is the main ingredient in Motrin and Advil, naproxen and ketoprofen

Manufacturers have one year re-label their products

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Over-the-counter painkillers and fever reducers will now carry new labels warning consumers of the potential risks of liver damage and internal bleeding associated with the drugs, according to a final ruling Tuesday by the Food and Drug Administration.

The new rule covers acetaminophen, the popular pain medicine also known as Tylenol, and a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. The most commonly used NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen (the main ingredient in Motrin and Advil), naproxen and ketoprofen. The modified labeling also applies to all products that contain these ingredients, such as cough and cold medicines.

Under the new rule, package labels and bottles must prominently state in highlighted text the drug's ingredients.

For acetaminophen, the label must include bold lettering warning patients about severe liver damage. The new labeling also instructs patients using the blood thinner warfarin to consult their doctor before using acetaminophen.

Bold lettering on NSAIDs labels must warn of severe stomach bleeding.

"Acetaminophen and NSAIDs are commonly used drugs for both children and adults because they are effective in reducing fevers and relieving minor aches and pain, such as headaches and muscle aches," said Dr. Charles Ganley, director of nonprescription drugs in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "However, the risks associated with their use need to be clearly identified on the label so that consumers taking these drugs are fully aware of the potential harm they can cause. It is important that they know how to take these medications safely to reduce their risk."

The new labeling for acetaminophen also warns against taking multiple drugs that contain acetaminophen at the same time and exceeding the recommended dosage of the drug. And, it warns that drinking alcohol -- three or more drinks a day -- while using the painkiller can increase the risk of liver damage.

For NSAIDs, the new labels will also caution users that alcohol use and taking the drugs for longer than directed can increase the risk of stomach bleeding. The agency says the use of blood thinning drugs or steroids while taking NSAIDs can also increase the risk of internal bleeding.

The American Pain Foundation is pleased with the new rule. "This ruling will not only help protect consumers using OTC pain medication on a periodic basis," APF said, "But will be especially meaningful for people suffering from chronic pain who may face co-morbid conditions and are taking OTC pain medication along with their prescribed pain medication."

According to the FDA, some manufacturers have already voluntarily started listing some of these risks on their product labels. The new rule gives manufacturers one year from today's date to re-label their products.

By Saundra Young
CNN

Stop Poisoning Your Body With 'Food'

Ten Most Common Food Additives (Toxic, Deadly)

Want to look better and feel better? What if you could avoid just 10 food ingredients and make a huge improvement in your health. Paula Owens (PaulaOwens.com) the author of "The Power Of 4" says avoiding these 10 things will change your body dramatically. Owens has a master's degree in holistic nutrition and a bachelors degree in kinesiology. She explains what ingredients to avoid and how your body will benefit if you avoid them.


1. HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP (HFCS)

HFCS is the number one source of calories for most Americans and causes obesity.

You'll find high-fructose corn syrup in processed food, fast food, sodas, syrup that goes into your Latte, etc.

HFCS is extremely toxic to your liver, increases inflammation, causes obesity, oxidative stress and creates an aggressive insulin response.


2. ALL PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OILS (TRANS FATS)

Partially hydrogenated oils are found in thousands of processed foods (breakfast cereals, cookies, chips).

Trans fats are proven to cause heart disease and contribute to obesity.

Restaurant food, especially from fast food chains, often serve food loaded with trans fats.

Consequences of a diet high in trans fats include:
* increased inflammation
* decreased immune function
* decreased testosterone
* Arthritis
* Cancer
* Decrease IQ, learning disabilities.
- American IQ has dropped 20 points in the past 20 years.
* Diabetes
* Elevated blood pressure
* Free radical production
* Heart Disease
* Interferes with neurological & visual development of fetus
* Liver damage
* Obesity
* Osteoporosis
* Type II diabetes


3. MSG

Monosodium glutamate is a chemical that has been associated with reproductive disorders, migraine headaches, permanent damage to the endocrine system leading to obesity and other serious disorders. MSG is used in many foods as a taste enhancer. It is linked to reduced fertility.


4. SODIUM NITRATE

This is a preservative, coloring, and flavoring commonly added to bacon, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, smoked fish and corned beef. Studies have linked eating it to various types of cancer.


5. REFINED SOY

When it comes to soy, much of what we read and hear about comes from the people who market it.

Before you mix up a soy shake, snack on a soy protein bar or pour yourself a glass of soy milk consider this: unfermented, processed soy inhibits the thyroid, is deficient in amino acids, is toxic to infants and shrinks the brain.

There are some redeeming qualities to soy, however these are found primarily in fermented soy products like tempeh, miso, natto and soybean sprouts.

Pass on ALL processed soy milks, tofu, soy burgers, soy ice cream, soy cheese and other soy junk foods that are disguised as health foods.


6. WHITE SUGAR

Sugar is more addictive than cocaine! Sugar has a profound influence on your brain function and your psychological function.

When you consume excess amounts of sugar, your body releases excess amounts of insulin, which in turn causes a drop in your blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia.

In addition, sugar is pro-flammatory damages skin collagen and promotes wrinkles, increases your appetite, depletes your body of B vitamins, causes joint degeneration, ADHD and other behavior disorders, stimulates cholesterol synthesis and weight gain.


7. SODIUM CHLORIDE

Commercial table salt is highly processed and full of aluminum, chemicals and additives which are toxic. Opt for a healthier version such as Bragg's amino acids or Celtic sea salt (light pink, grey or beige color).


8. ASPARTAME, SPLENDA, SWEET N LOW, EQUAL

Aspartame is an artificial, chemical sweetener found in many foods and beverages including desserts, gelatins, protein powder, low calorie foods, drink mixes and sodas.

It may cause cancer or neurological problems, such as dizziness, migraine headaches, weight gain, increased appetite, bloating, rashes or hallucinations.

Aspartame poisoning mimics symptoms of MS. NutraSweet is in over 7,000 foods!

Side effects:
* Increased heart disease
* Bloating and edema
* Brain seizures
* Cancer
* Cravings
* Headaches
* Predispose you to Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease
* Rashes and hives
* Weight gain ¬ results in obesity


9. FOOD COLORINGS (Blue 1, 2; Red 3; Green 3; Yellow 5, 6)

Six food colorings still on the market are linked with cancer in animal testing.

There is evidence that food coloring and food additives contribute to behavioral problems in children, lead to lower IQ, hyperactivity, ADHD, depression, hormonal dysfunction and cancer.

Red 3, used to dye cherries, fruit cocktail, ice cream candy and baked goods have been shown to cause thyroid tumors in rats.

This harmful artificial color causes cancer and changes in brain chemistry. Read the list of ingredients in your child's cough syrup (artificial color).

Green 3 is a potential allergen and has been linked to bladder cancer. Green 3 is added to candy, mint jelly, cereals and beverages.

Blue 1 and 2, found in beverages, candy, baked goods, cereals and pet food have been linked to allergies and cancer.

Yellow 5 is the most notable artificial color because it causes the most immediate allergic reaction in people sensitive to salicylates such as aspirin.

Yellow 6 has been linked to tumors of the adrenal gland and kidney. Yellow 6 is added to beverages, sausage, gelatin, baked goods and candy.

Take home message ¬ Stay away from any product listing an ingredient with a color plus a number.


10. PROCESSED/REFINED WHEAT AND GLUTEN

Refined grains are devoid of nutrients, disrupt insulin levels and are highly allergenic for many individuals.

Wheat and gluten have adverse health affects for approximately 80 percent of the population. Gluten is a protein found combined with starch in the endosperm of grains, notably wheat, rye and barley.

Gluten intolerance/sensitivity is severely misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed ¬ one estimate says that 97 percent of all sufferers don't know they have the disease due to unfamiliarity with it among U.S. physicians.

Signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance: The ultimate effect of this hidden wear and tear is the slow destruction of the healthy mucosa, or lining tissue of the small intestine causing an autoimmune response that's similar to an allergic reaction.

In some cases there may be symptoms in childhood such as allergies, asthma, anemia, reoccurring infections, a constant upset stomach or milk intolerance.

Other symptoms are nasal and throat mucous, feeling of food sitting in stomach, bloating, gas, diarrhea with periodic constipation, mental fogginess and skin rashes.

In severe cases, as with Celiac disease, there can be seizures, psychosis, violent behavior and withdrawal from self.

Eliminate gluten-products for 3-4 weeks and tell me how great you feel.
It's important to form a habit of reading the list of ingredients on ALL products!

http://thepowerof4-paula.blogspot.com
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More information on aspartame on www.mpwhi.com, www.dorway.com, www.wnho.net
Aspartame Toxicity Center, www.holisticmed.com/aspartame
MSG - www.truthinlabeling.org

Critical Additional Information -

For starters, all meat and dairy are killers over time. Factory-farmed meat and dairy are so bad, it is difficult for the 'average' person to understand the dangers.

Highly suggested sites - www.notmilk.com, www.nomilk.com, www.meatstinks.com, and www.madcowboy.com

Jeffrey Smith's stunning work on GMO crops is extremely important - www.seedsofdeception.com

Toxin Benzene Warning

Greetings, All:

Someone forwarded this article to me, so I did a little research on it and just wanted to share what I received from the NCI.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the verdict is still out on this. See two of the questions I thought were more important and the answers given below this article in red.

Very Important !!!!

Please do not turn on A/C immediately as soon as you enter the car. Open the windows after you enter your car and turn ON the air-conditioning after a couple of minutes.

According to a research done, the car dashboard, sofa, air freshener emits Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin (carcinogen - take note of the heated plastic Smell in your car).

In addition to causing cancer, it poisons your bones, causes anemia, and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer. May also cause miscarriage.

Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft.. A car parked indoors with the windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene. If parked outdoors, under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level and the people inside the car will inevitably inhale an excess amount of the toxins.

It is recommended that you open the windows and door to give time for the interior to air out before you enter.

Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver, and is very difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.
**********
How might people be exposed to benzene?
People can be exposed to benzene by smoking, breathing second-hand smoke, pumping gasoline, driving, and from air pollution. Elevated levels of benzene can occur in the air around gas stations, areas of high car traffic, and industrial plants that either produce or use it.

Can people get cancer from being exposed to benzene?
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), after examining many scientific studies, concluded that benzene does cause cancer in humans. Occupational studies of workers exposed to high levels of benzene have shown that benzene causes leukemia, a cancer of the bone marrow (where blood cells are made).