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Beverages

Category: Wholefood Recipes

It is sad indeed that manufacturers of harmful foods and drinks have now stooped to deception in the interest of profits. This is how it works: First they isolate a “health-giving” component in their product (such as an antioxidant), then they will promote the health giving properties of that single component with great fanfare – while making no mention whatsoever of the other components in the product – components that are positively harmful to your health. Sadly, manufacterers of tea, coffee, wine and chocolate are all resorting to this practice. Sugar, for example, is anything but a health food, yet it is aggressively advertised as a natural source of “energy” while no mention is made in the adverts regarding the harmful effects of sugar. For the scientific facts about sugar, please visit:

www.mercola.com/article/sugar/dangers_of_sugar.htm

Dr. Michael Sharon has nothing good to say about tea and coffee. The following extract from his book is all truth. Please speak to your local Nature’s Choice stockist about healthy aleternatives.

“As drinking is an integral part of most meals, something must be said about today’s drinking habits. Huge amounts of tea and coffee are consumed in the West and consumption is on the increase [as are many of the associated ills]. Coffee, tea and many soft drinks are stimulating drinks because of their caffeine content. But caffeine is a poison (the lethal dose is around 10 grams), and the “lift” it gives, lessening fatigue and brightening thoughts, is very temporary and far outweighed by its long-term side effects.

“Caffeine has been repeatedly reported to increase stomach acid secretion and promote ulcers. A recent study showed that it also produces anxiety, irritability and depression. It also raises blood pressure, damages blood vessels and causes heart attacks. Birth defects have recently been correlated to coffee consumption during pregnancy. And, finally, caffeine has been shown to promote breast cancer, bladder cancer, and infertility.”Theophylline, which is contained in tea, is five times more potent than caffeine as an irritant to the nervous system. Tea also contains tannin, which is an astringent drug. Tannin contributes to constipation and impairs the secretion of digestive enzymes. In fact, drinking coffee or tea after a heavy meal is a common cause of heartburn.

“The undesirable effects of tea and coffee do not stop here, however. The huge amounts of sugar which are taken with them promote tooth decay. And cigarette smoking, which is often part of tea and coffee breaks, promotes high cholesterol levels and aggravates duodenal ulcers.

“Coffee and tea are two beverages that anyone who cares about his or her health should try to do without. Instead, there are numerous types of cereal beverages and herb teas available in many flavors and fragrances to suit practically any taste.” (Dr. Michael Sharon, Complete Nutrition, p.109)

 When we use stimulating drinks, the first effect is exhilarating. The nerves of the stomach are excited. These convey irritation to the brain, and this in turn is aroused to impart increased action to the heart, as well as short-lived energy to the entire system. Fatigue is forgotten, and the strength seems to be increased. The intellect is aroused, the imagination becomes more vivid. Because of these results, many suppose that their tea, coffee, [chocolate], or cola are doing them great good. But this is a mistake. What seems to be strength, is only nervous excitement. When the influence of the stimulant is gone, the unnatural force abates, and the result is a corresponding degree of languor and debility. Each drink taken, will give rise to the need for another drink to overcome the effect of the former.

`The continued use of these nerve irritants is often followed by headache, depression, wakefulness, palpitation of the heart, indigestion, trembling and many other ailments that wear away the life-forces. Tired nerves need rest and quiet, instead of stimulation and overwork. Nature needs time to recuperate her exhausted energies. Soon the demand for these stimulants becomes most difficult to control, and one tends to lose the power to deny the unnatural craving. Stronger and still stronger stimulants are called for, until Nature can no longer respond, and illness results.’ (E. G. White, Counsels on Diet & Foods, p.424)

When you are thirsty, your body is calling for liquid to help it in its many processes, not the least important of which are the cleansing/detoxification process. Does it make sense, therefore, to drink liquids that contain impure substances that will hamper rather than assist the body’s cleansing processes? Every time we take one of these drinks, instead of helping the liver in its blood cleansing task, we are actually placing a burden upon it. This just does not make sense.

Water is the very best liquid to cleanse the tissues and it is the only liquid that is truly thirst-quenching. This is your life – nobody can tell you what to do with it, but you will always be rewarded by doing it Nature’s Way

To Break The Coffee Habit

Please take special note that decaffeinated coffee is not always a healthy substitute for real coffee.

The following are a few healthy alternatives. Bear in mind, however, that all hot drinks have a tendency to weaken the system and that regardless of their make-up, they are habit-forming. Always use honey or fructose instead of sugar in your drinks, but do be careful not to overdo it. One teaspoon of NC honey is more than enough per cup. One or two cups per day is also more than enough. If taken at all, these drinks should be taken in between meals rather than together with meals.

Don’t become a crackpot and make yourself unhappy over these issues, but don’t be lulled into feeling sorry for yourself either. You are going to have to exercise your will-power at times, but the little discomfort you experience in overcoming these harmful practices will prove to be the very best investment you have ever made in your own future health and happiness.

Try a few of the following alternatives.

Herb Teas

There are very many delicious herb teas on the market today. Used with a little NC honey, they make a most refreshing beverage. If you must drink hot drinks, then you might as well drink those that are going to benefit you in some way. Red Clover Tea, for example, is a tasty tea that is a renowned blood cleanser.

To Prepare Herb Tea:- Bring required amount of water to boil. Pour into a non-metal container. Add one teaspoon of herbs for every cup of water. Stir. Leave for twenty minutes to draw. Pour into cup using a strainer. Sweeten with NC Organic or Natural Honey.

Vita-Liks (F)

This is more of a meal than a drink. As such, it should be taken at least 2 hours before retiring, failing which, one might find difficulty in falling asleep. This beverage can even serve as the evening meal. Sip slowly and chew well – yes, chew well. You can invent your own delicious and nutritious warm drinks using various natural combinations as follows. Chop ingredients as fine as possible and then whisk in blender until smooth.

3 cups hot milk or alternative
1/4 cup chopped NC dates

Optional Extras:
banana 1/4 cup NC sultanas
1/2 cup paw-paw
1/2 cup NC granola (optional)

Peach Leaf Tea

Bring required amount of water to boil. Add about 8 peach leaves per cup. Simmer on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes. Add required honey (and lemon juice if desired). Drink hot or cold. This drink has marvellous medicinal properties. Try in combination with other herbs, such as mint.

At Nature’s Choice we produce a wide range of herbal teas. Please speak to your nearest stockist about other natural alternatives.