Blackstrap Molasses GI 55

Black strap molasses is all the nutrition that was taken away from refining table sugar. It’s full of minerals and antioxidants. Not the biggest fan, as the flavor can easily overpower a recipe.

Maple Syrup GI 54

I prefer Organic Grade B Maple syrup, which is darker and has more minerals. I love the flavor of maple syrup, and use it frequently as the sweetener in homemade hot chocolate, and to glaze carrots and pecans.

Honey GI 50

Contains antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, carbohydrates, and phytonutrients. Make sure it is raw and unprocessed, local if possible as quality can be an issue. I often use honey when baking paleo friendly desserts.

Cane Juice GI 43

It’s alkaline which is important for a lot of health reasons, and a good source of sugar and energy for athletes.

Barley Malt Syrup GI 42

I wasn’t going to include this because it contains gluten, but it is still considered a natural and healthy sweetener alternative. Made by soaking and sprouting barley to make malt, then combining it with more barley and cooking this mixture until the starch is turned into sugar. The mash is then strained and cooked down to syrup or dried into powder.

Dates (other forms are date paste, date sugar, and date syrup) GI 42

Date paste is just ground up dates. You can easily do this yourself if you only have whole dates available. This is another favorite of mine since it’s a whole food I can get at my farmer’s market. It’s naturally found in nature and still contains it’s fiber and antioxidants. Dates come in different varieties that offer different flavors profiles, however most dates taste very similar to caramel, which is great for anyone looking for a dairy free alternative caramel flavor.

Coconut Palm Sugar GI 35

Also called coconut nectar sugar or coconut sugar. It is made from the sap of coconut palms. A new favorite among health nuts, like myself, soon to replace agave in popularity. Agave has a low GI, but is high in fructose which can be harmful to your health. Coconut sugar tastes and looks similar to brown sugar. I usually use this when altering a recipe that calls for brown and/or white sugar.

Stevia Extract GI 0

This sweetener doesn’t feed candida or yeast. Recommended for The Body Ecology Diet, and another favorite among health nuts. Be careful of quality, some Stevia products have some unhealthy ingredients added to them. You can also try making your own extract with vodka and stevia leaves.

Source:
http://www.sugar-and-sweetener-guide.com/glycemic-index-for-sweeteners.html

http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm

Image: http://www.coconutworld.biz/

Download Chart Here:
http://whole9life.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/whole9-seasonal-produce-2012.pdf

It can be hard to find a comfortable ergonomic position to read in. I recently purchased the Levo Ebook & Tablet Platform Kit and the LEVO Hands Free Book Stand at the recommendation of my physical therapist and have been very happy with the results.

The stand is easily adjusts for height, and the angles are easy to change, so I have no trouble getting it positioned correctly. Although this will keep my neck in the correct position, you do need your hands to turn the page, which may affect your neck depending on your injury. My arms feel the best when I use it for movies and TV shows. For me, any way that I can improve the ergonomic setup of my home, I feel adds up. This device can be used for the couch, a reclining chair, and the bed. The base of the stand is on wheels but is extremely heavy to prevent the stand from tipping over. Although I’ve only used it for the iPad, it can handle hardcover books, magazines, and other tablet devices.

Finding places to eat can be tricky on a special diet. Here is a list of healthy options in the Los Angeles that will help you get out of your kitchen for some fun.

Vegan Options:

1. Cafe Gratitude in Venice
2. Native Foods in Culver City
3. True Food Kitchen in Santa Monica
4. Hugos in West Hollywood
5. LA Vegan in Los Angeles
6. Real Food Daily in Santa Monica
7. Interim Cafe in Santa Monica
8. Thai Vegan in Santa Monica
9. Sage in Culver City
10. The Fruit Gallery in Venice 
11. Seed in Venice
12. Euphoria loves Rawvolution in Santa Monica
13. M.A.K.E in Santa Monica
14. Lyfe Kitchen in Culver City
15. Dogtown Cafe in Santa Monica
16. Veggie Grill in Santa Monica and El Segundo

Grass-fed Options:

1. Burger Lounge in Brentwood
2. True Food Kitchen in Santa Monica

Diners with Steamed Vegetables:

1. Jerry’s Famous Deli in Studio City, Marina Del Rey, Woodland Hills, and Encino
2. Canter’s Deli in Beverly Grove

1. It Makes Food More Nutritious

Fermenting grains reduces the phytic acid, making nutrients more bio-available. Microbial cultures create B vitamins (not B12) including folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, and biotin.

2. Fermentation Preserves Food

Nomadic herding peoples learned to culture milk in order to extend its shelf life. Captain James Cook, an eighteenth-century English explorer, conquered scurvy by giving his crew large quantities of sauerkraut.

3. Supports the Immune System

A balanced and healthy gut is extremely important for the immune system. Check out The Body Ecology Diet for more information on rebuilding your immunity with probiotic nutrition.

4. Preserves Traditions and Cultural Heritage

Fermented food has a rich history of bringing health and wellness to those that practice this lost art. For more information Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz and Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig are great resources.

5. It Tastes Good

Daikon kimichi, jalapeno sauerkraut, kefir cheese, sour pickles, and ginger kombucha. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is.

Sources:
The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates
Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz
Image: http://wakeup-world.com