pH (potential of hydrogen) is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity in a solution, in this case we’re talking about the pH of the body. It’s constantly trying to balance and create neutrality (pH 7). You probably remember this stuff from your chemistry class in high school… anyways, when your body is too acidic it opens up the flood gates for disease, weakening the body’s functioning. Basically the  body is forced to borrow minerals—including calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium—from vital organs and bones to buffer (neutralize) the acid and safely remove it from the body. Not good – since it’s definitely needed elsewhere… You can buy strips (like in the pic above) and test your pH.

So how do you neutralize your pH balance? FOOD! Listed below are a few things to avoid, as well as a few things too eat. This doesn’t mean you should avoid acid food all together, you still need to mix it up, BUT just add more alkaline foods in your diet.

• Most Alkaline: Lemons, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Mangoes, Asparagus, Onions, Spinach, Broccoli, Garlic, Parsley, Olive Oil, Lemon Water, Herb Teas
• Alkaline: Maple Syrup, Dates, Figs, Grapes, Kiwi, Blueberries, Apples, Pears, Raisins, Green Beans, Celery, Beets, Lettuce, Zucchini, Sweet Potato, Almonds, Flaxseed Oil, Green Tea
• Lowest Alkaline: Raw Honey, Oranges, Bananas, Cherries, Pineapple, Peaches, Avocados, Carrots, Tomatoes, Corn, Mushrooms, Cabbage, Peas, Olives, Quinoa, Goat Cheese, Soy Milk
• Lowest Acid: Plums, Processed Fruit Juices, Cooked Spinach, Sunflower Seeds, Brown Rice, Wheat Bread, Fish, Eggs, Butter, Yogurt, Cottage Cheese
• Acid: White Sugar, Brown Sugar, Rhubarb, Potatoes (w/o skin), Lima Beans, Cashews, Pecans, White Rice, Oats, Rye, Coffee, Turkey, Chicken, Lamb
• Most Acid: NutraSweet, Equal, Aspartame, Sweet ‘N Low, Blackberries, Cranberries, Chocolate, Peanuts, Walnuts, White Flour, Pastries, Pasta, Beef, Pork, Shellfish, Ice Cream, Beer, Coco-Cola

Blend 1 frozen banana, 1 cup cashew milk, a touch of vanilla and a sprinkle of cinnamon in a blender.

Before I departed on my flight back to New York, my mom slipped some of her magical raw homemade muesli in my bag. That’s some good stuff… How can you make it at home? Pulse the following ingredients in a blender – coconut flakes, pistachios, walnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds. Pour in a container and mix in raisins and cut up piece of dried peaches.

Eat with berries or a sliced banana and pour over some almond milk. It’s SUPER easy to make this milk at home. Here is a good recipe.

Here is the deal in a nutshell…

• They are rich source of many phyto-chemical substances that may contribute to their overall antioxidant activity, including carotenes, vitamin E, and polyphenolic antioxidant compounds. Research studies have been suggestive of that these compounds help body remove toxic oxygen free radicals and thus, protect body from diseases, cancers, as well as infections. 
• Pistachios are an excellent source of vitamin-E, especially rich in gamma-tocopherol; contain about 23g per100 g. vitamin E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, essential for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucus membranes and skin; offers protection from harmful oxygen free radicals.
• The nuts are packed with many important B-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates.
• These nuts are storehouse of minerals like copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. 100 g nuts provide 144% of daily-recommended levels of copper. Copper is an essential trace mineral that is required in neuro-transmission, metabolism, as well as red blood cell (RBC) synthesis.

Oh come on? You need more reasons than that? 🙂 I recommend buying them without the shell, takes too long…

(Source: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/pistachio.html)

Whenever I find myself in a social situation where people are ordering drinks, I always get a pineapple juice! Nice and refreshing and it looks like you’re drinking with the best of ’em ;). Pics are from Sunday at the Gansevoort Hotel in Miami with our friends Rickard and Sofia.

Hint: It tastes like a mango with the consistency of an apple. Often paired with cheese.

(Peta.org)

Had an event last night – the IFP Gotham Independent Film Awards sponsored by euphoria Calvin Klein at Cipriani Wall Street, so sorry for the infrequent updates today. Also had a photo shoot with the New York Post – pics to come… Excited about that one…

(Photo Credit: Sara Jaye Weiss/Startraks)

Drew’s nutritionist used to be my yoga teacher in West Village… small world… Anyways, now Kimberly Snyder lives in LA and coaches the stars to health. Get her new book for inspiration! The Beauty Detox Solution.

What’s the first thing I check off my list when in Miami? Glaser Farms duh! Was there this morning with my mom and boyfriend. Stocked up on tons of raw foods from mangos to tahini paste… Excited to bring back a few of these goodies to NYC.