Cove - Eat better, live better, feel better : alkalize your life ... one delicious recipe at a time

Copyright 2015 Julie Cove

All rights reserved. The use of any part of this publication, reproduced, transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or stored in a retrieval system without the prior written consent of the publisheror in the case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, license from the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agencyis an infringement of the copyright law.

Appetite by Random House and colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.

Library and Archives of Canada Cataloguing in Publication Date

ISBN 978-0-14-752976-3
eBook ISBN 978-0-449-01607-7

Illustrations by Rose Cowles
Doilies on
Photos of Julie on by Yvonne Becker
Photos of Julie in her studio on by Kelly Brown
Live blood photos on courtesy of Maureen Fontaine, Certified Darkfield Microscopist

Published in Canada by Appetite by Random House, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited

www.penguinrandomhouse.ca

v3.1

CONTENTS

The way you think, the way you behave, the way you eat, can influence your life by 3050 years.

Deepak Chopra

A few years ago, I was so consumed with back pain from a herniated disk that I lay in bed for months! I had tried chiropractic massage, acupuncture, even surgeryall without success. Only then did I discover the alkaline lifestyle, which completely healed my back pain and led me in a direction I never could have anticipated. I was sooo amazed and excited by the results that I started to read everything I could find about this lifestyle. Soon after, I started a blog so I could spread the alkaline word, which inspired me to become a certified holistic nutritionist and then a certified plant-based cook! The Aries in me wants to shout the news from the mountaintop, which is really what Im doing by writing this book. So welcome, my friend, Ive been waiting a long time to meet you.

To understand why the acid-alkaline balance of the body is so important, it helps to know that all living things are dependent on a balanced pH level. The pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen, and it is measured on a scale, where 0 is very acidic, 7 is neutral, and 14 is very alkaline.

Human bodies are alkaline by design, and the terrain in which our cells exist is the environment that must be pH-balanced. In other words, the pH level of our internal fluidsour blood and tissuesaffects every cell in our body and is the most important measurement for maintaining our health.

Healthy blood has a pH of 7.365, and the body will do all that it can to maintain this level. However, when we eat a lot of acidic foods or experience a lot of stress, our blood pH can start to drop in very small increments, which has compounding effects throughout the body. The body then has to put buffering minerals into the blood to restore the blood pH balance to its slightly alkaline state. Over time, if the body cannot adequately neutralize the acids, they accumulate, causing inflammation, which can leave us feeling fatigued, irritable, bloated, or, like me, in acute pain. By balancing out the acids with alkalizing foods, regular exercise, minimal stress, and positive thinking, we gain energy and enjoy better health. Whats not to like?

This lifestyle has worked wonders for my own health and the health of my husband and three kidsand its still working! Its not a trendy diet or a quick-fix plan; its a way of living and eating that supports the bodynaturally. All you have to do is understand how the body is designed, then pay attention to the signs it sends you and adjust your habits accordingly.

My ultimate goal is to inspire you to take charge of your health. My secondary goal is to tantalize you with delicious food that is simple, nourishing, and pretty (my fetish), and that will, of course, alkalize and energize your bodyfor life! This book explains the why and guides you through the how; and it contains a four-step program to help youthe very same plan thats helped me and my family find long-term energy and healthplus more than 100 of my favorite recipes for tasty, healthy food that will support your lifestyle shift. These recipes are jam-packed with whole foods and lots of veggies. You wont find dairy, eggs, meat (theres one fish recipe), refined sugar, or wheat, and theres very little gluten. My intention is to share this alkaline lifestyle to help you discover optimal health without feeling like youre missing out on old favorites!

Dont be intimidated by any of the information or recipes. The bottom line is: eat your alkalizing veggies, whichever way you like em, and balance your plate with a little acidic food! Play with the recipes: use them as guides and dont fuss too much about the measurements. Worrying about what to eat all the time can cause acidity in your body, so find your groove and just go with it, check in, regain balance. Simple.

However you ended up with this book, you are in the right place. This is the future of health, and I want to be your inspiration on this path to optimal well-being. It will be an amazing journey, and I wish you all the best as you navigate it. Check out the resource section and read, research, and learn all you can. Knowledge will empower you to build a stronger commitment to take charge of your own health. Flip through the pages, find your starting point, and then dig in. Say hi on my blog, www.alkalinesister.com, and let me know how you made out.

A green juice cheer to you from your Alkaline Sister,