I watched a documentary last night that I would like to recommend to everyone out there whose lives have been touched by diabetes and pre-diabetes. It's called "Simply Raw."
It is all about reversing Diabetes in 30 Days and is an independent documentary film that chronicles six Americans with diabetes who have historically followed the standard American diet who switch to a diet consisting entirely of organic raw vegan food. Through this process, they successfully discontinue their pharmaceutical medication and reverse the disease.
The six participants must give up meat, dairy, sugar, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, soda, junk food, fast food, processed food, packaged food, as well as cooked food for 30 days (and their lifetime if they want to retain the results) at Dr. Gabriel Cousen's Tree of Life center in AZ. The film follows each participant's medical, physical, and emotional transformations brought on by this abundant, healing diet and lifestyle change. You will see the good as well as the bad moments of struggle, support, and hope as what is revealed, with startling clarity, is that diet can reverse disease and change lives on all levels: mind, body, and spirit!
I also watched the excerpts (on 2 discs) entitled, "Raw for Life: The Ultimate Encyclopoedia of the Raw Food Lifestyle." I found it very well organized and inclusive of everything a new raw foodist might have questions about in getting started, motivated, and staying balanced.
These are excellent films and teaching tools. I plan on hosting showings of the films in the future that will include tastings and classes on how to prepare this life-renewing cuisine in your own home! I will also have copies of my book, Frugal Raw! available for purchase at the event...I just need to find the right venue. In the meantime, I now have a FRUGAL RAW! Forum - membership is free, and questions are always welcome!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Making Lifestyle Changes Stick!
Let's admit it...we usually have the best of intentions but not always are we successful with the follow through. We decide to start working out, being kinder to our bodies, change our diet, change our selves and how the world sees us - but it is almost never a straight path. We allow stressors and the demands of others to supercede our best intentions for ourselves.
I think the hardest thing for some of us, is to take care of our own needs first. It sounds selfish at first, but let's contemplate on why this must be. In not doing so, we undermine our best efforts and often begin to feel that we just can't manage it and we give up. This is why our mottos should be that we cannot take care of others if we are not taking care of ourselves. There are so many needs in the world, that if you do nothing but give and give nothing to yourself first, eventually you will have nothing left. When that happens, consequently you cannot be of help to anyone. Do you ever have the feeling that you are essentially an intravenous bag, draining out for the betterment of everyone else? That should be an indicator that your "supply" is dangerously low and it is high time for the physician to "heal thyself."
So what do you give yourself? Healthy lifestyle changes that will support not only yourself but will support you in holding up the weight of the world you found had always usurped you before! These things you must do for YOU.
Keep in mind that forming new habits rarely happens overnight. In fact, according to a study reported in "World of Psychology" the average is 66 days, with some habits forming as early as only 18 days...SO - let's start with the short term and work up from there! Make a decision to makes your changes happen everyday for 18 days; consider it a cleansing period. During this time you will purge the detrimental lifestyle habits from your life, and embrace those healthful lifestyle changes that you do want. If you fail one day, dust yourself off and pick up from there. Research has shown that habits will still take hold. At the end of that 18 days, assess yourself and move forward with your new healthy lifestyle.
Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
1) Once you have made your decision, write it down - make a contract with the self that you will feel obligated to uphold as in having made a solemn promise. Then back this contract up with a written daily record of what you have done/not done toward your goal(s). This can be in the form of a food journal, an exercise diary, whatever form of documenting that will make you accountable on a daily basis. One new form of accountability is to post your progress on your social media page - make it your own personal fan page as you progress!
2) Know the benefits - make note of what good these lifestyle changes are doing for YOU. Realize how differently you feel, in your mind, body, and soul. If weightloss is a goal, don't use the scale so much as use a camera - take a picture of yourself once a week and begin to notice the subtle changes as they occur in you.
3) Recognize the pain anytime you revert to old detrimental habits. Assess your feelings - physical, emotional and spiritual on how this makes you feel. I am not suggesting a guilt trip - not by any means. I am recommending that you take a step back and really assess on all level how you feel and what your body's responses are. How does it make your body feel - does it run better or worse? Does any part of you react negatively or positively? Did indulging result in a let down - was it not as good to you as you had remembered it being? Once you have assessed these things, you will feel better about finally letting these things go, and go for good.
There will always be temptations. If you have come to the decision that you need to live a gluten-free life, there will always be pizza, cookies, breads, etc around you. There are alternatives, and thankfully gluten free choices are coming into the mainstream! However, we tend to talk ourselves into believing that things we had in the past were so much better than they truly are, and instead, we make poor choices and opt for a standard product - if this happens to you, note how truly satisfying or not it was for you, your body's reaction(s) to it, and you'll be able to make better choices for yourself in the future and those changes will stick the next time with the knowledge that the gluten free product not only satisfies you, but leaves you feeling so much better.
These tips can be applied with so many lifestyle changes and challenges - I hope they will help bring you into your optimum health!
I think the hardest thing for some of us, is to take care of our own needs first. It sounds selfish at first, but let's contemplate on why this must be. In not doing so, we undermine our best efforts and often begin to feel that we just can't manage it and we give up. This is why our mottos should be that we cannot take care of others if we are not taking care of ourselves. There are so many needs in the world, that if you do nothing but give and give nothing to yourself first, eventually you will have nothing left. When that happens, consequently you cannot be of help to anyone. Do you ever have the feeling that you are essentially an intravenous bag, draining out for the betterment of everyone else? That should be an indicator that your "supply" is dangerously low and it is high time for the physician to "heal thyself."
So what do you give yourself? Healthy lifestyle changes that will support not only yourself but will support you in holding up the weight of the world you found had always usurped you before! These things you must do for YOU.
Keep in mind that forming new habits rarely happens overnight. In fact, according to a study reported in "World of Psychology" the average is 66 days, with some habits forming as early as only 18 days...SO - let's start with the short term and work up from there! Make a decision to makes your changes happen everyday for 18 days; consider it a cleansing period. During this time you will purge the detrimental lifestyle habits from your life, and embrace those healthful lifestyle changes that you do want. If you fail one day, dust yourself off and pick up from there. Research has shown that habits will still take hold. At the end of that 18 days, assess yourself and move forward with your new healthy lifestyle.
Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
1) Once you have made your decision, write it down - make a contract with the self that you will feel obligated to uphold as in having made a solemn promise. Then back this contract up with a written daily record of what you have done/not done toward your goal(s). This can be in the form of a food journal, an exercise diary, whatever form of documenting that will make you accountable on a daily basis. One new form of accountability is to post your progress on your social media page - make it your own personal fan page as you progress!
2) Know the benefits - make note of what good these lifestyle changes are doing for YOU. Realize how differently you feel, in your mind, body, and soul. If weightloss is a goal, don't use the scale so much as use a camera - take a picture of yourself once a week and begin to notice the subtle changes as they occur in you.
3) Recognize the pain anytime you revert to old detrimental habits. Assess your feelings - physical, emotional and spiritual on how this makes you feel. I am not suggesting a guilt trip - not by any means. I am recommending that you take a step back and really assess on all level how you feel and what your body's responses are. How does it make your body feel - does it run better or worse? Does any part of you react negatively or positively? Did indulging result in a let down - was it not as good to you as you had remembered it being? Once you have assessed these things, you will feel better about finally letting these things go, and go for good.
There will always be temptations. If you have come to the decision that you need to live a gluten-free life, there will always be pizza, cookies, breads, etc around you. There are alternatives, and thankfully gluten free choices are coming into the mainstream! However, we tend to talk ourselves into believing that things we had in the past were so much better than they truly are, and instead, we make poor choices and opt for a standard product - if this happens to you, note how truly satisfying or not it was for you, your body's reaction(s) to it, and you'll be able to make better choices for yourself in the future and those changes will stick the next time with the knowledge that the gluten free product not only satisfies you, but leaves you feeling so much better.
These tips can be applied with so many lifestyle changes and challenges - I hope they will help bring you into your optimum health!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
To B-12 or Not to B-12...
That is the question we should all be asking - omnivores and herbivores alike! In the thought-provoking webinar I watched last week presented by David Rainoshek, MA (in conjunction with Dr. Gabriel Cousens), I learned alot about the various forms of B-12, its importance, and I learned how I can better supplement for it, especially living a raw vegan lifestyle and why/how I should.
First of all, there are two basic forms of B-12: Human and Non-human. The non-human are analogs and usually come from plant sources and are inferior sources that cannot be assimilated unless the body has an adequate intrinsic factor. As a vegetarian, I have been relying on the B-12 found in nutritional yeast, however I have never had my intrinsic factor analyzed to know if I am absorbing it well enough...given my gluten intolerance, it is doubtful that I am. Methylcobalamine is the BEST source, and with fortified nutritional yeast, you apparently are lucky to get this form of B-12.
So what is B-12 and why is it important? B-12 is a water-soluable vitamin that plays a vital role in brain health and function as well as the nervous system and in blood formation. It is involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body. B-12 affects DNA synthesis and regulation, and also fatty acid synthesis and energy production. Deficiencies can cause irreparable damage to the brain, nervous system, and later in life can result in Alzheimer's and Dymensia.
How is it made? B-12 is the largest and most structurally complicated vitamin. As a supplement, it is produced commercially through bacterial fermentation-synthesis. Commercial production of B12 is made though the process of fermentation of selected microorganisms. Streptomyces griseus, a bacterium once thought to be a yeast, was the commercial source of vitamin B12 for many years. The species Pseudomonas denitrificans and Propionibacterium shermanii are reportedly more commonly used today. In organic synthesis, those bacteria known to naturally synthesize B12 include: Acetobacterium, Aerobacter, Agrobacterium, Alcaligenes, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Clostridium, Corynebacterium, Flavobacterium, Micromonospora, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Propionibacterium, Protaminobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Salmonella, Serratia, Streptomyces, Streptococcus and Xanthomonas. While it is believed that a healthy, well functioning human intestine (think of how so many people have gut issues these days) does contain some of these B-12 producing bacteria, it is not known if their production of such is sufficient enough to meet our daily needs. This should be evaluated on a person-to-person basis, due to the rise in gut damage and genetic issues such as gluten intolerance and Celiac's disease, systemic yeast (Candida), IBS, stomach ulcers, reflux, GERD, hiatal hernias, Crohn's disease, etc can all affect your body's ability to absorb B-12 and other essential nutrients.
What about absorption from food sources? Low stomach acid (one indicator of which being frequent heartburn) can lead to B-12 deficiency. This is why even omnivores will develop B-12 deficiencies. Protein-bound B12 must be released from the proteins by the action of digestive proteases in both the stomach and in the small intestine. Gastric acid releases the vitamin from food particles; therefore antacids and acid-blocking medications have been shown to inhibit the absorption of B12. (Slippery Elm lozenges are a good alternative to the use of antacids and acid blockers; Hydrochloric acid supplements taken pre-meals can also prove helpful with low stomach acid.) So, absorption of food sourced B12 requires an intact and functioning stomach, exocrine pancreas, intrinsic factor, and small intestine. Problems with (or bypass of) any one of these organs makes a vitamin B12 deficiency possible. In addition, as the body ages, it tends to produce less stomach acid thereby increasing the probability of B12 deficiencies as we get older.
Symptoms of B-12 deficiency include:
* pernicious anemia
* weakness, tiredness, lightheadedness
* unusually pale palor
* sore, red, or easily bleeding gums
* nausea with weightloss
* diarrhea or constipation
* numbness or tingling in fingers/toes
* poor balance
* poor memory
* depression
* dementia or altered mental status
Have your B-12 levels checked (urinalysis) and also test for intrinsic factor (blood test) to determine of you have a deficiency. If you do, know that this is not an expensive supplement. I recently purchased a bottle of 100 (1000mcg) 1 per day lozenges for only about $8 at a local natural grocery. Methylcobalamine is also called Methyl B-12.
First of all, there are two basic forms of B-12: Human and Non-human. The non-human are analogs and usually come from plant sources and are inferior sources that cannot be assimilated unless the body has an adequate intrinsic factor. As a vegetarian, I have been relying on the B-12 found in nutritional yeast, however I have never had my intrinsic factor analyzed to know if I am absorbing it well enough...given my gluten intolerance, it is doubtful that I am. Methylcobalamine is the BEST source, and with fortified nutritional yeast, you apparently are lucky to get this form of B-12.
So what is B-12 and why is it important? B-12 is a water-soluable vitamin that plays a vital role in brain health and function as well as the nervous system and in blood formation. It is involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body. B-12 affects DNA synthesis and regulation, and also fatty acid synthesis and energy production. Deficiencies can cause irreparable damage to the brain, nervous system, and later in life can result in Alzheimer's and Dymensia.
How is it made? B-12 is the largest and most structurally complicated vitamin. As a supplement, it is produced commercially through bacterial fermentation-synthesis. Commercial production of B12 is made though the process of fermentation of selected microorganisms. Streptomyces griseus, a bacterium once thought to be a yeast, was the commercial source of vitamin B12 for many years. The species Pseudomonas denitrificans and Propionibacterium shermanii are reportedly more commonly used today. In organic synthesis, those bacteria known to naturally synthesize B12 include: Acetobacterium, Aerobacter, Agrobacterium, Alcaligenes, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Clostridium, Corynebacterium, Flavobacterium, Micromonospora, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Propionibacterium, Protaminobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Salmonella, Serratia, Streptomyces, Streptococcus and Xanthomonas. While it is believed that a healthy, well functioning human intestine (think of how so many people have gut issues these days) does contain some of these B-12 producing bacteria, it is not known if their production of such is sufficient enough to meet our daily needs. This should be evaluated on a person-to-person basis, due to the rise in gut damage and genetic issues such as gluten intolerance and Celiac's disease, systemic yeast (Candida), IBS, stomach ulcers, reflux, GERD, hiatal hernias, Crohn's disease, etc can all affect your body's ability to absorb B-12 and other essential nutrients.
What about absorption from food sources? Low stomach acid (one indicator of which being frequent heartburn) can lead to B-12 deficiency. This is why even omnivores will develop B-12 deficiencies. Protein-bound B12 must be released from the proteins by the action of digestive proteases in both the stomach and in the small intestine. Gastric acid releases the vitamin from food particles; therefore antacids and acid-blocking medications have been shown to inhibit the absorption of B12. (Slippery Elm lozenges are a good alternative to the use of antacids and acid blockers; Hydrochloric acid supplements taken pre-meals can also prove helpful with low stomach acid.) So, absorption of food sourced B12 requires an intact and functioning stomach, exocrine pancreas, intrinsic factor, and small intestine. Problems with (or bypass of) any one of these organs makes a vitamin B12 deficiency possible. In addition, as the body ages, it tends to produce less stomach acid thereby increasing the probability of B12 deficiencies as we get older.
Symptoms of B-12 deficiency include:
* pernicious anemia
* weakness, tiredness, lightheadedness
* unusually pale palor
* sore, red, or easily bleeding gums
* nausea with weightloss
* diarrhea or constipation
* numbness or tingling in fingers/toes
* poor balance
* poor memory
* depression
* dementia or altered mental status
Have your B-12 levels checked (urinalysis) and also test for intrinsic factor (blood test) to determine of you have a deficiency. If you do, know that this is not an expensive supplement. I recently purchased a bottle of 100 (1000mcg) 1 per day lozenges for only about $8 at a local natural grocery. Methylcobalamine is also called Methyl B-12.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Raw Vegan Living!
I want to share with you some of the amazing benefits of living a high raw life - wait a minute - what's a high raw life? That's thriving on a diet that is at least 90% raw foods - however, people are considered raw vegans at only 75%! You don't have to go 100% raw; it isn't an all or nothing deal. Of course, the higher the percentage, the bigger the benefit. Many people discover that to go full guns is easier for them, while others feel they have to maintain a little bit of cooked food in their lifestyle = and this is fine BOTH ways. There is no Raw Vegan Food Police - you decide what you are capable of and comfortable with and LISTEN to your body!
I figured it was high time that I bring this information to you, as I am the author of FRUGAL RAW! - the uncookbook of how to live the raw lifestyle without breaking the bank. It was a labor of love for the raw vegan food community, as everywhere I turned there were people giving up because they thought they couldn't afford it. That was during my RAW journey, that began five years ago. I had dabbled in raw veganism before, but in 2007 I decided to really go raw vegan, and stayed high raw for about 8 months - and I thrived on it! I lost 80 pounds and decades off my appearance during that time, but mistakenly, did not understand my body as well as I thought I did - I began experimenting with foods that I have since found out that my body shouldn't ever have (gluten {Celiac}, dairy {asthmatic}, meat {arthritic}) and I tore down all of the progress I had made. Having learned my lesson, I am now back to my high raw life and it is still just as amazing as it was before - once again giving me high energy, a clear mind, and a light spirit! The weight is melting back off, just as it did then, I am sleeping better, I am not hurting, and I am at peace...my life is abundantly growing!
Many people think that they cannot afford the cost of living raw. I made that same mistake the first time I tried it. I thought raw vegan = raw gourmet...leave THAT to the cafes! I do not do superfoods and take only necessary supplements for the long haul of previous damage done mostly by my gluten intolerance and consequential systemic yeast (probiotics, thyroid support, and currently a heavy metal cleanser). The rest I get from food sources! I believe in simple raw vegan living; mono-meals are great when you're on the run, and in my humble opinion, prepping your raw vegan meals should NOT take longer than preparing a cooked one! If you live in a split house, plan their food around what YOU eat and prepare your meal while you are prepping theirs - this saves both time AND money! Raw veganism doesn't have to be all about expensive appliances either. If all you have is a sharp knife and a cutting board, you can live this life and REALLY LIVE again!
So why go raw vegan?
* Raw vegan foods provide (on average) 40% more nutrients than cooked foods.
* Raw vegan organic foods are pesticide, hormone, and antibiotic free.
* Raw vegan foods maintain their enzymes, thereby assisting the digestive system in its process.
* Raw vegan foods contain fewer trans fats and saturated fats than the Standard American Diet.
* Raw vegan foods are naturally low in sodium and sugar, and high in potassium, magnesium, folate, fiber, vit A, and antioxidants.
* Raw vegan foods reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
* The raw vegan diet lowers plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations per a study in the Journal of Nutrition.
* The raw vegan diet has the ability to turn back the clock - advocates have reported to have lost weight, reversed aging, and reversed lifestyle diseases - the number one killers in the United States.
* The raw vegan diet reduces inflammation.
Where to start?
* Raw means RAW. Use only fresh whole foods - NOT canned.
* The raw vegan diet consists of (non-starchy) vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds...pretty simple, isn't it?
* To ensure complete proteins, use hemp seeds (which contain all 21 aminos) daily. If doing high raw, hummus is also a complete protein (garbanzos/tahini) that can be utilized from time to time.
* B-12 - about 90% of everybody is deficient no matter what diet they follow. I have always used fortified nutritional yeast...but after viewing a live webinar by David Rainoshek, M.A. on the subject, I have begun supplementing with methylcobalamin - THE best source for this vital nutrient!
* For vitamin D, go outside! The sun is an excellent source - just don't do it in excess.
* Get your Omegas from walnuts and cold pressed flax seeds.
* Honey is allowable if raw and unfiltered...also great for fighting allergies if it's local honey!
* DRINK WATER!! I cannot harp on this enough - divide your weight by 2 and that is the number of ounces of water you should consume daily.
TIPS:
* Use warming foods if you have the tendency to be cold natured. Ginger root, peppers, and cinnamon are all in this category. One of my faborite drinks in the winter time is hot ginger lemonade! Grate a piece (about the size of a walnut) of ginger root and squeeze the juice out of the pulp into a tea cup. Add the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon, and hot water - add raw honey to taste if you like it sweet!
* Only make as much as you are going to eat in one meal. Raw foods are always best when they are FRESH!
* Most people like to ease into it - go 50% raw to begin and increase over time. You can also do a 21 day "cleanse", on very high raw or 100%, and then modify post cleanse as you feel the need...you may find you WANT to stay raw vegan!
Interested in trying the Raw Vegan lifestyle? GO FOR IT! Your body will thank you!
I figured it was high time that I bring this information to you, as I am the author of FRUGAL RAW! - the uncookbook of how to live the raw lifestyle without breaking the bank. It was a labor of love for the raw vegan food community, as everywhere I turned there were people giving up because they thought they couldn't afford it. That was during my RAW journey, that began five years ago. I had dabbled in raw veganism before, but in 2007 I decided to really go raw vegan, and stayed high raw for about 8 months - and I thrived on it! I lost 80 pounds and decades off my appearance during that time, but mistakenly, did not understand my body as well as I thought I did - I began experimenting with foods that I have since found out that my body shouldn't ever have (gluten {Celiac}, dairy {asthmatic}, meat {arthritic}) and I tore down all of the progress I had made. Having learned my lesson, I am now back to my high raw life and it is still just as amazing as it was before - once again giving me high energy, a clear mind, and a light spirit! The weight is melting back off, just as it did then, I am sleeping better, I am not hurting, and I am at peace...my life is abundantly growing!
Many people think that they cannot afford the cost of living raw. I made that same mistake the first time I tried it. I thought raw vegan = raw gourmet...leave THAT to the cafes! I do not do superfoods and take only necessary supplements for the long haul of previous damage done mostly by my gluten intolerance and consequential systemic yeast (probiotics, thyroid support, and currently a heavy metal cleanser). The rest I get from food sources! I believe in simple raw vegan living; mono-meals are great when you're on the run, and in my humble opinion, prepping your raw vegan meals should NOT take longer than preparing a cooked one! If you live in a split house, plan their food around what YOU eat and prepare your meal while you are prepping theirs - this saves both time AND money! Raw veganism doesn't have to be all about expensive appliances either. If all you have is a sharp knife and a cutting board, you can live this life and REALLY LIVE again!
So why go raw vegan?
* Raw vegan foods provide (on average) 40% more nutrients than cooked foods.
* Raw vegan organic foods are pesticide, hormone, and antibiotic free.
* Raw vegan foods maintain their enzymes, thereby assisting the digestive system in its process.
* Raw vegan foods contain fewer trans fats and saturated fats than the Standard American Diet.
* Raw vegan foods are naturally low in sodium and sugar, and high in potassium, magnesium, folate, fiber, vit A, and antioxidants.
* Raw vegan foods reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
* The raw vegan diet lowers plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations per a study in the Journal of Nutrition.
* The raw vegan diet has the ability to turn back the clock - advocates have reported to have lost weight, reversed aging, and reversed lifestyle diseases - the number one killers in the United States.
* The raw vegan diet reduces inflammation.
Where to start?
* Raw means RAW. Use only fresh whole foods - NOT canned.
* The raw vegan diet consists of (non-starchy) vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds...pretty simple, isn't it?
* To ensure complete proteins, use hemp seeds (which contain all 21 aminos) daily. If doing high raw, hummus is also a complete protein (garbanzos/tahini) that can be utilized from time to time.
* B-12 - about 90% of everybody is deficient no matter what diet they follow. I have always used fortified nutritional yeast...but after viewing a live webinar by David Rainoshek, M.A. on the subject, I have begun supplementing with methylcobalamin - THE best source for this vital nutrient!
* For vitamin D, go outside! The sun is an excellent source - just don't do it in excess.
* Get your Omegas from walnuts and cold pressed flax seeds.
* Honey is allowable if raw and unfiltered...also great for fighting allergies if it's local honey!
* DRINK WATER!! I cannot harp on this enough - divide your weight by 2 and that is the number of ounces of water you should consume daily.
TIPS:
* Use warming foods if you have the tendency to be cold natured. Ginger root, peppers, and cinnamon are all in this category. One of my faborite drinks in the winter time is hot ginger lemonade! Grate a piece (about the size of a walnut) of ginger root and squeeze the juice out of the pulp into a tea cup. Add the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon, and hot water - add raw honey to taste if you like it sweet!
* Only make as much as you are going to eat in one meal. Raw foods are always best when they are FRESH!
* Most people like to ease into it - go 50% raw to begin and increase over time. You can also do a 21 day "cleanse", on very high raw or 100%, and then modify post cleanse as you feel the need...you may find you WANT to stay raw vegan!
Interested in trying the Raw Vegan lifestyle? GO FOR IT! Your body will thank you!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Gluten Intolerance...or Celiac's Disease.
Celiac disease is an auto-immune disease defined by gluten-induced villi destruction in the small intestine. By this definition, gluten intolerance is the precursor. If you have celiac disease, or its precursor, gluten intolerance, your body is on a progression that results in villi damage because gluten triggers your immune system to attack YOU. Because the first stage exhibits in gluten intolerance, there is certainly a period of time where your body is reacting to gluten--but your villi are not yet destroyed enough to warrant an official Celiac diagnosis by Western medicine's standards.
This condition is genetic, usually occurring in people of northen European descent, and is a life-long condition that worsens and opens the door to systemic yeast (Candiasis, which can cause adrenal failure), metabolic syndrome, hypoglycemia, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension...all of the big lifestyle illnesses.
What are some of the indicators?
* Yeast infections - could present as rash in the groin, axillary, and/or under the breasts or in skin folds
* Itching - most often in the groin, but can present all over the body as well
* Psoriasis
* Excessive weight gain in the gut or sudden unexplained weight loss
* Irritable bowels - diarrhea/constipation, borborygmi (excessive stomach rumbling), nausea, intestinal cramping, heartburn
* Fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability
* Lactose sensitivity (could present as intolerance or allergy)
* Abdominal distention, bloating, pain, or cramping (especially after having consumed gluten)
* Anemia, iron deficiency
* Arthritis, bone density loss; osteoporosis/penia
* Infertility
* Headaches & migraines
* Hypoglycemia/Diabetes; Neuropathy - numbness, tingling and/or swelling in the extremities
* Mouth sores, swollen tongue, swollen lips
* Vitamin deficiencies: B-12, D, and K
So, what do you do for it? This is a life-long, progressional, detrimental condition - that warrants a permanent lifestyle change. It isn't easy. It's label reading if you continue to consume pre-packaged foods. The easiest way to go is to maintain a whole-foods only lifestyle with clean water sources. Cooking everything from scratch and knowing your food sources. It's buying locally and organically as much as possible, including switching to free range, grass-fed meats unless you choose to go vegan. Think about it - you are what you eat, and so are they. So what's on the menu? Grass-fed, free range meats, eggs,(or hemp seed and nutritional yeast w/B-12 for vegans) non-starchy vegetables (esp dark greens), fruits, nuts, fermented foods, such as kefir, wine, sauerkraut, pickles, and kimchi. (NO grains, no legumes, no beans, no white potatoes, no dairy other than probiotics) And clean water - divide your total weight by 2 and that is the number of ounces of water you should have daily...that's WATER - NOT just whatever liquid you prefer.
It is helpful to break up your meals throughout the day - instead of 3 squares, make those a little smaller and add three snacks of healthy options such as raw almonds or berries...and try to have your last meal/snack three hours before bedtime. This is good for your adrenals. Make sure to also have an iodine source to support your thyroid (Liqui-kelp, clean Shrimp, seaweed, etc).
A lifestyle change isn't just about diet - exercize is tantamount and the best, cheapest way to do this is simple. WALK. Take yourself for a walk, and get a pedometer - make a game of seeing just how many steps you take in a day. Then challenge yourself - walk 10,000 steps a day. You can certainly break it up throughout the day - walk it up to 15-20 minutes sessions at a time! Make it interesting and take up frisbee golf! If you want something more interesting, find something FUN that involves movement - and do it everyday!
Sleep. So many people don't get adequate sleep. Be kind to your body and give it time to assimilate all the other good things you are doing in your life:) Six to eight hours of restful sleep per night is the recommended norm.
The National Foundation for Celiac's Awareness says that one out of every 133 Americans has celiac disease, or about 3 million in all. Another 18 million have a less serious "sensitivity" to gluten, the organization says. Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye. Suspect you (and your loved ones) may have gluten intolerance? Try dropping the gluten out of your life (for a few days even) and see how you feel and how quickly the bloat goes away...then consider incorporating some more lifestyle changes;) Your body will thank you with every step you take!
This condition is genetic, usually occurring in people of northen European descent, and is a life-long condition that worsens and opens the door to systemic yeast (Candiasis, which can cause adrenal failure), metabolic syndrome, hypoglycemia, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension...all of the big lifestyle illnesses.
What are some of the indicators?
* Yeast infections - could present as rash in the groin, axillary, and/or under the breasts or in skin folds
* Itching - most often in the groin, but can present all over the body as well
* Psoriasis
* Excessive weight gain in the gut or sudden unexplained weight loss
* Irritable bowels - diarrhea/constipation, borborygmi (excessive stomach rumbling), nausea, intestinal cramping, heartburn
* Fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability
* Lactose sensitivity (could present as intolerance or allergy)
* Abdominal distention, bloating, pain, or cramping (especially after having consumed gluten)
* Anemia, iron deficiency
* Arthritis, bone density loss; osteoporosis/penia
* Infertility
* Headaches & migraines
* Hypoglycemia/Diabetes; Neuropathy - numbness, tingling and/or swelling in the extremities
* Mouth sores, swollen tongue, swollen lips
* Vitamin deficiencies: B-12, D, and K
So, what do you do for it? This is a life-long, progressional, detrimental condition - that warrants a permanent lifestyle change. It isn't easy. It's label reading if you continue to consume pre-packaged foods. The easiest way to go is to maintain a whole-foods only lifestyle with clean water sources. Cooking everything from scratch and knowing your food sources. It's buying locally and organically as much as possible, including switching to free range, grass-fed meats unless you choose to go vegan. Think about it - you are what you eat, and so are they. So what's on the menu? Grass-fed, free range meats, eggs,(or hemp seed and nutritional yeast w/B-12 for vegans) non-starchy vegetables (esp dark greens), fruits, nuts, fermented foods, such as kefir, wine, sauerkraut, pickles, and kimchi. (NO grains, no legumes, no beans, no white potatoes, no dairy other than probiotics) And clean water - divide your total weight by 2 and that is the number of ounces of water you should have daily...that's WATER - NOT just whatever liquid you prefer.
It is helpful to break up your meals throughout the day - instead of 3 squares, make those a little smaller and add three snacks of healthy options such as raw almonds or berries...and try to have your last meal/snack three hours before bedtime. This is good for your adrenals. Make sure to also have an iodine source to support your thyroid (Liqui-kelp, clean Shrimp, seaweed, etc).
A lifestyle change isn't just about diet - exercize is tantamount and the best, cheapest way to do this is simple. WALK. Take yourself for a walk, and get a pedometer - make a game of seeing just how many steps you take in a day. Then challenge yourself - walk 10,000 steps a day. You can certainly break it up throughout the day - walk it up to 15-20 minutes sessions at a time! Make it interesting and take up frisbee golf! If you want something more interesting, find something FUN that involves movement - and do it everyday!
Sleep. So many people don't get adequate sleep. Be kind to your body and give it time to assimilate all the other good things you are doing in your life:) Six to eight hours of restful sleep per night is the recommended norm.
The National Foundation for Celiac's Awareness says that one out of every 133 Americans has celiac disease, or about 3 million in all. Another 18 million have a less serious "sensitivity" to gluten, the organization says. Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye. Suspect you (and your loved ones) may have gluten intolerance? Try dropping the gluten out of your life (for a few days even) and see how you feel and how quickly the bloat goes away...then consider incorporating some more lifestyle changes;) Your body will thank you with every step you take!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Some of the Benefits of Massage
Therapeutic massage provides a number of health and wellness related benefits. These benefits are delivered in a natural and safe non-invasive method and therefore do not carry the harmful side effects associated with prescribed medications and the many invasive medical procedures used today in Western Medicine.
Therapeutic massage is wonderful at enhancing and increasing a number of beneficial processes and functions within the human body.
•Massage enhances ones state of well being
•Massage enhances soft tissue healing
•Massage increases flexibility & range of motion
•Massage increases muscle tone
•Massage increases blood flow
•Massage increases dopamine & serotonin levels
•Massage increases and improves lymphatic fluid flow & drainage
•Massage induces relaxation
•Massage stimulates the immune system
Similarly, therapeutic massage is extremely effective at reducing and often eliminating a number of uncomfortable and restrictive symptoms and conditions.
•Massage reduces constipation
•Massage reduces cortisol levels
•Massage reduces depression
•Massage reduces emotional stress
•Massage reduces joint stiffness
•Massage reduces muscular tension
•Massage reduces pain
•Massage reduces scar tissue formation
•Massage reduces soft tissue knots and trigger points
Regular sessions (once a week or bi-weekly) can radically enhance these benefits for you!
Therapeutic massage is wonderful at enhancing and increasing a number of beneficial processes and functions within the human body.
•Massage enhances ones state of well being
•Massage enhances soft tissue healing
•Massage increases flexibility & range of motion
•Massage increases muscle tone
•Massage increases blood flow
•Massage increases dopamine & serotonin levels
•Massage increases and improves lymphatic fluid flow & drainage
•Massage induces relaxation
•Massage stimulates the immune system
Similarly, therapeutic massage is extremely effective at reducing and often eliminating a number of uncomfortable and restrictive symptoms and conditions.
•Massage reduces constipation
•Massage reduces cortisol levels
•Massage reduces depression
•Massage reduces emotional stress
•Massage reduces joint stiffness
•Massage reduces muscular tension
•Massage reduces pain
•Massage reduces scar tissue formation
•Massage reduces soft tissue knots and trigger points
Regular sessions (once a week or bi-weekly) can radically enhance these benefits for you!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Essiac Tea
It was 1922, and Nurse Rene Caisse was given a formula alleged to have cured cancer. She experimented with it and narrowed down the formula to only four herbs each of which grew in her region of Ontario, Canada. She named this formula Essiac, ("Caisse" spelled backwards), and it is taken as a tea. Nurse Caisse successfully treated her Aunt and later her Mother - In 1924 she tested the tea on her aunt who had cancer of the stomach and was given about six months to live. Her aunt lived for another 21 years, cancer free. She later gave the tea to her 72-year old mother who was diagnosed with inoperable cancer of the liver, with only days to live. Her mother recovered and lived without cancer for another 18 years. She would devote over 50 years of her life to the successful treatment of allegedly terminal cancers with this tea...
The four main herbs that make up Essiac are Burdock Root, Slippery Elm (inner bark), Sheep Sorrel, and Indian Rhubarb Root. They are not taken in equal proportions, so it is best to find this tea made by reputable sources.
Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) Used to help reduce mucus, maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract, stimulate a healthy immune response, for weak digestion, as a diuretic for water retention and to sweat out toxins through the skin. It has vitamin A and selenium to help reduce free radicals and its chromium content helps maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Slippery Elm inner bark (Ulmus Fulva) Contains large amounts of tannins and mucilages which help dissolve mucus deposits in tissue, glands and nerve channels. The inner bark, which is also rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamins(A,B,C,K), helps to nourish and soothe organs, tissues and mucus membranes and is helpful to the lungs. It also helps neutralize acids from indigestion.
Sheep Sorrel (Rumex Acetosella) Used to cool the body, create sweating and detoxification through the skin: as a diuretic it is useful in maintaining healthy kidney and urinary functions. It is rich in vitamins and trace minerals (ascorbic acid, mineral oxides, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and rutin). It also nourishes the glandular system.
Turkey Rhubarb Root (Rheum Officinale) Used in small amounts, this herb acts as a gentle laxative and helps purge the liver of toxic buildup and waste. It helps neutralize acids due to indigestion. Its malic acid also carries oxygen to all parts of the body, aiding in healing and promoting a positive, balancing effect upon the whole digestive system.
The four main herbs that make up Essiac are Burdock Root, Slippery Elm (inner bark), Sheep Sorrel, and Indian Rhubarb Root. They are not taken in equal proportions, so it is best to find this tea made by reputable sources.
Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) Used to help reduce mucus, maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract, stimulate a healthy immune response, for weak digestion, as a diuretic for water retention and to sweat out toxins through the skin. It has vitamin A and selenium to help reduce free radicals and its chromium content helps maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Slippery Elm inner bark (Ulmus Fulva) Contains large amounts of tannins and mucilages which help dissolve mucus deposits in tissue, glands and nerve channels. The inner bark, which is also rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamins(A,B,C,K), helps to nourish and soothe organs, tissues and mucus membranes and is helpful to the lungs. It also helps neutralize acids from indigestion.
Sheep Sorrel (Rumex Acetosella) Used to cool the body, create sweating and detoxification through the skin: as a diuretic it is useful in maintaining healthy kidney and urinary functions. It is rich in vitamins and trace minerals (ascorbic acid, mineral oxides, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and rutin). It also nourishes the glandular system.
Turkey Rhubarb Root (Rheum Officinale) Used in small amounts, this herb acts as a gentle laxative and helps purge the liver of toxic buildup and waste. It helps neutralize acids due to indigestion. Its malic acid also carries oxygen to all parts of the body, aiding in healing and promoting a positive, balancing effect upon the whole digestive system.
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