Tag Archive for: toxic

Day 3 of My Detox

Day 3 of my detox has been another new experience. The headaches have subsided, except for one very brief one. However, my tongue was heavily coated and white. It was quite disgusting and now I wish I had taken a photo of it.

The hunger wasn’t a problem at all but, I was sick of drinking the same thing. I realized I’m such a variety girl. I don’t do well eating or drinking the same foods over and over.  I love all juices but was losing my desire for these quickly. I made it through each of them deciding to pass on the final Mean Green juice. I skipped it and went to the almond Mylk which is the final drink of each day! It’s a wonderful blend of dates, almonds, vanilla and sea salt.

I decided to retire early as I knew when I would awaken that I could break the fast if I chose to.  Sleep and rest is so important during a fast. This is when the body and mind rebuild and repair. Unfortunately, I was wide awake and actually almost wired. It was as if I had drank caffeine! One theory is that fasting can create abnormal adrenaline secretion that can also cause insomnia.

Another concern with people detoxing is that they will spend the day in the bathroom. By day three the colon was moving more than in the previous two days but nothing that would impact my normal routine. When there isn’t much going in, there isn’t much coming out…besides liquids!

Day 4 wasn’t much different than the previous three. I wasn’t really that hungry so I added a half scoop of plant protein to my Mean Green juice. It was a whole lot more appealing this way!

So bottom-line, I would definitely do this cleanse again. If you have an organic juice bar in your town, take advantage of the convenience.  It was so easy having the juices pre-made and a detailed guide of what I needed to drink and when.

My positive results: 1) I was unable to eat as much as I had been when I returned to a whole food diet. 2) I lost about six pounds and 3) eliminated sugar cravings and 4) experienced a great sense of accomplishment in taking control of my eating habits!

Are you ready to drop the weight and lose the sugar cravings? Let me know as I’d love to help.

white powder with m s g spelled in it

The Dangers of MSG

The dangers of MSG.  Some people think MSG or Monosodium glutamate is a preservative or that it contains a nutritional value.

MSG is used in the food industry as a flavor enhancer. If you have to enhance the flavor of something, maybe ask yourself why would they need to enhance it. Maybe it’s not real food.

Real food shouldn’t need much enhancement. In fact, chemically MSG is an “excitotoxin”  or neurotoxin that has a negative impact on the brain and nervous system.

Some of you may remember  we learned that “according to Neurosurgeon, Dr. Russell Blaylock, M.D. these have been labeled excitotoxins because they over stimulate neural (brain) cells to the point of killing them.”

“What are excitotoxins? The word excitotoxin is derived from two words, excite and toxin. A ‘toxin’ is a poison. So excitotoxin is a poison that excites any brain cell it encounters until it dies. These substances are usually amino acids – sounds rather natural and harmless but when these react with specialized receptors in the brain in such a way as to lead to the destruction of certain types of brain cells.” Quote source and much more excitotoxin info can be read here.

More of the dangers of MSG

MSG can also be quite addictive which is rather convenient for the food manufacturers that put it there did you think? Remember the potato chip commercial, “you can’t stop eating them”?  It was quite literally portraying the chips,  the MSG made you keep wanting more. No false advertising there! Seems fitting considering the manufacturers want you to overeat their products.

“One of the primary and most consistent effects of MSG and other excitotoxins is triggering “an insulin/adrenalin/fat storage/food craving response.” That response is what causes the, “I’m hungry again an hour after I eat Chinese food,” quandary. It is also why some of us crave potato chips and other snack foods that contain monosodium glutamate, even though we’re full.” Quote source and much more excitotoxin info can be read here.

Also, some people have reactions to MSG and experience symptoms that include headaches, chest pain, heart palpitations, nausea, and other health problems.

In the report “Sensory And Autonomic Nerve Changes In The Msg-Treated Rat : A Model Of Type II Diabetes” by Morrison JFShehab SSheen RDhanasekaran SShaffiullah MMensah-Brown E At UAE University,  they showed that MSG treated animals develop a form of type II diabetes by about 60 weeks of age.

Whatever your wellness goals, eliminating MSG should be a priority! Especially if you’re looking to drop weight, manage or prevent diabetes.

So Where is MSG Lurking?

MSG is typically used in Chinese food, salty snacks, processed meats, canned soups, salad dressings and most all processed foods. The problem is they don’t list it on the ingredient label as MSG. MSG is found listed under many different names to keep you fooled.

The following list of ingredients may contain MSG:

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Protein, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein, Plant Protein Extract, Sodium Caseinate, Calcium Caseinate, Yeast Extract, Textured Protein, Hydrolyzed Oat Flour, broth, bouillon, natural flavorings, seasonings, spices, whey protein concentrate, soy protein isolate.

One of the most toxic products is ranch dressing. Check out the third ingredient in the Hidden Valley dip mix.

 

hidden valley toxic the dangers of msg

Action Step:

Read the ingredient labels of the food you have in your cabinets and see if you find any hidden MSG! What percentage of your food supply contains this hidden culprit? If you are concerned about your gut health and getting help to balance, give us a call.

Share in the comments below what you find or if we can help.

Allergies and asthma

12 Natural Solutions for Allergies and Asthma

I suffered from severe seasonal allergies and asthma for years.  My symptoms ranged from annoying to debilitating at times.  I had itchy eyes, a runny nose, and a fogged brain.  I was just plain miserable!  Sound familiar?  I went the conventional treatment route, but the side effects were as bad if not worse than the side effects of allergies/asthma.

As of today, I have not used a conventional allergy medication or my inhaler for 15 plus years! How did I do it?  It may be hard to believe, but I simply eliminated the foods in my diet that created inflammation and supported my immune system.  The most important time to start is LONG before allergy season begins.  Depending on where you live, seasons may vary, but it is typically March-April and again in the fall.

Here are the top 12 strategies that have worked for clients.

1. Switched from drinking cow’s milk to almond or other plant-based milk.  I use certified organic and non-GMO sources.  Greatly reduced or eliminated other sources of dairy such as cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt.  I made those “sometimes foods” instead of consuming them daily.  Dairy products (lactose) do not break down well, for most, and create mucus in the body.

2. Used Alcat food sensitivity testing to determine what foods, herbs, and chemicals created inflammation.  Even healthy foods, for me, were creating inflammation like lemons, avocados, coconut, and turkey.

3. Once I learned that I had a mild intolerance to gluten, I switched to eliminating or using gluten-free organic grains. In many people, gluten sets the immune system into action and causes inflammation. Grains that contain gluten are wheat, rye, spelt, and barley. Gluten-free grain options are quinoa, rice, millet, and buckwheat. Also note that wheat and rice are two grains that are highly sprayed with glyphosate, a herbicide in Roundup, that has been linked to numerous health conditions including allergies.

4. Don’t just eat your greens, drink them! I drink a green drink almost every morning.  Organic greens, fruits, and vegetables in raw form are natural anti-inflammatory foods and gentle detox. In addition to tasting delicious, this drink supports your immune system by adding much-needed antioxidants to your cells.

5. Enzymes and Probiotics. Using plant-based enzymes between meals also works well for seasonal discomfort.  We carry healthcare professional-grade plant-based non-GMO enzymes that are much more potent than conventional enzymes.

Balancing gut health is key to supporting your body so adding a potent probiotic is critical. Consuming processed or nonorganic foods destroys our good gut flora. Probiotics are best taken in the morning with food. If you are looking for one of the best probiotic combinations to supplement, consider one that contains prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics.

6. Cleanse nasal passages with natural saline and that is drug and preservative-free. One safe brand is NeilMed NasaMist Saline Spray.

7. Add Concentrated Phytonutrients.  Modere Axis™ PhytoGreens is a simple way to get 27 highly bioavailable and bioactive ingredients including marine and leafy greens and adaptogens to help optimize alkalinity, energy, and digestive health. It’s non-GMO and tastes great.modere phytogreens

8. Buy and consume certified organic or naturally grown local produce. Allergies can be a negative response to toxins so the goal is to reduce them in food, beverages, and personal care products. Herbicides (especially glyphosate) and pesticides can create respiratory issues and create more inflammation in our bodies.  Today, almost every grocery store carries thousands of organic items to enable you to eat clean. It is worth the time and money to go the extra mile.

Switch your in-between meals snacks from crackers and chips to fruit or raw veggies.  Be sure to avoid the MSG-laden ranch dressings and opt for hummus or organic dips. Again, fruits and vegetables act as natural anti-inflammatory agents. Fruits and veggies should come from the whole food either fresh or frozen, never canned. Canned foods are void of enzymes and nutrients, which are essential in reducing inflammation and building the immune system.

9. Vacuum your home more frequently, especially in your bedroom and if you have pets. Delegate to another family member (assuming they do not have allergies) or hire someone to do this for you.  Keep your windows closed during peak pollen seasons as well. We invested in a Roomba and this has helped immensely to save time, energy and it gets in those hard-to-reach spots we can’t (under the beds).

10. Eliminate chemical or perfumed cleaners, dryer sheets, detergents, soaps, and shampoos.  Consider making your own detergents and choose personal care products that are free of chemicals that aggravate your skin and cause inflammation. I clean with simple products like baking soda and/or vinegar.

One outstanding laundry detergent is Norwex. Not only is this product safe but it is the best at getting out tough stains. I was able to get ink stains off my husband’s brand new polo shirt after running it through the dryer!

11. Drink plenty of purified or reverse osmosis water to support the detox process. Your body is 70-80% water, so replenish it with the good stuff.  City/tap water contains heavy metals that block nutrients. To learn more about what pure water really is and bring an affordable system into your home, go to Aquasana.com. One of the better-bottled waters on the market is Fiji water.

12. Tongue Scraping. As crazy as this sounds, this ritual has really helped my allergies. Purchase a stainless steel scraper as they work better than the plastic versions. Scrape your tongue each morning before you brush. I start in the middle and then scrape both sides rinsing your scraper at each section. Using your toothbrush (which is what I used to use) doesn’t remove the bacteria but can drive it in. Since 70% of bacteria reside on the tongue, scraping can help keep you healthy and reduce allergy symptoms.

Understand that when you experience unpleasant symptoms your body is temporarily out of balance. Allergies and asthma are not necessarily lifetime conditions if you are diligent and disciplined with your diet and lifestyle. Reach out with questions as we love to help or let us put a personalized allergy support protocol together for you at no cost.

 

 

Personal Care Products that could be Harming Your Family

As I was cleaning out cabinets, I decided to glance over the ingredient list of some hair care products that I used to use. To be honest, it scared me. I used to put these on my body and didn’t think about the impact to my skin, lungs or other vital organs!

Think about the personal care products that you and your family use on a daily basis…lotions, shampoo, conditioner, soap, sanitizer, nail polish, baby soaps, make up, perfumes/colognes, deodorant, toothpaste, laundry detergent.  EWG.org (Environmental Working Group) concluded in a study that on average people use 9 personal care products daily and applied an average of 126 unique ingredients on their skin daily. That’s a lot of chemicals!

Do you feel safe knowing that the government does not require long term safety studies or pre-market testing for most ingredients in personal care products? According to the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, “a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from the FDA.” The cosmetic industry is authorized to police it’s own ingredient safety and many of these ingredients have the potential to harm humans and animals. The FDA panel has only banned 11 ingredients while the European Union has taken action on hundreds of toxic chemicals in cosmetics.

Your skin is your largest organ and is porous, so whatever you put on it will be absorbed within moments of application. And what about your lungs? You are inhaling the chemicals as well, even if you aren’t applying them to your skin.  If the products you use contain harmful ingredients such as harsh, toxic chemicals, colors, and fragrances, those ingredients make their way into your body, your blood and lymphatic system. The majority of mainstream personal care products contain carcinogenic chemicals, allergens, endocrine disruptors or xenoestrogens, irritants and can cause harm to your reproductive system. It is easy to see why it is so important to be diligent to watch what is in the products that you are using.

So what ingredients should you avoid? There are countless toxic ingredients in the products that we use on a daily basis and so it is important to do your research and always look at the ingredient list in everything that you buy. A few ingredients to avoid are fragrance, perfume, substances that generate formaldehyde (nearly 1 in 5 cosmetic products contains a substance that generates cancer causing formaldehyde–see list below), mineral oil and petroleum, parabens, ethanolmines (DEA, MEA, TEA), benzones, triclosan, heavy metals such as cadmium, aluminum, mercury, lead, and arsenic, phthalates, and styrene. This list unfortunately is not all-inclusive. Plus these chemicals are xenoestrogens which can disrupt our hormone balance and health.

You can easily switch over to safe products by accessing easy to use Apps and websites like ThinkDirty, EWG’s Skin Deep, and the Good Guide which will rate your personal care products for safety and toxicity. Always read the ingredient label and do not be fooled by labels such as natural and even partial organic products can contain harmful ingredients. I especially avoid parfum or fragrances as I will have an immediate reaction to these. Use products with the MADE SAFE® seal. Also, support hair and nail salons that offer safer and more natural products. I ask lots of questions before making an appointment and conduct my own research on their product lines. Knowing which companies test on animals is a top priority as well. Check out the company’s testing practices on sites such a PETA.org to find which do and do not test.

Avoid these ingredients/chemicals as they contains a formaldehyde-releasing chemical:

  • DMDM hydantoin
  • Imidazolidinyl urea
  • Diazolidinyl urea
  • Quaternium-15
  • Bronopol (2bromo2nitropropane1,3-diol )
  • 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
  • Hydroxymethylglycinate

For your safety, schedule time to review and clean out the harmful products that you are using and replace them with safe nontoxic options! I’d love to chat more about healthier options, set up your call here!

Liquid Soap, Harmless or Hazardous?

Not too long ago while visiting a relative’s house, I began to wash my hands with the liquid soap provided in the attractive dispenser. After being taken a back by the strong perfume smell, and I tried to re-wash to remove the overpowering smell to no avail. Finally with the use of some vinegar, I was able to eliminate the strong perfume smell. Next, I found the actual container to determine the ingredient list and was horrified!

Consider how many times per day you are using this to “clean” you hands but in fact you could be adding more toxins to your body and environment. This moment reinforced the need to be vigilant no matter where I am, to read labels and know what I am putting on or in my body. The number of toxic ingredients that are added to something so innocent as a soap product is killing our fish & wildlife and adding hazardous toxins into our body. Below is a list of just a few of the ingredients in this brand of liquid soap along with the toxicity concern courtesy of the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org).

HIGH CONCERN – Can include, but is not limited to: Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Biochemical or cellular level changes, Cancer, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) acute aquatic toxicity, skin irritation/allergies/damage, damage to DNA.

  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone (5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one), also referred to as MCI, is a preservative with antibacterial and anti-fungal effects within the group of isothiazolinones. It is effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeast, and fungi.
  • Methylisothiazolinone, MIT, or MI, (sometimes erroneously called methylisothiazoline), is a powerful synthetic biocide and preservative within the group of isothiazolinones, which is used in numerous personal care products and a wide range of industrial applications.
  • DMDM Hydantoin is an antimicrobial formaldehyde releaser preservative with the trade name Glydant. DMDM hydantoin is an organic compound belonging to a class of compounds known as hydantoins.
  • Sodium Hydroxide is a strongly alkaline white deliquescent compound used in many industrial processes, e.g., the manufacture of soap and paper.

MODERATE CONCERN – Some potential for hazards to health or the environment. Can include, but not limited to: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Use restrictions, Contamination concerns.

  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (commonly known as SLS) is a widely used and inexpensive chemical found in many mainstream personal hygiene products such as shampoos, toothpastes, mouthwashes, bodywash, soaps, detergents and body wash , along with Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Ammonium Laurel Sulfate (ALS).
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) Is a mixture of closely related organic compounds derived from coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine. CAPB is available as a viscous pale yellow solution and it is used as a surfactant in personal care products.
  • Polyquaternium-7 is a synthetic polymer based on quaternary ammonium compounds.
  • Tetrasodium EDTA is a water-soluble ingredient used as a chelating agent in cosmetics and personal care products because of its ability to sequester metal ions and allow them to remain in formulas but lose their ability to react with other ingredients.
  • PEG 120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate is the polyethylene glycol ether of the diester of natural Methylglucoseand Oleic Acid. It is used in beauty products and cosmetics as a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used as a thickener in hair and skin care products.
  • Poloxamer 124 (P1168) is a surfactant and emulsifying agent… In cosmetic and personal care product formulations, it functions as a surfactant – emulsifying agent and surfactant – solubilizing agent. It can be used in soaps and cleansers. It is soluble in water.
  • Benzophenone-4 is a white sweet-smelling crystalline solid used mainly in the manufacture of organic compounds and in perfume.

SOME CONCERN – Can include, but not limited to: skin irritation/allergies/damage, acute aquatic toxicity, nervous system effects, respiratory effects, biodegradation.

  • Fragrance (Parfum) a substance, extract, or preparation for diffusing or imparting an agreeable or attractive smell.

This is just one example of a typical household product. Despite the known dangers associated with many of the ingredients in personal care products and cleaning products, some manufacturers continue to use them. Many household products carry health risks for not only you, but also your children, pets, wildlife or the environment. Reading labels can go a long way in helping protect your family.

 

My 3-day Cleanse Journey – Day 2

Day 1 is done! So where do you think I struggled most? I caught myself in my daily habit of getting up from my desk to grab a snack. I realized that when I feel stressed, overwhelmed or anxious, I distract myself with a snack. Most of you know I am not grabbing a candy bar or cookie (we eat predominantly whole, clean) but, eating when your body doesn’t need food is not healthy! So how did I cope knowing that I couldn’t grab a snack? I decided to try some deep breathing and downloaded a meditation app. I believe this is a new healthy habit that I will incorporate long after the cleanse.

As far as detox symptoms, I dropped a couple pounds (toxins!) and had a few minor headaches throughout the day as well. My tongue has the usual thick white coating which is a sure sign of detoxing. But overall, I had great clarity and focus. My overall sense of well-being has improved. Less anxious. More calm.

My sugar cravings have subsided much faster than I imagined as well. The dark chocolate bar stashed in my freezer is no longer calling me!

The biggest benefit was not having to think about what we are having for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Then you have prep time, cook time and cleanup, so time savings was an unexpected positive benefit.

I was also blessed that my husband joined me, so the temptations were not there. If I had to prepare a meal for someone else, I’m sure it would have been a bit more challenging. If you have children heading to summer camp or, your hubby is traveling, this would be a great time to try a cleanse/fast.

I’m not sure I can say it was easy but, it wasn’t that hard. When you are drinking juice every 2 hours from 7am to 7pm, it helps you focus on that task. I rewarded myself at the end of the day with an organic bubble bath and some lavender essential oil. Sending a positive message to the brain is important when tackling something new or a bit more challenging then the norm.

 

My 3-day Cleanse Journey

It’s day one of my 3-day cleanse which started with a 2.5-mile walk on July 4th. What a perfect day to celebrate freedom from toxins! Instead of focusing on what I won’t be eating, I’m focusing on the benefits such as mental clarity, focus, and increased energy.

I prepared my body by eliminating meat and increased my consumption of fresh, raw organic fruits and vegetables. If you consume alcohol, caffeine, or dairy on a regular basis, I  would eliminate these products a few days before as well. Except for an occasional (organic) ice cream, I swore off these vices years ago. However, with dark chocolate, I still have issues!

I typically make my own juices but due to time constraints and the fact I sold my juicer a few years back (in lieu of a Vitamix), I purchased the organic juices from a local company called Sunshine Juice. I’m not being paid to endorse their products, I just wanted to share my experience with others. Their cleanse consists of seven juices per day which you consume every two hours.

It’s been several years since my husband and I fasted. He is a great support as he offered to join me…with modifications (as he tossed the pound of grass-fed beef back in the freezer). His modified liquid diet will consist of using our favorite plant-based powder, Juice Plus Complete, with almond milk. We’ve used the shakes for several years (love them) and this is what I will transition to prior to starting back on whole food.

I remember how much fun with had with it last time as we started to get a little slap-happy around the second and third day. Watching television wasn’t a good idea as we realized almost every commercial promoted food! Even though most of it isn’t stuff we would ever eat, it all started to look good. We decided that reading was our best bet and I spent lots of time in prayer and meditation.

For me, this isn’t about weight loss, although I put on a few extra pounds over the winter. Cleansing is more for the emotional and spiritual aspects of my life. Spending time with my creator without distractions is my ultimate goal.

2 Simple Ways to Love Your Body

Love Yourself HeartSo often, we get caught up in loving everyone else—our kids, our spouse, our family and friends—that we forget to love ourself.

Take a moment and visualize how that would look—if you loved yourself. How would your outside look? How would your inside look?

What if I told you two simple things you could do to love yourself and change your overall appearance from the inside out? Would you do it?

The two simple changes you will need to make involve eliminating genetically modified foods and increasing your intake of whole, clean foods, such as fruits and vegetables.

Stop eating genetically modified foods because these foods are linked to weight gain, cancer and other health related illnesses. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are plants or animals that have been altered from the original state of the plant or animal and processed into our food. GMOs are found in everything from canned soups to baby formula! In fact, Brian Stoffel wrote an article that details “10 Foods You’ll Have to Give Up to Avoid Eating GMOs.” This article is alarming to say the least.

According to nongmoproject.org, “In the U.S., GMOs are in as much as 80% of conventional processed food. In the U.S., the government has approved GMOs based on studies conducted by the same corporations that created them and profit from their sale. ” This is a scary statistic and practice by our own government, not to mention a deceptive practice given the fact that companies are not mandated to include GMO’s on product ingredient labels. Furthermore, it is embarrassing that more than 60 other developed countries have either put a complete ban on GMOs or strong restrictions. Personally, I am not feeling the love of my country when it comes to GMOs!

According to greenamerica.org, there are nine GMOs to avoid:

  • Soy
  • Cottonseed
  • Corn
  • Canola Oil
  • U.S. Papaya
  • Alfalfa
  • Sugar Beets
  • Milk
  • Aspartame

Look for the NONGMO Project Verified stamp

To be sure your food and products are free of GMO’s, look for the verified label.

Eat more whole, clean foods and experience the freedom and physical and mental transformation of powerful nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fiber and beneficial fats. Your body was created for whole, clean food, so why not give your body what it needs to thrive! The best way to reduce your risk of disease is to eat healthy, and fruits and vegetables are two key food groups known to contribute to better health. Be mindful, though, of fruits and vegetables that may contain harmful pesticides. According to the environmental working group (EWG), there are vegetables and fruits that you should consider buying only organic.

The Clean 15 (the lowest in pesticides): Avocados, Sweet Corn, Pineapples, Cabbage, Sweet Peas (frozen), Onions, Asparagus, Mangos, Papayas, Kiwis, Eggplant, Grapefruit, Cantaloupe, Cauliflower, and Sweet Potatoes

The Dirty Dozen (Buy these Organic): Apples, Peaches, Nectarines, Strawberries, Grapes, Celery, Spinach, Sweet Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes, Snap Peas (imported), Potatoes. PLUS Hot Peppers, Kale, and Collard Greens

In closing, I pray you will choose to love yourself by giving up foods containing GMOs. Experience the freedom of health and wellness that whole, clean foods will provide you.

Is Your Nutritional Bank Account in the Red? Week 39 of 52 Weeks of Wellness

Our body is like a bank account.  We have approximately 3-5 times per day (meals and snacks) to make a deposit. Will it be a good deposit (whole, clean food) or NSF (non sufficient nutrient food)?

Along with deposits, we make withdrawals as well.  We expend energy through daily mental and emotional activity as well as physical.  From a physical standpoint, we run, jog, bike, hike and maybe lift weights which we feel makes us “healthy”. When we expend energy either through emotional or physical activity, this requires additional nutrients from food.  However, it seems stress pushes us towards craving excess NSF’s like sugar, processed foods and caffeine. This creates an even greater nutrient deficit.

For those engaged in high intensity physical activity, these folks focus on high intakes of animal protein based on the belief that our bodies require more and that animal protein creates more muscle than plant foods.  However, there are plenty of research studies that prove antioxidants from fruits, vegetables and greens grow muscle faster than animal protein.

Excess animal food will create yet an even larger antioxidant deficiency.  We then attempt to make up for the deficit by ingesting mass quantities of synthetic supplements adding additional toxins foreign to the body.  Americans are NOT experiencing a vitamin and mineral deficiency, we are experiencing a whole food deficiency mainly from fruits, vegetable and greens!

The latest dietary guidelines state that 50% of our daily intake should be from fruits, vegetables and greens.  We also need to receive the nutrients from a wide variety of these wonderful plants instead of eating the same same 2-3 plant based food choices we gravitate towards.

Week 39 Action Step:

How to we obtain the required 7-13 fruits, veggies and greens per day? Isn’t that virtually impossible Bonnie?  Not at all!

Here are a few tips to challenge you to create positive changes that I hope will help on your journey:

  • Keep fruit out and clean where you can see it.  Place it on the counter in a beautiful basket or bowl, clean and ready to eat.
  • Eat a piece of fruit between meals as most fruits digest better independent of other foods.
  • Bag the potatoes. White potatoes are a low nutrient food so consider switching to sweet potatoes or another root vegetable.  Some of my other favorite root veggies include turnips, daikon radishes, and beets. Check out this super easy recipe for roasted root veggies which is my favorite.
  • Create a Meatless Monday.  Prepare a vegetarian dish like vegetarian chili, bean soup or a veggie wrap or salad.

Next week we’ll delve into more specifics on the benefits of plant phytonutrients.

Are You Unknowingly Keeping Yourself Sick and Miserable? Week 24 of 52 Weeks of Wellness

Are you feeling sick, fatigued or just plain miserable? You should know that…

80% of disease is preventable by lifestyle choices.

Meaning diet and exercise (or FSA as I like to call it, “fun sweaty activity”) is the key. If you continue to believe that there is nothing you can do to prevent disease and you don’t make wellness a priority you could have some serious health issues in the future to combat.

We just finished up talking about how the majority of available “convenience foods” are terrible when it comes to your health. The “Pantry Purge” I suggested you tackle is the first step towards the lifestyle changes necessary.

Squash those temptations

Ridding yourself (and your family) of the opportunity to eat poorly is what I recommend to clients. This isn’t done overnight since it often takes each person time to learn the good and bad when it comes to food.

  1. Start slowly and purge everything that contains the handful of problem ingredients that you know of. Refer back to the week 23 post if you need a reminder of some of the most common things to avoid.
  2. Once you purge the bads tackle replacing those purged items with the whole, clean food alternatives.

A good example of this is the Campbell’s Cream of [insert flavor] soups. Many contain MSG and their sodium levels can also be quite high. Once you’ve gotten rid of those convenient little soup cans you might be at a loss when certain recipes call for the use of one of those cans, say in a casserole recipe.

A solution is this nifty little homemade dry mix that works just as good, yet doesn’t contain all the artificial or chemical stuff. Be sure to use an organic dry milk as well as the cornstarch. Better yet, arrowroot powder is a good substitute for cornstarch.

Planning

This is an obvious one, but planning ahead and takings steps to make your changes more convenient can make or break your attempts. Say you are converting from prepackaged oatmeal to homemade, from scratch oatmeal….

Doing a bit of research on homemade oatmeal can reveal some great ideas for simplifying and even removing cooking all together. Have you heard of overnight oats for example? You mix them up the night before, refrigerate them and in the morning they are ready to eat!

Another preplanning meal tip is make you Quinoa in advance and store it in the fridge (plain) so that you have it ready for breakfast, for making simple afternoon salads and more. Making it ahead saves time rinsing and cooking.

Having things ready to go when hunger strikes gets you fed faster, it takes the stress out of working new healthier foods in your diet and it encourages you to eat those good foods. Read more about time management and wellness here in The Time Management and Cancer Correlation.

Week 24 Action Step:

Pick one or two items to purge and replace and make those items ahead so they are ready to go for you. What items have you picked to purge and replace? What are you replacing them with? Do you have a tip for simplifying their prep? Share with us in the comments below.

Are You Unknowingly Keeping Yourself Sick and Miserable? Belief Without Research – Week 23 of 52 Weeks of Wellness

Are you feeling sick, unhealthy or miserable? Then you are likely (unknowingly?!) doing some counterintuitive health related things that have kind of be ingrained in us.

For the new few weeks I’d like to debunk and discuss these hidden roadblocks to wellness in an attempt to educate and empower for better health and wellness.

To start out I’d like to address the issue of Belief Without Research.

Are you believing the media, ad agencies and food packaging when they tell you what foods are healthy?

So many of us truly believe that the foods in our grocery stores are safe and ignorance is bliss, it’s also extremely detrimental to your health.

Do the words “fat-free”, “sugar-free”, “added fiber”, “All Natural”, “low carb”, “no trans fats” etc. make you feel good about buying a product?The product makers sure hope they do.

In fact, for most products, extensive research studies have been done to formulate the specific wording on and packaging design for products to maximized like-ability. They are literally designed and labeled to get you to buy them, not to inform or disclose product specific information.

Do you really think they have your best interest in mind when ultimately their decisions are stemmed in making money off you?

Usually these healthy claims are to make up for something bad, plus many of the claims aren’t even actually healthy. Why is added fiber better than consuming naturally occurring fiber in foods? Sugar free might seem like a good idea until you consider what the sugar substitute does to the body and your wellness efforts.

If you a blindly buying things based on what you’ve seen without doing due diligence and researching beforehand then this could be why you are feeling sick, unhealthy or miserable.

Don’t trust the food packaging, instead take a look at the listed ingredients for that food product. As a general rule of thumb I steer clear of anything listing:

  • “Natural Flavors”  is another way for food manufacturers to fool you when it comes to disclosing ingredients because “natural flavors” are basically the result of something natural being toyed with in a lab and then put in your food. The flavors can contain any number of undisclosed preservatives, enhancers and the flavoring formulations are proprietary so they want to keep their details a secret.
  • Artificial food colors. These have been shown to lead to allergies, asthma, and hyperactivity; they are possible carcinogens.
  • MSG better known as “monosodium glutamate”. Common allergic and behavioral reactions include headaches, dizziness, chest pains, depression, and mood swings; it is also a possible neurotoxin.
  • High fructose corn syrup or “corn sugar”. These may lead to obesity, dental cavities, diabetes, and hypo glycemia as well as to increased triglycerides (blood fats) or candida (yeast).
  • Preservatives such as BHA, BHT, EDTA, THBQ and others. These may cause allergic reactions, hyperactivity, and possibly cancer; BHT may be toxic to the nervous system and the liver.

Week 23 Action Step:

Do your own “Pantry Purge” and check out the labels of the stuff you already have on hand. How much of it contains the above ingredients? What can these food items be replaced by? Tell us in the comments below.

Chewing your food 100 times…seriously? – Week 22 of 52 Weeks of Wellness

Continuing our journey down the digestive tract, here are a few more tips to assist with digestion. One of my downfalls is that I’m a fast eater. Remember, our stomach doesn’t have teeth so you need to chew thoroughly. The old rule that your grandparents or parents may have instilled to chew 100 times before you swallow is EXTREMELY important to assimilating nutrients. A few more rules of proper digestion is to not read or watch television while you eat. Focus on your food and the amazing wealth of nutrients it is providing (assuming it is!) and enjoy.

One of the reasons I LOVE my Vitamix is that it breaks the foods down for me to release the nutrients to ensure I am receiving everything that I can. If you are not juicing today or making smoothies, I encourage you to try it. Check out my video (can be viewed here) for this super simple starter smoothie.

To assist with proper digestion:

• Eat raw vegetables with every meal preferably organic
• Consider juicing or green smoothies
• Relax, eat slowly, chew well and appreciate your food.
• Consider using a digestive enzyme
• 6-8 glasses of purified water daily (flush toxins)
• Consuming a little lemon juice or apple cider vinegar may help
• Pineapple and papaya are rich in digestive enzymes.
• Consider a fast, juicing or elimination diet.
• Consider liver, colon or gallbladder cleanses.
• Teas of the following can be beneficial: peppermint, ginger, anise, fennel, and chamomile.
• Take a plant-based digestive enzyme specific to your needs. Urinalysis Testing can help you determine which specific enzyme you need to best support your body. We provide healthcare professional grade products (vegan and gluten-free) which are much more powerful and usually safer than conventional retail products.

P.S. Hidden food allergies or sensitivities can trigger issues that often snowball so please, please stop masking and ignoring the body’s cries for help. Common problem foods are dairy, wheat, corn, eggs, preservatives and additives. Symptoms vary from person to person ranging from minor stomach discomfort, skin problems, etc. to more severe bloating, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea.

Let me know what changes you made this week. Are you taking time to chew your food? Or did you make a green or fruit smoothie? Tell us in the comments below!

Week 22 Action Step:

Reduce digestive stress by slowing down to chew your food (yes, 100 times), by putting real thought in to what you are preparing and serving and by avoiding problematic foods. Easing the digestive stress is as simple as taking it one suggestion at a time and implementing one thing at a time. Just start now and continue to make those positive changes.