Week 18: Top (food) Toxins to Avoid – 52 Weeks of Wellness

Top (food) Toxins to Avoid- Week 18 of 52 Weeks of Wellness We’ve covered MSG and chemical sweeteners in the past few weeks but there are many others to be aware of. The food we eat could have one or more of the more than five hundred chemical pesticides routinely used in conventional farming. Pollutants in the air, water and soil including toxic levels of mercury and arsenic contaminate our waterways and impact our health. Anything that filters through the environment ultimatly infiltrates our bodies. Pollutants store in our tissues causing damage to our immune system impairing our ability to digest, absorb and utilize the nutrients we consume. Pesticides…

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Aztec Salad

Aztec Salad

Mouth Watering Aztec Salad   This delicious salad is also a visual feast. The rainbow of color found in this recipe's ingredients provides you with an abundance of nutrients essential for building a strong, healthy immune system. Makes 4 servings Ingredients: 2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced 1 red or yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced 1 15-ounce can corn, drained, or 1 10-ounce bag frozen corn, thawed 2 tomatoes, diced 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional) 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar 2 tablespoons distilled or cider vinegar juice of 1 lemon or lime…

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Educate yourself about gluten for National Celiac Awareness month

May is National Celiac Awareness month.  Did you know an estimated 1 in 133 people in the United States are living with celiac disease, a digestive disorder triggered by intolerance to gluten? Gluten can be problematic for all of us, even the non-celiac sufferers as Mark Hyman MD wrote about in his recent post, Gluten: What You Don't Know Might Kill You. He said: "Something you're eating may be killing you, and you probably don't even know it! If you eat cheeseburgers or French fries all the time or drink six sodas a day, you likely know you are shortening your life. But eating a nice dark, crunchy slice of…

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Week 17: Hold on to those brain cells! – 52 Weeks of Wellness

Hold on to those brain cells!- Week 17 of 52 Weeks of Wellness MSG or monosodium glutamate is an addictive flavor enhancer used in many processed foods. It can be listed under 20-30 different names so it is very difficult to detect. Those warm, fuzzy ingredient names such as natural flavorings, spices and seasonings can do some major damage to our body. One major concern with MSG is that it has been labeled an excitotoxin. You may remember reading in week 8 we learned that according to Neurosurgeon, Dr. Russell Blaylock, M.D., Neurosurgeon, says excitotoxins like MSG, overstimulate neural cells and cause other nervous system issues. MSG causes brain…

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Week 16: “Can’t Stop Eating Them”! MSG Manipulates & Harms – 52 Weeks of Wellness

The Toxins in Our Foods - “Can’t Stop Eating Them”! MSG Manipulates & Harms - Week 16 of 52 Weeks of Wellness Many think MSG or Monosodium glutamate  is a preservative or that it contains nutritional value, they are mistaken. MSG is used in the food industry as a “flavor enhancer” which is a BIG red flag. If you have to enhance the flavor of something, there’s something wrong with it. 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 in week 8 we learned that "according to Neurosurgeon,…

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Are you Toxic?

Are you toxic? A better question would be, "is your body toxic".  Living in the world today, everyone has some level of toxicity. I strive to detox my body at least three times per year. Or some do when the seasons change so it's easier to remember. I don't recommend a single organ cleanse but all major organs including the brain. These comprehensive detoxes are most effective. I have clients start with a simple 14 day protocol and once they get the hang of it and realize how easy it is, I encourage them to continue for a full month. What are the different types of toxins? Heavy…

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Are you Toxic? Take the Quiz!

Are you Toxic? Take the Quiz! We've, been discussing toxicity lately so I thought I'd share this fun quiz on toxicity. Take the quiz and add up your points. At the end check out your score to see if you are toxic. 1. How many servings of fruits or vegetables do you consume? 1 per day = 1, 3 per day = -1, 5+ per day = -2 2. How often do you consume whole grains (such as brown or wild rice, millet, quinoa or barley) and/or natural fiber? almost never = 3, once a week= 2, 3 times a week = 1, at least once a day=…

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Week 15: The Toxins in Our Foods – What is the big deal about MSG anyway? – 52 Weeks of Wellness

The Toxins in Our Foods - What is the big deal about MSG anyway? - Week 15 of 52 Weeks of Wellness I was asked by a cardiologist what are the top three additives to avoid in food. My response was high fructose corn syrup, MSG (monosodium glutamate) and chemical sugars. His response was , “Good answer.” Sounds like one savvy cardiologist to me! Since we covered chemical sweeteners in February, let’s look at Monosodium Glutamate next. First, before we can dive into the problems behind the use of MSG we must first understand what it is. MSG = Monosodium glutamate | Steer Clear! According to The Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients:…

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Health Issues from Toxicity

Your Body's Cry For Help: Toxicity Have you been feeling healthy lately?  If you find yourself suffering from sickness or fatigue you may not be eating for optimal wellness. Are you... Feeling tired, sluggish, lethargic Having trouble concentrating and staying focused Experiencing headaches Experiencing joint pain Catch colds easy Having trouble sleeping Suffering from bad breath Emitting an unpleasant body odor Having frequent gas, bloating or indigestion Suffering from allergies and/or food sensitivities Noticing skin problems like acne, psoriasis, eczema Experiencing constipation and other gastrointestinal irregularities Feeling depressed, irritable or noticing mood changes Having recurrent respiratory problems Suffering from back pain, hemorrhoids or sinus congestion These are common…

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Week 14: The Fiber Dilemma – 52 Weeks of Wellness

Week 14: The Fiber Dilemma This month as part of the 52 Weeks of Wellness program we are discussing real sources of fiber, and why it’s crucial to our diet. Last week we learned what fiber is specifically and how it aids the body.  We also discussed increasing fiber intake for optimal health and I cautioned against popping the fiber supplements as a quick fix to fiber deficiencies. The absolute best way to go about increasing fiber intake is through consumption of plant foods.  Fruits, vegetables (don't forget green leafys), whole grains, nuts and seeds because they often contain both types of beneficial fiber. However, fiber isn't the only…

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