The Dangers of MSG

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…

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Strawberry Energy Bites Recipe

Strawberry Energy Bites Recipe

The hardest part for my clients is giving up sugar, sweets, and desserts. So I like to offer alternatives to dessert that contains cleaner ingredients. Most cakes, cookies, or any sweets contain either genetically engineered corn syrup or hydrogenated oils on top of high amounts of sugar. Strawberry energy bites are a wonderful healthy guilt-free treat you can feel good about putting in your body! Incorporating fruit or other plants is always the best choice with desserts. Strawberries contain a broad array of nutritional benefits. Strawberries are packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamins C and K, folate, potassium, manganese, and magnesium. They are low-calorie, fiber-rich, and abundant…

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12 Natural Solutions for 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…

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12 Ways I Survived Allergy Season

I suffered with severe seasonal allergies and asthma for years.  My symptoms ranged from annoying to debilitating at times.  I had itchy eyes, runny nose, and 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 the 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 built my immune system back up.  The most important…

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How to Prevent Cancer with Cruciferous Vegetables – Week 40 of 52 Weeks of Wellness

In our quest to increase our plant food intake, let's take a closer look at cruciferous vegetables. It is vital to understand the benefits especially for individuals with cancer as it can greatly benefit those who incorporate them into into their daily dietary regimen. You’ve heard me say it before, whoever eats the most fruits, vegetables and greens at the end of the day, WINS! First, what does the word cruciferous actually mean? Cruciferous is defined as plants related to the mustard family; a plant with four leaves; and or a plant bearing the resemblance of a cross. Cruciferous vegetables contain phytochemicals, which are non-nutritive plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventive…

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

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,…

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

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.…

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

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…

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

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…

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The KISS Rule for Digestion – Week 21 of 52 Weeks of Wellness

The KISS Rule for Digestion- Week 21 of 52 Weeks of Wellness Now that we know how the digestive system works and the importance of removing additives, preservatives, sugar, fats that the body can’t or will struggle to digest, here are a few Keep It SIMPLE Sweetie (not a fan of the other S word) tips to improve digestion and reduce symptoms connected with poor digestion. How to reduce or eliminate digestive issues: Avoid processed, instant, sugar-laden, chemical-laden, hydrogenated/trans fats, “lifeless” foods Avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, soda Avoid antacids Reduce or eliminate drinking iced or hot liquids immediately before, during or 30 minutes after a meal. Consider drinking 4…

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