nutrition

Benefits of Digestive Health Testing

February 13, 2024/in Health Issues

There are numerous benefits of Digestive Health Testing utilizing a digestive health test with 24-hour urine collection. This benefits clients seeking to understand and improve their gut health. Loomis is a well-known provider of functional medicine tests, and their digestive health test can provide valuable insights into an individual’s digestive system. Here are some of the benefits a client can experience:

Comprehensive Assessment

The 24-hour urine collection test allows for a more comprehensive assessment of digestive health compared to traditional tests. It analyzes various biomarkers, metabolites, and gut byproducts, providing a detailed overview of gut function and overall digestive health.

Personalized Recommendations

The test results from Loomis can offer personalized recommendations based on the individual’s unique digestive profile. This means that clients receive tailored dietary and lifestyle advice that can help optimize their gut health and address specific digestive issues they may be facing.

Identification of Gut Imbalances

The test can detect imbalances in the gut microbiome and identify potential dysbiosis or overgrowth of harmful bacteria. By identifying these imbalances, clients can take targeted actions to restore a healthy balance in their gut and alleviate symptoms associated with gut imbalances.

Insight into Nutritional Absorption

The test can provide insights into how well the client’s body is absorbing essential nutrients from their diet. Poor nutrient absorption can lead to various health problems, and this test can help pinpoint any deficiencies and guide appropriate supplementation or dietary changes.

Monitoring of Progress

For clients undergoing balancing or support for gut-related conditions, the 24-hour urine collection test can serve as a valuable monitoring tool. Regular testing allows healthcare providers and clients to track progress and adjust treatment plans as necessary to achieve better outcomes.

Early Detection of Digestive Issues

The test can help identify potential digestive issues before they manifest as severe health problems. Early detection allows clients to take proactive measures to address the underlying causes, leading to better long-term health.

Holistic Approach to Gut Health

Loomis’ digestive health test takes a holistic approach to gut health, considering factors such as diet, lifestyle, and the gut microbiome. This comprehensive perspective allows clients to understand the interconnectedness of various aspects of their health and how they impact digestive function.

Empowerment and Informed Decision-Making

Armed with comprehensive test results, clients are empowered to make informed decisions about their health. They gain a better understanding of their digestive system, allowing them to make positive changes that can lead to improved overall well-being.

Conclusion

Using Loomis’ digestive health test with 24-hour urine collection can be a game-changer for individuals seeking to optimize their gut health. From comprehensive assessment and personalized recommendations to early detection of issues and empowerment through informed decision-making, this test offers clients valuable insights and tools to achieve better digestive health and overall wellness.

Am I Ready to Lose Weight?

March 13, 2021/in Health Issues

We see it every year as the New Year approaches. People start their journey before determining: Am I Ready to Lose Weight? We assess our health and start making resolutions for the new year. People all across the country jump on the weight-loss bandwagon, only to fall off in a couple of weeks, or for some, a few days. We all know someone who walks into the local gym, registers, pays, and never returns.

For your weight-loss plan to succeed, you must be ready to take on the challenge and make the life changes that will help set you up for long-term success. It’s important to evaluate your reasons for wanting to lose weight. Is the timing right for you? What are your expectations? Your answers to these questions can either keep you on your path or derail your efforts before you even begin. Knowing that you need to make changes in your life and actually doing it are two different things. To see if you are ready to make a commitment, take this quiz. This could be key before you spend your time, energy, and financial resources.

WEIGHT LOSS READINESS QUIZ

Are you ready to lose weight? Your attitude about weight loss affects your ability to succeed. Take this Readiness Quiz to learn if you need to make any adjustments before you begin. Mark each item True or False. Be honest. It’s important that your answers reflect the way you really are, not how you would like to be.

___ I have thought a lot about my eating habits and physical activities to pinpoint what I need to change.
___I have accepted the idea that I need to make permanent, not temporary, changes in my eating and activities to be successful.
___I will only feel successful if I lose a lot of weight.
___I accept the idea that it’s best if I lose weight slowly.
___I’m thinking of losing weight now because I really want to, not because someone else thinks I should.
___ I think losing weight will solve other problems in my life.
___I am willing and able to increase my regular physical activity.
___I can lose successfully if I have no “slip-ups.”
___I am ready to commit some time and effort each week to organizing and planning my food and activity programs.
___Once I lose some initial weight, I usually lose the motivation to keep going until I reach my goal.
___ I want to start a weight-loss program even though my life is unusually stressful right now.

SCORING THE WEIGHT LOSS READINESS QUIZ

To score the quiz, look at your answers to items 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9. Score “1” if you answered “true” and“0” if you answered “false.”
For items 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, score “0” for each true answer and “1” for each false answer.
To get your total score, add the scores for all. If you scored 8 or higher, you probably have good reasons for wanting to lose weight now and a good understanding of the steps needed to succeed.

Safe Proven Weight Loss Solutions

We also have proven product systems to help you on your journey to a leaner body. The Lean Body System is easy and tastes amazing! Trim comes in 4 delicious flavors as Coconut Lime, Lemon, Vanilla, and decadent Chocolate (which tastes like pudding). as It can assist you to:

Accelerate Fat Reduction
Promote Lean Body Composition
Boost Metabolism
Burn More Calories
Increases Energy

Most people are more successful when they seek the help of a professional with a background in nutrition and personal experience. I would love to help you when you are ready. Call or text us at 812-461-8922 to get started or learn more here.

Broccoli Cauliflower Apple Salad recipe salad

Broccoli Cauliflower and Apple Salad Recipe

May 24, 2020/in Healthy Recipes

This Broccoli Cauliflower and Apple Salad is a light healthy salad for a picnic or summer holiday event. This recipe contains all raw vegetables and is nutrient dense. As always, use organic. You are worth it.

Ingredients

1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

1 1/2 cups of chopped broccoli

1 1/2 cups of chopped cauliflower

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup raisins

1 medium gala apple chopped

Dressing

2 Tablespoons of sugar, I used coconut palm sugar

2 Tablespoons of red wine vinegar

1-2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 Tablespoon Walnut oil (or olive oil)

1/4 cup Vegenaise

1/4 tsp pink Himalayan salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp ground ginger

Shock the onions in an ice water bath for 10 minutes to temper the sharp flavor. Pat dry before adding to the salad.
Place the broccoli, cauliflower, apple, onions, walnuts, and raisins in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss.
ENJOY!

I love a good, raw salad on a warm day. What is your favorite salad? If you answered Potato Salad then you HAVE to try this Cauliflower Egg Salad recipe! Follow us on Facebook for more yummy recipes.

Worried About the Mystery Virus? Don’t Panic…Prepare!

October 13, 2014/1 Comment/in Healthy Products

Chances are you have heard about the mystery virus that is now in at least 18 states and has prompted the hospitalization of thousands of young children with respiratory symptoms, including asthma-like breathing problems. Today, I will shed some light on what this “mystery” is, and what you can do to prepare yourself and your family for this and other viruses (e.g. colds and flu) that take hold this time of year.

According to Web MD, the “mystery virus” virus is known as Enterovirus D68. It was first identified in this country in 1962. Several sources like Web MD and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), report that they don’t know why Enterovirus D68 is on the rise this year. Additionally, they can’t tell us why this hardy virus has presented with an intensified impact on the lungs; especially in children that already have a history of asthma.

What we do know, is that it starts out as a typical cold with a runny nose, sneezing, and then coughing. Typically the wheezing and breathing difficulties start fairly soon; often two or three days from the onset of cold-like symptoms. While a fever can be part of this illness, at the present time, it has been reported that only 25-30% of children who end up being diagnosed with this virus actually experienced fever as a symptom. EV-D68 is spread by coming in contact with an infected person’s saliva, nasal secretions, or sputum. It appears that older people may have immunity to this virus due to previous exposures to it. That is one reason why this is being seen predominantly in children. If there is a concern about your child’s symptoms, seek appropriate medical attention promptly, because as of early October, 2 children have died from complications of this virus, and at least ten have experienced paralysis.

What can we do for prevention?

Here are a few prevention strategies that have helped reduce my occurrence of viruses, colds, and flu.

Cut the junk out of your diet and the diets of those you love. Sugar suppresses the immune system’s ability to function at the cellular level.
Eat more whole, clean foods. Consider taking a “superfood” like Modere Phytogreens.
Drink plenty of purified water.
Obtain the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep nightly.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Spend enough time lathering and rinsing that you can sing “The Happy Birthday Song” before you dry them. Note: It is NOT recommended to use hand sanitizers to achieve the results you need. Chemical hand sanitizers can destroy the necessary good bacteria.
Do not allow the sharing of cups and utensils.
Encourage coughing into a tissue (and discarding it); or, if one is not available, people can cough into the crook of their arm.

Oatmeal Pancakes or Waffles

August 29, 2014/in Healthy Recipes

Many of you asked – so here’s the recipe for our favorite pancakes. As a bonus, they are gluten-free as well. My son and I LOVE them.

1/3 cup each: cornmeal, millet flour and coconut flour

1 cup rolled oats (quick)

1 tbsp basking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

2 farm-raised eggs, slightly beaten

1 1/2 cup organic soy or almond milk

4 tbsp butter, melted

2 tbsp brown sugar

In large mixing bowl, stir together cornmeal, millet flour, coconut flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; set aside. In small mixing bowl, stir stir together eggs, milk, butter, and brown sugar. Add to dry mixture. Stir until well blended. Pour batter onto preheated griddle or pan. Serve only with pure maple syrup!

Health Issues from IBS

May 8, 2013/in Health Issues

Health Issues from IBS

I remember like it was yesterday waking in the middle of the night in extreme pain. Many nights were spent lying on the bathroom floor in tears. The dilemma was “not knowing which end was up” as my dad would say. Would it be vomiting from the pain and constipation or would it be diarrhea? The options were not good! My life and career were impacted as I would schedule my travel dates around my menstrual cycle as I knew the symptoms would be most severe during these times. It seriously impacted my ability to function at home and at work.

What is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a disease, it is a functional disorder. This means that the bowel is not working as it should. Women typically experience more severe symptoms than men due to menstruation. IBS is also known as spastic colon and impacts about 20-50% of the population.

Symptoms of IBS

IBS is characterized by its symptoms: chronic but intermittent lower abdominal pain or discomfort in association with diarrhea, chronic constipation, or both. Gas and bloating are common, but vomiting isn’t, though it can occur due to nausea from the pain and constipation.

IBS attacks may strike suddenly at any time of day or night and may occasionally wake you from a sound sleep. Unfortunately, for me, this was the norm. So besides the painful symptoms, I was missing critical sleep which ensured the next day would not be good, and was setting my body up for long-term health issues from lack of sleep.

So, what did I do to overcome IBS?

Again, this is what worked for me and each of our bodies is unique. Well, the medications didn’t work. They only added ” insult to injury” by adding additional toxins to my body. Although I could write a book on all my wellness lifestyle changes over the years, I will share a few key concepts to my healing.

First, I kicked the caffeine habit and removed soft drinks, black teas, and coffee from my diet. Caffeine creates an acidic environment in the body which increases inflammation and pain. Caffeine also stresses the body which would escalate symptoms.

Second, I eliminated sugar. Remember, it is not just the obvious (cookies, candy, soda) that is the culprit. It is the hidden sugars that we don’t consider or aren’t obvious. Read ingredient labels on ketchup, salad dressings, bread, crackers, etc. High fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, sucralose, aspartame, etc. are all forms of sugar. White bread, rice, and pasta convert to sugar in our body which creates inflammation. Even certified organic foods may contain large amounts of sugar.

Next, I incorporated “raw and live” foods such as fruits, vegetables, and greens which were either fresh or frozen. At that time my idea of eating fruits and vegetables was canned corn and green beans. Canned foods are “dead” foods because they lack enzymes and nutrients key to allowing our body to heal naturally. Organic foods are best or local produce that has not been heavily sprayed with herbicides and pesticides. Try your local Farmer’s Market or consider a service like Misfits Market outside of growing season.

Lastly, I started drinking more water. At least 8-10 glasses per day of purified or distilled (NOT tap). Water is a major component of healing and detox.

Regarding supplements, two key components for IBS are prebiotics and probiotics along with digestive enzymes. I found a combination of pre, pro and postbiotics along with a digestive enzyme to get you started. I recommend digestive health testing to determine specifics, but these are great products to get your started and get relief.

Again, these are just a few of the changes I made that made a difference. There is no “magic pill” that will make it go away. It takes positive and consistent changes to your diet. If you want a comprehensive plan from someone who has been there and doesn’t want to figure it out the hard way, I would love to help. Book a Wellness Strategy here. We would love to hear what worked for you.

Banana Blueberry Overnight Oats

January 25, 2013/2 Comments/in Healthy Recipes

Banana Blueberry Overnight Oats

A submitted recipe by Wendy Nugent, published with permission.

This is basically my version of Overnight Oats In A Jar from a website called skinnytaste.com. I have been eating this as a quick go-to breakfast, but still felt like I was lacking in the protein department. I like to eat my oats cold, but some people like to take it out of the refrigerator for a few minutes before they eat it, to take the “chill” out. Let me know what you think!

2 Tbsp Modere Pure Vanilla Slim Shake or your favorite plant-based protein powder
1 cup Unsweetened Almond milk
1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats (Instant works ok too if that is all you have on hand)
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1/4 ripe banana, sliced (I slice, bag, and throw the rest in the freezer)
1/4 cup fresh organic blueberries
Dash cinnamon
1-2 Tbsp chopped nuts of choice, optional (almonds, pecans, walnuts are all great options) Be sure to soak them overnight for optimal absorption!

I start by adding the Modere Pure Vanilla Slim Shake with part of the milk and whisk with a fork, then add the remainder of the milk to get a smooth consistency. Then add the remaining ingredients except for the nuts (if using) and stir. Let sit in a covered container overnight and when ready to enjoy, top with chopped nuts of choice. The mixture might still be a little lumpy, but by morning it should be smooth. If not, just give it a quick stir in the morning and you are good to go.

This is so good and really keeps me feeling satisfied until lunch. I might still have a mid-morning snack, but most of the time I make it to lunch without feeling famished.

How to Lose Weight Without Dieting

January 18, 2013/in Healthy Products

Many women accept their weight because of their age especially if they are over forty. Some may use their age as a reason why they have lost all control of their body (and sometimes their mind!). I’m here to tell you that you can be at your ideal weight no matter what your age.

I know because I did it in my forties and it was a pretty simple process if you take one step at a time.

First step is to eliminate processed food. I chose REAL, WHOLE foods grown naturally or certified organic and preferably non-GMO. Eliminating pesticides and herbicides reduces the toxic load to your body. Besides what is excess weight? Mostly toxins.

Second step is to eliminate or reduce gluten and dairy.

Next, I learned portion control. I used a measuring cup instead of a serving spoon. I would play a game that if I normally ate one cup (if that were a suggested serving size), I would cut the amount down by a third.

A majority of the time I was more than satisfied which brings us to the next key to weight loss, satiation. Satiation means learning to eat until satisfied instead of until you are full. Most people eat until they are full which means you have over eaten. Eat your one serving, put your plate in the dishwasher and step away from the food sources. Let your food digest by resting for 10-20 minutes and go for a family walk.
However please note that I NEVER deprived myself and listened to my body. If I truly needed more food, I ate it. If I had an intense workout and my body needed fuel, I fed it with whole, clean food.

Hydration is key and tracking your daily intake helps as few people are properly hydrated and many are severely dehydrated. Water is the best method to remove toxins from the body and also creates a feeling of fullness. It can provide us with energy and so we rely less on food to provide. What I had to learn is the difference between hunger and thirst, which can be a bit tricky at first. Drink purified water all day long by carrying a water bottle with you everywhere.

Eating raw foods with my meal or preferably before the meal like a small salad or a handful of raw veggies is beneficial for a couple of reasons.

First benefit is that raw foods contain live enzymes. Most women over 40 have a diminished ability to produce enzymes which connects back to excess weight. A lack of digestive enzymes means your food isn’t breaking food into nutrients to be assimilated and isn’t allowing proper elimination (constipation).

Second, statistically, we know that consuming a small salad before a meal cuts down your caloric intake by 15%. Just remember to pass on the conventional salad dressing laden with fat and preservatives by making your own. Request my free recipe book if you need ideas.

Another simple tip is to replace a meal with a plant-based (not whey) non-GMO, gluten-free protein drink. The statistics here again tell us this is a good way to reduce weight assuming it is a quality source. I use and recommend Modere Pure Vanilla Meal Replacement Powder.

Next is the dreaded requirement of weight loss: exercise. I prefer to call it FSA (fun, sweaty activity). Find something to do that is fun and makes you sweat. Yoga is something that I really love along with hiking with my family and bulldog. When you find something you love, it’s no longer grueling or hard.

A few things I did NOT do are count calories or points or add toxic “weight-loss” products into my body. Counting things doesn’t teach you how to listen to your body or how to enjoy whole foods and life while achieving your wellness goals. Putting more toxins in your body from dangerous weight-loss products will create much bigger health issues down the road. God gave us everything we need in nature to keep our bodies balanced.

Most importantly, I stopped worrying about what people would think if I didn’t eat the same things they did. I respected myself and the body God gave me and decided to finally treat it like a temple (and stop treating it like a garage).

I’m in my early 50’s and have more energy and feel better now than I ever did in my 30’s.

If you have some keys to your weight-loss success, I would love to hear what worked for you. Or if you need a little help, please call or email at info@brenewed.com.

How to Keep Your Dog Healthy

December 13, 2012/2 Comments/in Healthy Living

I wish someone would have shared how to keep your dog healthy long before he was diagnosed with cancer. Along with the information on which dog breeds are genetically more susceptible to disease and cancer.

Providing your pets the safest and cleanest products and environment available is an absolute must, especially if they are more susceptible to disease or cancer. Most products we use for our baby (an 80-pound Boxer) are human grade as the standards are much higher. You can read more about Beau’s story here if you haven’t been following it.

Beau, our 13 year old Boxer, was first diagnosed with a mast cell tumor when he was around 5 years old. Boxers have a strong predisposition for cancer which I didn’t realize until he was diagnosed. Our vet was able to remove the tumor and from that point on we put him on a protocol similar to one I would suggest for my (human) clients. If you are considering owning a boxer (they actually own YOU), or any dog, this is what I would recommend helping reduce the risks of cancer and disease.

Beau’s Food Blend:
(fed twice daily)

1 part Taste of Wild dog food dry. Taste of the Wild is a Protein based food, not a grain based.
1 part Taste of the Wild dog food canned food OR
1 part raw and cooked beef, turkey, chicken free of hormones or antibiotics
Raw Goat milk (purchased a share from a local farmer). This is a complete food and full of natural probiotics. There are many amazing health benefits to raw goat milk as it is even used as a substitute for breast milk when a mother can’t breastfeed or needs to supplement.
Coconut Oil 1 Tablespoon (coconut oil absorbs into the body best with protein)

Beau receives the following general supplements in his food blend twice daily:

1 dropper full of Animal Maintenance Formula (Pure Herbs)
Juice Plus Fruit and Vegetable blend capsules (Open capsules and sprinkle over food)
Fish oil capsule (human grade)- He would chew like a dog treat and/or
1 VSCLR enzymes from Loomis (to break down the food to enable him to better assimilate)

The following are Chinese Herbs from our holistic vet are specific to Beau’s needs. Thank you to the caring staff at Ark Vet, including Dr. Margie Garrett, Leslie and vet tech, Laura.

Hindquarter weakness blend – Tonify Kidney, strengthen back and hind limbs, move Qi, relieve pain
Xin Yi San – nasal symptoms caused by nasal tumor
Jin Suo Gu Jing – kidney & liver support (crucial for all cancer and disease)
Gui Pi Wan – supports the spleen

Water: Reverse osmosis or purified water (never straight tap water due to chlorine and other chemicals)

Morning Snack

Green Smoothie: (whatever I drink, he drinks excluding grapes which are toxic to dogs).

He drinks 2-4 ounces typically. Mix in Vitamix: 8 oz water, 1-2 cups of greens typically kale, spinach, chard, or romaine with carrots, celery with berries, and apple. Dogs need the live enzymes, phytonutrients, and probiotics that raw produce offers.

Snacks throughout the afternoon:

Raw green beans, zucchini, apples, or banana – basically anything I eat, he eats. Note: grapes, onions, raisins, and pecans are toxic to dogs.
Organic fruit, apple with nut butter or pear
Occasionally, organic yogurt (plain, unsweetened) or organic cottage cheese.

Misc. Needs:

From hygiene to pet ailments, we’ve managed to find plenty of good natural alternatives and procedures that helped. Here is a breakdown of how we naturally care for our dog, Beau:

- Shampoo: Organic (human) baby shampoo. If it is good enough for your baby, it’s good enough for mine.
- Flea/Tick repellant: We finally succumbed to a more conventional flea/tick product called Revolution as in 2012 we had fleas for the first time ever. Revolution is safer than the other two conventional flea/tick products on the market.
- Toys: We purchased human/baby toys as the standards were higher. Dog toys, especially plastics, were avoided because of the materials, chemical colors/dyes, etc. Especially for the first three years when Beau ATE every toy we gave him!
- Fitness/ Exercise: Sick animals often do not get the level of activity they require, the remedy for us was Hydrotherapy Treatments – Beau walked in the underwater treadmill for 15 minutes every 7-10 days. This helped tremendously to rebuild lost muscle in his hindquarter area. Laura, his Vet Tech, is fabulous and helped acclimate him to the process.
- Stress Relief: We own an infrared dome and infrared pad. He loved the pad but the Dome scared him (not sure why) so it was hard to get him under it. The pad is good but only emits one-third of the microns versus the dome. We placed it primarily on his hindquarter area to reduce stress.
- Vaccines: We would give him only the required minimal dose for rabies according to our holistic vet’s recommendations. We so appreciate our vet supporting us in our decision to keep him free of unnecessary toxins.

We also take great care to limit his exposure to cleaning and household toxins Your dog’s nose is super sensitive so protect them by NOT using toxic chemicals in your home. Think about their feet touching the floor and what they eat from it. Avoid Swiffer cleaners, air fresheners, or plugs ins as they are toxic to pets and humans. My motto is, if I can’t eat it or drink it, I’m not cleaning with it!

Although this process may seem extreme to most, we treat our animals with the same love and respect we would treat anyone that came into our home. Our pets are worth the time, effort, and few extra dollars spent based on the love and happiness they provide. If you agree or have questions about our protocol, please comment below.

How to Prevent Hormone Imbalances

November 27, 2012/2 Comments/in Healthy Products

Are you hormones out of balance? Do you know what hormone imbalance looks and feels like? Symptoms range from mood issues, PMS, infertility and more, but these symptoms are just a few that women “deal with” and consider just part of being a woman. However, I am excited to share the fact that many of the negative symptoms relating to a woman’s reproductive health can be minimized or even avoided!

Symptoms of Imbalance

Menopause

Did you know, two-thirds of women suffer from menopausal symptoms?

As women age, hormone levels become imbalanced as the body produces less of them. Estrogen and progesterone, the two primary hormones, work together to perform their many and complex functions. Between the ages of 45-50, most women will cease to have a menstrual period, and this marks the beginning of the official menopause phase.

Symptoms of menopause can include hot flashes, night sweats, moodiness, and more. During this time is usually when women seek the advice of their physician or natural health practitioner for help to battle the “changes” of the phase.

Hot Flashes

Hot flashes occur when blood vessels near the skin’s surface expand to cool the body. They are the most frequent symptom of menopause and pre-menopause as two-thirds of all women suffer from them. Hot flash symptoms may include a red face, sweating, increased heartbeat, or chills. If they occur at night, they are called night sweats. Did you know that stress, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, tight clothing, heat, and smoke from tobacco products can trigger hot flashes?

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

About 85% of women experience the misery of PMS symptoms (around 10% can be severe), and these symptoms, just like menopause symptoms, can be reduced greatly. Symptoms occur during or before the menstrual cycle which can include bloating, weight gain, aggression, cloudy thinking, head or backaches, cravings, anxiety, mood swings, and more. PMS is correlated to the body being out of balance, specifically the hormones progesterone and estrogen.

Balancing hormones with whole food nutrition

How would you like to experience freedom from the miserable symptoms of Menopause and PMS? To put the body back in balance you must choose whole, clean, unprocessed food, especially fruits, vegetables, and green leafies. What do I mean by whole, clean food? Whole, clean food is the stuff straight from God and nature without additives, preservatives, pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This means vine-ripened (picked at peak nutrient levels versus being picked green) or certified organic fruits and vegetables. According to the USDA, half of your daily intake of food should be from fruits, vegetables, and greens, which is approximately 7-13 servings! Are you getting a variety of these on a daily basis?

In addition to whole, clean fruits and vegetables, we must not forget the importance of nuts and seeds (raw, unsalted) to supply fiber, protein, and essential fatty acids (EFA’s). These essential fatty acids are crucial to hormone regulation. Nature provides these essentials through a variety of foods:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, cold-pressed
Butter or ghee (from grass-fed, antibiotic, hormone-free animals)
Borage oil
Hemp seeds or oil
Nuts and nut butters especially almond and walnut
Coconut Oil
Flax seeds and oils
Seafood: wild (not farm-raised) cold-water fish and oils such as sardines and salmon.

As a necessary, basic component for balanced hormones, the body requires Essential Fatty Acids (g00d fats). Personally, I use a minimum of 2-4 Tablespoons per day of the oils listed above and strive to use different ones each week to ensure I receive a variety as each has unique properties. Additionally, EFA’s are necessary for the production of prostaglandins, which are the precursors to hormones. Prostaglandins are important for the regulation of many bodily functions:

Inflammation, pain, and swelling
Blood pressure and heart function
Kidney function and balance
Allergic response
Immune response
Nerve transmission
Hormones
Steroid production and hormone synthesis
Blood clotting and red blood cell/platelet aggregation (stickiness)

The good prostaglandins prevent blood cells from sticking together, which leads to improved blood flow and reduced inflammation, therefore, reduced pain.

In summary, eating whole, clean, processed foods and increasing or adding EFA’s are two small foundational steps to balance the body and hormones. What foods have you found that help balance the body when it comes to hormone health or what foods have you learned to avoid? Tell us in the comments below.

The Alarm

January 12, 2012/in Healthy Products

I woke up before the alarm today, thank God. I really despise alarms. Alarms are loud, set our nerves on end, disrupt us from our focus (usually much-needed sleep), and force us to take action immediately.

My first thought this morning was that this is just like our health. The alarm signifies our “wake up” call. We may have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis or God forbid cancer.

Every day we make choices. We either say YES to health and NO to disease/sickness or we say YES to disease/sickness and NO to health. There really is no in between.

We can take action DAILY before the “alarm” goes off by drinking water to rejuvenate us in the morning instead of caffeine (that further stresses our body and interferes with our immune system).

We can take action by sleeping the 7-9 hours that our bodies demand.

We can take time to prepare REAL food. We can say YES to eating whole, clean (preservative, additive, hormone-free) food and NO to processed, dead, sugar-laden food. We can also say YES to making health a priority for our children by teaching them what whole, clean food is!

We can say YES to fun, sweaty activity (i.e. exercise) for at least 20 minutes per day and NO to the television or our other numerous forms of technology.

We can STOP thinking food is RECREATION and start thinking of how it SHOULD serve and feed our body and cells.

The deficits continue to build in our body or should I say in our weakened immune system. We are creating long-term “nutritional debt” (and you thought the national economic debt was bad) which is getting ready to trigger the “alarm”.

Remember, once the “alarm” goes off, it will be much harder to turn it off than to prevent it from sounding in the first place.

Taking small steps every single day IS the answer to saying YES to health and NO to disease/sickness.

Because ultimately saying YES to health is about changing lives forever. People who experience good health also experience a fulfilled and satisfying life! What steps are you taking daily to ensure good health?

Healthy Turkey Black Bean Soup

November 26, 2011/in Healthy Recipes

Thanksgiving Recipes: Turkey Black Bean Soup

What to do with leftover turkey? This is my favorite recipe and it is so easy. Another delicious idea is to add a scoop of leftover mashed potatoes or my gluten-free cornbread stuffing when serving. My favorite is the stuffing!

Ingredients:

1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
2 cups of cubed cooked turkey
1 can black beans or 2 cups cooked
16 ounces of low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 onion chopped
2-4 cloves of garlic minced
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp cayenne pepper (add more or less to taste)

Chopped cilantro (optional)

Saute onion, garlic. celery and carrots together in coconut oil or other heat-stable oil. When onions are translucent and carrots are soft, add all remaining ingredients. Let simmer for one hour, serve, top with cilantro, and enjoy!