Health - The Baby Carrot Revelation

Every time I turn around I learn something new.  It never ceases to amaze me what I DON'T know.. sometimes I think I couldn't possibly have lived almost 53 years and never have had any of this occur to me before.  Today I am referring to carrots. 

Now I kind of thought if it came from the earth and was sold at the grocery store, it was "natural".  Yes,  know that there are pesticides used in farming that stay in the food so I did a lot of research about what was important to buy organically.  I even grow lots of my own vegetables organically so I thought I was getting pretty smart and protecting my family... until I met those baby carrots.

It is hard to get vegetables in my 11 year old.  She is picky.  So for her "home lunches" I pack her a sandwich, fruit, some kind of healthy treat, and usually carrots (it is the only vegetable she will really eat and like). 

So when I saw those handy little bags of miniature carrots in the store, I thought they would work great for lunches.  You don't have to peel them every morning or cut them up and they went straight from refrigerator to lunchbox.  Wonderful!!!  Good food made easy.

THEN I DISCOVERED SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE BABY CARROTS!  Actually I discovered a lot about those little carrots.  For one thing, did you know that they are not picked out of the ground that size?  I did not know that (again, what was I thinking - that there was a "baby carrot" farm somewhere?).  And did you know that they are "treated" as they are manufactured, in order to extend their shelf life in the bag?

Oh, my gosh... is nothing sacred? 

Yes, those baby carrots are "made" from bigger carrots that are rejected for abnormality of size and shape and put in a machine and ground to the perfect size and then treated with chlorine.  Yes, I said CHLORINE!!  Like in bleach...  so they would be "fresh" by the time they got to you. 

Here are some of the rules of food processing:

1. If an ingredients is less that 1% of the total food it does not have to be listed on the label.
2. The FDA has determined that there are levels of chemical additives in individual foods that are not to be exceeded but there has been no proven issue with ingestion of a small amount of these chemicals (like dye, preservatives, chlorine, etc).  What they don't take into account is the cumulative levels of a little bit of those poisons in each of the foods consumed during the day.
3. You can use chemicals in processing and then "rinse" them off and that becomes ok.. and the consumer does not deserve to be informed of it.

So, in fact, bagged baby carrots now make me mad!  As soon as I found that out, I switched us to real carrots.  We now buy organic carrots in their whole real state and I peel and cut them every day for Jouney's lunch.  I make sure and buy the ones in a bunch that still have the greens attached.

Then I did some research about how best to store carrots.  Here is the best way:

• Buy the organic carrots with the greens attached (they are sweeter than the bigger ones in the store).  They usually come in a bunch.
• Take them home and cut the greens off.  (there is some controversy on whether a person can eat those greens in some form - I have not tried to... yet...)
• Lay the individual carrots out on the counter so they dry a bit for a few hours.
• Once they are dried out, they will store in your crisper drawer in a plastic bag for longer than a week - close to 2 weeks.
• If they get damp in refrigerator storage, take them out and let them dry again on the counter so you can return them to the refrigerator.  

So that is my carrot story.  

Health - Avoid This Kind of Treatment!!

I am in no way going to tell you that doctors aren't needed or that sometimes you need medication to recover from an illness.  I just wanted to say that up front so that you know where I stand.  What I am going to tell you is that prescription and over the counter medications should only be taken when all other methods of treatment fail, and that all of them are chemicals that can produce side effects so should be used much more cautiously than they currently are.  Here are just a few things I learned about medications, and I learned them the hard way.

I used to suffer from chronic Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), or chronic heartburn as many of you know it.  I suffered for years, many nights unable to lay flat without pain, having difficulty sleeping, and hurting.  I took Tums frequently, and tried every prescription drug that the doctors would give me to help.  Prescription drugs provided me some pain relief and seemed like a Godsend until a few years after starting to take them I developed a severe and chronic fatigue.  I was so tired all the time that I finally had some blood testing done at the doctor.  My blood tests showed a dangerously and severely low ferritin level.  What that meant is that my iron stores were very very low and I was suffering from a form of anemia.  It took a special test to find it.. it is not routinely checked with annual lab work. 

What I then went on to learn is that anti-reflux drugs stop the production of acid in the stomach, thereby helping alleviate symptoms of heartburn.  But there is a purpose to those acids in the stomach.  They are there, in part, to help you break down and absorb the iron in your food.  Without those normal stomach acids, my body could not use the iron I ingested and it caused a severe form of anemia.  This is just one common side effect of chronic heartburn medication that many do not know about.  Chronic heartburn can, instead, be controlled with diet modification, which I now employ. 

Antibiotics.  Where would the world be without them?  I shudder to think of all the infections that would kill people without the invention of antibiotics.  But did you know that they, too, have frequent side effects that go undiscovered and undiagnosed?  Because my diet was poor and I consumed way too much diet Coke and even Vodka, I had very frequent urinary tract infections.  Many chemicals we consume in our diets cause bladder irritation and bacteria breed then where they shouldn't.  Five or six times a year, I ended up taking an antibiotic called Levaquin to recover from those infections.  What I did not know was that Levaquin has a fairly common side effect of causing tendonitis.  I did not discover that until recently as well and only after having pain from tendonitis in both hands chronically now, 2 years after taking my last dose of Levaquin.  Many report ruptured Achilles tendons after taking Levaquin.  Some of these tendonitis symptoms heal after a period of time but many do not and are permanent damage from the drug.  Mine appears to be permanent damage.

Because of the tendonitis and other pain I had, I used to take Vicodin or Hydrocodone several times a day.  I thought that was the way to kill the pain.  I also had frequent migraines and joint aches and took pain pills whenever those were bothering me.  Then I found out that pain pills are not the answer.  Both prescription pain pills and over-the-counter pain pills can also cause other problems including what they call "rebound pain".  What that means is that the more you take, the more you need.  Since I discovered what good nutrition would do for me 2 years ago, I have not had another migraine since.  With my hands I now turn to rest, ice or heat for pain control and have not taken another pain pill.  It is much easier to handle now than it was when riding the "yo-yo" pain cycle.

Cholesterol medication (Statin drugs are the worst) is another example of a drug that is widely prescribed but very harmful.  Cholesterol is NORMAL in the body... after all, they never want it down to 0, do they?  Cholesterol is PRODUCED in your body as a response to inflammation.  You may not even know you have inflammation, but your body does and produces cholesterol to line the arteries in order to protect them from the inflammation.  Of course we all know that too much of this lining of the arteries can lead to heart problems so the physician's answer is to give a chemical that blocks the production of cholesterol in the body.  Ok, great, but then what?  The inflammation, or root cause of the problem is never addressed and the body cannot heal itself.  Now I suppose you know I am going to fill you in on what causes this body inflammation, don't you?  Can you guess?  It is chemicals, toxins, sugars, and foreign substances that we ingest..  when you cleanse those toxins out of your body and quit over-indulging on them, your body will heal itself and the cholesterol issues that concern your doctor will magically heal themselves too.

The drugs frequently given to patients for their cholesterol are called Statins.  That is a whole class or group of drugs that causes many side effects in people that can be debilitating.  These drugs are known to cause arthralgias (pain in the joints), myalgias (pain in the muscles), confusion, memory loss, high blood sugars, and even muscle weakness.  In short, taking these drugs can make your life MISERABLE. 

Another interesting piece of information about cholesterol is this:  Cholesterol (your body produces it, remember?) is necessary to make testosterone in men.  Testosterone is the male hormone that makes men, well, men.  It is necessary for all the manly qualities that annoy us women so much, in addition to healthy sexual function.  Without enough testosterone a man can find himself unable to do the very thing he likes best to do (I don't have to tell you this, do I ? - I am trying to keep this rated G).  Enter Viagra.. or the little blue pill... 

You see, when the human body has all of the nutrition it needs every day, and when it is allowed to perform uninhibited, it can produce amazing healing.  The body works hard to stay in balance and will do so when we get out of the way.  Almost 90% of all chronic illnesses can be traced to a mineral deficiency... and minerals come from the food we eat.

When I nursed at an internal med clinic and reviewed patient's medications with them before the doctor came in to see them, I always new if I found a man with a prescription for Viagra, he would also be taking one of the Statin drugs... it was true 95% of the time.  It was really sad to find folks with a list of prescription drugs that kept growing with each frequent visit to the doctor.  The harder they searched for ways to feel better, the more drugs they were prescribed to treat symptoms and the more drugs they were given to counteract the side effects of the other drugs.  I think that is why I quit practicing traditional nursing.. just too frustrating.

Now I am only sharing all of this to enlighten you.  I used to take about 17 different drugs a day and I felt crippled and terrible.  My weight continued to climb and I felt much older than I needed to.  I took frequent naps and really had a poor quality of life.  Then I became enlightened.  I made changes and now find myself feeling young and energetic!  It has been a slow and ongoing process for me but one I feel I need to share with you.  Please be an informed consumer.  Look at the list of side effects on your prescriptions..   When you need it, you need it, but if there is an alternative out there... please give it some thought.  Feel free to message me in an email any time you wish to know about alternatives or have questions.  I will be happy to help you search out answers or talk to you about your specific situation or that of a loved one... 

Health - Dangers of Diet Soda, Aspartame, and other artificial sweeteners

Artificial Sweeteners - just stop eating diet foods and drinks for a week and see what your body tells you.

I used to drink lots of Diet Coke... LOVED the stuff!  I always joked about saving the calories for the meal so I could eat more.  Then I became enlightened...  I actually started listening to my body only when it became a "train wreck" and I was desperate for a change.  One of the things I started to research was the effect of artificial sweeteners on our body and health.

It is no wonder that I suffered from bladder infections, fluid retention, headaches, fatigue, frequent illnesses, reflux, and a host of other issues.  I don't entirely blame the Diet Coke habit but I certainly know now that it took its toll.

Artificial sweeteners are made of chemicals.  Straight up!  They were developed in laboratories from substances that humans should not ingest.  They were discovered to be sweet and then added to our foods to meet the needs of people who wanted a low calorie alternative to their favorite foods and drinks and they have been wreaking havoc on our health ever since! 

Artificial sweeteners are not only in our diet drinks.  They are in the foods we eat as well, especially the so-called-diet foods.  But here is some irony for you.  Artificial sweeteners cause increase appetite and weight gain.  No wonder we diet like crazy and can't lose those extra pounds!

Here is a list of artificial sweeteners to watch for on the labels of your foods and drinks:

Mannitol
Glycerol
Acesulfame potassium
Aspartame
Cyclamate
Isomalt
Sorbitol
Saccharin
Sucralose
Alitame
Thaumatin
Neohesperidine dihydrochalcone
Maltitol
Lactitol
Xylitol
Erythritol

Just for your own education, read this article by Dr. Mercola on the dangers of Aspartame and why it works against your body and can destroy your health.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/11/07/aspartame-causes-blood-cancer.aspx?e_cid=20121107_DNL_art_1

Remember that all foods derived from natural sources are good for you... but moderation is key.  A balanced and diverse diet in conjunction with the avoidance of processed foods and chemical additives will serve your body to achieve ultimate health.  It is possible to age gracefully and live long enough to plague your great grandchildren (or enrich their lives).  That is my plan. 

Health - Water!

Water... everyone knows that if you drink a lot of water you will be healthier, right?  (yes)  A person can only live 3 days without water.  Our bodies are made up mostly of water.  Water is a good appetite suppressant and some even say that when we think we are hungry it is really thirst, so drinking lots of water will help you lose or manage your weight!

But did you know that our water is contaminated?  (yes)  Whether you are drinking well water or city water, you are also drinking heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticide run-off, petroleum by-products, and heaven knows what else!  Contaminants even include things put in our water to "help" us like Flouride and Chlorine....  Thanks very much but no thanks!

A few weeks ago I wrote about finding a water treatment system in my basement.  It is now up and functional.  A wonderful man from Rainsoft came and connected and checked the soft water treatment system, the reverse osmosis system, and then installed a chlorine removal system.  Just this last few days Mike finished the last installation portion of it and connected our refrigerator drinking water and ice machine to the reverse osmosis.

So what has changed?  For one thing I now have piece of mind when it comes to the quality of the water we use and drink!  Let me explain what these do and what we have seen since cleaning our water.  I am not an expert but I just figure that you may not know what it is either and at this point I know something about what is happening in that basement.  Let me share. 

Soft water:  Salt is added to a tank and it treats the water.  Somehow it removes a lot of the minerals that cause hard water!  Hard water is tough on your appliances and pipes and it is hard on your skin and hair. Since having soft water, I have noticed my skin is softer (too much time in the kitchen was making my hands really dry and rough).  My hair is cleaner feeling and easier to comb out after the shower and my shampoo lathers really well, even the "healthy" kind that normally does not lather much.  The dishes in the dishwasher appear cleaner, as there is less spotting. 

There is some salt that seeps into the water that comes out.  Not enough to cause most folks a problem with salt intake in their diet but if you were on a special salt free diet, you would want to understand that a little more.  The soft water is great inside the house but the garden would suffer over time if watered with that water that contained sodium.  It would eventually strip the nutrients from the soil and plants would not thrive.  There is a valve downstairs that I will have to use to "turn off" the soft water next spring and summer when I am using the hose outside... it will bypass the water softener then.  LOVE the soft water!!

Reverse Osmosis:  My dream come true.  It is a separate set of 3 tanks that only go to a faucet at the kitchen sink and one for the refrigerator/freezer.  This filters every impurity out of the water at least 99%.  No more flouride, chlorine, sediments, or even that soft water salt.  It will filter lots of the other contaminants too!  I now feel safer than I did drinking city water.  The water coming out of those 2 faucets is delicious!  No after taste. 

The one amazing thing I recently notice is the ice cubes coming out of the freezer now that the water is purified by the reverse osmosis.  The ice cubes are clear as pure crystals.  I never even gave a thought to the look of the ice cubes before until I saw these.  They sparkle in my glass of water like clean glass.  It is rather obvious that there was some sediment in the water before, now that I see this water.  I also get to cook and soak my grains and seeds in this purified water.  I am so grateful and it is AMAZING!  Love it!

Chlorine removal tank:  This is an additional tank that filters the water after it is softened not the drinking water.. the reverse osmosis filter takes care of it).  This tank has a carbon filter system that removes over 99% of the chlorine from all the water in my house. Why?  Because one day I interrupted Journey in her steamy morning shower for something.  When she opened the bathroom door to talk to me, the smell of chlorine was so strong coming out of there that it smelled like a public swimming pool!

The skin is the largest organ in the body and it is designed to absorb.  So it absorbs all that chlorine when taking a long shower or bath.  That worried me.  Do we really know what that is doing to our health over the long term?   I doubt it.  Now we are all safer!  The plants will also like that better, I am sure!  There is a way to divert that that tank too, but I see no reason to do that at this time.  Love that there is no chlorine in my water!

What if you are a bottled water drinker?  Does that make your water safe?  I hate to burst your bubble but I do not think so.  There are issues with most bottled water.  One:  It only has to meet the same standards of purity as city water does.  You do not know the source or what contaminants are potentially in that water.  Two:  It is stored in plastic bottles.  It has recently been shown that a substance in these plastic bottles can leach into whatever is stored in them, thus adding another contaminant.  Three:  The pH of water is important.  Normal pH is about 7 on a scale of 0 - 14.  Below 7 means it is acidic and above 7 is alkaline.  The body needs to stay in an alkaline state to prevent disease and contribute to overall immune function and health.  Most bottled waters I tested came out in the acidic range, yet my tap water from the city tests alkaline.  As a result of these things I have not been a bottled water fan.

So I love my water system!  I hope you may have learned something you did not know and may consider some sort of filtration system for your house.  You can get a reverse osmosis system for under your kitchen sink pretty reasonably, even if you cannot afford an entire house filtration system.  We have been saving 2 years for this and I am so glad we finally have it!

Health - Breast Cancer Prevention

October is Breast Cancer awareness month.  It would not be right for me to let the month pass and not pass along what I have learned about breast cancer.  Breast Cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis for women after skin cancer.  It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States, next to lung cancer.  Last year alone, there were over 200,000 new cases diagnosed and over 40,000 deaths from this disease.

The risk of developing breast cancer doubles if a close family member has had it and while we have all heard of a strong genetic link to breast cancer, 70-80% of these cancers develop in women who have NO family history.  The incidence is on the rise.. 30 years ago, 1 in 10 women developed, breast cancer, but did you know that now 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime? It does not just affect women, although they are 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer, the incidence in men is growing as well, with over 200 new cases in med diagnosed each year.

While we all know that early detection is certainly important to long term survival, what the doctors do not teach you is that there are ways to assist your body to prevent it.

We all carry health insurance in order to limit our financial liability in case of just this sort of tragedy.  But even more important is to have some sort of plan or insurance to lower our risk of acquiring it in the first place, thereby preventing the pain and suffering that no health insurance can affect.

So what are the risk factors for developing breast cancer?  How can we lower our risk of acquiring this disease?

Risk factors can be divided into those we can control and those we cannot control.  There are four kinds of risk factors.   Genetic, Environmental, Lifestyle choices and Nutritional

Genetic risk factors are things you cannot control and include

• Family history of breast disease,
• Personal history of benign breast conditions,
• Early onset of puberty & menstrual cycle
• Late onset of menopause

Environmental factors include 

• radiation exposure, especially to the chest
• exposure to estrogen hormones in our food,
• Exposure to vehicle exhaust and air pollution.
• Exposure to the aluminums found in our anti-perspirants has been implicated in the development of breast cancer. (3/4 of all breast cancer tumors are located in the upper outer quadrant of the breast - suggesting deodorant usage may just be influencing this)
• Most recent literature suggests that even wearing underwire bras can limit the lymphatic drainage of the breast tissue, thereby threatening breast health.

Lifestyle behaviors that increase the probability of developing this disease include

• smoking,
• lack of exercise,
• alcohol intake
• late childbearing or not bearing children
• Hx of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement use

Nutritional factors contributing  to the incidence:

• high fat diet,
• high sugar,
• diet low in fruit and veggies
• Weight gain near menopause,
• obesity and excess body fat

 Recommendations for diet

• Low fat diet with 15-20% of calories from fat
• Increase fiber foods 20-35 grams a day
• Nine + servings of fruits/veggies per day
• Cruciferous and carotenoid veggies and fruits… carrots/broccoli
• Higher protein diet
• Eat organic meat
• Dairy products from grass fed cows that are not fed the hormone rGBH

 The following individual nutrients have also been identified as important in the prevention of breast cancers.

• Good quality Anti-oxidant supplements including recommendations for:  bioflavanoids such as green tea, bilberry, grape seed extract, bromelain, and all the B vitamins.  Anti-oxidants fight the damage from free radicals that can alter genetic information and cause cellular mutation.
• Vitamin C, Vitamin D3 and other essential supplements are needed.  (Carotenoids:  lycopene, lutein, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene)
• Mineral supplements are very important.  It is said that 90% of all diseases can be traced to deficiency in one or more essential minerals.  Important ones include calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, chromium, copper, manganese, iodine, silicone, boron.

Additional recommended supplements include:

• Coenzyme Q10
• Grape Seed Extract
• Vitamin E
• Flax Seed oil or Fish oil for Omega 3s   also called essential fatty acids.
• Melatonin
• Selenium

So we must:

• Limit alcohol intake
• Quit smoking
• Exercise regularly
• Lose weight.
• Change our diets

 We can also choose to:

• Reduce our exposure to toxins and environmental danger and help our immune system by cleansing ourselves of impurities and toxins. 

• Give our bodies the right nutritional building blocks to create a healthy immune system and improve our overall health and these must come from adequate supplementation.
•  Change our mindset about anti-antiperspirants and use a natural deodorant... especially important to begin our teenage and pre-teen girls out with something that won't harm them in the long run.
• Limit our wearing of underwire bras... If you have not tried a Coobie Bra yet, you owe it to yourself to give one a try.  The most comfortable bra there is... support, coverage, cute, and no underwire.  I know they are sold at a little store in Des Moines called Finders Keepers in many styles and colors!  At least give your body a break from the underwire once in a while when you can.

When deciding on supplementation, one challenge is that many of the supplements on the market are not pharmaceutical grade, not independently tested for potency, and not formulated for maximum absorption.  They are not all created the same! You need to find a good nutritional system that provides all the above with high grade, high quality, whole food based supplements.  If you are using chemically based over the counter vitamins, you may even be doing yourself more harm than good. 

They need to be safe, free of contaminants and contain consistent and accurate dosage.

In conclusion, breast cancer is a potentially fatal form of cancer that will destroy the lives of many women and men.  While early detection is important to survival, prevention of breast cancer and all other cancers is the ideal solution. 

By controlling both our internal and external environments, making lifestyle changes, and finding the right nutritional support, we can help our bodies to have optimum health and resist the onset of many diseases, including many breast cancers.

I am so grateful to have found good quality nutritional supplementation.  I have found a kind of health insurance even more valuable than the type I purchase through Blue Cross.  A healthy and active immune system is key to healthy aging, disease prevention, and long term survival.  I want to be here to see my great great grandchildren graduate from high school and get married.  There is just a whole lot more of this life that I want to live.

Why not make October the month you choose to commit to change and begin your journey to living to a healthier old age?

Health & Nutrition - Protein Requirements

I have been meaning to write this blog as a source of information about proteins.  While there are three basic nutrients that the body needs for health, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, protein is probably the least understood and least ingested by the typical American.  This is a shame, as protein is required for:

• Fueling the cells of the body including muscle, bone, and brain (amino acids are the essential building blocks of all human cells)
• Feeling fuller (protein with a meal will make you feel full longer and help with overeating and weight control)
• Building and maintaining lean muscle (athletes have understood this for many years, but lean muscle in all of us is necessary to burn calories and keep our metabolism high - the heart is a muscle.. keep it working in tip-top shape by feeding it well)

 Here are the protein requirements per day for:

•  Infants - 10 grams
• Teenage Boys and Men - 56 grams per day
• Teenage Girls and Women - 46 grams per day
• Pregnant and Lactating women - 71 grams per day
• Athletes require even more! 
• Because we are not all the same size, another way to determine your protein requirement is 1 gram of protein per day for every kilogram of body weight.  (A kilogram = 2.2 pounds, so my protein requirement to maintain 155 pounds with this model would be 155 / 2.2 = 70 grams of protein daily)  I would use this model especially if you are active or desire to increase your lean muscle mass or metabolism!

Let's take a look at the amounts and types of proteins typically found in the foods you eat (these are rounded numbers to give an overview- check the nutritional content of your specific food item):

• Beans and Legumes - about 7 - 8 grams per 1/2 cup serving
• Eggs - 6 grams per egg
• Milk -  8 grams per cup
• Yogurt - 11 grams per cup
• Cottage Cheese - 15 gram per 1/2 cup serving
• Salmon - 17 grams per 3 oz serving
• Tuna - 16 grams per 1/4 cup
• Oatmeal - 6 grams per cup
• Chicken/Turkey - about 30 grams per 4 oz serving
• Beef - about 25 grams for a 3 oz serving
• Almonds -  6 grams in 1 oz or about 24 nuts
• Peanut Butter - 4 grams in 1 TBSP
• My Breakfast Shake - 23 grams per shake

Just to muddy the water a little bit, different proteins are utilized by the body or absorbed at different rates.  What I mean by that is that 1 gram of whey protein (from milk) is absorbed and utilized by the body at 76%, while 1 gram of the protein found in rice or beans is utilized at only 40% by the body.
Here is the breakdown of how well your body can utilize the proteins found in certain foods.  Again, bodybuilders have known this but the typical person has ignored this information in the past.

• Eggs                                        88%
• Fish                                         78%
• Dairy (whey)                          76%
• Meat                                       68%
• Soy                                         48%
• Brown Rice                            40%
• Red Beans                              39%
• Coconut                                  38%
• Nuts                                        35%
• White Beans                           33%
• Maize                                      25%
• Whole Wheat Bread               21%
• White Bread                            20%

So is this starting to make sense now?  Do you see why folks have long been saying that Fish, Chicken, Whey protein, and eggs are the best sources of proteins?  They are much better used by the body gram for gram.  Not all protein is created equally!

For those of us who are also budget conscious and taste conscious, we have to do our best to feed our body with the right kind of fuel for optimal function!!  And our children, especially need a good quality protein source every day in order to grow and do their best in school.

When is the best time to get your protein?  Well, of course with every meal!!  It keeps you full longer and feeds the body the essential amino acids for proper function!  Starting each day with a good quality and quantity of protein will result in less hunger all day as well.   That is why protein should be eaten for breakfast every day by children and adults alike!!

So how do you start your day?
Toast and jelly?  Bagel?  Coffee? Cereal?  Waffle?  PopTart?  Doughnut?  See the problem here?  What do your children eat when they are running out the door to catch the bus?

Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, why not start it right?  I know, you are going to tell me you don't have time to make a proper breakfast, right?  Don't let that stop you either. 

Because of everything I have learned about nutrition, I will always start my day with a high quality whey protein shake that also has some good fats, good carbs, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals.  It will be organic and cold processed to preserve the protein content (also called undenatured).  I start my day with 23 grams of this protein every day and make sure Journey does as well.  That is more protein than 2 eggs plus a cup of milk in the morning... and it is fewer calories, filled with vitamins and minerals, and quick and easy!!

I would tell you that as we age, we all lose muscle mass.  Without muscle mass, our metabolism slows down.. sometimes to a crawl.  If you are a woman of more than 50 years old, chances are you just look at food and gain weight!  That is all due to metabolism.  It is not true that it slows down only by virtue of age or hormone changes.  It has to do with the muscle wasting associated with aging in a society that is not eating right.  We try.. yes we do, but we are falling short of the mark, right?  Be honest now.. you are.  You are counting calories and using your calories on foods that taste good and not on foods that fuel you..  I know.  I was there.  Protein is exactly the "secret weapon" I used for weight loss and now use to feel wonderful and keep the weight off.  Take some time and figure your protein requirements and protein intake in a day.  Do some soul searching... are you happy with your metabolism?  If you have any questions or just want to give some input, leave a comment or send me an email (address found in "about me" to the right side of the blog).  I would be happy to help.

Health - Salt (Sodium)

I bet you don't think much about sodium, or salt.  I never used to.  It wasn't until I started getting healthy and relating my swollen ankles and bloating to increased salt intake in my diet.  When doing research, I discovered there is so much more to salt than meets the eye on first glance.  I love salt on my food and I am going to tell you about a new kind of salt I found that I am excited about! 

Sodium is one of the most commonly used flavor enhancers and preservatives.  Keep in mind that everyone needs a certain amount of sodium in their diet.  Heck we even provide our livestock and pets with a "salt lick".  But too much salt can be hazardous to our health and as much as we are bombarded with in our process foods is kind of telling.  Sodium needs to be balanced and consumed in moderation, like every other nutrient.  Too much sodium is linked to high blood pressure and other ailments.  It causes your body to retain water and interferes with normal kidney function as a result.  On the other hand, not having enough sodium in your body interferes with normal function of the brain, heart, and muscles.  But rest assured, with the typical American diet, you will not find yourself sodium deficient unless you have underlying metabolic issues or illnesses.

So let's worry about excess salt and healthiest salts.  The normal adult should not exceed 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day.  If a person has swelling, high blood pressure, heart or kidney issues, they may not be able to consume more than 1,500 milligrams per day.  Sounds like a lot, right?  Well just one teaspoon of salt contains 2,300 milligrams of sodium.  But it is not just table salt that you have to worry about ingesting.  Salt is used in most processed foods, even those that do not taste salty like canned vegetables, soups, baked goods, and even milk!  So even if you don't add salt to your foods at the table, you still need to watch for hidden sodium!  Referencing this article:  http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/how-much-sodium-is-too-much-for-a-day/Content?oid=1283907

Typical foods that are very high in salt include processed and cured meats like bacon, salami, and lunch meats, canned vegetables and sauces, cheeses, salted butter, snack foods, pickled foods, olives, baked goods like biscuits and crackers, and many more!  Check the labels for sodium content.  It is usually detailed in milligram per serving.  Take a trial day and keep track of your sodium intake.  It will surprise you, I guarantee!  Most Americans are eating way more than 3,000 milligrams per day!

Once you see how much you are really ingesting, here are some ideas for lowering that amount:

• Choose fresh meat over processed (limit cured meats like bacon, pork and lunchmeats)
• Choose frozen vegetables over canned vegetables
• Choose to make a pot of soup and freeze some leftovers as opposed to buying canned soups.
• When cooking, most recipes do not require all the salt called for.  Try cutting the salt in half or using herbs and spices to add flavor!
• Water softeners have been known to add as much as 1,000 mg per liter of sodium to water.  Reverse osmosis filtration of drinking water will remove that salt but it is something to be aware of.
• Use salt at the table very sparingly or not at all!  

Now here is the exciting part for me!   I also discovered that table salt in the store comes in 2 varieties, with iodine or without iodine.  Since most diets in our present culture contain plenty of iodine, I choose to have salt that does not have added Iodine.  It is just another additive in my home that we steer clear of.

Sea Salt is also better in this regard.  Sea salt has larger crystals than refined table salt.  Since the crystals are larger in size, less of them fit in a teaspoon, so using a teaspoon of sea salt in cooking results in using less total sodium than a teaspoon of fine traditional table salt.

And I discovered (duh - really should have thought of this one before now) table salt is refined and processed!  When I did some research on salt, I discovered there were salts out there that had much less processing involved in them and therefore were full of MINERALS as well as sodium.  Did you know that almost 90% of the diseases we suffer from can be linked to a mineral deficiency of some sort?   That is why so many people get amazing symptom relief and even complete recovery taking the same mineral supplements that I use.  I don't depend on diet alone to give me all the nutrients I need.  I strongly believe in nutritional supplementation for optimal health...

Well back to salt!  There are salts out there that supply some of these minerals to us.  I found a salt at Whole Foods yesterday that does just that and is not very expensive.  Some are VERY expensive but this bag was only $3.99 and then I discovered another amazing thing today... the TASTE!!  You will not believe how sweet and pure this salt tastes on food.  It was really a treat at lunch to try some on my cauliflower.  I am going to continue limiting my salt in cooking but add a little of this salt at the table.  Less processing plus better taste plus better nutrition = just plain smart!  Here is the salt that I found:

Give it a try for yourself and let me know what you think!

Nutrition & Health - Using Sweeteners - Artificial or Natural

Sweeteners..  one of my older children refers to sweet stuff as "Ambrosia of the Gods".  We always laugh about that when we have a decadent dessert.  But true enough, we all LOVE the sweets.  We think we cannot live without them... and the thought of "diet food" gives us panic attacks when we feel we will have to deprive ourselves of sweet stuff.  So what do we do?  We substitute artificial sweeteners for sugar and feel "guilt-free" consuming all those diet soft drinks and low calorie foods.  But what is really in those sweeteners that are used in commercial manufacturing of food?  You guessed it, CHEMICALS!

Please read the article I found here:   http://www.healthylife-healthyplanet.com/artificial-sweeteners.html
When I was considering what I wanted to say in this blog post about sweeteners, I found this article and amazingly, it said EXACTLY what I wanted to say to you.  Read it please.  It is short and "sweet". 

Our bodies don't know how to process chemicals when we ingest them.  Period.  They have to be processed out of the cells of the body through the body's intricate self-cleansing system (think liver, kidneys, bloodstream, lymphatic system).  Those that can't be filtered out of the body get sequestered in fat cells as a means of safe storage.  Have you ever known someone that drinks lots of diet soda, eats lots of low-fat and sugar substituted foods but still seems unable to significantly lose weight?  There is a reason for that.  At the end of this blog you will find a list of artificial sweeteners to avoid when looking at food labels.  My reference:  http://supersweetblog.wordpress.com/list-of-artificial-sweeteners/

I want to take a moment to address High Fructose Corn Syrup, also known as Corn Syrup.  This cheap sweetener is also now in many, many processed foods.  Derived from corn, it appears that it is  "natural" but in reality it is a highly processed food.  There is a lot of controversy surrounding HFCS, whether it is acceptable as a food source or not.  I won't try to play chemist here and explain why I think it is harmful to our health but I will tell you it's use has been on the rise for 40 years and the obesity rate has also been on the rise.  I will let you read this article if you want some scientific research done by Princeton University:  https://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S26/91/22K07/  There is also growing concern that HFCS has adverse effects on brain function, especially in growing children (who probably consume more of it than the average adult).

So how do you make food that tastes like "Ambrosia of the Gods"?  Well I use honey, pure maple syrup (the kind that only lists maple syrup in the ingredients list), and occasionally reach for Agave or Cane Sugar.  The later two are processed sweeteners as well so I try to limit the use of those.

One of the best sweeteners I have found comes from a plant called Stevia.  It is a perennial plant in the south but here in Iowa it will not live through the winters outside.  The leaves can be dried and crushed and produce a very sweet flavor.  To equal one cup of sugar in a recipe, you only need 1 - 3 teaspoons of dried Stevia leaf.  It has zero calories and truly is the BEST NATURAL SWEETENER I have found.  I have started a flat of Stevia seeds in my little greenhouse and hope to have many plants growing by next summer.  They are sure to love the Iowa summers on my deck and I can harvest enough leaves to sweeten all my recipes with them.  Here is a picture of baby Stevia plants I am growing.  You can also buy pure Stevia at most health food stores.

So here again, there is good, better, and best.  There are many choices for us to make personally that fit in our lifestyle and our desire for health.  Don't let the journey to healthier eating get you down.  Take on the challenge and make small baby steps.  Stay informed and read labels.  Stay tuned for more information here.  Ask questions.

Here is the list of artificial sweeteners to watch for in the food and drinks you consume:

	Name of Sweetener
	Sorbitol
	Mannitol
	Glycerol
	Acesulfame potassium (k)
	Aspartame
	Cyclamate
	Isomalt
	Saccharin
	Sucralose
	Alitame
	Thaumatin
	Neohesperidine dihydrochalcone
	Aspartame-acesulfame salt
	Maltitol
	Lactitol
	Xylitol
	Erythritol

Health & Nutrition - Surprising Information about Canola Oil!!

A word about Canola oil and a bit about the oils that ARE good for you.  Up until recently, I always heard that Canola oil was really good for you.  So of course I abandoned all vegetable oils and made the switch to Canola oil.  After all, it is in almost EVERYTHING, so it must be ok, right?  WRONG!!

Imagine my disappointment when I learned that Canola oil was created as a result of genetic engineering the Rapeseed so that it had LESS toxins in order to be fit for human consumption safely.  Now there is Canola oil in EVERYTHING on the shelves.. from bread to salad dressings...  so it must be cheap like high fructose corn syrup and probably as UNHEALTHY!  Here is just a bit of the information I have found on Canola oil.  There is enough information out there to corroborate these claims so I feel confident in presenting these to you and have cited the resources below them.

"The United States, Canada, India, China, Australia, and European Union all grow rapeseed, and visitors to farming regions in these areas of the world often note the fields of tall stalks and bright yellow flowers in the fall and winter. Many countries use genetically modified versions of the plant which have been specially designed to resist herbicides, with the goal of making farming easier. Some people have protested this, arguing that herbicide-resistant crops and genetic modification of crops have serious ethical implications which are not being addressed by the companies which develop them.
Rapeseed oil has both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, leading some people to suggest that it is a very healthy oil. However, studies have also linked rapeseed oil with some health problems, which would indicate that a closer analysis of rapeseed oil for human consumption may be in order. Because rapeseed is often heavily treated so that it will not go rancid, some of the health benefits may be moot, thanks to the high temperatures and chemicals used in processing."
Quoted from:  http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-rapeseed.htm#

"A variety developed in 1998 is considered to be the most disease- and drought-resistant Canola variety of rapeseed to date. This and other recent varieties have been produced by using genetic engineering. In 2011 96% of the acres sown were genetically modified canola."
Quoted from:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canola
So, SHAME on CANOLA oil for trying to convey itself as a healthy oil and seeping into every food manufactured.  I am sure their business is booming but I am also sure I am not supporting this business.  I have found the 4 best fats for me and my family and listed them below... just for you!

I know that Olive Oil is a wonderful fat... and your body needs good fats.  Good fats HELP your cholesterol and assist your gut in the absorption of many of the fat soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K.  In fact some olive oil in your salad dressing makes your salad more nutritious, not more fattening.  I wish people would quit vilifying fats in general.. we need them!  But the downside of olive oil may be the flavor..  it just does not lend itself well to some uses.

For other cooking uses, I use Coconut oil or butter...

Butter....  yes butter.. NOT margarine or fake butter.. real butter.  Butter is a natural animal fat and while it may not be a good thing to eat in excess, your body "recognizes" butter and can utilize it.  ARTIFICIAL foods (created, manufactured, engineered, modified, "low fat", etc) are not recognized by your body and your body has to struggle to metabolize those.  "Foods" like those actually cause body inflammation and cause people to produce more cholesterol and GAIN WEIGHT!

Coconut oil....  Wonderful oil with a low melting point, soft consistency, and oh so healthy!  I use it to grease my pans, bake with it, make popcorn with it, put it in my shakes, and lots of other times I need a butter or oil substitute.  There are 2 kinds of coconut oils.  One is called refined - this is not as healthy as the other but it tastes better and looks purer.  Unrefined coconut oil has not been processed.  As a result it is healthier for you (remember processing diminishes nutrition) but not as pretty and has a bit more flavor.  There is sometimes sediment present in unrefined coconut oil but I use it in baking whenever I can.

Grapeseed Oil- has now replaced all my canola. It is the only flavorless liquid oil that I know of that is not unhealthy for you.  I use it when liquid oil is the best option but olive oil would change the flavor.

I guess there is a reason why good fats cost a little more money and that is probably the same reason why the bad or cheap fats end up in all the manufactured products on the shelves in stores.  Cut corners, reduce costs, make a cheap product stripped of all of its nutritional content and may even poison people, but make a buck!  That is exactly why I cook most of our foods at home and scrutinize labels.

Frugal Organic Shopping - Organic and GMO foods

After doing a lot of research, and making trips to several grocery stores I have developed a grocery list for myself to remember which foods I want to buy organically, which foods I can safely eat non-organically, and which foods I want to steer clear of entirely.  At the end of this blog you will find the list I carry with me to the store.  This way I can shop for the best prices!  Again, if you find a good price for produce and wish to purchase a larger quantity of it to use later, you can freeze, dehydrate, or can most of it to preserve it.

I also recently learned how to read the barcode labels on produce and I checked this out..it really works:

Remember to wash your fresh produce in some vinegar and water to remove surface contaminants when you get it home.  Rinse with clear water and dry it and store it appropriately for the longest shelf life.

Just a note about Genetically Modified Foods...  if they have a Certified Organic Label, they are not to contain any genetic modifications, so even though most corn is produced through genetic modification techniques, it is possible to find Non-GMO labeled corn and you should be safe if you can find it labeled as Organic.

For Dairy products, one of the biggest threats in the consumption of milk products that have been produced in a commercialized dairy is the use of a hormone called rBGH.  This hormone was created as a result of genetic engineering and is fed to commercially milked cows to increase their milk production.  The hormone is excreted in the milk and then we drink it.  It is also present in all dairy products made from milk.  There is an option in the grocery stores that is not necessarily labeled as organic.  There is a label that specifically states "no rBGH used".  I have seen it on many different dairy products and fell safer using those products. This may be important to your health.  We can't possible know what effect that synthetic genetically modified substance is doing to our bodies.   I don't want to expose my children to additional hormones. 

Meat - meat sold at the generic grocery stores is probably from animals raised on unnatural foods, many of them contaminated with pesticides and chemicals, and injected with steroids to help them grow, hormones to manipulate them, and fed grain that is genetically modified.  If it is ground meat, it may also contain all different varieties of fillers, some of which are just plain not good for you.  Since protein is one of the most important nutrients needed by the body, it becomes kind of expensive to meet all our protein needs organically with only grass fed meat.  I find this the most challenging of all.  Here is one tip:  Since we know that most of the toxins and contaminants are stored in the fat, make sure and trim the fat from your meat!  Fat from meat is not known to have any good nutritional elements.  The protein comes from the lean muscle portion of the meat.   Here again, I like to buy in bulk to get the best price.  I have 1/4 of a cow coming soon from a local farming friend.  I can be sure that the meat she sells me is pretty wholesome.  I look for price reductions on organic meats as well!

One of the most important things I do to serve my family's protein needs is drink 23 grams of organic undenatured whey protein in a shake every morning.  Whey protein is the best protein for the body.. the most highly utilized protein to support lean muscle (your heart is a muscle too!).  It has all the essential amino acids in it and being undenatured means it has been cold processed to preserve all the nutrients.  (heat kills nutrients and some amino acids).  I make sure my daughter also starts her day with this protein.  It ensures we have a good dose of this essential nutrient every day in an organic form and then I can stretch my food dollars a little bit the rest of the meals in a day.  Protein shakes are not just for athletes.. they are a smart meal replacement or supplement for the health-conscious.  At the cost of organic meat, I find this a great money saving way to ensure we are getting what we need without the addition of what we don't want in our food. 

Here is the list I promised that I carry with me to the grocery store so I can remember what to buy organically and what I don't need to buy organically.  It is based on research into the "dirty dozen" foods list and expanded from there through my own research:

BUY ORGANIC	GMO - DON'T BUY	OK FOR NONORGANIC
Apples	Papaya - all GMO	Asparagus
Bell Peppers		Avocados
Celery	Corn - only labeled non-GMO	Bananas
Imported Grapes	Soy- Don't touch it!	Broccoli
Nectarines		Cauliflower
Cherries	Russet, Atlantic, Shepody are occasionally GM	Kiwi
Peaches	Squash - Crookneck and Zucchini are occasionally GM	Mangoes
Pears		Onions
Red Raspberries		Pineapples
Black Raspberries		Peas
Spinach		Cabbage
Lettuce		Eggplant
Strawberries		Cantaloupe
Cucumbers		Grapefruit
Blueberries		Watermelon
Green Beans		Mushrooms
Sweet Potatoes
Carrots
Milk - Only Organic
Sour Cream (buy non rBGH)
Cottage Cheese (buy non rBGH)
Cheese (buy non rBGH)
Wheat

Nutritrion - Do Your Own Research.. Make Good Choices

Where do you buy your groceries?  I used to purchase at our local HyVee until the recent neighborhood Fareway opened.  I have purchased at Dahls and Trader Joes and even occasionally at Aldis.  What I look for in a grocery store is a bit about price but maybe more about selection and service.  This summer a Whole Foods Store opened up near my home and I have been tickled to find an additional source for some things that I previously could not find at the traditional grocery stores.

Whole Foods carries a larger line of certified organic foods than my other local grocery stores and this makes me feel more comfortable feeding my family.  I know that they stock their shelves with lots of local products and found the brand of organic milk we now exclusively drink in our home.  I have even visited the Pickett Fence Dairy just north of Des Moines so I am comfortable and trust their products when I purchase their brand from the refrigerator at Whole Foods, which is significantly closer to home.

Why am I writing this piece today?  Because of all the fire that Whole Foods has received on line and in the media lately about carrying genetically modified foods in their store.  You can read one of the articles right here:   http://www.naturalnews.com/037467_Whole_Foods_marketing_fraud_GMO.html
I read the article and while I am a bit disappointed in the deceptive practices by Whole Foods, it is still a good choice for many of my food staples and I will not quit shopping there based only on these allegations of fraudulent representation.  I will, instead, be an educated consumer.

When grocery shopping for my family, I am making as many conscious and educated choices as I can.  I don't believe commercials on tv, advertisements by local stores, or everything I hear.  I do my own research and make the decision I can live with.  Whole Foods should clearly admit that they carry modified food items but then if you do your research, you will know that anything made of corn, soy, or canola in any supermarket and it is not labeled Certified Organic, it will most likely be a genetically modified product.  At least we have a label for organic produce (which is not supposed to be genetically modified and carry this label).  At least we can do research and find which foods have been modified and are unsafe.  I am grateful for that!

Whole Foods, shame on you for your deceptive practices.  Shame on you for making a profit on food that is not healthy for us....  but you are certainly not alone.  Consumers will not find a store in the free market system that makes decisions for us and keeps us safe on all fronts.  We are surrounded by food choices and we make them of our own free will.  We are surrounded with information and have the opportunity make decisions about the risks we are willing to take with our health.

Just give this some thought.  We have a Certified Organic label for our foods.  If someone tells you that their soy, canola, or corn product is NOT genetically modified, but it is not labeled as organic, you can bet it still contains pesticides, toxins, and is, in fact, genetically modified.  If it was not, they would slap a CO label on it in a heartbeat and charge you an extra bit of money for it!  I am willing to pay a bit more for the safest food options.  That is why my morning protein shake is ORGANIC WHEY PROTEIN and labeled as such. 

Nutrition - To Wheat or Not to Wheat?

I am certainly in a conundrum concerning all the things I am learning about today's wheat.  Internet research can be so handy but also so conflicting.  I have seen some references to the fact that wheat has been genetically modified but that information is not consistent across all sources, to say the least.  Some say it is genetically modified, while others claim it to be hybridized.  Now I can handle a bit of hybridization in my food.  That is no different than the dozens of apple varieties that we now have available.  But genetic modification scares the tar out of me.

Our family has taken all soy from our diets, and all commercial corn products.  We no longer use Canola oil at all either, all because the vast majority of these commercial US crops grown are GMO crops.  I believe in my heart of hearts that we are going to find lots of serious problems in humanity because of the genetic engineering.  Years ago, the first crop to be genetically modified was a type of tomato.  It did not last long on the market for it was shown to be carcinogenic (cancer causing), but how many had to die for that to be proven?  So as of now, there are no genetic engineered tomatoes, just to ease your mind.  But we still tolerate soy and corn and Canola being genetically engineered in order to increase crop yields and help the farmers make more money... but is it safe?

The one way to make sure you are not eating something that is genetically engineered is by making sure it is Certified Organic, at least in the USA.  (Canada and other countries have their own guidelines so I cannot speak for them).  I don't know about you but when I read the list of ingredients and do my shopping, I find it difficult to discern between what is safe and what is not.  There are preservatives, GMO issues, pesticide exposures, toxic chemicals, additives, artificial flavorings, etc.  This is why I make so many of our foods and household staples from scratch with the purest of ingredients that I can find and as much of it organic as I can afford.

But even with all that being said, I cannot quite get a grip on whether wheat is a a good alternative for us or not.  I admit that part of it is convenience and taste.  So much of our food includes this grain in some form and I love my home made wheat bread!  No one in my family has a gluten intolerance at this time but the numbers of people out there with celiac disease or gluten intolerance is on the rise.  Whether that is due to genetic engineering, hybridization that resulted in increased gluten in our wheat, or commercial processing of the grain to extend the shelf life of flour, I am just not sure.  I know that when I eat foods with wheat flour in them, I feel sort of bad in my stomach.  I can't explain it and I don't profess it to be "bad" or "seriously limiting", but the feeling is there nonetheless.  That is, in part, what has spurred this search and discussion.

Even if wheat itself has not changed significantly over the last few decades due to selective breeding or genetic modification, it is still suspicious to me that wheat flour can sit on a shelf for a long time waiting for us to buy it without having been somehow changed in the processing to account for that.  Wheatberries used to be dried and stored whole and ground just prior to use by the housewife with a resulting short shelf life.  I am reading a lot about ground wheat flour going "rancid" if not stored in the refrigerator or freezer and yet there it sits on a shelf in a paper bag for me to use in the kitchen.

After learning about the sprouting of nuts and finding out how much better they taste and feel in my gut when I eat them, I also began reading and hearing about "sprouted wheat".  That is a process of soaking the wheatberries for 12 hours or more and then drying them thoroughly before grinding them just prior to use.  Just like any seed, wheatberries contain enzyme inhibitors and a substance called phytic acid which blocks the absorption of other nutrients in our gut.  With a diet high in commercially processed wheat products, I have come to believe that we may be sicker and carry more fat in our midsections.  I do think that is true... but again, I do not want to completely give up wheat at this time if I can avoid it.

My newest venture will be to buy wheat in it's seed form (organic will be my preference for this staple) and soaking it to "sprout" it.  Sprouting allows the seed to begin it's germination cycle, thereby releasing more nutrients and stopping the actions of the enzyme inhibitors and phytic acids present in the seed prior to sprouting.  Once sprouted the wheatberries can be thoroughly dried out in a low oven or my overworked dehydrator.  Once dry, I intend to grind those grains myself each week... just enough to make what we need, keeping it in the refrigerator or freezer for maximum freshness.

And why put all our eggs in one basket?  Why not add some barley flour, spelt, buckwheat, quinoa flour, acorn flour, or even bean flour to mix with my wheat flour, adding additional nutrients to our breads and cookies.  From what I read, each of these other flours can be substituted for up to 1/4 of the regular wheat flour called for in our traditional recipes without consequence.

Would you lend your comments to this blog please?  I would appreciate hearing others opinions or experiences with milling their own grains or sprouting grains, or even baking gluten free.  As of now the question remains, to wheat or not to wheat.

Health & Nutrition - Exposure to Toxins in our Diet

No one really knows what all the effects of the chemicals and toxins present on our food could really be having on our health.  Since my health has been returned to me in the last 2 years, I have come to appreciate it even more than ever!  Getting older appears to be NO FUN so I am going to do all I can to slow that process down and live a good long time as healthy as I can.  I watch the generation ahead of me getting sicker and sicker and the quality of their lives declining and it makes me sad.  Even people my age in their 40s, 50s, and 60s appear to have declining health and are suffering from debilitating and miserable illnesses like I used to.

The other major concern is for our children.  This young generation we are charged to care for now is the first generation of children predicted NOT to outlive their parents.  Makes me so sad.  I did a terrible job with my two older daughters in terms of feeding them correctly (ignorance is no longer blissful) and I see them suffer from that in their 20s and 30s.  My "second chance" is now present in Journey, my 11 year old.  With my head out of the sand about nutrition I have the opportunity to raise a healthier and happier person..  So feeding my family well is very important to me!

Toxins and chemicals are a reality of our present day world.  With all the commercial production of foods, society has the need to grow more and more crops, keep them from spoiling longer, genetically engineer them to resist pests and produce more yield, etc.  With this technology comes danger.  There are 100s of chemicals in all these production steps that as a society, we have lost the ability to isolate what one or more of these toxins are really doing to our body.  The ability to study this has been diluted by the pure volume of them.  Not only do we get these toxins from our food, we get them from the air we breathe, the water we drink, and what we put on our skin.  The more I research, the more alarmed I become.  The medical professionals are busy prescribing more chemicals to treat the symptoms we display and help us be more comfortable short term, but who is watching out for us long term and addressing the roots of the problems.  I see very few actions designed to prevent the problem in the first place.

There are many ways that toxins get into our diet.  Here are the major 7 that we need to be aware of and do what we can to avoid.  Small steps lead to larger steps and eventually we can make a difference in our health and that of our children!

Pesticides - Far too common on our produce!  Some pesticides harm our neurological systems, some alter our hormone productions, many harm our reproductive systems, and even some cause cancer.  Organic produce will reduce the load of these toxins.

Dioxins and PCBs - These toxins are a result of combustion (fires - think about the controversy recently over grilling our food).  They are stored in the fat of animals and humans.  One way to reduce these is to limit the amount of smoked foods and trim fat from the meat we eat in addition to eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Phthalates - think PVC, a plastic used in pipes and other soft plastics.  Also found in fragrances.  These chemicals disrupt our endocrine system (think hormones) and have been found to lead to reproductive disorders and diabetes.  They are found in processed and packaged foods and in fragrances.  Look for fragrances that use essential oils as opposed to those without the word "fragrance" on the label.

Perfluorcarbons- Found in non-stick cookware.  Teflon coatings release perfluorcarbons into our foods, especially when the coating is scratched.  If you use pans with this coating on them, avoid metal utensils that can scratch the surface of the pans.

Perchlorate- found in our water supply, along with a multitude of other contaminants including chlorine, flouride in un-regulated amounts, prescription drug residues, mercury, pesticides, etc.  Strongly consider a water filtration system or at least using a filter on drinking water.  Even bottled water does not protect you from contaminants as it only has to meet minimal requirements identical to those in all drinking water.  Bottled water may be an even bigger risk, as the plastics used to house the water may be adding additional chemicals to the water.

Bisphenol A (BPA) - used in the production of many hard plastics (like water bottles and baby bottles), this chemical can leach into food or water, especially when heated.  BPA is an endocrine disruptor and may be linked to breast and prostate cancers, heart disease, and diabetes in addition to infertility problems.  Consider using glass containers instead of plastics and never re-use water bottles!  Look for certified BPA-free plastics.

Mercury - Fish is a wonderful nutritious food.. great for brain and heart health, unless it is contaminated with mercury.  There is also mercury found in silver dental fillings that can leach into your body.  Mercury contamination can harm the brain, nervous system, kidneys, heart, lungs, and immune system.  There are several resources available to investigate what seafood items are least likely to be contaminated by mercury.  Here is just one:  http://www.eatingwell.com/healthy_cooking/healthy_cooking_101/shopping_cooking_guides/green_choices_seafood_buyer_s_guide

Quite a daunting list, don't you think?  It appears almost impossible to avoid all these chemicals and I think it is impossible ....  but you can minimize it for your family with just a little education.  The human body is an amazing creation!  Our bodies take care of us and our liver, lymphatic system, blood systems, and kidneys work hard to eliminate these chemicals and toxins every day.  We owe it to our own health and the health of our children to do our part!  I know that I used to be blind to these issues until it became evident to me that so many people were suffering from health issues related to toxin overload (including me and my own family).

Did you know that our wonderful human body even another mechanism to protect us from this toxic load?  We store toxins that can't be eliminated through our own internal devices in fat cells!  Yes, that is a large reason why so many of us carry around extra weight!  But what can you do to help yourself?  Try some gentle internal cleansing that supports your liver, digestive system, lymphatic system, and blood to clear the overload of toxins.  That is what I do for my family in addition to some sensible diet changes.  Check out this video for more information:  http://www.isamovie.com/AreYouToxic.html

And to be entirely fair here, I want to give you one final link to finding more information on the "7 Simple Ways to Detoxify your Diet and your Home".  It has been a valuable resource to me, in addition to many others:  http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/organic_natural/7_simple_ways_to_detox_your_diet_and_your_home

Take care and get well soon! 

Health - Can I tell you my story?

Some of you may think I am a bit radical or don't understand how I went from having a deep fryer on my counter to harvesting acorns and rejecting high fructose corn syrup and soy from my family's diet.

Can I tell you my story?
Thank you... there are sometimes that I am so amazed and grateful that it is a bit cathartic to tell it and I also hope to help others escape from their cages of misery.

Two years ago, I had a really good paying job, was working 50 hours a week, living on meals out and grocery store boxed dinners.  I was stressed, didn't sleep well at night, and had a variety of physical ailments that left me feeling like a pretty hopeless 50 year old.  I didn't think that 50 should feel that old but I did not know where to turn to change anything... and admittedly, I LIKED drinking diet Coke and Vodka and eating!  They were solace to me every day in dealing with the stress of a life and a body that had me trapped.

I would like to take a minute here to explain to you the physical things that plagued me and made me miserable.  This is not to say I was so bad off but just to give you some background on why I believe the way I do now.  Need I say that the list of these ailments was frightening, miserable, and drastically lowered the quality of my life and my family's life.

• Chronic fatigue (not the kind that is diagnosed as such but the kind that compels you to hit the couch the minute you get home from work and let the kids and husband fend for themselves)
• Difficulty sleeping at night ( I found a cure for that.. in desperation I used to drink several shots of vodka before bed to help me sleep)
• Chronic indigestion/GERD/reflux.  It was so bad that I had to sleep sitting in a chair every night and was already diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition caused by chronic damage to the lining of the esophagus.
• Frequent bladder infections - in the last years of my 40s, I had about 5 - 6 infections a year and was treated with big doses of an antibiotic called Levaquin each time.  
• Frequent upper respiratory infections, including pneumonia and asthma.
• Frequent headaches, especially migraines.
• Low thyroid (somewhere along the line I have severely debilitated by thyroid gland's ability to function)
• Chronic pain in my feet and legs, including leg swelling (at times this was crippling pain and my family would push me in a wheelchair or leave me on a bench somewhere while they walked to enjoy the fair, the museum, the mall, etc)
• Chronic tendonitis in my hands..  
• Depression and anxiety (treated with medication)
• I was 6 foot tall and weighed 270 pounds at my largest in my early 40s but had dieted down to 230 by the time I was 50.  I knew this weight was not a healthy one but most diets only had temporary results and I always seemed to gain back whatever weight I lost.

So that is a laundry list of the things that "ailed me", when I then lost my job through a lay off in October of 2010 at the age of 50.  I really felt hopeless and helpless at that time.  It was the lowest time in my life.

Then a dear friend told me about a company that helps people improve their health and lose weight.  I was SO skeptical at first but I did some research and decided to give it a try.  I was so fortunate that my husband embraced this change with me at the time so we started together (he also was topping out at 300 pounds with the apparent inability to consistently lose weight on our "diets").  The plan was simple ...  eat what comes in the box, make just a few changes in your diet along with it, and you will feel better and lose weight.   I was STILL SKEPTICAL about the "feel better" part but I really wanted a "magic" diet that really worked so I committed to a try!  It seemed expensive at first until I realized that it replaced much of our grocery store expense, eating out expense, diet coke expense, and vodka expense.  Did I know I was going to give all of that up?  NO!  It was not required but I quickly realized I did not need it anymore.

So what happened?

Within the first month:

• No more indigestion.  (Got to quit taking all that Prilosec, Nexium, Tums, Zantac, Pepcid, etc)
• No more fatigue ( I don't think I have taken more than one nap in the last 2 years)
• The fog in my brain started to lift and my mood was SO much better (even without a job and grieving the loss of my job)
• I lost around 15 - 18 pounds the first month and my husband lost about 20+ the first month.
• The pain in my hands and feet got better enough that I was able to quit taking the Vicodin that the doctor prescribed for me.
• I discovered that could sleep at night without vodka.  I decided that I did not need a daily infusion of it and I really woke up feeling much more refreshed without it.  (you can imagine) LOL....

Within the first 4 months:

• We lost a combined 100+ pounds (about 40+ for me and 60+ for him), which drastically changed our levels of confidence, and further improved our energy levels.
• Husband's doctor visits showed normal A1C levels (he had been previously diagnosed with Diabetes).
• Normal cholesterol blood values
• My doctor was amazed.
• My skin was glowing and healthy.
• I felt great and by that time needed no more medication except for that darn thyroid pill.

NOW???  2 Years Later:

• I haven't had so much as a tylenol for well over a year (except for that darn thyroid pill)  
• I have lost a total of 65+ pounds and kept it off easily!  I went from a size 18 to a size 10.
• I have had one cold in the last year.
• I have not had any bladder infections..
• No more reflux or indigestion for me!
• I sleep like a baby!
• I have energy all day long for all the things I need to do!
• No more pain in my feet ..  I can walk again and now enjoy the Iowa State Fair, going to the gym, taking walks with my daughter, etc.
• NO headaches.
• I am happy and have little stress.. things just don't get to me like they used to.

All this benefit from JUST changing what I put in my mouth!  I am still amazed and this is why I tell you my story and will never stop telling my story.  Research, be willing to change a little, give a healthy change a few months trial and see what happens, get the processed foods, chemicals, etc, out of your life as much as you can.  I will post more blogs on Health topics, including the chemicals in prescription drugs and what to watch for, side effects, etc.

If you have a particular question you would like me to address in this blog, send me an email or leave a comment and I will do my best to give you an answer or a resource!