Smart Balance is Not So Smart

Natural News reports today that Smart Balance spreads are to go non-GMO, however..." it is crucial that health-conscious folks recognize that even non-GMO Smart Balance is inferior to healthy fats like coconut oil, which contain higher levels of beneficial saturated fat, and pasture-based butter and lard for those who choose to consume animal products. Aside from its palm and coconut oil content, Smart Balance is loaded with inflammatory vegetable oils, preservatives and synthetic vitamins, none of which are health-promoting."

Learn more by reading the complete article at Mike Adams Natural News.

Purely Living readers are aware that I have read many books on cancer prevention, healinig from cancer, holistic and alternative health books, newsletters, research papers... etc.  The hydrogenated Omega 6 oils are a toxic poison to the human body, contributing to inflammation, depriving cells of oxygen...and considered to be a major proponent of disease and many of the health issues Americans face today.  Even though plant based ...the process of hydrogenation makes the end product an acidic and non-beneficial compound to ingest in the human body.

Marketing hype falsely leads us to beleive it is a "heart healthy" choice, when there could be nothing further from the truth.  Although my family is primarily dairy free..we do use organic butter when it is rarely used. Primarily, however, we simply use organic healthy fats - coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil. I can't recall the last time I used butter on something.  As in my pancake post yesterday - fruit topping is really all one needs for a spread, or for sandwiches, nothing beats my homemade guacamole!

My family ensures our Omega 3 intake by supplementing to promote overall well-being, mental, joint, and heart health with a VEGAN brand by Arbonn which is very pure and free of ocean pollution - and provides more Omega 3s than 4 salmon steaks! My husband has personally benefited and was able to get off his high cholesterol meds over 3 years ago thanks to this supplement.

Be leery of the marketed heart healthy spreads full of Omega 6, for they will most likely "get you" in the later years. Make sure your Omega 3 intake is greater than your O6, and O9. Read the link to "healthy fats" above for one of my most trusted advisors in health and nutrition - Dr. Russell Blaylock.

May you feel great, look great, and live great through healthier choices!
Rita S.

The Daniel Fast - Is It God's Perfect Eating Plan?

The Daniel Fast is gaining in popularity with Christian believers and fans of Rick Warren.

Currently I am reading/praying/meditating through the Transformation series by Warren, and see that the Daniel Fast is mentioned in week 2. It is being highly recommended as the next small group focus. I am always skeptical of diets - South Beach, Paleo, WW, you name it...and now, the Daniel Plan is brought to my attention.

Three years ago I asked God to direct me in regaining my health, which I did, having lost 80 lbs and maintained, and reversed a number of health concerns. My goal was to restore the Temple of the Spirit, and honor God with my body and choices as a steward of His property. I called it the "Temple Restoration Project", and was successful - becasue God was with me on the journey. It was He who helped me resist temptation. It was He who filled my head with knowledge, helping me to discern fads from long term healthy living choices. It is He who I am able to please, with my own heatlh restored, as I serve others who struggle and sincerely desire to restore their earthly temple for the Indwelling.

 During my journey, which has been continual since 2010, I have read a lot on cancer prevention and foods to avoid, which was just as important as weight loss for me. My husband has also joined me on my health journey. We are  a Rx and OTC free household now, and have been for years - using God's medicines - which is whole food nutrition based on plants. Because of our health we save a lot of money on what we previously may have spent on Rx, OTC, doctor visits - it pays off to shop the perimeter of the grocery store and also compare prices. It may require sacrifice - fewer DVDs purchased or movies. Ask yourself, what is your health priority?

I have NO DOUBT that people will lose weight in their 30 day challenges, or diet plans - because one is making a conscience effort to restrict their diet, caloric intake, thereby losing weight. With or without special supplements, you are going to lose weight.  The BIG question is...will you keep it off? Is the plan you are incorporating a plan that can become a lifestyle ...a habit?

Can you eat Paleo for the rest of your life and live healthily? I question those that incorporate a lot of meat into their daily consumption. Even organic, animal foods are acidic based.  Sure, you will lose weight, have muscle mass...but what is going on in your body on a cellular level? Iron toxicity is real, and builds up in the body...and studies are linking iron toxicity to breast cancer. A primarily meat-eating diet may not manifest until you are in your 60s.  At least Paleons promote organic choices, which is wise.

In reviewing the Daniel Fast....on line recipes, the second one I looked at, contained canola oil, which is a red flag for me. It is not only processed, but genetically modified.  We did not have GMO foods back in the days of Daniel. Whole wheat is listed in a flat bread recipe? Organic? It would be better to list Spelt, a wheat that can be traced back to biblical times - prior to the GMO introduction into our food chain in 1983.

Several foods on the Daniel approved list concern me - in particular soy, whole grains containing gluten, which can cause sensitivities and contribute to health issues and often do not manifest as full blown allergies.
Canola oil, an unhealthy oil (it has been hyped as healthy to create a market for the crop), is listed in a recipe. Canola is an Omega 6 (our ratio of heart healthy O3 to O6 is greatly skewed in this country), it is a heavily genetically modified crop, and the process to make canola oil is far from healthy. Using canola oil does not avoid the chemicals in the food, and avoiding chemicals is a part of the Daniel plan.

We utilize only organic coconut oil and EVOO in our kitchen. If we do use sesame or seed/nut oils they should be freshly ground to avoid free radicals from developing.

Organic fermented soy should be limited to twice weekly as it is naturally high in glutamates, and contributes to thyroid issues and hormonal imbalances. It is also being linked to having an affect on memory as one ages, due to glutamates which build up  as an "excitotoxiin" in the brain, per Dr. Russell Blaylock..

Corn - another major GMO food. Our son is an example of the difference non-GMO can make. We eat pretty clean - and he is 16. Sixteen year old boys eat a lot - so corn chips are gluten free and relatively inexpensive. His acne was prevalent however. I read about the effects of GMO on the skin. We switch to ogranic corn chips and the his skin cleared up dramatically. If teh store runs out of organic (which they do) - the acne worsens.

Canned vegetables are also in Daniel Fast recipes - which may contain aluminum - especially acidic vegetables. I highly recommend buying  canned foods in glass jars whenever possible, tomatoes in particular.

I see that the list is being edited, and I would encourage Daniel Fast writers to look into these concerns and consider altering the approved food list.

For those who need a quality vegan protein powder during the Daniel Fast - I use one that is completely balanced and pure, ie free of trace metals. Because it is cold processed - it is also NOT exposed to the harsh chemicals that protein isolates are usually subjected to in the manufacturing process.  It is gluten, dairy, soy free, AND low glycemic. Quality exists, but it is hard to find. If you click on the orange 5 box" at upper right of my blog it will take you to the site from which we order our vegan protein powder. Feel free to ask questions...a comparison to other proteins (both cost and ingredients is available) and most people choose to shop at discounts. I may consider sending a sample if asked.

There is no doubt in my mind, that the Daniel Fast is a fast of discipline and obedience to the Lord. In that regard - it is a faith based, grounded plan.  Having the Lord join me in my own journey made all the difference in the world between success and failure. Pray earnestly, ask Satan to get behind you when tempted... allow the Spirit to work in you and give you discernment for healthy choices so that you can restore His temple.

All the best to everyone participating in the Daniel Fast - even though I would alter the plan for my personal concerns - any step you make towards incorporating an alkaline based diet will go a long ways to reducing body inflammation and helpiing you become more healthy so you can have the energy to carry out God's purpose in your life.

To your health,
Rita S.

Sunshine on My Shoulders Makes Me Happy (for a reason!)

This past weekend I was routed through the Denver, Colorado airport on the way to Vegas for an amazing and transforming weekend with the health and wellness company I consult for, through which I am building my dream life. While in the Deniver airport...John Denver could be heard in just about every store - "Rocky Mountain High", "Sunshine on My Shoulders"...and I got to thinking...

There is a biological reason that sunshine on one's shoulders "makes me happy" - sunshine provides the very necessary Vitamin D3 - which scientists are not recognizing as an actual hormone versus a "vitamin". Which in of itself is interesting...  

Dr. Russell Blaylock has written extensively, in  recent issues of his wellness newsletter, on the topic of anxiety and depression. A commonality, per Blaylock, is a deficiency in Vitamin D.  Therefore, if one has enough Vitamin D3 - the opposite of depression would be "happy". The sunshine vitamin = a dose of happy vitamin.

Here in Wisconsin, winter is cold, lacks sunshine, and the gray skies take a toll on people - S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder) becomes more common. This past winter I heard stories from at least 6 people I know whom developed this. I knew my company was likely formulating a Vitamin D spray - I only wished I had it in my hands for those dear to me who were affected - and we had such a LONG winter, too. You can learn more about S.A.D. here.

Dr. Joe Mercola wrote an article, "Vitamin D is VITAL for You - and Your Family", in which he goes into great detail on the benefits of Vitamin D. I will sum it up with his key bullet pointed benefits:

- Heart Health

- Cell formation and longevity

- Skin health

- Pancreatic health

- Aging process

- Sleep patterns

- hearing

- Reproductive Health

- Eye health

- Athletic heatlh

- Vascular System health

- Respiratory Health

- Immune health

- healthy mood and feeling of well being

- Weight management, including carb and fat metabolism

- hair and hair follicles

- Strong healthy bones, as D encourages cacium uptake

- Muscles (check out this article)

Are you surprised to see muscles on the list? I admit I did not realize Vit. D3 was so important for so many biological functions.

Vitamin B12 should go hand in hand with D for maximum benefits. B12 is necessary for red blood cell formation, and helps alleviate chronic fatigue.

I hope this sheds some LIGHT on the topic of the necesisty for Vitamin D., and B12, too!  If you can't get a little sunshine on your shoulders for 15-20 min. per day (no sunscreen, no clothing to cover), you may want to have your levels checked and determine if supplementation may be to your benefit. According to Dr. Gominak, and his report found here, we would need to drink 100 cups of milk per day to get the Vitamin D we need. In fact, after reading that article, I do believe I need to go spray a bit of Essnetial Vitamin D/B12 into my mouth. It will be absorbed quickly, and I just may have the best night's sleep ever!

To your health!

Rita S. 

Color Your Plate!! Forget the FDA Food Plate...

It's summertime! With farmer's markets, home gardens and roadside produce stands there is no better time to start incorporating a healthy eating plan. When the FDA released it's newer, modern food plate in 2011 I was actually shocked by the proportions shown on the plate. This is NOT how we teach our own children to eat.

The FDA plate contains, in a nutshell, too many grains. Most households will throw a slice of bread or pasta in that "section" of the plate thinking it is all good for their children and themselves. When in fact, the "grain" being incorporated into the typical American diet is, in all liklihood, sourced from processed refined flours vs. whole grain products that are comprised of 4-5 ingredients. What this means in easy to understand terms - is that these types of grains are classified as SIMPLE CARBS. Now, don't get me wrong - we need carbohydrates for our bodies to function - but we need COMPLEX carbs.

What's wrong with simple carbs, products made from processed and refined flours, hydrogenated oils, etc. you ask? Basically, these foods are major contributors to Type II Diabetes, high cholesterol, hardening of the arties and blockage, heart disease and more.  (Dr. Russel Blaylock, Blaylock Wellness Report Newsletters) Because simple carbs are processed the same as table sugar in our bodies (Dr. John Lee "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer") it promotes and fuels cancer cell growth. There are  many reasons to reduce simple carbs in one's overall diet. Another one is its contributory factors to auto immune diseases, gluten in particular. Once a family staple in our household, I would guess we have not served pasta in our home for at least 18 months. Once fooled by the "whole grain" varieties, label reading helped me realize that those, as well, are made with processed, refined flours.

That's not to say we go completely without.  Sundays are set aside as a day to enjoy a bakery item - such as a muffin or pastry, made with refined flour, sugar and omega-6 oils (I am reading a lot right now on Omega 6 and Omega 3 oils and surely will share more about that in a future post.) Eating clean 90% of the time allows us to deviate and maintain our weight losses, and continue to keep us free of Rx and OTC drugs.

There is a lot more I could go into regarding the FDA's attempt at create a balanced food plate diagram. Even though it is posted in our children's classrooms, we let our kids know that it does not mean it is accurate in portraying a healthy eating lifestyle.

There is no better time than the summer season to cover 1/2 to 2/3 of your plate in non-starchy vegetables, which contain good carbs. Greens and vegetables are GOOD FUEL for your body and give it the energy it needs. These foods are alkaline based, and when consumed in a ratio that is greater than acidic foods (such as dairy and meat food groups) it will help you lead a life in which you will feel better, look better, enjoy increased clarity of mind and energy.

Below is a sample of a Heatlhy Living Dinner Plate I created after listening to Dr. Molly Geil give a talk on a 30 Day Detoxification/Feeling Fit program. I created this mostly to post on our refrigerator to keep us accountable for food serving proportions, along with ideas for each section in order to assist my husband who is home first weekdays, and typically puts our dinner together. There is an entire booklet available for anyone who does wish to detox or eliminate foods they may be allergic or sensitive to in order to determine what is causing their aches, low energy, weight gain, etc.  The page goes into a detox plan a bit as well, but primarily - the idea was to provide a healthy living food diagram. Our family has incorporated much of the information in this booklet into our day to day living, and the page below simply makes a great "cheat sheet".

Currently, if your plate is all protein, then by all means - start with the FDA plate to steer you in the right direction. However, if you experience any of the simple carb related ailments then I would encourage you to shift gears and color your plate - there is no better time to start than when fresh produce is readily available!

To your health,

Rita S.

Food Pyramids - Go Green!

People want to know, "what did you do to lose weight and keep it off?"  Quite simply, I made a LIFESTYLE CHANGE.  Diet is not in my vocabulary.  I did not eliminate all carbs, nor did I pump up, and plump out, on enormous amounts of meat.  I did not become a vegetarian, nor did I head to the south beach.
COMMON SENSE.  That's really it, in a nut shell. (Nuts are GOOD FATS, by the way!)  I did not read a diet book, join a club, or a program in which I had to weigh in weekly or pay a fee to have someone tell me what I should and should not eat. I DID NOT count calories, and the health newsletters I read would totally agree with that.   We need calories - but there are good calories, bad calories.  Our bodies NEED FUEL - good energy.    Green food is fuel for your body, consume lots of brown food, sugars, simple carbs and you may as well be pouring battery acid in. Okay, maybe that's an extreme analogy - but acidic food is TOXIC food and promotes ill health and disease.
Check out the Healthy Living Cheat Sheet below. If you need a jump start to healthier living this guide has helped 100s of people.  Most of us have addictions, and we don't even know it. We are addicted to sugar - no less a drug in our body than perhaps a weed. Caffeine, akin to alcohol. Simple carbs - another word for "joint pain".  Artificial sweeteners - have you seen the commercial of the egg frying on hot pavement "this is your brain on drugs?" - well, don't be fooled by your diet sodas - it is pretty much an equivalent to frying your brain cells!
You may think this a little harsh, but the truth can be just that.  I am not saying you need to curb all your addictions at once...I backed off more slowly, 50%, then 75% and now I would say I eat alkaline about 85-90% of the time. I did not do a 30 Day Detox until I had already lost 62 lbs, and at the end of those thirty days I had lost 16 more!
For some - a jump start - cold turkey on all the allergenic foods in Step 1 are the only way to go. Those with serious addictions will likely experience headaches by day three. BUT if you stick with it, by the end of the first week you are going to feel SO MUCH BETTER!
If you can eat clean and green you may not need to incorporate a vegan (pea. brown rice, cranberry) protein shake - whch is pH correct for your body, into your lifestyle. For myself, I needed a convenience button and the Essentials shake fit my needs, not to mention I made up some pretty delicious concoctions! Dessert for breakfast-  I like that very much! (LOL)



I did not create the plate diagram above, but I do want to clarify the protein section. This does not mean an 8 oz steak every day, taking up 1/4 of your plate is acceptable! Dr. Russel Blaylock stated, in one of his newsletters, that  12 oz of red meat is all we need in ONE WEEK! Research is showing that iron toxicity is prevalent in almost all forms of cancer. And if you are not eating grass fed, organic beef....well then, forget it if you think you are eating healthy. Paleo people - be warned that excessive amount of MEAT is acidic and cancer cells thrive on an acidic state of being. There are plenty of low carbers out there who also think they can eat meat to their hearts desire and not have ill effects. Yes, you may lose weight initially, and perhaps permanently if it keeps you off the sugars and simple carbs, but people who eat healthy get cancer, too. I would almost be inclined to say that vegetarians perhaps have it down right, regarding healthy eating. But unbeknownst to many of them - SOY is not a HEALTH FOOD.  Not by the time it goes through American processing (which makes the end product acidic). GMO is an entire issue with soy, and even organic soy absorbs more trace metals from the ground than any other plant in the plant kingdom.

More than 50%, I would even suggest to make 75% of your plate GREEN. Healthy nut choices can be included in that. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on your salad. Cut up half a lean chicken breast to go with your salad, and add some fresh fruit to your salad to brighten the flavors. It is amazing how vibrant and delicious a salad becomes when you add a variety of toppings to your dark green GREENS (iceburg lettuce is NOT a health food - avoid it as it equals empty calories).

And for the record, unless I am detoxing I treat myself...if you have behaved all week long, made healthy choices and stuck with it - by all means go out and treat yourself to a mocha, a scoop of ice cream, or a couple pieces of dark chocolate.  Depraved people have been known to eat an entire quart of ice cream or bag of chips in one sitting - don't do this to yourself.  Rewards - it's all about feeling better, having  more energy, and going GREEN!

To your health,

Rita S.

Thyroid Issues - Two Words: Progesterone & Iodine!

Epidemic. When you see that word what probably comes to mind is typhoid or AIDS. I doubt anyone thinks of thyroid disorders as being an epidemic - but it certainly is becoming one! I haven’t made tally marks or charted the number of women I have met in the past two years with thyroid issues, as compared to those who do not, but if I had to guess – I would say 1 in 5 of the women I meet are taking thyroid medication for hypothyroid – that is, their body does not produce enough thyroid hormone on its own.
In the past 48 hours I have met or had conversations with or about 4 women with serious thyroid issues. One just diagnosed with thyroid cancer, another is a continual conversation with the mother and mainstream medicine is not making a difference – her daughter has not experienced improvement and there are all sorts of issues. The latter surprises me not one bit, yet it seems there has been no effort to read any of the resources I have provided. PEOPLE – if we don’t self-educate ourselves and rely soley on our doctors with their Rx band-aid approach – our bodies are NOT going to be cured!
Yes, you may detect a little bit of frustration in my post today. I have a message to give that can HELP people, but I apparently cannot reach the masses quick enough. If you know of someone with a thyroid issue PLEASE send them a link to today’s blog post so they can check out the resources I am linking for their benefit.
For women with thyroid issues it is especially difficult to lose weight. Thyroid is needed for metabolism, what’s more, some thyroid medications actually cause weight gain. It is not only adult women, but thyroid disorders are reaching epidemic proportions in our young people as well. I know of one young pre-teen who gained 100 lbs. in a years time since being put on thyroid medication. This case is a matter of, sadly, what insurance will pay for, because a switch to a different med, such as one with natural thyroid hormone which her body can actually metabolize, such as Armour – would make all the difference in the world for this child, but the doctor tells the mother insurance won’t cover it. Middle school years are tough enough as it is without this poor girl going through it with a weight problem due to thyroid. Again, frustration in a medical system that is failing this child!
Two natural remedies to help the thyroid function more readily are not patentable, they are not expensive…and therefore, they are not prescribed by doctor’s either. Unless you are working with a holistic or alternative medicine doctor. PROGESTERONE AND IODINE – deficiencies that are reported in pretty much every hypo or hyper –thyroid patient. For the rest of this post I will simply cite the experts and provide links – I pray you check them out! (I believe it pertinent to mention that chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are also being linked to thyroid disorders – as people utilize bio-identical progesterone for thyroid disorders, their energy and muscle weakness/soreness also improve.)
The Natural Progesterone Advisory Network – a resource for mainstream medical doctors who desire to learn more to actually HELP CURE their patients, click on these links to learn more:
Relationship between progesterone and thyroid hormones
How estrogen dominance affects thyroid
More about estrogen dominance, progesterone and thyroid, and an accurate test to help determine your deficiencies.

One women’s health center in Texas that focuses on thyroid treatment writes:Progesterone is by far, the most common hormone deficiency in women. This deficiency is probably responsible for most of the long-term “female” problems including ovarian cysts, fibroid uterus, endometriosis, migraine headaches, PMS, depression, mood swings, blood clots, infertility, heart disease, painful or prolonged periods, etc. Birth control pills have destroyed a woman’s ovarian production of progesterone, in my opinion. Exposure to “xenoestrogens”, which are synthetic chemicals in the environment that have estrogen-like effects, have also suppressed ovarian production of progesterone. Nearly 100% of women who are hypothyroid are also progesterone deficient. Thyroid deficiency and progesterone deficiency march in lockstep with one another. Progesterone deficiency is so rampant, that I (Andrew Jones M.D.) have joked about putting it in the water supply. A daily dose of 50 – 100 mg of progesterone a day would really help a lot of women. Dosing is dependent on many factors. Maximal doses now go up to 800mg/day in severe cases. Most women that I treat take 100 – 200 mg/day in divided doses. Another consideration is whether a woman is still menstruating or not, and whether she still wants children or not. This influences whether progesterone is taken every day or just in the second half of your menstrual cycle. To read the full posting follow this link.

ON TO IODINE…Dr. David Brownstein, a world renowned expert on the treatment of thyroid disorders, is not at all baffled by the rise in cases of thyroid cancer among women. Because I have been meeting so many women with thyroid issues, I purchased Brownstein’s books on Thyroid Disorders and Iodine Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It, as well as a DVD on the subject. You can read Brownstein’s opinion of why thyroid cancer is increasing at this link.

It boils down to is IODINE DEFICIENCY. Ever since somebody or organization decided to make a decree that salt is the cause of hypertension people have been decreasing their salt intake, OR switching out IODIZED table salt for processed sea salt, which likely lacks the iodine. We THINK we are making healthier choices – I know I did! My family is switching back to IODIZED sea salt – the non-processed kind such as Celtic Sea Salt. Another resource in my w-book, Killing Cancer...Not People, recommends the Himalayan sea salt.
More thoughts from Dr. Brownstein...links...

• Increase in Thyroid Cancer




• Pregnant Women and Iodine Deficiency




• Children and the Iodine Connection




• Salt - Confused?

Another realm of thought on thyroid disorders is GLUTEN. Yep, you heard right. It makes sense as well. Gluten affects our hormone balance. Since this has been a long post already, the article in reference to gluten and the thyroid connection by Dr. Kresser, can be found at this link.



PLEASE help spread the word – thyroid disorders and even thyroid cancer to not have to continue on this rise to epidemic proportions if we can get the word out on the importance of consuming iodized, natural sea salt in your diet (this is not the pretty white stuff – it is gray, pink, and/or brown); and natural progesterone transdermal cream. Shake some salt on your food, rub some lotion onto your skin – as far as a remedy goes…it can’t get much easier than that!Always work with your doctor as thyroid patients utilizing these two natural products will be able to decrease their thyroid medication as the body begins to regulate thyroid production as God intended.



To your health!



Rita S.

Anti- Cancer Super Foods

Live to eat well. FINALLY, our box arrived that Jesse and I had been anticipating since making our PBS pledge in mid-December. We decided to gift ourselves with a health resource for Christmas, and bought Dr. Joel Fuhrman's Eat to Live Well package. We anticipated watching the DVDs and reading the books over Christmas break to prepare us for our new year challenge...oh well, we will get 'er done with a late start!
The set has 3 books and 6 DVDs, one of the books includes some recipes. The DVDs are titled:

1. 3 Steps to Incredible Health



2. Eating for Incredible health



3. Say No to Heart Disease and Diabetes



4. Winning the War Against Cancer



5. The Skinny on Fats



6. Success Stories Before and After

We watched the first video and thought I would share Dr. Fuhrman's G.O.M.B.S. top 5 anti-cancer food recommendations.
G = Greens. Green vegetables contain many different nutrients and organisms that create a slippery coating on the inside of your blood vessels. Greens activate something called the Nrf2 mechanism that prevents plaque from sticking and speeds up the rate at which fat melts away – all this occurs inside our tiny blood vessels. Basically, think of eating greens as a way of cleaning out your blood vessels and coating them with protection.
O = Onions. When you cut an onion, you cry for good reason. The gas released actually creates disulfides and anti-cancer nutrients that are formed. A large study in Europe revealed that people who ate onions regularly showed a 60% – 70% reduction in all major cancers. Source -The Medical Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Think of preventing ovarian cancer or prostate cancer just by eating more onions… I am so glad we cook with mushrooms constantly, but I do wish they would not make me cry so!

M = Mushrooms. Recently a study published in the International Journal of Cancer showed that women who regularly consumed about 10 grams (that’s a small handful of sliced mushrooms, usually 1) are 64% less likely to develop breast cancer. This study went even further to reveal that the group of women who ate this same amount of mushrooms daily along with regular consumption of greens or green tea were 89% less likely to develop breast cancer. This research is more than mind-boggling, it’s significant, remarkable, and extraordinary news that inspires and encourages the need to eat healthier foods – all from about 1 mushroom, wow.
B = Beans and Berries. Beans and berries have highly potent, concentrated levels of anti-cancer antioxidants. They promote healthy brain function as well.
S = Seeds. Raw seeds and nuts contain phytochemicals and good fats that work to reduce cholesterol, help our bodies better absorb important micronutrients, and decrease inflammation. ADD NUTS AND SEEDS whole and raw to your salads - the properties of these good fats allow your body to absorb the micro nutrients of the salad 10X as much than if you ate them as a snack on the side.

I also learned that mushrooms must be cooked! Light cooking of mushrooms dissipates the toxins, and promotes anti oxidant benefits which help fight cancer. Per Fuhrman t is important to know which vegetables should be consumed raw and which should be cooked, which we will learn as we go through the DVDs and books. Also, you can lose micro-nutrients in some vegetables by chopping them after being cooked, therefore it is important to know which vegetables should be cut before being cooked.
Fortunately, we find that we eat GOMBS quite regularly - especially since all are within acceptance of the elimination/detox diet we are currently doing. I look forward to sharing more as I learn.

To your health,

Rita S

What's In Your Health Drink?

In a few days I will be sharing a talk on taking care of your liver - or more importantly, loving on your liver. We each only have one. The liver is the body's filtering system. Just as you would not let your furnace filter get totally clogged, nor would you want the city water treatment plant to not be operating to par - we need to ensure the filtering system that God created for our bodies - the LIVER, is loved on and not taxed, which leads to disease and illness.
Come to learn more on Sunday at Crossroads Coffeehouse from 3-5 pm as we kick of a community group - Vitality 2012.

Today is a couple thoughts about beverages...now, I am referring to health drinks. Not soda, and not even energy drinks, as both are the opposite of health drinks.
This is a complete cut and paste, and wish I could remember from whom I found this - but I do believe it was Dr. Mercola's web site although I JUST downloaded 4 Myths- Sick, Tired, Fat by Dr. Kresser (another web site I just subscribed to) and he reiterates the same thing.
------------------------------
4 health drinks to avoid

Here are 4 of the top so-called "healthy" offenders:
NUMBER 1: 100% "Natural" fruit juice
Surprised?
Ok. Yes. Fruit juice is a better choice than drinking fake high-fructose corn syrup juice … but … it's still a truck-load of calories per ounce of liquid.
On top of that, it has almost all of the blood sugar regulating fiber stripped out of the fruit—this means the natural fruit sugars will trigger insulin surges and send your blood sugar soaring into the diabetic range!
NOT what you want at all.
This is a BIG one because most parents think fruit juice is a "healthy" choice for their children … but … the science shows it's definitely not.
In a study* of 4 to 12 year old children researchers from Deakin University found children who drank more than two glasses (500ml) of fruit juice/drinks per day were more likely to be overweight or obese.
"These odds increased as the amounts of fruit juice/drink consumed increased," Dr Sanigorski said. "Children who drank more than three glasses of soft drink (three quarters of a litre/750ml) or 4 glasses of fruit juice/drinks (1 litre) on the day in question were more than twice as likely to be overweight or obese compared with children who did not drink these drinks."
So the best thing to do is keep fruit juices far out of the hands of our children.
But it's not just the kids who fall prey to these health wrecking Trojan horses—adults fall for it too!
In fact, one particular juice is extremely dangerous for ANY man to consume …
Can you guess what it is?
100% Pure Orange Juice.
Why?
Orange Juice is rich in IRON … which is potentially toxic if your blood levels become too high.
The reason men have to worry about consuming too much orange juice (as little as two big glasses each day) is because we men don't menstruate each month … … And that means we lack an efficient method of clearing excess iron from our blood each month.
Yes.
The "healthy" glass of orange juice you're having at breakfast not only spikes your insulin levels into diabetic ranges (which … along with your energy … will come plummeting down later in the morning) …
… But if you're a man it can also be loading your body with a potentially dangerous heavy metal.
Not good.
So with all this in mind …
It's a much better idea to EAT fruit the way nature intended, with all of the fiber intact, and use a whole foods base multi-vitamin/antioxidant supplement to get enough of the super-nutrients contained in fruit juice.
Let's move onward …

NUMBER 2: Soy Milk
This used to be an often recommended "healthy" alternative to milk …
The truth is:
Most soy products these days are heavily processed with little nutrient density… and … this includes most soy milk you see at the grocery store.
Without question, most soy milk has become too sugary and is controlled by the same food and beverage giants that are still manufacturing and marketing other products that promote degenerative disease.
What's more: high levels of soy consumption have been linked with un-naturally high levels of estrogen production in both men and women …
For men this is death to your sex drive, decreased sperm production and could cause problems such as gynecomastia (abnormal enlargement of men's breasts) …
… For women, even though estrogen is considered a "female sex hormone" … like most anything … too much of it is also bad.
Estrogen dominance has been linked to thyroid disruption, a host of autoimmune diseases and some research questions the connection to hormone sensitive cancers such as breast cancer.
Your best bet? Just avoid it.
And whatever you do, if you are raising a small child, do not feed your child soy-based breast milk replacement products …
… Hopefully, the potential dangers of this commonly accepted practice are evident now.
That said, not all soy is bad …
The only soy based food I have found that is in it's fairly natural state is edamame (green vegetable soypods found at most high-end Japanese restaurants).
Keep in mind I still eat it VERY rarely if I'm dining out or added to a healthy stir fry using walnut, macadamia nut or grapeseed oil.
Speaking of dining out … here's one to REALLY avoid …

NUMBER 3: Crappuccinos
Ok, I mean Cappuccino, but I'm really referring to those high priced gourmet coffee drinks.
While black coffee can help you burn fat because the caffeine content gives your metabolism a slight boost, these tempting coffee calorie hogs can hide up to 1,000 calories!
In one drink!
YES … you are correct … that's insane!
Still craving one of these gourmet coffee drinks?
You can make your own fat-burning version pretty easily:
You'll start by spooning sugar-free, nonfat vanilla yogurt in an ice cube tray and freezing it into cubes overnight.
Then you'll add them to a blender with a splash of organic fat-free milk, a teaspoon of instant coffee crystals, and a scoop of natural vanilla or chocolate whey protein powder.
Lastly, just sprinkle on some cinnamon to add a little fat-burning kick. If you want to cut down on the caffeine, just use decaffeinated instant coffee instead.
This will taste so good that you'll swear it isn't good for you, but it definitely is … and … it's much lower calories than those commercial brands!
Plus, the added protein will give your metabolism a good nudge and help to power your muscles throughout the day.
And last but not least, here is …

NUMBER 4: Zero Calorie Flavored Waters
The good news is these are 0 calories.
That's where the good news stops though …
… most of these still use questionable artificial sweeteners which have been shown to inhibit fat burning, increase appetite, and block the absorption of nutrients into your body in a variety of studies.
Don't be too bummed out though…
A couple of 0 cal flavored drinks use the all-natural stevia plant as a sweetener, include Zevia (a stevia based soft drink), and the 0 cal varieties of Sobe Lifewater for example.
So your best bet?
If you need a little more taste than water every once in a while—look for one of the brands I just mentioned …
… Or … you could always squeeze some lemon in water and maybe add a natural sweetener like stevia to satisfy your taste buds.
So now that you know some top diet drink disasters to avoid … and … you know a few good alternatives to popular "health" drinks.
----------------
I hope you found that information helpful. Today, for the first time ever I drank more than half my body weight in ounces! I drank a 32 oz bottle of body cleansing solution mixed with water and was done by 10 am! I then managed two more 32 oz bottles during the day. At bible study I drank a large mug of detox tea, and two protein shakes. I should be floating!

I do feel more skinny and my pants are loose - celebrating my little moment in the spotlight as the top person in a privage Biggest Loser challene I am a part of.

to your health!
Rita S.

Curbing Insulin Overproduction

My last post addressed insulin, a hormone that when over produced, causes obesity and numerous other diseases. Today I want to share how you can combat the over production of insulin, which many of us over produce daily by age 30 or so. With the current culture of processed foods, junk foods and sweets – I suspect insulin is over produced in many grade school students as well.
Insulin production can be reduced with two primary resources: an obvious one, is food choice. A not so obvious resource that can help in the “battle of the bulge”, is natural, or bio-identical progesterone cream. Progesterone is the only hormone produced by the body that can help reduce the production of insulin, per Dr. Michael E. Platt. Platt, in his book, “The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones”, states that progesterone is the only natural hormone that is harmless while being substantially beneficially. (Do not confuse natural progesterone with synthetic, harmful progestin. The media is very misleading and confused by the two.) Platt has helped 1000s of people, who come to him for weight loss, by balancing their hormones and putting them on his low-carb, or carb-free diet (catering to each individuals needs).
Personally, when I began incorporating Prolief natural progesterone cream into my daily journey to regain health, the pounds came off effortlessly. I have said this before, but I lost 80 lbs. without exercise. Now that the weight is off, a bit of exertion feels great instead of painful!

In addition to reducing insulin, a huge benefit of progesterone is that it counters the estrogen. Estrogen LOVES fat cells and not only wants to store itself and retain fat, when over proliferated it can mutate and become cancerous. It all causes inflammation throughout the body - which can manifest into a host of problems. I am a huge advocate for the use of natural progesterone supplementation, for both men and women. As I read Platt's book and chapter on prostrate cancer while on our recent vacation, my husband is interested in using progesterone, even though he has no belly to speak of. Since all men who live past age 70 are bound to have prostrate cancer cells – he figures why even give estrogen the chance to produce those cells when you can combat it early on with progesterone and stay ahead of cancer. It makes sense – we all have cancer cells within us; but it is what we do to and how we counter those cells that will affect how cancer affects us. At age 50 men start to produce less and less progesterone, about 10-15 years later they start to produce less testosterone, and estrogen reaches an all time high. That is not good news! When my husband hits that 50 mark, adding progesterone to his daily routine makes sense.
But I digress – I definitely want to address prostrate cancer as a wholly devoted post in the near future.
Returning to insulin – food choices also control the production of insulin. Carbohydrates are the culprit – so if you want to either lose weight or get off your diabetes and cholesterol meds – cut the carbs! When I changed my food choices I did not turn my life upside down overnight. Again, it is not willpower, but education, that will lead to successful weight loss, or I should say, permanent weight loss, and healthful living.
Start with the obvious – processed foods and junk food. I actually just learned that two of my favorite low-fat snacks, pretzels and popcorn, are actually two of the highest carbohydrate foods! I am not sure what to do about this new found knowledge yet, as I love hot air popped corn. We may have to start snacking on steak bites! (LOL)
Shop around the outer edges of the grocery, but again, watch the frozen foods for breading, read the labels for MSG, and beware of soy additives, which also have estrogenic properties.
Next, limit sweets. Assess how often you enjoy sweets each week…and gradually cut back so it is only once a week, as a reward for making good choices the rest of the week. Keep in mind that fruits high in sugar are also high in carbs. Choose berries as much as possible, which offer a host of other health benefits. Choose Braeburn apples instead of Red Delicious, and choose Granny Smith instead of Braeburn…wean yourself gradually off the sugar. Grapes are extremely high in sugar, but I admit I enjoy red grapes in my salad now and then. I am not telling you to cut sweets 100%, but be aware and reduce. Eating strawberries or grapes is a whole lot more beneficial than a cookie or a muffin, or a candy bar for a mid-afternoon pick up!
Checking off processed foods, junk foods, deep fried an sweets…now comes the one that is most difficult for many – white breads!! When I hear, “I can’t give up my white bread” that tells me the person is more interested in immediate satisfaction than living a healthier life. Quality of life is up to you – and it IS based on the foods you choose, don’t be fooled into thinking it is not. If you don't care enough about yourself to change, consider your family members and what a severe illness would put them through. After seeing a dear friend in the end stages of prostrate cancer last year, it gave me resolve to not put my family through such trials if it can possibly be avoided.
Beyond bread…simple carbs include white potatoes, rice, PASTA and a multitude of breads such as bagels, English muffins. All carbs produce insulin, but simple carbs produce more than complex carbs, such as brown rice, quinoa, and other vegetables. Complex carbs take longer to digest and process within the body, and therefore the insulin release is more graduall than a spike you get with simple carbs. Reducing breads is often the most challenging – ease in to it. Substitute. The “brown” or multi-grain varieties that you “abhorred” previously will actually grow on your tastebuds, as soon as your brain, programmed to crave the simple carbs and sugars, weans itself off the chemicals that trigger the cravings for unhealthful, past choices. Nowadays, if I indulge in a pastry or such, it is distasteful as my brain no longer craves it. Often it tastes like lard - yuck!
Want a taste of how delicious eating to lower insulin can be? Check out this recipe for grilled kabobs!

Bon appetite!
Rita S.

Insulin - A Hormone That Wreaks Havoc

Insulin – it is one hormone that too much of can wreak havoc with our bodies. An over production of it is the true cause of type 2 diabetes, not blood sugar levels. Both Dr. Michael Platt and Dr. John Lee made this known to me in their books, and the realization led me on a quest to change my eating habits and regain my health.
Besides obesity and diabetes (to name only two of many illnesses/disease caused by overproduction of the hormone), insulin is the #1 hormone to speed up the aging process, per Platt.
Unfortunately, per Platt, most medication given to diabetics stimulate the pancreas to generate more insulin, because the medications are formulated to treat high blood sugar. There would not be high blood sugar if it were not for high levels of the insulin hormone. Blood sugar, is as I gather, a side effect of excess insulin. To treat the cause, one must address the insulin levels.
Extra insulin pushes sugar into fat cells and the result is weight gain, especially around the middle. This is not a womanly issue, and actually more men have mid-belly spreads than women. Fat around the middle is known as visceral fat, and it is the most dangerous kind to have. It wraps around your liver, strangles your kidneys; it is linked to hypertension, heart disease and stroke.
Dr. Platt states the only prescription drug that is actually formulated to address the cause of diabetes is Glucophage (generic term is metformin), and he is still checking into side effects of this drug. Instead of lowering blood sugar it increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin, thus lowering insulin.
Where does all the excess insulin come from? Carbohydrates! How often are we told to avoid the fats, like red meat, butter, eggs and bacon….yet, the real cause of so many diseases, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, clogged arteries, and more is not fat – but the CARBS!
If you listen to the television commercials all the food companies are pushing low-fat processed foods. Listen folks, fat doesn’t matter (for most people), but sugar and carbs have the U.S. leading the world in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
I would like to challenge you to EAT/BUY the butter, bacon and steaks…and OMIT the white bread, white rice, crackers, chips, cookies and other baked goods from your shopping cart.
When you do purchase meat – AVOID the deep fried meat found in your freezer section – half the time they are not real meat anyhow. It’s not the fat from the meat that is concerning, but the breaded ingredients itself.
High blood pressure? This may be news for you, but according to Platt a study was done in which the control groups consisted of people who consumed only fish and lean chicken, while the other group ate red meat, bacon, burgers...there was NO difference in the amount of cholesterol they had, clogged arteries, etc. Hypertension is also a result of a carbohydrate consumption, per Platt and a number of other books I have read.
Counting calories is not all its cracked up to be. When you cut back on calories there is an increase in brain signals that determine your body is starving. Your body is programmed to survive, and in response to the cut in calories is to hang on to that fat! Your body will burn muscle before it will burn fat, if it doesn’t have enough calories to fuel the body. Have you heard this before? I admit – learning this information this past year from about a half dozen different sources, was a huge eye opener. Satiate yourself with vegetables and meat – WHOLE FOOD variety – not deep fried, processed foods meant to simulate real food.
My goal today is to stress the importance of NOT counting calories, not eating low fat, not to be brain-washed by the food industry who wants to sell you a bunch of products that usually do not result in permanent weight loss. I challenge you to educate yourself, and once you do, I think you will change your eating habits, and feel a whole lot better.
As I was climbing a narrow pass in the Badlands a week ago, I realized in my climb that a year ago such a feat would have not been possible. I was not winded, my joints did not hurt – and I fit through the narrowest passage ways less than half my arm’s length wide.
I have the rest of my life ahead of me, and I am determined to never reach a point where it is difficult to get out of bed, or require nursing home care. God made us incredible beings, and made us to live fully and with vigor until our day’s end. The Creator also gave us freedom of choice…and our choices directly affect our health.
I realize I get passionate and up on a soap box and go on and on, so I will stop and continue this avenue of thought in the next post, where I will share how you can address insulin overproduction.

To your health!
Rita S.

What is the pH of the food you eat?

The other day a friend posted a very educational video on her facebook wall...which I of course snagged, and posted to my wall...which is now finding its way to other walls.  This is a CRITICAL video to watch if you want to understand food and how what you eat affects your body.

A case in point....yesterday I had a very non-green day.  I had a vanilla plant based protein smoothie for breakfast with strawberries and blueberries added in. That's a typical start to my day. However, for lunch, rather than my usual 5-6 cups of dark greens (aka salad) I decided to change it up and have leftover grilled pork chop and friend potato and onions (my husband makes GREAT fried spuds!).  A plum was a mid-day snack. Dinner was a quick fix as I had a meeting - came home to my hubby scrambling organic eggs and pan friend bacon. Yummy!
Later, at that meeting, my stomach was bothering me. Have not had a "tummy ache" for eons it seems - every since I began eating whole foods. I reflected on my food intake of the day...what was different? It dawned on me...no greens. I basically consumed ZERO vegetables! My body did not like that. I probably had more protein than my body could handle - namely, animal proteins as mentioned in the video - all falling on the acidic side of the pH scale (pork chop, eggs, bacon). Animal proteins (including whey) are more difficult to digest than plant proteins - bloating and stomach pain (yep!) are not uncommon, and in excess - stain the kidneys and their ability to function.
Be careful about plant proteins as well, however. Soy, which has been touted by the agricultural commission as a  health food - namely to create a market for the cash crop - has been linked to a number of studies associated with thyroid dysfunction, cancer (high amount of estrogenic properties), and just this week - I learned soy (per Dr. Russell Blaylock's Health Watch newsletter) absorbs and has one of the heaviest concentrations of flouride from the soil, than any other plant. As you are probably aware, flouride is a toxin when ingested.
Anytime you are adding estrogen to your body, whether it be through petro chemicals found in skin care and foods, or plant based estrogens - it may create endocrine dysfunction (which messes up a  whole lotta hormones!!). It takes time to build up in your system, have no doubt about that. Endocrine disruption is one of the biggest reasons we are seeing so much cancer in young people these days...as our children our exposed from the time they are born. Parents unknowlingly apply petro-based chemicals to their baby's skin in the form of baby oil or lotion, and we give our kids peto-based food colorings in products such as colored "ades" and gel'd and wiggly fun foods.  I have a new link in my side bar today - to a non profit org studying the effects of endocrine dysruption and its links to neurological disorders, cancer, and more. If you are expecting, or have a baby - please, please read the information provided. If you are having hormone imbalance, in particular thyroid issues - study up! Do yourself a favor and self-educate - we really do have to be our own best advocates for our bodies and well being.

To your health!
Rita S.

"Let's Move" Ignores Root of Obesity Problem

Today's post is a complete lift from a Newsmax alert, publishers of Dr. Russel Blaylock's health and wellness newsletter which I subscribe to. I feel the information on our national obesity issue is too important not to share in it's whole. Below, if you will, is Blaylock's response to Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative, which ignores the root of the obesity issue.

Newsmax Alert: First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, which attempts to reduce childhood obesity by encouraging kids, parents, schools, communities, and pediatricians to focus on healthier eating and exercise, diverts attention from the real cause of the U.S. obesity epidemic, says Dr. Russell Blaylock, Newsmax Health contributor.

While a high-sugar, high-fat diet, and a lack of physical exercise contribute to the problem, the three main causes of widespread obesity are: consumption of massive amounts of excitotoxic food additives, such as MSG; low vitamin D3 levels; and the over-vaccination of children, says Blaylock, editor of The Blaylock Wellness Report.
“This is the major problem, but it’s being completely ignored despite extensive research in the area,” he says. "While [Michelle Obama's] goals are laudable, one must be careful that this is not just another massive spending program that will eventually be taken over by major food-based corporations and pharmaceutical companies, as we have seen in other areas of such 'governmental-private partnerships.'
"As soon as we accept [it], we will see mandatory vaccinations of every description, drugs being added to our water supply, and children forced to take dangerous psychotropic drugs and statins. I believe we should reject creating another massive federal agency and risk losing control of our own children."
Studies show that when fed to newborn animals, excitotoxic food additives like monosodium glutamate and soy extract, cause obesity by damaging the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that regulates weight, and the pancreas, which regulates blood-sugar levels, he says.
Studies show that low levels of vitamin D3 are correlated to weight regain, he says. And extensive research has shown that too many vaccinations results in immune over-stimulation in the pancreas, causing diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, a series of risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol.
“Contributing to this is the massive consumption also of high-fructose corn syrup, high-sugar diet, [and] lack of exercise,” he says.
Obesity is such a dangerous condition because it produces chronic inflammation throughout the body, which leads to cancer, heart disease, degenerative brain disorders, disease of the liver and gall bladder, anxiety, and depression, Blaylock explains.
But there are ways to combat obesity and avoid these ailments and risk of early death that accompany them. Blaylock advises:
• Avoiding excitotoxins by preparing your own food
• Increasing vitamin D3 intake
• Eating lots of fruits and vegetables
• Avoiding over-vaccination and spacing apart the vaccinations you and your children do receive
• Increasing your physical activity
• Avoiding soft drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup
“If you do all of those things, almost everybody will lose weight, and they’ll prevent the diseases associated with obesity,” he says.

Basically, we need to return to unprocessed foods - find a  local grower/farmer and support their efforts. Know where your food is from. Get out in the sun for 15 min. a day without sunblock. Eat well, can the soda, and read up on vaccination safety. Of course we do need to get moving, but it is not that simple. Our food sources are often our biggest health concern. Read labels my friends!

To your health!
Rita S.






Read more: Dr. Blaylock: First Lady’s Plan Ignores Real Obesity Issues

Debunking a few diet myths

I once heard you should learn something new everyday. I am certain that keeping one's mind active is key for long term mind health - or at least I hope it is! (LOL) I love researching and learning, no matter what my current passion. Anytime I embark on something new I tend to throw myself into it, fully.
I am very interested in the Cambiati Wellness 28 Day Jumpstart to healthy living program. On their web site I found a video clip, which debunks a few diet myths. I actually learned some VERY important things from this news interview clip with nutritionist Ti Caudron, who is also the cheif  inspiration officer of Cambiati Wellness and took some notes to share with you.
Myth – if you burn more calories than what you eat you will lose weight. That only works for a few people some of the time.
Truth - Muscle builds metabolism and metabolism is what helps you lose weight. When you partake in cardio exercise, you are using muscle as energy, and burning muscle mass. In other words, you are burning your fat burning machinery, aka: burn off your muscle and you burn off your metabolic booster. Ti suggests shorter, intense workouts mixed with resistance exercise.
Myth – A number of small meals each day (every 2-3 hrs) with healthy snacks is the best way to lose weight. (If memory serves correctly Dr. Oz just said something to this effect recently.)
Truth – Per Caudron, everytime you eat a hormone called insulin is released in your body. Insulin helps your body which helps cells use what you eat to create energy, but insulin also stores fat. So if you eat frequently throughout the day, even if it is a healthy green apple or a few almonds, your body is storing fat. The more small meals you eat, the more fat poured into fat stores. Instead, eat a complete and satisfying hormonally balanced meal every 4-6 hours to remain full and satisfied until your next meal. Always stop eating 3 hours before going to bed so your insulin can go down and you can burn more fat while you're sleeping.

Even though I did well with my own healthstyle change – this is where I err’d at the end of 2010. We received a delicious case of fruit from the HS band program – and I was taking an orange or grapefruit with me to work each day to eat between 2-3 p.m. Not that I was hungry, but I felt I was eating something healthy that would make me not eat much for dinner in a couple hours. Having learned how insulin works, I will now starting have a fruit directly after having my salad for lunch, sort of like dessert. This way my body is sending out the insulin “soldiers to collect fat” only once instead of twice. Again, adults eating in between meals releases fat.

If you work out within an hour of waking up, drink some water which will wake your body up. You have glycogen (energy stored in your legs) to get you going, and then your body will pull into your fat stores for fuel during the workout. If you eat something BEFORE going to the gym, again, you are just calling on your body to produce insulin, and in essence store fat.
You can find Ti's list of dieting myths and debunkingness :-) here at this link.

Speaking of insulin, when I typed insulin into the search engine of the Virginia Hopkins web-site Dr. Lee has an article on the newest disease of the millennium – Metabolic Syndrome.
An excerpt from the article reads: “Excess glucose (from sugar and carbohydrates) in the bloodstream, raises insulin levels which increases androgen (male hormone) levels in women. In plain English this means that if you eat excess sugar and carbs you’ll make excess male hormones. This was underscored in a Johns Hopkins study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in September 2004 which showed that women with metabolic syndrome have high androgen levels.” The article is quite interesting. Click on the link and chew on that.

If you have been reading my blog you already know how much I have praised green tea for all its benefits. In this same article I found a list of additional reasons to LOVE green tea- or learn to love it. Put a couple drops of agave nectar in your cup if you need to sweeten it. I find the AB Detox tea to be sweeter then most. In Lee's article, at the bottom, I learned yet something else new - I had no idea green tea can reverse cavities. I am liking that, especially since I question the safety of the flouridated mouth rinses. The credit for list below goes entirely to Lee from the Virginia Hopkins Healthwatch site.
One more thing, KNOW WHAT YOU EAT. Eating food that has hormones (chicken, beef) can make you gain weight. The hormones are GROWTH hormones – to lose weight you need to know your food source and quality. Of course I emailed the company, Fosters, that makes the chicken breast strips I use in my salads. It states hormone free, but I need to also clarify that it is MSG free before I recommend it to my clients, or continue eating it myself (since MSG not only kills brain cells, causes Alzheimers, etc. – but also makes people gain weight). I will keep you posted on their response.

Another day, learned something new - I hope you did too.
To your health!
Rita