Hypertension Linked to Metabolic Syndrome

High blood pressure, known as hypertension, is a growing concern among Americans.
Unfortunately,  drugs often prescribed to treat high blood pressure (including statins), provide only a band-aid approach, and do not address the cause.  Now, having said that - DO NOT stop taking your medication!

Today I revisited a July 2005 issue of the Blaylock Wellness Report, where neurosurgeon, Russell Blaylock MD discusses the many facets of hypertension. He explains what is taking place in the body...inflammation, neurotransmitters, and a long list of fascinating stuff...but for many of you, if I described this fascinating works of the inner body...you would become bored. If you would like a PDF copy of the complete newsletter email me and I will send a copy.

I simply want to share what I have learned as a natural approach to addressing high blood pressure...and if you haven't already guessed....DIET.  A number of common health issues, including but not limited to: type 2 diabetes, athersclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease...can be factors in Metabolic Syndrome. This report states, "Insulin resistance and central obesity, recognized as the main factors involved in the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome, contribute to elevated blood pressure, which further promotes vascular damage in cardiac, renal, and brain tissue."

Blaylock recommends a modified DASH diet - DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The diet was compiled by medical centers studying and pooling data.
Here is a brief description of changes you can make to your diet to calm down your blood pressure...
- 5-10 servings of VEGETABLES per day
- AVOID DAIRY
- Increase Omega-3 fat intake (coconut, EVOO and avocados)
- Limit salt intake to 3,000 mg/day (use only Celtic or Himalayan)
- Avoid all excitotoxic food additives
- Complex carbs with fiber only
- Avoid all sugar
- Avoid all Omega 6 fats (in all processed foods)
- Drink only purified water (avoid chlorinated, fluoride treated tap water)

The list reminds me of the Arbonne 28 day detox program, which transformed my life four years ago. Although sugar is not on the list, please remember that sugar is a SIMPLE carb, and therefore is encompassed in the 6th bullet point along with refined breads, as Blaylock states in the complete article.  Excitotoxins include any and all glutamate ingredients, artificial ingredients (sweeteners, food coloring, flavoring), GMO (which means wheat, corn unless organic), etc.

Dr. Blaylock goes on to list natural helps to control hypertension:
- Hawthorne
- DHA (found in Omega 3 with sea algae derivities)
- Flavonoids (quercetin/hesperidin)
-  Aged garlic extract
 - CoQ10
- L-carnitine
- N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC)
- Alpha lipoic acid
-Ginkgo biloba
- Magnesium/potassium/calcium
- Green tea extract

A good source of Omega 3s will also contain healthful amounts of DHA (derived from sea algae).

In the newsletter - a couple of interesting notes...caffeine from coffee and tea are reported to increase blood pressure. Also, combining Vitamin C with grape seed extract has also been shown to increase blood pressure. Per the report Vitamin C alone can help lower hypertension. Very interesting stuff!

Certainly not least, the importance of a good nights rest and reducing stress plays a pivotal role in reducing blood pressure. For a good nights sleep, eliminate extraneous lighting in the bedroom to ensure your body's full production of melatonin, a hormone that helps one sleep fitfully.

May you feel great, look great and live great,
Rita Shimniok
Arbonne Indpendent Consultant
Distributor of Young Living Oils
Distributor of Richway Amethyst BioMat and AlkaLife Water Systems

Herbal Tea Sore Throat Remedy

Sore throat? Thought I would share a brew inspired by a combination of  holistic heatlh news, books...ideas from here and there...
I made this a week ago when my 11 year old came down with a sore throat.  Truth? Kids don't like the smell of vinegar. I offered to add more honey, but she told me it would not make the vinegar smell go away.  If this happens to you....don't give up.  What I have noticed is that our daughter is usually resistant at least once to one of my healthy "concoctions", but warms to the idea when she mentally grasps the idea that it can help her feel better sooner vs. later.
Because she rejected my brew...I drank it.  I have to agree, smelling apple cider vinegar in your drink is probably an acquired taste.  I will say that EVERYONE in my household came down with the virus that begins with a sore throat, except for myself.

Brew an 8 oz mug of Arbonne detox tea (which has milk thistle for liver support), ECGC  (potent antioxidant), addtional beneficial herbs, free of trace metals (which can be a challenge to find a pure tea, even organic) - allow the tea to cool.

To the cooled tea add
- 1 T. of Bragg's organic apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 lemon - freshly squeeze juice
- pinch of Celtic Sea Salt
- pinch of ground turmeric
- organic honey or agave nectar to taste
-3 drops Ultra Collodial Silver (kills bacteria)
and/or 2 drops of Essential oil of Marjoram

This brew will soothe the throat, packs a power anti oxidant punch, and helps to kill bacteria. May need to drink several times at day at early onslaught of a sore throat.

One other tip to stay ahead of the cold and flu season... we drink AB Anti Oxidant Immunity Boosters - daily, once someone in our home gets sick.  This virus that has gone through our home in the last two weeks is actually the first time in two years that I can recall anyone being sick for more than 24 hours. I admit, we did run out of our kids vitamin chews and Vitamin D/B12 spray....just long enough for our immune systems to be compromised and allow the virus to take hold.

I guess it pays to do autoship this time of year on certain immune support supplements, but we are back in the game...  If you have a child approved sore throat remedy that is all natural, herbal based I would love to hear it.

To your health,
Rita S.

On Switches for Cancer

A couple of weeks ago, as a public service to the community, I presented Cancer Prevention Awareness Night - a free event whose sole purpose is to educate people on making smarter choices for long term health. You see, cancer is a disease as is diabetes, heart disease, auto immune... and all disease have commonalities when it comes to contributing factors.

I thought I would excerpt some of the information presented in my slides, as I have friends and followers across the nation that I know wanted to be be present at my presentation, but obviously could not.

Inflammation is a major player in cancer and all disease, but take a look at all the causes of inflammation! Granted, we cannot completely control our environment and exposures to toxins, BUT there are many choices we can make...of which we have complete control.

Take a look at the list...I will be covering each of these factors as my time permits. I apologize for not posting more frequently, but I do work full time, have my own growing health and wellness business, coach and help many people and read and study in my "spare time" ...so that I can bring you potentially life saving information as a service to fellow human kind.

•Inflammation

–Acidic vs. Alkaline pH

–Vitamin deficiencies

–GI Bacteria –good gut flora vs. bad

–Toxic overload

–Hormone Imbalance

–Oxygen depletion

–Meds/Radiation

–Sleep deprivation

What's important to realize is that genetic predisposition to cancer makes up a very small portion of diagnosed cases – less than 5. Medication (both Rx and OTC) and radiation are also damaging to cellular health, which is why choosing a healthy lifestyle is important to avoid meds as much as possible.
Rx is a leading cause of disease, 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S.
 

Summertime Friend or Foe: Chlorinated Water

Most agree that swimming is good  exercise.  Swimming is therapeutic as well, and of course it’s a great way to cool of during these hot days of summer. Public pools, and for most of us, even the backyard pool, utilize chemicals to maintain and sanitize the pool water. Chlorine is most commonly used, and poses a risk to our health as well. It seems to be a Catch 22. It seems if we want to swim in water with a balanced pH, we have to subject our bodies to hazardous chemicals.

Per Dr. Joe Mercola, a well known health advocate whom authors the most popular health web site on the internet, writes: “Chlorine is a hazardous chemical when absorbed by your body or inhaled. Most public pools are overloaded with chlorine, as the well-intentioned people who maintain public pools overly shock them with chlorine to make sure bacteria and other organisms get snuffed out quickly. But even the swimming pool in your backyard could be toxic if you treat it with chlorine.”
Studies have pointed out risks to those working in and around chlorinated water, such as, swim instructors are twice as likely to suffer frequently from sinusitis or sore throat, and more than three times as likely to have chronic colds, than pool workers with less trichloramine exposure, such as waiters or receptionists. Compared to the general population, pool workers with high levels of exposure were at a 40% greater risk for tightness of the chest, and over 700% more likely to suffer breathlessness while walking. Chlorine in pools poses the risk of miscarriage and stillbirths in pregnant women, and birth defects. It can weaken the immune system, disrupt central nervous system, damage the cardiovascular system, and more, per Mercola’s article.
Swimming is a great recreation, and should be encouraged, but take some actions to reduce chlorinic overload on your body. For a number of years our family had a backyard EasySet pool.  Learning about the toxicity of chlorine, we learned that Patio Pleasures Pools and Spas in Madison offered a “green chemical” that was a more safe alternative than chlorine. Our family really enjoyed pool time not having the sting of chlorine in the eyes.
We use an AB Detox Rescue Wash (for head to toe cleaning), whic contains sea algae extracts in a sulfate-free cleanser to provide antioxidant benefits to help neutralize the toxicity of heavy metals (e.g. lead, mercury  chromium and cadmium).
Research indicates that heavy metal build-up can lead to poor digestion, hormonal imbalance and depression. The unique formula lifts away impurities and environmental toxins and also provides a moisture barrier on the skin’s surface to provide a relaxed, and comfortable feel. The item number for this product is 7320.
Hair care products developed for chemically treated hair,  free of parabens, SLS and other harmful or irritating ingredients, can help combat the effects of chlorine. Learn to become your own ingredient watchdog, as shampoos and conditioners are some of the most toxic hygiene products on the market, yet we apply them on our scalp - right above our brain (now, that is a scary thought!).  If hairs get especially tangled after hours in a pool, a quality hair mask can also be of great help in repairing chemically damaged hairs after being washed, in addition to smoothinig out tangles and restoring softness.

Cabbage Soup - Health Benefits for Pancreatic Disease

While sitting around the hospital recently, I was reading several nutrition/health books researching the best foods to help fight pancreaitis and sepesis infection. Cruciferous vegetables are heralded once again, as I am seeing a pattern, it seems, no matter what ailment one may have.

The cabbage, carrot and cauliflower are particularly good for helping a pancreas to heal and detoxify.  For detoxification purposes, choosing organic is important.  Healthwithfood.org reports on cabbage:

Glucosinolates are anti-carcinogenic compounds that have been shown to limit the amount of DNA damage and cell mutation as well as to inhibit the processes that prevent programmed cell death and promote uncontrolled cell growth. In order to get the most benefit from cabbage, eat it raw or short-cooked; cooking destroys vitamin C and denatures the enzyme that is responsible for the production of glucosinolates. It is also advisable to buy organically grown cabbage as organically grown produce has been shown to contain significantly higher amounts of glucosinolates than its conventionally grown counterpart.

Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene and vitamin C. In addition, they contain falcarinol, a natural compound that has been shown to be able to inhibit the development of cancer. Researchers found that rats that had pre-cancerous tumors and that were fed carrots were one third less likely to develop full-scale tumors than the animals in the control group. To get the most falcarinol, eat your carrots raw or steamed. 

The original recipe called for canned stewed tomatoes and paste, but we prefer acidic tomato products from a glass jar vs. an aluminum can to avoid aluminum leaching into the food product.  This is up to you - however, we substituted with marinera sauce and salsa already in our frig and and it turned out to be an awesome soup. 

For vegetarians, simply do not add turkey.

Our kids gave this soup two thumbs up. Our 15 yr. old had seconds...and he doesn't like tomatoes!

Russian Cabbage Soup  

Ground Turkey, 1 1/2 lbs.

1 onion (saute with turmeric spice for flavor and health benefits)

3-5 garlic cloves, minced

Simmer above on stove top until meat is browned. Place into large soup kettle with next four ingredients.

2 carton's (32 oz) each organic vegetable broth

8 oz. salsa* (we used mild)

16 oz. marinera sauce*  

2 T. vinegar 

2 T. raw agave nectar (you could cut back on this, or omit)

32 oz. water

****(when buying foods in jars watch for high fructose corn syrup, MSG)

Spices/Herbs - add to above ingredients in a large kettle.
1 T. Herbamare spice

1/2 tsp. Celtic Sea Salt (iodized salt,ground fine)

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp black ground pepper

Organic produce:

1 head of cabbage (purple  has more mild flavor than green)

1 head of cauliflower

4 large carrots 

Core and quarter the cabbage and cauliflower heads and soak in water with freshly squeezed lemon juice and white vinegar to clean. Rinse. Let air dry for a bit on toweling or put chunks in a salad spinner to spin dry.

Coarsley chop cabbage  into bite sized pieces. If cabbage head is large use only half.

Use 1/2 head cauliflower. Break cauliflower into chunks and pulse in food processor until small, resembling crumbled ground turkey. Process carrots as well, until small pieces. Or if you prefer, grate carrots.

Add cauliflower and carrot to kettle, allow to simmer 30 minutes. Add cabbage about 30 minutes before serving, although you can add it earlier if you do not wish to maintain a slightly crunchy texture.

Remaining cauliflower and cabbage can be used to make a healthy cole slaw. Or use remaining cauliflower as a rice replacement in a favorite rice based recipe.

The soup abvoe has many healing properties because of its nutritional benefits. For those with cancer, agave nectar should be avoided as sugar fuels cancer cells.

ENJOY this soup and enjoy your health!!

Rita S.

Amazing "CLEAN" & Detox Friendly Pancakes!!

Can you believe it? Pancakes that are actually GOOD for you, do not contribute to inflammation, insulin spikes, and even taste good?  It doesn't seem plausible, but these moist and flavorful pancakes were an absolute HIT with my family this weekend.  I found Teff  and tapioca flour at Willy Street Co-op.  Probably at Woodmans and Whole Foods as well. I think I need to start petitioning Costco to carry these items - actually, I would love for Costco to have an entire section of Bob's Red Mill gluten-free products. I met someone tonight at the WWE meeting that might be able to help with that.
I made two changes to the original recipe, which originates from my favorite detox friendly recipe site: www.NourishingMeals.com   I used plain almond milk and we didn't have applesauce.  I don;t recall that I substituted additional moisture for the missing applesauce, but perhaps I did add a squirt of water.  I will pay more attention next time.  I also used agave nectar - 1T. in place of the high glycemic maple syrup.

Instead of syrup I pureed raspberries and strawberries to use as a topping, however, the pancakes were SO moist and cinnamon-ee that they could have stood alone as a delicious breakfast roll up.  Had I had the applesauce I know they would have not needed anything else for certain. I cut the recipe in half which made 7 pancakes total.

Because Teff is a grass (originates in northern Africa) and the flour is made from the grass seed - I feel this could be considered a Paleo recipe. Pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds are allowed for Paleo diets, right?  Same with qunioa - considered a seed and not a grain, from what I have read, although I hear Paleo enthusiasts debate this topic.  Teff flour and quinoa are both gluten free, of course, and staples in our pantry.

The following is direct from Nourshing Meals. If you are vegan and want to make the pancakes egg free, explore the website for Teff Banana Pancakes - on our list to try soon as well. You can get a great cookbook from the authors of Nourishing Meals, too.

Apple-Cinnamon Teff Pancakes

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups dark brown Teff flour

1/2 cup tapioca flour

2 teaspoons baking powder*

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:

2 cups non-dairy milk (we used plain unsweetened almond)

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 large organic eggs

3 tablespoons melted virgin coconut oil

3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (Grade B) (we used 1 T. agave nectar)

Begin to heat a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. (You may need to adjust the temp for cooking). Melt the coconut oil in skillet while mixing the dry ingredients. Measure it after it as melted.

Whisk the dry ingredients together in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add the wet ingredients. Whisk together well.

Make sure your pan still has a little coconut oil on the bottom (just a little). Use a 1/2 cup measure to pour the batter into the pan. Cook for 60 to 90 seconds on one side, then flip and cook for 30 to 60 seconds on the second side. Add about 1/2 teaspoon of oil in between pancakes. Adjust the cooking temp as needed.

I am looking forward to making these pancakes again soon, and I hope to have the unsweetened applesauce in our pantry. Quite honestly, if  my children had not been sleeping I would have simply processed some applesauce from scratch real quick using Granny Smith apples on hand. Then I would have the freshest, most yummy minimal ingredient sauce, and have some set aside for a topping as well.  Doesn't that sound mouth watering to you? It does to me!

I encourage you to give these pancakes a try and let me know what you think. I was asked about my pantry and the types of flours and such that I have in it. At some point I will write about that topic, but I am still learning and stocking.  I know I don't want to have 20 types of exotic flours so I am playing with recipes and substituting, so that I can bake and cook gluten free from ten or less basic ingredients.

Oh...and I have to share... I came home from my meeting tonight to an amazing smell in the kitchen. Our 15 yr old son had baked some gluten-free muffins while I was gone using another recipe I had found.  It uses almond butter as a base. I snitched a bit off the top of one (they raised beautifully!) and all I can say is YUMMY!!!  I should get to bed so I can get up early enough to photograph a muffin before I eat it. (LOL)  When I remake the Teff pancakes I will photograph them as well and add it to this post. 

May you feel great, look great, live great!

Rita S.

Clean Cowboy Caviar & Gluten Reaction

We just returned from our annual family reunion. It is January 5 and day 4 of our 30 Day Clean/Healthy eating challenge.  Typically the reunion has always been held January 1, which would have worked very well for us. However, a vote moved it to the first Saturday in January. I would like to go back to January 1 as I know that come January 2 we will probably be ringing in the new year with healthy eating to detox from not so good choices for the holiday season.

Fortunately my two sisters are detoxing with my husband and I, so we had a couple of healthy choices from which to choose, although it was hard to resist the holiday fudge, cookies, cakes and pies. My husband asked if he could skip this day, and I said "what? no way!" Gosh, am I a touch team coach or what? Sorry, honey.

I had taken my Asian slaw (recipe found in this blog), one sister brought turkey/quinoa chili, and another brought baked beans - of which I hope were detox friendly, I should have asked what was in it! We did well, and held fast to our cleanse.

On the way to our reunion I was inspired by another member on my team. It is day 4 and she has lost 5 lbs. and  her pants are already loose.  She has been eliminating all the allergenic foods, and was doing very well until last night...when they went to a fish fry. (It is Wisconsin on a Friday night for many.)  The fish was lightly breaded, and she thought a little wouldn't hurt, right?  So she at it.

This morning she awoke with swollen fingers, ankles that could barely bend, and stomach bloating. Have you figured it out? She was having a gluten reaction. Her body became immediately inflamed - gluten is not her friend and as a sufferer of fibromyalgia, it is one ingredient I have repeatedly urged her to give up for good. She had been feeling great for several days, but not this day as she awoke to pain. 

Her reaction to gluten has reaffirmed her resolve to folllow the 30 Day Arbonne Healthy Living plan for the entire 30 days. She also has a wedding coming up this year - and she is looking forward to looking great and feeling great as the mother of the bride.

As we noticed the limited foods on the buffet table, I was inspired by my friend's pretty immediate results, and decided to come home and make a detox friendly salad often served as a party dip or appetizer. I had all the ingredients from last weekend.  A tip on keeping your fresh herbs, such as cilantro, fresh - place them in your refrigerator in a glass with water.  I pulled my week old cilantro from the refrigerator and it was perfectly fresh - love this!

CLEAN COWBOY CAVIAR
(Use organic/fresh ingredients when available.)
Ingredients
2 (14.5 ounce) cans organic black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup organic white corn (can be frozen, thawed)
4 Roma tomatoes, seeds removed and diced
1 bunch green onions, greens only (use scissors to snip 1/8-1/4" pieces

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped finely

1 red sweet bell pepper

1 lime, juiced
Chipotle Seasoning by Pampered Chef

2 ripe, but firm avocados, diced (add just before serving)

1 cup detox friendly Italian homemade seasoning

Detox Friendly Italian Dressing

1/4 cup organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 cup Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar

3 minced garlic cloves

1 tsp. Hermamare seasoning

1/4 tsp. celery seed

Pepper to taste

Instructions:
Rinse and drain the black beans, and corn if needed. Add to a large bowl. Dice the tomatoes, pepper, making sure the seeds and insides are removed. You want to do this to make sure that there isn’t too much liquid. Add the diced tomatoes and cilantro to the bowl. Slice the green onions finely (or use purple onion as a substitute) and add to the bowl. Tip: use a scissors.

Sprinkle generously with Chipotle seasoning to taste for a little zip, or use a diced jalapeno pepper if desired.

Add the Italian dressing and stir to coat all the ingredients. Add pepper to taste. (Herbamare seasoning contains sea salt.) Chill in the refrigerator until cold and flavors have marinated together. This is best served the same day as prepared. 

Before serving....dice the avocados and squeeze a little of the lime juice over the avocados so they don’t brown as quickly. Squeeze the rest of the lime juice into the bowl. 

Serve with homemade sweet potato chips or organic, GMO free corn chips, such as Xochitl brand.

This gluten free salad or appetizer is certain to become a favorite. It is great as a side salad along with grilled chicken breast and brown rice, or on top a bed of greens with diced, grilled chicken - very filling and satisfying - a delight for the tastebuds!

To your health!

Rita S.

Eat! Don't Starve Yourself to Weight Loss

2013 is not that far off and I know many are already contemplating their new year's resolutions.  I am forming a team for a 30 Day Healthy Living Challenge and a number of people are already "IN". I am excited for them, and for myself. The last time I did the challenge, with my husband, we both lost 16 lbs. in 30 days.  The best thing about that for me is that I had already lost 62 lbs. - so it was not simply a shedding of water weight!
My hope here is to start blogging a bit more regularly to coach those on my team, and others, taking up the AB 30 Day Healthy Living Challenge.  I plan to offer some tidbits of information, recipes, and things that have worked for me.  I have been where many of you may currently find yourself. I was 100 lbs. overweight, but I made up my mind that I would not continue on my unhealthy journey less I put our kids through the burden of providing nursing home care for me - which can put many families in financial straits. I see that often in my day job.
For those that have been following my blog, you already know that my journey to health shed 85 lbs off - my journey started fall of 2010 and I have maintained since April 2011.  However, I could stand to lose another 15 and go down one more size - that is my goal with the 30 Day Challenge and I plan to kick it up a notch this time around by incorporating a probiotic/prebiotic into my vegan and alkaline based protein shake each morning.  See yesterday's post for more on that, but I read that healthy gut flora is critical for successful weight loss.
Oh - and I will probably kick it up by doing some sort of exercise.  Yes... you heard right. My friends know I don't like to sweat. Reason is...if I were to work out in the eve I would have to actually refrain from going out and meeting people afterwards.  I am up too late to work out in the morning. I think an earlier bed time will be  part of my challenge to fit in exercise.
Planning ahead is key to any successful weight loss journey. Think about it...you get a craving, or your stomach gives the hungry symbol...or maybe your are simply bored and want to eat ...your kitchen will either be your friend or foe.
If you are planning to gain more energy or lose weight in the new year, which is not that far off - start assessing your kitchen food  sources NOW.  What's in the pantry - processed foods with additives? Did you know that many additives, such as the myriad of glutamates, artificial sweeteners and such - actually trigger your brain to crave more food?  Diet soda is actually formulated to make you hungry. The  more hungry you are, the more you eat. The more you eat, the more weight you gain. The more weight you gain, presumably all the more diet soda you will buy!!  Contrary to what you think... food manufacturers are not all about YOU, they are all about their bottom line.
I love the insight from one of my holistic sources:

"A healthy diet does not mean a starvation diet. Hunger is a natural signal from your body telling you to eat. Don’t ignore it, eat when you are hungry. However, the key is to differentiate hunger from “habit eating” and to be selective about the foods, and quantity, you choose. Eating regular, nutritious meals that leave you full and satisfied will help you stick to your plan and reach your weight loss goals. Skipping meals will slow down your metabolism and cause you to overcompensate with a larger meal later on. When it’s time for a snack, avoid processed foods. Raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, are filling and nutritious. Permanent weight loss happens when you have a healthy eating plan and stay in control of what you put in your mouth."

Source

 The 30 Day Healthy Living Challenge is all about EATING food. Meals every 4-6 hours so that you do not feel compelled to snack, because you are not hungry. Having the right foods on hand is crucial to avoid temptation. We will not be counting calories, but we will be focusing on a greater ratio of alkaline based foods.  My team is growing but there is still time for you to join in if you desire to live more healthily in 2013!

To your health, 
Rita S

Fresh Snacks From the Garden

Our house is bare of the types of snacks children have come to love - ice cream, cookies, biscottis...so what do you say to a 9 yr old who is not happy because she is wanting an evening snack and there is nothing she likes available.
I suggested spinach leaves with dried cranberries rolled up inside - her own snack invention...she did that earlier in the day. I suggested the flax/quinoa seed crackers...didn't feel like it.
Then it dawned on  me - the garden! Surely the carrots, her very own row, must be ready or near enough. So out we went....with a hand spade in hand.  I dug up cute little carrots for her - she was delighted.  We picked lots of vine ripened tomatoes - orange heirlooms to Romas to an heirloom Russian variety that has a blush color. I accidentally pulled up a fairly large beet when pulling a weed...time to pickle!!
Abby happily washed up her carrots and didn't even mind taking out the compost. They were super fresh, flavorful and cute - about 4" long for the longest one.
I made myself a lunch plate of little tomatoe slices...one half seasoned with Italian seasoning, the other half seasoned with Celtic sea salt and black pepper. Yum!

I just came across a recipe for a power juice at Whole Living - made with beets, carrots and apple. I am going to have to give it a try since our garden can supply 2/3 of what is needed.
Credits to this juice blend - “Detox Cred: Antioxidant superstars, red beets contain betalains, compounds that fight inflammation and support your detox by neutralizing toxins and making them water soluble and easily flushed from the body. In one study, beet fiber increased the production of detoxifying enzymes in the liver.”

As I don't have a juice extractor, I will simply use my Ninja Pro Blender, which is an awesome smoothie maker, and probably go with a bit thicker texture and benefit from the additional fiber.

Red Power Juice
Ingredients:
-1 small beet, chopped
-5 carrots, chopped
-1 apple, cored and chopped
-1/4 cup fresh mint sprigs

DirectionsPress beet, carrots, apple, and mint sprigs through a juice extractor. Stir and serve immediately.
Another smoothie using the fresh carrots, also from Whole Living, utilizes mango and we happen to have that on hand as well. I wonder if I can talk Abby into this tomorrow morning...I will just blend the carrots in the Ninja blender and strain the pulp, or I should serve all of it as I firmly believe pulp has most of the nutrients and fiber we need.

Orange Fresh Juice
 Ingredients:
1 mango, chopped (or 1 1/2 cups frozen mango chunks)
1 cup fresh carrot juice
Dash freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup ice cubes (omit if using frozen mango)

Directions

Puree ingredients in a blender until smooth.

How is the harvest going from your garden? Include your children in the harvest and the taste of the vegetables will be enjoyed all the more!

To your health!
Rita

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.

Gaucamole - the NEW mayonaise!

I cannot believe I have not yet shared my guac recipe - not that it is difficult, but apparently I embellish mine a bit more than most.
I have developed a healthy habit of LOVING guacamole, as avocado is on the "approved" list for the 30 Day detox program that my husband and I do occasionally, and I am getting ready to do a mini two week detox before my trip to Vegas.
After learning that the avacodo boasts amazing benefits as a fruit, and is loaded with healthy OMEGA 3 I decided to work guacamole into my eating habits several times a week. Last week I discovered it made an amazing sandwich spread - and created the most mouth watering sandwich I have ever eaten.
I began with a slice of Cosi's multi grain flatbread - did you know you could get a loaf of that for 3.99? It is my only true gluten weakness, but at least it is whole grain...
The flat grain slice was cut in half to make a pita-like pocket. In this pocket I spread gaucamole on the top and bottom. I placed a bed of fresh, organic baby spinach inside, topped with cubed, grilled organic chicken, a couple dollops of mango salsa, and brought the sandwich together so the guac could blend within the sandwich.
One bite and I was in heaven!
My guac is a real taste bud treat. Onion and garlic are sauteed in olive oil, with a touch of turmeric sprinkled into the oil to prevent oxidation. I scoop fresh avocado into a glass dish, using a large spoon to chop it into small bits - adding in the onion and garlic, sometimes adding in more extra virgin olive oil (since I personally lack the good cholesterol I want to boost my numbers with Omega 3s). I love Penzey Spices "Mural of Flavor" spice blend - and generoulsy sprinkle and mix into my guac. If I have fresh romas on hand I will add finely chopped tomato, and/or sometimes I add in a couple tablespoons of mango salsa. All these flavors are a palatable delight, and create the best sandwich ever when this flavorful guac is used as a sandwich spread.
Often the mayo and salad dressings in a jar are laden with hydrolized soy oils, canola or other Omega 6s, which we get too much of. They may also include artificial flavor or color on the label, and likely have MSG, too. Guacamole is a much healthier sandwich spread option - give it a try!

To your health,
Rita S.

Chlorella Helps Eliminate Mercury Toxins

Chlorella in "broken cell" form helps the body eliminate mercury toxins from amalgam (silver) dental fillings from the body. Always curious...I had to research the ingredient lists of my health and wellness company to see if our products include chlorella - and sure enough, I found it listed in the 7 day body cleanse -in broken cell form! This made me happy, and explains why this product is such a good detoxification product for deep cleansing of all major organ tissues.
Dr. Joe Mercola recently made his fourth appearance on the Dr. Oz show this week. He reports on his appearance, writing: ...toxic metal implanted in their mouth in the form of "silver" (amalgam) fillings. I explained on the Dr. Oz show that three out of four adults have silver fillings -- and the primary ingredient in them is mercury.
There are 1,000 mg of mercury in the average filling -- this is about 1 million times more mercury than is found in seafood, which is in microgram quantities.
Even the conservative EPA and CDC advise pregnant women to avoid high-mercury fish like tuna, due to the well documented adverse effects on fetuses.
Mercury is an incredibly potent neurotoxin; it doesn't take much to cause serious damage because it's an absolute poison. If you were to take the amount of mercury in a typical thermometer and put it in a small lake, that lake would be closed down due to environmental hazards.
To counter the mercury, Mercola suggests using chlorella. Chlorella, a single-celled fresh water algae, acts as an efficient detoxification agent by binding to toxins, such as mercury, in your body and carrying them out of your system. It is the chlorophyll in chlorella that makes it so powerful, as chlorophyll helps you process more oxygen, cleanses your blood and promotes the growth and repair of your tissues.
, our bodies cannot digest chlorella in whole form, and it must be in "broken cell" form for our bodies to utilize it. "Unlike other green foods, chewing and digesting chlorella will not release the powerful health benefits contained within this green algae. This is because chlorella's tough outer cell wall, which is also chemically responsible for binding with the toxins inside your body, cannot be broken down by your biology... Therefore, it is imperative that the manufacturing process break down the tough outer cell wall for you, as this is the only way to make the chlorella biologically available to remove toxins from your body."
Mercola explains more about this important detoxifying ingredient, found in the plant kingdom - thank you Lord for that! Benefits of chlorella include:
Chlorella is such a powerful detoxifier because it is rich in chlorophyll, which is known to:
-Aid you in processing more oxygen
-Cleanse key elimination systems like your bowel, liver, and blood
-Help purify your blood and clean away toxins
-Aid you in promoting optimal blood pressure
-Support elimination of molds in your body
-Help neutralize bad air you might breathe in
-Promote growth and repair of your tissues
Chlorella is actually very useful even beyond detoxification, and its range of health benefits includes:
-Boosting your immune system
-Improving your digestion, especially if constipation is a problem
-Providing B vitamins from an animal source
-Enhancing your ability to focus and concentrate
-Increasing your energy levels
-Balancing your body's pH
-Normalizing your blood sugar and blood pressure
-Reducing your cancer risk
-Freshening your breath
Mercola suggests that people who have trouble with the powerful detoxifying power of chlorella help their body atune to it by consuming cilantro several days before. Cilantro is a gentle, less effective detoxifier, and helps the body ease into a more in depth detoxification process. Recently, I discovered the amazing fresh flavor of cilantro water. I add some cilantro to quality water in my Ninja blender, and pulse. A beautiful green water is made. I use a mesh strainer to strain the pieces of cilantro and am left with a beautiful green water, that not only provides energy, but as I learned today, naturally detoxifies. Not to waste - I add the cilantro pulp to a fresh batch of guacamole for amazing flavor!
Both doctors Mercola and Russell Blaylock are supporters of detoxifying the body, as was Oz on his program in January. Implementing a detox program can help your body naturally remove the unwanted and harmful heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides you may unknowingly taken into your body. Studies show reducing your toxic burden improves many common health ailments, from lack of energy and insomnia, to sluggish digestion, lack of immune response and mental fatigue. In fact, almost everything inside your body, including all of your organs, function better with reduced loads of systemic toxins. A regular protocol of body detoxification helps to reduce dangerous levels, and may help your body ward of such killers as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension, along with all of the now too common neurological disorders that may not manifest for decades to come.
It takes a long time for one's body to accumulate toxins and it will probably take you many weeks and even months to effectively remove them from your system. A recent conversation with a retiree in health and wellness explained how detoxifcation is a layering process. Each inner body cleanse allows your body to detoxifiy from the inside - starting at major organs, and working out to the skin and muscles.

Happy detoxing!
Rita S.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/21/the-dr-oz-show-my-latest-jaw-dropping-interview.aspx?e_cid=20120221_DNL_art_1

Green Smoothie Tests the Ninja Pro Blender - Can it Juice?

I LOVE my Ninja Pro Blender - it puts the Magic Bullet to shame. All my AB team friends who have seen my Ninja in action, inevitably put their Bullet in a garage sale and go out and get the Ninja. We have had ours since September 2010 and it has been used just about every weekday morning to blend up a breakfast protein shake/smoothie for myself, and sometimes my husband as well. We have certainly gotten our $65 investment from it - and now I see the system for $50 regularly on sale.
If you are looking for a great blender for smoothies I highly recommend this system - it turns ice cubes into fine ice in seconds. I always use either ice cubes or frozen fruit in my breakfast smoothies and my meal is made in about 2 minutes. I wanted and needed quick and convenient...and since teaming up the Ninja pro with my AB pea/rice/cranberry based protein shake it has been a win win!
I've been eyeing juicers - but I don't want to waste my grocery bill by tossing pulp into compost. As well, the greater part of the nutrients is within the pulp. I don't have time to bake with pulp (all I can think of to do with it is to make muffins). I have watched the infomercials for the Ninja kitchen system - which makes juice with no pulp - however, a friend bought this and said it is definitely thick, not juice-like to drink. He ended up taking it back.
Curious, I decided to see if the Ninja could handle parsley or cilantro - grass like smoothie ingredients, both excellent for liver detoxification. As I read reviews on juicers it seems there are masticating kind, which do great with ingredients such as wheat grass - but fail at root vegetables such as beets; and then there are the heavy wattage juicers...great with making juice from anything other than grass like ingredients.

The Ninja blender is powerful, and perhaps just as good as the Ninja kitchen system as far as juicing goes - and I thought I would test it out. Today it was tested out on a green smoothie, all vegetables are washed beforehand, even if organic:

I tossed in...

-2 cups detox green tea (cooled)

-5" seedless cucumber, with peels on

-1 celery stalk (cut into 2-3" chunks)

-1 c. steamed broccoli (left from dinner)

-Handful fresh cilantro

- 2 to 3 ice cubes

I pulse blended the Ninja - if you do decide on a Ninja blender you should always pulse the motor for 15 second spurts rather than run it constantly for several minutes. When I first read reviews on this blender several said their motor burned out soon after getting it - everyone else reported pulsing is key, which I have always done. After about 1.5 minutes I checked for stringy celery or cilantro stalks, and finding none, pulsed a few more times for good measure.

I then poured my pretty green drink into a glass. It tasted super fresh, like spring! Very good, although I would end up chewing a bit on what I surmise was celery bits. After a little bit, I decided I did not want to chew my smoothie, and opted to pour it into a saucepan on the stove, and heated it up to use as soup instead. Much better!! I can handle chewing soup! (LOL)

I am not giving up on experimenting with the Ninja. I know of the many benefits to celery, but will try to make a green smoothie again without, OR simply blend it for longer. What I had set to find out was if the Ninja Pro Blender could tackle herb greens such as cilantro and it indeed could do that, and I suspect it can handle wheatgrass just fine as well.

This soup is FULL of anti-oxidants and I recommend warming it up on lower heat - and not bringing to a boil to preserve the nutrients as much as possible. If it were summer time I would find this soup as a refreshing COLD SOUP and envision a side of fresh tomato salad.

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.
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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.

Think Outside the Box

Are you thinking outside the box in 2012? Now, that can refer to a lot of things, but I think my readers will know where I am going with this. "Outside the box" meaning - boxed foods. No boxed rice, no boxed pasta, no boxed crackers, etc., etc., etc. I feel too often we think we HAVE to HAVE starchy potatoes, starchy and refined WHITE rice (brown whole grain is different), or gluten compounded pasta in every meal. I know this has been the train of thought for my family for a long, long time.

This is one of our "VITALITY 2012" goals that my husban and I discussed - to think outside the box. To realize that dinner does not need to revolve around potatoes, rice or pasta. Or any grain as far as that goes. Look at the revolution going on in our pan above...notice that it contains 90% vegetables and about 10% chicken. The green is fresh asparagus, we have orange bell pepper (so pretty!!), button mushrooms, chopped onion, minced fresh garlic (NOT powder), and bite sized pieces of chicken that were sauteed in EVOO with turmeric, garlic and onion. The turmeric is what gives the chicken a yellow cast and wonderful flavor, as well, it was left from Friday evenings meal of chicken vegetable soup, and also left from Saturday evenings meal of spinach salad with chicken. There is not much chicken left by the third meal (originally started with one package of 4 boneless chicken breast - from which three meals came for four people! Tonights meal was made lickety-split, in less than 30 minutes!

Last night I realized I have not scrapbooked one bit of my journey as a health and wellness consultant with the company I work for eves and weekends. My goodness - I need to do that as I am a changed person, and the entire ride thus far has been an amazing journey... not only to wellness and weight-loss, but self-growth, self-education, and someday I will be driving a white Mercedes! What a shame it would be not to have any record of my journey.

On Friday I received an e-mail from Stian, the founder's son, about a product proposal I had mailed along with my before and after photos. Anyone could have e-mailed me, but the fact that he took the time really speaks for the type of company I am working for, and one day hope to be solely working for. It was then that I realized I need to print that letter and put it in an album. One day, if they make my suggested product, I can say, "that was my idea and it could change the world!"

So today I actually spent most of my afternoon at the Scrapbook Superstore, saying hello to my friends Jo and Kate, and had a chance to visit with my former employer/store owner as well. Jo did not know who I was when she first saw me. I get a lot of that...and of course, I love it! (LOL)

I did not have a watch on, and became totally absorbed in stocking up on some things before I could no longer buy scrapbooking supplies locally. I realize I still love, love BoBunny best! I had left my watch at home, and my phone charging in the car. Not only had I spent 2 hrs. more in the store than planned, I had missed taking my daughter to girl scouts. My husband had tried to reach me, but could not. Ooops!

Ah well...I am set to preserve the memories of the journey I am on. My daughter forgave me.

Today I am celebrating a pretty successful weight loss for my first week of the new year. Even though I did not officially start the 30 Days to Feeling Fit Detox program until January 3, or should I say the 4th without cheating, I managed to lose 6.9 lbs. Today is January 8 mind you, woo hoo! After worship this morning I totally rewarded myself with a mocha latte made with almond milk at my favorite coffeehouse. No, caffeine and sugar are not allowed to detox, but I am not an "addicted to caffeine" person as I have been a water drinker see my teenage son was a wee one. My liver will forgive me and after passing up two of my three favorite flavors of Culver's frozen custard in the past 64 hours - I deserved a reward! (LOL)

Back to thinking outside the box....keep your crisper drawer in the frig stocked with colorful vegetables. Cook up a whole lot of chicken breasts at once - yesterday I put organic stock, onions, garlic and spices in the crock pot and cooked up 2 large packages of chicken breasts. Cutting them into bite sized pieces, some will be frozen and some will be available to go on our lunch salads, more dinner meals - making preparation pretty darn quick. When I got out of the scrapbook store I called home, asked my husband to cut up the vegis, which he had almost done when I got home. I added extra virgin olive oil and turmeric to a large saute/fry pan - and cooked up my vegetables. Remember, turmeric prevents your olive oil from forming free-radicals when it is heated, and the Penzey's turmeric label states it contains an impressive 5% curcumin, which is one of the most powerful anti-oxidants and high on the list of recommended foods for cancer patients. In addition, I used Penzey's "Mural of Flavor" combination of spices for extra zest and flavor. Sauteeting onions and garlic first, the asparagus was added, pushed to the side, then the peppers were sauteed with mushrooms added last. The chicken, already pre-cooked, was added last to heat through. This colorful dish was a delight for our tastebuds, and filled our plate with a huge portion of vegetables in comparison to 5-7 bites of chicken per person. It was very satisfying, and best of all - both our 14 yr old and 9 yr old gave it a thumbs up, with the youngest giving her mushrooms to her dad. (LOL)

My challenge to you is to THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX - and at least twice a week omit the side dish of potato, rice or pasta, that we as Americans are so accustomed to. The more color you have on your plate (and I am not talking M&Ms!) the healthier you will be.

To your health in 2012! Vitality 2012 Community Classes begin January 15 at Crossroads Coffeehouse in Cross Plains from 3-5 p.m. Reserve your seat by sending me an email. Everyone is welcome. There is no fee to join this group. Together we will encourage one another, share ideas and recipes, and learn more about living healthier in 2012.

Colorfully eating,

Rita S.