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Hey there!
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I am not going to lie here, I loved milk, cheese and yogurt!
I grew up drinking tons of it, my kids drank a lot of milk growing up. A few years back when I decided to really take charge of my health and not just let my genes do the driving, I started to do research on many of my favorite foods. Cows milk is just not what we think it is. Filled with antibiotics, hormones and GMO'd feed it is a very unhealthy food. Darn....I so love milk. But what about building strong bones? My gyno is always asking me if I am eating my dairy so I get enough calcium. Did you know that there is an inverse relationship between dairy consumption and osteoporosis? Countries with the highest dairy consumption (U.S and Canada) have the highest incidents of osteoporosis and those countries with nearly no dairy in their diet ( Asian) are virtually osteoporosis free. Now I won't go into all the things you need to do to have strong bones here but we will address..... So, what can you put on your cereal? Use as a smoothie base? Use in baking and cooking when the recipe calls for milk? There are quite a few choices. Almond, rice, hemp, coconut and soy are a few of the more popular ones! Each one has a distinct flavor and some are more healthy than others. I love almond milk. It's made with almonds for goodness sake. They're a super food! Almond milk is high in protein, calcium, magnesium, void of saturated fat and cholesterol, high in fiber and has tons of nutrients. When making the transition, start with vanilla flavored. It is a little higher in calories but it is rich and thick. I have moved many clients and their kids to almond milk. They love it after a short transition period which include a few banana-almond milk shakes. The changes in their health have been dramatic: shorter, lighter periods, less gas and bloating, less constipation or diarrhea, fewer headaches and sinus issues, better skin, fewer colds, weight-loss, clearer thinking and a better memory. Wow all from a change in the kind of milk you drink! You betcha! Now, not everyone experiences improvements in all of these areas but I'll bet you see a difference. The others types of milk I am less enthusiastic about, some because the taste is not so great - rice and hemp. and soy milk because it is just not good for you. Soybeans are one of the most GMO'd crops and therefore you are getting exposed to herbicides and pesticides that can create all kinds of health problems down the road. Soy can have a negative affect on reproduction, female cancers, and other estrogen related issues. So mooooooove on away from cow's milk and choose one of the alternatives - you'll be very happy you did! You Deserve to be Healthy! Leave your comment below and let me know what you like to drink instead of cow's milk! 
The vast majority of the people I work with are pretty healthy. They don't have any dramatic medical issues but want to feel better. Many have weight that they want to lose, some memory issues, slight digestive symptoms like gas and bloating and want more energy. They are all cognizant that they want to age well, stay healthy and do it in the most natural way possible. For many of us we have grown up believing eating healthy includes certain foods. But the truth of the matter is, many of the "healthy" foods that we eat affect our healthy and well-being because we have developed an intolerance or sensitivity to that food. Intolerances are very different than allergies. The body's reaction to that certain food is much less dramatic in the short term than say a peanut allergy that can produce anaphalactic shock if not treated immediately. For some the body reacts to sensitivities within a few hours after consumption and sometimes it can take a few days. Many people think that the issues that they are experiencing are just common issues associated with aging. That is just not so. For so many people giving up foods that commonly cause issues, dairy, gluten, eggs and some fruit, can have a dramatic positive affect on their over-all health. I suggest that you start by looking at the food you eat most frequently. For most that tends to be dairy or gluten. Give it up for a week and see how you feel. Then you can add the next item and see how you feel until your achieve the clarity of mind, increased energy and digestive health you are looking for. This is easiest to undertake with a coach or on a detox plan that will reset your body. It is so much easier to gauge your reaction to foods after you have been without it for a few weeks. Once you find the culprit in your intolerance or sensitivity you will be flying high. You Deserve to be Healthy! 
I recently took a survey on what made me happy.
What was I doing when I was the most happy? The exercise started with: remember a time when you were happy, what were you doing? Everyone of those questions led me to food...well not just food but eating a meal with others. Oh and good food. Connections are made over food. We go to networking lunches, sit down on holidays for family dinners and who can forget the romantic candle light dinner with a loved one. Gathering around the table, with everyone excitedly talking about their day, their hopes for the future and the food.... I just don't feel the same about yakking in a car, or over the phone, or while hanging at a Starbucks...it's just too boring and empty. I want to plate some food! We raised our boys with family meals....very rarely did we eat on the run, even when they were in high school and had schedules jammed packed with stuff. I loved those meals, even though the food, in retrospect was at times not as healthy as I wish it had been. I love to go out to dinner with my sons and their girlfriends and sit around the table and talk. When we go into the city, our day is always planned around where we are going to eat. Without that special meal, I feel like the trip was just not as special. We plan our visits and look to find healthy food that is served in a interesting atmosphere. In 2004, less than 28% of the families out there ate dinner together. If not at dinner, when do you talk? How do you find out about how your kid's school day is going? The latest love interest? The school gossip? Let alone talk about current events? Decide family vacations? My biggest joy is to make food for people that they will enjoy, that will enhance their health and feelings of wellbeing and to sit around a table and talk...... You Deserve to be Healthy! 
I'm sure you've heard of it but do you know what it really is and how it can affect your health?
Candida is becoming a major disease and an underlying factor in many other diseases. Candida yeast is a type of fungus, that is not beneficial to your body. It exists everywhere and we come in contact with it throughout our day in what we touch, eat and breath. It is not a problem unless you experience an over-growth, then it interferes with the balance of the body. This over-growth then leads to all kinds of health concerns. Many think that this only affects women but not true. Men, women and children are affected alike. As many as 90% suffer from this flora in-balance. This imbalance can be seen in tons of common health issues like: allergies, asthma, bloating, coughs, cramps, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, trouble concentrating, diarrhea, constipation, acne, hives, poor memory, sinus issues, poor sleeping patterns, puffiness, sore throat and weight-gain. This list is just a small percentage of how we are affected by Candida. Most Candida issues can be remedied in about 2 months, unless there is another underlying issue. If you suspect that you have a Candida issue do your research or hire someone to help you change your diet and lifestyle. One of the biggest issues is the consumption of sugar and processed white flour products. This type of diet feeds the Candida which makes the whole situation worse. Candida yeast will actually send off chemicals that will create cravings for the sweet sugary foods that it needs to thrive. A Candida reducing diet will include eliminating sugar and processed foods, reducing the consumption of raw fruit and consuming probiotics, beneficial herbs and fiber. So take back your health and eliminate Candida in your digestive tract. Creating a healthy flora balance in your body is the key to good health. You Deserve to be Healthy! 
So what does the Simple Solution Mean?
I decide I want to lose weight, get rid of my bloating, gas, and other digestive issues, look and feel great once and for all and wham, all done. Nope. It didn't take a day to get where your at and it won't take a day to get out! What's Simple is what you should be eating to feel great. Let's face it, we need this body to get us to where we are going. You have plans, dreams, vacations, adventures to go on. A run-down, over-weight, dog tired, stress-out body is not going to take you there. No way, no how. Nutritional info these days seems just way to complex to decipher. The more confusing and conflicting the information gets the more you can say hey, all in moderation, who cares, when my numbers up I's outta here..... Eating healthy, looking great, having a body that is fit enough to allow you to live your life is simple. The hard part it deciding that your ready to do something about it. You need to be aware that with each passing day you are limiting your time of joy! I know I want a whole lot of that.... So if you have a health issue, weight issue, digestive issue, feel like crap and can't get out of bed then we need to talk. The hard part is deciding that you care enough about yourself to make those changes..... The rest is Simple!!! 
Yep I used to an over achiever in the kitchen. Used to be that is.....
I loved to create complex dishes that took hours and hours. The oohs the ahhs, the time it took, eeeh! It made me feel good, like I was doing the right thing for my family, that I was dedicated and willing to go the extra mile. Yep I need to be slapped! I still love food, love those complex dishes and even make a few here and there - last Friday a Lamb Tagine that was awesome but (8 hours marinating then the 3 hours of slow cooking with tons of ingredients....).....now I want to be healthy, eat food that is tasty and not spend a lot of time doing it. Before I was attracted to cookbooks that had dishes that I had never made before and sometimes never even heard of.... But now I am drawn towards general spicing and cooking information that I can use across the veggie board to create meals that satisfy and are ready to eat in much less time. Our meals are almost always made up of: A simple animal protein (around 4 oz) and a couple of veggies that dwarf the protein in their market share on the plate. That's it - we get creative with spices and veggie combinations but we shoot for simple! So here is what we had last night....(I am in the middle of a great book and would rather have been read than cook dinner) Fish tacos with asian slaw, cilantro lime and pineapple, sauteed green beans and mushrooms. Ready, set your timer: Thinly slice 4 cups of green cabbage. Add ginger carrot bottled dressing. Let sit on the counter. Cut 1/4 fresh pineapple into tiny chunks. Let sit at room temp. Bring fish to room temp. Cover fillet with a Jamaican Jerk rub. Slice fillet into strips. Heat 2 T olive oil in pan - once hot add fish. Brown and turn once. Heat oven to 350. Wrap corn tortillas in aluminum foil and toss on in there. Heat for 5 minutes. Add olive oil to another pan. Drop in green beans and mushrooms. Sprinkle with lemon pepper and saute. Are we done yet? YEP! Assemble and eat....tons of great flavor and soo soo easy. I am back with my book in no time flat! What is your easy go-to home-made dinner? 
Okay so I am going along minding my own business.
I thought I had been eating pretty healthy, with a few cheats here and there and wham! Invited to a party, trying on clothes and damn, nothing fits. What the heck? So I took my own advice and kept a food journal. Maybe I am eating in my sleep? Seems I am not paying attention. Sound familiar? This time though, I did a caloric analysis as well as just a listing. Holy moly, couple of "cheats" added a ton of calories and along with menopause , you have wicked tight pants. Sloppy! So back to the basics....The Simple Solution. More water, more veggies, more movements and less wine, less sweets, less meat. Seems to be working...down two and a half pounds with 8 to go! What has to happen for you to notice you've gained weight? 
It's been a long time since I have planted a seed, pulled a weed, watered and harvested anything.
The summer of 2013 marks my comeback to one of my most favorite hobbies - gardening. I recently posted a picture of my leafy greens. I got tons of comments. Well it is just about time to pick the first head of red-leaf lettuce. Whooohooo! Hmmmm what shall I make with this beauty? I think I will toss these gorgeous leaves with marinated beets, a orange vinaigrette and a slight crumble of goat cheese. Beet Salad 8 Golden Beets 8 Red Beets 1/8 C Olive Oil 1/4 C Champagne or Apple Cider Vinegar 1 Medium Shallot/sliced 2 Oranges Juiced 2 Oranges segmented/seeded and sliced 1/4 Cup of Sliced Basil 1/4 Cup Pistachios or Sunflower Seeds 1/4 Cup of Goat Cheese, Crumbled Use a potato peeler and clean all beets. Dice into big pieces and place on a pizza pan with 2 T of olive oil and toss. Bake at 425 until soft - remove from oven and cool. Toss beets, shallots, orange juice and basil in a storage container and store room temperature for at least 4 hours. Toast the seeds until they become fragrant. Create a bed of greens and top with beets, nuts, pour some of the marinade and top with a scant bit of goat cheese crumbled! Enjoy this powerhouse salad! Not only it this really tasty but great for you! Did you know...... Leafy greens are great for weight loss as they are so low in calories. They are a powerhouse in reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and a myriad of other ailments. They are low in fat,high in dietary fiber, rich in folic acid, vitamin C, potassium,phosphorus, magnesium, and contain a host of phytochemicals. Their high content of vitamin K and folate makes them important for bone health and anti-aging. I like that part. Greens are a major source of calcium and iron. They help improve the working of our immune system. Be careful with spinach and Swiss chard as they contain oxalic acid which may inhibit the absorption of calcium. Leafy greens are loaded with antioxidants that have cancer protective properties. More about beets, onions and citrus at a later date! Have a great weekend and remember: You Deserve to Be Healthy!  Yep, hear that all the time. Wow for almost two years you saw me everywhere here in lower Fairfield County. I did seminars, cooking events, health fairs, tv spots and radio shows. I was a wild woman working on building a business helping women like me get and stay healthy. But then the old check book started showing up! Man I hate that! Two kids with college payments, housing costs and all that other stuff really took away some of the joy of having my own business and put me under a TON of stress! I hated how I felt and started to realize that I had to take a different route if I wanted to not EXPLODE! So here I am 8 months into a full-time gig and missing all that HEALTHY FOOD talk! It really is the food that I love so much! We moved in April and I have a garden, tons of birds, deer, bunnies and am loving the peace and quiet. So I am back with tons of delicious recipes and information to help you in your busy life ,love your food and improve your health.... I have finally realized, that I AM NOT MAINSTREAM and whew thank God for that! I am a wacky crazy health food nut that wants to look good, feel great and enjoy incredible food...Is that asking too much? So if you are interested in achieving the best health of your life, love the food you eat and have a desire to learn more about what it takes to lose weight have more energy and slow down aging (Yes menopause is a loud alarm clock) then stick with me because we are in for a delicious and wild ride! I will be posting on my blog at least two times a week so..... Please leave a comment if you have a subject you would like me to address or an opinion you would like to express! I love a good discussion! Enjoy your day and always remember You Deserve to be Healthy! |
AuthorI am a digestive health coach. I help my clients have more energy and a eliminate digestive problems by eating food they love! Archives
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