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!
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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!!! Pancakes
3 oz oyster mushrooms 1 cup finely diced Bok Choy stalks 1 sweet red pepper, diced finely 1/2 cup onion chopped 3 T vegetable oil 4 large eggs 1 T dry sherry or dry vermouth Sauce 1 cup chicken broth 1 T each soy sauce and chili sauce hot red pepper sauce to taste 1 T cornstarch Combine all the sauce ingredients in a saucepan, except 1/2 c chicken broth and cornstarch. Heat. Mix cornstarch and 1/2 cup broth and add to sauce pan and heat and stir until thickened. Place oil in a saute pan and saute the veggies until soft. Remove from heat. Place eggs in a bowl and add sherry or vermouth. Mix but do not beat. Add cooled vegetables. Heat 1 T of oil in a pan, when hot, ladle egg/veggie mixture into pancake sized rounds and cook on medium heat. Turn and cook until brown on both sides. Plate and dress with sauce. Enjoy! Check out my Friday Fast Food Tips video: http://ow.ly/bU2xz I read a lot!
Anything that has to do with food, farming and good health. The book The Jungle Effect has been recommended to me over and over and finally I had the opportunity to read it. Wow! Seems that there are "cold spots" all over the world where certain diseases are virtually non-existent. The inhabitants from these areas only retain their disease-free status when they eat the indigenous food. If they move elsewhere and adopt a more modern diet the incidents of the disease rises to the level of modern times. The factor making the area disease-free is the food not genetics. Each disease has a different "cold spot". There is Okinawa, Japan for breast and prostate cancer. Cameroon, West Africa for bowel issues. Iceland for depression. Crete, Greece for heart disease. This is just to name a few! This book tells stories of patients that have come to see the author, who is an MD, either because they are showing signs of a certain disease or they wish to avoid the disease. With a lot of research and travel to these cold spots the author really delves into the native foods and dishes and finds the scientific reason for the health benefits. This book is fascinating and affirms that what you eat has a huge impact on disease. Check it out and get cooking. Pick the health concern that is most importnat to you and look at the cold spot and the foods eaten there. Gatta go chop some veggies! The Jungle Effect on Amazon! I have a great memory. When it comes to a "to do" list or "to buy" list I can pretty much wing it! Pretty much! I am not going to lie here, I have gotten into the car after a marathon shop, waiting in line and checking out and found....I forgot the asparagus and I was making asparagus soup for dinner. Hello! Bad language is followed by getting back out of the car and going back into the store. Grrrr! Who has got the time for such nonsense? What a waste of time, not to mention a waste of money as I always find a few more yummy thing I just have to have! So I make a list. Actually I have a list of all the common ingredients I use in my meal preparation, on my ipad and my computer. As I am creating the menus for the week, I check off the stuff that I need to get. Easy! It also helps with a impromptu inventory of what I already have. No more, "yes dear I bought more avocados and we have 4 rotting in the fridge, ouch." They say that for every minute you spend in a grocery store over 30 minutes, you will spend at least $1 per minute. Get out fast! Wonder why they rearrange the store so frequently? It keep you running around in circles looking for the food on your list but passing all kinds of alluring treats. Marion Nestle has written a great book titled " What to Eat" that has a whole section on the psychology used by food stores to get us to buy more food. They are just so tricky. Really interesting and lets you see through the "matrix"! So do a little list building of your own. Once you have the basics down you can add new stuff as you start to add to your diet. Having a list will help you to speed through through the store, save you from buying impulse items, have the food to create complete healthy meals and avoid the need to grab something yucky because there isn't anything in the house to eat. Let me know how you do. 4 ounces walnuts
1/4 teaspoon agave pinch sea salt baby greens 2 ounces grapes, halved 1 stalk celery, sliced 1 ounce red onion, thinly sliced 2 ounces cucumber, sliced 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced 1/2 cup blueberries 1 ounce cranberries 1 teaspoon mint, minced 2 teaspoons pomegranate juice 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1. Toss the walnuts with the agave and sea salt. Toast in a 350 oven until browned. Remove from the oven. 2. Process all the rest of the salad items in a large bowl. 3. Toss dressing ingredients and pour over salad. 4. Done! Spring is the time for all those cleansing veggies. After a long winter of heavy warming foods our bodies welcome the spring vegetables and their ability to lighten us up for the hot summer months to come. One of my favorite vegetables is Asparagus. This spring power-house is not only full of folic acid but is a super digestive support food. Folic acid is one of the B vitamins that helps the body produce and maintain new cells. In particular, red blood cell formation is dependent on adequate levels of this vitamin. It may also help cells resist changes in their DNA associated with the development of cancer. Folic acid plays a very important role in pregnancy by significantly reducing the incidence of birth defects known as neural tube defects (malformations of the spine and brain). Asparagus is also high in fiber and protein. Fiber helps everything move on through the system at a healthy rate. Asparagus also contains significant amounts of the nutrient inulin, which is referred to as a “prebiotic.” Inulin bypasses the first segments of digestion and arrives at the large intestine undigested. Because of this, it is an ideal food source for certain kinds of “good” bacteria in our intestines that are associated with better nutrient absorption. So go out and grab a bunch while it is fresh and in season. Two of my favorite ways to cook it is: Roasted with olive oil, garlic and herbs on a pizza pan in a 400 degree oven until brown or Sauteed in a pan with garlic and when browned add some balsamic...yum and so quick. I must admit I will easily polish off a bunch on the way home from the store! Don't forget to make it organic and local if you can! Okay so you know you have IBS. Maybe you even have an idea of how and when it all started. You know you have to look at your diet, maybe change your lifestyle and would love to come off any medications you are taking for IBS. IBS is almost never due to just one factor. but The food you eat can be largely responsible for this issue. For me, it was dairy. I had no idea that this was the cause until I stopped consuming it. For many a food journal is the starting point. Recording what you eat and how you feel everyday for a few weeks can be an eye opening experience. Always remember some of your responses to food may take a day or two to appear. Once you have created a journal and can clearly see what the connections are, you should begin an elimination diet. Start with one thing and see how you react after not eating this item for a week. If you are dramatically better then you may have hit on your number one issue. If not take out suspect number two. Continue doing this until you find the foods that are irritating your digestive tract. Studies have found that when an elimination diet has been followed for a year it gets rid of bloating and distention 88% of the time, pain 90% of the time, diarrhea reduced by 85 %, and constipation 54%. 75% of the people that had other symptoms like hay fever, asthma, eczema and hives saw those issues improve also. 43% of those with IBS eliminated the symptoms by removing dairy from their diet and another 41% saw incredible improvements. Many of those with IBS have sugar processing issues. Look for mannitol, sucrose, fructose in the foods that you eat. A high percentage of IBS suffers cannot tolerate these sugars; citrus fruit being the biggest offender. Avoid all sugar and fruit for 10 days and see how you feel. When looking at processed food remember that sugar can also go by these names: maltose, corn syrup, fructose, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, molasses and lactose. Sugar also can be an issue for another reason. For many, IBS is a result of an over abundance of bad bacteria in the gut. This bacterium grows yeast which will create a hunger for sugar and processed foods which in turn will really aggravate the intestinal tract. By cutting off the supply of sugar, you stop the growth and the damage from taking place. To counter this overgrowth you should take probiotics. It replenishes the good bacteria that will then grow and equalize the playing field. Eat a diet that is low fat and high fiber. For those of you with IBS and diarrhea – choose foods that are high in soluble fiber. It absorbs the water in your intestines, bulks your stool and slows transit time. It also calms the intestinal tract thus eliminating cramps and spasms. If you have IBS with constipation then the added insoluble fiber acts as a broom and sweeps out the intestines and helps you to become regular. When you are in the throes of a flare up, eat small meals and chew your food well. The digestive tract can become irritated by a large quantity of food hitting all at once. Those with IBS have a sensitive digestion and need to be mindful of the stress that this puts on their body. Avoid alcohol it is an irritant, causes inflammation and puts strain on your liver. Coffee, beans and cruciferous vegetables should be avoided as they are hard to digest. These foods put too much of a strain on the body. In our next issue we will discuss herbs as well as lifestyle changes that can be made that will also greatly improve your IBS symptoms. If you wish to learn more and get on the path to healing, check out our IBS workshop starting in February. Have a great week and remember....... You Deserve to be Healthy! At least 20% of all Americans have IBS. It is the most common gastrointestinal complaint. 80% of sufferers are women and it usually makes it’s appearance in a person’s late teens to early 20’s. This issue accounts for 10% of all doctor’s visits and over 50% of all gastroenterologist referrals. What is even more shocking is the vast majority of sufferers never seek medical help; they just try to learn to live with it. Irritable bowel syndrome has gone by many names in the past: spastic colon, spastic bowel, colitis and functional bowel disease. While IBS does not change the structure of the bowel it can significantly effects the lifestyle of the suffer. For those with IBS the interaction between the brain and the gut is just not working properly. IBS sufferers have a colon that reacts to stimuli that never affect the normal person's colon. That unusual reaction is also much more severe. If you are suffering from this condition chances are you probably know where every bathroom is in all places that you frequent. Many people create their schedules around their bathroom needs. Some find that early morning appointments are just too risky and therefore schedule everything for later in the day. So what are the symptoms of IBS? *Abdominal pain and spasms *Bloating and gas * Diarrhea alternating with constipation is most common but many have just one or the other. * Stool is too hard or too soft. * Going the bathroom more than three times a day or less than three times a week. *Symptoms increase after eating, at times of stress and during menstruation. * Mucus in your stool. *Symptoms are greatly relieved after going to the bathroom. *If you are bleeding, have a fever or are anemic these are not symptoms of IBS. There is not a single cause of IBS, each person is different and has a different combination of factors. Here are a few of the factors that can get the IBS ball rolling: *25% of IBS cases are infection related. The bowel gets inflamed and then gets into the pattern of being over sensitive. * Food sensitivities and intolerances are issues in 2/3 of all IBS sufferers. IBS is more common in for those from family with allergies and sensitivities. The most common offending foods are wheat, corn, dairy, coffee, citrus and chocolate. * Stress * Hormonal imbalances, many women have flare-ups during menstruation. * Environmental sensitivities *Flora imbalances due to Candida and the taking of antibiotics. * Mind-body interaction You are more likely to have IBS if you have issues with anxiety or depression. The key to taking control of your condition is to narrow down what factors are affecting you. You are the only one that can manage and remedy your IBS. You will have to make some changes in your life and probably some of those will be major but a life without IBS is worth it. In our next two issues we will discuss the steps that you can take to re-gain control of your life. Coming up in February I will be offering an IBS teleseries workshop. Look for more info next issue! and always remember.... You Deserve to be Healthy! Do you think the other veggies know that they can't even begin to compare in nutritional value to leafy greens? Do they lay awake at night in their little garden plots knowing that the neighboring kale is full of calcium that parsley is one of the most nutrient dense foods you can get and that arugula is one of the most nutritious salad greens? I think they know.
So why is it that when I speak to groups about greens, most people only eat iceberg lettuce. Jeeze! Here's what you have to know about the most under eaten but most important part of a healthy diet.... Greens help build your internal rainforest and strengthen the blood and respiratory system. Green is associated with spring, the time of renewal, refreshment and vital energy. In Asian medicine, greens are related to the liver, emotional stability and creativity. Nutritionally, greens are very high in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc and vitamins A, C, E and K. They are crammed with fiber, folic acid, chlorophyll and many other micronutrients and phytochemicals. Whenever possible, choose organic. But eating non-organic greens is much better than not eating any greens at all! Some of the benefits of eating dark leafy greens are: - Blood purification - Cancer prevention - Improved circulation - Strengthened immune system - Promotion of healthy intestinal flora - Promotion of subtle, light and flexible energy - Lifted spirit and elimination of depression - Improved liver, gall bladder and kidney function - Cleared congestion, especially in lungs by reducing mucus There are so many greens to choose from. Find greens that you love and eat them often. When you get bored with your favorites, be adventurous and try greens that you’ve never heard of before. Broccoli is very popular among adults and children. Each stem is like a tree trunk, giving you strong, grounding energy. Rotate between bok choy, napa cabbage, kale, collards, watercress, mustard greens, broccoli rabe, dandelion and other leafy greens. Green cabbage is great cooked or raw, or in the form of sauerkraut. Arugula, endive, chicory, lettuce, mesclun and wild greens are generally eaten raw, but can be consumed in any creative way you enjoy. Spinach, Swiss chard and beet greens are best eaten in moderation because they are high in oxalic acid, which depletes calcium from bones and teeth, and may lead to osteoporosis. Cook these vegetables with something rich like tofu, seeds, nuts, beans, butter, animal products or oil. This will help balance the effect of the oxalic acid. I recommend to all my clients to eat a salad for lunch everyday. Add some protein, top with tons of your favorite veggies, squirt on some apple cider vinegar and flaxseed oil and you are sure to be more alert in the afternoon, slimmer in no time flat and have a digestion that runs well. All this from some leafy greens! It couldn't be any easier! 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
September 2013
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