Finding a New Primary Care Doctor

A Big Thanks To Leslie at Wellparents.com for this great advice Thanks to Leslie at Read more

The Rollercoaster of Life

Grandma: "I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn't like Read more

Sheltering at Home/Covid 19

Never in the last two decades of my career as a physician would I have imagined that we would be using the same mask to see patients all day and then sterilizing/recycling them at the end of the day. Read more

Turmeric Health Benefits

Have you ever wondered what the paste is applied to the bride and groom's faces and arms in Indian weddings?  It's actually the spice turmeric.  Turmeric is the ingredient in curry that gives it a vibrant yellow color.  Actually, Read more

COVID 19 Precautions

With the scare of COVID here in the USA now, I wanted to post a little info about boosting immunity to prevent contracting the virus. Here are some important facts about Covid-19 It is spread by contact with Read more

Natural Tips for Avoiding Colds

This cold and flu season is still upon us and unfortunately, many patients are still being plagued by these nasty viral symptoms.  Here are a few tips to try if you feel like you are coming down with something. Of Read more

Sherry's Story

Sherry has a great story.  She has been diabetic for years and she has made some massive changes!   "I have been on a lifestyle change. It has been a year following a ketogenic food plan.  When I started this journey Read more

Pharmacy to Farmacy

Many of you may know Erin-- the fabulous Pharm D that worked in our office a few years back.  Erin is a phenomenal gal and we embarked on the journey  into natural medicine around the same time.  As we both Read more

Body

Pink Slime and the 26 Ingredient School Hamburger

A big thanks to Jamie Oliver from The Food Network for finally raising some public attention and encouraging us to be savvy in inspecting the ingredients in the foods we are eating. I have to say that I have been just as ignorant as the rest of the public about what I’m actually putting in my body! Nutrition isn’t taught in medical school. Unfortunately, I have had to go back and relearn everything about healthy eating that I wish I would have learned as a child. I hope these posts are shocking but helpful so that you don’t have to spend hours seeking out the right information.

The Following Foods Contain over 25 ingredients!

Combos, Chocolate Cereals, Cheez Whiz, Frozen Waffles, Snicker’s Peanut Butter, Pringles, Breakfast Bars, Lunchables, and Big Mac Sauce

 

 

 Dear Lunchable,

Sidney and Emma are breaking up with you!    You are taunting them like candy from a rapist van!  Stay away before I really have to go all mama bear postal on you!

Keep your nasty ingredients to yourself!

Cherry Flavored Water Beverage With Other Natural Flavor: Water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, sucralose (Splenda brand sweetener), natural flavor. Cooked Ham–Water Added–Chopped And Formed–Smoke Flavor Added: Ham, water, contains less than 2 percent of sodium lactate, potassium chloride, modified cornstarch, sodium phosphates, sugar, salt, sodium diacetate, sodium ascorbate, flavor, sodium nitrite, smoke flavor. Pasteurized Prepared American Cheese Product: Milk, water, milkfat, milk protein concentrate, whey, whey protein concentrate, contains less than 2 percent of sodium citrate, salt, lactic acid, sorbic acid as a preservative, cheese culture, enzymes, oleoresin paprika (color), annatto (color), with starch added for slice separation. Artificially Flavored Candy: Sugar, invert sugar, corn syrup, modified corn starch, tartaric acid, citric acid, natural and artificial flavoring, yellow 6, red 40, yellow 5 and blue 1. Crackers: Unbleached enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate [vitamin B1], riboflavin [Vitamin B2], folic acid), whole grain wheat flour, soybean oil, sugar, partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, salt, leavening (baking soda and/or calcium phosphate), whey (from milk), soy lecithin, natural flavor

Posted on by Angela in Body, Diet, disease, Nutrition, vegan, Weight Loss, Whole Food 2 Comments

The Reality of the Intrusion of Red Dye #40

Ok–hold on because it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

The following foods contain the infamous Red Dye #40:

Cereals—Kix, Lucky Charms, Reece’s, Trix, Fruit Loops, Fruity Pebbles, and Captain Crunchberries

Yogurts–Dannon, Yoplait, Breyer’s, Colombo, and Trix

Juices and drinks– V8, Hi-C, Minute Maid, Gatorade, Sunkist, Hawaiian Punch, Koolaid, Crystal Light, Pepsi, Ocean Spray , and Lipton iced tea

Sauces and dressings— bullion cubes, BBQ sauce, Catalina dressing

Snacks—Nutragrain bars, Poptarts, Jello pudding, Little Debbie products, granola bars

Cakes and doughs—Pillsbury/Duncan Hines cresent rolls, frosting, pie crusts, cake mix, quick breads

Candy— Brach’s, fruit snacks,Jolly ranchers, Twizzlers, M&M’s, Starburst, Skittles, Lifesavers, Altoids, Smarties, Trident, Tootsie Rolls

ETC ETC ETC—This list is incomplete!  Please visit  http://www.red40.com/  for the complete details. 

Remember:  This small dye changed Susan’s life for the worst ( see post When I let go..)  and eliminating it changed her life back for the better.  Do you believe in miracles?–I do now!

Posted on by Angela in Diet, disease, Green Living, Nutrition, Organic, vegan, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

Crazy Sexy Cancer

Kris Carr is a vivacious dancer, actress, and filmmaker.  She was born in 1971 (one year before me).  She has appeared in the television series “Law and Order” and has played the ghost of Marilyn Monroe alongside Peter Falk in the film, “Mr Peter’s Connections.”  On Valentine’s Day in 2003–she was diagnosed with stage IV

epithelioid hemangioendothelioma

 which is a rare cancer affecting the liver and lungs.  She chose to live and vowed to do anything it would take to cure herself of this debilitating disease.  Please watch this inspiring video and see what incredible faith and gumption this gal had to overcome her disease and become a survivor!

We Should All Be So Strong!

Posted on by Angela in Body, cancer, Diet, disease, Exercise, Green Living, Nutrition, Organic, vegan, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

Food additives: Read the Label Part 1/10

Now that I have sparked your curiosity by telling you the true story of a food additive allergy (See blog “When I let go of who I am…), I am starting a 10 part series on Food Additives and the health consequences that accompany them.

I am starting my favorite obvious offender Red Dye # 40 because I have seen this mutant troll ruin the lifes of an undeserving woman and her family for 7 years!   This devious bandit is hiding undercover in more foods than you can possibly imagine, including something that I am serving my family for dinner tonight, Pillsbury crescent rolls.

Red Dye #40 debilitates the immune system -I  believe it’s the Michael Jordan of disease-causing  food additives.

Food coloring dates back to Ancient Egyptian writings as early as 1500BC.  In the late 1800’s chemically synthesized color additives were derived from coal and metal based compounds and actually contained some poisons (arsenic).  They used color to mask poor product and spoiled stock  from improper storage technology.  Documented injury and death from the tainted colorants demanded the necessity for “The Pure Food and Drug Act” passed in 1906.  This Act allowed the government to scrutinize the use of color additives.

By 1938, the FDA had successfully brought colorants  under stricter control by naming and assigning numbers to them. F for food use, D for drug use, and C for cosmetic use.  Hence Red Dye # 40 (FDC)  is the most commonly used food, drug, and cosmetic additive.  3 million pounds of this dye were manufactured in the year 1992 alone.   Today, it is by far the most commonly used colorant and hence–my new nemesis.  I will say that FDC yellow # 5, the second most commonly used dye,  will be put on hold because of its marriage Diet Mtn Dew, (my personal Bad Romance”).  Yellow Dye #5 causes adrenal tumors in rats!  More to come, I’ll have to go to an  AA  meeting or take abusive relationship course before I face the reality that I am emotionally dependant on this toxic relationship.  “Hi everyone, I’m Angela, and I’m a Diet Mtn. Dewaholic”  The first step is acceptance.

Next blog if you are interested:  The Foods that Contain Red Dye # 40 —Warning, it will be painful.

http://www.angelamd.com

Posted on by Angela in Call to action, Diet, Green Living, Humor, Nutrition, Organic, Spirit, Whole Food Leave a comment

Sweet Tooth!

Thanks Dee!

Unlike a lot of women I meet, I am fortunate in not having a sweet tooth. My husband got the sweet tooth in our family. I can generally walk by a plate of cookies all weekend without much temptation to eat one. I do have another weakness. I’ve been known to eat the crispy-salty chicken skin off of everyone’s chicken before it gets to the table. And I’ve had periods of time where I popped and ate a whole bag of microwave popcorn by myself at night. My sister recommended kosher salt on edamame as a salty substitute. Sometimes it works but sometimes not. Here is one thing I’ve learned about good days and bad days in eating well. If I manage to walk by the cookies and refrain from grabbing a couple of cheese puffs, I can manage to stay strong all day and night. But once I let myself slip a little bit — thinking I’ll just eat one Lay’s potato chip or a quarter of a brownie — I’m a goner. Here’s the good part to that: I can also keep a good thing going once I start my day off with flavorful fruits, fun salads and crunchy veggie combinations. Having other people in my house that have very different eating habits is definitely a huge hurdle to jump. I don’t buy bags of chips or snacks, but my husband does, with dip. He also brings home cakes and pastries and fires up the deep fryer at 10 pm to toss in some Buffalo wings. Dieting is hard enough when you don’t have people around who unintentionally sabotage your best day’s work. I guess that’s life though. Lots of women my age are consumed by diets and weight and appearance. We all want it to be easy and it’s not. Still, I have no doubt that it’s going to be worth all of the hard work. I’m not sticking to the plan as 100% perfectly as I would hope, but I’m moving in the right direction. When tempted, remember to just say no!

http://www.gettingthebestoffood.com/

Posted on by Angela in Body, Diet, Guest Blog, Humor, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

Drink Water!

Yes, thirst can very well be mistaken for water. One great tip for eating less is to drink a glass of water before each meal. In general, adults should drink about eight glasses of water a day. It’s harder than you’d think. I’ve never managed to drink my daily allotment of water. The best trick I’ve found for this is to drink 16 ounces three times a day…that’s still not enough but much better than no water. Keep an extra large glass at home and at work to fill and “chug” in the morning, at lunchtime or throughout your work day, and then again when you get home. Here is a fun site that gives you some tips on how to learn to identify your body’s cues for thirst and hunger. Remember that colas, coffee and teas — although made with water — don’t count as water. Many beverages can actually dehydrate your body. Hmm, just typing this today is making me thirsty. I’m going to get a drink and get my big water glass out!

Posted on by Angela in Guest Blog, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

Make Good Choices!

Once again:  Thank you Dee for being real!

We’ve all heard about making a lasting decision, but in some cases, you’re better off choosing something that’s temporary, fleeting, and brief. Here’s when…when you feel like using food and alcohol as an emotional fix. The better option is a non-food replacement. In the same way that you get prepared ahead of time in planning healthy meals, plan too a list of food substitutes. One of the most common emotional states in which I make horrible food/drink choices is stress, especially when it’s stress mixed with anger. When I come home from work and find a trashed house, kids fighting and then one more thing happens — like dropping a glass sugar bowl or bouncing a check — straight for a bottle of Stella I go, followed quickly by any kind of animal fat product doused in salt. If there was a way to fry salt, I’d be in heaven. The funny thing is, my emotional eating isn’t always because of stress or anger or sadness. The pendulum swings to eating when I’m celebrating or rewarding myself. Here are some better choices (have them ready to turn to when the urge to eat for emotions comes along): candles, bath, walk, music, hot tea, yoga, nap, reading, blogging…

http://www.angelamd.com

Posted on by Angela in Body, Diet, Guest Blog, Mind, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

The Red Flags of Food Additives

Okay, I’ll admit that only recently I have started reading food labels.  To be honest, I just don’t have the time to read labels while shopping because I’m rushing.  Frankly, the people cluttering the aisles reading ingredients just annoy me.  It’s not worse than the texting driver holding up traffic to complete the text.  I have learned that labels can be deceiving.  Here are a few of the stealth Gluten Red Flags to watch!

Gluten Free does not always mean gluten free.  Definitely avoid wheat, wheat gluten, barley, and rye.  However, malt or hydrolyzed vegetable protein are also enemies!  Be especially careful of cereals, pastas, cakes and cookies.  You can substitute with rice or potato flour.  Substitute rice noodles for traditional pasta. 

“Food Allergy and Food Intolerance” by Dr Jon Brostoff is an excellent resource in understanding food intolerance symptoms and has a large index of buzz words to watch for when reading labels.

Dee had a similar experience yesterday:

Sorry to pick on a brand name, but this is such a perfect example of why we need to read labels. I bought some things for a health fair at my work, and smoothies in a bottle were specifically requested. So I loaded my shopping cart with apples, bananas and Frusion. The first thing that caught my eye was 4% juice. As I was unpacking groceries, I decided to try one. Quickly glanced at the label without my reading glasses and saw 180 calories. My non-dairy coconut and almond milks are about 100 so when you add fruit I thought that sounded normal. Just now, I put on the glasses to see that — sure enough — high fructose corn syrup is item number four on the label, after yogurt, water and sugar. There are 33 grams of sugar. For comparison, Kool-Aid (pure liquid poison) has only 25. Fresh fruit is loaded with fiber but the drink has none. Here is a better smoothie option: 8 oz. rice milk (120 calories + 11 grams sugar) and 1 cup strawberries (65 calories and 12 grams sugar) plus 4 oz. Greek yogurt (65 calories + 4 grams sugar). Even though the calories are higher, the sugar is much lower and it doesn’t contain high fructose corn syrup. It also has some great protein from the milk and yogurt and complex carbs from the fresh fruit. One real smoothie starts the day off right, no hunger until lunch. Even though processes and packaged foods are convenient, you always are better off with whole foods in their natural form. Remember that one very helpful website to use for learning about the nutritional benefits of most foods is www.calorie-count.com.

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It’s all about the color

Here are two simple tricks to determining whether or not the foods you are putting in your body are good for you. 1) how close to it’s original state is the food? 2) what color is it? In fruits and vegetables, their original state of raw is the state in which you capture all of the nutrients the produce has to offer. Steam it, and you retain a lot of the benefit. If you over-boil it or cook it out of a can…not so much. And pay attention to color. A general rule is that the more colorful the food, the healthier it is (usually). For example, dark lettuce varieties are healthier than light green iceburg. Many eating plans talk about avoiding the white stuff (sugar, white bread, salt, white rice, white pasta). Switching to other alternatives is definitely a plus. We will talk about this later when we discuss food absorption, but here are your better options:  whole grain bread, brown rice, whole grain pasta and as little sugar as possible.

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Green Bean Delivery

It may be my obsession with Pinterest or my overwhelming desire to believe I actually am Martha Stewart, but I am ecstatic each week when my $35 tub of fresh produce arrives from Green Bean Delivery.  My family members roll their eyes as I rush to pinterest to find recipes that will combine all my new food into fanciful, ingenious masterpieces.  Fresh produce at the supermarket is expensive so I put my sleuth skills to work to find alternatives.  Luckily, when you mix a nutritionist and an environmentalist with integrity, you get the perfect union!

Matt Ewer and Elizabeth Blessing are soul mates.  Drawn together by their passion for developing a healthier community, they combined their experiences to develop a marriage and business that will sustain integrity and value for the future.  They offer online home delivery of fresh,organic produce from local farmers and artisans.  The produce is affordable, convenient, and assessable to Midwest communities.  Thank you both for this service and for being “real” and doing what you believe is right.

Learn about Green Bean Delivery—-http://www.greenbeanindiana.com

Matt Ewer and Elizabeth Blessing, husband and wife, share equal passions for healthy community, nutrition education, sustainable farming and food networks. After a short stint on the West Coast, the pair decided to move back home to Indianapolis and put their experiences to the test by starting their own food delivery business.

In 2007, Green B.E.A.N. Delivery, formerly Farm Fresh Delivery, was founded in Indianapolis by Matt and Elizabeth. John Freeland and Matt attended college together and have remained good friends through the years. After Matt started the company, John, who is now the vice president, saw a need and desire for this type of service in Cincinnati. In early 2009, Green B.E.A.N. Delivery expanded to The Queen City.

 Matt has a degree in Environmental Management from Indiana University. After graduating in 2000, he worked at Stranger’s Hill organic farm in Bloomington, Ind., for two seasons. Enjoying his experience in farming led Matt to Washington State for another learning experience in organics. While in Seattle for four years, Matt was the general manager of Full Circle Farm, which was recently named “one of the most successful small farms in the country” by US News. He has experience in buying, growing and selling large volumes of produce and natural products, as well as marketing and managing a growing company.

Elizabeth has a Master of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University and a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Indiana University. After graduating from Bastyr, she worked as a nutrition educator for Washington State University King County Extension’s Food $ense Program. While at Food $ense, she co-authored nutrition education curriculum. In 2007, Elizabeth became the on-site nutritionist and food service instructor at The Chef’s Academy, the Indiana Business College’s culinary school. Today, as the full-time staff nutritionist at Green B.E.A.N. Delivery, Beth creates unique recipes and information nutritional pieces for members to enjoy.

 Today, Green B.E.A.N. Delivery is a fast growing online home delivery service that provides organic produce and natural groceries to its members sourced from local farmers and artisans. The company’s goal is to make healthy, local and sustainably grown foods convenient, affordable and accessible to Midwest communities. Green B.E.A.N. Delivery’s focus is on improving the health of Midwest urban communities while strengthening its sustainable food businesses with both rural and urban roots.  

 The company currently serves Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Ind., Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, and Louisville, Ky., as well as the greater surrounding areas. Its service provides an avenue for local artisans and farmers to share their crafts and talents with local community members. Green B.E.A.N. Delivery services homes, and recently began delivering to offices in Cincinnati.

 Additionally, Green B.E.A.N. Delivery is focused on several other initiatives, such as Farm to Kitchen Foods, which produces homemade food for members.  Tiny Footprint Distribution by Green B.E.A.N. Delivery distributes all-natural, sustainably produced products to end retailers, and was created to help artisans with the biggest challenge they face—distribution. Garden on the Go, in collaboration with Indiana University Health, is a mobile produce truck that works to provide Indianapolis communities with better access to healthy foods. As others come to fruition, we will make the announcement.

Posted on by Angela in Body, Composting, Diet, Green Living, Nutrition, Organic, Weight Loss, Whole Food 1 Comment