Some People Do Get Better!

Leslee and I were at wit’s end! She has been miserable with chronic diarrhea that has completely debilitated her life. After multiple tests and trials of treatments–she said “just put me on an antidepressant and I’ll eat myself into an oblivion of fatness.” Luckily, we had a brainstorm idea after reading some my recent blog posts and articles. We decided that she had nothing to lose by going wheat/gluten-free for a week just to see how she felt. That weekend she and her friend made homemade bread as her last hoorah! That evening she spent quality toilet time piling through gluten-free recipes. She went gung-ho the next week—fruit smoothies for breakfast, a green juice for lunch, and a gluten/wheat-free dinner. After 3 days exactly she was shocked at having 1 normal bowel movement a day. After 1 week, the “chicken skin” bumps on her arms had disappeared. It seemed too good to be true. She found a gluten-free pizza from Dominos and actually ate it without symptoms. After around 2 weeks of improving symptoms, she decided to test her theory by trying some bread—Bah Bahm–dropping bombs within 30 minutes! I saw her today and her weight was down, acne was cleared, bloating was gone and blood pressure (for which she takes meds) was remarkably low. Even her cardiologist was surprised by the results. She is staying with the diet because she feels so remarkable. She will be sharing some of her stories with us in the near future so stay tuned. She is a remarkably intelligent, charming, witty working mother. You will absolutely fall in love with her!!!! Thanks Leslee for letting me share your story. You are inspiring others!

*** Tip of the day: IHOP puts pancake batter in their scrambled eggs to make them look fluffy!

Leslee’s Super Green Smoothie Recipe

spinach

kale

celery

apples

ginger

lemon to taste

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Angela in Body, Diet, disease, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

Comfortably Numb

So today I had the task of repainting our children’s bathroom. Gone are the days of cute little ducks and frogs that evolved to hot pink stripes and unfortunate remnants of blue hair dying slumber parties gone bad. Today I was forced to paint a mature face on this memory filled bathroom in anticipation of selling our home this Spring. It is a mundane chore in which I find less than zero excitement. First, because I am a horrid painter. And second, because I have no patience. I am sure that a completely bored five-year old spilling cans of paint, talking incessantly, and trying to paint the dog-played no role in the matter. Emma was kidnapped by my wonderful cousin for a few hours of kid play and I had some time alone in my own head. This monotonous task devoid interruption left me with some uncluttered mindfulness. I came to this conclusion. We can control our diet and what we put in our bodies–the bigger issue is controlling what thoughts we allow into our heads. Mindset is key–and the moments we have to really clear our minds and set our motivation are way to far and few. Today is Groundhog’s day–the end of January, a time for the excitement of upcoming springtime, and the unfortunate memory of Bill Murray’s exhausting movie (Groundhog Day) reminding us that it only takes tiny choices to make changes in outcome.

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Angela in Call to action, Nutrition, Weight Loss 2 Comments

Against the Grain—part 2

So in the last 3 weeks I have been putting on weight and belly fat like crazy. I didn’t figure it out till this morning when I was putting together this post on wheat—-Bingo (light bulb)– A few weeks ago I got the crazy notion to add some goldfish crackers on my salad at lunch. My obsessive compulsive habits had me eating those little heathens daily. Despite eating primarily PALEO, that little bit of wheat has started that vicious wheat belly cycle all over again. Needless to say, I will be eliminating those today.

So here is the part 2 of the dreaded wheat conundrum–wheat is a drug! Crack if you must.

Wheat actually acts like an opioid in the brain. Like all opioids, wheat can stimulate appetite. In 1981, the glycemic index was first introduced and ironically wheat had a higher index than sugar and white bread. Wheat elevates sugar levels which in turn elevate insulin levels. Insulin resistance can then ensue which can lead to diabetes. Wheat has a component called amylopectin A which can really elevate insulin levels. Not to mention that it contains the protein Gliadin which can cross the blood brain barrier. It actually unlocks the intestinal barrier which can allow foreign antigens to enter the blood stream. This leads to Leaky Gut Syndrome. But, more on that to come……

Symptoms of Insulin Resistance

general fatigue, after meals

difficulty losing weight

always hungry

need for sweets after meals

cravings for sweets are not satisfied after eating them

frequent urination

waist circumference is equal to or greater than hips

irritability between meals

excessive thirst

More detailed information can be found in Dr. William Davis’s book–“Wheat Belly”

and by visiting http://www.wheatbellyblog.com

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Angela in Body, Diet, disease, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

10 Signs You May Be Gluten Intolerant—

It has been estimated that 15% of the US population. Could you be one of them?

If you have any of the following symptoms, you may actually be gluten intolerant. Please remember that these symptoms are vague so they only warrant investigating an intolerance. And as usual, consult your personal physician if you have concerns.

1. Migraine headaches

2. Keratosis pilaris (bumps that look like chicken skin on the back of your arms)

3. Fatigue or brain fog after eating gluten

4. Autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Scleroderma or Multiple sclerosis)

5. Dizziness or feeling off-balance

6. PMS or PCOS

7. Fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue

8. Inflammation in joints

9. Anxiety, depression, ADD or mood swings

10. Digestion issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation

Personally, my ALCAT did show a mild sensitivity to gluten so I am considering eliminating it. You can either get an ALCAT test done (approx $250 if not covered by insurance) by contacting me or you could simply do an elimination diet. This requires you eliminate gluten 100% from your diet for at least 30 days and preferably 90 days. Then you track your symptoms and when you re-introduce the gluten–see exactly how you feel.

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Angela in Diet, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Whole Food 3 Comments

Pinterest Epic Fails

Paleo Banana Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups almond flour or almond meal
4 pastured eggs
1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
3/4 cup coconut sugar
2 ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup shredded zucchini
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (mini preferred)
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix all wet ingredients together first and then add in the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pour into a loaf pan greased well with coconut oil and cook for 75 minutes or until a toothpick or fork comes out clean (aside from melty chocolate ). Let cool before slicing and serving but it tastes best when still slightly warm. Enjoy!!

HERE’S ANOTHER GREAT HEALTHY RECIPE—I MADE THIS FOR SIDNEY’S 13TH BIRTHDAY PARTY—please note the pinterest picture I copied and the actual picture of my dish—BAHAHAHA!

Sweet Potato & Pomegranate Salad

2 medium sweet potatos, cubed, plus olive oil, sea salt and pepper for roasting

2 cups baby salad greens (kale, spinach, arugula, etc)

1/3 cup pomegranate seeds

1/3 cup crumbled feta

1/4 cup almonds

handful of chopped cilantro

2-3 chopped scallions

DRESSING

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 clove minced garlic

2 teaspoons honey

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

1. Roast the sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Chop the sweet potato into bite sized cubes. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes.

2. Make ther dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, honey, garlic, salt and pepper

3. Assemble and toss lightly—and ENJOY

Here’s Mine

The Pinterest Version

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Angela in Body, Diet, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

Why am I always hungry?

Here is a great new post from our dear friend Dee–please check out her site http://www.gettingthebestoffood.com She shares her journey and includes a realistic attitude that accounts for all the daily struggles, stress, and obstacles that sabotage us relententlessly. You go Dee!!!

The first time I saw this diagram was nearly a year ago and it has never left my memory. Over the past few months I have noticed how refined foods such as white bread and sugar have effected hunger throughout the day. This simple illustration shows how all highly processed foods, fats and oils look in the stomach. I’ll be right back, gotta grab an apple.

OK, I’m back, less starving than I was a minute ago. If you look at all of the diets that have been successful and popular, most of them have fruits and veggies in common. Atkins, not so much because it’s an all-protein diet. The challenge that I’ve found is getting veggies to taste good. Fruits are naturally delicious without anything added, but veggies are usually better when you make them bad…like broccoli with cheese sauce, fried green beans with butter, creamed peas, spinach au gratin. At this point, I’m finding it more challenging to make veggies fun. Well, fun is a strong word. I don’t know if they’ve ever been fun. Here are some tricks I’ve learned:

Bake kale with a spritz of olive oil for crispy chips with a touch of sea salt
Hide spinach in smoothies, soups, baked eggs
Mash sweet potatoes with a touch of cinnamon, almond milk and agave nectar and bake for fake pumpkin pie
Use romaine or Boston lettuce leaves to wrap the healthy ingredients you would normally put on bread, like tuna salad, grilled chicken, lean steak
Soak dates — use the water as a healthy natural sweetening liquid and puree the soaked dates with water to make a paste as a solid sweeter for recipes (paste with spaghetti squash and cinnamon is great.

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Angela in Body, Diet, disease, Green Living, Guest Blog, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

Detoxify!

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Angela in Call to action, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

Cranberry Smoothie

Here’s another great recipe for this week! I want to remind everyone that I am posting the smoothie posse recipes and experiences from last week because I leave for a nutrition conference this week so I can’t participate. The one major note that I will tell you before starting the fest is to not forget to drink water!!! By day #2, I was cranky, tired, and really hungry! Also, (spoiler alert) that the beet juice recipe from day #2 will make you pee red!

Very happy with my cranberry smoothie this morning. Fresh cranberries. ’nuff said.

1/2 cup frozen cranberries
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen blackberries

5 frozen whole strawberries
1 ripe banana
1 Tbsp hemp seeds
1/2 cup soy milk
1/2 cup brewed green tea, cooled (i’ve brewed a bunch and it’s chillin’ in my fridge for upcoming smoothies).

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Angela in Body, Diet, Nutrition, Whole Food Leave a comment

The Definition of Insanity

I think counting calories sucks!!!! It doesn’t really work–just look around and see the number of overweight people in our country and you will be convinced. As Einstein said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” So what we are doing isn’t working. We need to really be focusing on the quality of our food. Math and getting caught up with numbers is wasted energy. Ask yourself? Is weight loss really a good hobby? How many of us spend too much time thinking and obsessing over our weight? Use these next few tools at the grocery store this weekend to help you out. Remember that the “Fooducate” app for your smart phone can help you out too.

1. How many ingredients are in it?

2. Is it organic?

3. How much sugar is in it?

4. Does it contain any artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, MSG, chemicals ETC?

Organic foods are nutrient dense, safer for the planet, and are grown with more care. Forget those nasty free radical causing chemicals that make snacks low-calorie—-Let’s just eat real food folks! As Sean Croxton says–Let’s JERF (a great verb in my opinion)–Just Eat Real Food!

Stay tuned for the big holiday challenge–more to come tomorrow!

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Angela in Body, Diet, Exercise, Nutrition, vegan, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

Heaven Sent Holiday

I love my mother in law–she declares Thanksgiving as her holiday of the year. We are all required to show up and sit around, eat, and chat. The children and their cousins hit the basement and play non-stop and there are hours of uninterrupted adult conversation! I think all the other mother’s out there can agree that this scenario is absolutely heaven sent! This year—I will be taking a holiday salad just to feel as I am contributing some. Check out this great vision of beauty straight off pinterest. It’s the winter berry wreath salad—-to die for and nothing but healthy ingredients!

Prep time: 20 mins

Total time: 20 mins

Serves: 8

Ingredients

1 head of Iceberg lettuce
4 cups mixed greens
1 cup spinach
2 bunches grapes
1 apple (chopped)
1 Pear (chopped and sliced for decoration)
6 Strawberries (2 whole for decorating the rest chopped)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup cashews
1/2 cup crumbled gorgonzaoa cheese
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup honey
1 Tbsp diced fresh onion
1 tsp dijon mustard (Grey Poupon is what I used)
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
2/3 cup olive oil

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Angela in Body, Diet, Family, Green Living, Organic, vegan, Weight Loss Leave a comment

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