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

wellness

Magnesium-the unloved mineral

Do you remember watching Wild Kingdom as a kid?  Did you happen to notice that the animals attacking their prey would immediately eat the organ meats.  I never really thought about why until I listened to Morley Robbins explain the importance of magnesium.  Magnesium is the Rodney Dangerfield of the mineral world.  It gets “No Respect”  I have been so remiss in not learning the importance of this underutilized mineral.  Magnesium is a mineral found in oysters, must, seeds, almonds, cashews, pumpkin, pistachios, kelp and organ meats.  You can also get it from wheat grass.  The strange thing about magnesium is that nobody really talks about its importance.  We speak ad nauseam about calcium and vitamin D–but magnesium is the missing component in this triad.  It turns out that we may be enduring an epidemic of magnesium deficiency.

First a little history, our ancestors lived in a very magnesium rich environment.  It was in the water, food, root vegetables and organ meats that we consumed.  Around 100 years ago, the environment flipped.  It became a calcium rich, magnesium poor environment.  It became much more acidic with toxins.   We started refining salt from its natural form (sea salt) which contained a natural balance of magnesium and sodium. Sugar cane started being refined which removes all the magnesium.  So now, living in a calcium rich environment we have developed problems lack of the stabilizing magnesium particle.  Calcium that isn’t regulated by magnesium causes massive inflammation.  Hence (spoiler alert) the inflammation forms free radicals and oxidative stress which progresses to chronic disease states –with heart disease being very significant due to calcium deposits on the arteries.

 

Uses of magnesium:

Stabilization of bones–magnesium gives bones resilience

Regulates calcium in the body

Vital for support for muscles in body (remember the heart is a muscle)

 

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Here is a link to a great tutorial on how to make magnesium lotion—check it out!

http://creativechristianmama.com/how-to-make-magnesium-oil-lotion/

 

 

Posted on by Angela in disease, Mind, Uncategorized 5 Comments

Mama had a baby and it’s head popped off!

Benefits of Dandelion Root

 

I have recently been doing more research on herbal supplements. Dandelion is one of the top healing foods to boost antioxidants and cleanse the liver.

It’s benefits include diuretic action (which in common terms means you eliminate extra water retention).  It is high in potassium, calcium and vitamin K.   It can also help with constipation.

It helps detox the liver by supporting fat digestion and also helps balance blood sugar naturally which in turn can help with overall weight loss.

I found a dandelion root tea that I like to drink twice a day. The roots of the herb used to make coffees and tea. The flow flowers over the herb can make a delicious wine. The leaves are vitamin rich but slightly bitter and are often used in cooking.

Who knew that “Momma had a baby and it’s head popped off” was such a powerful supplement for our bodies?

dandelion

Posted on by Angela in Body, Diet, Nutrition, Supplements, Whole Food 2 Comments

Health and Wellness Expo

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Smoothie recipes, juicing recipes and revamping our favorite comfort by making them healthier.  Yes– that is the plan for this Sunday, April 28th at the WTHR Health and Wellness Expo.  I’ll be there with all my buddies showing you how to make some delicious recipes and even letting you sample them.  Yes–the Iron Chef Ninja Skills will be in full action.  Of course I am kidding!  This full-time working mom of 4 daughters has zero technique on Bobby Flay.  I’m going all out this Sunday and hopefully won’t make a fool of myself.  We will be making a healthy version of the classic Baked Ziti and attempt some juicing and smoothie techniques.  We have tons of tips and it should be fun.  Check out my interview with Angela Cain advertising this below.  Please keep in mind that I was sweating bullets under those lights and that I am a doctor–not a TV personality!  There are real reasons that I didn’t go into a field that required any public speaking!  I have an incredible respect for these reporters that can speak so eloquently impromptu!  See you there !  Game on wellness warriors!  This is your chance to learn a ton about health and wellness for free!  Green Bean Delivery, Trader’s Point Creamery and many local businesses will be there;  that’s not to mention that  Andrew Luck, Guiliana and Bill Rancic , and many other health conscious celebrities are attending!  Bring the kids–there are tons of activities for them as well.

 

 

 

13 WTHR Indianapolis

Posted on by Angela in disease, Nutrition, Uncategorized, Whole Food Leave a comment

ShopNoGMO

 

What is a GMO?

A GMO (genetically modified organism) is the product of a lab process that takes genes from on species and inserts them into another species to attain a desired trait.  Viruses or bacteria are used to infect animal or plant cells with the new DNA.  The DNA is coated with tiny metal pellets and shot into the cells.  Then, the new DNA is injected into fertilized eggs and electric shocks create holes in the membranes of sperm forcing the new DNA into the holes.  Although, no research on humans has shown detrimental effects from eating GMO foods, numerous studies on animals have shown immune damage, pre-cancerous cell growth and many unexplained anomalies.

4 Tips to avoiding GMO

1.  Buy organic–labels saying 100% organic or made with organic ingredients

2.  Buy Non GMO–labels saying “artificial hormone free”

3.  Avoid high risk ingredients–corn, soybean, canola, cottonseed, sugar beets, corn syrup

4.  Download shopping guide and get the app “ShopNoGMO”—a great app with plenty of good information and specific products to avoid.

Posted on by Angela in Body, Diet, Exercise, Nutrition, vegan, Whole Food 2 Comments

Feeling Frazzled?

I give props to my friend for introducing me to the GPS4Soul app!  This smart phone app helps track your stress level at anytime.  I admit that I thought she had gone to the “alternative” side and was suspicious about accuracy until I tested it with our office pulse oximeter ( Eek–it was dead on every time!).   This smart phone app  measures your heart rate over a period of 75 seconds to check for its variability.  The Institute of Heart Math has published many peer-reviewed articles (IE:   The American Journal of Cardiology, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine–they are all on their website) that support  research concluding that stress levels can be monitored by heart rate variability.  It really works!   I have used the app the last few weeks and found that my stress levels are high in the afternoon (usually 3-4 pm).   I’ve tried breathing exercises and mantras to de-stress before making the trip home from the office .  It’s helping!  I also turned off the radio in the car and turned my phone on silent to minimize distractions.  The best thing is that the gps4soul  (type this in your search mechanism to download) app is free and requires no additional attachments or fees.  You don’t have much to lose by trying it out.

So here’s my version of the physiology extensively simplified–

1.  The heart and the brain influence each other’s functions.

2.  The signals that the heart sends to the brain influence cognitive function and emotional processing.

3.  Stress and negative emotions will influence your heart rate which can be monitored closely.

4.  Monitoring your heart rate will help you access your level of stress throughout the day.

5.  This app gives you some deep breathing exercises, mantras, and affirmations that will help you calm your mood within minutes at any time of the day.

 

Sorry Bobby Knight—“The Power of Negative Thinking” may work for team sports.  However,  when it comes to daily living–Positive thinking is the key to health and vitality.

gpsforsoul-250x4291

 

Check out http://www.heartmath.org for more details.  This site explains all the science.

 

Comment or email me if you try this–I’m dying to hear what you think!

Posted on by Angela in Body, Mind, Spirit Leave a comment

US Wellness Meats

Here is another great resource for some grass-fed meats.  I love Simpson Family Farms and US Wellness Meats.  I think you will find the prices are very reasonable.  I absolutely love the inspiration and passion these farmers represent.  There are some great podcasts on  the Underground Wellness site that explain the importance of eating grass-fed meats and the health benefits of CLA.

 

US Wellness Meats

Founded by lifelong farmer John Wood, U.S. Wellness Meats grew out of John’s realization that there was a unique way of raising cattle for a growing niche of U.S. consumers who were beginning to understand the health benefits of CLA and omega-3s from free-range meat.

A fifth-generation farmer, John was used to thinking like his ancestors and his neighbors when it came to raising animals. In a nutshell, this old method meant growing the animal on pasture, feeding them grain in confinement for the final four months, and then selling them off to a big animal processor when it was time for them to be harvested. But with a little experimentation, he discovered the old method might not be the only method. In 1997, 1998 and 1999, John raised animals on a 100% forage diet and had the proof he needed: there was another way to get tender and exquisite-tasting beef, lamb, bison, goat and dairy products.

One of the key secrets of the new model? Keeping the best quality forage in front of animals on a daily basis with a rotation grazing sequence. This traditional method mimics how buffalo grazed in North America for centuries, and it is the critical difference between 21st-century grass-fed and the old 1950’s model.head_about

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

Smoothie Posse Shopping List

Ok guys—we have 3 days to start preparing menus for the Smoothie Fest–Here is a basic shopping list created by Amy our Smoothie Posse Queen—-Start composing your lists and I will be reposting juicing information as well although you don’t have to juice for this.  I am planning on using my Ninja and I know Amy used her Nutribullet.

 

Liquid bases

unsweetened soy milk (GMO free) unsweetened oat milk unsweetened yogurt- greek or soy green tea- decaf or regular pomegranate juice

Frozen produce

mango, all types of berries, pineapple, kiwi, cranberries

Fresh produce

fresh fruit- bananas (cut them up and freeze them), pomegranite greens- spinach, kale, and/or beet (this will turn your pee red)
pumpkin (or use canned but fresh is better)
fresh ginger root

Pantry

chia seeds
hemp seeds
unsweetened shredded coconut
nut butter(s)- peanut, almond, and/or cashew. shoot for unsweetened pumpkin (or use fresh)–we determined last week that fresh is better!

Spices and things

turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla bean if you want to be fancy. None of these are necessary.

 

Game on guys!!! Let’s do this Marines!

Posted on by Angela in Body, Call to action, Diet, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

Sabotaged by the Holidays

How to keep holiday festivities from sabotaging your health.

 

We all want to join in the fun of the holiday season. But late nights, too much food and drink, and the stress of meeting others’ expectations can do a number on your health and fitness. Is it possible to allow yourself a few indulgences without completely undermining your wellbeing?

 

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Dr. Kathryn Colteryahn, with IU Health Physicians – Internal Medicine, provides practical advice on maintaining a healthy holiday season.

Learn more

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Yes, and there are two keys to success: staying active and setting realistic expectations.

 

Daily exercise, even moderate activity such as walking or taking the stairs, helps burn additional calories, relieves stress, and inspires more healthful eating habits. Try substituting a few food-centric activities (like baking cookies) with more physical activities: take the family ice skating, go caroling, or volunteer at a soup kitchen.

 

Next, be realistic. If you’re following a weight loss plan, don’t expect to shed pounds in December, but try to maintain your weight instead. Don’t indulge every single day; stick to healthful foods when you can.

 

Specifically, here’s how you can control the most common holiday culprits:

 

All those parties. Eat a light meal and drink plenty of water before you go. While you’re there, enjoy a glass of wine or champagne, but alternate with club soda on the rocks with lime. The appearance of a drink in your hand will make it less likely someone else will insist on pouring you another.

Break room candy and popcorn. If these gifts are from vendors, let them know you’d rather have a healthier alternative, like a fruit basket. If that fails, avoid the break room by taking a brisk walk instead.

 

Dining out too often. Have the server box up half before your meal is brought to the table. (Don’t worry about offending, they’re used to this request.) Make more time for cooking at home by spending a little time on Sunday afternoon to prep the week’s meals. Picking up a few groceries daily on your lunch hour, as opposed to on your way home, can help you avoid the break room candy and get you home a littler earlier to enjoy your time in the kitchen.

 

Pressure from family and friends. The truth is, we usually bring this pressure on ourselves. So prioritize. Be honest by saying that you simply cannot get around to everyone, every year. Alternate between different branches of the family from year to year. It’s okay to say no, and you’ll be surprised at how understanding they are.

 

And remember, it’s okay NOT to have plans, too. Take time off for yourself. Remain active, as well as realistic.

 

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Author of this article

Kathryn Colteryahn, MD, specializes in internal medicine. She is a guest columnist and located at IU Health West Hospital, 1115 Ronald Regan Parkway, Suite 318, in Avon. She can be reached by calling the office at 317.217.2632.

 

Posted on by Angela in Body, Diet, disease, Exercise, Family, Guest Blog, Nutrition, Organic, Weight Loss, Whole Food Leave a comment

Why I love Theresa Mazza!

T.H.A.N.K.S.

November 20, 2012 — Leave a comment

Tell people in your life you love and care for them. Give thanks for friendships.

Help your neighbor out of humility and gratitude for the many provisions of God. Give thanks for the ability to bless others.

Always recognize the gifts, talents, and beauty found in those around you. Give thanks for diversity and uniqueness.

Never doubt that you can find blessings and beauty in any circumstance no matter how difficult it is. Give thanks to God for his peace, mercy, forgiveness, and grace. He makes all things beautiful.

Keep in front of you the many times God has helped you, guided you, and taken care of you by surrounding you with caring souls. Give thanks for the help you’ve received.

Savor all that is good in life. Don’t dwell on the hurts and disappointments of the past. Give thanks for you are loved by the one who is good.

Thanks acrostic by Theresa Mazza

Thanks to Theresa for letting me repost this—-please be sure to visit her site at http://www.theresamazza.com– or click the link at sanity pills on the Friends links——

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