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

JERF

More Homemade Salad Dressings

Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp local honey

1/3 cup blackberries

 

Process all the ingredients together in a blender and then season with ground pepper and sea salt

The beauty of this recipe is that you can substitute just about any berry as well to mix up the taste

Basil Vinaigrette

2 Tbsp. of White wine vinegar

1/4 cup of avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp. of Dijon mustard

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

 

Process all together in a blender and season with fresh ground pepper and sea salt — This recipe is also great because you can substitute any fresh herb of choice — parsley/ rosemary / thyme etc

 

 

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

Tara’s Story

Tara’s Story

When I turned 30 years old I weighed in at 348lbs; clothes were getting harder to find and more expensive, and my life was getting difficult to manage. When going out to eat we had to have a table because I could not comfortably sit in a booth, my stomach hit the steering wheel when I drove, and at family gatherings, I often sat on the floor in the corner so no one had to navigate around me. My depression and anxiety were getting worse and, as a previous nationally competing athlete, I was disgusted with myself and how I was allowing my health, and weight, box in my life.

After attempting every fad diet plan, ‘cleanse’ and losing a few pounds only to gain them, and some of their friends, back, I was giving up. Then Dr. Angie had me watch a TedTalks video about a high fat, low carb diet and provided me with literature to go through. However, I knew after the video that this high fat, low carb (or Keto) diet change would be manageable. I still got to eat cheese and enjoy meat!

After 6 months, I have lost 60lbs and continue to lose weight even though I am not super strict all the time. When I want something, I have it, but in moderation. I do not beat myself up for slip-ups, or cheat meals. Not only am I am able to sit in booths again, I have started to enjoy shopping, my mental state is better than ever and my body is starting to feel like my own again. My weight no longer controls me.

I still have a long way to go, but I know I will get there.

This is the video I shared with Tara— There are many more that explain the theory of the ketogenic/ low carb/high fat diet.

I love seeing patients make changes that don’t involve pharmaceuticals!!

Share any of your own weight loss adventures in the comments below– and please call or message me if you want more info!  You can contact me at the office (317) 217-2626, email at doc@angelamd.com or contact me thru my Angelamd Facebook page.

Congrats Tara!  You are such and inspiration and I am so excited to continue to watch all your health improvements!

Posted on by Angela in Body, Call to action, Diet, Guest Blog, Nutrition, Organic, Weight Loss, Whole Food 1 Comment

Healing the Gut with Bone Broth

bowl-of-broth

What is bone broth?

What the @&*$ is bone broth and why is everyone talking about it and its medicinal benefits.  First, bone broth is simply stock!  Chicken or beef bones are usually used although you can use venison/lamb/pig etc.  They are simmered for over 24 hours or more along with vegetables/herbs etc.  The more gelatinous the broth, the more nourishing it is.  Simmering the broth breaks down the bones and bone marrow releasing calcium, phosphorus, collagen, cartilage, glucosamine, silicon, chondroitin, and essential acids including proline, glycine and glutamine.

The benefits of bone broth include:

Reduction in joint pain and inflammation– because of the chondroitin and glucosamine

Inhibits infection—“Jewish penicillin”–it apparently activates macrophages/natural killer cells/ B- lymphocytes etc that are important in the immune response to colds/viruses.

Fights inflammation–with the essential amino acids.  glycine, proline and arginine all have anti-inflammatory effects.

Promotes strong bones –because of the calcium and magnesium –collagen provides the lattice-work for mineral deposition to build strong and flexible bones

Promotes healthy hair and nail growth– this is from all the gelatin in the broth–there is even some thought that it can eliminate cellulite

There is an excellent interview here by Kaayla Daniel, PhD, CCN whom has studied “broth” for over 20 years.

Now—the quality of the soup is only equivalent to the components that you put in it–are the vegetables organic?  Are you using bones from pastured animals etc. So if you are making it yourself (the cheapest way) it is very important that you use quality, organic, non-processed ingredients.

I am now drinking bone broth for its primary benefit of healing leaky gut!  I have made my own bone broth which isn’t difficult but it is time-consuming for busy working families.

I recently ordered some bone broth from Lance Roll “The Flavor Chef” that I really love.

Buy your own bone broth HERE! —The Brothery.com

If you are interested in making your own bone broth—let me know in the comments below and I will post some good recipes!  It is much cheaper and as you know “chicken soup is good for the soul!”

I just found a new place to buy bone broth!  KETTLE AND FIRE

Posted on by Angela in Body, Diet, Nutrition, Whole Food 10 Comments

Got Juice? My First Experience with a Juice Cleanse

I’ve been wanting to try some sort of detox since the beginning of the year but have struggled deciding what exactly to do. I was definitely scared to do a detox and was afraid that I would be running to the bathroom between patients.  But, I decided that I would take the chance because I felt like I needed to replenish my body with nutrients and get a fresh start to the year.  After trying to find time on the weekend to make enough juices to last me for 3 days, I realized that just wasn’t an option at this time with my busy schedule.  I decide to go with the 3 day beginner’s cleanse from Natural Born Juicers right down on Mass. Ave.  I was able to order the cleanse online and then drove down to the store to pick them up.  It was a little pricey but how do you really put a price on good health?  Cancer can get pretty expensive too!

IMG_4799

Day 1
1. Light Greens
2. Grapefruit, Apple, Lemon
3. Ultimate Greens
4. Alkalized Spicy Lemonade
5. Sweet Beet
6. Live Sprouted Almond Milk

Day 2
1. Light Greens
2. Grapefruit Mint
3. Ultimate Greens
4. Alkalized Spicy Lemonade
5. Happy Heart
6. Almond Milk

Day 3
1. Light Greens
2. Spring Cleaner
3. Ultimate Greens
4. Spicy Lemonade
5. Fomo
6. Almond Milk

 

I started it last Sunday.  Sidney, Emma, and I trucked down to Mass Ave to fuel up before shopping at Target for some curtains for Emma’s newly painted room.  I dragged them alone to make sure I didn’t chicken out.

First of all, all of the juices were uber tasty!  I’m not a fan of beets and that ended up being my favorite juice.  Day One went fine, I was a little hungry around dinner time but was able to stay distracted and the “almond” juice felt like a nice little dessert before bed and filled me up.  Day Two, wasn’t quite so easy.  I went to work feeling a little weak and drained.  I felt as though I was recovering from the flu and actually had to break down and eat some raw veggies (cucumber, carrots, broccoli, and beets) for lunch–(Shout out to the garden cafe at IU West).  In retrospect, I don’t think I had been drinking enough water.  By Day Three, I was feeling great and wasn’t hungry at all.  I actually felt like going another 2-3 days but didn’t want to push it.  I was a little gassy but was not in the bathroom all day.  My bowels seemed pretty regular and there was no abdominal discomfort.  Overall it wasn’t the worst experience I’ve had in my life.  I would say waking up in college at IU after a night at Kilroy’s outranked this by far.

I’ll try it again and will maybe go for a more advanced or even longer cleanse.  My skin seemed clearer and what was really funny is that the whites of my eyes seemed really bright by Day Three.  They seemed normal before but by Day 3, they were glowing!!  Not to mention, there was a sense of accomplishment from challenging myself and stepping a little out of my comfort zone.  I hear that place where all growth happens.  We will soon see!

Eat those VEGGIES!  or in this case–Drink them!

Check out their website by clicking HERE

and for more information on the benefits of juicing —check this LINK

 

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

My Bacon Woes

 

The idea that I might have to stop eating bacon seriously frightens me!

.imperfection

The World Health Organization recently classified processed meats as a group 1 carcinogen. This is the same category as tobacco. EEK!!! This terrifies me because (as you may ask my family) I’m a bacon whore on Sunday mornings.

Here is how the World Health Organization vacation system works.

The agency weighs the strength of scientific evidence of foods, drinks, pesticides, plants and anything that is a potential cancer causer.  It does not take into account how much of that substance you have to consume to increase your risk of getting cancer.  The products are broken into 4 groups:

Group 1 –carcinogenic (cancer-causing)

Group 2A- probably carcinogenic

Group 2 B possibly carcinogenic

Group 4- probably not carcinogenic

 

Red meat contains a chemical called heme that is broken down into carcinogenic compounds in the gut.   Also,  nitrates and nitrites are used to cure meats (or help preserve them) and these can turn into carcinogenic compounds. To take it one step further, cooking these preserved meats at high temperatures can create more cancer-causing compounds.

Does make sense that we should cut back on the amount of processed foods like hot dogs and pepperoni?  Of course!  I try to stick to a diet of mostly vegetables supplemented with some fruits, nuts, seeds and lean, organic meats.   We should also stick to rule of buying food in the most natural state and unprocessed form possible.  Remember #JERF–Just Eat Real Food

Our family uses Applegate products which do not contain nitrates or nitrites. We also like to buy products from local farmers. That way we know what the animals are fed, how they are treated and that they don’t contain artifical ingredients or preservatives.

Remember that Group 1 also contains alcohol and sunlight which many of us have no problem consuming regularly.

Remember there is bad meat which is processed and CAFO raised.  There are also good meats that contain no hormones or antibiotics and are grass-fed.

Here’s the scoop!

 

Smoking raises your risk of lung cancer by a factor of 20. It causes 1 million deaths worldwide every year. He raises your risk of colon cancer by 1.1-1.2 per daily serving of meat. Eating an extra 50 grams of processed meat daily increases the risk of colon cancer by 18%

Here are a few references that look into the subject a little closer if you look at the posts on this subject.

www.drdeborahmd.com

www.zoeharcombe.com

www.marksdailyapple.com

www.bloomberg.com

 

 

 

 

I’m going to continue to use common sense and make good choices —-Eat my veggies!!! and occasionally throw in some nitrate/nitrite free bacon!  After all, you have to enjoy life!

Posted on by Angela in Body, Diet, Nutrition 2 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

Bone Broth Recipes

Bone Broth Recipe

bowl-of-broth

So this is excerpted from the book Nourishing Broth by Sally Fallon Morell and Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN–experts who have been researching bone broth or stock for over 20 years.

Apparently there are several typical types of bones used:

Knuckle and feet bones –yield large quantities of gelatin

Marrow bones –impart flavor and the nutrients from the marrow to the broth

Meaty ribs and shanks add color and flavor

You can use beef, chicken, lamb, pig, venison etc.

Remember that you should use organic, pastured chicken from a reputable farm (preferably local) or grass-fed beef bones.

Ingredients:

4 lbs of marrow and knuckle bones

3 lbs of meaty bones like short ribs or beef shanks

1 foot (calf/pig/beef/chicken)

optional tomato paste -1 jar

4 quarts filtered water

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (preferably Braggs w/MOM)

3 onions

3 carrots

3 celery sticks

parsley/thyme sprigs and a bay leaf

1 tbs crushed peppercorns

Directions:

1.  Place the knuckle and foot bones in a large stock pot and cover with the apple cider vinegar and cold water —let stand for 1 hour.

2.  Place the meat bones in a roasting pan and brush with tomato paste.  Brown at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour.

 3.  When browned-add the meat bones to the broth.  Then add cold water to the remaining fat in the pan and bring to a boil and add this liquid to the broth.

4.   Bring all the broth to a simmer and add veggies, herbs and peppercorns

5.  Simmer the stock for 12-24 hours.  Then remove the bones, strain the broth and cool in the refrigerator

6.  Once the stock is cooled, skim the fat off the top and the broth can be frozen.

Leave me a message in the comments below if you come up with any variations or have recommendations!!!

OR  Remember that you can always order some pre-made bone broth from THE BROTHERY

Posted on by Angela in Body, Diet, Nutrition Leave a comment

Blue Apron

One of my dear friends and patients sent me an email with a suggestion.  She has been ordering meals from BlueApron.com to accommodate a busy lifestyle without compromising a fresh homemade dinner for her family.  I decided to give it at try!  I looked over the menus and decided that they were very diverse and probably recipes that I would never try on my own.  Therefore – it presented a challenge which immediately sparked my interest.  So I forked out the money and was in for the first week!!

Here is how all of the ingredients arrived—all packed on ice in a tidy Earth friendly box delivered directly to my doorstep.  I was able to select the day that I wanted my first two meals to be delivered.

IMG_2233 IMG_2234 IMG_2311KINDA EXCITING –HUH!!

All those little containers with the labels printed were kinda cool! Each recipe had the exact number of ingredients and portions all the way down to little tiny bags of the right amount of fresh herbs!!  I felt like it was Christmas Morning!   Each meal comes with a large laminated card outlining all the ingredients with pictures of the complete plated meal and then step by step instructions on how to prepare it (with pictures of each stage).  It was virtually impossible to screw it up.  The first meal looked intimidating but I forged ahead.

Coconut Chicken and Kale Stew with Ginger Rice

It actually turned out GREAT!

Watch out Giada–here I come!

 

IMG_2318 IMG_2319

Here was the second meal!

IMG_2320

Roast Pork and Smashed Potatoes with Apple, Walnut and Goat Cheese SaladIMG_2322

 

IMG_2324

 

Not too shabby if I do say so myself!

Check it out at Blueapron.com  and see what you think —you can do two or four portioned meals.

@blueapron

Posted on by Angela in Diet, Nutrition, Organic, Whole Food Leave a comment

The Digestion Sessions

 

Did you know that sixty-percent of the Unites States population alone is dealing with at least one symptom of digestive dysfunction?

You name it — gas, bloating, heartburn, abdominal pain, candida, constipation, diarrhea — the statistics say that YOU are more than likely experiencing one or more of them, right now at this very moment.

Living with digestive problems has become the new normal. Typically, they begin as minor complaints — a little indigestion here and there, the occasional tummy ache or bout of heartburn.

Sooner or later, what was once a minor annoyance becomes something that can literally take over your life. This usually happens for two reasons — embarrassment and ignorance.

Let me explain.

Let’s be honest, no one goes out of their way to talk about their digestive problems. What happens on the other side of the bathroom door has become the most taboo of topics, a private matter requiring the utmost discretion.

Unfortunately, there is no “bathroom therapist” office to sit in safety and speak freely about your bowel issues. Instead, you keep it to yourself and hope it will all go away with time.

It doesn’t.

And that’s when you find yourself in the doctor’s office, finally revealing every detail of what you’ve been going through for months, maybe years.

At some point during this cathartic act of courage you realize that you’ve used up all 12 minutes of your allotted appointment time and suddenly find yourself in the pharmacy with a prescription for a drug that comes with two pages of side effects.

No exam. No testing. No investigation whatsoever into what may be causing your symptoms.

Just ignorance in the form of a pill.

What now?

THAT is the very question hundreds of millions of people worldwide are asking about their digestive problems.

Today, I’ve come with the answer.

The truth is that “modern day” medicine has fallen as much as 17 years behind the latest research. In other words, almost two decades will pass before your doctor recommends what actually works.

Chances are, your doc is unaware of the growing number of research studies demonstrating these alarming findings:

– The toxicity of persistent constipation may cause common, everyday symptoms like fatigue, attention deficit, and brain fog.

– Autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis are almost always rooted in digestive dysfunction.

– The inflammation from gut dysfunction can spread throughout the body, causing inflammation in the brain, joints, and other important organs.

By the way, inflammation in the gut may also shut down your body’s ability to burn fat. Not good.

Most doctors are either unaware of this information or don’t care to know. Meanwhile, people like you are paying the price in unnecessary suffering and medical bills.

This has to stop. Now.

And that’s why our friend Sean Croxton of Underground Wellness — a real life health crusader — put together a FREE online event called The Digestion Sessions, featuring 25 on-camera expert interviews and gut-healing cooking classes on all things digestion — so you can get the answers you’ve been looking for. Without the 17-year wait.

Here’s a sneak peak…

* Dr. Daniel Kalish reveals the hidden stomach infection that causes heartburn and reflux — 50% of us have it but don’t know it!
* Christa Orecchio outlines a step-by-step program that kicks candida for good.

* Dr. Shawn Soszka discloses how digestive problems can cause depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.

* Dr. Michael Ruscio details a stepwise approach to solving diarrhea.

* Drs. Jillian Teta and Tom O’Bryan show you how to use food to cut the inflammation and heal your gut.

* Sayer Ji breaks down what the research REALLY says about gluten sensitivity.

Plus, a whole lot more!

Click the link below to get the scoop on this FREE online event kicking off in November and to watch the incredible video trailer. It’ll give you chills!

REGISTER HERE

 

Don’t forget to save your seat and get INSTANT ACCESS to the free Digestion Sessions Quick Tips video series including:

* Dr. Teta’s 3 Best Tips for Beating Constipation with Dr. Jillian Teta

* 3 Critical Lab Tests Your Doctor (Probably) Isn’t Running with Christa Orecchio

* How to Save Your Gallbladder, And What to Do If It’s Been Removed! with Dr. Alan Christianson

REGISTER HERE

Don’t wait!

Angela

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

Practical Paleo

OK –This is a phenomenal book!  I picked it up at Target while shopping for back to school supplies and haven’t put it down since.  This guide gives you some amazing recipes, information on pale diets, and really explains the fundamental leaky gut concepts.  I’ll admit that I paid upwards of FORTY dollars for it at Target and am kicking myself for not ordering it.

Check it out!

Posted on by Angela in Diet, Nutrition, Whole Food 3 Comments