The Effects of Milk and Milk Products

Empirical evidence about the effects of milk and milk products on my clients:

In my holistic nutrition practice I test people for food intolerances and more than 90% of my clients have tested intolerant to milk products. After eliminating milk products from their diet they have experienced: lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, less asthma, no eczema, no more chronic colds or sinusitis, no more need for tubes in the ears, less headaches, less ADD, less menstrual cramps, greater ability to conceive, less intestinal distress, and more!

In the mean time milk is being promoted as nutritious and the milk industry is not only a huge force but it is also backed by government funding.

Some people say that the clients I see are more sensitive than the general population ... and I say "isn't it wonderful?". Miners used canaries to give them a sign when they were in danger and there are many people giving us signs too!

Wishing you vibrant health,
Monica

Juicing: A creative way to get your nutrients

by guest writer Allison Brooks

Juicing: A creative way to get your nutrients

Many people today don’t understand how food really works with our bodies (or at least I didn’t). Most know that there are healthy foods, processed foods, fuel foods, and then those fast-foods, but not everyone knows how those foods work with our body. It wasn’t until the documentary, Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, came out that I learned what phytochemicals, lycopene, and other foreign words were. But after some research I learned how these natural chemicals interact with our body to promote healthy function, and that all my “natural” foods weren’t so natural anymore.

Many of these natural mixes and chemistry-knowledge have led many naturopathic and homeopathic practitioners to produce immune booster to help the body during its weakest times. These range from common cold remedies, to post-workout relief, and to more serious issues like cancer. This does not mean that these juices cure cancer, but instead aid the body and keep it strong during very intense conventional treatments. Many doctors see that benefits from these natural juices and have recommended patients with a cancer prognosis, to practice juicing with specific recipes or take classes to learn the helpful components of each ingredient. This is not only a healthy addition for patients, but it also gives them a sense of control when life might seem out of their reach.

So today, I have listed a couple of yummy recipes to spur any cleanse, detox, immune boost, or just healthy treat. Best part the prep time is just a matter of seconds. Hope you enjoy!!

Day After Thanksgiving Treat:

This juice is a healthy way to use some of those turkey-day leftovers.

Ingredients:

1 cup cranberries
1 orange, peel removed
1 apple
1 cup butternut squash, cubed
4-6 leaves collard greens (about 1 cup, packed) Directions:

• Wash produce well
• Juice
• Pour over ice
• Sprinkle cinnamon on top of juice

Enjoy!

Hawaiian Getaway

This juice has actually been studied, and used in cancer hospitals to give patients a healthy boost and delicious treat. It is rich in antioxidants and great for digestion, and its a little taste of paradise.

Ingredients:

¼ Pineapple
1 cup blueberries
1 piece for fresh ginger (roughly ½ inch)

Directions:

• Wash ingredients
• Core and Peel Pineapple
• Juice
• Pour over or blend ice
• Sprinkle coconut on top for an added island feel.

More daily juice ideas can be found at the Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead website.

Gluten-Free Shortbread Recipe

Now that the American Thanksgiving holiday is finished everyone is starting to think about Christmas. Are you still deciding what to give to your loved ones for Christmas? How about some gluten-free shortbread cookies? A homemade gift is special and can save you money.

These gluten-free shortbread cookies are the best if:

• you form them with a cookie press
• you use the very fine rice flour that you can find at Asian grocery stores (the picture is below but it will probably cost between $1.50 and $2.50 at your local Asian store - the same holds true for the tapioca starch)
  

Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups white rice flour
2 cups tapioca starch

• Preheat oven to 300oF.
• Cream together the butter, honey and vanilla extract. Gradually add the rice flour and the tapioca starch.
• Pass the dough through a cookie press onto an ungreased cookie sheet, or press into an ungreased cookie sheet with your hands such that the dough is approximately 1/2" thick.
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until gold around the edges. If you didn't use a cookie press, cut into squares while still warm. Let the cookies cool before removing them from the sheets.

This gluten-free shortbread recipe is in one of my food allergy cookbooks "Monica's Desserts and More" and on my member website www.joinmonica.com.

Foods to Eat and Avoid for Someone with Anxiety

By Ryan Rivera

Have you ever experienced becoming a slave to the whims of your own anxiety? To be commanded by a mere feeling whether real or imagined? To be attacked by this horror at the most unexpected moments of your life? Well, I used to. For 7 years, I battled with my anxiety demon.

I do not know how it started. One day, it just hit me. I was doing carpentry one late afternoon and then the attack came. And as fast as it came, it stopped. I was so confused with what just happened. I went to Google to make sense of it all. Then my search led me to the culprit: MY DIET.

Why? It is because I have no family history of anxiety disorders; I have no major troubles in my life; and I have never been exposed to any traumatic event. So, I realized it must be my diet. And I was right. My diet’s lack of nutritional value and my choices being more on the greasy, salty, spicy, and sugary variety triggered my anxiety attack.

My poor food choices made me into who I am today: anxious, troubled and depressed. And since my conscience dictates me to eat healthier, I compiled a list of some of the foods I can and cannot eat. If you are an anxiety sufferer such as myself, read on and learn something.

Foods to Eat

1. Salmon

Salmon, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, helps keep anxiety levels in check. The omega-3 it contains helps to decrease inflammation in the body and serves as an important part of cell membrane and nerve synapses.

2. Yogurt

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences last August 19, 2011, suggested that a few scoops of yogurt may be able to relieve stress, anxiety and depression. In this study, researchers found that probiotics or “good bacteria” in yogurt may have the ability to change some neurotransmitters in the brain which can alleviate stress, anxiety and depression.

3. Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes help fight stress and anxiety as it is a good source of magnesium, a natural relaxant and anti-stress mineral. It helps keep the arteries, bones, heart, muscles and nerves healthy and in proper function. Aside from this, sweet potatoes also contain vitamin B6, C, D iron, and potassium which are significant for increased immunity to diseases and improved overall health.

4. Broccoli

A diet rich in broccoli strongly impacts the body’s detoxification system. With three glucosinolate phytonutrients working in combination, this trio helps reduce oxidative stress and increase antioxidant capacity of the blood. Aside from this, it also contains flavanoids that lessen inflammatory diseases of the body.

5. Avocado

Avocado is rich in tryptophan which aids the brain in the utilization of the essential “feel-good” hormone serotonin. This hormone helps relieve stress and insomnia, reduce the frequency of headaches, and ward off symptoms of depression.

6. Dark Chocolate

Researchers are recommending that eating 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate bar each day for the next two weeks may help people feeling stressed out improve their mood and reduce stress hormones. This effect is accounted to dark chocolate’s richness in antioxidants called flavanoids.

7. Almonds

Loaded with B and E vitamins, almonds help bolster the immune system so that the body will become more hard-wearing against illnesses at times of great physical and mental stress.

Foods to Avoid

1. Sugar

Excessive amounts of sugar found in sweets and pastries can cause a swing in blood sugar levels making one more hyperactive and emotionally unbalanced. To avoid making anxiety symptoms worse, you must always determine the sugar content of what you're eating. Read food packages to be certain.

2. Coffee

Coffee contains caffeine, a known stimulant of the central nervous system. It causes a spike in energy and an increase in heart rate that can lead to panic attacks. Because it is one of the major causes of anxiety, people experiencing anxiety attacks must cut back on their daily coffee consumption.

3. Processed Food

Preservatives and additives found in canned and processed foods can cause anxiety attacks. They deplete potassium levels in the body which is essential for nervous system function.

4. White Flour Products

White bread and other white flour-made products should be avoided by those suffering from anxiety. These foods deplete the body’s vitamin B1 or thiamine levels. Thiamine helps reduce mental confusion as well as irritability symptoms, thus improving brain function. Good sources of vitamin B1 include wheat germ and molasses, whole grains, and organ meats.

5. Alcohol

Excessive amounts of alcohol can affect the levels of serotonin in the brain. When this hormone is reduced, the body becomes more susceptible to the effects of stress, leading to anxiety and depression conditions.

Poor dietary habits and wrong food choices will definitely catch up with you soon. Not giving enough attention to what you eat will greatly compromise your health. To save you a lot of trouble, try picking healthier food choices.

Ryan Rivera provides free informational materials about anxiety and panic attacks on his website, www.calmclinic.com.

Call Monica Levin, 248-656-2505, for a holistic nutrition appointment to determine your food intolerances and get you started on your specialized diet.

Thanksgiving Wheat-Free Carrot Cake

Happy Thanksgiving to you! Just in case you do not have enough to do in preparation for your Thanksgiving Feast, maybe you would like to consider making a wheat-free carrot cake? Actually, it is a wheat-free carrot-almond cake. Yum! I am not a fan of cinnamon so you will not find any in this recipe.

Wheat-Free Carrot Cake

In a bowl mix together:

• 2 cups barley flour
• 2/3 cup ground almonds
• 2 tsp baking powder
• pinch of sea salt
• 2 cups finely grated carrots

In another bowl mix together:

• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp almond extract

Mix together all ingredients and pour into a buttered 9" springform pan (or cake pan). Bake at 350 degrees F until done (30 to 50 minutes?), when it springs back to the touch.

I hope that you enjoy your wheat-free carrot cake! I like mine topped with a bit of vanilla Rice Dream Frozen Dessert.

Click more food allergy cookbooks.

Medical Community and Food Intolerances

Results of a survey indicated that people feel that their symptoms (that they feel are connected to foods) are treated dismissively by health care professionals.[1]

These results are disturbing because according to the Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine at least one-fifth of the population suffers from some form of allergic disease; that is a conservative estimate. One in ten children suffer from eczema and currently 15% of children in the UK are breathless or have asthma. Food intolerance causes or exacerbates many conditions; for example, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, urticaria, atopic eczema, rhinitis, asthma, hyperactivity and rheumatoid arthritis. According to this article approximately 50% of all patients attending a gastroenterology clinic suffer from IBS and half of these respond to a simple elimination diet. Many of these conditions also respond very well to the elimination of simple foodstuffs with complete relief from symptoms. In addition it was found that diet and nutrition also play an important part in hyperactivity and delinquency.[2]

Unfortunately traditional medical diagnostic tools are not accurate in diagnosing food intolerances. The scratch test is inaccurate for testing foods [3] and the IgE/IgG4 antibody testing is unreliable.[4]

Fortunately all is not lost in the medical community, at least in the United Kingdom. Nurses ran food intolerance clinics in South London, Glasgow, Norfolk, and Birmingham in which patients were put on a two week healthy-eating diet. This proved to have a beneficial effect on more than 50% of the patients. Patients who did not feel better were put on a two week wheat and dairy-free diet after which nearly half (49%) felt that their symptoms improved. In summary, more than 70% of the patients felt markedly better.[5]

If you have health issues and do not find support or solutions in the medical community do not lose hope. There are many websites that provide complementary and alternative evaluation of food allergies and food intolerances.[6]

[1] GP: General Practitioner; 1/26/2007, p26, 1p

[2] Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine, Dec97, Vol, 7 Issue 4, p319, 2p

[3] Haas, Dr. Elson, The False Fat Diet, The Ballantyne Publishing Group, 2001, p 149

[4] Clinical & Experimental Allergy; Dec98, Vol.28 Issue 12, p1526-1529, 4p, 5

[5] Practice Nurse, 2009 Feb 13; 37(3)

[6] Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet; 2003, Vol. 7 Issue 1, p81, 7p, “Alternatives in the Treatment of Food Allergies”

Is Your Body High in Acid?

According to Dr. Morter in his book “Dynamic Health”, “Your body is alkaline by design and acid by function. Yet the overall acid [acidity] level must remain slightly alkaline.” The exception to this is acid that the stomach produces for digestion.

Acidity is Measured with pH

The term pH describes the acidity or alkalinity of a fluid and is expressed as a number between 0 and 14. The pH of an acid is between 0 and 7 while the pH of a base (alkaline) is between 7 and 14. Neutral, or balanced, fluids have a pH of 7. Here are a couple of examples: distilled water is neutral with a pH of 7, vinegar is acid, and bicarbonate of soda is alkaline.

The Body

Since the body works best when it is slightly alkaline, it uses its resources to keep itself alkaline. The body is able to eliminate some of the acid through the lungs. The remaining acid needs to be neutralized with minerals, such as organic sodium and calcium, and eliminated through the kidneys. Once the body has used up its mineral stores acid levels rise and become a breeding ground for disease.

The body produces acid ash in the following ways:

• Cells: The cells of the body produce small amounts of acid which can be eliminated through the lungs
• Foods: If you are consuming too much protein your body will produce acid ash. Examples of acid producing proteins are: milk, poultry, lamb, beef, pork, and fish. Some grains also produce acid ash: wheat, oats, rye, and barley.
• Emotions: When you are feeling pain, anger, rage, frustration, judgment, lack of freedom, and restricting beliefs your body will produce acid ash.

The body produces alkaline ash in the following ways:

• Foods: Fresh fruits, vegetables, and millet produce alkaline ash and replenish the body’s mineral stores.
• Emotions: Alkaline ash is produces when you feel happiness, joy, and bliss.

Symptoms Related to Excess Acid

Excess acid in the system produces both short term and long term symptoms including: osteoporosis, kidney stones, arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, and other inflammatory conditions.

What to Feed Yourself

• Alkalinize your body and build your mineral stores by eating lots of vegetables and fruits in order to.
• Reduce the amount of protein in your diet. Small amounts of animal protein (milk, pork, lamb, beef, poultry, and fish) can be good, but excess amounts create acid ash in the body. What is the recommended amount of protein? Only 47 grams (1.7 ounces) per day!
• Find out which foods are best for you through food allergy testing.
• Finally, be as happy as you can be in order to produce less acid ash. Release judgment, anger, and restrictive beliefs. Forgiveness, appreciation, and gratitude are powerful emotions!