McDonalds Doesn't Decompose?!? Eeewwww!

I'm sure some of us have come across the McDonalds article that was posted the other day on yahoo regarding the happy meal that just won't decompose!! I was shocked to see that somebody had kept their happy meal on their shelf at home for 6 months just to see what happens. Well sure enough....not much happened!! The burger, the bun and fries didn't grown any mold and barely changed in size or shape! If after 6 months a McDonalds burger won't decompose, imagine what's happening inside your body?! Imagine the effects it will have on digestive and intestinal health?! I tell people all the time....we need to eat foods that nourish us, and clearly, McDonalds isn't one of those foods. Aside from the burger providing you with some protein, it's the quality of the protein that we need to question.

I've been a non-supporter of McDonald's for a long time now and I'll be honest....every now and again I get the urge to go eat a Big Mac. That urge normally comes when it's a late night out, and I'm with friends who just HAVE to eat McDonalds at 2am! BUT...I won't do it! Nope...not me! Aside from the lack of nutrition and the poor quality, I just can't justify supporting an industry that is making people sick! An industry that is purchasing cheap cheap cheap ingredients!

View this link to see the 6 month old McDonald's happy meal- http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s//yahoocanada/101013/canada/mcdonald_s_happy_meal_resists_decomposition_for_six_months

Forget 6 months!! This link is from a lady whose kept a McDonald's burger since 1996! - http://bestofmotherearth.com/2008/09/24/1996-mcdonalds-hamburger.html

I'm sure some of you may have also recently seen the photo of the mechanically separated meat that 'is no longer' used in the McNuggets. View this link to see the pictures and article that was originally posted by the Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/04/mechanically-separated-meat-chicken-mcnugget-photo_n_749893.html

Hope I haven't ruined your appetite?!

Have a McHappy Day!!

Upcoming Orthomolecular Seminars

I've included a link below to the Orthomolecular website so you can check out the upcoming seminars being held this month. The Orthomolecular Society puts on amazing information sessions every month and I want to do my best to get the word out there about this organization and their consistent efforts to inform the public about nutritional therapies to treat disease. (To the right, you'll notice one of the MANY ads used by the Orthomolecular society- isn't it brilliant?!?!)

http://www.orthomed.org/isf/pubinfosessions.html - This link has information for 2upcoming public information sessions:
October 29th - Integrative Medicine for Anxiety
November 17th - Metal Toxicity
FYI- THE INFERTILITY SEMINAR FOR NEXT WEDNESDAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED


http://www.orthomed.org/csom/media/Poster2010.pdf - This link has more information regarding the Anxiety Seminar, presented by Dr. James Greenblatt who is a dually certified adult and child psychiatrist. I am really looking forward to this seminar in particular, as I feel we rarely hear about alternative treatments for mental health.

I hope you can make it out to one (if not all) of these information sessions and gain some knowledge and insight into the Orthomolecular approach to disease.

Hope to see you there!

Cancer Survivor Story

I came across this video the other day and wanted to share it with all of you. It truly is an inspiring video about one woman's journey to cure her cancer. With cancer, or with any disease, it's important not to make yourself a statistic! Our bodies are truly amazing and when given the right nutrients, love and support, healing can take place. Click on the link below to view this 10 minute video about Evita's story to heal herself.

http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_413654/A_Remarkable_Cancer_Survivor's_Story

Hope this video inspires you to make the healthiest choices to live your best life!

Chilly Weather, Warm Soup...Perfect Combo!

Butternut squash....so creamy, rich and sweet, it makes the perfect chilly weather soup. Butternut squash is loaded with phytonutrients (plant nutrients), such as lutein and zeaxanthin- great nutrients to protect your eyes, alpha and beta carotene, and vitamin C. These plant nutrients also provide you with powerful antioxidants and anti inflammatory agents, and is an ideal fall vegetable that you must add to your diet! And for you all you calorie conscious foodies, 1 cup contains only 80 calories! So check out the soup recipe below and enjoy all the benefits this wonderful veggie has to offer:

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP W/ SPICY PUMPKIN SEEDS

Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
2/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/4 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. tamari soy sauce
Black pepper to taste

Roasted Butternut Soup
2 medium-sized butternut squash (about 4 3/4 lb. total), halved lengthwise and seeded
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
2 cups thinly sliced onion
1 Tbs. light brown sugar
4 tsp. minced ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups vegetable stock
1 cup apple cider
Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions
To make Spiced Pumpkin Seeds: Toast seeds in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring for 5 minutes, or until they pop. Stir in curry, turn off heat and add tamari. Stir, season and set aside.

Preheat oven to 375F.

To make Roasted Butternut Bisque: Put squash, cut side down, on baking sheet. Bake about 50 minutes, or until tender. When cool, use paring knife to remove peel. Cut squash into 2-inch pieces.

Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion, brown sugar, ginger and garlic. Cover; cook, stirring often, until onion is tender, 15 minutes. Add squash, stock and cider. Simmer mixture; reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 10 minutes.

Purée until smooth (hand held immersion blender works best) . Season, bring to a simmer, then ladle into bowls. Garnish with pumpkin seeds and viola!!

Enjoy!

Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing

September long weekend.....no sun, rain, and 3 days of sweaters! My tan is fading fast! As we head into the cooler months and cover up with over sized sweaters, our sunny summer glow slowly starts to fade away. So how can we keep our skin looking flawless and keep our glow all winter long?? We need to dry skin brush!! So....what do you need you ask?? First, a brush made with naturals bristles (preferable) not synthetic so it won't scratch the surface of your skin. A long handle would be great as well to reach inaccessible areas of your back. A loofah may also be used, as long as it's not wet, but you definitely get more benefits from a dry brush.

Our skin is our largest organ and responsible for 1/4 of your body's daily detoxification! That's huge! Dry skin brushing can help assist your body with proper toxin elimination. It assists with detoxification by helping to cleanse your lymphatic system of toxins that accumulate in your lymph glands, it aids in increasing circulation, opens pores and truly invigorates your skin. Everyday we are exposed to toxins, whether is be from food and/or the environment. If we cannot properly eliminate these toxins, our skin will be ONE of the many organs that suffer. Cell renewal will take longer, wrinkles become more apparent, acne, eczema or psoriasis can worsen, and our everyday 'glow' will start to fade.

Dry skin brushing will help to:
- rid your body of metabolic wastes
- encourage cell regeneration
- increase blood flow
- lessen the appearance of cellulite
- improve muscle tone
- eliminate dead skin cells

How to Dry Brush:

Always dry brush before getting into the shower...hence the word DRY! Brushing on wet skin will not have the same effects on cell regeneration.

1. Begin with long sweeping strokes, starting from the soles of your feet. Work upwards towards your legs and thighs.
2. From your hands, work up towards your elbows and towards your shoulders. Brush across your stomach and buttocks.
3. Try to brush upwards from your lower back to your neck
4. Strokes should always be towards the heart
5. Brush several times in each area

Extra Tips:

Try to dry brush first thing in the morning. Afterwords, try alternating between hot and cold water in the shower to further stimulate circulation and bring blood to the surface of your skin. Always begin with hot and end with cold. Hot and cold showers is just another therapeutic way to invigorate your skin, ease muscles soreness and enhance overall health!

Happy Brushing!

Are You Stressed??

Working in a health food store I see people daily with an array of health concerns, but the most common complaint I get is STRESS! I'm sure most of us don't have the opportunity to lounge around all day, kick back, take in some sun, down some pina coladas....I mean some health conscious antioxidant green tea...of course! Stress can lead to a host of health problems, including digestive upsets, intestinal problems, weight gain, acne, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, high blood pressure....you name it! Researchers estimate that stress contributes to as many as 80 percent of all major illnesses! Stress can be emotional, physical, social, or even mental. There is good stress and bad stress. I know that may sound a little strange, but working out for example, is stress physically on the body. It's great for our overall health, but if we are not eating properly or using the rights supplements for recovery then we may just be adding stress to our bodies! So.....how do we handle stress!? First and foremost, we need to eliminate our stressor, if that's at all possible. For most people, this can be rather challenging. If we can't eliminate stress in our daily lives, we need to learn how to manage our stress, productively! So here is my go-to list of things to do/supplements to take when stressed:

1. BREATHE!! How often do we rush through the day feeling time-constrained and overwhelmed and never pay attention to our breathing?! This is one of the most important...and easiest... and cheapest ways to manage our stress. When we are stressed, our breathing tends to be shallow and fast, instead of slow and steady. Practice breathing through your diaphragm...here's how:
1. Start by lying on back(use your bed or the floor). This will make it easier to develop the proper deep breathing technique the first couple of times.
2. Place one hand on your upper chest and the other on your belly just above your waist.
3. Breathe in slowly through your nose. You should feel the hand on your belly rise.
4. Breathe out slowly through your mouth. The hand on your belly should gradually lower.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 a few times, then focus on allowing your ribcage to expand and widen as your belly moves out, so that you are filling up your entire lungs, from bottom to top.

2. Take a B-Complex- Our B vitamins (along with other nutrients) get depleted when we are stressed which can lead to many nutrient deficiencies. B vitamins are important for the proper functioning of our nervous system and B5 in particular is the anti-stress vitamin! B5 plays a role in the functioning of our adrenal glands and our adrenals can become quite fatigued if we are constantly under stress.

3. Antioxidant Supplement- Stress causes free radical formation and to fend off the damage of these free radicals, we need to constantly supply our bodies with lots of antioxidants. (AOR makes a great supplement called Antioxidant Synergy). We can get antioxidants through our food- fruits, vegetables, and some sprouted grains but often it's not enough to fend off free radical damage.

4. L-Theanine- this amino acid, found primarily in green tea leaves produces a relaxed mental and emotional state without any sleepy side-effects. It even improves memory, concentration and performance! It works by generating different brain waves and increasing the formation of GABA, a neurotransmitter that is key to relaxation and memory. You can generally find this in chewable forms (Natural factors makes a great one), and 100-200mg should do the trick!

5. Adaptogens- these nutrients are in a class of their own and I could go on and on about which ones to take. Adaptogens are metabolic regulators. They help an 'organism' adapt to its environment to avoid damage. Since our adrenal glands come become overworked and fatigued from daily stress, it's important to help nourish these glands. Some adaptogens I love:
1. Rhodiola- can boost brain function and memory and has significant anti-fatigue effects. It's great for reducing mental fatigue, improving sleep patterns and stabilizing mood. Dosages can range from 250-500mg.
2. Ashwagandha- this tonic herb enhances mental function, improves overall health, increases energy and vitality all while strengthening the immune system! Dosages can range from 100 up to 750mg!
3. Holy Basil- this herb helps to reduce anxiety, helps with mental focus and promotes a positive stress response. It is also known to elevate your spirits and is a herb used often in Ayurvedic medicine. It is said that "Holy Basil delivers nutrients to the mind necessary for the experience of enlightenment." Dosage range is typically 500mg.

I hope this info helps you feel calmer, lighter, energized, and full of vitality.
And remember.....often times, all we need to do is BREATHE!

Cancer Causing Hot Dogs

I received this article from the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service and thought I would share it with all of you! It's pretty shocking how many hot dogs are consumed every year! Hot dogs are loaded with nitrites! These nitrites are used as preservatives and are very carcinogenic. Nitrites aren't actually the real danger, it's the by-product of nitrites that becomes the real problem. What about carcinogens? Well these are substances that can alter or mutate your cells which can then lead to cancer. These cells, because they become mutated create chaos and start to inhabit other parts of your body, and could potentially effect your organs. So here is the article below....read on and find out the potential dangers of consuming hot dogs........(p.s. check out the links/sources at the bottom of the article for further information on nitrites/carcinogens and the dangers of eating hot dogs)

This article may be reprinted free of charge provided 1) that there is clear attribution to the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, and 2) that both the OMNS free subscription link http://orthomolecular.org/subscribe.html and also the OMNS archive link http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/index.shtml are included.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, July 2, 2010

Pass the Mustard, or Just Pass on the Hot Dog?

Comment by Andrew W. Saul
Editor-In-Chief, Orthomolecular Medicine News Service

(OMNS July 2, 2010) More hot dogs are eaten at the 4th of July holiday than at any other time of the year. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (yes, an all-too-real trade organization) says that "during the Independence Day weekend, 155 million will be gobbled up" and that Americans will consume more than seven billion hot dogs over the summer. "Every year," they proudly proclaim, "Americans eat an average of 60 hot dogs each." (1)

That looks to be a modest average of just over one hot dog per week per American. But there are at least 7 million vegetarians in the US, and another 20 million who would be inclined to avoid meat. (2)

This means that even if you do not eat any hot dogs at all, someone else is eating your share.

But a hot dog or two a week? Big deal!

Maybe it is. Children who eat one hot dog a week double their risk of a brain tumor; two per week triples the risk. Kids eating more than twelve hot dogs a month (three a week) have nearly ten times the risk of leukemia as children who eat none. (3)

And it is not just about kids. Of 190,000 adults studied for seven years, those eating the most processed meat such as deli meats and hot dogs had a 68 percent greater risk of pancreatic cancer than those who ate the least. (4) Pancreatic cancer is especially difficult to treat.

Think twice before you serve up your next tube steak. If your family is going to eat hot dogs, at least take your vitamins. Hot dog eating children taking supplemental vitamins were shown to have a reduced risk of cancer. (5) Vitamins C and E prevent the formation of nitrosamines. (6,7)

It is curious that, while busy theorizing many "potential" dangers of vitamins, the news media have largely ignored this clear-cut cancer-prevention benefit from supplementation.

May I also suggest that you have your kids chew their hot dogs extra thoroughly. In landfills, "Whole hot dogs have been found, some of them in strata suggesting an age upwards of several decades." (8)

Bon appétit.

References:

(1) http://www.hot-dog.org .

(2) http://www.vegetariantimes.com/features/archive_of_editorial/667 .

(3) Peters JM, Preston-Martin S, London SJ, Bowman JD, Buckley JD, Thomas DC. Processed meats and risk of childhood leukemia. Cancer Causes Control. 1994 Mar; 5(2):195-202.

(4) Nothlings U, Wilkens LR, Murphy SP, et al. 2005. Meat and fat intake as risk factors for pancreatic cancer: The Multiethnic Cohort Study. J Nat Cancer Inst 97:1458-65.

(5) Sarasua S, Savitz DA. Cured and broiled meat consumption in relation to childhood cancer: Denver, Colorado (United States). Cancer Causes Control. 1994 Mar; 5(2):141-8. Comment at http://www.ralphmoss.com/hotdog.html .

(6) Scanlan RA. Nitrosamines and cancer. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/f-w00/nitrosamine.html

(7) Cass H; English J. User's guide to vitamin C. Basic Health Publications, 2002, p 64-67. ISBN-10: 1591200210; ISBN-13: 978-1591200215.

(8) Smithsonian, July 1992, p 5.

Nutritional Medicine is Orthomolecular Medicine
Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness. For more information: http://www.orthomolecular.org
The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit and non-commercial informational resource.

Damn Mosquitos!

I don't know about you, but these past few weeks I've been getting eaten alive!! Mosquito's seem to love me, which is strange because they tend to love those who love sugar (sweet blood) and I am not a sugar lover...well sometimes ;0 Over the past few years I've become really sensitive to mosquito's and I get extremely red and swollen. Very swollen actually! My bites look like huge tennis balls! I feel like the mosquito's are getting worse each year, perhaps they are GMO mosquito's?? Just a thought?!

Being that it's almost July, I've got a long way to go til summer is over and so I will have to endure the stinging, itching and swelling for quite a few more weeks! I'm sure we've all used mosquito repellents to ward off these pesky bugs, and most repellents contain DEET. DEET does work to ward off bugs, since it helps to mask the smell of carbon dioxide which attracts mosquito's in the first place. Our skin and breath give off carbon dioxide gas, so we become tasty meals for mosquito's! Concentrations of about 10-30% of DEET can repel mosquito's for about 3-5 hours. BUT...at the end of the day, DEET is a chemical and over use can potentially harm us. Our skin is very porous and anything we put on our skin will be absorbed. BUT....there are natural ways to help with the nuance of itching and redness from bites, so here are a few suggestions:

- As funny as it may seem, mosquito's love the color black. So if your prone to getting bitten, avoid wearing black!
- Taking a high dose of B vitamins, particularly vitamin B1 (thiamine) helps to repel these little buggers! B vitamins get excreted through our urine and skin so our sweat and moisture combined with this vitamin help to repel them. 100mg to 200mg should do the trick.
- Apple cider vinegar mixed with a little water can be applied directly to the bite and will help with itching and redness.
- Take homeopathic Apis Mellifica 30CH to help with any swelling or allergic reactions to insect bites. You can also find apis gel to apply topically for the relief of pain and itching
- Rubbing alittle bit of lemongrass oil on your skin works as a great repellent
- Tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils are natural mosquito repellents as well and can also be applied to bites.
-Calendula cream/gel is also a great topical treatment for irritation caused by bites and also great as a first aid for cuts, wounds and abrasions, as well as for sunburns.
-StingStop is a gel you can find in most health food stores that contains citronella and is great for itch and pain as well as for cold sores.
-And lastly, if you're out in the woods and are getting eaten alive and don't have anything to apply to your bites, you can pick up some plantain (which grows almost everywhere). You would pick a few leaves, chew it....yes...chew it.....and once it becomes a mushy paste in your mouth you can apply it to your bites to stop the itch. It works like magic and because I spend a lot of time outside in the garden, I use plantain often! Plantain is also great for cuts or wounds. Here's a picture of what it looks like so you can familiarize yourself with plantain before you go chewing some random weed! So I hope this info helps you and your family stay free of mosquito bites this summer so you can enjoy doing more activities and less scratching!!!

Soaking up some D!!

I'm sure we're all enjoying the sunshine(minus the few rainy days)!! I can't wait for it to get super hot- so I can soak up some rays and get my tan on! There is just something about sitting in the sun that truly revitalizes you...and that's thanks to all the vitamin D! But I can't help but noticed how cautious everyone is about being in the sun and the slathering of sunscreen every 30mins!! So.....I think it's about time we get our facts straight about the benefits of vitamin D and how so many of us our lacking this vital nutrient.

Most of us know that Vitamin D is essential in helping us to maintain health bones, and in children, it is especially important for proper growth and bone development. Since it is a fat soluble vitamin, it actually acts more of a hormone in our body than a vitamin. Studies show how important it is for pregnant mothers to supplement with D since it aids in the development of the immune system. Lack of this nutrient can cause an increase risk of autoimmune disorders. One study showed that children supplementing with 2000IU of vitamin D in the first year of life were 80% less likely to develop type 1 diabetes!!

So how much D do we need? Spending 15-20 minutes everyday in the sun will help you synthesize anywhere from 10,000 - 20,000 IU of D, WITHOUT SUNSCREEN! Your body cannot synthesize vitamin D if you are wearing sunscreen. I recommend that you ask your Doctor for a vitamin D test (25-hydroxy test)to measure your vitamin D levels so you can than gauge how much vitamin D you really need. Most Doctors are recommending supplementation of only 1000IU which I personally think is too low! If I can't get outside I take anywhere from 3000-5000IU a day with my fish oil in the morning. It's best taking your D with some fat since it is a fat soluble vitamin. But again...get tested so you know how much to take!

So what about sunscreen? It's very important to shield yourself from the sun, especially if you have very fair skin. You definitely do not want to burn your skin, as this can pre maturely age your skin and cause a lot of oxidative damage. Wearing large brimmed hats, sitting under the shade, wearing long sleeves; these are all great sun shielders! I get very weary with all the sunscreen's out on the market. Have you ever read the ingredients?! The toxic ingredients! I'd rather not put that on my skin, and there are some great natural sun screens out there by ALBA, BADGER and DESERT ESSENCE ORGANICS. If you ever do burn your skin, make some green tea and rub the tea bag over your burn. The antioxidants from the tea help protect your skin from further damage. Aloe is also a great burn soother as it can actually seep through 3 epidermal layers of skin to regenerate new skin cells. And who says you need to spend your money on expensive creams!

So go soak up some immune supportive, bone building vitamin D and enjoy the summer months!

Morning Pick Me Up!

I am sooo very behind on my blogs and can't believe how busy I've been since getting back from Beautiful BC. I promise to share some amazing info with you regarding the conference I went to, but I've got to get my notes in order before I get ahead of myself!! AND...I promise I will share some amazing photos with you shortly as well. I must warn you though...you will be jealous of the beautiful scenery Vancouver has to offer...so be prepared! All in all, my trip was great! I fell in love with Vancouver and can't wait to go back. Aside from the amazing city, I thoroughly enjoyed the conference and got to hear some incredible talks on Vitamin D, Cancer, Health and Pregnancy, and also picked up some great books and loaded up on some supplements! But....lets put that aside and let me share with you an amazing Morning Picker Upper!! A drink loaded with minerals, healthy fats, electrolytes, antioxidants and vitamins! I thought I would share this drink with you because it truly is a nourishing smoothie that just really makes you feel good- inside and out! I came across this smoothie last summer when I was reading CLEAN- by Alejandro Junger. I've mentioned his book before, and it really is one of my favorites! Anyhow, last August, after getting back from Cuba, I caught a not-so-friendly bug and was feeling quite ill for afew weeks! So, I made myself this smoothie almost every morning and it was soooo great! It brought me back to life! So here's the recipe:

UBER GREEN SMOOTHIE

1 1/2 cups almond milk (Almond Fresh or Almond Breeze...or make your own!!)1/2 cup coconut water (either from fresh coconut or VitaCoCo or ONE brand)
2 leaves dark green Kale or Swiss Chard- coarsely chopped
1/4 avocado (squeeze some lemon on the remaining avocado, put in the fridge and eat the next day)
1/2 cup mango chunks (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup ice

Blend all ingredients until smooth. This smoothie looks rather green!! If you plan on sharing it with your kids...it might not go over so well. Or you can tell them it's Shrek food!! The mango gives this smoothie a really nice sweetness, and the avocado gives it a great creamy texture. Even though the Kale/Swiss Chard is rather bitter, you can't taste it in this drink because it's masked from all the other ingredients! It's a really great morning drink because it's loaded with energizing nutrients.

Kale provides you with beta carotene, vitamin C, iron, manganese and calcium.
Avocado is loaded with vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium and of course...lots of healthy Omega 3 and 6.
Mangoes provide vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, vitmain B6, and lots of potassium.
Almond milk is a great substitute for dairy as it's not as mucus forming, and much easier to digest. Most almond milk on the market has added calcium, and it also loaded with vitamin E.
Lastly...my favorite....COCONUT WATER!! It really is the best way to quench your thirst. A few facts about this amazing nut (or fruit, or seed?!?!?)

- It contains Lauric acid, which gets converted into Monolaurin in the body and has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.
- It is a universal donor, being identicial to human blood plasma
- It's a natural isotonic beverage, the same level we have in our blood
- Has saved lives in 3rd world countries as an IV!

So drink up this green goodness and I promise you will feel AMAZING!!

Beautiful B.C.

In a few short days I'll be heading off to Vancouver to attend the 39th Annual International Conference for Orthomolecular Medicine. Whew!! That was a mouth full! I've never been to Vancouver before and I'm really looking forward to spending time in a city that is full of greenery and has one of the smallest carbon footprints of any major city in North America. I can't wait to check out the cafes, the restaurants, and STANLEY PARK, which has just over 150,000 trees! Oh ya....and the seminar! So....what exactly is Orthomolecular medicine? Orthomolecular was a term used by Linus Pauling, (who by the way won TWO nobel prizes) that is based on the use of optimum doses of nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, and trace elements. All these nutrients are substances natural to the body and when used in correct doses, can resolve imbalances or deficiences. Linus Pauling, back in the 60's, suggested that mega doses of vitamin C may be helpful in dealing with cancer. Of course, he was scrutinized by the medical community, but having two nobel prizes under his belt, his studies couldn't be ignored! In 1979 he wrote a book with Dr. Ewan Cameron (a surgeon) titled- Cancer and Vitamin C. If you could get your hands on this book, it describes the impressive results from their trials with vitamin C. I would pay a visit to http://www.orthomed.org/index.html to learn more about Orthomolecular medicine and about the leading researchers and pioneers who study the relationship betweeen health and disease with nutrition. I still can't understand how Medical doctors today (some...not all), don't understand the importance of eating a healthy diet. Most doctors think cutting back on sugar by replacing it with splenda, or lowering the intake of fat by consuming margarine is a 'health conscious, preventative nutritious choice!!' These are FAKE FOODS PEOPLE!! Aside from fake, they are highly toxic. Eating closest to nature is what will keep you healthy, and yes...that means eating BUTTER NOT MARGARINE! If we could combine Allopathic Medicine with Orthomolecular Medicine, we would see people suffering from disease actually get better!!

During this Orthomolecular conference, I'll be learning about- The Origins of Modern Disease, Nutrition and Pregnancy, A Diet for Longevity, The Importance of Iodine (an underutilized nutrient), Cancer Care, Toxic Chemicals and Mental Health, and much much more!! I can't wait! I'll have so much to share with you all when I get back. So enjoy your week, and I'll be back with lots of great info and probably some amazing Vancouver pics!

Bye for now!

Roasted Portobello Sandwich w/ Sun-dried Tomato Aioli

At my house, as soon as the days get warmer, the barbecue gets used often! I love grilling veggies on the barbecue, but my parents prefer to grill meat!! So...here is a recipe that is oh-so-good, that I swear will get meat lovers everywhere drooling!

This recipe is taken from the book- CLEAN FOOD by Terry Walters. I've made a few of my own tweaks to the recipe.

Portobello mushrooms are so meaty and full of flavor which make them a great substitute for meat in recipes. This sandwich is so full of yummy-ness (yes...that's a real word?!?!) that I'm sure it will become a staple in your house this summer.

Ingredients:
- Portobello mushrooms (1-2 per serving)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp minced fresh herbs of choice (thyme, oregano, parsley, basil)
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Sourdough bread or Nordico Oval bread from-Artisano Bakery (www.artisanobakery.com)- 2 slices per serving
- Roasted red peppers, sliced into 1/2 inch strips
- Avocado, thinly sliced
- Romaine or fresh spring mix lettuce
- Mustard (honey dijon)- optional


Aioli:
- 6 sun dried tomatoes
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- 1 1/2 cups grapeseed oil mayo or I like to use vegenaise and I add a touch of sriracha hot sauce to the mayo
- 2 tbsp freesh italian herbs of choice
- pinch of sea salt



Preparing Aioli- soak dried tomatoes in hot water for 15 mins. or until soft. With food processor/blender running, drop in garlic. Process until minced. Squeeze excess water form tomatoes and add them along with mayo to the food processor. Scrape down side of the processor as needed and blend until smooth. Add herbs, salt and process lightly. Transfer to a container and refrigerate to allow flavors to blend. This aioli will last approx. 4-5 days in the fridge.

Roasting Portobellos- Preheat oven to 400F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Wipe mushrooms with a damp towl to clean. Discard stems and rub smooth side with olive oil. Place smooth side down on cookie sheet and sprinkle insides with italian herbs, pepper and pinch of salt. Roast for about 8-10mins. until soft. Remove and set aside.

OR....

Grilling Portobellos- Grill on high heat for approx 10-12 minutes. I like to marinate my mushrooms in some olive oil and garlic for about half an hr before grilling.

Assembling- Slice bread and lightly toast. Spread aioli on toast and top with roasted portobello, roasted red peppers, avocado and lettuce. Spread mustard on second piece of toast and top sandwich. Serve warm.

Take a really big bite and enjoy!!!

Nature provides all we need

I attended an amazing seminar this weekend on Pediatric care which was taught by Dr. Robert Abell, a Naturopathic Doctor who lives out in Austin, Texas. He shared some amazing protocols for treating childhood ailments, but he also shared a great story about a 6 year old boy he treated back in 2001. It was quite a jaw dropper. So...the story goes....in 2001, this 6 year old boy came into his office and had been diagnosed with asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis. He was on approximately 10 different medications to treat his 'diseases' and had been taking these meds continually for 3 years...not one day break from his meds! AND....if he missed a day of his meds, his sinusitis got really bad. So...this isn't the worst part. This child had SEVEN nasal/respiratory surgeries!!! SEVEN!!!! Can you imagine the trauma this poor child had been through almost his entire life!? With each surgery, his parents were told that there is no way...NO WAY....that his infections would recur....BUT....they always did! So....they go to visit Dr. Abell in April 2001. He starts the boy off on some very simple protocols...some probiotics and some UNDA numbers. UNDA numbers are a combination of plant remedies in a homeopathic dilution.....remedies the way nature intended! So, 2 weeks go by, the little boy is doing great. Another 2 weeks go by, he's still great and then Dr. Abell gets him off all his meds! His parents obviously freak out, fearing that their son will get an infection from being off of his meds, but no.....he's perfectly fine! So finally, after treating the boy for about a year, and giving him some very simple protocols, their son is CURED of asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis. To this day, the boy who is now 15 has never had ANY respiratory problems. The best part is that he was treated initially by 'TOP' UCLA physicians. The mother wrote a letter to these doctors asking for them to contact Dr. Abell and discuss the protocols he used to cure their son and not once did he recieve a call. So even though Dr. Abell isn't reading my blog....I would just like to applaud him and all the Naturopathic Doctors who truly understand disease, physiology and work to treat root causes of disease, not just symptoms. I truly believe we can always rely on nature to heal.

Oh Sweet Sugar....

Glazed doughnuts, chocolate chip cookies, pecan pie, creamy puddings, cakes, candies...oh the joy of sweetness! We all love to indulge in a sweet treat, but a treat no longer it is! We eat sugar waaaaay to often. In the old days, sweets were truly a treat and were few and far between. Generally, these treats were sweetened with raw honey, or real maple syrup...the good stuff! Nowadays, our sugar fix comes from highly refined sugar. This highly processed sugar is virtually in every packaged food in the grocery store and probably lurking in all of your cupboards! It also goes under the alias- high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, maltodextrin, maltose...just to name a few. Consuming just 4 tablespoons of sugar a day has been linked to numerous diseases and imbalances in the body. Here are just a few:

- Lowers ability of enzymes to function
- Impairs structure of DNA
- Raises adrenaline levels in children
- SIX tablespoons paralyzes phagocytes, which suppresses the immune system by almost 90%
- Causes hormonal imbalance
- Contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection
- Causes free radical formation in the blood stream
- Increases fasting levels of glucose in the blood
- Candidiasis (yeast infections)
- Overstresses the pancreas, causing damage

These are just 10, of the 124 known diseases and imbalances caused by sugar! Not only do you need to worry about processed sugar, but you also need to be watchful of artificial sweeteners! Aspartame, sucralose, cyclamate, acesulfame potassium...these are definite NO NO'S!!! The fact that they are called ARTIFICIAL says it all!! Do we really need to consume something unnatural, something foreign to the body, something ARTIFICIALLY made??!! NO WAY! These artificial substances are known neuro toxins. What this means is that they can actually alter brain chemistry and specifically act on nerve cells...not a good thing! You must avoid these at all costs. Even though we may be consuming small amounts of these artificial substances at a given time, consuming them on a daily basis, day after day, adds up to quite a bit over the years!

Lately, I've been using stevia or xylitol, more plant based natural sweeteners. But above all, my favorite is agave nectar! This sweet treat comes from the cactus plant, and I like to add it to my tea or even my baking. The dark agave tastes similar to maple syrup and it is yummy!

The best sweet fix of all is FRUIT! Fruit is nature's candy. Aside from being sweet, fruit is loaded fiber, vitamins, antioxidants and lots of supportive nutrients. So ditch the sugar, and eat more fruit to fix your sweet tooth!

A Few Of My Favourite Things!

I consistently have people asking me what some of my favorite books are, or favorite websites that I check out. So here is a list of my favorite things! Books, magazines, websites, all things that have provided me with some really great health info. The best part is getting to share this with all of you!

Books:

You Are What you Eat by Gillian McKeith- I'm sure some of you have heard about this crazy, high energy British gal who really knows how to put her clients in their place! Gillian McKeith is someone I really admire and she advocates eating a WHOLE FOODS DIET!! Right up my ally! Her book provides some really great information about foods to eat, foods to avoid, why foods cause disease, understanding your body, and the list goes on. (It's also very colorful and a very easy read, which is definitely important for some people...like me!)

The Conscious Cook by Tal Ronnen- This book is definitely for the more adventuresome 'chef.' The recipes in this book are all vegan and are highly nutritious, bursting with flavor, out of your mind concoctions, that you MUST try!

The Fitness Food Cookbook- Very easy, nutritious recipes that I'm sure will please even the fussiest eater!

Clean by Alejandro Junger- Definitely one of my absolute favorite books! Dr. Junger is quite the popular man among celebrities who want to detoxify. This book really explains the functioning of the digestive and intestinal system in very simple terms! I have used his detox protocol with many of my clients and myself and trust me...if you follow his plan, you will feel great.

Glow- by Christina Pirello- I read this book years ago, and I still refer to it today. The recipes are super yummy, and each chapter explains the best protocols and methods for getting that true 'glow.' You won't find overly scientific information in this book, and you'll probably refer to it numerous times not just for health info, but as a beauty guide as well.

The Perfect Blend- The BEST smoothie and juicing book, mainly because the pictures are so great! You'll literally will want to drink the smoothie right outta the page!


Magazines:

Self- I love the recipes in this monthly magazine, and they have some really great exercises that I take with me to the gym! I would also check out their website, www.self.com for great workout videos and tons of tips on health, beauty, nutrition, etc.

Life Extension- This magazine may be hard to find, as I've only seen it at the airport! However, I did see it hiding in the magazine section at Chapters, so keep your eyes peeled! The info you'll find in this magazine will be a little more scientific. Lots of research, lots of new technological advances in medicine, ie. stem cell, and lots of info on anti aging.

Psychology Today- Again, the info in this mag will be more scientific based, but the articles are great! Ranging from love at first sight, to lap dancing, to winning American idol...you'll definitely be intrigued to keep reading! Also check out their website at- www.psychologytoday.com

Vegetarian Times- If you're looking to include more vegetarian fare into your diet and struggling to come up with some recipe ideas, then vegetarian times it is! This mag will give you lots of ideas and get you salivating after every page!

Websites:

foodnetwork.com- If you don't already watch the food network religiously like me then your missing out!! Go to this site and find any recipe from some of Canada's top chefs!

wholeliving.com- You'll find everything on this site from food, beauty, self help, green living info and lots more!

http://www.chopra.com/dailydevotion- Daily inspirational readings that are very uplifting and simply beautiful.

menshealth.com- Great recipes, hot guys with ripped abs, lots of fitness info, hot guys with big biceps, and well....ladies....you get the picture ;)

Hope you enjoy some of these great reads!

Get Informed!

As I was grocery shopping today, I couldn't help but journey into the 'unhealthy' aisles and take a look at what Michael Pollan likes to call "edible foodlike substances!" You know...all that man made, factory processed, preservative, additive, nutrient-less food! But I must admit, the marketing on these products sure is eye catching! But...I know better, and I made my way back to all the healthy, brightly colored REAL food! As I was checking out, I couldn't help but look into people's grocery carts (a bad habit, something I do all the time!), and notice the lack of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. People's carts were filled with sugar, sugar and more sugar! White bread= sugar. Cereal=sugar. White pasta=sugar. Cookies, cakes, frozen pizzas, the list goes on! So...this has inspired me to spread the word; which is what my blog is all about; but I really want to get into people's heads! So here is a list of videos that I think you should take the time to watch. Some of them are DVD's, and others I've included links to which you can watch on the net. These videos will get you thinking about where your food comes from and more importantly, where your dollar is really going.

http://www.sierraclub.org/truecostoffood/ - This video is about 15 minutes long. Click on- see the movie- on the top left, and then choose your preferable resolution. It takes afew minutes to load and is worth the wait! It's a cartoon which is great to show kids and the title- the true cost of food, says it all!

http://www.themeatrix.com/ - Another cartoon, these 5 minute movies are very informative.

http://www.foodmatters.tv/ - This one is really my favorite! You can either purchase the DVD for $24.95 or pay $4.95 and view the online version. This movie will really get you thinking. Also, under the take action subheading, you can view some mini clips about cancer, depression, heart health, and so on.

Other DVD's I suggest you watch are- Food INC and Fast Food Nation. You can check out the website for Food INC at http://www.foodincmovie.com/.

Also, The Future of Food, and The World According to Monsanto are two great DVD's about Genetically Modified Food. These movies really get my blood boiling!!

I hope you find these movies informative, and I hope they help you to make a conscious decision about where you purchase your food. I would definitely love some feedback!

Happy Movie Watching!

Go Nuts!!

Looking for the perfect snack? Well then....nuts and seeds it is! I always like to leave the house with a home made trail mix- something to snack on in between my meals, or something to fuel me an hour before my workout. Including more plant based proteins, like nuts and seeds, will not only supply you with a good source of protein; but will also give you fiber and lots of minerals! I'm sure most of us like to go for the roasted, salted kinds, but once nuts and seeds are roasted, their oils tend to get damaged, so they lose their nutritive qualities. So I'm talking about the raw, unsalted kind. Now....you can toast nuts and seeds for a few minutes to bring out some flavors, but I wouldn't suggest for too long, approx. 5 mins. So here is a breakdown of some of my favorite nuts and seeds and their amazing benefits:

Almonds- These bad boys are loaded with protein and fiber. 1 ounce provides approx. 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, and they are very high in vitamin E; approx 7 grams per serving! 1 cup serving can provide you with 600mg of calcium! They are also high in monounsaturated fats that can help fight heart disease by lowering cholesterol! And you thought fat was bad for you!! Guess again!

Walnuts- Super rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, these nuts are protective of your heart and brain. They also contain ellagic acid- an antioxidant to boost immunity and help prevent cancer! (On a side note- ellagic acid is also found in strawberries, pomegranates, raspberries and pecans). As for mineral content, 1 ounce serving provides approx. 20mg of calcium, 55mg of magnesium, and 145mg of potassium! Wow-za!

Cashews- Containing approx. 5g of protein per serving, these nuts also provide high amounts of magnesium and potassium; even higher than walnuts! 2 handfuls of cashews also provides you with a fair amount of tryptophan. Tryptophan, is an amino acid which is converted into niacin (vitamin B3) in the body. B3 helps to stimulate circulation, and helps with the proper functioning of the nervous system. BUT....it gets better! Tryptophan is the precursor to a very vital neurotransmitter-serotonin. Serotonin influences mood and sleep. The effect that Serotonin has on mood is quite dramatic, that studies have shown it to be just as effective as Prozac! Amazing I tell you!

Pistachios- These are becoming my new fave! They are very high in potassium, approx. 285mg per 1 ounce serving, and contain calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. They also contain phyto-nutrients such as beta-carotene, pectin and cyanidin, NOT cyanide!! C'mon people!

Pumpkin Seeds- These are the richest source of zinc, and zinc is very protective of the prostate! OK...I'll say it...Zinc is for the dinc!! It's a good way to remember! Pumpkin seeds are also very high in iron, calcium and essential fatty acids. They are also great for killing off intestinal parasites.

Sesame Seeds- 1 cup of these tiny little seeds provides 2200mg of calcium!! Yes...that's right, 2200mg! Sprinkle them on your salads, blend them in your smoothies, grind them up and bake with them. Get creative!

Hemp Seeds- These are very high in essential fatty acids (omega 3 & 6). They also contain about 20% of highly digestible protein, which makes it a great vegetarian protein source. They also contain lots of minerals- magnesium, zinc, copper, and phosphorus. I like to use Hemp protein powder in my smoothies. Just 2 scoops provides 15g of protein and 9 g of fiber!

Flax Seeds- Lastly, this amazing seed is loaded with goodness! It is very high in essential fatty acids, which helps our body fight inflammation, and just 2 Tbsps(ground) provides a fair amount of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. It is also a great source of fiber, helping to keep the intestinal tract functioning optimally. Flax is also very high in lignans, which is a phytochemical that in our intestines converts to substances that help to balance female hormones. Be sure to grind flax seeds, or buy them ground to really absorb all the nutrients!

Go on...make your trail mix of amazingly healthy, high mineral, anti inflammatory, mood enhancing, sleep inducing, nuts and seeds!!!

Happy Snacking!

Samantha Gladish, R.H.N

Suzanne Somers is still HOT!

I'm sure we're all familiar with the quirky Suzanne Somers who played Chrissy on Three's Company. I used to watch re-runs of that show all the time! Back in the 70's Suzanne was quite the icon of Beauty, and she still is today. I recently picked up one of her books titled-Breakthrough, to read what the woman of hormones has to say. I'm more than half way through her book, and I'm quite impressed. This is a woman who has done extensive research on hormonal imbalances and nutrition. Her daily routine for injecting bioidentical hormones, constant visits to her doctor for intravenous therapy; this is all alittle much for the average person, and I assure you, there are other ways to balance hormones and get your body into 'check;' a subject I will touch on at a later date. But for now, here are some tips to get you on your way to health and wellness. These are 7 tips touched upon in Suzanne's book, that I've chosen to elaborate on.

1. Avoid Chemicals and Detoxify Your Body- It is true that we are what we eat, and even more importantly, we eat what we are!! If we drag through the day feeling lifeless, we tend to eat foods that are lifeless! Avoiding chemical laden foods and eating more organically, we can lessen the toxic load on our bodies. MSG, nitrates, hydrogenated oils; all of these cause imbalances in our bodies and can be...should be avoided!!

2. Take Nutrition Seriously- When I eat my meals, I think of how the food is meant to nourish my body, not fill me up! Each meal you consume gives you the opportunity to build a healthy 'internal' environment, so choose your food wisely!

3. Create a Healthy GI Tract- Our Gastrointestinal tract is like a second brain! Digesting food, killing bacteria, assimilating nutrients, eliminating foods- that's alot of work! Most of us abuse our digestive system by eating too fast, drinking with our meals, eating on the run, eating when stressed, overeating! Slooooow down! Enjoy your meals, chew your food properly, drink no more than 1 cup of water with your food and eat sitting down. These tips alone could make a world of a difference.

4. Avoid Pharmaceuticals Unless Absolutely Necessary- Becoming educated about your health is the best thing you can do. If you have high blood pressure, or diabetes, understand why this has happened to you in the first place and take the natural measures first to heal yourself, before popping a pill! Homeopathics, supplementation, colonics, energy medicine, all of these modalities can be very effective treatments for many pathologies.

5. Supplement your Diet- Supplements can be effective for getting your body into balance, especially since our soil is so depleted of minerals. There are many reasons to supplement your diet, for example, vegetarians may need to supplement with B12 since they don't eat meat, or include a brown rice protein shake if they aren't getting enough protein in their diet. One important vitamin we could all benefit from is vitamin D. Considering our Canadian winter is so long and cold, we are lacking vitamin D from the minimal exposure we have to sunshine. Studies show that supplementing with vitamin could protect you against breast, colon, and prostate cancers.

6. Exercise Regularly- Get loose and limber! Walk, jog, swim, play basketball, do something that will get you moving and do it frequently. We all know we need to exercise, but most of us can't seem to make it a priority! You'll be more likely to stick to a workout out regime if you do it with a friend or do an activity that you really enjoy. Lifting weights should also be part of your workout routine, since it helps to build lean muscles, gives your muscles that beautiful definition, and stimulates bone growth.

7. Get proper Sleep- In order to be healthy, you must sleep. In order to keep hormones balanced, you must sleep. In order to be happy, you must sleep! I think you get the picture! Getting 7-8 hours every night of sleep is VERY important. Don't fall asleep on the couch, don't eat right before bed, don't bring your laptop into bed with you. All these habits...bad habits...will effect how well you sleep.

I hope you'll take these tips into consideration, and make it a priority to get healthy!!

Until next time.....

Samantha Gladish, R.H.N

AHHH! My First Blog!

Hello fellow bloggers and Internet junkies!

It recently occured to me that I need to join the blogging world and express my true passion for live, organic, whole food (hence the URL!)I constantly talk my parents ears off, as well as my friends, about the importance of eating healthy, and so why not share my knowledge and passion with the cyberworld!? Considering I have so much to talk about, this blog will focus on anything related to health and wellness, helping you, my dear readers, to become educated and enlightened along the way! Knowledge is power, and there is no better feeling than sharing my knowledge with you and lending my advice for living a healthy, happy life; a life full of food meant to nourish the soul! If your like my friends and family, I'm sure you love to eat. Who doesn't? Sitting around the table with your family, the smell of homecooked food warming your belly, that full bodied glass of red wine (organic of course!); we all enjoy these moments. Why not make the best of these moments and enjoy live, organic, whole food that will fill you up(not fill you out), provide abundant nutrients from mother nature herself, and give you that vibrant glow!

So here I am signing off on my first blog. I hope you look forward to learning how to live your best life by incorporating food from nature onto your plate!

Until next time, which might be shortly because I have sooo much info to share.

Health & Abundance
Samantha, R.H.N