Family Health Archives - Healthy Jasmine

Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Avocado Cupcake Recipe

May 20, 2013 By admin 10 Comments

I came across this recipe back in 2009, except it wasn’t gluten free. The avocado in the recipe intrigued me so I converted it and posted it in my Chicago Family Health Examiner Column. However, Mighty Nest, a local e-commerce company that sells non-toxic, eco-friendly home goods, asked me to help them un-cupcake the cupcake, I happily agreed. We don’t have to sacrifice not eating a cupcake do we? I like to think the calories don’t count in this Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Avocado Cupcake Recipe, but alas they do. But this sweet treat has no refined sugars and made with healthy fats using both coconut oil and avocado. That is something you can feel good about!

Avocados are super healthy, in fact it can help aid in losing weight and it makes an excellent first foods for baby. Here are some other great facts about avocados:

Avocados also have 60% more potassium than bananas.
They have the highest fiber content of any fruit (almost 7g!) including 75% insoluble and 25% soluble fiber
Avocados can protect your vision as they are also rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants found in the retina that keep eyes healthy.
A study done from The Ohio State University found people absorbed 4.5 more times lycopene, which has been linked to protection against prostate cancer, and 2.5 times more beta-carotene, which, along with alpha-carotene, helps protect against cancer and heart disease. Hello guacamole!
Historically avocados had a long-standing stigma as a sexual stimulant and is known by the Aztecs as the “fertility fruit.” Due to their high monounsaturated fat content and vitamin B6, both are needed to keep energy and libido up.

Well that last fact is surely a fun one, because combined with chocolate it is a win-win.

Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Avocado Cupcake

Yes, you can have your cupcake and eat it too!

1 1/4 cup of gluten free flour blend of your choice

3/4 cup of unprocessed unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp of guar gum (I like this better than Xanthan Gum and it is cheaper!)

1/2 cup of non-dairy milk combined with 3/4 tsp of apple cider vinegar set aside

1 avocado pitted

1 cup of Grade B Maple Syrup

1/3 cup coconut oil

Add dry ingredients together and set aside

Puree the avocado, maple syrup and coconut oil together
Add half of dry ingredients into the avocado mixture and blend
While blending, ddd the milk with apple cider vinegar
Finish off with the dry mixture

Scoop mixture into muffin pans and bake for approximately 22 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes about one dozen cupcakes

I also do not like canned frosting. They actually put food dyes in it and I don’t understand why, even for white frosting there is still red and blue dyes in it. I make my own, always. Here is my favorite Whipped Chocolate Frosting that takes 5-minutes to make, literally!

Whipped Chocolate Frosting

3/4 cup of organic powder sugar

1/4 cup of raw cocoa powder

1/2 cup of Spectrum Shortening

2 tsp of coconut milk

In order for me to get truly whipped frosting that feels like it comes from the can (ick!). I like to blend it in my food processor. It adds air to the powders that make it fluff up. I like using the coconut milk because of its consistency. Here is the quick recipe!

Whip the shortening up until nice and soft.
Add the powders and blend with the shortening
While blending add the milk or for a mocha flavor add coffee

That is it! Total Time for making your own frosting 5-minutes and you can’t beat that!

Filed Under: Family Health, Food, Gluten Free, Healthy Eating, Recipes, Vegan Tagged With: Avocado, Mighty Nest

Creating a Healthy Home for Your Family with Mighty Nest

April 26, 2013 By admin 5 Comments

It is work in progress trying to create the ultimate healthy home for my family. When I changed my diet several years ago, I also changed up many of my household cleaning products and cookware. Yep bye, bye to non-stick, bye-bye to aluminum pans, melted plastic utensils, personal care products, you name it, it was G-O-N-E. Yes, it was a costly switch, but one I made over time (not all at once!). One of my issues was finding a place that housed items that made for a healthy home. I had to research several companies and shop at several places to find what I like and in my terms. It had to be eco-friendly, made with non-toxic products, sustainably made, and affordable.

Local company Mighty Nest is just that, yay! They have done that research and sell items that are well healthy and some things I already have in my home, so I know it is research well done.

They are offering a fantastic fun way to win many of their items and I have joined in on the fun. First take a look at my Healthy Home Makeover Pinterest Board to see what I may have or would like to incorporate more into my home.

Now you can enter to win a Healthy Home Makeover too! Simply enter here for their Pin It To Win It Campaign.

Yes you can win money to shop directly at their store. If you are not sure about what to buy, create your own board and see what I like and what I may already have in my home! The fruit paint is so fun as their non-toxic play-dough and my kids have personally loved. I would love to get my hands on that cast-iron griddle to make our gluten free pancakes and have been researching for a shower head that eliminates the use of chlorine and other harmful chemicals to help ease my son’s psoriasis (great for eczema and other skin conditions too). These two items is something I have been searching for quite some time, especially the shower-head.

And of course, my wooden spoons are looking a little rough an it is time to renew them and who can’t use more dish towels? I can go on and on, so what are you waiting for? Hurry up and enter now!

Please share with me what your healthy home will look like!

Disclosure: I am being compensated by MightyNest for your participation in this campaign.

Filed Under: Family, Family Health, Healthy Eating, Healthy Home Tagged With: Healthy Home, Healthy Home Makeover, Mighty Nest

Girls Night Out Go Red for Women Ticket Giveaway

February 26, 2013 By admin 12 Comments

Join B96, KHITS, Bath & Body Works for this fantastic Girls Night Out Event

I love a good party and an excuse for a Girls Night Out, especially when you get to wear a red dress and raise awareness for women’s health and heart disease. The 3rd annual Girl’s Night Out Go Red for Women is approaching fast and I am doing a Ticket Giveaway.

Objective: To raise awareness for the American Heart Association Go Red initiatives. Heart attacks and its symptoms are not always obvious to women. In fact what be perceived as “heartburn” or just some back pain may be an early symptom of a heart attack.

Other possible signs of a heart attack?

1. Extreme Fatigue in the days or weeks leading up to a heart attack.
2. Shortness of breath during normal daily activities.
3. Inability to sleep at night again in the days or weeks leading up to the heart attack.

What can you do to prevent heart disease?

1. Get your Vitamin D levels checked
2. Take a good quality Omega 3 supplement
3. Eat a diet rich in produce eating the rainbow daily
4. Know your numbers: Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Weight
5. Eat good fats such as raw nuts and seeds, coconut oil, extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil, avocados
6. Get 30-minutes of exercise at least 4 days per week
7. Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night and aim to BE to sleep by 10:30pm
8. Reduce stress or finding tools to help reduce it such as yoga, tai chi, prayer, aromatherapy, meditation, whatever method works best for you.

So, Be Bold. Go Red and join B96, 104.3 K-HITS and Bath & Body Works to celebrate the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement on:

When: Thursday, February 28, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Where: Alhambra Palace Restaurant, located at 1240 West Randolph Street in the West Loop of Chicago

Purchase VIP Ticket for $35 which includes (1) raffle ticket, swag bag, signature cocktail, light hors d’ oeuvres, complimentary beauty treatments, fashion show, red carpet photos and more! Ticket proceeds benefit the AHA Go Red for Women initiatives.

To enter, like my page, HealthyJasmine and leave a comment below in one thing you learned about signs of a heart attack or how to prevent one. Winner will be chosen on February 26, so hurry!

Disclaimer: Be Bold. Go Red and join B96, 104.3 K-HITS and Bath & Body Works for a fun and charitable event on Thursday, February 28th, at the “Girls Night Out Benefiting Go Red for Women” at Alhambra Palace Restaurant. I was selected to host this giveaway by Sassy Moms in the City and provided complimentary tickets.

Filed Under: Family Health Tagged With: 104.3 KHITS, B96, Be Bold and Go Red Girls Night Out, Chicago Event, Sassy Moms in the City

What To Do When The Stomach Flu Strikes

November 26, 2012 By admin 13 Comments

Getting the stomach bug is no fun!

In the last three weeks, I have seen numerous posts on Facebook on families and kids falling victims to the stomach flu. I’ll also get inbox messages on what they can do to prevent or reduce it naturally. The bad thing about the stomach flu is you already have the bug before you even know it. It can take 24-48 hours for it to rear its ugly head. It is especially hard when our kids get the stomach flu as it typically will run it course through all of them. Two years in a row I have dodged the stomach flu while it went through my family and it really has to do how well we eat, rest and take care of ourselves (and a lot of hand washing!) So here are my tips on What To Do When The Stomach Flu Strikes:

Homeopathic Solutions are approved by the FDA and while this is still a new area for me, I have found great results using homeopathic tablets. My kids love taking them for teething, restlessness, and I have used the cold tablets myself with excellent results.

Acute Stomach Flu:

Start with Oscillococcinum at the very beginning or if exposed. (I have used this when I have felt the flu coming on and it worked extremely well, I always have this stuff on hand!)
Then Arsenicum album 9C is best, but 30C is fine: 5 pellets once at the beginning.

Then Alternate:
Nux Vomica for nausea (if vomiting – feels better after vomiting, tongue is often coated, aka white)

AND

Ipecac for nausea (if vomiting – does not feel better after vomiting, tongue is NOT coated)

Both 9C or 12C is best, 30C is fine: 5 pellets every 30-minutes to an hour and then spread out as they feel better.

Diarrhea Homeopathic Solutions:

Podophyllin: for yellow (often squirting) diarrhea. 12C, 5 pellets after each stool
Croton tiglium: Also for yellow profuse diarrhea (often squirting)- common in infants) may be excoriating to “bottom” 12C, 5 pellets after each stool.
Aloe: Urgent diarrhea often with mucus and a lack of sphincter control. 6C, 5 pellets after each stool
Cinchona (China): Diarrhea with lots of smelly gas and often bloating. 6C, 5 pellets after each stool

For Severe Abdominal Cramping:
Colocynthis: 12C, 5 pellets as often as needed

1.) Forgo the Lysol and get Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap. Lysol is full of nasty chemicals that can actually cause more harm than good, especially when we are sick. The toxic fumes can make it harder to recover. I like Dr. Bronner’s and use it to clean just about everything in my home. For times like these I use the soap infused with Peppermint Oil as it is great for those with indigestion, nausea or vomiting. You can buy this at Target, Whole Foods, specialty stores or order online. And yes, I clean everything with this soap.

2.) Stay hydrated! Smart Water has all the electrolytes added without the nasty sugars, dyes or preservatives found in Gatorade or other like electrolyte drinks. I actually make our own Pedialyte Recipe and have a bottle of Smart Water and Coconut water on hand so I am prepared:

1/2 cup of Smart Water
1/4 cup of plain coconut water
2 Tablespoons of Organic Unfiltered Apple Juice

Drink after each vomiting or diarrhea episode.

3.) BRAT Diet: This comes after you are able to keep clear liquids down. Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. Here is what I recommend first. Toast with coconut oil sprinkled with cinnamon. I eat coconut oil every day for its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, AND anti-carcinogenic properties. So guess what, it helps to kill viruses, including stomach flu viruses. This is one of my secret weapons when my family gets the stomach flu. I double up on eating this stuff and put it in everything I am eating. I’ll up to almost 3 Tablespoons per day during this time period. I also double up when I am sick as well.

4.) Cinnamon, yes cinnamon! My Greek grandmother always gave us cinnamon in our applesauce when we were sick and now I know why! Greeks love to cook with cinnamon. Cinnamon is a:

Using cinnamon can help alleviate nausea

* Powerful antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, astringent and anti clotting properties.
* It has been shown to suppress E. coli, staphylococcus, and candida albicans (yeast overgrowth).
* Intestinal astringent, dries excess mucus, relieves abdominal spasms while warming and notifying.
* Decreases diarrhea and symptoms of nausea and vomiting.

Aim to add 1/2 tsp to a half cup of unsweetened organic applesauce. Kids will love it on toast too.

5.) Probiotics is a must! In fact, the whole family should be taking them daily. The major reason why the stomach flu virus comes alive is that it takes over the gut, invading it full of the bad bacteria. The stomach or the intestines can’t handle the sudden surge, it then has to purge it out because it has taken over. This causes an imbalance of the good and bad bacteria. It is important to replace our gut with good bacteria to help restore our gut health, but to also make us less prone to other cold, throat, upper respiratory viruses. For adults, Renew Life Critical Care Blend taken first thing in the morning and 12 hours later before bed for 15-days. Then go to your normal probiotic. Kids, same thing morning and night, but they are just doubling their normal probiotc. Renew Life Ultimate Flora for kids Research does show kids that take probiotics cuts colds symptoms

6.) Rest. Put on the kids favorite movie and let them chill.

7.) Homemade chicken and brown rice (no-noodle) soup and please don’t eat those saltines! Saltines actually have really junkie ingredients that can delay you getting better, you are best eating dry toast. Brown rice is great post stomach flu as it helps to begin binding in the body.

All ingredients are specially blended to help recovery from the stomach flu

8.) Homemade Pediasure is best. I have learned that pediasure and pedialyte drinks are also full of junkie ingredients that can actually suppress your immunity, plus it is a waste of money if you don’t use it within 24 hours. Try my own Anti-Nausea Recovery Smoothie instead:

This is a nice treat when one is ready to keep solids down

3/4 cup of rice milk (no dairy, it is hard to digest when coming off the stomach flu the digestive track when healing)
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 tsp of cinnamon
1/4 tsp of raw, local honey (at least raw)
1/2 tsp of coconut oil (heated and added slowly while blending)

Blend and drink up!

9.) Adults can enjoy sipping on peppermint tea or chammomile tea, which both have soothing properties. Add a stick of cinnamon if you please to help alleviate stomach distress. You can dilute some tea with water if your child will drink it.

Once you have the stomach flu, it is ideal to let it run its course. However, take steps to help alleviate symptoms and ease back into eating foods. Going for heavy foods and sugary foods right away is tough for our digestive systems to handle. Remember sugar supresses immunity!

You can also read on my previous post: What Healthy Jasmine Does When She Gets Sick

Pictures are from Freedigitalphotos.net

Filed Under: Family, Family Health, Smoothie Tagged With: Anti-Nausea Recovery Smoothie, Cinammon, Coconut Oil, Homemade Pedialyte, Homemade Pediasure, Mamavation Monday, Stomach Flu Remedies

How Healthy Jasmine Fights Colds and Flus

November 12, 2012 By admin 7 Comments

Well I’ve been quiet for the last week because I’ve been well, sick. Yes, even healthy folks get sick. Honestly, I fell of the wagon, when my husband was out of town for his conference and I opted to stay home, I was in survival mode. I took a hot bath in some Magnesium Flakes and BAM! It hit me hard. And getting sick is a good thing too! (At least I try to remind myself of that!). However, if you are an adult getting sick more than twice per year, then it is time to re-evaluate your eating and lifestyle habits. When others are getting sick, I will get an email or two asking what can they do to rid it faster or prevent it from coming. So here are my tips on How Healthy Jasmine Fights Colds and Flus. Please don’t take this as medical advice, because it is not. What works for one person works differently for another. I’ll state why I use this and the benefits of using certain products. Feel free to give it a try because it won’t hurt.

Getting sick is no fun, but it happens to the best of us!

When I feel something coming on:

I see my chiropractor. Yes, she is the first place I will go and take my kids when we are getting sick or when we are sick. A Chiropractor helps to align your spinal column so the nerves can be put back into place and can send appropriate messages to the body. If part of your spine is out of alignment, the nerves cannot transmit messages properly. The impulses will hit a bump in the road if you will. Each time you get adjusted it opens up the immunity if stagnant, but also gives a surge to the immune system which activates it to begin working efficiently. When the body is aligned, it functions better and this can boost your immunity. When I got bronchitis while I was pregnant with my son at 16 weeks, I saw her and she rid it naturally through adjustments, acupuncture, my own supplements and rest. In fact after my first visit, I was not coughing in the middle of the night. I avoided unnecessary antibiotic treatment and my OB/GYN was totally cool with it too. Don’t knock it until you try it.

Many of times when I feel something coming on, I ramp up my probiotics (yes research shows probiotics cuts colds and flus), Vitamin D3 drops (check here to see how much your family needs), drink Kombucha and begin taking Raw Camu Camu Powder. Huh? Kombucha? And what is Raw Camu Camu Powder? Glad you asked. It is a low-growing shrub found throughout the river banks of the Amazon rainforests of Peru and Brazil so move over Acai Berry. It is known for its mega-dose of Vitamin C content. It has 30-60 times more Vitamin C than an orange! (1180% Vitamin C to be exact) It is also high in beta-carotene which is important for immune function and if too low can lead to more colds/flus, potassium which helps electrolyte balance and even has amino acids. I add it to my green smoothies or my Sunwarrior Raw Warrior Blend Protein Shakes. I would say 9 out of 10 times, this works for me. That’s it. I use to be a big fan of Emergen-C and while it is still ok, it is full of fructose and sugars that actually suppress the immunity even more, so why bother. For virtually the same price, Raw Camu Camu Powder is better and works better in your body.

I’ll make my no noodle homemade chicken soup. Organic carrots, organic celery, onions in olive oil, then fresh crushed garlic with fresh thyme, tumeric, dulse flakes and cooked chicken tenders. I add my own water with 1 Tablespoon of Himalayan salt and let it cook for a couple of hours on low. I will also add coconut oil to my own soups since my son cannot have coconut oil at this time. (Tip: It is important to crush the garlic first. Garlic has anti-viral properties. Meaning it helps prevent viruses or fight them. Crushing it releases the allicin, which is the active compound that gives garlic its ability to help push those viruses out)

I watch my sugar intake, eat no grains and go to bed early.

Raw and local honey is best to help boost your immunity

If I feel like tea, I’ll drink Astragalus tea with raw honey.

If I feel a sore throat coming on, first thing in the morning, I’ll drink one cup of warm lemon water, with 1/2 tsp raw honey, 1 Tablespoon of coconut oil and a dash of cayenne pepper. Works like a charm every time. You can also gargle with Apple Cider Vinegar or warm salt water. Then I’ll gargle at night before with warm salt water.

When I am sick:

First thing is first, I rest. Seems like a no-brainer, but how many of you will go to work still sick? It is a big sign for us to slow down and rest. I didn’t write a darn thing last week, because I was just flat out tired. Take the day off of work (or two) and rest. Work from home if you can to keep you afloat if you must, but no one wants you to spread your nasty germs.

And I do the same as above except I will not drink coffee, it is all teas.

If we are congested, then I make lentil soup. Lentils acts as a natural colon cleanser, so if you are congested (or constipated), you need help to pull it out. Since I don’t cheat that often, I like to use Fronteir Soups Sausage and Lentil Soup Mix. I will forgo the sausage and add kale or spinach leaves, shredded zucchini, cut up grape tomatoes, cut up organic carrots, whatever my fancy. I don’t use any broth, but will add water and my own Himalayan Salt to help add some saltiness without the sodium content that many store bought broths have. (And I save money too!)

This phase is the most important as when your immune system is down, it makes you more vulnerable to more illnesses and infections. If it is not cared for properly, it can often settle in the ears (ear infections), the chest (bronchitis) or the sinus cavity (sinus infections). The worse thing to do for them is to take antibiotics. In fact, taking antibiotics for ear or sinus infections makes you more prone to getting them again.

If you are wondering how to keep your kid’s immune system robust, check out:
Back to School Supplements to Boost Your Child’s Immunity

Things I am exploring:

Fermented Cod Liver Oil I do use Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega + Vitamin D3, but I’ve been reading a lot on how much better this is for us.

Making my own Kombucha

Making my own bone broths though I’d have to get over using chicken feet and other body parts. I think this is where my husband, a former butcher, will have to come in…

That is it, my secret is out. What do you do to get back on track when you are sick?

Images courtesy from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Filed Under: Family Health, Food, Kombucha Tagged With: Probiotics, Raw Camu Camu Powder

Saying NO Saved My Sanity

November 3, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

Earlier this past summer, my husband mentioned his next bankruptcy conference was at Amelia Island in Florida at the Ritz-Carlton. He wanted us to go with him because it was at a nice place and we should be able to relax. Me…Um..Ok, we’ll see. At first, my daughter had no school on those days at the conference, so she wouldn’t miss school. Then they changed, but we booked our miles anyways. For those who follow, my son (and I) have various food sensitivities. I can get by on cheating every now and then, except for gluten, that is a big no-no. My son however, it effects him emotionally and his digestive system….I began to go insane about my decision and learned that it was ok to say no and saying no actually saved my sanity.

But Jasmine, it is at the Ritz, you have to go, you’ll make great memories said one mom. I shrug my shoulders, Ritz, smitz, it is not like I am hiring nannies to care for my kids while I go get a massage, facial, or squeeze in a workout, we are just not that kind of folk.

Whenever we travel, I pack bags of foods, I go prepared. I bake muffins, pancakes, bring his snacks and if we are traveling, we are usually staying at another home. I do make a list and check it twice! Two-weeks ago I began to doubt my decision and having some major stress about packing all of our milks, foods, extra clothes as he is potty-trained, but well, there are accidents. My husband told me I would have to let the food thing and nap thing go. What? Let it go? I can’t, this kid needs his sleep, his naps and if he eats the wrong thing, I don’t know what kid is coming out or what issues will come out the other end? I can’t just “let it go!” Seems to be the typical “XY” response. I mean, he doesn’t have to deal with it, he’ll be in conferences for most of the day. The more I thought about it, the more I fretted, doubted, then my daughter had a cough, then an earache, I was coughing, my son started to cough, was I making myself sick not to go?

Tuesday afternoon, the day before we are suppose to leave, my husband calls and asked if I had made up my mind and I said, I just can’t go, then I began crying. I felt awful, just awful. I went on Facebook to my local Mom’s In Business group and threw up on them. The responses were just so great! “Forgive yourself!” “You made the right decision, it is not worth the anxiety” “This did not sound like a vacation, it sounded like torture!” “Always go with your gut, you are doing the right thing.” Thank goodness for these women, I mean, they get it, in fact some did it and regretted it. Then our conversation turned kinda…sexual. I guess because when my one friend chimed in, I mentioned to her I got my Bedroom Chemist Box…then the comments got turning from making special time for him on Saturday to cleaning my room… Then the other moms wanted to know more..oh la la.

Ok, back to me. When I went to see my chiropractor she asked if we were going and I busted out crying again. She said, you cannot doubt your inner wisdom. If it is draining for you, then you can be good at doing both…being a mother and a lover. I told her I secretly didn’t mind not going, I just wanted to have my time at night to do whatever I wanted, write, browse, cook and most importantly get the kids to bed early. I am sleep and food Nazi. Yes I admit that and have no shame either and don’t question me. (If you do, I will spew out research, stats and nerdy stuff you don’t want to hear). I walked out feeling still kinda sad, but better about my decision.

Turns out, my husband calls when he arrives, sick. My son was getting worse, I sound like I’ve been smoking at a college bar when I cough, my husband sounds like he is going through puberty, my son poor thing just looks miserable with his Rudolph red nose and water eyes, but you know, I am so damn glad I trusted my inner wisdom. My daughter got to go Trick and Treating out where I grew up and spend the day with their great-grandma which she really enjoyed. She didn’t miss any school, I caught up with a couple of my mom friends, even made dinner and went over there for Friday night since her husband is at school. Yes, all is good.

I have my moments, bad mom days, but I have been rock star mom this week. The little sleep I have gotten because sick kids are sleeping with me, while I sleep horizontal at the bottom of my bed, had to clean my sheets because of a very full diaper, cleaned up, threw out papers, cleaned the fridge, made muffins, made dinner, even though I had to reheat my coffee about five times before I can drink it luke warm. Learning to say no was kind of freeing. I am a people pleaser, but I would have not been pleased going to Florida. I would have been miserable mom in Florida and you know the old saying, “when mom ain’t happy…” Saying “no” saved my sanity and I am happy to welcome back my husband so we can lay in each other’s sick arms.

Oh, that Bedroom Chemist Box….I’ll keep you posted.

Filed Under: Family, Family Health Tagged With: Traveling

Corn Sensitivities Are On The Rise and Here’s Why

October 29, 2012 By admin 15 Comments

Ever since going gluten free, soy and dairy free almost 7 years ago, I never would have thought I could develop more food sensitivities. I recall my naturopathic doctor saying then that she was glad it wasn’t corn. Afterall she said, “Corn triggers the meanies – more violent out of control behavior. , the Dr. Jeckyll’s and Mr. Hyde’s in people.” That stuck with me. If you think how much HFCS is in our foods and the rise in our mental health issues, it makes sense. Corn and gluten sensitivities tend to overlap in their symptoms when it comes to our health ailments.

After my second child was born, my system was not quite right. Funny how kids do that to you. I went and saw another doctor recommended by quite a few bloggers here locally and learned that buckwheat, oats, corn, cane sugar and beef were giving me issues. The buckwheat made sense as I always felt bloated eating these fantastic raw vegan buckwheat crackers. The oats too, the gfree granola I was having made me sleepy just as gluten use to make me feel. But beef? Corn? I was in denial, but when I thought about it, I felt awful even after eating an organic tortilla chip (bloated, irritable, cranky). There goes my chips and salsa. I was hoping it would not be one of my many triggers, but surely after going off of corn (and cane sugar) for 3 weeks I felt better and lost 5lbs. And my increase in headaches went away. And my son, his behavior changed. In fact I notice it more with corn than gluten for him and that was enough for me. So what is up with corn? And as for beef, I don’t eat red meat very often, however, it does give me indigestion.

Like gluten, corn is in EVERYTHING! Just about 99% of our foods has corn or some sort of corn derivative in it. Have you seen the movie King Corn? If not, go watch it. It tests positive in our hair! Dextrose (corn sugar), Citric Acid, sorbitol, Maltodextrin, caramel and caramel coloring, “natural” flavorings, Vitamins C and E, Xylitol, modified food starch, vegetable protein are all hidden sources of corn besides the obvious HFCS, cornstartch, etc. So now I found myself calling all food companies to see if their modified food startch, Xanthan Gum or Citric Acid was from corn because it is not always the case. And if they don’t get back to me, I don’t trust them. I do tweet companies publicly about corn by-products and have yet to get a response back from them….Yes, I am a picky eater in the sense is that we have to be, but we are eating whole foods and yes, we have our “junkie” foods, just not the same as most.

Corn is in everything

According to the USDA, over 80 million acres in the US is dedicated to growing it and is processed in a variety of products such as corn oil, powdered sugar, (they make one with arrowroot starch), toothpaste, infant formula, supplements, protein powders/bars, medications (its in Tylenol, Aleve, Advil) and sweeteners to name a few. What is a girl to do?

Corn allergies are on the rise. In fact I firmly believe once gluten is recognized as a food allergy and passed into the labeling act, corn will be next on the list. It does not fall under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, though it is on Canada’s Big 15 list. (eh-hem so our food companies here in the USA HAVE to provide different labels for Canada as they do for Europe) Big companies are paying millions of dollars ($42M to be exact as of today) to sway voters to vote No on Prop 37 . It is a bunch of, well the cow dung from corn fed cows.

Corn allergies are hard to diagnose. I have been to several doctors (MDs) and they all have said, the best way to determine food sensitivities is to do a food elimination diet. Blood tests (IgE and IgGs), scratch tests will not be 100% conclusive. Corn can prompt anaphalaxis like reaction, however it often can cause headaches, foggy brain, behavior changes, fatigue as gluten can as well. Just like gluten, the reaction to corn can last for a couple of hours, especially in a child. They become hyperactive, then bam become really drained and tired. There are many similarities between gluten and corn. And if you are migraine sufferer and using prescription meds, you better believe cornstarch or some corn by-product is in your meds (remember, gluten can also cause migraines as it did for me). Thus leaving many in a vicious cycle. Going in for surgery or the hospital? Those IVs contain dextrose, so as you can see, it is everywhere.

The problem with corn is that 70% is Genetically Modified (GM or GMO). And since its inception of GMOs in 1994, food allergies has been on the rise at the same rate as Autsim and other behavior disorders such as ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder. With the rise of many diseases and disorders our tainted food supply (supplements and drugs included) is the very culprit of diseases that is causing so many ailments to our health. For those who cannot eat gluten, like oats, there is also a risk of cross-contamination of gluten into the corn crop. And you know how many gluten free products contain corn? Just about my guestimate, 85% of them. So for those who are staring a gluten free diet it is hard especially when learning of the similar symptoms of gluten can also be corn.

Feeling overwhelmed? Me too. If you are suspecting food allergies/sensitivities, see a qualified doctor who will believe you and you trust. I see a MD who does a lot with alternative medicine and a Naturopathic Doctor. My chiropractor is also great in working with food issues, not all are equipped or knowledgeable. Try doing a food elimination diet as this will be the best way to determine anything that is bothering you or your family member.

If you do decide to go the blood test route, which is still a useful tool, be sure to ask for the ELISA Food Allergy Panel which tests both IgE (immediate food allergy testing) AND IgG (food sensitivity or delayed reaction testing). IgGs will test about 100 different foods and be sure corn is on both IgE and IgG testing. And yes, the scratch test is still a useful method of those life threatening allergies.

Food can either heal us or kill us, it is the kind of foods we choose to eat that determines our health and vitality.

Summary:
1. Cross-contamination of the corn crop to the wheat crop
2. Rise of GMO corn in which the body cannot process and digest completely
3. Too many processed foods which contain GMO corn and deplete the gut of good bacteria in which helps digestion

There you have it.

Take a look at this article from one of my favorite sources of health info, Body Ecology:

Beyond Gluten-Free: How Corn and Oats Are Becoming Just as Troublesome as Wheat Gluten.

Pictures for this post came from FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

Filed Under: Body Ecology Diet, Corn Free, Family, Family Health, Food, Gluten Free Tagged With: Corn Allergies, GMO Labeling, Label GMO, Mamavation, Mamavation Monday, Yes on 37

My childhood as an overweight child.

September 10, 2012 By admin 13 Comments

Many of you do not realize, I was an overweight child in a normal weight world. Childhood obesity was not the norm, nor was it a concern. The children of today will not live past the age of their parents and that is scary. Yes, I ate Little Debbie’s, Twinkies, Doritos and had food-dye laden juice boxes and fruit roll-ups. I was not always an overweight kiddo, but it all changed when my parents bought a pizza place to start up a business. My mom cooked homemade meals every night from scratch, but she became a working mom and many of my meals now was pizza puffs (remember those?), cheeseburgers, cheese fries, pizza and well more pizza a few nights per week. In fact in one year, I can see the difference in my face in my school pictures. I was thin one year, the next I was well, “chubby”.

Every Friday night, my dad brought home pizza, so I ate pizza for breakfast or Cheerios (laden with about a tablespoon of white sugar). My mom refused to buy sugary cereals, so I took it upon myself to give it the sugar it needed and I loved drinking the milk from the bottom where all the sugar sank down into. Those were my good ole days. You get the picture.

However, the weight came with a price in the 80′s. Not everyone was overweight…not like today where it is becoming the norm. Yes, I was picked last in gym class to be on teams and I dreaded the Presidental Fitness Test, because I failed every single one of them. I wished I could have my name on the gym walls where those who got top scores in their fitness classes. I could hear the kids giggling at me when I was last or second to last in my one-mile timed run or got one second in the flexed arm hang. I HATED gym class. I wanted to go roller skating with my friends and I did, but was hurt one time when a good friend didn’t ask me to go, I seriously thought because I was too big to be skating, which made me slow and cautious. I looked on with envy to those who were fancy on their skates. In junior high, I ended up being made fun, even had Twinkies smeared on my locker (girls are cruel at this age) and my home life was violent and full of lies home, I thought about suicide…more than once because I honestly thought no one would miss me, but something Greater than me pulled me through in which I did not understand at the time. That was 8th grade.

I was a hurting child. My parents fought, a lot. They separated and got back together. My dad worked nights on top of their pizza business, when I did see him, I feared him. He knew I was overweight, and whenever he caught me snacking, he would tell me I was getting too fat. So I sneaked in snacks, carefully counting chips so I didn’t eat too many so no one would noticed it would be gone. Eventually, food became a way to control what I ate, it wasn’t a source of comfort at all, I remember crying a few times eating some 15 Doritos chips because I didn’t want him to find out.

My mom tried hard to have healthy snacks in the house, but when you are a latch-key kid, who wants to eat grapes or apples? I did though and I ate lots of fruits. I tried to diet as a little girl and would step on the scale almost every day, something I still do to this day. It keeps me in check now, before it was an obsession.

The viscious cycle of dieting my family goes back to my great-grandmother, Nana. She was always trying new fad diets well into her 70′s. My grandmother was on the TRIM team back in the 60′s, she too worked hard at keeping her weight down. I remember her having the “Stewardess Diet” (she worked for the airlines) which was a 600 calorie per day diet that was for those scheduled to be in air and had to be of certain weight or else they could not fly (I tried following that diet, seriously dangerous). My mom too: Herbalife, Nutri-System, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers. We tend to pass on down our bad cycles to our daughters. This cycle was first brought to my attention when a good mom friend recommended to me, Mother, Daughter Wisdom by Dr. Christine Northrup. I recommend this book to all mothers who have KIDS, boys and all, you will never grow out of it. She points it out to you and tells you how you can stop any bad cycle in your family.

After my parents divorced (finally) I was in 8th grade. My dad eventually left the picture and I was into my freshman year of high school. I moved in with my mom’s best friend to finish out the last 4 months so it wouldn’t disrupt my year. The summer before I transferred my mother put me through Jenny Craig (I just recently disclosed this to my husband, so this is a big deal for me). She did not want me to go through the name calling or being left out because of my overweight stature. I lost 20 lbs, no longer drank pop (I was a childhood soda drinker) and starting a new school with a new look was the confidence I needed back then because I had NO self-esteem. I experienced first hand how it was to be treated in a thinner body and I didn’t want to get bigger again. I made the dance team, joined various organizations and played soccer. Going to a new high school was the best thing that happened to me in my teen years. However, I gained half my weight back by my senior year and made better efforts to lose weight by eating better.

Being an overweight child and the stresses of my childhood has affected my health today. Good in a way that I eat way more healthy than I did even 10 years ago, but bad in the fact that my “gut” health has suffered and why I have so many food sensitivities. And I still carry a few of my own childhood food issues with me into my adulthood. I am in a really good place now. I thankfully have a very loving and wonderful husband who loves my curves, belly fat and all.

I write this because there is an assumption that I don’t understand what it is like to be overweight, the struggles, the body issues. Coming from a lonely place in childhood has made me a stronger person today. I still fight my own inner issues, but with age comes more wisdom and I care less than I did in my 20′s. It is about inner health and a peaceful heart. I thank God for having my back even though I did not know Him back then.

Filed Under: Family, Family Health, Food Tagged With: Mamavation, Mamavation Monday

The 30-day Natural White Teeth Challenge

August 29, 2012 By admin 5 Comments

Monday, I posted How Fluoride gets an “F” and Why I Stopped Using it and thought it would be great to do The 30-day Natural White Teeth Challenge in September. It has 30-days! So here is your shopping list:

1. Buy a non-fluoride based floss and toothpaste like the one I use or you can try Earthpaste
2. Get yourself a nice motorized toothbrush. Whichever one fits your budget
3. Baking soda and hydrogen pyroxide
4. Buy fresh produce, raw nuts, coconut oil to cook with and flax oil to take daily

And oh, don’t forget to take a picture of your smile before Saturday.

Here is what we are getting rid of in our diets:

1. No refined sugars, no juices, no soda (sugar is a major factor in tooth decay)
2. Use a straw when drinking acidic drinks such as coffee or teas

If you must brush your teeth after you eat, wait an hour.

Morning Dental Routine (upon waking)
1. Dip toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide
2. Sprinkle (or dip) baking soda on your toothbrush
3. Add a dab (pea size) of your fluoride free toothpaste
4. Brush gently in circular motions for 2 minutes
5. Scrape your tongue clean
6. Rinse with luke warm water (some will say luke warm salt water, but hey, I am a mom too, so want to keep it simple!)
7. Wait 10 minutes before eating or drinking anything

Despite popular belief, brushing teeth after you eat wears away the enamel, so it is best to brush first thing in the morning before you eat your breakfast. This also removes all the bacteria and plaque that has built up while you have slept, which you don’t want in your system anyways.

Evening Dental Routine:
1. Floss and don’t forget to get those way back molars
2. Dip your toothbrush in baking soda
3. Add a pea size amount of toothpaste
4. Brush gently in circular motions for 2 minutes
5. Swish with equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide, usually 2 Tablespoons for 30-60 seconds (every other day)
6. Rinse with luke warm water.

That is it. If you feel any burning sensation on your gums when swishing with hydrogen peroxide, then wait a few days and try again. The baking soda will taste a little off in your mouth, but once you begin brushing it will go away. I have been doing this a few days and love the clean feeling I am getting just by adding a little bit of baking soda.

After 30-days take a picture to see the difference. If you have an upcoming event, some say to dip a Q-tip in hydrogen peroxide and wipe on each tooth after brushing. But if you are a busy mom like me, you want to be as efficient as possible, but you can make time before bed to do this.

Disclaimer: This is not intended to treat or cure any dental health issues you may have. Please see your dentist for regular check-ups every six months and discuss any signs or treat possible dental disease.

Free image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Filed Under: Family Health, Food Tagged With: Fluoride, Fluoride Free Toothpaste, The 30-day Natural White Teeth Challenge

Why Fluoride gets an “F” and Why I stopped using Fluoride

August 27, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

After reading a blog from the Healthy Home Economist about Julia Roberts not using toothpaste, It made me smile. After all I don’t use fluoride toothpaste for my teeth either. After I went gluten free almost 7 years ago, I began to read a lot, I mean A LOT about ingredients. Some of you know I read and follow Dr. Mercola here from Chicago and I gave it up (and other bad stuff) soon after I gave up gluten. Primarily because I was in the process of getting my body baby ready and wanted to be super healthy. I even went as far as removing my mercury fillings five months after going gluten free after reading how the mercury fillings pose a health risk in our bodies. I went straight to his office to do this too because I didn’t want the mercury floating in my body while I was pregnant. Here are many reasons why you should give up your fluoride as well:

1. It impairs thyroid function. Basically, fluoride and iodine don’t get along and when we have excess fluoride in the body, it effects how the thyroid works, weakening it and failing to help the thyroid make the iodine we get from our food supply.
2. Too much fluoride effects our minds. Yep, research is finding those with mental health issues have an iodine deficiency and linking it to having too much fluoride in our bodies.
3. Lack of iodine shuts down the levels of thyroxine (T4). This is they thyroid hormone that helps with metabolism. (You see where I am going?)
4. Only half of ingested fluoride gets excreted. Where does the rest go? It gets stored into our bones, tissues and blocking elements like iodine.
5. Where else is fluoride found besides the obvious? Cereals, soda, processed foods, juices from concentrate. anti-depressants (which doesn’t help the brain heal by the way) and also as pesticides (another reason to follow the Dirty Dozen produce list)
6. It can cause cancer
.
So how do you reduce your consumption of fluoride?

1. Buy fluoride free toothpaste and dental floss. My personal favorite is Desert Essence(R) Natural Tea Tree Oil & Neem, also gluten free. Also Trader Joe’s sells a toothpaste made with Myrrh, which was used in Biblical times in death, but to also clean teeth. I buy Kiss My Face Fluoride Free toothpaste for my kids. (btw, I just took my daughter to the dentist for the first time and she said she rarely sees pretty white teeth on kids anymore and no x-rays were needed because she showed no signs of cavities)
2. Many bottled waters do not contain fluoride, however, if you rely on bottled waters, then buy these brands instead: Evian, Colistoga or my personal favorites Penta Ultra-Purified Water and Smart Water. You can find out the fluoride and other mineral content of your favorite bottled waters at Bottled Water Web’s Bottlers listing or check out EWG Water Bottle Scorecard.
3. Buy shower filters that filter out the chlorine. I know we are talking fluoride, but chlorine is another toxic chemical that has ill effects on the body. I am considering buying this one myself: Golden Illumination
4. Buy a water filter for your kitchen sink. Chicago is known for having the highest levels of fluoride in their water systems. I bought a Reverse Osmosis system when my daughter was a newborn and love it!

What about keeping your teeth clean?

1. Use a motorized toothbrush first thing in the morning and right before bedtime.
2. Best time to floss is before bed and before you brush your teeth.
3. You can swish with a 50/50 Hydrogen Pyroxide and water solution to get your teeth white every night.
4. Using baking soda and salt (brush gently) like Julia Roberts does to brush your teeth or mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with some hydrogen pyroxide to make a paste to brush your teeth. Then brush with your fluoride free toothpaste afterwards.
5. Despite who Catherine Zeta-Jones rubs strawberries to whiten her teeth, it is not recommended or rubbing any citrus peels on your teeth, as it will wear away the enamel.
6. Eating a whole foods based diet that is free of processed foods, soda, juices, refined sugars is also key.