There is a health crisis in this country and it goes far beyond fast food and lack of exercise. There are offenders in our diets causing not only weight gain (these chemicals are often referred to as obesogens), but chronic health issues like digestive problems, thyroid imbalances, brain fog, headaches, and the list goes on….Yes, weight is no longer a simple calculation of calories in and calories out.
There are chemicals in our food, air and water that disrupt the endocrine system. We now cleverly call them endocrine disruptors. Trust me- if you want to feel good- you want a highly functioning endocrine system.
Here is a link to a CBS News article about obesogens
5 “Healthy Habits” Keeping You From Being Healthy…
1. You always choose the low-fat or fat free options when grocery shopping
I am a farm to table nutritionist and I strongly believe in eating as close to nature as possible. Every cell in your body is made of a bi-lipid fatty membrane and guess what- it needs healthy fats to work well! Low-fat options usually contain more sugar, go through too much processing and are not very satisfying. Choose close to nature and as always, eat in moderation. Eat to nourish!
2. You eat plenty of fruits everyday, At Least your recommended 3 servings
Vegetables are much more important than fruits and honestly, fruits contain way too much sugar for many people. Eat your veggies! Stick to your dark berries as a good fruit source and let most other fruits be treats or to satisfy a sugar craving.
3. You make sure you eat an early dinner and do not have anything else for the rest of the evening. If you eat too late at night, you will gain weight.
For most people, especially with impaired metabolism, going that long without food will cause a blood sugar dip in the middle of the night…leading to a cortisol rush, insomnia and we know that adds up to weight gain! Most people do better by having a small, balanced snack in the evening.
4. You eat egg white omelets to avoid elevated cholesterol.
Egg whites and egg yolks go together-like a perfect marriage and they should be eaten together (unless you have a food sensitivity). Cholesterol from your food does not increase blood cholesterol and there are specific nutrients in the yolk that help you absorb the white. Remember- eat close to nature!
5. Soy is great for hormonal balance and cancer prevention so you incorporate it into your daily meals.
Soy is highly processed and allergenic for many people. It is something we eliminate during the cleanse. If you want healthy digestion and optimal thyroid health, avoid soy products like vegan “meats”, soymilk, soy protein shakes and bars. If you are not sensitive to soy, you can find health benefits from miso and tempeh.
The word “cleanse” is a buzzword. We hear it in the media from celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyoncé. The word invokes images of juices, powdered concoctions and frequent trips to the bathroom. For some it seems ridiculous. For others, it may seem glamorous, like a surefire fix when you need weight loss and clear skin for a red carpet event.
But what is a cleanse, really? And who needs a cleanse, really?
The word “cleanse” conjures up so many different images because there isn’t a unified definition of cleanse. People promote whole body cleanses, bowel cleanses, juice cleanses, raw foods only, and water cleanses. One of my professors used to say that a cleanse is different for everyone, depending on where they are in their health journey. For one of his patients, an older gentleman without much regard to his health at all, a cleanse meant stopping the nightly box of Oreos and starting to walk 2 times per week. All of this variety leaves the public confused about whether or not they need a cleanse.
In my practice, a cleanse is a concerted effort to eat and live in a way that supports health and vitality. It is about making conscious choices and being aware of how the foods, activities and environmental exposures affect every aspect of your health. It is about learning how to eat clean, unprocessed foods and eliminate inflammatory foods that cause vague symptoms like, fatigue, headaches, gas/ bloat, weight gain, allergies and skin issues. It is a learning process- food affects every aspect health.
Each one of us needs a cleanse because each one of us carries a body burden load. Body burden or toxic burden is the term scientists give to measure the amount of environmental chemicals found in the body. With increasingly high levels of daily chemical exposure, from the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink and the chemicals we put on our skin, everyone has a body burden. As far as you can get from your body burden, or toxic load, the better you will feel. A cleanse is about learning ways to reduce your body burden, creating a new and lasting level of health.
I recommend a cleanse, like the one I have described, at the change of each season, ideally 4 times per year. We all get off track and this is a great way to help you re-focus and re-establish your health goals. Remember, a cleanse does not have to be extreme and it definitely does not have to be a “celebrity fad” diet. Choose a cleanse that has been around while, time tested with exciting testimonials. Make sure the cleanse offers support and guidance throughout and make sure it is something that makes sense to you. After all, you want to be healthy for a lifetime, not just for a red-carpet event!
You might think, knowing my passion for nutrition and watching some of my cooking videos, I relish every moment in my kitchen. Not so much…like you, I am busy! Mom, wife, business owner…you know how it is.
When I was in the kitchen last night blending baby food and chopping veggies (while on the phone, nursing and sewing a new outfit—-just kidding!) I realized while I do not have the time to shop and prepare fresh, whole foods meals, I am forced to make the time.
Because of my education, I know that spending the extra time in the kitchen is not only the healthy thing to do, it will save my life.
Nothing is more important to me than insuring I stay healthy and vital for my family. And nothing is more important to me than making sure my kids have all of the benefits sound nutrition gives them. I know the foods I am preparing gives them immune support and helps them build healthy brain cells. Because I want my kids to be physically healthy, smart, emotionally balanced and beautiful (if you haven’t read Deep Nutrition yet- please do- it will give insight into the beautiful part!) and I know nutrition does this for them, I find the time–most days;)
After all, at the end of the day..I am saving time. Saving time by not having sick days, not having to go to the doctor, getting more done b/c I have energy and vitality..you get the picture!
Here is a great video about about the healing power of nutrition. I hope it motivates you to save your life!
With the overly red face and big belly, it is possible…however, I cannot say for sure..Santa is not a patient of mine (not yet, anyway!).
In our household, we decided to make him gluten free cookies..just in case!
And I have to share this amazing recipe with you b/c you simply won’t miss gluten (or any flour product at all) b/c they are amazing! Santa (and my 8 year old approved!)
- 1 cup ground almonds (almond meal)
- 50 grams melted butter organic, unsalted butter
-1/4 cup raw, unprocessed, sucanat or coconut sugar
-1/2 cup of dark, naturally sweetened cocoa chips
- 1 egg- pasture raised
- 1tsp. cinnamon
-1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- A pinch of sea salt
Preheat oven to 340 F
Mix together all of the ingredients, don’t add the butter while it is still hot – let it cool for a while before adding it to the batter.
Fold in chocolate.
Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Take one heaping teaspoon of batter at a time and place on to the baking tray.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until they are done. Take them out of the oven when the sides start to brown.
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