French Women Don't Get FAT

Bonjour!

What a wonderful read! French Women Don't Get Fat... this is not a current read of mine, but one that I have liked so much I wanted to share.

I wanted to post this for those that may struggle with weight issues.  The French paradox- we have all heard it..."How can the French stay so slim on such real fat?"

Mireille Guiliano, is the author and opens up with her readers in a very genuine way.  She shares her own personal experience with food, weight gain, and her French "secrets."

I guess I found this book so refreshing because essentially this is the way I eat and believe in for the most part.  I love the freedom of the French women.  

They eat for hunger and not for soooo many other reasons...and they eat real fats too!  Duck fat, goose fat, butter, real cream, whole milk!

Mireille has a website devoted just to her books, her movie, and other "Frenchy" things here!   One of my favorite places to browse is her recipe section- a glimpse into French cuisine.

Honeybees Disappearing, Fake Honey & More

Hive and Seek:  Domestic Honeybees are Disappearing, but are Their Wild Cousins in Trouble Too? 

Honeybees are not just for honey.  They are our world's pollinators and amazing little creatures.  I have read this article back in May of last year and thought it was worthy to post here...we need to know what is happening to these little guys and contribute to their longevity as much as possible.

Please click on the link above or click here to read the article and see an informational slideshow on 13 native bees.   (I found the 16 comments very interesting as well.)

 Many people don't realize the crisis we would find ourselves in without these pollinators. 

Here are more articles on honey, bees, honey's place in a healthy life, and more from Dr. Mercola:

Why are the Bees Disappearing?
Can Eating Local Honey Cure Allergies?
Honey As Medicine is Making a Comeback
Honeybees for Cancer Treatment

One word of caution regarding honey- if you buy it, don't buy it from a big company, read your label...support your local grower, most honey sold in the stores is FAKE and usually imported from China.

Crispy Nuts - Absorbable & Delicious

Do you love nuts, but have digestive issues with raw nuts?  Many people do. 

Even though raw nuts are excellent sources of most trace minerals and heart healthy fats they still need to be prepared properly to be more digestible.  

Raw nuts contain anti-nutrients (enzyme inhibitors) that unless are broken down (by the act of soaking in sea salt), may cause digestive issues and sometimes even a "heavy sensation" in one's stomach.  Of course, this is more pronounced if you consume large quantities at a time, but still is good to know in proper food preparation for maximum nutrient absorption benefits.

Here is the basic of what you do:

For raw peanuts, pine nuts, almonds, or cashews*:  use 4 cups of nuts to 1 Tbsp of sea salt, cover in large bowl with filtered water and soak overnight or at least 7 hours.  Drain, and spread onto baking pan and "dry" out in warm oven (no more than 150 degrees) for approximately 12-24 hours, stirring occasionally, OR dehydrate them for about 12 hours or so (till crispy on taste test.)  *Note on raw cashews, it is best to only soak them 6 hours and not 7 and also dry them out at a higher temperature of 200-250 degrees.

For raw pecans or walnuts*:  use 4 cups of nuts to 2 tsp. of sea salt and cover with filtered water.  Soak overnight for at least 7 hours.  Drain, and dry out as to the directions above for the peanuts, pine, nuts, and almonds.  (I use a dehydrator, I find it much easier than using the oven.) 

*Walnuts need to be stored in the refrigerator to prevent rancidity due to their high oil content, the rest may be stored in an airtight container for many months before spoilage....if they last that long- they never do around my house!)

Crispy Nut recipe from Nourishing Traditions and Eat Fat, Lose Fat.

Native Remedies

Do you want to use homeopathic remedies and just aren't sure where to start?  

If that has ever been the case, this might be a great site for you to check out.

Native Remedies is co-founded by Adrienne, George, and Dean Luntz, all natives of South Africa.  Their favorite products range from Bright Spark, Focus Formula (two products that help with concentration, focus and hyperactivity),  JointEasePlus (which helped George become pain free!) and Serenite-LT (a natural sleep aid.)

They have a drop down menu where you can shop by condition, or shop from A-Z Ailments.  They also have a contact form where you can "ask the experts."  I do believe my favorite notable mention about this company is their ONE YEAR 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!!  They do stand behind it too, there was an instance where we had to return something that we were no longer going to need and they stood good for their guarantee.

Check them out!

 

Minor Burn Relief & 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Degree Burn Symptoms

Treatment for minor burns (1st degree) and even some 2nd degree burns at our house are very simple...first run under cool running water, to cool off skin area, then apply silver sol gel, (since this is antibacterial- I feel VERY safe applying it & IT IS EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE in relieving the pain too) and depending on the severity of the burn- we may or may not apply a sterile gauze bandage.  That's it. 

It is said though that cold yellow mustard can be applied to the skin after cooled off with water and blotted dry with a clean towel (minor burns without blisters.) Another page on mustard use, here.

Determining the severity of a burn is usually by these signs and symptoms:

1st degree burn- the least serious, affects only the outer layer of skin (epidermis), red skin, some swelling, and usually pain

2nd degree burn- this is when the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of the skin (dermis) is also burned, blisters develop, skin is splotchy in appearance, severe pain and swelling 

3rd degree burn-  the most severe burn, involves all layers of skin (epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis)...can cause permanent tissue damage, areas may be charred black or appear dry and white.

Burns are susceptible to tetanus!  So be sure to have your recommended 10 year booster shot as needed.  It would be good to keep these shot records in a safe and quickly accessible place such as a wallet or even one's phone.

The Mayo Clinic has a nice break down with more info and conventional treatment of 3rd degree (SEVERE) burns here if you would like to read it.

Picture Credit

The Old Dirty Dozen, Neat Shopping Guide & EWG!

Still waiting the release of this year's "Dirty Dozen" list...let's review last year's list...AND MORE!                                                                                                     

"The Dirty Dozen" The MOST heavily contaminated foods : 

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Peaches
5. Strawberries
6. Imported nectarines
7. Grapes
8. Spinach
9. Lettuce
10. Cucumbers
11. Domestic blueberries
12. Potatoes
(This produce is BEST purchased as organic to reduce your exposure to toxins.) 

In the Dirty Dozen Plus category:
* Green Beans
*Kale/Collard Greens

(Not quite as contaminated as the dirty dozen, but still on a "caution" watch for organophosphate insecticides- substances toxic to nervous system.)

"The Clean 15" or foods that have the LEAST amount of pesticides:
1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Cabbage
6. Sweet peas
7. Asparagus
8. Mangoes
9. Eggplant
10. Kiwi
11. Domestic cantaloupe
12. Sweet potatoes
13. Grapefruit
14.Watermelon
15. Mushrooms
 
*READ THIS TOO!!  Bookmark Below!!*
*Environmental Working Group (known as EWG) offers a FREE downloadable wallet guide to buying and purchasing produce here, NOW available for Android phones, iPhone/iPad, and Windows phones, PLUS offered in a printable PDF format .  This really comes in handy when you are shopping and have that moment of memory lapse!  Checkout EWG's homepage that puts INFORMATION at your finger tips regarding MANY Environmental issues.*

 

Beef Bone Broth, Very Traditional Fare

Considering the events of the last few days, making two big batches of delicious beef broth seemed plausible.

See, what happened was my freezer took a day off and that lead me to making some broth quick or losing all my bones!  So, I made this nutritious and totally satisfying broth/ beef stock for days on end till my bones were used up.

Traditional cooking isn't traditional unless you make bone broth in my book.
   

The best cookbook I have ever owned for traditional fare, hands down, is Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon.  (It is in Kindle Version too.)

This book covers so much about nutrition it is really a small nutrition course if read cover to cover.  (See the recipe links below for what I am making in the picture above.  This bone broth has been simmering for about 8 hours as you can see initially the water line was near the brim of the pot.)  With a bone broth your meals are endless and you can rest totally satisfied in feeling GREAT about the nutritional quality of your end result.

Here is a brief excerpt from Nourishing Traditions regarding the value of stock in ones' diet: 

"Properly prepared, meat stocks are extremely nutritious, containing the minerals of bone, cartilage, marrow and vegetables as electrolytes, a form that is easy to assimilate.  Acidic wine or vinegar added during the cooking helps to draw minerals, particularly calcium, magnesium and potassium, into the broth.  Dr. Francis Pottenger, author of the famous cat studies as well as articles on the benefits of gelatin in broth, taught that the stockpot was the most important piece of equipment to have in one's kitchen."

Quest Bar GIVEAWAY!!

Enter to win a case of Quest Protein Bars!  

All you have to do is Like us on Facebook and share this post on your wall, plus comment on what flavors you would like to win.  A winner will be picked on February 2nd!  (Only U.S. entries)

The winner will receive: 12 Quest bars, your choice of flavors.  

(The choices are:  Apple Pie, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Cinnamon Roll, Mixed Berry Bliss, Vanilla Almond Crunch, Chocolate Brownie, Strawberry Cheesecake, Lemon Cream Pie, Cashew Coconut, Peanut Butter Supreme.)

Winner will be posted on Healthy Radiant Living's Facebook page and here.

Good Luck!!

         

THE WINNER IS:  JORDAN DUNNE!!  Please contact me at jill@healthyradiantliving.com to get these off to you!  Thank you for participating!

Is Brushing Enough? Should I Blott?

According to the inventor of the Phillips Blotting Technique, blotting your teeth, may be more important than brushing. 

The late Dr. Joseph Phillips, DDS, MS, a periodontal dentist in Osseo, WI, developed the Blotting Toothbrush (pictured above) and also the technique commonly referred to as The Blotting Technique more than 60 years ago.  This method along with total mouth hygiene is a proven way to stop nearly all-dental problems and prevention of others.

How could that be more important than brushing?  

Brushing is described by Dr. Phillips as merely cosmetic.  Yes, you are cleaning your teeth, (basically polishing them) but what is happening to all the debris?

Dr. Phillips says it is the same idea of brushing a floor with a rug on top of it (the floor being your tooth and the rug being your gum.)  When you brush, some of the plaque and debris is going to land just inside the gum line due to the brushing...and that is where blotting comes in.  

As a young boy, Dr. Phillips watched his mother paint a window frame and noticed that in some places excess paint flowed down in blobs.  He watched as she wiped the paint brush on the edge of the paint bucket, removing all possible paint out of the brush. Next, she then held up the brush to the blobs of paint still on the window frame and saw the blob of paint wicked up into the brush by capillary action into the bristles.  It was at this time, at just a young age of 16, that Joe thought "There is an answer to removing the saliva with its food and decay causing bacteria (and dead cells) from the mouth."  This capillary action is the same action of the blotting brush design.  It doesn't just sweep debris under a gum, but it actually vacuums up the debris at the gum line when performed correctly.

I myself, have been using a blotting brush and do enjoy the noticeable difference of a clean mouth versus a shiny polished mouth.  There is a video you can watch here on the technique invented by Dr. Phillips, although, I will warn you...I don't recommend the "sucking" the brush clean part.  Grosses me out.  I prefer the clean under the water method and tap dry on the sink much better.  Nevertheless, this video is invaluable in the demonstration of performing this method, and attaining the results that those who have been fortunate enough to use this program have also enjoyed.

Less cavities, less uncomfortable cleanings, less surgery, and less tooth loss!!

Now available locally in store and in our online store.

Low-Carb Lasagna!

Love lasagna, but afraid of all those carbs?  Me too!  Here is what I do anymore.

Use a sugar free sauce or make your own without added sugars, use whole fat ricotta cheese, use real mozzarella cheese (not pre-shredded), grass fed beef, and my favorite noodle replacement...zucchini!

Just as you would make your favorite lasagna recipe, substitute your noodles with zucchini slices from your mandolin and layer for noodles.  The only difference with using zucchini noodles is I either saute them for a few minutes in coconut oil or quickly blanch them for a minute or two in boiling water (normally I find it easier to blanch.)

Generally, leave your sauce a bit on the thicker side if you can because the zucchini will add some liquid to your lasagna when cooked. If it is too runny when it comes out of the oven, let it sit for about 30 minutes prior to serving, by then some of the liquids will have diminished.

Enjoy your low-carb lasagna!

If you want a recipe this is what I used:

One of My Favorite Naturopaths!

David Getoff is a Board Certified Traditional Naturopath, a Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist, a Fellow of the America Association of Integrative Medicine, an elected member of both the American College of Nutrition and the International college of Integrative Medicine, a member if the New York Academy of Sciences, and is Vice President of the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation.  He has also co-authored the book Reduce Blood Pressure Naturally.

Visit his website here at Naturopath4you.  David has produced over a dozen educational holistic health DVDs on numerous topics ranging from cancer to diabetes and more.  Plus, check out the free Mp3s on his site.

Ever wished you could just sit in a class of his and soak it all in?      (I won't lie-I do!)  Well, now you and I can!  If you would like to attend his Attaining Optimal Health in the 21st Century class, online, at your own pace to learn (within 3 months), click here.  This class is regularly priced $250.00, but if you are a member of PPNF, you pay only $199.00.  If you are not a member yet of PPNF, you can join as a member of PPNF and take his streaming video course for $239.00.  

See some of the topics covered in this extremely educational class:

• Unhealthy Grains
• Good Fats Bad Fats
• Paleo Versus Veganism
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Herbs
• Homeopathy
• Cancer
• Hormones
• Vaccinations
• .....and MUCH MORE!!!

(Incidentally, David Getoff was a speaker in the HealThy Mouth FREE Summit that I posted about back in November, and it is going on NOW!  He was one of Day 4 speakers and did a fabulous job on the importance of detoxification, ways to detox, and how to lessen your toxic surroundings...hurry the summit is still going on and you can register here.)

A Super GREAT "Making Lard" Tutorial

Ever wanted to make your own lard?  Not sure where to start or how?

One of the best tutorials I have seen on making your own lard, filled with many educational blurbs and links, is right here at Homeward Bound, (click here.)

There are many reasons to make your own lard.  The most obvious reason being cost.  

It will save you money if you learn how to render your own lard and supply you and your family with a healthy saturated fat suited for most of your cooking needs.  

READ the supplied link to the post through because there are so many hidden nuggets, you will want to ponder and absorb them all!  Plus, she explains WHY you want to use lard and WHY it is healthy for you too.  Great post.

Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation

Here is another excellent source for nutritional resources, the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, originally known as the Weston A. Price Memorial Foundation.  

They are a non-profit education foundation committed to teach both the public and health professionals the proven principles from the nutrition pioneers, Weston A. Price, Francis M. Pottenger, Jr., and other leading health experts.

By becoming a member you will have access to members-only online journal archives, discounts on PPNF classes and events, members-only pricing on select items from their store and of course, my favorite, is their quarterly Journal of Health and Healing. 

To learn more about becoming a member click here.

Thinning Hair? Try This!

This is a Shampoo that I have found to help with fine hair, they also offer a whole series of steps, as well.  

Here is their product description from Amazon for Cleanser #1:

"Nioxin Cleanser is a detoxifying cleanser for fine, thin, non-chemically treated hair formulated with a concentrated blend of botanicals and humectants, this cleanser removes product build up, minerals, pollutants and toxins, clears nutrient pathways at hair follicle sites without stripping essential oils, and provides an optimum scalp environment.  Bionutrient Actives Cleanser leaves hair growing healthily with body, volume and shine."  


This is the product description for Cleanser #2:  

"A daily volumizing cleanser that gently removes residue and DHT from the hair and scalp to promote a healthy scalp environment. It also provides nourishing vitamins, proteins and amino acids." 

I have been using #1 and #2 Cleansers and Conditioners for over a year now and I must say that I like how it has helped my hair.  If you suffer from thin, or even very fine hair, you may want to try something like this too. 

In addition to using the Nioxin, I do try to take these supplements regularly and occasionally apply argan oil to my ends.

I have not used the entire multi-step Nioxin system, but I can attest to their cleanser and conditioners, I think they are great, and will continue using them.  I know how frustrating fine hair can be and wanted to offer this post to someone experiencing a similar situation, in hopes that you benefit from it as well. 

Dr. Mark Breiner

Meet Dr. Mark Breiner, author of the book, Whole-Body Dentistry.  His website is here at Whole Body Med, (plus, SIGN UP FOR HIS NEWSLETTER!).  Dr. Breiner is the lead off man in the HealThy Mouth Summit, that is being offered here for FREE, but the summit will only be for a short time...YOU don't want to miss ANY of the experts in this summit! (There are MANY, MANY more!)  


Each day from January 13th through the 20th there will be new speakers during this presentation you don't want to miss!  

Today, the presentation is LIVE, so hurry up and get signed up, and you may still be able to hear this spectacular presentation from Dr. Mark Breiner.

Here are the topics he covered in this presentation today:

• The risks of mercury fillings
• The risks of root canals and solutions if you have root canal teeth
• How mainstream dentistry does not look at the body as a whole and the negative implications of this oversight
• The risks of cavitations
• Tools of the whole body dentist
• And so much more!

Hurry, get registered today!   

Read this small excerpt from Dr. Breiner's book Whole Body Dentistry:

"For example, a patient came to me with chronic sinus problems which seemed to have no cause or cure. Without even examining him, I immediately asked if he had any root canal work performed on his upper first molar, which is on the same energy meridian as the maxillary sinuses. He was amazed that I had “guessed” correctly and further conversation uncovered that his sinus problems had indeed begun after the root canal. All other treatments having failed, the offending tooth was then removed. Within a week, his sinusitis completely disappeared.

It can often be that simple. A Whole-Body Dentist is like a detective sorting through a series of clues and signals and putting the information together in a different way to discover the real source of problems. Often extracting a misaligned or offending tooth will alleviate a whole host of seemingly unrelated physical symptoms in a matter of days. Some problems will actually correct immediately. I have had patients who, post-procedure and still in the dental chair, reported an immediate improvement in their symptoms, (for example, improved eyesight). Do not underestimate the impact of your teeth and mouth on your entire body’s health."


To read the whole excerpt he offers on his site, click here.


Whole-Body Dentistry®: A Complete Guide to Understanding the Impact of Dentistry on Total Health, Kindle Edition

Dr. Sircus, Natural Allopathic Medicine

 

What an amazing site!  Dr. Sircus' site is so FULL of valuable information to anyone interested in bettering their health.  

 

Read this excerpt from his page titled About Dr Sircus and His Method:

"Dr. Mark Sircus, Ac., OMD, DM (P) (acupuncturist, doctor of oriental and pastoral medicine) is a prolific writer and author of some astounding medical and health-related books. Dr. Sircus’s methods are based on medical science and long years of clinical experience, not only his own but experiences of doctors from around the world who have been practicing brilliant medicine.

His books are heavily referenced, but the layperson finds little difficulty in understanding his presentation of medical topics. For many years Dr. Sircus has been researching into the human condition and into the causes of disease; he has distilled many of the divergent medical systems into a new form of medicine that he has coined Natural Allopathic Medicine.

Natural Allopathic Medicine represents a new therapeutic principle that revolutionizes both allopathic and naturopathic medicine offering a radical shift in medical thought and practice. Dr. Sircus’s protocol addresses foundational physiology. It focuses on pH management, cell voltage, magnesium and iodine medicine, cannabinoid medicine, carbon dioxide medicine, re-mineralization of the body, increasing oxygen transport and oxygenation of the tissues, opening up of blood vessels, saturation and healing of cells with concentrated nutrition via superfoods, breathing retraining, emotional transformation processing, detoxification and removal of heavy metals and radioactive particles."

"Dr. Sircus’s approach is humanitarian because it pays attention to the majority who cannot afford expensive medical treatments or pharmaceutical drugs. With the Natural Allopathic Medicine protocol, people with limited funds can make use of the top three medicinals mentioned above—magnesium chloride, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and iodine—to inexpensively treat most health problems. Add breathing retraining, CBD, superfoods, vitamin C, plenty of water good enough to be called a medicine, enough sun, daily magnesium massages and one will improve or cure almost any ailment."

See this excerpt about Cancer too:

"When it comes to cancer, Dr. Sircus pays attention to the terrain, to the surrounding cells and the surrounding extracellular matrix, which interacts and shapes cancer cell growth.  Cancer cells cannot turn into a lethal tumor without the cooperation of other cells nearby. It is not just the friendly healthier cells but also the interstitial environment (pH, oxygen and CO2 levels) that plays a role in determining what will happen to a person when they have cancer.

Dr. Sircus’s gift to the world is the Natural Allopathic protocol that offers hope even for those suffering from the hurt, damage and physiological degeneration that often comes with chemo or radiation therapy.

It’s a long road to win the war on cancer for some people, especially if they have been devastated by mainstream oncology. Others, especially if they have caught their cancer in its early stages can cut through to a cure quite quickly if they are willing to follow the discipline of doing the full protocol.

When we move beyond the medical fundamentals of cancer treatment we often have to journey into our inner territories of emotion, feeling and conflict. This protocol approach includes love, touch (magnesium massages) and a return to the natural and deep vulnerabilities of our hearts and being.

For cancer there is a suite of books by Dr. Sircus that cover the full territory patients need to travel. It’s a long road sometimes to win the war on cancer, which often includes coverage of our inner territories of emotion, feeling and inner conflicts. His approach to medicine and health includes love, touch and a return to the natural and deep vulnerabilities of our hearts and being. For these aspects of Natural Allopathic Medicine read Dr. Sircus’s HeartHealth book as well as Soft Medicine."

Doesn't that just make you want to jump on over there and read!  My! 

I want to own each book of his, but until then,  I will settle for reading from his site and signing up for his newsletters.

Christmas Eve Pierogis

I guess this post is more for nostalgic purposes than "health" purposes, but either way, many people make these pierogis and look for the recipe.  I want to offer our traditional family Christmas Eve recipe for those that need it.  Aside, from being full-carb and made with white flour-they are really tasty and hey, we only make them once a year- so why not!  I will say that we have made these with whole wheat flours and they turn out great in my opinion, but for the "traditional family" recipe see below.  :)

Hot Wings 'N Noodles

Ok, so it is not exactly what you expected from the title, I know, but wait!  It is good!  Seriously, good, or at least my kids think so!  This recipe was originally given to me by my dear friend, Lousie, and I changed it up a bit to our taste and use.  See, I think it was originally made as a dip, but we liked it so much this way, we rarely dip it, although it is awesome with celery sticks.

Here's my recipe:

• 3 lbs cooked chicken (cubed or canned, drained)
• 4-8oz blocks of cream cheese
• 2-8oz blocks of cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup of hot sauce (or more if you like it spicier)
• 2-3 Tbsp cream or half and half
• 1/2 tsp ACV
• 1/2 tsp dried chives
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley or dried, minced green onion (whichever you have on hand works)
• 1/2 tsp dill seed
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• pinch or two of black pepper

Add all ingredients to a crockpot and warm on low to medium till all ingredients are blended smoothly.  Now, you are ready to serve like we do with either crunchy cabbage noodles or if you are in a hurry like we are most days- use coleslaw (fine or regular shredded.)  Unless, you want to serve this as a dip, then organic non-GMO tortilla chips or crunchy vegetables would be great with it too. :)

DIY Toothpaste With Thankfully Thrifty

I have used several different kinds of "natural" toothpastes over the years, but by far, this is one of my favorites!

The recipe I use is here at Thankfully Thrifty for homemade toothpaste.  I have changed up my recipe from what is listed only because instead of adding the essential oils, I generally add a few drops of either Frontier Organic Peppermint or Frontier Organic Lemon flavorings when mixing up a new batch. Plus, I generally use only 1 tsp of sea salt.  In addition, I add a few drops of Ora Wellness' Brushing Blend onto my brush and brush away.

(We do have the Brushing Blend in the store now too!)
What's wrong with commercial toothpaste you may ask?  Read this article here.
Worried about the abrasivity of your toothpaste versus baking soda?  Click here. (Note:  if you use an electric toothbrush, USE a VERY MILD ABRASIVE TOOTHPASTE!)

Back to DIY with Ashleigh's Thankfully Thrifty Blog, there are some other DIY saving recipes and posts you may like...check out these two below!

Homemade Deodorant

DIY Powder Laundry Detergent

Brushing Blend



$22.97

(To read more about Ora Wellness' terrific brushing blend and very real testimonials, click here!) 
This is a product that has helped many people with these kind of conditions:  swollen gums, halitosis, bleeding gums, gingivitis, sensitive teeth, receding gums, periodontal disease, and even loose teeth!  Don't wait, read this important information regarding your oral health!  Click here to see the many tools that can help your mouth get healthier. 

Yogurt in a Hurry

A friend and I was talking yesterday about the health benefits of yogurt.  

Truly homemade yogurt is amazing in taste and health benefits.  There are several ways to make homemade yogurt which I am not going to get into today, other than a common method, and that is using a yogurt maker .  

Using this method is my favorite just because I can set my machine and basically "forget" about my yogurt until it is time to refrigerate...perfect for a hectic day.

The recipe I use for homemade yogurt is the standard recipe that comes with my machine, so anyone can do this too, recipes are included! 

The few points I want to make about 'yogurt in a hurry' is even though I buy store bought yogurt from time to time when we run out of milk (it happens!-the picture is proof of this) is that commercially made yogurt is VERY inferior in terms of probiotic benefits.  

It does contain live cultures (or is supposed to), but the amount it contains is usually not enough to make a huge impact on the health of your gut; that's why many people still have the need for extra probiotics through supplementation, even when consuming commercial yogurt. 

So, this leads me to the next point I want to make, which is, if you choose not to make your own yogurt, then there are a few things I would look for in a store bought yogurt.

1.)  Sugar content or added sweeteners (real or artificial)- (Avoid sweetened and go plain, sweeten with stevia.)
2.)  Date of expiration- always check for the freshest.
3.)  Fat content- always buy full fat versions.

Two brands I buy occasionally are Fage Total Classic and Cabot Greek 10% Milk (both available at our local Ingles store.)  Beware, they are NOT organic, they just taste great and are full fat, plain yogurts for 'yogurt in a hurry.' 

My daughter and I both love homemade the best and enjoy making it and feel good knowing we used the best ingredients we could to make it.  We do use raw milk for our yogurt.  Here is a very good article on the controversy of heating raw milk or not, if that is a question you have. (We do heat our raw milk since we enjoy the texture best that way.) 

Some of our favorite stevia flavors for yogurt are:  English Toffee, Chocolate, and Chocolate Raspberry .

A highly recommended source for your culture starter is here at Natren.

Your BEST Running Buddy...

Anyone that knows me, knows a passion of mine through out my life has been running.  I guess it was the stress relief I got from it, but back in school, I just fell in love with it.  I may not be the fastest runner on the block, but that is not important to me.  I just like the fresh air, the sights and sounds of nature, and the "runner's high." 

How I ever ran before without this little device, I don't know!  A couple years ago I purchased this Garmin Forerunner and fell in love.

Garmin has several Forerunner models, all of which do different things.  Some come with a heart rate monitor and some are waterproof.  

These Garmin GPS watches are not only for running though, they can benefit the avid cyclist, the cross-country skier, and the wind-surfer.  

A foot pod is available to transfer data if you are training indoors or on a bike.  Your complete workout can be downloaded to your computer and analyzed.  

This little guy keeps up with your pace, your location, your mileage, exercise time...so much!  It is fun to wear and and know just how far you have gone on a new trail or maybe just how fast you can actually run that dreaded hill.  

I ran into a great family the other day and we talked about what a great gift these make to that exercise nut in the family...I promised I would post some information on this.  So, I did!  :)

Need Bloodwork??

AnyLabTest Now! This is a first in direct access lab testing services.  Now, you can be proactive in your health!  

Affordable, local, no appointment necessary, no doctor's order needed, most test results in 24-48 hours.  

See some of the tests they offer:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Chemistry Panel
• Basic Check-Up Panel
• Hormone Tests (such as FSH & TSH etc.) or Saliva Test
• Heavy Metals Panel
• Heart Health Panel or Lipids Panel
• Thyroid Panel
• Allergy Tests
• Micronutrient Test
• Vitamin D Levels
• HemoglobinA1C or Glucose (Serum)
• PSA
• Testosterone Test
• Liver Function (Hepatic) Panel + MORE!!! 

If you are local, the closest location is 1140 Woodruff Rd, Greenville, SC.  Telephone number is (864) 329-0935.  Click here for their website information and other locations nearest you.

Weight-Loss and The Diet Cure

This is a post I have been meaning to write for some some time now and just never sat down to get it done.  I read Julia Ross' The Diet Cure book quite awhile ago and got a lot of help from it personally. 

I have struggled with "carb" addiction and some other weight-related issues for many years.  When I read this book and followed her recommendations for amino acids, things changed drastically for me.  

The change was so immediate (within a day) that I was amazed with how well these amino acids work.

I told a friend that if you suffer from any kind of addiction, I believe her plan would work!  After I started the recommended protocol unique to my survey, even coffee was not a "must-have" for me.  (I love my coffee-but didn't CRAVE it after starting the protocol!)

So, if you have any cravings or addictions that interfere with your New Year's Resolution, then you may want to buy or rent a copy of this fabulous book.  

Also, Julia Ross has a website here at DietCure.com, and even does consultations if needed.  Her site is full of valuable information, so please take a minute and check it out if this sounds like something you may benefit from.  I purchased my copy of her book a few years ago from Amazon used books for less than $5.00 with shipping!  It was one of the best $5.00 investments I have made! 

She mentions a neat "trick" in her book for an immediate carb or sugar craving...open up an L-Glutamine capsule and place the powder directly under your tongue...this will help to very quickly deter the impulse to cave into the craving.  

Don't wait!  There is a lot more GREAT information in her book!!

Sometimes it is just NOT a matter of willpower!!

(Kindle Version Here )

Tommie Copper Compression

Ever heard of Tommie Copper?  This is a company that has taken the benefits of compression wear products and integrated them with the element of copper.

Compression is often a form of support for an injury, stabilizing the injury site and providing some stability to the area.  A knee brace, ankle brace, wrist brace, ankle brace etc. all serve this purpose.

Copper is a necessary trace element needed by the human body to support a host of functions, such as:  the formation of red blood cells, the absorption and utilization of iron, the metabolism of cholesterol and glucose, and more.  Copper is known to stimulate the immune system to fight infections, promote healing, and repair injured tissues.

If the compression sleeve isn't comfortable, chances are you won't wear it long.  I know several people who use Tommie Copper Products and like them enough to wear them!

If you are nursing an old injury or even a new one, this may be just what the doctor ordered.                             

Old-Fashioned Popcorn!

This is definitely a "treat" in our house.  It is not low carb by any means, but if my kids are insistent on eating junk on a given day, this is our "quick fix."

Try this yummy recipe if you have the time to go all out in this treat:

Yield: 3 quarts
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 5 minutes

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil

• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 
½ cup ORGANIC-GMO FREE popping corn

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

1. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, add the oil, salt and popping corn. Turn the heat to medium, cover the pot with a lid left slightly ajar, and shake once or twice.
2. The corn kernels will begin to pop within a minute or two. Once the popping slows to an almost stop, remove the pot from the heat.
3. Transfer the popcorn to a large serving bowl and drizzle with melted butter, tossing well to combine. Add more butter or salt, if preferred.

Variations: can add 1t. crushed red pepper, 1/2 t. garlic powder, 1/2 t. paprika, 1/4 t. onion powder, and 1/4 t. thyme, few sprinkles of hot sauce to the melted butter, or try just a sprinkle of cayenne powder for a nice kick, even fresh grated parmesan cheese adds a great flavor too

The short version of our favorite way to pop it is this:

Air pop the popcorn into a large bowl and spray with coconut oil spray or MCT oil (using a mister) all the while sprinkling sea salt over the hot popcorn.

Enjoy!

This is what I use to spray oil on air popped popcorn or to grease a pan/dish.  I also use (for popcorn only not for high heat) MCT oil added to a Misto Oil Sprayer (air pump)...works great!