Posts Tagged ‘nutrition’

Best campfire food…and healthy too!

I’m a little late into camping season but I must confess I just discovered this.  I am a huge popcorn lover (organic kernels) fresh flaxseed oil and pink himalayan salt…the thought of it makes me salivate!  But what to do around the campfire? The ingredients in jiffy pop detract from the simplicity of this snack, filling it with unnecessary preservatives.  This mechanism uses oil of your choice and popcorn of your choice.  And you can even heat butter in it after the popcorn pops and “toss it” to coat the popped kernels.  It works great and my kids (and I) were pumped to enjoy this mechanism over the campfire.   It’s sold at Walmart for under $20.  Maybe a great stocking stuffer?

Be well,

Lynn

 

6 Foods that are more beneficial than drugs

Dr. Mercola recently published these 6 foods, their research and how they benefit chronic dis-eases. The attachment is here Foods for chronic issues

Foods for chronic issues_Page_1 Foods for chronic issues_Page_2 Foods for chronic issues_Page_3

 Be well,

Lynn

You do have control over your health by doing this “one thing”

Known in the evidenced based world as the most effective medicine to combat even serious depression, it reduces your stress response and improves hormonal imbalance, improves your memory and enhances your quality of life.  It’s simply, exercise. 

Most of you may be sighing, already knowing that exercise can be so great.  But you may also be thinking ‘I don’t have time’, ‘I don’t have the energy’ (you should see me :)), or ‘I just cant seem to get into a habit’.    Here’s a true fact: even a little bit of exercise: walking, yoga, small weights, biking, swimming consistently can provide you with these impacts.  

If you need a little more support on getting motivated here’s a great video on getting motivated.

Be well,

Lynn

Organic, healthy food and products at a fraction of the price. Is it possible?

In the last couple of weeks I’ve been receiving a blast of emails recommending that I check out Thrive Market.  It’s a new website that sells 4000 popular food, beauty,  baby and kids, home goods at discounted prices.  The catch is that there’s an annual fee of $59 (less than $5 per month). BUT you can buy products at a fraction of the cost, up to 50% off, and the products are shipped FREE to your home!  

Think “Costco meets Whole Foods”

Thrive Market’s mission is also philanthropic.  For every annual membership purchased one free membership is donated to a low-income family.  

So I gave it a look and was impressed.  We just recently ran out of fair trade, organic decaf coffee and found a product at Thrive at 12oz and only $8.45.  My kids love the “Kind” bars which Thrive offers a 12-pack at $15.99  (only $1.33 per bar!).  16 Larabars (I’m a sucker for the peanut butter chocolate chip) is only $18.99.  A 16 oz bag of coconut sugar is only $4.95.  Makeup, moisturizers and hair products appear affordable.  For one order of Kind bars I will recoup my $5 monthly fee.   Plus I’m a sucker for FREE SHIPPING.

Take a look at Thrive Market and let me know what you think.

Be well,

Lynn

 

Eating foods you need on a healthy budget?

I hear often from my clients how much more expensive it is to purchase whole foods, especially of the organic, free range, grass-fed kind.  I too have experienced that “safe”, more nutrient dense foods can be more costly.  But I also have found that there are shortcuts to saving money while eating really really well.  Some of my practices include purchasing some bulk foods from a wholesaler (frozen grass-fed meats) and frozen organic fruits and berries.  But what are other ideas?

I’ve praised the environmental working group (ewg.org) in other blog entries for their services that they offer including toxins evaluation of over 60,000 products.  But they’ve done it again with a tremendous FREE resource of how to eat healthy on a budget.   In this link you’ll find:

  • suggested vegetables that are less costly and most nutrient dense
  • suggested meats and fish that are safe to eat and affordable
  • meal ideas and recipes
  • and even how to budget specifically.  Like this really great tool below:

For every $25 you can spend on food, experts suggest:

• $6 for vegetables• $5 for fruits • $4 for grains • $4-5 for proteins • $4 for dairy • $1-2 for oils and other foods (check it out on page 28)

This is a “must read” for any household that wants to eat healthy but needs resources and direction.

Be well,

Lynn

Digestion has to do with allergies?

Food allergies (or sensitivities) occur because of three factors: nutritional, immune and inflammatory. Eating foods serves multiple purposes: to provide both macro and micronutrients for the functions of systems; support optimal function of the brain; provide fuel for the performance of the body and so on.  The processes that are involved to meet these purposes involves digestion and detoxification.   When exploring the three factors that contribute to allergies, digestion must be supported.

The digestive process begins in the mouth when food is chewed and mixed with saliva.  It’s then swallowed and travels into the stomach where acid then helps to break down the food particles.  These particles travels through the intestinal tract where digestive enzymes are activated and further breakdown the food particles.   At any one of these stages, there may be breakdowns that don’t allow the entire breakdown and absorption of nutrients.  Low stomach acid and low digestive enzymes can result in larger food particles.

When food is not completely broken down it creates partial proteins and other molecules that the immune system identifies as foreign invaders.  The immune system follows by attacking these proteins and molecules.  The end result is an allergic response.  An allergic response creates a chronic inflammatory response.  In general, inefficiencies within the digestive system can result in an allergic and inflammatory response and nutritional deficiencies.

Why the depletion of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, especially in children?  Medications, heavy metals, dysbiosis in the GI tract (can result from C-Section deliveries), refined foods, sugars, food allergies (not detected early), to name a few.

What to do?

Support the digestive system first, before adding other supplements.  Probiotics, essential fatty acids (low levels are correlated with allergies), stomach acid (if H.Pyroluria has been ruled out), digestive enzymes and a clean sugar free diet is necessary to improve the health of digestive system, reduce inflammation and reduce, if not stop, the allergic response.

Be well,

Lynn

Top neurologist discusses gut/brain connection and the cause of major neurological diseases.

It’s a must watch.

 

 

https://youtu.be/YFmlATSAkQw?t=912

 

 

Be well,

Lynn

When nutrition isn’t enough

There are numerous schools of thought when it comes to health.  The allopathic medical profession, integrative physicians, naturopaths, nutritionists, vegans, paleo followers, and so on may vary on approaches to wellness but ultimately agree that a shift in nutrition can and do improve symptoms.   Eating a clean, organic, grass fed, low to no sugar diet can reduce the internal stress on the body.  But is that enough?

Often times, a “new” diet may not be everything that the body needs. It can in fact create a biochemical shift with reactions in the body, but it may not be enough.  Infections, nutritional deficiencies, malabsorption, heavy metals, toxicity and compromised metabolic pathways are obstacles that may prevent the body from responding positively to a shift in diet. 

Some of you more aversed health readers may question this thought process.  What about the high fat ketogenic diet? Or the “juicing” Gerson Therapy?  Both of these therapies have created immense results.     First, these specific therapeutic diets do involve mineral/vitamin supplementations and are not strictly a food diet.  Second, a highly specific fat diet can benefit many of the biochemical pathways but may not support any obstacles in detoxification.  My son was on the classical ketogenic diet: EVERY food item was weighed on a gram scale and recipes were calculated through an online calculator. Yet his seizures persisted and increased. Once we addressed his detoxification pathways with highly targeted supports, his seizures resolved.  I’ve also had clients that have been on very clean diets but heavy metals prevented the healing process, autoimmune symptoms resolved when infections were identified,  mental health issues responding positively with amino acids identified to support pathways.  In all of these chronic illnesses, nutrition wasn’t enough. 

As a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner my position is to identify the tools that the body needs to heal.   I do this by simply looking at two aspects:

  1. what’s irritating the body
  2. what resources the body needs

Nutrition is only one of many modalities.  Highly targeted supplementation, accupuncture, chiropractic, mental health, neurofield work, N.A.E.T., biofeedback, homeopathy and much more are other means to support the healing the process.  Specific diagnostic tests can help in identifying what is interfering in the body’s ability to heal and what supports are needed.

Nutrition is often the main ingredient to wellness, but there are many circumstances when it’s not enough. 

Are you chasing symptoms?

Symptoms-ExperiencedYou’ve visited your doctor with complaints: fatigue, weight gain, loss of libido, sleep problems, digestive issues, hormonal, depressed, fogginess, cold, body aches, irritable… you get the idea.  The physician will assess these areas of complaints by addressing the symptoms:  sleep problems- a sleep pill; depression- an anti-depressant; hormonal issues- a birth control pill; an anti-inflammatory for the aches and so on.  This means may target the symptoms and may even offer relief care; all of which you need.  But is it?

Symptoms are an expression of the body telling you that something isn’t working right. And when we don’t pay attention to the first symptoms, others follow.  Attempting to quell symptoms is like trying to put a band-aid over a nail in your foot.  The nail remains and so do the symptoms.  All the bandaid offers is a ‘cover up’.    Allow me to explain further.

The body has a built in de-stressing system.  When it’s tapped on a chronic level, fatigue sets in, the thyroid is instructed to work harder, sleep becomes less of a priority and therefore the body can’t repair, sleep affects appetite and weight gain, the digestive system becomes cranky and smelly, and chats constantly with the brain (foggy thinking?), the enteric nervous system that regulates mood resides in the digestive system so irratibility sets in and the sex hormones get stolen to support the de-stressing system so there are none left to enjoy lovemaking.  No wonder you feel like crap and all the symptom-chasing pills will not support your needs.

Are you chasing symptoms? Get to the root cause.  I can help.

Are you ready for a total transformation program?

Are you ready for a nutritional system that is designed specifically for you? 

Are you tired of:

  • Trying to find the right diet that works?
  • Symptoms (digestive, migraines, sleep issues, poor energy, hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, or other?)
  • Weighing yourself
  • Struggling with fluctuating weight?

I can create a YOUnique program for YOU that:

  • Identifies tools for support to help the body heal and recover
  • Fits your lifestyle and time constraints
  • Keeps you feeling energized
  • Gives you foods to eat for life.

 WARNING:  This is not a one size fits all approach!

I offer TWO programs

#1.  The 30 Day Total Transformation Package Helps you determine your YOUnique Diet and Includes:

  • A 50 foods sensitivity lab test done in the privacy of your own home. Results will be interpreted and a unique diet approach will be created for you.  
  • A nutrition assessment: digestion is a major contributor of inflammation and stress on the body. An individualized nutrition plan will be recommended in a 30 minute consultation. 
  • Recipe Guide: packed with over 60 scrumptious recipes that will reduce inflammation, support your hormones, aid in digestion, decrease inflammation, and keep you feeling satisfied.
  • Facebook support group: for a full 30 days. This offers ongoing support in a group setting
  • Available by email or phone: on an as needed basis for 30 days. 15 minute sessions.
  • A Shopping List: to make trips to the supermarket super simple, which makes prepping, preparing, and cooking for your transformation a breeze
  • Food Diary: this amazing tool will help you keep track of how you’re feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally throughout the program
  • 30 minute follow up consultation.

Book an Appointment

I started working with Lynn in the summer of 2014 for fatigue and Hashimoto’s syndrome. She help me to improve my overall health and with working with my md I have a healthier stomach and intestinal track. Lowered my thyroid RX 3 times and has me on the correct vitamins and supplements and diet for my condition. I feel great for the first time in years. She is so knowledgable, caring and supportive an amazing woman. I would and have recommended her to friends and family.

Read other testimonials here

#2. The 90 Day Total Transformation Package Includes:

This step-by-step approach to Transforming YOU in 90 Days is designed to help you finally figure out the nutritional tools you need to support all of your symptoms and problems. (If you have a symptom or multiples…this is the program for you!)

Are you ready to?

What’s included in this 90 Day Transformation Program?
● An initial 30 minute consultation: a comprehensive discussion to assess the performance of all of your H.I.D.D.E.N stressors (hormones, immune, digestive, detoxification, environment and neurotransmitters).
● A functional cortisol/sex/sleep hormones lab test: this will share with us the performance of your stress hormone, sleep hormone and how your sex hormones are performing. 
● A 60 minute lab test results discussion and recommendations
● A nutrition assessment: digestion is a major contributor of inflammation and stress on the body. Digestion, Detoxification and the Immune system will be addressed.   An individualized nutrition plan will be recommended. 
● Recipe Guide: packed with over 60 scrumptious recipes that will reduce inflammation, support your hormones, aid in digestion, decrease inflammation, and keep you feeling satisfied.
● Facebook support group: for the full 90 days. This offers ongoing support in a group setting
● Available by email or phone: on an as needed basis. 15 minute sessions.
● A Shopping List: to make trips to the supermarket super simple, which makes prepping, preparing, and cooking for your transformation a breeze
● Food Diary: this amazing tool will help you keep track of how you’re feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally throughout the program

 Are you ready for a total transformation? If so I’m here to help.

Book an Appointment

Be well,

Lynn