Omega 3's - Fast Depression Relief

A new study from University of Pittsburgh finds that LCPUFAs may significantly alter depression and depressive symptomology in young adults in a relatively short amount of time of 21 days.
 After 21-days of supplementation, there was a significant difference in depression status between those taking Omega 3's and the placebo group.

Dr. Kelly Brogan in her new book "A Mind of Your Own" states that the Omega 6 fats we're utilizing are found vegetable oils, unless organic and not genetically modified, are so "distorted" that our body needs even more Omega 3's to compensate for the cellular processes that have been disturbed.

Cold Water Fish, flax oil, macadamia nut oil, grass fed meat, grass fed eggs, organic nuts and seeds are critical to brain and immune function.

Safe travels on your wellness journey.

Grain Free Bread - Bye Bye Inflammation

Having adopted a Grain Free Diet to reduce inflammation (as all functional medicine doctors advocate), bread was an indulgence I surely missed. But what I didn't miss was how my body felt days after I decided to cheat. My whole body ached and my stomach felt like a big rock had taken residence.Not worth the pain of grain. Then I stumbled upon Paleo Bread made by Julian Bakery in the frozen section of Whole Foods (also in Natural Grocers from their website) made with almond and coconut flour. But how good can it taste, you ask? Outstanding!

More Pure Water = More Energy

We are mostly water that circulates during the day. But if we aren't drinking enough pure water, we aren't giving ourselves the energy we need to get through our busy lives. Science has proven that if the average person drops as little as 5% in body fluids, he or she will suffer a 25 to 30 percent loss of energy.  The liver requires water to metabolize fat into usable energy. So drinking pure water (not tea or liquids) will help metabolize and shed stored fat, resulting in more energy.

Infrared Sauna Speeds Injury Healing

If you've had injuries in sports, many athletes are finding far infrared is invaluable in reducing lactic, #inflammation and recovery. Heating the muscles with infrared rays produces an increase in blood flow similar to that seen during exercise.

Grain Free Pasta - Inflammation BeGone

Having adopted a Grain Free Diet to reduce inflammation (as all functional medicine doctors advocate), pasta was an indulgence I surely missed. But what I didn't miss was how my body felts days after if I decided to cheat. My whole body ached and my stomach felt like a big rock had taken residence.Not worth the pain of grain. Then I stumbled upon Cappello's Fettuccine in the frozen section of Whole Foods (also in Natural Grocers from their website) made with almond flour. But how good can it taste, you ask? Outstanding! And only 3 minutes added to rolling boil water. Keep it in your freezer for quick dinner with veggies and/or your protein selection.Lasagna and Gnocchi as well as pizza's are made by Cappello's.

Tumeric works better than ibuprofen by studies

UPDATE: A new study funded by UK Medical Research Council and British Heart Foundation concludes that "a greater effect in patients receiving turmeric than ibuprofen. They suggest 2000mg has better outcome than 800 mg of ibuprofen.

Organic Aloe Vera Makeup - Reduce Toxic Load

Our skin is considered the largest organ in our body. In many cases, the first place that gives us an indication something is wrong with our health is our skin.Add to the toxic ingredients that are in our foundation, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara and you've got an on-going chemical soup we apply daily.Trying to reduce my toxic load, I've tried many that had non-toxic ingredients but was frustrated with how cake-y (that's an industry term) each were, going into every crevice, fine line or wrinkle. I was convinced that I just hadn't found the right one and I had to keep looking. The answer was in nearby Austin, Texas from a famous doctor who not only reversed her Epstein Barr but all sorts of other autoimmune conditions of her patients.

Discovering Autoimmune Doctor Amy Myers in a Functional Medicine seminar, I was curious to what type of makeup she used. In an interview, when someone asked about toxic personal beauty products, she mentioned her daily regime was located on her blog. Sure enough, she used a Foundation stick with a base of Organic Aloe Vera. Wow! Now, I was excited. If you've ever put an aloe vera leaf on a scar, cut or bun and seen it miraculous heal and disappear, your pulse has to race a little on the possibilities or not only non-toxic but actually healing.

Hemp Milk beats Almond Milk in Protein and Omega 3's

Hemp anything seems to remind many of tie-dyed shirts and Rasta haircuts, but it is also another source of Omega 3s with higher protein than other nut milks. It includes essential amino acids, electrolytes (rehydrate), calcium and iron.

While up until recently, only shelf ready containers next to the almond milks were available, now there are some raw versions that increase not only better absorption by the body, but also digestible protein as well. Add it to your protein shakes, cereals or like me, if you're watching your carbs (i.e. sugar) totally by itself. It definitely tastes better if it's chilled, so I keep in the refrigerator, once I've opened the carton.

Pumpkin Seeds - Powerfud Phytonutrient Protein

Pumpkin seeds are recommended from the World Health Organization for the mineral zinc, antioxidant and phytonutrients. Recent studies show that these seeds are a good source of vitamin E in different forms. like gamma-tocomonoeol, alpha-tocomonoeol, delta-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol and alpha-tocopherol.
To absorb fully, sprouted are optimal.

Tumeric - Inflammation's Worst Nightmare

As you've read, I'm a strong advocate of Turmeric to reduce inflammation (which is a component of every disease and physical injury) as well as Hemp milk with all it's Omega 3's glory and plant based protein.

But now I've found a product that has both Turmeric and Hemp in raw HPP (see 4/29 blog entry), liquid form and highly absorbable. It's Temple Tumeric's Macha Hemp flavor

Tart Cherry - Go with the Pro Athletes Recovery Drink

With so many of us active for longer in life than any other generation previously, it becomes critical to guard from potential injuries. But as more injuries occur at an earlier age, this can be a challenge.

Being proactive for injury and inflammation are critical to professional athletes and their trainers. It affects their ability to play longer (i.e. ability to earn money). Having watched professional trainers for the Dallas Cowboys, Stars and Mavericks at many juice bars in town, Gatorade has lost out to tart cherry juice for increasing performance during workouts and games by athletes and their trainers.

New Study - Omega 3's Improve Athletic Performance

A new study from University of Toronto concluded after 21 days of Omega 3 (N-3) acids, exercise performance in male athletes was improved. 

While it's known that N-3 fatty acids are necessary for optimum health, no study had investigated whether it improved athletic performance previous to this study. The combination that was administered to male athletes were 5 ml seal oil, 375 mg EPA, 230 mg DPA, 510 mg DHA. .

This confirms what many of us knew was great for one thing but turns out to be great for another whether performance, longevity or all health.

Create your own 21 day study and see what you notice has improved..

Good travels on your wellness journey...

Protein Boost - Sprouted nuts

Looking for more sources of protein? Raw, soaked nuts are a great snack anytime but especially before and after physical activity. Also great for a heavy "brain" activity like tests or creating new ideas.Nuts have "protein inhibitors" that do what the words suggest, keep your body from absorbing the protein. If you've ever eaten nuts or seeds and couldn't tell the difference in your energy, you discovered this phenomenon. But as I discovered, when they're soaked and dried, you'll get that "protein boost" that you can feel. They also taste better as well.

Far Infrared Sauna - Reduced Injury Pain

If you're like me, the heat of the summer is a real zapper of energy but a different type of low heat sauna can reverse and rebuild your energy from inside out. If you've had injuries in sports, many athletes are finding far infrared is invaluable in reducing lactic acid and inflammation.

HPP Juicing - What's the Big Deal?

There's a great deal said about the nature of juicing.  It's effective... it's not. It's good for you.... it's not.  Opinions are biased, sliced and diluted to suit whoever is publishing and what master they serve.  Find out for yourself about HPP (or high pressure pascalization). Especially when your body is under attack, anything bigger than liquid could be seen as foreign invader and ejected out the other end.

Update - Tumeric vs. ibuprofen

UPDATE: A new study funded by UK Medical Research Council and British Heart Foundation concludes that "a greater effect in patients receiving turmeric than ibuprofen.

Ginger Root - Soak the Pain Away

It's funny how I get a "crumb" on the journey of wellness. A vendor for a tea I knew well, saw me limping and mentioned ginger root soak for my feet.And boy, did it do the trick. While my husband and I have perfected it's effectiveness, it amazes me how it cuts even stabbing feet pain. Even other pain .

Update: Coconut Oil - Neurodegenerative conditions treatment

Update: A new study soon to be published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease titled, "Coconut Oil Attenuates the Effects of Amyloid-β on Cortical Neurons In Vitro."[i]  The study lends fresh experimental support to an accumulating body of anecdotal reports that coconut oil may alleviate and/or regress cognitive deficits associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's" .

Summer brings sweating and dehydration as a daily challenge especially for those of us that live in hot climates. Replenishing not only fluid lost but the electrolytes as well is critical to ensure no heat stroke, leg cramps, etc.Raw coconut water is said to be the closest to human plasma so people as me what is it good for, I respond, what do they give you plasma for in the hospital when they start your IV?

Too Many Changes - Body May Rebel

While always excited to try something new to assist my body running more efficiently and feel more energetic, I want to do too much at a time. The problem is, when I feel better, I don't know which thing it was that did it. Conversely, because I've combined more than one, I don't know what DIDN'T WORK as well.

So I find making a "Project Wellness List" of things I want to try., then taking one at a time for 7-10 days into my current routine. If I go 10 days, I have 3 more days to really pay attention to HOW I feel specifically (i.e more alert, more energy, sleep deeper, etc.).

Vitamin D - Let the Sunshine In

For many years I was told to stay out of the sun, wear long sleeves and a hat or you would get skin cancer. Having watched my fair skinned grandmother having her melanomas removed one by one, made a powerful impact on me.

When you're a young, new machine, skin is new and fresh but more sun exposure creates oxidation. Add many years and skin literally looks liked a tanned animal hide.But now it seems, NO sunlight on skins has its dangers too.

Hemp - Moo Cow Juice, watch out!

Hemp anything seems to remind many of tie-dyed shirts and Rasta haircuts, but it is also another source of Omega 3s with higher protein than other nut milks. It includes essential amino acids, electrolytes (rehydrate), calcium and iron.

While up until recently, only shelf ready containers next to the almond milks were available, now there are some raw versions that increase not only better absorption by the body, but also digestible protein as well. Add it to your protein shakes, cereals or like me, if you're watching your carbs (i.e. sugar) totally by itself. It definitely tastes better if it's chilled, so I keep in the refrigerator, once I've opened the carton.

HPP - Technology's Fountain of Health & Vitality

There's a great deal said about the nature of juicing.  It's effective, it's not. It's good for you, it's not.  Opinions are based, sliced and diluted to suit whoever is publishing and what master they serve.  Find out for yourself about HPP (or high pressure pascalization). Especially when your body is under attack, anything bigger than liquid could be seen as foreign invader and ejected out the other end. 

Tart Cherry - Get a good night's sleep

Tart cherry helps you stay sleep better at night because they contain melatonin, a natural hormone that regulates our sleep cycle As the website Choosecherries.com goes further explaining "the tart taste is an indication of the amount of anthocyanins inside. These flavonoid compounds are behind the sourness, intense red color and potential health-promoting properties, like reducing muscle soreness after exercise, easing arthritis pain and enhancing heart health as well as more productive sleep".

Hibiscus Tea - Hot Flashes' Best Friend

With summer heat on it's way, my favorite way to stay a cool 72 (OK, that's what it feels to me) is drinking hibiscus tea. I always have a pitcher in the frig, all year round.So I initially planned a 10 day period, but noticed immediately when I was standing in over 100 degree heat (after drinking an 8 ounce glass)  I wasn't sweating, feeling a cool 72 degrees. It blew my mind! I also would get dry "hot flashes" about 3am and during my experiment, I noticed they went away as well. Many times when I start a trial period of a product, I will discover other issues are resolved that I had not planned. This was the case in this experiment with hibiscus tea.

Sprouted Nuts & Seeds - Protein you can absorb

Looking for more sources of protein? Raw, soaked nuts are a great snack anytime but especially before and after physical activity. Also great for a heavy "brain" activity like tests or creating new ideas.Nuts have "protein inhibitors" that do what the words suggest, keep your body from absorbing the protein. If you've ever eaten nuts or seeds and couldn't tell the difference in your energy, you discovered this phenomenon. But as I discovered, when they're soaked and dried, you'll get that "protein boost" that you can feel. They also taste better as well.

Updated Kombucha - Let the fizziness begin

I discovered a new combination of Kombucha for another source of not only probiotics but Omega 3's as well. Synergy Organic and Raw Kombucha has a few combinations without so much sugar grams as say Mama Chia. My favorite is Raspberry Chia. It's tart but not overly with only 4g sugar grams but 4200 mg of Omega 3's.While many have heard the term "kombucha", most have tasted only one brand.The second wave of kombucha companies (many local in every city) have little in common but some amount of probiotics (albeit less than popular yogurt).

Double Punch - Tumeric & Hemp

As you've read, I'm a strong advocate of Turmeric to reduce inflammation (which is a component of every disease) as well as Hemp milk with all it's Omega 3's glory and plant based protein.

But now I've found a product that has both Tumeric and Hemp in raw, liquid form and highly absorbable. It's Temple Tumeric's Macha Hemp flavor.

Infrared Coffee Update - No Acid Stomach

Update: Google Illy or Lavazza (two Italian Infrared Roasted coffees), then your city and it will show you where to get a hot, brewed infrared roasted espresso or cappuccino. Terrific if you're on the go and no time to brew infrared roasted coffee at home. There seems to be someplace close to ensure smooth, non-acidic coffee. Had one this afternoon on cold winter day.
 
If you're like me, as time goes on, coffee, even from local coffee shops gave me 3 day heartburn even with cream. So I gave it up thinking it was just too acidic.Coffee was such a comforting taste and smell but the smell was going to have to be enough. The pain wasn't worth it.

Turmeric - Be Gone Inflamation

After overcoming major illness early in life, as well as only a few years ago, and re-booting my immune system, foot pain is confusing.  I thought my immune system, including the "structural framework",  was bulletproof. Ahhh, not yet. After a lifetime of unintentional immune system damage, a few short years are baby steps on a longer journey of wellness to repair damage.

Everybody seems to have a opinion (and ready to share loudly) when they see you limping. Some work, some don't. However, pain seems to strongly motivate you to continue to "fine tune" and discover what works for you.

My most recent "success" is Turmeric. While many have seen on the spice aisle, it's the active ingredient in mustard and many Middle Eastern dishes.

I chewed on the actual Turmeric root from the produce section (next to ginger). Tastes like a funky carrot and I didn't notice any difference. However, when I opened capsules in water or HPP Turmeric Alive, I have been given the best outcome. Pain is radically reduced even during wet weather and barometer changes. I find taking it with a cracker or toast (like you would with most medications) seems to work better.

I'm continuing doses daily and inflammation is continuing to reduce.

Prologue: I definitely have more pronounced pain if I don't drink minimum one before workout, then one with dinner. A definite winner reducing inflammation.

Sugar Overgrown - Clean out the filters

After my diagnosis, I started reading German medical manuals & websites since they are well known for their proactive stance on health.I read article after article and started a "wellness list" from what I gleaned on these manuals/sites.

Getting control of sugar overgrowth seemed to be the most important. Their comment was, if you don't get control of sugar overgrowth and maintain friendly bacteria, it's not a matter of IF you'll get sick, it's a matter of WHEN and WHAT disease. Sugar overgrowth and it's inflammation are a component in every major disease.

Since I discovered I was immune suppressed by way of taking a low dosage of penicillin from age 7 to 18 and birth control pills from age 17 to 30, I had no friendly bacteria just sugar in control. So I decided I needed to not only "create the friendlies" but simultaneously push out the sugar overgrowth from my filters (i.e. liver and kidneys).

I tried Dandelion, Milk Thistle and they helped but only slightly. I read an account of American Indians using Yellow Dock as a liver tonic". I tried in capsule and had no effect. I put capsules in hot tea and I felt better almost immediately. I noticed I had clearer thinking, Itching all over my body stopped, candida dissipated, roseacea on my face cleared and my energy increased. It was the first indication that I was going the right direction.

I then started adding probiotics at night to arm the "friendlies" while my body was at rest and totally focused on healing. Within a week, I added to my morning protein drink and continue to this day.

Good luck on your wellness journey...