Could Wheat Be Eating Away At Your Health?

A growing number of doctors believe that "modern wheat" -- all of it -- could be drastically affecting our health and actually making us sick! 

About a year ago my oldest daughter borrowed me the book Wheat Belly.  I thought it was a fantastic read!  The below article mentions the book.  It is written by Cardiologist William Davis, MD.  In it he mentions Dr. Fasano, a world-renowned pediatric gastroenterologist and research scientist.  He discovered that most, if not all, people develop increased intestinal permeability when exposed to the gliadin protein of wheat and that "this is the first step towards experiencing autoimmune diseases..." 

The one point that I remember most from the book Wheat Belly was that wheat contributes to inflammation and most illnesses stem from some type of inflammatory process!  Wow, that really made sense to me!  Since reading the book my family has drastically cut down on wheat.  In fact, come to find out, my youngest daughter is gluten intolerant and has significantly benefited from eliminating gluten/wheat from her diet completely. 

Click on the below article to read more!
http://healthyliving.msn.com/nutrition/is-this-healthy-plant-wrecking-your-health#scpshrjmd

To read about Dr.Fasano, see below:
http://medschool.umaryland.edu/FACULTYRESEARCHPROFILE/viewprofile.aspx?id=1891

The Healing Power of HERBS!

DREAM TRIP! You too can improve your health & wealth with Shaklee!

Thanking God & Shaklee for the most amazing trip to the Atlantis Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas!

Just got back from an "all-expenses paid" trip for 5 nights and had a blast!  My mom, sister, Pam and I were able to go together which made it all the more special. It was an incentive trip that was earned and we were able to meet so many nice people in Shaklee that share the same passion we do ~ helping others improve their health & wealth!   

If you’d like to make a change in your health and vitality, make a change in how you earn an income, and/or help make a positive change in the world, please let me know. 

The view from our room!

My Mom with the Limbo Guy!

Pam & I with the Limbo Guy!

My Mom getting a little Rest & Relaxation!

Pam, Mom & I at the Hotel

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS ~ HELPFUL OR HARMFUL?

Have you heard about the recent University of Minnesota Study on long term nutritional supplement use?  Based on the findings, researchers concluded that vitamins offer little benefit and may even cause harm.  Don't be fooled, however!

HOW CAN A NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT HELP YOU WHEN IT CONTAINS

HARMFUL INGREDIENTS?

 

 

As with any nutritional study, the BIG question should be "what nutritional supplements were the subjects taking?"  When I saw the results of this study, I was not at all surprised! This is because there are numerous nutritional products on the market and many have been found to contain very harmful contaminants! This is a very profitable industry and many companies are more concerned about profits than quality!  Below are two good examples of this:

FDA Lead Study (2008) - http://tinyurl.com/2f4ae76

FDA found Lead in 320 out of 324 brands of multivitamins. This link allows you to see what brands were tested & the amount of Lead in each.

Omega-3 Lawsuit (2010) - http://tinyurl.com/36qulaq
Fish Oil supplements found to contain PCB's (toxic industrial chemicals) in them.  Some of these companies include Omega Protein (the largest producer of Omega 3 fish oil in the world), Pharmavite LLC which manufactures the NatureMade brand, GNC, Solgar, TwinLab Corp, etc.


In comparison to the U of M study mentioned above which was "observational" only, the Landmark Nutritional Supplement Study actually drew blood samples from people to gather it's data.  This study was done at U.C. Berkeley and the results were so impressive that they were published in Nutritional Journal 2007.  This study compared 3 groups of people: 

1)  Those taking high quality nutritional supplements for more than 20 years (which were actually SHAKLEE users exclusively)
2)  Those taking another multivitamin
3)  Those taking no vitamins at all.

The Results:  people who took Shaklee supplements had "Markedly" better health than the other two groups.  They had 33% Lower Triglyceride Levels, 60% Lower Levels of C-Reactive Protein, 36% Lower Levels of Homocysteine and more!  To learn more about this study, go to www.LandmarkStudy.com. 

WHY ARE THE BEES DISAPPEARING?

The other night my husband and I were searching for a Netflix movie and came across the documentary "Vanishing of The Bees."  This was definitely an eye opener and worth watching!

Did you know that honeybee pollination plays a significant role in our fruit & vegetable supply?

Evidently, in 2006 U.S. beekeepers started reporting very large losses (between 30 to 90%) of their hives.   Scientists are now calling this devastating phenomenon Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).  This is significant because many plants and agricultural crops depend on pollination by bees. 

Although the cause has not been fully determined, both beekeepers and researchers strongly believe that certain environmental toxins and pesticides are contributing to this problem.  Interestingly, there is strong evidence that has been linked to CCD and two insecticides made by Bayer.  These are Clothianidin (Poncho) and Imidacloprid (Gaucho).  Although France, Italy, Germany and other European countries have already banned the use of these chemicals, they are still allowed to be used in the United States.

To see a quick YouTube video about this issue, click on:  http://www.vanishingbees.com/.  This site also shares how you too can help to Take Action!

Fall is a Great Time to Eat Apples!

Some of the health benefits include:

Heart Protection
Pectin, a soluble fiber found in apples, has been shown to help lower LDL levels (bad cholesterol).  This decreases the risk of having a heart attack and stroke.  One study also showed that apples may help to lower blood pressure.

Bone Protection
Protection and strengthening of bones especially among women is extremely important for health and longevity. Apples contain some phloridzin that increase bone density and boron that strengthens bones.

Asthma Help
A number of studies have been done to confirm the benefits of apples and apple phytochemicals in improving asthma, lung function and overall lung health. One study involving 1600 adults in Australia, showed that apple and pear intake was associated with a decreased risk of asthma and a decrease in bronchial hypersensitivity. http://applepolyphenols.com/studies/asthma.htm#Nutr J. 2004

Alzheimer’s Prevention
An ingredient in apples called quercetin may be instrumental in protecting the brain from free radical damage that ultimately leads to Alzheimers.  Dr. Thomas Shea and colleagues from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell report that patients receiving 4 ounces of  apple juice a day for 1 month showed significant changes in improved mood and behavior.  This research was published in the June issue of the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias.


Cancer Prevention
Research studies have shown that consuming apples regularly may also prevent a number of cancers like lung, breast, colon and liver cancer.   German researchers found that components of apples and apple juice "react in the colon and help to slow the growth of precancerous and tumor cells."   The study is published in the scientific journal, Nutrition (April 2008).

Diabetes Management
Scientists have found that the Pectin component in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body that lowers the body's need for insulin thus helping keep diabetes in check.

Weight Loss
Apples are a great source of dietary fiber.  Dietary fiber helps aid digestion and promotes weight loss. A medium apple contains about five grams of fiber (more than a serving of most cereals).  Also, apples contain almost zero fat and cholesterol!  A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting.  In addition, a 2008 study by Dr. Victor Fulgoni, PhD, found that adults who eat apples and apple products have smaller waistlines, indicating less abdominal fat.

Healthy Raw Salad

About 2 years ago my good friend,Theresa, introduced me to the Raw Food Diet.  I was so inspired by her because both she and her husband went on this diet for a full year and not only lost weight, but looked SO HEALTHY!  Her husband also had a serious eye condition that was completely healed (the doctor told him he would probably go blind ~ yikes)!   I have to admit that when she first told me she was eating only raw foods (nothing cooked!), I thought she was really going to the extreme.  After trying some of her recipes, however, she quickly convinced me that this is a very healthy way of eating.  One of my favorite recipes is the Raw Salad.  It's easy, versatile and a great way to get some veggies into your day! 

RAW SALAD

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Red bell pepper

Carrots (cut into small pieces before putting in grinder so they are easier to chop)

Celery

Cabbage (I use purple)

Apples

Onion (small amount)

Raisins (don't need to chop)

( Add any other vegetable you like.  

Other suggestions: Cut up parsley, dill or other herbs are really good.  Can also top with sprouts. 

 

 

Put above in a hand held grinder (or food processor) until very small (like a coleslaw).  Cut the harder to chop vegetables, like the carrots & cabbage, into smaller pieces and combine them with the softer veggies in the grinder.  After grinding, put in large bowl.  Next add dressing below and stir. 

 

 

Dressing: Honey or Agave, Olive Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar (add amounts to your liking).