In a previous Health Nugget we had talked about purchasing juice “not from concentrate” in an attempt to ingest the juice in its least processed form as possible. I have recently come across more research that further debunks even this “healthy” juice option.

Have you ever wondered how this healthier, expensive juice tastes the same all year round, even when oranges are not in season? It’s a question I have had in the back of my mind, however never had a proper answer for it. Well, unfortunately, here it is…the secret ingredient referred to as “flavor packs”.  These “flavor packs” are not required by law to be listed as an ingredient on the label because technically they are derived from fruit essence and oil. This is very disheartening however because they in no way resemble anything found in nature.

http://www.naturalnews.com/034703_orange_juice_flavor_packs_ingredients.html

Menstrual cups … better for your health, for the environment, for your bank account!

Reusable menstrual cups were originally developed in the 1930’s, the first ones being made from latex. Over the years companies have strayed away from using the rubber/latex material (as it is an allergy for some) and most are now using high quality, soft, medical grade silicone. They are, in my opinion, one of the greatest inventions … ever! LOL

So why do I love them so much?

Menstrual cups have so many benefits:

• Health: First off, and most importantly, they are much safer for you and will help to limit your exposure to toxins (dioxin) and xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are environmental chemicals which mimic the hormonal estrogen in our bodies disrupting the reproductive health of both men and women. (If you are unfamiliar with xenoestrogens please check out our “Xeno…What?!?” article)

• Convenience: No more carrying around a supply of pads/tampons with you in your purse, gym bag, book bag, brief case, etc! The diva cup can be worn for 12 straight hours – you literally only have to think about it twice a day. How amazing is that? Let me tell you, until you’ve tried it you have no idea how addicting this “freedom” is! Plus most menstrual cups come with a cute drawstring pouch.

• Save you $: Ever thought about how much you spend on pad/tampons in your lifetime? Well let’s do some simple math shall we? Let’s say the average woman menstruates for 40 years (12 – 52). One cycle a month is about 480 cycles per lifetime. Average number of tampons/pads used would be 18 per cycle which costs approx $4.50. Multiply that by 480 cycles and it comes out to a whopping $2160!!! (Of course these are all averages and I didn’t adjust for pregnancy, breastfeeding, blah blah blah… you get the picture). The average cost of a menstrual cup is $30-$50 depending on the brand and will last you approximately 6 years!!!

• Lower Carbon Footprint: Think about how many pads and tampons end up in our landfills every day!

I know what you might be thinking…probably the same thing I did the first time I was introduced to them. Trust me, although it may seem a little awkward the first couple of times you use it, I fully believe you will come to love it and never look back!! Please, as always, never hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

I stumbled across this chick’s blog a while ago and was really impressed with what she does. I also LOVE her blog name: Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans!

She is a 20-something Canadian who struggled with dieting her whole young life and eventually got to the point where she realized she was going about it all wrong. Instead of trying to kill herself with diets (which we all know don’t work!) she decided to adopt a whole new healthy living lifestyle. She blogs about balanced nutrition, clean eating and living an active lifestyle; she’s funny, down to earth and I find myself able to relate to her on many levels. She believes in getting back to the basics: eat well and in moderation, sweat your butt off and get lots of rest!

I wanted to share one of her recent blogs with you all as she outlines the top 10 things she has done to improve her overall happiness, health and well being. Take a look!

Research at Its Finest…

Excuse my language but this is un-freaking-believable. The CDC / vaccine industry has gone too far. Researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are now recommending that mothers delay vital breastfeeding in order to improve the effectiveness of vaccinations!!! (Yes you read that correctly). This is due to a study they completed that showed breast milk which is packed with immune-building substances (immunoglobulinA, lactoferrin, lysosome, etc) inhibits the rotavirus vaccine from working.

So let me get this right…..you want to delay the PROVEN immune boosting and essential vital nutrition supplied by ALL NATURAL breast milk and instead choose SYNTHETIC formula which has NOWHERE near the immune-boosting abilities of breast milk in order to “improve” the efficacy of your questionable vaccines (including negative effects don’t forget)??

Come on.

http://www.naturalnews.com/034722_breastfeeding_vaccines_CDC.html

http://docakilah.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/scientists-say-delay-breastfeeding-to-improve-vaccine-potency/

http://naturalsociety.com/scientists-say-delay-breastfeeding-to-improve-vaccine-potency/

Choosing a proper mineral supplement can be overwhelming. The challenge is trying to choose a supplement that contains what you need and which has nutrients in an easy to digest form.  After all, what’s the point of taking a supplement if you aren’t going to absorb the nutrients in it?

Minerals, as with other nutrients, are generally more easily absorbed when they are from natural sources. Natural sources are great because your body recognizes it more as a “food” and they contain all trace minerals as opposed to using a tablet manufactured in a lab. There are many excellent natural sourced, whole food mineral supplements on the market, two of my personal favorites are LeafSource and Umac-Core.

If you are purchasing a supplement that has been formulated with multiple minerals, Chelate and Citrate are two terms you want to look for.  Chelated means the nutrient is firmly attached to an amino acid, fatty acid, or other organic compound so that they do not separate in the digestive tract which enhances their absorption.  A mineral in chelated form can increase absorption by up to 10 times!  When taken with a meal, minerals are usually automatically chelated in the stomach during digestion, however those of us with digestive disturbances, and the elderly, do not produce enough enzymes so this chelating process does not work as well as it should.

Why take minerals?

Minerals play a vital role in nearly all body reactions.  They enhance the proper utilization of vitamins and other nutrients and function as co-enzymes and enable the body to perform life sustaining functions (energy, growth, healing).

Why do we need mineral supplements?  Our body can’t manufacture minerals and our soil doesn’t contain as much essential minerals as it once did, therefore our foods are not as nutrient dense as they once were.  Processed foods, which are a staple today’s society, do not contain as much nutrition. The mass production of food that we tend to rely on results in premature harvesting so our produce do not reach peak of nutrition.

Our determination to make healthier choices and eat more nutritious foods sometimes gets put on the back burner when our life becomes hectic and rushed. Healthy eating does require a bit of preparation and although I highly recommend scheduling time into your routine to do this, I do acknowledge that sometimes we need a more convenient option.

Frozen dinners have evolved from the gray, mono-tone, mystery-meat mush into appetizing, not-so-bad-for-you meal options. Of course the sneaky unhealthy culprits are still lurking on those freezer shelves however, so it’s important to not let their attractive; misleading packaging can lead you astray.

When purchasing frozen dinners make sure the ingredient list:

• Contains lots of vegetables; the more colors the better

• Contains “real” ingredients

• Does not contain preservatives, artificial colors or flavors

• Avoids soy based products (TVP – textured vegetable protein, tofu, etc)

• If they use pasta or rice: whole grain or brown varieties

The Nutritional Label should fall within the following guidelines:

• 15+ grams of protein

• 3+ grams of fiber

• Lower sodium

• Under 500 calories

*Beware! Sometimes nutritional info is based on only ½ the container…and seriously…who’s only going to eat ½???

A few brands out there that have meals that fall within these guidelines include:  Kashi, Amy’s, Healthy Choice, President’s Choice Blue Menu, and Lean Cuisine. Please be aware that not ALL these food items from these companies are good choices. You still must read the packaging.

Obviously the use of frozen meals is not optimal. I highly recommend you still only use these items sparingly and focus on preparing whole, nutritious meals!

Have a healthy day with Healthy Way!!

A detox program can help your body adjust to a healthy eating plan and will help jump-start a weight loss program after consuming excessive “cheer” & food over the holidays also!

Detoxification promotes the elimination of toxins from the body. Toxicity is of much greater concern in the twentieth century than ever before.  Toxins are in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the beverages we drink, cosmetics, etc. Accumulation of toxins hinders the body systems but through detoxification we can enhance the body’s eliminative pathways to purge and filter the toxins and allow our body to function at its most optimal level. You can expect to gain more energy, improve your overall health and wellbeing and possibly even get rid of conditions such as: acid reflux, headaches, skin problems, constipation, fatigue, etc.

Using the Infrared sauna can dramatically improve the detoxing program also by inducing deep tissue detoxification. The infrared waves penetrate the tissues up to an inch and a half on all skin surfaces.  These waves trigger the tissues to release the toxins being stored in them so they can be flushed out of the body. The infrared sauna can increase your body’s ability to sweat more than 3 times as in a conventional steam sauna. By causing the body to sweat it helps clean the pores of the skin, help get rid of cellulite, and encourage more toxins to be released. As an added benefit to all of the medicinal benefits of the infrared sauna it can also cause your body to burn 600 calories in 30 minutes!

We create custom-making detoxification programs for people of all ages, and with all health concerns. There are many different types of detoxing programs out there, and many of them can cause unwanted side effects. It is very important to talk to someone who’s experienced and can encourage you to make the right choice for your specific health needs. Come in and jump-start your New Year’s Resolutions with a personalized detox program!

It’s typically this week that most people are gearing themselves up for their New Year’s Resolutions. Some resolutions can be very successful but oftentimes people set themselves up for disaster by not being realistic. I like to refer to these as New Year’s Extremes.

How many times have you said (or heard someone say) “OK that’s it, after New Years I am going on a diet! I’m not eating any more carbs! All I’m going to have for breakfast and lunch are protein shakes!” Now I know you are feeling bloated/full/pudgy, etc after the holidays what with all of the food, parties and alcohol but that does not mean it’s a good idea to plunge yourself into an often short-lived, intense, and restrictive diet. These extreme/fad diets almost always set you up for failure long term. Sure you will lose weight in the short-term but look at the big picture – can you really live like this the rest of your life? The answer is no! Eventually you will slip back into your old way of eating and you’re back to square one.

So why not try something new and more obtainable? Look at the big picture and set more realistic goals for your New Year’s resolutions will improve your overall health and will help you make long term healthier lifestyle choices! A few tips to get you started…

• Make healthy eating as simple as possible (i.e. lean protein with each meal, lunch and dinner include 1-2 cups of veggies and whole grains) and remember the more processed a food is the less nutritionally dense it is.

• Try 1 new healthy recipe a week

• Set one day a week aside for a “cooking day” so you can prepare large amounts of healthy food that can be frozen or packed up to grab for the rest of the week. Make healthy food convenient!

• Be aware of your sugar intake, added sugars and not. Sometimes it’s difficult to put into perspective how much sugar something contains. A tip: 4 grams of sugar = 1 tsp. So for example a cup of orange juice usually contains 20-35 grams of sugar (5 – 8 teaspoons!!)

• Drink more water – your goal should be approx 2 L a day

Healthy, balanced eating does take a little prep and some time, but it should not be overwhelming. Take slow easy steps in converting your unhealthy choices over to nutritionally dense ones and have fun with it! Also remember it’s not about being good 100% of the time, that’s no fun! I usually recommend an 80/20 split.

Holiday Reminder: I will be out of the office Jan 2 – 8 returning Jan 9^th.

Have a Healthy Week everyone and I will chat with you in the New Year!

Unfortunately for some parents your child will go through a period where they suddenly refuse to eat certain foods. Most often these are healthy foods that they previously had no problem eating, making meal times frustrating.

I recently came across a helpful blog “It’s Not About Nutrition” by Dina R. Rose, PhD. She is a sociologist (has over 15 years in experience teaching and research) as well as a mom and a foodie. Her blog is dedicated to The Art & Science of Teaching Kids to Eat Right.

She has an easy and ingenious answer to the above problem – let them go on strike! (click here) She used this strategy with her own daughter with great results.

If you have another approach that worked for your family please feel free to leave us a note telling us about it! We are always happy to hear your suggestions.

 Have a healthy Day with Healthy Way!

There is a common misconception that “Herbalism” and “Homeopathy” are the same because they both use plants in their therapeutic approaches. This is not the case. Although herbs are used in Homeopathy, it is fundamentally different from Herbalism in its philosophy and approach to treatment.

Medical Herbalism (aka Phytotherapy) is the practice of using the whole plant to treat people holistically. As herbalists we use many different types of herbal remedies, most commonly tinctures, extracts, teas, capsules, or oils. A herb is selected for the medicinal properties of its chemical constituents to treat and prevent illness in the human body. The herbal remedies encourage the body’s innate ability to heal itself and regain optimal balance of its tissues and organs by enhancing its natural functions.

Homeopathy originated in Germany in the 1800’s with the work of Samuel Hahnemann. Homeopathic remedies are chosen by selecting the remedy that would supposedly cause similar symptoms to the disease itself if used in higher a dose. This is the basis of the homeopathic principle that “like treats like”. Homeopathic remedies are administered in extremely diluted forms and are thought to work by influencing the “vital force” within the body.

Homeopathic remedies are made using a process of dilution and succession (a vigorous shaking by hand or machine) known as potentiation. The general theory is that the more the dose of the remedy is reduced, the more its potency is enhanced. 60% of homeopathic remedies are sourced from plants, the rest are derived from minerals, animal products or nosodes (extracts of diseased tissues).

The original substance is repeatedly diluted and then shaken over and over again to achieve different dilution strengths. Two systems of dilution are used in the processing of homeopathic remedies: the Decimal system or the Centesimal system. The Decimal system dilutes the initial substance by 10 each time and results in remedies listed as 3X, 6X, or 30X etc according to the number of times the solution was diluted. The Centesimal system is used for higher solutions and dilutes by 100 each time. The resulting remedies are referred to as 3C, 6C, 12C, etc. The solutions are then absorbed onto an inert tablet or granule for ingestion.

A remedy may in some cases be given in a dilution so great that no single molecule of the original substance remains. The concept of “memory laden” water implies that the effect lies in a pattern impressed on the water molecules. In this sense homeopathy works more on the energetic plane as it is administering the “energies” of the original substance.

The purpose of this is not bringing into question the value of Homeopathy however, it is important to understand that its use of plants is in no way “herbal”. Homeopathy does have benefits such as being completely safe to use during pregnancy. This is mostly due to the fact that the remedies are SO diluted they do not exert the same medicinal action that the whole herb would.

Hopefully I have succeeded in explaining the distinction between these two modalities, however as always please do not hesitate to leave a comment or contact me for more information!

Have a healthy day with Healthy Way!!