DECEMBER 28, 2021 CURB YOUR CARBS
It Amazes Me how much we eat during the Holidays. Yes, I said we because I did also eat too much during the Holidays. After all it is Christmas and I deserve... You have heard this before. New diet pills will keep coming off the assembly line one after another. Dropping out of programs like Weight Watchers or NutriSystem is so common. For a better path we might look at those success stories who have succeeded in keeping fit, NO MATTER which nutritional track they found to suit them.
I will tell you that those success stories are those individuals who have treated their path as a new dietary lifestyle. Why take an appetite suppressants when there are natural appetite suppressants These natural appetite suppressants, as ginger encourage a healthy communication between cells, thus between organs and thus between systems of the body. I love Ginger ( Zingaber officinalis). It soothes the gastrointestinal tract and helps with nausea. It does slow the gastric emptying so it allows you to feel fuller for a longer period of time, thus suppressing your appetite. Ginger tea reduces blood fats even after eating a meal rich in fat. This is a herb. Sip some ginger tea hot or cold during a meal and see how you feel.
Another herb, Hoodia gordonii has been tauted as the premier appetite suppressant. I have used it with some success. I find it doesn't suppress every one's appetite. It is a genus of 13 species in the flowering plant family Apocynaceae, under the subfamily Asclepiadoideae. It has large flowers and a distinctive smell/
Many Hoodia species are protected plants. Some stopped harvesting Hoodia for two reasons: one as a protected plant ( even if not this species) and the other because our clinical studies revealed that products using hoodia would not meet our strict standards of safety and efficacy.
Only ten years ago, the Botanic Gardens Conservation International stated that "400 medicinal plants are at risk of extinction, from over-collection and deforestation, threatening the discovery of future cures for disease." These included Yew trees, Magnolia trees and the Hoodia species. I heard one herbalist state that there is not enough Hoodia in Africa for the amount of Hoodia on the United States shelves. One can conclude “ are you truly getting Hoodia in your product? “
TIPS/SUGGESTIONS
You could use steel cut oatmeal ( gluten free) which has some protein and fiber to keep you fuller. Using this oatmeal, Bulgar or quinoa which are cooked cereals does lower BMI over time.
Avoid diet soda as they can make you crave
Water is your best friend (of course your pet is your best friend)
Sweet potatoes can lower blood sugar
No one should be on a DIET, instead a Dietary Lifestyle.
DECEMBER 27, 2021 A NEW YEAR
As the New Year approaches most of us make New Year Resolutions. Many will involve food and a new diet. It is common sense that if you take in more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Here in Manhattan where the most efficient mode of transportation is walking, we do not see a large number of obese individuals. But in other areas of the United States, how many overweight people will you see? I can tell you this, there will be NOT one or two, but 20 or 30 in a crowd.
Everyone says decrease the carbohydrates, increase the exercise and drink plenty of water. Then why are some of us still overweight? It is about changing a lifestyle, not just cutting down. I want to educate you about your self -image, self esteem and how psycho-social issues can drive the appetite--usually in the wrong direction. Are you an emotional eater? You have heard this before! When you get upset to you grab the chocolate, the bread or a cookie? Or do you starve yourself?
Are you obese. What is obesity? Obesity is defined as a BMI (Body Mass Index) of greater than 25 kg/m2
Do you know how to calculate your BMI? There are programs on the Internet that do it for you, but here it is: BMI = weight in kg/height in meters, squared. Use the BMI calculator on the Internet. It is far easier.
Have you tried any of the OTC (over the counter) aids to lose weight? Some are high fiber intended to be eaten before meals to decrease the absorption of food and calories. Many try fat burning pills to increase the use of fats. These can lead to irritability and disrupt normal metabolic pathways.
You might have tried the Cabbage Soup Diet, The God Makers Diet, The Blood Typing Diet and hundreds more. I am no expert on diets, but after co-working with founder of the most famous diet, Robert Atkins (The Atkins Diet) I have a few thoughts of my own. I will say time and time again, THERE IS NO ONE DIET FOR EVERYONE. A diet should be a lifestyle change. Again, think 'lifestyle change' instead of 'going on a diet'.
Desperation can make you gullible. This is the number one message for today before embarking on a new dietary lifestyle: DO YOU LOVE YOURSELF?
Until tomorrow…
DECEMBVER 22, 2021 HERBS USED IN PREGNANCY
Every pregnant female wants optimal health to deliver a healthy baby. Today , we live in uncertain times . This is due to the current COVID pandemic, and the toxic environment. Both Raspberry lead ( Rubus idaeus) and Nettle ( Urtica dioica) are high in nutrotional elements that are needed for a healthy uterus. Conventional ( allopathic) obstetricians do not recommend herbs.
Many herbs are safe and used in pregnancy. Nettle builds the blood and supports blood volume changes. It gives plenty of oxygen to the tissues. Many women feel it might cause contractions, but it does NOT.
Nettle strengthens the muscles of the uterus. There are other herbs that have nutritious as Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa) which contains plenty of magnesium and calcium. Some women feel more comfortable with Milky Oats ( Avena sativaDon’t forget Peppermint and Ginger for the upset stomachs during pregnancy
Until tomorrow…
DECEMBER 21, 2021 MYRRH
This is a herb that I commonly think of during the Holiday/Christmas time. It is commonly mentioned in the Bible. It was one of the gifts the Three Kings brought to Jesus/. It is native to southern Arabia ( Modern Oman and Yemen) as well as East Africa. Many Greek philosophers have written about myrrh. It is from the species Commiphora . The myrrh tree produces a sweet-smelling resin from its bark. In Ancient Greece and Rome it was a valuable and important commodity as was another herb, Frankincense. Myrrh is also commonly used it Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine.
Myrrh has many medicinal and health benefits. The herb has been known to kill bacteria and parasite, combats swelling and great for skin sores. Most commonly used is the oil of Myrrh. Traditionally it has been used for oral health and to decrease oral inflammation. I have seen myrrh used in natural mouthwash and toothpastes. Studies using myrrh were used in patients with Behcet’s disease. The painful mouth lesions associated with this disease were treated with mouthwash containing myrrh. 50% of individuals treated had complete relief from there lesions and 19 % had complete healing of their mouth sores.
Myrrh also supports healthy skin. It is excellent for wound healinng and decreasing skin inflammation
Never miss the opportunity to use Myrrh
Until tomorrow…
DECEMBER 20, 2021 GLUTEN FREE
"Gluten-Free" is a very real, researched, and scientifically sound lifestyle intervention that can change your life and health. I knew what ‘ gluten free’ was 20 years ago, but didn’t pay attention to it. I learned about gluten fere from my friend,/actress Jennifer Esposito. She has an autoimmune disease called Celiac Disease . It was from her and her book Jennifer’s Jennifer's Way: My Journey with Celiac Disease--What Doctors Don't Tell · which I learned and studied a gluten free lifestyle. She kindly wrote about when we met and what I told her to do about her Celiac Disease
When I went gluten-free over 10 years ago, most people had never heard of that term and had no idea what I was talking about. Now “gluten-free” has become somewhat of a health fad with everyone trying it out just because it’s popular. It is real. It is not a fad. It might be a fad for some people, but for individuals with Celiac Disease or Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity — it is real. Jennifer Esposito even wrote a second book , Jennifer’s Way Kitchen: Easy Allergen-Free, Anti Inflammatory Recipes for a Delicious Life. Gluten is a lectin. Naturally occurring, gluten is found in wheat, barley, and rye. An intolerance for gluten can result in medical conditions that need to be managed with changed diets and lifestyle choices. Oat is also a gluten but can be consumed by some individuals. I can only consume oat if stated gluten free and I need to look at the source. Whole wheat bread, white bread, rye bread, sourdough bread and bagels contain gluten as well as noodles, gnocchi, and dumplings. There are more. Even condiments as ketcup, salad dressings, malt vinegar, soy sauce, marinades and certain gravy mixes
It is a dedication to be gluten free but as Jennifer states —it is easy. It is your health we are talking about not a fad
I urge you to read her books. Watch videos that we did through the years. I am proud of my friend Jennifer Esposito for being the first individual who has spoken out about Celiac and done something about it. Many individuals have gotten on the band wagon- but I know and love who started it.
Until tomorrow
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