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Sunday, May 25, 2014

Look what I wrote over here on The Science of Natural HealthThe Basics of Adrenal Fatigue - what it is and how it happens...  







Adrenal fatigue has been called the "21st Century Epidemic," since it is caused primarily by stress for extended periods of time.  Sometimes people can be diagnosed with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue instead, but can benefit from treating themselves as though they have adrenal fatigue.  Perhaps it will help you or someone you know...

Do you have any experience with adrenal fatigue?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments...

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Body Ecology Diet Review



The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates pulls the principles from several natural wellness diet plans into one comprehensive plan.


On the one hand, the author should be applauded for recognizing the benefits of all of the best available diets, and for creating a plan that takes on several components of good diet and good nutrition…  especially in a world of diets that typically focus on only one or two aspects or principles.


On the other hand, however, in the process of compiling all of the various components, Donna Gates has created the most restrictive and regimented diet I have seen yet.


My intention is not to discourage anyone from following the Body Ecology Diet.  As with anything in life, you get what you put in.  The more committed you are to something, and the more you devote to it, the better your results will be.  In fact, the author (perhaps recognizing how daunting the diet is) spends a good portion of the book reassuring the reader of the diet’s benefits, and inspiring the reader to take on the formidable task of healing through food.  


If you are very determined to regain your health; if you are ready to make sacrifices at the promise of achieving optimal health, then this just may be the diet for you.


I personally would suggest the Body Ecology Diet to anyone suffering from a chronic illness, or those who are suffering from candida symptoms, especially if they are coupled with thyroid and/or adrenal imbalance.  Abundant toxins, digestive complaints, chronic ailments, and inexplicable fatigue and/or weight gain may also be addressed by this diet.


Donna Gates (following the ambitious trend of most authors) claims that the Body Ecology Diet will benefit sufferers of: candidiasis, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, AIDS, immune system deficiencies, food allergies, frequent digestive problems, frequent skin rashes, constipation, PMS, headaches, muscle or joint pain, fatigue, nervousness, depression, poor memory, sensitivity to odors…


Here are the Basic Tenets of the B.E.D.


1.        Food Combining to the Max.  The author focuses on food combining to facilitate complete digestion.  However, her food combining goes further than eating sugary fruits alone, and eating starches and grains separate from animal protein.  The author goes on to explain expanding vs. contracting foods; and acid-forming vs. alkaline-forming foods; and asks the reader to achieve a good balance of those in each day, if not each meal, as well.  You will also ideally eat 80% vegetables at each meal.


2.       No sugar.  At its roots, this is an anti-candida diet.  The author posits that immune deficiencies, digestive disorders, and therefore a host of health problems stem entirely from candida overgrowth.  You can expect to eat absolutely no sugar (including fruit) for a large portion of the program.  After the most rigorous portion, specific fruits are added in small quantities, at specific times, in accordance with food combining principles.


3.       Fermented Foods.  Like many diets that focus on digestive health, Donna Gates encourages generous portions of fermented foods.  Probiotic supplements are also advocated (see #4), but fermented foods and drinks are considered infinitely more valuable.


4.       Supplements.  The author recommends the use of specific supplements (many of which are products that she herself markets but for which there are viable substitutes), including digestive enzymes, probiotics, and different powdered shakes.  These are all in an effort to improve digestion and provide maximum nourishment.


5.       Food Restrictions.  Finally, there are a number of food you just cannot eat on the Body Ecology Diet, in addition to fruit and sugar (see #2).  Some of the forbidden foods are beans, certain fats, most grains (all except quinoa, millet, amaranth and buckwheat), dairy, most nuts and all nut butters, alcohol, refined vinegar, and of course, everything artificial.  I may have missed a couple no-no’s, but you get the idea.


HOWEVER, the author promises that by following this diet, you will actually be able to eat more foods without consequence in the end than you could before (many people with chronic illnesses already suffer from food sensitivities and eat restricted diets).  She goes so far to say you can enjoy a slice of pizza or a cheeseburger every once in a while when you’re done…


I really don’t want to deter anyone from this diet.  Consider this fair warning that by following this diet you are committing to big changes – in your diet and your health! 


Stay healthy and happy!



PS - I followed this diet for two months before adding natural sugar to my diet at the recommendation of my acupuncturist.  I am an active mom of three young children, and long periods of time without a readily available energy source did not serve me well.  I decided that it was actually more important to my health for me to focus on getting more sleep and stress-free rest than obsessing over my food... proving that there is no one miracle diet solution for every health complaint.

I will also say that after 2 months on this diet I went from a size medium to a size small at 5'7" - something that hasn't happened in about 2 decades.  I need to buy new jeans.  I was happy as a size medium (I don't own a scale since I think they're misleading), so weight loss was not one of my goals.  

I will personally probably continue follow some of the food combining rules some percentage of the time because I believe in good digestion.  I personally did not experience any side effects from the diet: no healing crises, or detox symptoms like the author warns.  However, I already had not eaten any refined sugar for years, spent over a year not eating grains, and hadn't had any artificial foods, flavors or colors for years.  I find now that sugar will give me more pronounced and immediate congestion, irritability, and headaches, so I limit it - but I have avoided it for years anyway.  

I found that after 2 months the strict food restrictions and food combining became a psychological deterrent for me.  The author argues that with practice it becomes second nature, and you hardly even think about it.  In my opinion, if you're an obsessive, perfectionist, or high-anxiety type, this diet could put you over the edge :).  Watch yourself!  

As with any lifestyle or diet change, give it some time, and listen to your body.  Be gentle with yourself.  

What do you think?  Have you tried the B.E.D., or any of the main tenets I listed?  

Friday, November 29, 2013

Christmas Shopping

Here I am in my bedroom with my laptop, a bag of (Way Better Sweet Potato) chips, and a (all-natural sparkling apple) soda, doing Black Friday shopping online.

I'm telling ya, halfway to hippie is almost normal...

But here's what I thought as I was browsing stores while baby girl naps and Daddy braves the shopping crowds to take the boys out to lunch....  people are always asking what we buy our kids.  When people find out that we don't eat candy, or sugar for that matter, they immediately wonder what's in our stockings at Christmas, what kind of cakes are at our birthday parties, and what on earth do you eat after Thanksgiving dinner?

Holidays are synonymous with eating, eating indulgently, and eating sweets.

Well, we're really no different.  We like to eat a lot, too.  But I'll share some holiday recipes later.

In the meantime, here are some items that are high on my list for filling stockings, and for putting under the tree this year.

Please note that there may be some affiliate links.  You will not get charged any extra for using these links, nor will any personal information be exchanged.  Rather, I will get a few pennies for anything purchased through a link, which will somehow justify this blog a little to my dear hubby... :)
 
Any kind of blocks!  Classic wood blacks are great, but I do worry about them inflicting a wound when they fall on a child's head.  I may be a bit paranoid.  They're a classic.  But, we also love Mega Bloks First Builders Deluxe Building Bag, bristle blocks  

any trio (this Trio Lights and Sounds Fire Station
 looks particularly cool!), and LEGO DUPLO Bricks & More Deluxe Brick Box 5507
...  just in case you're buying for a kiddo who hasn't reached the appropriate age for legos.  The nice thing about trio and duplo is that they sell generic sets great for open-ended play, but they also seel themed sets for superheroes, or Disney characters, which my kiddos think is extra special. 


Build-It-Yourself Woodworking KitBuilding Sets.  I love this building set at Lakeshore Learning.  And I know my kindergartener will, too.  He's also aching for an Erector Set.  I just don't know that I'm aching for all those little pieces in the house with baby girl running around.  That is the reason we haven't taken on legos yet, either



Imaginary Play.  Tea sets and dolls, kitchens and toy food, construction tools and hard hats... you name it, kids love it.  Pick up some clearance costumes and see what kind of fun they have.  The knight and soldier costumes are particularly well-worn in our home!  

Activity Mats.  These are great for all ages.  You're probably familiar with the ones designed for infants that have danglings goodies for reaching and kicking, but activity mats for preschoolers and early grades are awesome, too.  They have all sorts of scenes, but the roads and city mat (or rug) is probably the most familiar.  Thery do have prehistoric scenes for dinosaur lovers, for example.  We made our own activity mats.  I'll share that with you later, too. 

Tents.  There are easy-peasy pop-up tents of every shape and size for every child's taste.  Our tent stays indoors, and has served as a castle, restaurant, home, cave...

Art and Craft Supplies.  My kids can't get enough pipecleaners and construction paper.  I highly recommend a stocking filled with creative items like paint, or glitter-glue.  Depending on the child's age and interests, fill the stocking with stamps or markers.  Older kids may appreciate finer art supplies like nice brushes and acrylic paints, a set of chalk, watercolors, black pens, charcoal, or anything else that they have been eyeing.  Nice yarn, knitting needles, crocheting needles, sequins, beads, jewelry making supplies, and more will fit nicely into a stocking.  My kids love going to craft stores.  It's a bit dangerous.  

Toobs.  There are these nifty things called "Toobs."  They are a tube of clear plastic with about a dozen small molded plastic figures in a particular theme.  For example, the Safari Ltd. Wild Toob has all sorts of wild animals.  The Safari Ltd. Space Toob has everything outer space.  And, the Safari Ltd Knights and Dragon Toob has knights, horses, and a token dragon.  There are tons of options making them perfect for any child's interests (trains, cars, boats, dinosaurs, animals).  Their size and price makes them a perfect gift for a neighbor child, a great stocking stuffer, or an addition to an activity mat or building blocks.  We love them. 

   



Games and Puzzles.  This category if huge, and will depend on the child.  I never really cared for puzzles as a child, so that would have been a terrible gift idea.  Board games were not particularly fun either, as far as I was concerned.  BUT, logic puzzles, or one-person games were downright addicting.  I'm somewhat of a soduku fiend now, for example.  So my point is, regardless of the child, there is probably some sort of game or puzzle that they would enjoy.

Something to Read.  There are soooooooo sooooooo many good books out there!  If you're not sure what to get, search for the most popular on amazon, ask your local librarian, or sit with a cup of coffee in a bookstore one weekend.  While they may not be the highlight of Christmas morning, in my experience, books are often the gifts that will be treasured the longest.  Don't forget to sign the inside cover for your little ones - they love that!

Ok, now back to shopping!  Please, tell me, what are your brilliant gift ideas this year?  What is your favorite way to shop or get a deal?  Help a momma out...