Michelle Grant

Gluten Free Thanksgiving???

Michelle Grant — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:17:35 -0800

Just reading the title seems to throw me for a tail spin. Gluten free Thanksgiving? Is that even necessary? After doing a lot of research I am realizing it is completely necessary.

80% of Americans have a wheat and/or gluten sensitivity and don't even know it. Many of the symptoms that people go through on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis can be rooted to this little culprit called gluten. I remember hearing it over and over again over the past couple of years, "I have celiac disease" or "I just found out I have a wheat and gluten sensitivity."

After hearing it over and over again, I began to ponder, "what happened?" How come all of a sudden so many people were coming down with this health challenge? Did something change in the wheat and gluten? Or did we change?

Then an amazing book crossed my path called The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates. As I was reading it my eyes opened wide to the revelation of what I was seeing. People have these extreme sensitivities due to an overgrowth of Candida in their bodies. Amazing!!! Could it be that simple? Yes. I did the obvious; I decided to be the guinea pig. I changed my diet to see if this really could be true.

So far I have been walking in utter amazement. I feel so great. For the first time in my life I have complete sustainable energy. All my health challenges are gone.

Is it a little more work? To be honest; yes it is. But aren't you worth it?

The Importance of Nothing

Michelle Grant — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:08:37 -0700

Rest. Now that is a word that is definite the opposite of how we think in today's society. Usually go, go faster, can you do it quicker is more the world we live in. We live in such a fast paced society sometimes it is so hard to slow down.

For years, if I would have a day off I would fill it with other things to do that seemed to make my free time work. Go here, run over there was definitely me. Running around like I was on this extreme mission to get all this stuff done that I thought was necessary. I still remember the first time I really took a day off. It was actually one of the hardest things to do. I was amazed at how guilty I felt in doing nothing. I remember thinking, "you are just wasting the day away or you are missing out" were just two of the many things that would go through my head.

It took quite some time to change my thinking to this major lifestyle change. Isn't that funny? How can doing 'nothing' be a major lifestyle change? For me, it was going to be some work to learn how to do nothing. Yikes!!! I definitely was on a path that I did not recognize. How can I function in this new found land of doing nothing was all of a sudden one of life's biggest questions for me.

After some time of doing nothing. I realized how it started becoming easier and easier. Those old racing thoughts that would run through my head started to slow down. Then they seemed to cease altogether.

What a breath of fresh air to have a couple of hours or a day of doing nothing. It now absolutely takes my breath away.

I now realize I am actually doing something while I am doing nothing. I am healing. I am recharging. I am getting back into balance. Who would have thought there was so much freedom in doing nothing?

Is Your Immune System Ready???

Michelle Grant — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:10:58 -0700

Did you know that if your immune system is weak you are more susceptible to illness during major weather fluctuations? Here are some tips to keep your immune system in peak shape:

1. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. One of the most important things you can do is eat fruit when it is in season. So if it’s summertime have peaches, nectarines and strawberries, etc. Always choose organic.

2. Eat plenty of lean protein. Chicken breast, turkey and bison are some of the best.

3. Make sure to get some quality fats in your meals. It is an absolute myth that fat makes you fat. Your body needs a certain amount of fat for fuel, so make sure you give it what it needs. Coconut oil, macadamia nut oil, avocado oil are the some of the best oils, they have high heat tolerance too!!!

4. Take 5000mg Vitamin C a day to build up an immune system arsenal.

Is it Better to Be Fat and Fit Than Skinny and Unfit?

Michelle Grant — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:48:40 -0700

Is a person’s weight really a reliable indicator of overallhealth?

Some medical research is showing that it isn’t. Last week areport in The Archives of Internal Medicine compared weight andcardiovascular risk factors among a representative sample of more than 5,400adults. Half of the overweight people and one-third of obese people in thestudy were “metabolically healthy.” That means that many overweight and obeseadults may have healthy levels of “good” cholesterol, blood pressure, and bloodglucose.

At the same time, about one out of four slim people in the studyactually had at least two cardiovascular risk factors typically associated withobesity.

Being overweight or obese is definitely linked with numeroushealth problems. Nonetheless, researchers found the proportion of overweightand obese people who are metabolically healthy surprising.

Several studies have shown that fitness, as determined by how aperson performs on a treadmill, is a far better indicator of health than bodymass index. Some research has indicated that people who are fat but can stillkeep up on treadmill tests have much lower heart risk than people who are slimand unfit.

Sources:

New York Times August 18, 2008

Archives ofInternal Medicine August, 2008; 168(15):1617-1624

www.mercola.com

Figuiring Myself Out

Michelle Grant — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:49:44 -0700

Breve lattes, chicken enchiladas, banana cream cheesecake. What do you do when your list of favorite foods looks like mine? How is dieting even possible? I know for me those two questions had taken me many years to answer. One word that rings synonymous to my dieting journey is "gradual". I had to take gradual steps to get where I am today.

I remember when my favorite vise was vanilla lattes. Every afternoon Monday through Thursday I had that liquid dessert on my mind. When I found out how many calories were in just one pump of vanilla (20 calories of pure sugar!!!) I knew it was time to scale back. One thing I know about myself is that I am very calculated in the changes I make to my diet. I was shocked when I found out my medium latte had 4 pumps of syrup in it! That's an extra 80 calories. So gradually I started getting 3 pumps of vanilla, instead of 4. Then 2 pumps, then 1 and now it is none! I never thought I would ever drink a latte without any pumps of syrup.

When I make gradual changes to my diet it is amazing to have a radically different lifestyle and virtually not notice the change at all. One of my favorite things when I do something gradual is to look back and remember what it was like before. To this day, I stand in amazement at what we can accomplish when we make gradual changes. What small change can you make for yourself that will make your life better in the next month?

What's Your pH?

Michelle Grant — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:15:44 -0700

Healthy pH is 6.0-7.5. Do you know where you are on the scale? If you don’t know what it is, you need to.

Test Your Body's Acidity or Alkalinity with pH Strips
It is recommended that you test your pH levels to determine if your body's pH needs immediate attention. By using pH test strips (Litmus Paper), you can determine your pH factor quickly and easily in the privacy of your own home. The best time to test your pH is about one hour before a meal and two hours after a meal.

Foods: are they Acid or Alkaline-forming?
Note that a food's acid or alkaline-forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food itself. For example, lemons are very acidic, however the end-products they produce after digestion and assimilation are very alkaline so lemons are alkaline-forming in the body. Likewise, meat will test alkaline before digestion but it leaves acidic residue in the body so, like nearly all animal products, meat is classified as acid-forming. It is important that your daily dietary intake of food naturally acts to balance your body pH. To maintain health, the diet should consist of at least 60% alkaline forming foods and at most 40% acid forming foods. To restore health, the diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods.

Where are You Going?

Michelle Grant — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:45:50 -0700

Last week I stepped out of my door for my morning run and I heard a familiar small voice say, "today you are going to run up the hill". I immediately discarded the words I just heard, thinking it is impossible. I realized as I threw that thought away that I totally believed that there was no way I could ever run up this hill.

This hill to me looked so big from the bottom up. It was like trying to run up a huge mountain in my mind. I know to the next person that would look at this hill and say, "That hill? Oh, I can fly up that no problem".

So I started off on my run as I rounded the corner I was flying down the hill. It was amazing and exhilarating. The wind blowing across my face as I bolted down the hill. I got to the spot where I turn around to go back and I heard again, "you will run up the hill today." I have to admit that again I acted like I didn't hear the voice. So I got to the bottom of the hill and heard, "start running, pace yourself, you can do this". The strangest thing happened, I started running. As I was running I got two visions in my mind of where I was going. The first one was a street that was at the top of the first part of the hill and the second was at a stoplight at the top of the hill. Once again, I heard the voice say, "Just focus on getting to the first street. Don't focus on your breathing. Don't look up at where you are going, just look down. I will get you to the top". I have to admit it was one of the most dramatic runs of my life. As soon as I got to the first street immediately focused on my next vision which was the stoplight. All of a sudden everything else I was thinking about didn't matter. The thoughts of 'no way', became thoughts that 'I can do this'.

I got to the top and threw my arms out in victory. To be honest people driving by me probably thought I had lost my mind, but I didn't care. I had accomplished something huge!!!

One thing I realized at that moment is even if you don't listen at first that God knows what we are capable of and He will keep speaking. Hopefully next time it won't take me so long to listen.

Healthy Weekend Eating

Michelle Grant — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:00:38 -0700

Is this scenario a familiar one? Monday through Thursday, you eat well, track your calories and exercise regularly. But come Friday night, these healthy habits tend to get brushed aside and before you know it, anything goes until Monday morning.Many struggle with the weekends, so you're not alone. It is, however, possible to enjoy your time off and stay on track with your goals. Let's take a look at some common issues and possible resolutions to make Saturday and Sunday work for you:

1. Lack of structure

Plan meals for the weekends if you are going to be at home.

2. Increased social gatherings

Take leftovers home from a restaurant, offer to split a meal with a friend, or pass on high calorie appetizers and desserts.

3. Reward time "I have been good all week," you may think. "I deserve some treats." Sound familiar? A dieting mentality focuses on 'good' versus 'bad'. The best approach is an overall healthy lifestyle - moderation, balance, and variety.

4. Keeping a healthy mindset all week long As a follow-up to my last point, I strongly encourage everyone to focus on lifestyle changes and healthy choices, not quick-fixes. If you have a family, they are paying attention to your behaviors. The 'dieting' mentality - whatever day of the week - can only lead to yo-yo weight loss, feelings of failure, and frustration. The weekends are not a time to toss away the healthy habits that work for you during the week. Continue to try to plan ahead for Saturday and Sunday with meal planning and fun, family activities to get you moving. Come Monday morning, you'll look back on the weekend with good memories and not shame or guilt.

12 Food Additives to Avoid

Michelle Grant — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:49:26 -0700

Including something new in a food isn’t always a good idea, especially when it comes to your health. Here are 12 additives to subtract from your diet:

(Please understand these are not my assessments, but those by MSN Health and Fitness. My comments and recommendations are in my comment below.)

1. Sodium Nitrate (also called Sodium Nitrite)

This is a preservative, coloring, and flavoring commonly added to bacon, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, smoked fish, and corned beef. Studies have linked eating it to various types of cancer.

2. BHA and BHT

Butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydrozyttoluene are used to preserve common household foods. They are found in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, and vegetable oils. They are oxidants, which form potentially cancer-causing reactive compounds in your body.

3. Propyl Gallate

Another preservative, often used in conjunction with BHA and BHT. It is sometimes found in meat products, chicken soup base, and chewing gum. Animals studies have suggested that it could be linked to cancer.

4. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

MSG is an amino acid used as a flavor enhancer in soups, salad dressings, chips, frozen entrees, and restaurant food. It can cause headaches and nausea, and animal studies link it to damaged nerve cells in the brains of infant mice.

5. Trans Fats

Trans fats are proven to cause heart disease. Restaurant food, especially fast food chains, often serve foods laden with trans fats.

6. Aspartame

Aspartame, also known by the brand names Nutrasweet and Equal, is a sweetener found in so-called diet foods such as low-calorie desserts, gelatins, drink mixes, and soft drinks. It may cause cancer or neurological problems, such as dizziness or hallucinations.

7. Acesulfame-K

This is a relatively new artificial sweetener found in baked goods, chewing gum, and gelatin desserts. There is a general concern that testing on this product has been scant, and some studies show the additive may cause cancer in rats.

8. Food Colorings: Blue 1, 2; Red 3; Green 3; Yellow 6

Five food colorings still on the market are linked with cancer in animal testing. Blue 1 and 2, found in beverages, candy, baked goods and pet food, have been linked to cancer in mice. Red 3, used to dye cherries, fruit cocktail, candy, and baked goods, has been shown to cause thyroid tumors in rats. Green 3, added to candy and beverages, has been linked to bladder cancer. The widely used yellow 6, added to beverages, sausage, gelatin, baked goods, and candy, has been linked to tumors of the adrenal gland and kidney.

9. Olestra

Olestra, a synthetic fat found in some potato chip brands, can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and gas. Olestra also inhibits healthy vitamin absorption from fat-soluble carotenoids that are found in fruits and vegetables.

10. Potassium Bromate

Potassium bromate is used as an additive to increase volume in some white flour, breads, and rolls. It is known to cause cancer in animals, and even small amounts in bread can create a risk for humans.

11. White Sugar

Watch out for foods with added sugars, such as baked goods, cereals, crackers, sauces and many other processed foods. It is unsafe for your health, and promotes bad nutrition.

12. Sodium Chloride

A dash of sodium chloride, more commonly known as salt, can bring flavor to your meal. But too much salt can be dangerous for your health, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.Sources:

MSN Health and Fitness

Are You Sensitive to Wheat or Gluten?

Michelle Grant — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:58:27 -0700

Here’s how to find out if you are: Avoid all grains (except rice) for a period of four days. On Day 5, consume whole wheat bread, whole wheat cereal or whole wheat pancakes for two meals, and note any reactions. If you are sensitive to gluten, you might notice stomach pain, cramping, or bloating the following day as an outward symptom of gluten intolerance. If you are sensitive to wheat you may also experience a headache, runny nose, or congestion. If you test for wheat and gluten and no reactions occur, then it should be safe to assume you can consume whole grains occasionally as part of your carbohydrate intake. Wheat and other gluten-containing grains are often consumed regularly, and this can lead to food allergies and weight gain. Millions of Americans may be allergic to wheat and/or gluten in the wheat. Pasta is one of the favorite foods of the high-carb dieter. In my opinion, it is also one of the most allergenic and fattening foods on this planet.

Grains become a staple food for most high-carb dieters. Grains are what farmers feed their cattle to fatten them for market. Hmmm. Think about it. Grains require a lot of insulin to manage, which explains why cows (and humans) can become fat. Moooo! Head ‘em up; move ‘em out!

Resource: The Fat Burning Diet- Accessing Unlimited Energy for a Lifetime by Jay Robb