Now wheat is the bad guy!!!

Ok, I knew that all of the soy and corn that is hidden in processed foods was causing health problems but whole wheat?  Dr. William Davis says that the protein in our genetically-modified wheat called Gliadin that stimulates our opiate-receptors in our gut, causing cravings and fat promotion.  This concept is not only promoted by Dr. Davis.  I watched a PBS show on eliminating 7 foods that also mentioned this problem.

Interesting and maybe worth trying an elimination diet of wheat products and see if you lose weight and feel better.  Careful though since wheat is included in products that may not be obvious such as chewing gum.

Dr. Davis's website is http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/.  You can also see him on Dr. Oz or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWtsHTNhPa4.

Chocolate Covered Katie blog

I was looking for a vegan granola bar recipe and came across this blog with this amazing pumpkin bread pudding!!!

I really love Katie's young vibe and great recipes!

Check the blog out at  http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/

Garcinia Cambogia

I just saw this on Dr. Oz.  There is research that shows this suppresses appetite and blocks carb absorption. Garcinia cambogia
Look for supplements that have HCE  at 50% or higher
500 - 1000 mg up to 3000 mg
Empty stomach 30 - 60 minutes before eating
Should be combined with Potassium or Calcium

Eat To Defeat Cancer

I watched Dr. William Li, founder of the Angiogenesis.org give a TEDtalk on Netflix.  His presenation was on the process of angiogenesis (making of blood vessels) and how the ability of cancer cells to instigate huge amount of angiogenesis stimulating chemicals can be inhibited by eating certain foods.  While Dr. Li's research focusing on many foods, he is especially intersted in targeting local, sustainable foods that would have the maximum benefit.

To see his Tedtalks

Can We Eat to Starve Cancer? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6q_YOlEyjw

 Dr. Li Update http://youtu.be/1bXowWzpi-Y

Guided Imagery

Many health care providers have been using guided imagery to use the body's own ability to maximize healing.  Guided imagery is a type of relaxation exercise designed to engage your mind, body, and spirit. Guided imagery programs are gentle, but powerful.

I have included a link to Kaiser-Permenente's selection which were produced by Health Journeys.  They can be downloaded to any MP3 player.  Topics range from cancer, stress reduction, anxiety reduction, menopause, weight loss, etc.  You can find the link on the right under my Links to other good healthy stuff!


All you have to do is settle in, relax, and listen.
Enjoy!

Eat like a firefighter!

I love Netflix!  For 7.99 a month I can watch tons of great movies and my favorites are Food, Inc, Food Matters, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, Forks Over Knives, and today my husband and I watched The Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue.  The movie is about Rip Esselstyn, (son of Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., M.D. author of Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease) who is a firefighter and a vegan.  Rip goes to 2 different families and does a menu makeover that suits the particular lifestyles of each family.  The first family was a married couple in their late 50s/early 60s and he showed them how to redo burgers and fries and also lasagna.  The second family was a married couple with 4 children.  He showed them how to redo cereal, sandwiches, pizza and ice cream..... all vegan!  In keeping with many of the videos and websites I mention on this blog, this is part of the plant-based diet movement that is sweeping this country.

I hope that you enjoy the video and the website http://engine2diet.com/

Moroccan Food

My good friend Jane treated me to lunch at a Moroccan restaurant in the Westport area of Kansas City called the Marrakesh Cafe.  I fell in love with the food.  We had the sampler plate that had 3 dips, one made of eggplant, one made of peppers and one of carrots.  This was served with warm, soft flat bread...think pita but really fresh and tender.  It was wonderful.  I am definitely going back.

I was searching online for recipes for the above dishes and I came across a recipe website I would like to recommend.
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives.html

A Bit of Fun

A student in my face2face A&P class sent me this link: http://www.candyboots.com/wwcards.html.  It is a blog page and one of the posts has this slide show of Weight Watchers menu cards from the 1970s.  It is hilarious and frightening to see what was conisdered low-cal, let alone even food back then.

Thanks to Vicki Takacs for sending it to me.

Enjoy!

GoDairyFree.Org

Yummy recipes!  This website was given to me by one of my students in my online Dietary Nutrition class.  Right on the home page is this recipe for Orange-Scented Olive, Parsley and Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade.  For those who have never had tapenade, it is a party in your mouth!  Very intense and savory.  I cannot wait to try this recipe!

Check it out even if you don't want to go dairy free!  In addition to dairy-free, there are gluten-free, soy-free recipes and others.

Godairyfree.org

Delicious

While browsing on the internet for something to watch on my computer I came across this recipe site for Delicious TV, hosted by Toni Fiore.  I watch the program when I can find it on Create TV (KCPT 3) here in KCMO.  Toni cooks currently vegan but her older recipes may have some egg, dairy, etc.

http://delicioustv.com/all-recipes/

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead

I have had lots of interest in this website since Terry & I lost quite a bit of weight fasting.  We watched the video on Netflix but here is the website where the trailer can be seen.
http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/

Making Yourself Heart Attack Proof

I have added this video presentation of Dr. Esselstyn who has done research on the effects of the Standard American Diet and heart disease.  He gives us all a dose of tough love!  Hard to hear but important !

Sunday, back to day 2

Last Thursday night was our wedding anniversary and so we decided to keep our tradition of going out to Lidia's for dinner.  We prepared ahead of time by looking over the menu online before going.  We ate big salads, a bit of bread, vegetarian entrees, and shared a dessert.  Not too bad.  Friday, I ate salads all day and prepared a veg pasta for the family, since there were tons of young people hanging about.  Yesterday, Saturday, it was difficult to get back on the juice regime.  I broke down and ate a big lettuce salad with only red onions, carrots, dressed with balsalmic vinegar.  I also ate some fresh pineapple.  Today, much easier.  I feel great and find juicing to be easier as well.  I still have loss over 12 pounds since I started just over a week ago. 

So I am planning on continuing the fast for another 7 days.  After that I will decide whether to continue or not.  Wish me luck!

Day 6

Well, here I am day 6 of our juice fast.  We are having problems finding enough kale.  Terry accidently bought mustard greens.  I thought maybe we could use them........ ah no.  We found an excellent deal on fresh pineapples so I bought 4 this morning.  Fresh and juicy!

So I am down 18 pounds since last Thursday.  My weight has definately bobbed up and down, a sign that it is not fat pounds I have lost yet.  I just have to stick to it until my body realizes that this is the way it is going t stay and it starts using more fat for fuel.

Last night was my birthday with no special meal or cake.  The kids gave me an IOU for a homemade dessert when I can eat it again.  So funny.

3rd day

Well, part way through my 3rd day drinking only vegetable and fruit juices.  I haven't lost any more weight which could be due to the slow down of water loss.  Since I am sure to be burning fat, I find I need to brush my teeth every few hours to avoid a coated feeling. Plus all that jucie isn't good to leave on your teeth either.

I am feeling pretty good today.  Not very hungry. I think I only had 4 juices yesterday, with lots of water.  I have only had 2 juices today so far. 

I am missing crunchy things today.  I love carrots and cucumbers and big bowls of salad.  I miss that today. 

Fasting

Yesterday both Terry and I started a veggie and fruit juice fast.  We were inspired by the video "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead'.  There have been several surprises so far;

1. How much fruits and vegetables it take to make a glass of juice to drink.
2. How hungry one gets when only drinking juice.

I spent a hard night last night due to back pain, so I am tired today.  Terry and I both feel a bit sluggish and unwell.  We know this will pass.  The next few days will be the hardest.

I weighted myself out of curiosity this morning and I have lost 10 pounds.  Mostly water weight I am sure, but my body will burn more and more stored fat as fuel.

I plan on doing this for 10 days.  Lets see how it goes!