This past Wednesday, I attended a wonderfully informative lecture put on by Nourishing Ways West MI. The founders of NourishMD.com, Dr. Sue McCreadie, MD and Holistic Health Counselor Angelle Batten, spoke about a number of health issues that affect children and how REAL foods (not processed, fake foods) help make kids healthy.

Being a medical doctor, Sue has a traditional background in medicine, but has since expanded her practice to holistic medicine. She described traditional medicine as looking at all of the parts of the body (including organs) separately and holistic medicine as looking at everything at once since it is all connected.

Angelle and Sue spent a good amount of time talking about the digestive system, which is extremely important to the entire body, as 70% of the body’s immune system is the gut. In fact, they stated that almost any issue (including allergies) in the body goes back to the gut and second to the spine only, the gut contains most nerve endings in the body. If you think about it even in simple terms, the digestive system is how we convert outside food into usable nutrition and energy for the body, so if the body can’t do this well, we’ve got a big problem on our hands.

Eating REAL food is a good first step to helping out the digestive system. Foods that are unprocessed and close to their natural state are best, and ensuring they are good quality is also important. This means eating organic, pastured meat and organic fruits, vegetables, and grains when possible.

Sue and Angelle noted that it is not possible to go from eating processed foods to real foods overnight so they suggested “bridge” foods. The example they used was apple flavored snacks as processed, fake food and a local, organic apple as the REAL food. Storebought applesauce would be the bridge food in this scenario. It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly less processed than the apple flavored snacks.

Also, to help make the transition easier, Sue and Angelle suggested thinking about what foods can be added to your (or your child’s) diet rather than thinking about what must be taken away. That way, the good foods can begin to replace the bad ones. They also noted that meal planning is important and I’m working on this myself, but can’t say that it is necessarily easy!

Luckily, Nourishmd.com offers a great selection of healthy recipes using REAL food. I’ve tried a couple of them already (including the homemade baked oatmeal-yum!). They also have a great deal of information available and an interesting health blog. I definitely recommend checking out their site!

I came upon a fabulous local find last week- Tracy’s Faces Day Spa in Jenison, MI. I had scheduled a facial with Tracy herself after visiting the website and was looking forward relaxing and doing my skin a favor at the same time.  I knew that it was my kind of spa when I walked in and saw Natural Awakenings magazines set out and organic & natural products on display.

I quickly found out that Tracy is a Certified & Licensed Holistic Esthetician (so cool!) and her certifications are too long to list, but include sugaring, microdermabrasion, acne care, and reflexology. She also offers a number of services at the spa including manicures, pedicures, body treatments, massages, ear candling, ionic foot bath, body wraps, and acupressure.

During the facial Tracy explained to me each step of the process and how the particular products  and would benefit my skin. She also gave suggestions such as nutrition and particular foods (such as kefir and aloe juice in my case) that might improve my skin. This was the first time I’d had a facial where ideas for improvement were recommended from the inside out and it sure makes a lot of sense!

That’s not to say, though, that topical products aren’t still important. Tracy showed me a line of products that are actually locally made in Kalamazoo, MI that would particularly help my combination skin type. The product line is Elina Skin Care and so far I’ve tried out are the cleanser, toner, and organic scrub. They seem to be working as my skin is feeling great and looking exceptionally healthy!

I definitely recommend checking out Tracy’s Faces if you have an opportunity; we are lucky to have such a great natural spa option in West Michigan. Sit back, relax, and for once don’t worry about the ingredients being used!

You may remember back last fall when we noted that one of the tips to improving digestion was to thoroughly chew food (instead of swallowing it down as quick as possible). So not only is taking time to chew the important first step in the digestion process, but the speed of eating in general determines how your body will react to the food.

I came across the benefits of eating slowly reported in an article by naturalnews.com, which states that eating slowly can reduce caloric intake and therefore help to prevent obesity. In a study reported in the article, two groups of people ate the same type and amount of food, but one group ate it slowly, over a period of 30 minutes, and the other group ate it within 5 minutes.

As you might guess, the group that ate more slowly showed greater signs of the hormones that make us feel full. This satisfied full feeling helps prevent overeating, but does not occur in time when foods are eaten too quickly (thus overeating can much more easily occur). Another study even showed that people eating slowly consumed about 10% less in calories than those who ate quickly.

Unfortunately, with busy schedules and lifestyles that often involve consuming meals on the go, it is easy to forget to slow down, chew thoroughly, and simply enjoy food. If you’re looking for additional tips on how to eat more slowly, such as using smaller utensils and specifically setting aside time to eat, check out this link.

The number of mints, gum, mouthwash, and breath-savers available on the market are a sure sign of the bad breath plaguing this country. But what many people aren’t aware of is how toxins in the body affect their breath. Natural News recently posted an informative article on how bad breath is actually directly related to a dirty colon.

Most people will notice bad breath when they wake up in the morning which due to the detoxification process that occur while the body is resting and has a break from the daily focus on digestion. The worse a person’s morning breath is, the more toxic their body is.

However, if a body goes through a deep detoxification and cleansing, the body will no longer be holding the nasty toxins that are causing the bad smells (which also include body odor in addition to bad breath). As a result, the body would exhibit no bad morning breath or bad breath throughout the day.

Our bodies can become toxic very easily (due to processed foods, environmental toxins, chemicals in hygiene products, etc.), and bad breath and body odor will be some of the first symptoms. Focusing on regular detoxification is important as even though bad breath and body odor may seem like relatively small issues, increased toxicity over time could lead to additional, worse health issues.

On day 2 of the Wise Traditions conference, I attended a very informative presentation by Kaayla Daniel, PhD and CCN. She is on the board of directors for the Weston A. Price foundation and is also the director/founder of The Whole Nutritionist. She discussed the growing problem and reasons for infertility as well as foods that can help to promote fertility.

Unfortunately, as Kaayla Daniel discussed, infertility is a growing problem and cannot be taken lightly. She noted that infertility is not just a problem with the reproductive organs, but with the entire body. Unfortunately, there are many factors which can affect the healthy function the reproductive systems of both men (specifically sperm production and quality) and women (ovulation) including STDs, drugs/alcohol, stress, processed and hormone-ridden foods not containing necessary nutrients.

Kaayla Daniel noted that it is actually rare for her to see normal fertility chart/cycles from women, which should show signs of healthy ovulation. She also stated that being too thin or overweight can cause a failure to ovulate (this is often related to diet and lifestyle). I have to wonder how often medical doctors prescribe changes to diet and exercise before suggesting fertility drugs and in vitro…

Kaayla Daniel also discussed another surprising health problem- loss of libido. This can be due to drugs (such as Prozac- which can not only hurt sexual desire, but reduce sperm count dramatically). For females particularly, thyroid problems and physical pain of reproductive organs during intercourse can also be of influence.

In addition, although Viagra is a profitable and popular product, Kaayla Daniel explained that when used, 30% less eggs become fertilized and worse yet, the eggs are not likely to develop properly if they are fertilized. Kaayla also noted that some specific foods are very bad for fertility such as trans fats, the infamous HFCS (due to the mercury), cytotoxins such as MSG and aspartame, GMOs,  toxic metals (from vaccines, dental work, etc.), too high levels of necessary minerals (copper and maganese), and pesticides.

She also stated that xenoestrogens (environmental estrogens) have an impact on fertility. These include, BPA, DES, BHA (in birth control pills), parabens, DDT, PCBs, red die#3, and perchlorate. In addition, phytoestrogens (dietary estrogens) can not only cause infertility, but endometriosis, masculinization of females, femalization of males, and sexual dysfunction.

Kaayla Daniel also noted that soy foods in particular during pregnancy and for feeding babies are particularly bad. Studies show that this is because phytoestrogens in soy are endocrine disruptor and decrease testosterone. According to the Weston A. Price Foundation, “babies exclusively fed soy formula receive the estrogenic equivalent of at least 5 birth control pills per day“. I think frightening is an understatement in this case….

Near the end of her presentation, Kaayla Daniel discussed foods that do promote fertility and were recognized by traditional cultures. Raw whole milk, butter, eggs (of hens, fish, etc.), chicken giblets and liver, and cod liver oil, are included in these sacred foods for fertility. You will notice that all of these foods are high in cholesterol and that they are not commonly recommended to be included in the modern American diet (but is the American diet really helping with fertility anyway?). She also stated that fermented vegetables are another “fertility food” as they help with gut health and overall wellness of the body. She also suggested maca, ginseng, and horny goat weed as possible fertility supplements.

I am fortunate to have made it to Chicago safely for the Wise Traditions 2009 conference hosted by the Weston A. Price Foundation. The lectures that I attended yesterday were were presented by Sally Fallon Morell herself, president of the foundation and author of Nourishing Traditions, one of my favorite cookbooks.

Sally Fallon’s seminar thoroughly discussed the work of Dr. Weston A Price starting with his dental profession during the twenties and his research and exploration of traditional diets that still remained (before modern and processed foods became the norm). Dr. Price started his research due to the high amounts of tooth decay and crowded teeth he was seeing and his belief of the strong impact of the diet on a healthy mouth and healthy body.

Dr. Price traveled the world studying the people of isolated villages that were self-sustained and had no food coming in yet from the outside world. He found that these people had wonderful nutrition (actually much better than the nutrition in more developed areas eating modern food) as they had much healthier teeth and overall dental health (straight teeth with no crowding and rarely a cavity- even without brushing).

In addition to healthier teeth, Dr. Price observed taller, lean people with full, wide facial structures which seem to have thinned out over generations with the lack of nutrition in modern, processed food. They had wider jaws allowing room for all of the teeth and even though some of the people had worn teeth from chewing leather, there was no decay.

Although he noticed differences in the diets of people in isolated villages, he found that all of them did consume animal products in one way or another (for example, in livers, fish oil, or raw milk) and often times they ate fermented foods. After his nutritional studies were completed, Dr. Price concluded that the diets of isolated people contained ten times the fat-soluble vitamins and four times the calcium and minerals as the modern American diet. I daresay this number would be higher now as foods have only become more processed and refined since Dr. Price’s time.

From the findings of Dr. Price’s research, the Weston A. Price foundation recommends foods that are often not recommended now, such as cod liver oil, raw milk, egg yolks, butter, cream, grass-fed land animals, and animal fat. Some of these are oppressed due to powerful industries and lacking research, but supplements such as cod liver oil have just seemed to die out over the years as other medicines and remedies have taken over.

While I can’t possibly cover all of the information Sally presented, I can refer you to the Weston A. Price website for details of their research and studies as well as their diet recommendations. A wonderful variety of food supporting the diet is being served at the conference; such as the lunch yesterday of arugula salad, lacto-fermented carrots, garlic toast, chicken cacciatore, tuscan white bean soup, herbed corn polenta triangles, and an antipasto platter of organ sausages and artisanal meats.

While it is strange for some of us to think about incorporating the dreaded organ meats into our diet, the nutritional value is just phenomenal. The sausages and meats tasted just fine and later in the evening the meat loaf for dinner contained organ meats and was probably the best meat loaf I’ve ever had. What’s nice about the Weston A. Price foundation is that they support a diet of a variety of foods. Not just raw or vegetarian or vegan, but learning how to prepare everything in a way that is healthy and maximizes nutrients and their absorbtion into the body.

This means that we can eat meat, butter, vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates, and desserts as long as they are prepared in ways that are healthy. The Nourishing Traditions cookbook is a great guide for recipes and getting started. The main thing to avoid is refined and processed foods (which have little or no nutritional value and can actually be dangerous from the process due to additives, preservatives, and chemicals used in production).

I will be attending another portion of the conference today and should have further information and reportings later this weekend! Since I’ve tried to consolidate a lot of information into a small post, please let me know if you have any questions.

As the cold weather takes over Michigan, there’s nothing I enjoy more than relaxing quietly in the steam room of the gym after a tough workout. Not only are there numerous health benefits, but it’s just plain relaxing for my mind and body. It is instant warmth and comfort- right down to my bones- when I walk in. In the middle of a snowy winter, I can leave the steam room and the gym, making it all the way home still feeling that cozy warmth.

I only stay in the steam room for about 10-15 minutes, but that is plenty enough time to close my eyes, reflect on the day, breathe deep, and sweat profusely (yes, this is one of the healthy parts!). It is a perfectly calm, quiet escape from my cell phone and seemingly fast-paced life.

Unlike a sauna using dry heat, a steam room offers a very humid, gentle heat and often times I can’t even see through the thick mist further than an arm’s reach. I don’t use a timer for the steam room- my body tells me when it’s time to get out. When the steam suddenly starts to feel truly hot instead of comfortably warm, it’s time to go.

As I mentioned before, there are many benefits to spending some time in a steam room, such as those listed below:

• Opens pores to assist detoxification through profuse sweating
• Provides hydration to the skin (it is excellent for the complexion)
• Increases metabolism, heart rate, and blood circulation
• Gives the immune system a boost by creating an environment (fever) where a virus may not be able to sustain
• Helps to relieve allergies and asthma by opening up airways and supporting the respiratory system
• Relieves congestion
• Relaxes muscles and reducing their tension
• May provide relief of arthritis

If you have extra time to relax in a steam room, even if only once a week, I highly recommend it for the many benefits and for the mental relaxation it provides. It’s a good time to rejuvenate and reflect while doing a favor for your body.

Make sure to be aware of how long you stay in the steam room- there is the potential for overheating, faintness, etc. Bring a buddy if you feel more comfortable having someone with you.

http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/benefits_saunas_steam_showers_turkish_baths

Back in the beginning of October, I mentioned writing a series of posts on a great presentation by Marcella Clark and Kirsty Hardinge of the The Body Center in Holland, MI. One topic they discussed was brushing the skin regularly and I’ve found it to actually be quite relaxing. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes and if you think about it, paying a little attention to your body’s largest organ might be a very good thing!

I bought a neat round brush with a handle from The Body Shop and while the bristles are stiff, they are gentle enough for light body brushings. If you don’t have a body brush, you can also use bath gloves or a loofah. Always brush when dry (not in the shower) and towards the center of your body. I hold one arm up and gently brush it downwards with the other hand down towards my neck and chest. After doing the same thing for my other arm, I switch to my legs and brush them upwards starting from my ankles.

As you might guess, skin brushing offers a number of health benefits. According to You Are What You Eat by Gillian McKeith, skin brushing stimulates blood cells and lymph tissues; therefore increasing the rate at which toxins are released from the body. Gillian recommends brushing even the soles of your feet and down your back as part of the routine (a brush with a long handle would be good for this). She also notes that long, gentle brushing towards the heart will also increase circulation and help the skin tone and texture. If you are interested in more benefits (such as removing cellulite and toning muscles, click here).

One thing to remember is to always brush gently- the idea is to use very little pressure and you don’t want to scratch yourself or make your skin raw. Make sure to also avoid any broken skin or areas with thread or varicose veins. Lastly, do not brush your face and be careful of any warts or moles that may be sensitive.

If you give it a try, my guess is that you will truly begin to enjoy skin brushing. It’s an easy way to help your body out and relax for even just a few minutes during a busy day.

I feel fortunate to have attended a wonderfully informative presentation on digestion and raw foods at The Body Center in Holland, MI this past Tuesday. There were two knowledgeable presenters- Marcella Clark, owner of The Body Center (also CCHT, CMMT, CRA, and more), and Kirsty Hardinge, professional chef and CCHT.

I think the many things I learned at this event are worth a series of posts so I will try to not overload you with all of the information at once. Instead I’ll start out with some very simple eating changes that you can make now to help improve your digestion. Some of these are very much common sense, but not necessarily something we think about when we are hungry!

• Get your tummy ready! Unfortunately, putting food into the stomach first thing in the morning isn’t the best thing to do. Let it warm up first by giving it some warm or room temperature liquid. Marcella & Kirsty compared the stomach after waking to a dry sponge. It needs to be wet before food starts coming at it! My new favorite morning drink, since reading You Are What You Eat by Gillian McKeith, is warm water with a splash of fresh lemon juice.

• Drink warm or room temperature beverages while eating, if you drink at all. Drinking during meals can interrupt the digestion process by diluting the acid inside the stomach.

• Chew, chew, chew! As Gillian McKeith says, your stomach does not have teeth! Chewing (thus coating food with saliva) is the very first step of the digestive process so it’s important to do a good job of it. I’ve found that it truly requires focus to thoroughly chew food instead of just swallowing it.

• Eat fresh, live food! It makes sense that if you eat fruits and vegetables that are alive, they will have the vitamins that you need to feel good and alive. If you eat only cooked food, in which many of the beneficial vitamins and enzymes are lost, you actually make the food harder for you body to digest. This point will lead the way into some “raw” discussion, which I am very excited for!

• Last, but not least, always think about why you are eating- are you truly hungry or are you eating because you are bored? Many times we eat based on moods or emotions, rather than actual hunger. Start getting in tune with your body so you can tell when you actually need food and when you don’t. This also applies to portion control- don’t let a outside party decide what quantity is right for you. Stop eating when you are feeling full and if you are not sure, wait a few minutes before deciding to eat more.