A lot of my clients tell me their children don’t like the taste of coconut. One way that I’ve found most children will eat coconut without realizing it is by making coconut rice.
Health Tip
What makes my recipe different from others is that I add an extra step – browning the rice before cooking it. Browning the rice first will burn off some of the carbs and make it easier to digest. Also, it gives the rice a nutty, light flavor which is always a crowd pleaser.
Another reason this rice is healthier than standard rice is because of the added coconut, which is a healthy fat. Coconut fats have special fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). It has been shown that breaking down these types of healthy fats in the liver leads to efficient burning of energy. For more information on the health benefits of coconut click here.
Have you ever thought about making your own mayonnaise?
If you have access to high quality organic or farm fresh eggs, it is easy to make your own and you know exactly what’s going into it! While store-bought mayo is convenient, most of it contains hydrogenated soybean oil and preservatives. Homemade mayo on the other hand is packed with protein and good fats.
Ingredients
1 large egg yolk
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
¼ tsp Dijon mustard
Pinch of sea salt
¼ cup olive oil
½ cup avocado, walnut or olive oil
Directions
In a food processor blend eggs, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and sea salt. Pulse until combined.
With the blender on low, slowly add the oil one drop at a time until the mixture resembles mayonnaise (makes about a cup).
If you prefer to make a sauce, blend until it reaches the consistency you desire.
To make pesto mayo, add 3 fresh basil leaves plus 1 garlic clove and 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil to step 1.
To make lemon dill mayo, add the zest of 1 lemon and 2 tsp fresh dill to step 1.
Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. They travel in your bloodstream to tissues or organs. They affect just about everything in your body such as:
Growth and development
Metabolism – how your body gets energy from the foods you eat
Reproduction/Sexual function
Mood
Here are steps you can take to balance your hormones naturally:
1. Avoid High Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fats
Avoid vegetable oil, peanut oil, canola oil, soybean oil, margarine, shortening, or other chemically altered fats. Instead eat: coconut oil, real butter, ghee, olive oil (low temperature only or use as salad dressing) and a fish that is high in Omega-3 at least once a week.
2. Limit the Caffeine or Eliminate it from Your Diet Entirely
Cut down on the caffeine, if you can. Replace your caffeinated drink with organic herbal teas. Numi Organic’s Emperor’s Pu-Erh tea has a full-bodied taste like coffee and is delicious with cream. Caution: Pu-Erh tea contains caffeine, although not as much as other teas. However, it is full-bodied like coffee, so can be helpful when trying to break the coffee habit. Pu-erh also contains antioxidants and other substances known to protect the heart. Organic teas such as peppermint, ginger and licorice are free of caffeine and very satisfying as well.
3. Avoid Toxins
Toxins are pretty much everywhere in today’s world, but there is a lot we can do in our everyday lives to make good choices. Choose your household cleaners and personal products with care. Hormone disrupting chemicals are found in pesticides, plastics, household chemicals, and mattresses. Birth control pills also contribute greatly to hormone imbalance in women. Make wise choices to take care of your body.
Cook in glass or enamel coated cast iron pans (avoid Teflon). As much as possible, store foods in glassware, and minimize the use of plastics. Choose organic produce and meat whenever possible. Use clean, non-toxic household cleaners, or even consider making your own (watch for a post on this topic in the near future!). Consider buying a mattress cover to keep from breathing the chemicals emitted from your mattress as this is a much less expensive option than buying an organic mattress. Another option is to buy a sleep number mattress as they are filled with air instead of chemicals.
4. Sleep
If you aren’t getting enough sleep, your hormones will not be balanced. Sleeping eight hours per night can improve hormones and is even linked to longer life, less chance of disease, and weight loss.
5. Supplement Wisely
Ideally, our diet would be balanced enough to keep our hormones at optimal levels. However, if your hormones are not in balance (with the help of a healthcare professional) you can consider trying:
Maca– A tuber in the radish family that is said to boost hormone production and libido. Many women notice less PMS, increased fertility, and improved skin. Men often notice increased sperm production, libido, and better sleep when taking Maca. Maca is also high in minerals and essential fatty acids, making it great for hormones.
Magnesium– Magnesium supports hundreds of reactions in the body and often contributes to better sleep (good for hormone balance).
Vitamin D– A pre-hormone is supportive of hormone function. It is best obtained from the sun. But if that is not possible, consider a D3 supplement or Fermented Cod Liver Oil. It is also possible now to procure UVB-based Vitamin D-enhancing light systems. If you have an interest in supplementing with Vitamin D, first take the time to get your blood tested to find out your current level. Taking too much Vitamin D can be toxic. There is research by the Autoimmunity Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization, indicating that excess vitamin D may actually have an immunosuppressive effect and can possibly interfere with healthy immune function and recovery.
Fermented Cod Liver Oil– Provides many of the necessary building blocks for hormone production including Vitamins A, D, and K. It also is a great source of Omega-3s and beneficial fats.
6. Consider Homeopathy
When toxins are removed and organs and glands are supported, the body can often rebalance its hormones effectively. Sequential homeopathy provides an effective and simple way to gently detoxify the energetic residue and toxic effects of birth control pills and other toxic exposures that contribute to hormone imbalance. Sarcodes, or remedies made from healthy glandular or tissue extract, can also be helpful to rebalance hormones and bring them their optimal vibration.
7. Exercise Lightly
If you have hormone imbalance, intense extended exercise can actually make the problem worse in the short-term. Try to walk for at least a half hour a day or do another light form of exercise like yoga or Pilates. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times a week.
8. Eat Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil is extremely beneficial for hormone health. It provides the necessary building blocks for hormone production, can assist weight loss, reduce inflammation, and even has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Try to consume 1/4 cup of coconut oil a day.
9. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Incorporate more fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, plus raw nuts and seeds (soaked and sprouted whenever possible) into your diet. Foods such as processed carbohydrates, fried foods, soft drinks, enriched flour, processed vegetable oil and soy products may alter hormone balance. Avoid non-organic dairy products which may contain harmful bovine growth hormones, steroids and antibiotics.
10. Take Care of Your Soul
Remember to make time for yourself at least once a day. Find small ways to incorporate rest and relaxation throughout the day. Be present. Breathe. Smile and laugh. Consider learning some form of yoga or meditation. Trauma and trapped emotions can contribute to any physical symptom pattern in the body, and hormone imbalance is no exception. Symptoms are only a message from the body. When we understand the message, the symptoms can go. Energy healing sessions can bring healing to the root cause, allowing for trauma (and symptom) release.
Please stay tuned for future posts where I will discuss natural ways to support your adrenal gland (your ability to deal with stress), thyroid gland (your metabolism), and pancreas (blood sugar/maintain healthy insulin levels).
Did you try eating a gluten-free diet without seeing significant improvement in your health? Yesterday, in my post, I spoke about one of the possible reasons for this. Removing corn from your diet is important in order to truly be “gluten-free.” Today, I want to explain another reason some people don’t see improvement in their persistent health problems simply by eliminating gluten from their diet… dairy. Removing dairy from your diet is another important step in order to truly determine if a gluten-free diet is key for your healing.
Researchers have identified that dairy proteins can affect as much as 50% of those with gluten problems. A quote from a research study is listed below:
“Patients with celiac disease (CD) on a gluten-free diet may still have gastrointestinal symptoms. On clinical grounds cow’s milk (CM) protein sensitivity may be suspected…A mucosal inflammatory response similar to that elicited by gluten was produced by CM protein in about 50% of the patients with celiac disease. Casein, in particular, seems to be involved in this reaction.”
Reasons Why Dairy Causes an Inflammatory Reaction:
Processing of dairy alters the casein protein creating a molecule that resembles gluten, thus creating an inflammatory response.
Cows eat large quantities of GMO corn and grain based foods. It is likely that these grain based proteins (including gluten) make their way into the milk, thus creating an inflammatory reaction.
Gluten can cause intestinal permeability. When this happens, people often times become allergic to the foods that they consume most often. Dairy is often a major staple used by those on a gluten-free diet and therefore, many develop an allergic response to dairy.
Those with gluten induced intestinal damage tend to have a hard time breaking down the sugars and proteins in dairy. This can cause tremendous GI distress, gas, distention, bloating, and pain. The undigested dairy materials can rot in the gut. This can also lead to disruption in the healthy bacterial counts of the gut.
Should You Eat Dairy Products on a Gluten Free Diet?
I would encourage a dairy free diet for at least 6 months when initially going gluten-free. This will allow time for your digestive system to heal.
Guidelines to Follow if You are Going to Include Dairy in Your Gluten Free Diet:
Buy grass-fed dairy only.
Be sure your dairy comes from animals who are antibiotics and hormone free.
Buy dairy in the raw form. If you want to pasteurize it, heat it up yourself on your stove at home.
Closing:
Remember, just because your doctor’s test did not show you have a sensitivity to gluten, there’s no guarantee that gluten is not slowing down your healing. Health is a choice we make every moment – what we choose to put in and around us, conversations we choose to listen to, things we choose to eat and drink – all impact the rate at which we heal. You have the power to choose the rate of your healing by the simple choices you make every day.
Through Applied Kinesiology, I can determine the foods most optimal for your healing – what to limit and what to avoid completely.
This is part two of my post about miasms, or the inherited root causes of disease. For part 1 click here.
Below are the symptom manifestations typically seen with the five major miasms.
PSORA
Keynotes of Psora: Skin eruptions, itching, fears about poverty and survival, pessimism.
When there is a Psoric miasm influence, it is common to experience worsening of skin symptoms – with skin eruptions that are itchy and scaly.
There is often mental restlessness and there can be a tendency to overeat due to stress, worry and anxiety.
Body odor indicates toxicity within the body’s inner terrain.
Problems with the digestive processes of assimilation and elimination are common in Psora.
Psora types often experience joint inflammation and arthritic conditions, hay fever, allergies, sinus infections and asthma.
Person will often be fearful and anxious with worries about money, abandonment, business failure, and survival. There is the feeling that there will not be enough – even when there actually is.
Experience chronic over-stimulation of the fight or flight mechanism.
There may be issues with temperature regulation (either too hot or too cold) and climate adaption.
They may have an empty, weak, hungry feeling around 11am and often struggle with blood sugar regulation.
The Psoric person feels worse in cold or open air and feels better from warmth of any type.
Keynotes of the tubercular miasm are coughs, breathing issues and lung problems, respiratory system imbalances, frequent colds and sensitivity to the cold.
The most favorable place for the tubercular person is said to be up in the mountains and in fresh air.
Often have problems with breathing or constriction around the throat.
Weakness in the thyroid gland.
Often struggle with self-expression in some way.
Often frail and sensitive to the heat, but also easily chilled.
They are sensitive to weather changes, environmental toxins, atmospheric and barometric pressure changes.
Children with this miasm may have prolonged bedwetting, frequent nightmares, temper tantrums, and often have an aversion to milk.
They also tend to be susceptible to ringworm, acne, and white spots on the nails.
Experience loss of appetite.
Tendency to have parasites and allergies.
Have a fear of dogs.
They are prone to exhaustion if stressed and may feel as if they never have enough rest.
Desire to travel (or if travel is not possible, the desire to change clothing often and move the furniture frequently).
The tubercular person is better with the sun and warmth.
The Tubercular type has a sense that things could be changed or improved, or that there is something missing.
There is a strong drive for freedom and a resistance to any kind of restriction.
Driven to re-discover and connect with the Divine.
Keynotes of the Sycotic miasm are warts, skin tags, discharges, mucus, tumors (not cancerous), inflammation, blood disorders, emotional cruelty, suspicion, and love of power.
Sycotic people tend to be extremists.
There is too much of everything being produced in the body – too many warts, too much mucous, tumors and growths.
There is also a tendency to urinary and hormonal issues as well as sexual problems. Often early sexual trauma can activate a sycotic miasm.
Individuals who have a Sycotic miasm are susceptible to the shock of surgical removal of skin eruptions such as warts, cysts, moles – which can lead to the activation of the latent miasm.
Swelling in the joints and connective tissues as well as arthritis and rheumatism are common.
Tend to have thick, coarse hair and ridged or thick nails.
This miasm is believed to be responsible when there is a sudden onset of any severe disease.
Areas of vulnerability with this miasm include: reproductive/urinary organs, mucous membranes, connective tissue, and issues with healthy boundaries between self and the rest of the universe.
There is a tendency to form kidney or gall stones, swellings or deposits in the joints.
There are issues with fluid accumulation and sinus congestion.
Emotional symptoms can include: suspiciousness, secretiveness, forgetfulness, and a tendency toward being a workaholic.
The sycotic person’s conditions are always worse in cold, damp weather; better with activity and at the seaside.
The cancer miasm is an equally divided combination of the original three miasms of Hahnemann: Psoric, Sycotic and Syphilitic.
Keynotes of the Cancer miasm are emotional sensitivity and/or repression of emotions like anger, fear, and aggression.
Susceptible to pneumonia, chemical toxicity or multiple allergy syndrome, overexposure to chemicals, and situations where the immune system seems to go into overdrive, reacting to everything.
This miasm is also commonly seen when there are reactions to vaccinations and allopathic drug use.
There can be perfectionist tendencies, depression, and even apathy.
A person with this miasm activated will have the tendency to be over-reactive to many things without the ability to determine what is healthy and what is not.
There is often a history of repeated and severe childhood illnesses and infections, sensitive gums and teeth, growth disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and autism spectrum disorders.
This miasm if likely activated when there are significant challenges with relationships between human beings, specifically with our individual, one-to-one relationships.
The greatest challenge with this miasm is the ability to stay open emotionally and yet feel protected and safe at the same time.
The cancer miasm has a tendency to be too accommodating and agreeable, to one’s own peril – often known as the “doormat syndrome.” When the true self is continually suppressed to the needs or wants of others, this miasm is awakened.
Deep sadness, grief, guilt or anger is also seen with this miasm.
The tendency to be over concerned with others or to go along with others so as not to upset anyone seems to be deeply ingrained in this person.
This miasm is usually suspected in those with a family history of cancer or diabetes.
Working with this miasm will help to improve one’s ability to grow in relationships, will strengthen and balance the immune system and the spleen in particular.
Common symptoms: Chronic fatigue syndrome, colitis, constipation, diabetes, immune system weakness, insomnia, ovarian cyst, PMS, tics, developmental delays, vaccine reactions.
SYPHILITIC
Syphilitic miasm is easier to understand and remember if we think of it as the opposite of the Sycotic miasm. The Sycotic miasm is about over-expansion, over-production, growth … the Syphilitic miasm represents breakdown, destruction and contraction – it is called the miasm of destruction.
From a consciousness perspective, this miasm teaches us not to get too attached to things that we’ve created or accumulated, because everything in nature is transient and changes form eventually.
There are often issues with the eyes including cataracts and blindness, skin diseases that become infected, ulcerated sore throats, ulcers of the ear, nose, urinary system and mouth and heart conditions.
There is often a history of miscarriage, stillborn pregnancies, and sterility.
The Syphilitic miasm is also marked with addictions due to lack of self-worth and self-destructive behaviors such as alcoholism.
Most of the pains or aggravations occur during the winter months or at night.
With this miasm, we often see the deepest depths of depression and despair.
Common emotions can be jealousy, envy, explosive anger and a pessimistic view of life.
Diseases of aging that destroy function and memory such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are part of the Syphyilitic miasm.
A theme of this miasm is learning to let go.
The miasm may be triggered by severe loss – job loss, relationship loss, the loss of identity.
An emotional keynote of this miasm is the feeling that he/she is on the verge of losing control, when emotions are overwhelming and intense.
The Syphilitic miasm is associated with feelings of being stuck and fears of moving forward.
Common symptoms: bone pains, skin ulcerations, distortions of anatomy (like cleft palates, strabismus), neuralgia, anorexia, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, scoliosis, growing pains.
Stay tuned for part 3 of my series on miasms. In part 3, I will discuss nosodes to treat the five major miasms.
Toxicity from daily living is happening for all of us. Understanding how we can support our body in decreasing these toxins is crucial for our health.
Each child born is now entering life with hundreds of toxins, chemicals, and radiation in their systems. Then, they are bombarded by:
Pesticides and herbicides
Chemicals added to foods
GMO foods that have the ability to change our genetics
Vaccines
Toxins, drugs, and metals found in our water and air
These toxins can cause further problems by:
Increasing inflammation
Creating an ideal environment for pathogens to multiply
Decreasing our body’s ability to defend itself
Decreasing our cellular health
Toxins contribute to the following health problems:
Inflammation
Detox pathway breakdown
Gall bladder and liver issues
Diabetes
Hormonal problems
Nervous system problems
Infections
Colon problems
How to decrease our toxic load:
Eat organically and avoid GMO foods
Eliminate bad habits, like smoking and eating processed foods
Take supplements
Exercise
Use non-toxic household products
Byron White Formulas are often helpful for people who need to detox. They have several formulas to help with this effort. In my practice, I have seen Byron White formulas decrease symptoms, lower the toxic burden, support the body in the healing process (recovery and regeneration), and help the body to better cope with drug toxicity from prescription medications.
I am trained in how to use these formulas to promote better health. Please contact me if you are interested in learning more.
