Put Down the Diet Coke

If I could change just one thing in a poor diet it would be eliminating all artificial sweeteners. 

Aspartame is a sweetener that is often used in place of sugar in 'no sugar' or 'diet' food and beverages. It was formulated in 1965 when it was discovered by accident by James Schlatter, a chemist of G.D. Searle Company, who was testing an anti-ulcer drug. 

FACT #1: Aspartame is 160 times as sweet as sugar with virtually no calories. 

FACT #2: Aspartame will make you gain weight. The Phenylalanine in Aspartame stimulates your appetite and increases hunger. 

FACT #3: One of the major complaints that are made as an Aspartame side effect is headaches. 

FACT #4: Aspartame accounts for 75% of ALL complaints to the FDA for a food additive – with even MSG running a poor second. Some research has concluded that aspartame contains a carcinogen (substance that causes cancer) which is suspected by many scientists to be behind conditions ranging from brain tumors to epilepsy.

FACT #5: 10% of Aspartame is metabolized in small intestine to give methanol, which is converted into formaldehyde which is very toxic compound to kidney and liver.

Hopefully if you are a Diet Coke addict (or Pepsi, or Dr. Pepper, or anything labeled diet..) you will think twice and possibly pick up a bottle of water instead! 

Source: Women's Health Talk

Drink up!

The importance or drinking enough pure, clean water cannot be stressed enough! It is one of the first things I ask and review with my clients. Water constitutes approximately 60% of the adult human body weight.  On average, we should be consuming approximately 96 ounces (3 quarts) of water per day.  If your goal is weight loss then add an additional 8 oz of water for every 25 pounds above your ideal body weight. And of course increase water intake when exercising and for those of us that live in the desert. 

When we drink an adequate amount of water many wonderful things happen, including:

• Our Endocrine gland function improves
• Water retention is alleviated
• Liver function improves (increasing % of fat used for energy)
• Appetite decreases
• Metabolic functions improve
• Nutrients are distributed throughout the body
• Body-temp is regulated

It is also important to pay attention to the water that you are consuming... 

                                                                

Did you know?

✔ An Environmental Working Group (EWG) study found a total of 316 contaminants, including 97 agricultural and 204 industrial contaminants, in the tap water of 45 states. More than half of the contaminants de- tected have no drinking-water safety standards.

✔ According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, public water utilities have violated the Safe Drinking Water Act more than 700,000 times in the past seven years.

✔ Unlike public water utilities, the bottled water industry is not required to publicly disclose the results of any contaminant testing it conducts.

✔ Bottled water may not be contaminant free. The EWG found a total of 38 contaminants in the water of 10 popular brands.

✔ In 2007, 1.64 million tons of bottled water packaging materials were produced in the U.S.; only 34% of those materials were recycled.

✔ According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ resolution, it takes 1.5 million barrels of oil every year to facilitate the production of water bottles made for use in the U.S. That’s enough oil to power 50,000 cars for a year.      ..put down that plastic water bottle!! ;-)

I definitely do not want to be drinking the glass on the left.  It is a harsh reality.. our water supply is contaminated with everything from lead and BPA from plastic bottles to industrial pollutants and pesticides. Which is why it is so important to do your research and choose a water filtration system that will eliminate these contaminants (as well as your concern about them).

Shaklee's Get Clean water is certified to reduce 99% of lead (Brita and PUR are not), filter 80 gallons (twice as much as Brita and PUR), and uses the first ever pitcher with a refillable carbon block pitcher filter system - which means less waste in our landfills. 

See below for comparison:

So now that we know what water to drink and how much .. add a lemon to it! 

We start every morning with a big glass (12-16 oz) of water and half of a lemon squeezed in it!  Why the lemon? I'll tell you... 

Lemons:

Boost you’re immune system 

Lemons are high in Vitamin C and potassium. Vitamin C is great for fighting colds and potassium stimulates brain & nerve function and helps control blood pressure.

Balance pH

Lemons are an incredibly alkaline food, believe it or not. Yes, they are acidic on their own, but inside our bodies they’re alkaline (the citric acid does not create acidity in the body once metabolized).  And an alkaline body is the key to good health.

Help with weight loss

Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. It also has been shown that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster.

Aids in digestion

Warm water stimulates the gastrointestinal tract and peristalsis—the waves of muscle contractions within the intestinal walls that keep things moving. Lemons and limes are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen toxins in the digestive tract. It helps flush out unwanted materials, encourages the liver to produce bile which is an acid that is required for digestion. Efficient digestion reduces heartburn and constipation.

Act as a gentle, natural diuretic

Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Toxins are, therefore, released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy.

Clears skin

The vitamin C helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes. Lemon water purges toxins from the blood which helps keep skin clear as well.

Hydrate the lymph system

It helps to start the day hydrated. When your body is dehydrated, or deeply dehydrated (adrenal fatigue) it can’t function properly, which leads to toxic buildup, stress, constipation, the list goes on. Your adrenals are two small glands that sit on top of your kidneys, and along with your thyroid they create energy. They also secrete important hormones, including aldosterone. Aldosterone regulates water levels and the concentration of minerals, like sodium, in your body, helping you stay hydrated. Your adrenals are also responsible for regulating your stress response. 

Other great additions to your water are sliced cucumbers, fresh mint leaves, sliced oranges and limes.. mix and match, just drink your water!!

Get Clean water here
A year of Get Clean water here: 5,000 8oz glasses of water for $105 (member price)

Source

Source

To Buy Organic or Not to Buy Organic?

That is the question.. 

Do you walk the produce aisle wondering what and when to buy organic? I did. Organic produce is usually more expensive so I wanted to know where to best spend our hard earned money. Which is what prompted me to research what produce is necessary to buy organic and what produce is not as concerning.

This list is the "dirty dozen" from the Environmental Working Groups current list.  In other words buy these organic:

• Apples
• Celery
• Strawberries
• Peaches
• Spinach
• Nectarines
• Grapes
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes
• Blueberries
• Lettuce
• Coffee
• Wine
• Chocolate

So WHY are we buying organic?  There are many reasons we need to consider buying organic foods. The USDA Organic label tells you that fruits and veggies were not farmed using manmade chemical pesticides, fossil fuel, sewage-based fertilizers (eww) or genetically modified seeds. On meat, the label indicates that the feeds provided met those same standards, and that the animals weren't administered hormones and antibiotics. Bottom line: "Organic" is more sustainable and healthier -- for the environment and farm workers, certainly, and often for you and your family.

What makes organic healthier? Some studies suggest that organic produce has more nutrients than its conventional counterparts, probably because the soil is left in better condition after repeated plantings; and healthier because you avoid ingesting harmful pesticide residues left on conventional produce.

The fruits and vegetables on this list (see below) were the least likely to have pesticides, after typical washing, whether or not they're certified organic. In other words you can probably get away with buying these conventional. 

Here's a look at the Environmental Working Group's 2011 Clean 15 list:

• Onions 

• Sweet Corn 

• Pineapple 
• 
Avocado 
• 
Asparagus 

• Sweet peas 

• Mango 

• Eggplant 

• Cantaloupe (domestic) 

• Kiwi 

• Cabbage 

• Watermelon 

• Grapefruit 

• Mushrooms

So read the labels on your produce, if the sticker has:

FOUR DIGIT NUMBERS beginning with a 3 or 4 it is conventionally grown, non-GMO produce.

FIVE DIGITS BEGINNING WITH AN 8 means the produce is GMO, genetically modified (AVOID)

FIVE DIGITS BEGINNING WITH A 9 means it is ORGANIC

Regardless of what produce you are buying WASH IT before consuming!!

We use Basic H2.  One teaspoon for a sink of water or a couple drops in a bowl of water does the trick. This is just one of the 1001 uses for Basic H2..  Love it! :-) 


Information from www.dailygreen.com and EWG.

Keen-what?!

We love Quinoa ("KEEN-wah"). If you haven't tried it yet it resembles a whole grain, however... it is a complete protein, meaning it contains all 9 essential amino acids. This makes it a great addition to vegetarian/vegan diets. It is also considered a "super food" meaning it has a high nutrient content. It is a relative of beets, spinach and swiss chard and has a great nutty flavor to it. 

It is: 

• High in magnesium - which helps relax blood vessels, and may result in fewer headaches for migraine sufferers and decreased risk of hypertension and stroke.
• A good source of fiber, iron, copper, phosphorous, magnesium, vitamin B2 and other essential minerals.
• It is especially high in lysine, an amino acid that is essential for tissue growth and repair.

We usually prefer Trader Joe's Tricolor Organic Quinoa. 

Vegetable Korma

                                             

Meatless Monday!!                                                                         
                                                                         
1 Tbsp Olive Oil          
1 Cup Onion
1 Tbsp minced peeled ginger
3 garlic cloves
1 Tsp flour
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 cup frozen shelled edamame
1 cup garbanzos (I added)
1 baking potato (I used butternut squash, you can also substitute a sweet potato)
1 cup fat free low sodium chicken broth
1 (14 oz) can light coconut milk
3 cups cauliflower florets        2 cups rice or Quinoa
     

Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add onion saute for 2 minutes.  Add ginger & garlic saute 30 seconds.  Stir in tomato paste, cumin, turmeric and cinnamon.  Add edamame, garbanzos and potato (or butternut squash).  

In a separate bowl mix chicken broth, coconut milk,  and flour together. Add to saucepan and bring to a bowl.  Reduce heat and simmer about 8 minutes. Add cauliflower and simmer 9-10 minutes.  Serve over rice or quinoa.

370 Cals  9 grams of fat  13 grams protein  55 carbs  10 grams of fiber

A Letter from the Doc

How Well do you Understand the Shaklee Difference?

I have mentioned the "Shaklee Difference" a few times but thought it was worthy of a post all to itself. This is a letter from our Chair of Medical Affairs, Dr. Jamie McManus.  It is a brief summary of some of Shaklee's amazing accomplishments. Here it is:

Shaklee products, and the quality and science behind them are unmatched in the industry. But how familiar are you with the science behind the Shaklee Difference?

Even if you think you know what makes this company and our products stand apart from the rest, refresh your knowledge with this list of Ten Key Steps that we take to ensure that Shaklee supplements are the best in the marketplace:

1. Shaklee conducts over 100,000 tests annually to ensure the safety and efficacy of our products.

2. Each and every lot of Shaklee Products is 100% tested to ensure and guarantee that each and every ingredient that is part of our label claims is present in the appropriate amounts.

3. All ingredients in Shaklee products are qualified under the incredibly stringent Shaklee protocol, unique in the industry, which tests for up to 350 chemical contaminants, including pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, solvent residues, etc.

4. Our Shaklee Scientists create formulations so that the key active ingredients are included at clinically efficacious levels, often significantly higher than many companies in the market.

5. Each product is formulated with nutritional ingredients that have been extensively studied to confirm safety and efficacy. Our products do not follow "fads," but incorporate scientific and/or epidemiologic evidence of need and benefit.

6. Shaklee employs advanced delivery systems (including but not limited to Vitalizers S.M.A.R.T delivery system) to enhance bioavailability - and these systems are tested to confirm their nutrient delivery advantages.

7. All ingredients must be acceptable from the standpoint of the Shaklee philosophy, as well as detailed scrutiny as to their safety. We do not simply accept the Certificate of Analysis that many other companies accept, but rather retest for contaminants to confirm the Certificate of Analysis is accurate.

8. Shaklee has an unwavering commitment to avoid the use of artificial flavors, sweeteners, and added preservatives. We use only non-genetically modified soy protein.

9. Shaklee developed many of the standards and protocols for manufacturing that are now referred to as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

10. Ongoing proof of our product performance is demonstrated by: 

• Over 100 scientific publications, 90-plus in peer-reviewed journals

• The Landmark Study, the only study of its kind, which showed that people who took Shaklee supplements over a period of 20 years had markedly better health than both single-multivitamin and nonsupplement users. 

• Shaklee products powering athletes to win over 125 Olympic medals

• Shaklee products fueling world explorers, 7 of Time-Life's "Greatest Adventures of All Time," and NASA Shuttle astronauts with a special rehydration product (called Astro-Ade)

• Nations first Climate Neutral Certified Company, meaning they completely offset emissions resulting in a net ZERO impact on our earths climate.

Add to this list our accomplishments and awards in the area of environmental leadership and responsibility, and you will see why I am truly proud to be part of this company (So am I!), where integrity, quality and social responsibility are our standards, and where making people and the planet healthier is our mission.

Shaklee is all about helping people take control of their future health by virtue of their choices today. My 16 years as a practicing family physician led me to believe even more strongly that prevention is where the future of medicine must go. Research confirms that nutrition, weight control, and wise supplementation can powerfully impact your vitality today and your health in the future, and I believe that we can redefine wellness in the coming years. Thank you for all that you are doing to share Shaklee products and the Shaklee Difference with so many. Together we are making a BIG difference in the health of the world!

Be well!

Dr. Jamie McManus, MD, FAAFP

Chair of Medical Affairs, Health Sciences and Education for Shaklee Corporation

Getting Muddy!

Spent a very dirty and super fun day last weekend playing in the mud!  (pictures below.. that's me on the right) Your never too old for that right?!

Myself and three girlfriends participated in the Warrior Dash in AZ.  It is 3.28 miles and 14 obstacles.. climbing walls, walking a tight rope, traversing through a car/tire junkyard and jumping over fire.. Fun times!