Archive for Special Topic

Gluten Free & Dairy Free Snack List

Eating gluten free can often feel challenging at first because wheat gluten is in a lot of prepared foods.

When you add “dairy free”  (or casein free, which is the protein in dairy) to the equation, some parents feel overwhelmed. Today, it’s becoming much easier to be gluten free AND dairy free!

Enjoy this list of gluten free, casein free kid-friendly snacks and foods to help you get ideas:

Hummus + Mary’s Gone Crackers
Apple + almond butter
Salad (all kinds) + candied (w/ honey) pecans
Applesauce + walnuts
Brown rice tortilla + refried beans + salsa
Salsa + organic potato chips
Gluten free waffle + nut butter
Tator tots + ketchup
Gluten free chicken nuggets + gluten free dipping sauce (ketchup, some mustards,…)
Gluten free fish sticks + organic French fries (you can add salad to make this balanced)
Orange slices + walnuts
Coconut “ice cream” bar
Quinoa + chopped spinach
Steamed spinach + organic hamburger
Steamed broccoli + fish
Corn tortillas + refried beans + salsa + lettuce
Turkey wrap + all of your favorite veggies
Taco Salad (use gluten free corn tostadas or break up corn taco shells to create a base for the taco salad)
(For the adventurous kid) Smoked salmon + hummus smeared on gluten free toast (with good fiber per slice)
Indian food: curried lentils + basmati rice
Lentil/vegetable soup + brown rice
Stir-fries on quinoa or rice

Have any favorite gluten free/casein free snacks you’d like to share with everyone? Leave them in the comments!

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Gluten Free, Dairy Free Lasagna

This delicious recipe is easy for the whole family to make. You can add your favorite veggies to this basic recipe, providing a wide range of variations.

You’ll need brown rice lasagna noodles, 1 jar of tomato sauce, 1 container of hummus, 1 container of washed organic spinach leaves.

Set the oven according to the temperature requested on the back of the brown rice lasagna noodles.

To make the lasagna, layer in the following order until you reach the near top of your lasagna pan:

  1. Light level of sauce on the very bottom of the pan
  2. Lasagna noodles
  3. Sauce
  4. Spinach
  5. Hummus (spread across using a knife or spoon)
  6. Sauce
  7. Now repeat 2 through  until you reach the top – if possible, end with hummus on the top layer

Cover & bake in the oven according to the instructions on your lasagna noodle box.

Before removing, check the consistency of the noodles to ensure the lasagna cooked fully to your liking. You may find that 350 degrees for 40 minutes does the trick but check your lasagna box and actual lasagna to find the best cooking time for your oven & preference!

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Lycopene in Tomatoes & Prostate Cancer

Article compliments of HealthCastle.com
Written by Gloria Tsang, RD

Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, is found abundant in tomatoes and tomato products. Studies found that lycopene may help reduce some cancer and heart disease. The most compelling evidence so far is the role of lycopene in prostate cancer prevention.

In a study of over 40,000 health professionals, Harvard investigators found that men who ate more than 10 servings tomato-based foods daily (like cooked tomatoes and tomato sauce,) had a 35 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those who ate the least amount of these foods. The benefits of lycopene was more pronounced with advanced stages of prostate cancer.

In another study of prostate cancer, researchers looked at blood levels of lycopene and found that the risk of developing prostate cancer, especially aggressive cancer, decreased with increasing blood lycopene levels. Men taking 50mg of lycopene daily had significantly higher level of lycopene. In this study, researchers found that high level of lycopene in the blood was associated with low PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels. High PSA levels in blood are often a sign of prostate cancer.

Enjoy the benefits of lycopene by eating more tomatoes and processed tomato products. Indeed, research showed that lycopene is better absorbed by the body when tomatoes are processed. It is due to the fact that lycopene is bound to tomato’s cell structure; processing releases lycopene from the cell structure.

Lycopene Content in Foods (mg/100g)

Tomato Paste
42.2

Spaghetti Sauce
21.9

Chili Sauce
19.5

Tomato Ketchup
15.9

Watermelon
5 – 11.1

Tomato Juice
9.5

Pink Grapefruit
4.0

Raw Tomato
3.0

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Possible Benefits of Fish Oil on People With Diabetes

Article compliments of Health Castle

(HealthCastle.com) Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Norway studied the effect of fish oil supplements on blood lipoprotein in 26 people with Type 2 diabetes. The study participants were assigned to take either fish oil or corn oil supplements. Size and concentration of lipoproteins subclasses (several blood cholesterol markers) as well as insulin sensitivity were measured after nine weeks of supplementation. High doses of fish oil reduced the size and concentration of several lipoprotein subclasses while lowering insulin sensitivity. Results of this study were published online on the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition website on Feb. 28, 2007.

Editor’s Note – Multiple Benefits of Fish Oil and Omega 3
Benefits of fish oil and omega 3 fatty acids are well known for their role in heart disease prevention. The American Heart Association advises heart disease sufferers and people with high triglyceride levels to take fish oil supplements. Recent studies suggest that fish oil may prevent dementia and ease depression. Clinical studies regarding the effects of fish oil on diabetes are still preliminary, however.

How much Fish Oil? For heart health benefits, experts suggested to aim for 250 milligrams as EPA/DHA from fish source a day. One three ounce serving of fatty fish, such as salmon or mackerel, provides more than 1000 milligrams alone. For people with documented heart disease or high levels of triglycerides, the American Heart Association suggests 1,000 milligrams per day and 2,000 to 4,000 milligrams per day, respectively.

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Your Heart & The Benefits of Flaxseed

Article compliments of HealthCastle.com

Benefits of Flaxseed in Heart Disease
Written by Gloria Tsang, RD
Published in Nov 2004; Updated in Aug 2006.

Benefits of Flaxseed – Cholesterol lowering
Flaxseed’s high content of alpha linolenic acids has made the ancient it become our modern miracle food. Alpha linolenic acid is a type of plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish such as salmon. Studies showed that flaxseed can lower total and LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) levels. Flaxseed may also help lower blood triglyceride and blood pressure. In addition, it may also keep platelets from becoming sticky therefore reducing the chance of a heart attack.

Other Benefits of Flaxseed
Aside from alpha linolenic acid, flaxseed is rich in lignan. Lignan is a type of phytoestrogen and also provides fiber. Researches reveal that lignan in flaxseed shows a lot of promise in fighting disease — including a possible role in cancer prevention especially breast cancer. It is thought that lignan metabolites can bind to estrogen receptors, hence inhibiting the onset of estrogen-stimulated breast cancer.

Recent studies also showed positive benefits of flax seed oil in IBD (Crohn’s Disease and Colitis). Flax seed oil seems to be able to heal the inner lining of the inflamed intestines.

Moderately include flax seed in your diet. Indeed, a lot of food products contain flaxseed such as bread, cereal and bakery goods. Bakers may use flax seed flour or include flaxseed in baking.

5 Tips to include flaxseed in home cooking:
1. Sprinkle ground flaxseed on your cereal and salads

2. Substitute flaxseed mixture for eggs in home baking such as muffin and pancake (1 tbsp milled flaxseed, plus 3 tbsp water = 1 egg). Final products will have less volume and taste gummier

3. Include in other recipe when nutty flavor is preferred

4. Substitute flaxseed oil for other oils

5. Try this Flaxseed cracker recipe provided by the Flax Council of Canada

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Can Eating Salmon Help Your Cholesterol?

This article and recipe is compliments of HealthCastle.com

Can eating Salmon help lower your blood cholesterol?
Written by Gloria Tsang, RD
Published in Sep 2002: Updated in Jul 2005

High cholesterol! This term seems to be highly used when dealing with today’s health topics! It is the yellowish material in your arteries which narrows the blood vessels. But they are not all bad for you. You can lower the bad type of cholesterol (LDL – low density lipoprotein) and increase the good type of cholesterol (HDL – high density lipoprotein) by altering your diet. LDL is responsible for clogging your blood vessels and HDL helps to “exile” the LDL to the liver where LDL is “destroyed”. Hence it is beneficial to have higher level of HDL and less LDL in your blood.

Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon is an excellent source to boost up HDL in your blood stream. Omega-3 fatty acid is, indeed, a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids which can only be supplied by food sources. A study chaired by Gary J. Nelson, Ph.D., of the U.S. Dept of Agriculture’s Western Human Nutrition Research Center in San Francisco, showed that HDL increased by 10% by just eating 20 days of a high salmon diet!

Moderation is the key. Include salmon (or other fish with high omega-3 content such us sardines and tuna) to your meals occasionally and enjoy its health benefits.

Salmon oil supplements are available on the market. Check with your doctor before consuming these pills as a single pill is more concentrated in Omega 3 fatty acids than 1 serving of salmon.

Caution: Do not take salmon oil supplements if you are taking a blood thinner drug as salmon oil supplements may further thin your blood.

Learn How To Make Baked Salmon with Dill Mustard Sauce

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G Herbs

Enjoy this information, compliments of Clayton College of Natural Health

GARLIC (Allium sativum)

Natural antibiotic. Blood thinner. Health building herb. Dissolves cholesterol. Stimulates lymphatic system. Anti-fungal. Kills parasites. Does not destroy the body’s normal flora. Anti-biotic component is known as allicin (sulfur compound) which is estimated to equal 15 standard units of penicillin. Anti-bacterial activity. Used in China to treat cryptococcal meningitis. Protective against influenza. Lowers cholesterol. Inhibits platelet aggregation. Used extensively in World Wars I and II as an antiseptic. Became known as “Russian penicillin.” Key Uses: cancer prevention, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, infection.

GINGER (Zingiber officinale)

Removes congestion, relieves headaches. Excellent for upset stomach and indigestion. Helps remove mucus from the body. Used in the treatment of headaches. Excellent remedy for nausea. Speeds food through the large intestines. Cleansing agent for bowels. Relieves wind. Useful for motion sickness and morning sickness. Helps symptom of vertigo and dizziness. Ginger tea is excellent for that common nausea and diarrhea associated with the flu or 24 hour virus. Inhibits prostaglandins. Useful as an anti-inflammatory. Has antioxidant effects. Inhibits platelet aggregation. Accelerates calcium uptake by the heart muscle. This reduces high blood pressure. (Fresh ginger must be used.) Anti-ulcer effects. Warms the body. Provides hospitable environment for natural flaura and fauna in intestines to grow. Key Uses: nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, arthritis, migraine headaches. Indigestion, gas and flatulence.

GINKGO BILOBA (Ginkgo biloba)

Increases blood flow to brain. Improves memory. Used in Europe for early stages of Alzheimer’;s Disease. Increases circulation of blood to retina. Used to treat muscular degeneration. Also used to treat ear problems such as tinnitus. Dilates blood vessels. Inhibits clumping of platelets. Stabilizes cell membranes. Has antioxidant effects. Free radical-scavenging effects. Increases cellular uptake of glucose, thus restoring energy production. Promotes increased nerve transmission rate. Tones blood vessels. Inhibition of platelet aggregation. Improves recovery of acute cochlear deafness. Used to treat impotence. Has anti-depressant activity. Has anti-allergic properties. Also used for Raynaud’s disease, arthritic and rheumatic problems, arteriosclerosis, anxiety, tension, asthma, and bronchial congestion. Use of the fruit internally or externally can cause irritation and blistering of the skin and mucus membranes. Use a dried preparation. Key Uses: cerebral vascular insufficiency, dementia, depression, impotence, inner ear dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, neuralgia and neuropathy, peripheral vascular insufficiency, premenstrual syndrome, retinopathy, vascular fragility.

GINSENG (Panax)

Stimulates the body. Beneficial effect on heart and circulation. Reduces cholesterol. Has estrogenic activity. Used to treat high blood pressure. Helps reduce blood sugar levels. Do not use where there is inflammation, high fever and burning sensations. Increases resistance to stress by affecting the adrenal-pituitary axis. Thought to be an aphrodisiac. Central nervous system stimulant. Whole-body tonic. Not suggested for teenage girls. Used as a stimulant. Considered an adaptogen or an aid in helping the body adapt to stress. Key Uses: childhood diseases, circulation, colds, colic, fevers, flu, gas pains, headache, indigestion, morning sickness, settles stomach, tonic, toothache, whooping cough.

GOLDENSEAL (Hydrastis canadensis)
Antibiotic activity bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. Especially effective on mucus membrane tissues. Has shown activity against: Streptomyces, Chlamydia, Corynebacterium diphtheria, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Diplococcus penumoniae, Pseudomonas, Shigella dysenteriae Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, N. meningitides, Treponema pallidum Giardia lamblia, Leishmania donovani & Candida albicans. Increases blood supply to spleen. Lowers fever. Shows anti-tumor activity. Used to treat diarrhea, trachoma (infectious eye disease), ulcers, liver disorder, cancer, colitis, sinus infections, vaginal infections. Should not be used during pregnancy as it may stimulate the involuntary muscles of the uterus. High dosages may interfere with Vitamin B metabolism. In extremely large doses, the alkaloids that cause this plant’s drug action can cause nausea, dizziness, etc. Safe at recommended levels. CAUTION: can reduce blood sugar levels and should not be used by hypoglycemic. Useful as a natural antibiotic. Aids in the treatment of sinus infections. Key Uses: infections of mucous membranes, parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammation of the gallbladder, cirrhosis of the liver.

GOTU KOLA (Hydrocotyle asiatica)
Helps rebuild energy reserves. Combats stress. Improves reflexes. Nourishes brain cells. Reduces fevers. Neural tonic. Used for diseases of the skin, blood, and nervous system. Helps leprosy, syphilis, psoriasis, cervicitis, vaginitis, blisters. Improves memory. Longevity aid. Does not contain caffeine. Contains asiaticoside which stimulates hair and nail growth, increases development of blood vessels into connective tissue, increases tensile integrity of the dermis, exerts a balancing effect on connective tissue. Speeds healing time of wounds. Has been used clinically for anal fissure, bladder ulcers, burns, cellulite, cirrhosis, dermatitis, fibrocystic breast, hemorrhoids, keloids, leprosy, lupus, mental retardation, peptic ulcer, retinal detachment scleroderma, surgical wounds, tuberculosis, and venous disorders. Key uses: cellulite, wound healing, varicose veins, scleroderma.

GUGGUL (Commiphora mukul)
Gum resin used in India for arthritis, skin diseases, nervous system conditions. Anti-bacterial. Anti-inflammatory. Liver disorders. Cardiovascular disease. Traditionally used for bone fracture, inflammation. Research indicates excellent for obseity; significantly lower serum cholesterol. Protects against atherosclerosis. Reduced body weight of animals in research studies. Reduced serum cholesterol levels by 11% after four weeks use in research. Considered safe for long-term use. No known interactions. Key Uses: Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. Cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis. Arthritis. Inflammation.

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Food for Sleep

Learn about foods good before bed, compliments of Clayton College of Natural Health

To Sleep…Sweet Tips from The Night Kitchen

How about a cup of fresh strawberries with a cup of warm milk with two tablespoons of honey and lemon juice before bedtime?

Oatmeal is also a great sleep aid. Make oatmeal as you normally would, but add milk enough to make a thin gruel. Drink this before bed as an aid in getting to sleep. This is a very relaxing way to get children to sleep. It seems to soothe them and make their tummies feel warm and full.

What could be easier than a baked potato? Simply preheat oven to 425 degrees. Poke holes in potato and wrap in foil. Bake in oven for 45 to 60 minutes until tender. Be sure to eat the skin! For extra tryptophan, magnesium and calcium, top with yogurt and cauliflower. Tryptophan is an amino acid that can act as a sleep aid.

Salads made with spinach, cucumber, bell pepper, tomato, celery, and mushrooms are also a great source of tryptophan, as well as many other nutrients. Try a salad with poppy seed dressing. Poppy seeds also contain tryptophan.


Poppy Seed Dressing

1/2 cup mild honey
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup apple cider
1 Tablespoon fresh onion puree
1 cup olive oil
1 1/2 Tablespoon poppy seeds

Measure honey, mustard, salt and vinegar into your blender or mixing bowl. Process until smooth. Make the onion puree by rubbing a sweet onion over a hand grater. Add to the dressing. Start the blender and gradually add the oil in a slow stream. Process until thoroughly blended. Stop the blender and sprinkle the poppy seeds over the top. Mix the seeds in. Delicious with any tossed salad or with grapefruit, avocado and apple slices on a crisp bed of Romaine lettuce.

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How to Defend Against Swine Flu & Boost Your Immune System

How to Defend Against Swine Flu and Boost Your Immune System

1. SLEEP DEPRIVED NATION – The body rejuvenates and strengthens itself when it is at rest. For the most part, we require approximately 8 to 10 hours per night. Sleep has been linked to balanced hormone levels (including human growth hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol). The right amount of sleep can help to keep weight down, clear thinking and reasoning, improved mood, and vibrant, healthy skin.

Specifically with regard to our immune system, a study published in the journal Seminars in Clinical Neuropsychiatry indicates that “significant detrimental effects of immune functioning can be seen after a few days of total sleep deprivation or even several days of just partial sleep deprivation.” Get your zzz’s!

2. WATER, WATER, WATER – Staying hydrated can alleviate headaches, alleviate depression, hydrate skin – keep you youthful and happy! AND … Water flushes the body of toxins! You should be drinking daily, your body weight in pounds, divided by two = number of ounces of water per day. Add Electrosport for replacement of electrolytes after exercise with Fortune Delight.

3. ELIMINATE REFINED WHITE SUGAR. If you really want to boost your immune system, experts suggest that you eliminate sugar. Your energy levels will improve, your weight distribution will change, you will think more clearly, have less cravings, and your immune system will be strengthen … dramatically!

4. FILL UP YOUR PLATE (and YOU) with Fruits and Veggies! The nutritional value that you receive from raw fruits and vegetables is unparalleled. Their vitamins (with an emphasis on Vitamins A and C), phyto-chemicals that give fruits and veggies their color and antioxidants protect cells against environmental toxins and give your immune function a real big boost!

5. TEA TIME. Green tea is a rich source of a type of antioxidant called a catechin. Preliminary research has found that a specific catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (egcg), may give the beverage antigen-fighting abilities. In other words, it may well boost your immune system. Calli Tea and Fortune Delight are excellent choices!

6. INGEST FRIENDLY BACTERIA. Foods that contain probiotics, bacteria that stimulate immunity cells in the gastrointestinal tract, are found in yogurt or kefir drink. One drink per day may well keep infections away! Make sure that you look for yogurt (or kefir) that contains ‘live active cultures.’ I recommend Vitadophilus

7. STRESS-LESS. Our bodies respond to our emotions, to stress and upset, to feeling anxious or harassed and can manifest a cold, sore throat or more. Do create a space within yourself, within your physical environment (home or office) in which you can relax, calm down, take in a deep breath and let it go. Add Ese for anxiety, Top for mental stress and Joi for physical stress.

8. SHAKE IT! Exercise makes our body stronger, it increases the circulation of blood and nutrients, and it helps flush the body of toxins.

Learn more information on Dr. Karen Spencer Dees’ official website

Karen Spencer Dees, Ph.D.
Board Certified Holistic Nutrition
http://www.karenspencerdees.com
http://opp.sunrider.com/DrKarenSpencerDees/
Tel:508-309-4342
Fax:508-309-6892

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