AVOID/LESS Winter COLDS/FLU

It isn't coincidence that we see families plagued with flu and colds during the winter/Holiday months! We are more indoors, with people spreading viruses, and our immune systems lag due to less fruit/veggies from summer, and MORE refined sugar/ processed treats due to Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years.
While it will be covered in DETAIL in my new 2013 step by step BLOG POSTS, just be aware that the immune system is compromised by higher intake of REFINED SUGARS and EXCESSIVE DAIRY. Sure, we are going to be over exposed to cookies/candies/cakes/desserts, especially since many bake. But until I teach you how to have delicious/decadent but healthier treats that are Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar Free, remember, for all the sugary foods you ingest, you not only trigger insulin in abundance (the only time Fat is stored) and therefore gain weight, more importantly you leave your immune system ragged, and when exposed to a virus, down you go. It is especially important to remember that a simple cold can go into bronchitis, or even pneumonia, a particular threat to the young, seniors or those w/auto immune disorders! So here are some of my favorite ways I stay cold and flu free during the winter, or minimize it if I do pick up "the bug." I have to be very careful, as my cold or flu will go into bronchitis easily due to my childhood history of chronic upper respiratory infections. I now have a cold or the flu, RARELY!

1) Start your day, or do an afternoon cup of Hot pure water, with a small or 1/2 a large Lemon, squeezed into the cup (remove seeds of course) Squeeze every last juice and pulp out of it. Add a teaspoon to a table spoon of raw, unprocessed Honey! NOTE: Do NOT give raw honey to anyone under two years old!
The lemon detoxifies viruses waiting to mutate in the body, gets you alkaline, a good thing, and adds copious amounts of vitamin C. Most importantly, the honey THINS mucous, hence not allowing it to thicken and harbor the viruses you are exposed to! Do not fret over the sugar content of the honey, unless you are diabetic. And I am hypoglycemic and can do the lemon/honey thing, as I eat w/in 45 mins. of taking my hot honey/lemon. Check blood sugars and if high, discontinue and use stevia to sweeten the lemon. However, I think you will be surprised to find raw honey in my opinion, does not compare at all to refined sugars. We do the hot lemon w/honey EVERY morning, first thing!

2) When you bake, try something besides white flour/white sugar. There are lots of gluten-free flour mixes, and I will be teaching you to make your own, soon. Gluten Free empowers the immune system, and we will discuss that in detail as well, in upcoming blog posts. And for sugars, try Maple Syrup granules from Trader Joes, Turbinado sugar, Agave or Agave Raw sugar, anything but white refined sugar. Be FULL before you bake, to not overindulge, and before going to Holiday gatherings! It's better to overeat on the "good stuff" and have your treat be decadent, but moderate. IF you overindulge on sugary treats, increase your water intake immensely, and get more rest! More sleep will keep your immune system from becoming more fragile. And think about taking some of the above Echinacea/Golden Seal capsules, JUST IN CASE!  The less sugar you ingest, the less chance for weight gain and colds and flu!

3) The greatest thing that keeps me cold/flu free is JUICING! You cannot juice in a blender or even a Magic Bullet. If you do not have a juicer, (and you can buy used ones on Amazon or Craigslist) and want to learn how to do the best recipes you will actually SAVOR, then get ready for my important segment of juicing yourself to perfection!  In the meantime, buy Odwalla carrot juice and drink several small glasses a day. Juicing is the most SUPER DENSE way you dispense pure SUPER nutrients directly into your system. It saturates your sick cells immediately, begins repairing, and what happens to your health/weight will astound you! I have NEVER in 38 years of reprogramming to whole live foods and eating for optimal health and weight, experienced anything close to what JUICING can do for your health and weight!  It is as close to a silver bullet for most all illnesses, that I have ever discovered. It is worth it, especially until you learn how to change from "dead food eating" to "live food eating," to even buy a freshly made veggie juice (only fruit used is an apple, SMOOTHIES are NOT JUICING) at your local whole foods/health food store, etc. Jamba Juice has wheat grass shots. If you can "like em," go for that as well! We'll be talking about juicing in detail in 2013. My recipe is so good, even kids drink it and go, YUM! It has transformed my life. More than anything else!

4) So you are trying to get more rest during winter, not sweating the small stuff to manage stress (and maybe doing your exercise/yoga/pilates/meditative moments to diffuse stress) and avoiding a large amount of processed foods and sugary desserts! Now, add in ONE more thing to LIMIT.  And that would be dairy. Dairy produces mucous! Big time! Use cheese in moderation. But most importantly, do not drink MILK! We will talk about this in detail as well, in our upcoming blog sharing together. If you arise in the morning, and I have to be graphic here, and hack up ANY mucous or phlegm, then you have likely done dairy or refined sugars. When I avoid those two things, I have NO mucous or phlegm. Try giving up dairy and sugar one week, and then have a bunch. You will be shocked! So do the best you can to use unrefined sugars, and rice/almond/coconut milk as dairy substitutes. And dry grated parmesan cheese or string cheese, or mozzarella are better choices than cheddars or jack cheeses. If you say, go to Chipolte's for a quick lunch, just ask for a sprinkle of cheese, and you'll be fine. It is about a lot of the good, and a little of the bad, in programming to optimal health! (and I ask for extra sauteed green peppers/onions, brown rice, and extra black beans, and they oblige nicely!)

5) IF you feel a cold or the flu coming on, it is time to begin Emergen-C, see above, using a package in some cold water, and drink it down. Do several packages a day, or I do up to four packages a day if a cold comes on. And buy Nature's Way Echinacea/GOLDEN SEAL ROOT capsules (it MUST have the Golden Seal Root w/the Echinacea to work) and take TWO every 3-4 hours, until symptoms begin to abate. I suggest you take that regimen for days, and then TWO twice a day for a week or so after the virus has mutated in the body and created symptoms! This is our family's greatest help for the cold/flu. It is amazing. Do LOTS of pure water during this time as well, keeping extremely hydrated! Golden Seal Root is nature's powerful natural antibiotic, and is simply amazing! And yes, zinc helps, but the Emergen-C and Golden Seal are our choices as SOON as symptoms appear. AND remember extra REST! Every extra hour of sleep boosts the immune system about 20%!!!!

6) In summary, to have a healthier winter/Holiday season, be more moderate in your sugary foods, and use dairy modestly if at all. Get at LEAST 7 hours sleep a night if not more, drink plenty of water, not sugary drinks, and add in onions and garlic as much as possible. Juice or buy vegetable juice to fortify and strengthen your immune system. And avoid WHITE (white rice, white sugar, white bread, white flour) but also wheat if possible. AND if you start getting ill, remember the Emergen-C, and Nature's Way Echinacea/Golden Seal Root as directed. START A REGULAR ROUTINE, of HOT fresh LEMON water with raw Honey! And see if your winter/Holiday months aren't more flu/cold free or at least lessened by your helping your body/immune system have the tools to fight the many viruses that seem to be plaguing our health. CHEERS! And remember, your only REAL wealth, is your HEALTH! I hope you will begin the journey in January, to learn step by step, how to live to be a hundred and enjoy getting there. I have learned so much in nearly 40 years of whole food, whole life living, I will deliver it to you in a way, that I truly believe you will never find anywhere else. I believe  passionately that my extensive knowledge, my teaching abilities, and  my gift given to deliver this message will grace your life!  HAPPY HOLIDAY! I cannot wait to help you see that simple changes can create the health and weight you have always desired! Warm wishes, from Linda: AKA, Health Angel ;-)

Genetically Altered Foods...A BOMBSHELL in the Making?? Sign the Petition!

Tonight's blog piece is so important to me, I hope each of you who read it will take the time to hit like, or comment, so I know that  ONE more person knows the truth about a potential travesty to our health, country and world!   I have been so involved in this issue, that it makes me emotional, to know that ONE hugely powerful company could change the course of history, of our lives, if we do not become educated and speak up individually and as a whole to say, WE DEMAND TO KNOW WHAT IS IN OUR FOODS, and WE INSIST GENETICALLY ALTERED FOODS BE LABELED!


So, if I were to ask you sit and have dinner at my table, and you learned that as hard as I had scrubbed, that the food you were going to ingest had ROUNDUP on it, or DDT on it, or PCB's throughout it, or Dioxin (Agent Orange) in it, would you eat it??? I am going to make the assumption that most of you are going to gasp, and say, ABSOLUTELY NOT!  What if you knew the milk or dairy products you were ingesting came from dairy cows that were injected daily with iBGH or Bovine Growth Hormone, a synthetic hormone used to keep cows "fresh" year round and increase milk production?  Would you want to ingest this knowing study after study has shown this to be a cancer accelerator favoring acceleration of breast, prostrate and colon cancer?  If you picked up a gallon of milk at the store, you likely DID ingest iBGH and did not even realize it. Years ago, you may have eaten foods laced with a synthetic sugar substitute called saccharin, that was banned eventually after it's direct link to cancer and neurological disorders. The current replacement, aspartame, trade name Nutrasweet, has yet to be banned. They just put a warning on the blue packet that says not to be ingested by pregnant women. I personally think it is a kissing cousin to saccharin, and just as dangerous to our health. Who made these products? Do you know?
Well, a Giant century old Chemical company, MONSANTO, has now become a Giant Biotechnology/Genetic engineering of food company, and you SHOULD BE CONCERNED.


MONSANTO created, making billions of dollars, not only polyester fibers, but saccharin, DDT, Agent Orange (dioxin) RoundUp and other such herbicides, aspartame, the Bovine Growth Hormone used in the dairy industry, and now produces 90 % of genetically engineered SEEDS to grow everything from corn to soybeans, to many many foods, and to sell and have them planted world wide. With what in my mind, is a bigger threat than war or guns, and that could have an even greater impact on our health and lives, isn't it time we got educated on what MONSANTO is doing? And that they are doing it with HUGE money, sophisticated lobbying groups, and aggressiveness that makes me shudder. They have merged with such companies as Pharmica and UpJohn to create drugs like Celebrex, and my biggest red flag yet is that former MONSANTO employees now sit in key positions in the FDA/EPA/and yes, EVEN the Supreme Court. 
Why be so concerned about this and their attempt to get their Genetically altered seeds in countries from Haiti to India and so on??? Because, once these, what I consider to be NASTY, TOXIC altered foods are planted, the soil on which they grow, the seeds that fly and pollinate a safe, organic whole live food field, completely changes the landscape of farming as we know it. Think of a place where PCB's were dumped (oh, btw, MONSANTO was fined for dumping MILLIONS of pounds of PCB's in the past) and how it affects healthy, not altered foods not being able to be grown in those areas. It's such a potential  nightmare that could unfold in my mind, I just literally for a decade now have watched with trepidation as I see this HUGE operation, meticulously unfold. Does MONSANTO want to be the KINGPIN in owning patents to the seeds that can be used to grow foods in America and the world...you tell me! And BTW: Canada and Europe, has tried and for the most part been successful in blocking MONSANTO advancing into their farm systems.  CAN YOU BELIEVE WHAT I AM SAYING??? The company that made Agent Orange, wants to alter your foods and have you trust that they'll be safe, WITHOUT HAVING TO DISCLOSE that they are GENETICALLY ALTERED and grown with TOXIC CHEMICALS??? Are you fine with that? I AM NOT!   


Here is what I am asking you to do. Click on the link that says, YOU want EVERY food grown to say if it is Non-GMO or NOT Genetically Modified, if it has synthetic growth hormones in it etc. etc. etc. PLEASE see the full impact of helping with this. Let me tell you what Willie Nelson said on the subject:

ittle did Willie Nelson know when he recorded "Crazy" years ago just how crazy it would become for our cherished family farmers in America. Nelson, President of Farm Aid, has recently called for the national Occupy movement to declare an "Occupy the Food System" action.

Nelson states, "Corporate control of our food system has led to the loss of millions of family farmers, destruction of our soil…"   WOW, WILL YOU JOIN WITH HIM, ME, ALL OF US WHO WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO KNOW, WE WILL HAVE A SAY IN KNOWING WHAT WE ARE EATING, AND WHAT HAS BEEN MADE TOXIC. Our children's lives, our own lives, our future posterity's lives are worth the short time it will take you to sign this petition.  THANK YOU!  And again, if you hit like or make a comment, it let's me know, ONE more person is going toe to toe with each of us who want the FREEDOM to have CLEAN, WHOLE, SAFE foods in our country and worldwide....sigh, I am so grateful for your help!

http://signon.org/sign/tell-the-fda-that-we.fb1?source=s.fb&r_by=933828

TODAY SHOW gives BLUE RIBBON to one of my SUGGESTED PRODUCTS

I couldn't be MORE excited. The TODAY show gave SIX products BLUE RIBBONS as the best foods in their category for health, wellness, weight, and of course TASTE. And one of my FAVORITE companies in the world  (KIND)  received a BLUE RIBBON for best protein/snack bar! HOORAY!

I eat a KIND bar most every day. I suggest the ONES with PLUS signs on the ends as shown here, as these have added usable protein besides the natural nut protein. The right NUTS, are SO heart healthy, provide great taste and protein, and bring great fiber to the diet. But I love that these are made with great care to be natural, low enough in carbs and sugars, but still make you CRAVE one, instead of an unhealthy TREAT!  LOOK at these THREE!  They are my favorites! They ALSO have corresponding Granola cereals out that MATCH the bars, and I am LOVING them. My daughter and I love the GREEN PLUS ENDED ones and the ESPRESSO BROWN PLUS ENDED ones the best! We wait until they go on super sale, and buy them five boxes at a time, and we get them for about a dollar a bar that way. I carry them in the car, my purse, everywhere. I give them for gifts! They are wonderful, the company that makes them has a mission statement that alone would make you want to buy them, but for these to win the BLUE RIBBON today on the TODAY show, just made my day!  AND out of the SIX categories given ribbons, I also had one of my other suggestions, HONEST brand Green Tea as a winner of a BLUE RIBBON...sooooooooo yippeeeeeeee. TWO BLUE RIBBON PICKS ISN'T BAD....Smile. ENJOY.  And have delicious food while you empower your body and health in 2012 to the best you can be. CHEERS!

A Wonderful SUCCESS Story from a Faithful BLOG Follower! Hurray!~

Sometimes a teacher wonders just how much of what she teaches really impacts the "class." I know changing to whole, live, clean foods seems like a daunting task to many of you..........but I believe it is the HUB of healthy living, even paramount above exercising, supplementation, etc. My blog only uses the word, "WEIGHT" to get readers into the content ;-) Weight maintaining is going to follow if the principles I teach are gradually introduced into one's lifestyle. Well, surprisingly, I received several messages from someone who signs off as MJB, her initials, LOL, not the beverage....and she is gracious enough to let me share her story. I do it as encouragement, to ALL of you who have the desire to make the change for healthy living, longevity, and to take care of one of the greatest miracles we have, our bodies! So here is her message. And note, she had health issues galore, and was discouraged with her lack of energy, headaches, bronchitis and colds, etc. So this really was important for her to make a change.

I feel great most days, have some to go, but I have to say, since last early fall, no 

wheat and no dairy have made a BIG difference in my daily complaints. Stomach pains have disappeared, have headaches almost never anymore, had ONE bout of bronchitis couple of weeks ago, that in itself is a miracle!!! Usually would have had 3 by now! So I attribute the change in my food changes to my good fortune. AND THANK YOU LINDA!!! Really, things are so much better, I'm almost taking them for granted! I have to remind myself that it's because of some simple food changes that this has happened. And from reading your blogs! Over & over! I think about printing them out and saving them. I have used the Ech/Golden Seal with great results. I only use a bit of spray whipping cream on my pumpkin pie (don't eat the crust) and I bought Trader Joe's Parm shredded cheese but use it very sparingly. (She has done Gluten Free, Dairy free, and NON PROCESSED foods since September, used to be a fast food person at times, and ate wheat or processed wheat carbs regularly) She had many bouts with colds/and bronchitis, had little energy and headaches and aches and pains, so this is an amazing tesitmonial. Her ONE success is enough for me. I feel so privileged to have given enough information that she implemented it, with yes ups and downs, but I want to personally tell her, and the many others of you are on the same journey, TY. I have one of you out there, you know who you are, who has lost 20 pounds, and one in Utah, who has lost over 40 and I think could teach ME about how to REPROGRAM to healthier, delicious, alternative, BODY EMPOWERING foods. She has also been a HUGE inspiration to me, initials CC! So please, ALL of you continue to just strive for making simple changes. An elephant is never eaten in one bite I always say! Congratulations if you even have the desire to make a change. Please do go back through past blog posts and watch for new ones as they appear! I am grateful that I turned my lifestyle around decades ago, so that today, I can enjoy the benefits I would never have imagined possible. You are what you eat. You are what you think. Exercise is vital. But you can be thin and not live to your full capacity and heaven forbid, have you ticking time bomb, predisposed illness show up at any time that you do NOT fortify against it with A LOT of the good and just a Little of the bad. HAPPY 2012. May it be a healthy, happy year for all of you. TY MJB, it was all WORTHWHILE !!  And you definitely made my day, my year, made me SMILE!

HARVARD Declares DAIRY Not Part of Healthy Diet

The Harvard School of Public Health sent a strong message to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and nutrition experts everywhere with the recent release of its “Healthy Eating Plate” food guide.  The University was responding to the USDA’s new MyPlate guide for healthy eating, which replaced the outdated and misguided food pyramid.

Harvard’s nutrition experts did not pull punches, declaring that the University’s food guide was based on sound nutrition research and more importantly, not influenced by food industry lobbyists.  The greatest evidence of its research focus is the absence of dairy products from the “Healthy Eating Plate” based on Harvard’s assessment that high intake can increase the risk of certain cancers, especially those related to hormones (i.e. prostrate, breast, ovarian, etc.) The Harvard experts also referred to the high levels of saturated fat in most dairy products and suggested that many foods such as dark greens, spinach, nuts, beans, etc. are safer choices than dairy for obtaining calcium, as are high quality supplements.  

I agree with the above suggestions with Harvard, but would like to add my main reason for lecturing over 20 years against regularly having ice cream, heavy cheeses, and milk as a beverage,  being part of the American diet!  We know that most bovine, (cows) ingest hormones to keep them "fresh" or producing and are given antibiotics since they become weak due to the constant milk production and their cramped living quarters. And hormones and antibiotics even in small amounts regularly can perhaps add up to big consequences healthwise.  But also, milk/dairy creates MUCOUS, which is of course not desirable to the Lymphatic system and can be a breeding medium for bacteria and viruses.  If you "hack up," (sorry to be so graphic) ANY mucous in the morning or throughout the day, it is an indication of your body trying to rid itself of this mucous. If you have headaches, sinus problems, colds or flu more than once in a great while, consider, DAIRY could be one of the reasons for your ailments.  Do this trial!  Try and take ALL dairy out of your diet for just two weeks, and then have a large meal with dairy!  See what happens, and report in. I think you will be surprised! It's worth a try. I hope some of you tried the SO DELICIOUS Chocolate Mint Coconut Milk that was recently in the stores and highlighted in the last blog post!   Carla Curtis, from Utah, who has lost over 40 pounds, and is rebounding in her health, told me from that blog when I suggested this great milk alternative, that she already used it, and LOVED it!   And it was only 7 carbs and 6 sugars!  Yipeeeee!  To find  SO DELICIOUS coconut milk products in a store in your area, click on the following:  http://www.sodeliciousdairyfree.com/locations/store_locator.php  And by the way, coconut milk is heart healthy, immune system healthy, and a great product! 

Kudos to Harvard for promoting greater consumption of vegetables and fruits, as well as healthier protein options such as fish, beans or nuts.  And kudos to Harvard for ignoring the lobbyists and showing the USDA what healthy eating is all about.