Your Gut Affects Your Happiness

love your colon

Many people believe we are controlled by some 20-25,000 genes in our DNA, the genetic blueprint in each of us, the human genome that since 2003 is completely mapped out. But in each of us is a second genome, another piece of the “how our bodies work” mystery. Close one door and open a new set of questions The last two decades have brought an avalanche of studies into the human microbiome: colonies of some 30 trillion probiotic bacterial cells that reside in our digestive tracts, on our skin, in our airways, and even in our eyes—naturally and healthfully—and which … Continue reading

Nature’s superfood seeds: Will the fiber you’re getting really help?

Since nature has created so many nutritious and healthful food for us to consume, I’ve honestly no idea why we can buy only so few things in our grocery stores with the rest being factory made junk. Well, maybe I do. If every farmer grew varied crops for our year-round enjoyment there wouldn’t be Wall street corn, soy, wheat and sugar futures markets. And farms would be small and community—not big corporate conglomerates with stock prices to support. And their marketing wouldn’t be so effective as to restructure our thinking with “treats” that are “tricks.” Our understanding of fiber has, … Continue reading

Why restoring gut balance comes first, and detoxifying second–Rejuveo

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“Dysbiosis:” simply put, is when there is an imbalance between the types of bacteria and yeast living in you. And it ALSO is used to mean, harmful (disease-causing) bacteria, yeast and parasites are living in you (usually your gut). Most of us have this to some degree and don’t even know it. But you probably know with certainty that you have chronic indigestion, bloating, gas, alternating constipation and diarrhea, yeast infections / jock-like itches… and what about other common symptoms of dysbiosis like chronic fatigue, skin rashes, bad breath, thyroid problems, bladder infections, immune problems and even cancer, especially of … Continue reading

Gut Health Check: We’re Only 10% Human

2000 years have passed since Hippocrates said that “all disease begins in the gut“. I certainly can’t disagree with that wisdom. That’s why I’ve created the individualized 21-day metabolic reset (a.k.a. the Rejuveo Cleanse) and also my 4-week Eating to Restore Balance class. Overlooking gut health may make or break all other health programs. And gut health depends directly (and, in my professional opinion, only) on what you eat.  Ask yourself these gut-health questions: Do you have food sensitivities? Do you ever experience brain fog? Do you have symptoms of slow thyroid? Are your stubborn pounds refusing to budge? Do you have any … Continue reading

The Art of Food Combining

food combining explained

You asked for it. I just hope you really want to know: How we eat may be just as important as what we eat—depending on your health and health goals. Food is your #1 ally. While certain supplements can help certain situations, supplements cannot make up for poor diet. Most Americans believe that any number of different foods can be digested at the same time. Well, this isn’t what’s meant by food combining and may be why more than half of us suffer from some sort of digestive distress that no manner of elimination or medication can seem to fix. … Continue reading

Therapeutic foods: the gut-brain connection

Food is Therapeutic. I love sharing good solid nutrition, rather than profit-based nutrition. Thought provoking… real… information, recipes, occasional book finds, and other things that you—the person seeking to rebalance health starting by rebalancing eating—finds really useful. Which brings me to today’s topic, beets! As a member of several professional groups focused on functional medicine and integrated nutrition, just about every day I get an email or six asking my thoughts about handling bloating, digestive upset…. more… or brain fog, tiredness, headaches, anxiety… more… A recent holistic health practitioner wrote: “Hello! I need some help figuring out my client’s brain fog and fatigue. She sent me this info … Continue reading

Obesity: the making of an epidemic

Not just in the US, all around the world, obesity and related problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes are at levels we’ve never before seen. More people are now overweight than underfed. Surprisingly, a person can have normal weight yet still be over fat—still have excessive fat inside their body surrounding their organs. Why is this bad? Because the deep fat—the intra-abdominal or visceral fat as it is called—also becomes a sponge for toxic chemicals. The concentration of fat-stored toxins can be 1000’s of times higher than that circulating in your blood as demonstrated by my dear … Continue reading

Stevia: Friend or Foe?

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Given the massive consumption of sugar around the world, and the now-not-debatable link with obesity, diabetes, renal failure of metabolic syndrome, and probably cancer, we still search for the Holy Grail of sweeteners: is there some sweet treat that doesn’t cause inflammation and weight gain like cane or corn sugar? Or that creates that delight without being so high calorie while providing no nutritional value? Is stevia the answer? Heck, we’ve even assumed man’s best friend needs sweet treats and begun imposing feeding them “low calorie” “diet” grain-based (that say “no empty calories”) pet foods sweetened with stevia. A type of plant native to Central and South America, Stevia … Continue reading

Coconut Milk Nutrition

coconut milk nutrition

Wondering about the great nutrients in a cup of coconut milk? Do we need to dispel false data that says coconut is anything but amazing? Here’s the list and why I use it in everything from Coconut Milk Kefir to Coconut Milk Yogurt to Coconut Curry Seafood Stew. Oh, almost forgot, Chocolate “Moose” cakes. You really have to try these. Yum. There is a world of good in a beautiful coconut… 240 mg of coconut milk (one cup serving) contains: Calcium Approximately 40 mg of absorbable calcium (perhaps more important than the amount of calcium in a product is whether … Continue reading

Care for your colon

“All disease begins in the gut.” —Hippocrates There is another old saying: “death begins in the colon.” Although oversimplified, the road to health requires a healthy intestine and functioning digestion. For many, healing digestion is where health begins. Unfortunately, many people confine their understanding of their intestine to fecal matter. Important Facts: 80% of your immune system is located in your digestive system. 90% of your nutrients are absorbed through your intestines 95% of your serotonin is manufactured in your digestive system. The intestinal tract is essentially a continuous tube from the mouth to the anus. Each part of the tube … Continue reading

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