Let food be thy medicine, thy medicine shall be thy food.
~ Hippocrates

Hippocrates lived from 460 BC - 370 BC. He was considered the founder of Western medicine and established medicine as a legitimate profession.  Prior to that, it was lumped in with philosophy and theurgy (evoking the presence of the gods).  

I'm intrigued by how long Hippocrates lived and wonder if it's because he practiced what he preached.  And I'm even more curious about how we've gotten so far off track.  Is it our "I want it now" mentality where a pill seems like a better option than an apple?  In the past, at the first sign of a sniffle I would have reached for ibuprofen or a capful of atomic green, nasty tasting cold medicine.  

But as Maya Angelou says, "when I know better, I do better."  For the past two years I've been experimenting with food and vitamins to cure my common ailments - from a sore throat to a sinus infection.  What's surprising is not that it works, but how simple it is.  And at this time of year, we're more susceptible to colds and flus as we transition from Winter to Spring.  In case you were wondering, here's what I keep in my first aid kit:

• Ginger Root: Wrapped in tinfoil to keep it fresh, ginger is a modern day healing elixir.  Cut a few slices off the root and steep in hot water with a squeeze of lemon. Ginger settles the stomach and boosts our immune system.  Sometimes I add a little local honey if I have a sore throat or just want something a little sweeter.
• Vitamin C: 1,000 milligrams once or twice a day and Zinc lozenges (on a full stomach to avoid nausea) as directed.  This will knock what ails you right out of you.  I use buffered Vitamin C crystals to avoid stomach upset.
• Greens: Fresh greens like spinach, kale, chard and romaine lettuce detoxify and cleanse the liver.  Greens pack a powerful, immune boosting punch.  Try them fresh, steamed, juiced with other anti-oxidant rich vegetables or added to smoothies and soups.  
• Eliminate processed foods: none, nada, zip.  I don't touch so much as an organic blue corn chip.  Just fresh fruits and vegetables.  I usually skip meat too for at least 24 hours. 

If our body doesn't have to expend extra energy digesting food, it can focus on healing.  There's a great blog by the Beet Reporter where she talks about using food as her own personal health insurance plan.  That's an insurance program I can relate to!  Stay healthy my friends.   

 

For centuries, nutrition has played a vital role in love and lovemaking. A diet based on high quality foods has a great deal to do with the quality of our sex lives. When we're feeling energized we're more playful and less inhibited.  

Check out these energy boosting, in the mood foods:  

•  Almonds - the most nutritious nut, it's an excellent source of fiber, Vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, biotin, riboflavin, niacin and iron.
• Basil - good for cardiovascular health and a good source of Vitamin A.  Eat a raw leaf for fresh smelling breath.
• Ginger - settles the stomach and boosts the immune system.  It's also been known to increases blood flow in both men and women. - Is it getting hot in here or is it just me?
• Kiwi - high in vitamins A, C, and E.  Did you know Vitamin E is a natural Viagra?  Time to stock up on almonds and kiwi!
• Dark chocolate - One of my favorites.  Dark chocolate contains phenethylamine, a substance  released in the brain when people become infatuated or fall in love.  Phenethylamine triggers the release of endorphins and activates dopamine, a neurochemical associated with sexual arousal and pleasure.
• Wine - a glass of red or white wine raises good cholesterol (HDL) while lowering inhibitions.  They don't call it the nectar of the gods for nothing!

Try adding some of these nutritious, libido boosting foods to revive sexual function and enhance overall health. You'll be glad you did.

On April 16, 1996 Howard Lyman, a former cattle rancher, openly confessed on The Oprah Winfrey Show that he had given up eating meat and become a vegetarian.  He felt so strongly about the adverse impact raising cattle had on the animals and the land that he walked away from his family's business and became an advocate for plant based diets.

You may remember Oprah excitedly encouraged everyone watching to give up beef.  That statement cost her a ton of money when the cattle industry filed a suit against her.

Sixteen years later, we're still talking about beef.  The LA Times published an article in the Health section yesterday stating that beef increases mortality rates.  "All red meat is bad for you, new study says."  (Click on the link to read the whole story.)  

I'm a little skeptical when it comes to all or nothing statements.  Especially when they're delivered by a medical system that continually changes its mind.  There's a saying, "one person's food is another person's poison."  I'm more inclined to believe that.  We're all unique, and our dietary requirements should be individualized for each of us.  The best you can do for yourself is to eat more whole foods, less processed foods, eliminate sugar and white flour wherever you can and any meat you eat should be free from growth hormone, antibiotics and chemicals.  Personally I'd prefer to be a vegetarian, but I've tried that route a number of times and it never lasts - my body wants animal protein.

So even though the news says all red meat is bad for you, I'm pretty sure I'm not giving it up.  I'll have it in moderation as I always have.  I suggest you decide what's best for you.  

Here's an update for all the folks who've done supermarket tours with me.  You may remember that produce has a PLU code that identifies whether or not it's organic.  If it's a five digit code that starts with the number 9, it's organic.  Most other produce is labeled with a four digit code that begins with the number 4.  

Well, there's a new kid in town.  The bad news is any five digit code that begins with the number 8 is a genetically modified food (GMO).  The good news is now you know how to identify it and don't have to buy it.  

By being an educated consumer, our choices drive supply and demand. Consider yourself educated. 

Menopause happens naturally at the end of a woman’s reproductive life.  So why wouldn’t we treat the symptoms naturally?  Modern day science is always looking for ways to do things faster and easier, and I applaud this effort.  However, the problem with this system is the so called “cure” is often more hazardous than the original health issue.  

Most women now know that hormone replace therapy (HRT) carries far more risks than benefits.  And now they’re opting for natural alternatives to help treat the symptoms they experience during menopause like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.  Here’s a few options to try if you’re looking for relief:

Diet:  Your diet is one of the most important tools you have in your toolbox.  Avoid caffeine (coffee, chocolate, tea, soda, energy drinks). Carbonated beverages contain phosphorous which also increases the risk of bone loss. Limit the amount of meat (beef, pork and chicken) because the saturated fat decreases your body’s ability to metabolize estrogen.  Avoid sugar: Sugar in its raw state as well as food that converts to sugar quickly (alcohol, overcooked pasta, processed foods) lowers your immune system.  

Foods to add in to your diet include: whole grains, oats, wheat, brown rice, almonds, cashews, whole fruits and vegetables.  Soy in moderation is also a good option if you don’t have a history of thyroid problems.

I think the first time I heard the word chia, it was during a holiday gift commercial for "chia pets."  Who can forget the jingle - cha-cha-cha-chia?  Surprisingly enough, the seeds used to grow these whimsical terracotta plants is the same seed that is considered a powerful superfood.

The ancient Aztecs used chia seeds over 3000 years ago.  Warriors prized the small seeds for its endurance promoting qualities.  They would eat it in bread before battle or drink it in water before running long distances.

What's so special about chia?  Chia contains Omega 3 which is a rich source of essential fatty acids.  Omega 3 fatty acids are necessary for human growth and supports the development of our brain, eyes and nerves.  Chia seeds are also rich in calcium, potassium, mangesium, iron, zinc, many trace minerals and is considered a biologically-complete protein.  What that means is it contains an adequate proportion of all the nine essential amino acids for our dietary needs.

Why would anyone want to include chia seeds in their diet?  Health benefits include:
- Promotes a healthy heart
- Normalizes blood pressure
- Lowers bad cholesterol
- Has six times more calcium than milk
- Considered nutritionally superior to flax and soy
- Improves digestion
- Removes toxins naturally
- Strengthens muscles and bones
- Supports healthy weight loss due to its high fiber content

Because chia is neutral in color and flavor, it can be added to healthy recipes without changing the taste.  It's delicious in soups, cereal, salad, yogurt, smoothies and baked goods.  You can buy Chia in most health food stores. 



  
 

Last month I conducted a confidential survey using Survey Monkey and asked three questions:

1) What problems do you have facing your health?
2) What are your top three goals for your health?
3) What's getting in the way of you reaching your goals?

Here's the top answers to what people had to say:

Question 1 - What problems do you have facing your health?
22% said weight as their number one problem
16% don't have enough time and need work/life balance
12% listed stress, anxiety and/or depression as a major health problem
7% said overeating, poor diet and cravings were their biggest challenge

Question 2 - What are your top three goals for health?
28% said exercise, toning, endurance and increased stamina
19% want to lose weight
17% want to eat better and/or learn to cook
10% want to incorporate meditation, prayer, yoga and stress reduction into their lives

Question 3 - What's getting in the way of reaching your goals?
31% are too busy, working and just don't have enough time to do what they want to do
22% said they know they're getting in their own way, are too lazy, lack ambition or self-sabotage
8% said they lacked the knowledge to help themselves
7% lacked support from family members or their spouse

Believe it or not, you hold the key to finding the answers to these questions.  Pick one area you want to work on and write it down.  Look for opportunities to make small, measurable changes.  Here's a few tips to get you started

Weight - dehydration is often masked by feelings of hunger.  Instead of snacking between meals, drink water, herbal tea (hot or iced) or anything that's not carbonated, caffeinated or artificially sweetened.  Keep a log of how much you drink to help inspire you.  The general rule of thumb is half your weight in ounces. 

Stress - Taking just 10 minutes to clear your head every day helps manage stress.  Think about how much time you spend thinking.  Do you have arguments in your head with your husband or your boss and they don't even know about it?  Then they wonder why you're in a bad mood.  Sound familiar.  Clear the air and the cobwebs.  Try using Dr. Herbert Benson's relaxation response at his website:
http://www.relaxationresponse.org/steps/

Overeating - Start with protein.  When you look at your plate, 2/3 to 3/4 of the plate should be filled with vegetables and a whole grain (brown rice, quinoa, etc.).  If you have potatoes, make the portion 1/4 or less.  Generally, meat protein should be no bigger than your palm and no thicker.

Pick one thing and stick with it.  There's plenty of time to incorporate other goals. Master them one at a time for lasting results.

Last night as I was eating yet another meal in front of the television I wondered - why am I so interested in someone else's fabricated life?  I don't know why it never occurred to me before.  There have been times when I thought I watch way too much television.  I know there are better things to do, see and experience if only I'd get off the couch.  But for some reason last night was a turning point for me. 

As a culture, we're way too invested in something that isn't even real.  We're experiencing life through broadcast media.  Well today I decided to take matters into my own hands.  I worked from home and kept the boob tube (as my father not so fondly called it when I was growing up) off.  All day and all night.  I worked, walked my dog, listened to a guided meditation, did laundry, washed dishes and ate three meals in complete silence (if you don't count my dog panting in hopeful expectation of a morsel of my meal). 

Overall, I felt incredibly productive.  Mostly because I tuned into what my internal compass was telling me.  When I woke up, I drank a mug of hot water with lemon.  Why? Because I wasn't really hungry and my body was telling me that the double scoop of ice cream from Daddy's in South Randolph last night had thrown off my pH balance.  On my lunch break I usually go for a walk, but today I opted to meditate.  Why?  Because I was low on energy and still had four hours of client calls left.  In between calls I did some housework to keep it from piling up.  On my afternoon break I was craving some activity from sitting most of the day so I went for a walk. 

To the average person, this probably sounds like a pretty mundane day.  But what's great about it is I spent time with me living my life - not living vicariously through some downtrodden waif who overcame great odds and made it on Oprah (who I love by the way) or getting utterly annoyed at the woe is me crew from Judge Judy (who I'm sure is very nice but I don't get that show).  The mere fact that reality tv is in such high demand tells me that no one is interested in their own life anymore.  It's all about the drama.  Which, if we're honest with ourselves, is a total drain.  It saps our energy when we have our own emotional upheaval.  Why on earth would we want someone else's?

Well pass the sea salt and hold the remote because this is one woman who plans on participating in life rather than watch it pass her by.