Great cookies...

Hi everyone,
I know I just wrote something yesterday about the upcoming non-gluten baking class, but yesterday I made some pretty great cookies. Aren't they pretty?
See you on the 29th! Again, if you can't make it, I will be filming the class and the DVD will be available for you.
In good health,
Patty

Non-gluten class in March

Hello everyone,
There are so many people who can not tolerate wheat and gluten that I have been giving the subject a lot of time lately. The biggest challenge for most is baked goods. As many of you know, the gluten in wheat and other products is what gives baked goods their texture. Non-gluten breads are often compared to the proverbial hockey puck. I have been mixing and brewing in honor of my Celtic roots to come up with some wonderful non-gluten recipes for you and your family.
Many of you receive my E-Newsletter and in January I wrote about gluten intolerance to an amazing response. I was asked by Jennifer to add a non-gluten baking class to assist the more than 900 bay area families who have a member who is either gluten intolerant or who has celiac disease.
The photo is of my Walnut Multi-grain bread, which as you can see is a winner! If you don't live next to my school, have no fear. I will be filming the class and the film and recipes will be for sale on my web site. I have had a lot of requests to do on-line classes and this will be my first offering.
In good health,
Patty

Some tips...

Hello everyone,
Well, now you know what sugar is exactly, what is does to your body and how to recognize its hidden forms. Now here are a few tips for you so you can begin your sugar detoxification. There are many more specific ways to wean yourself from sugar so call or email me (no matter where you are) and we can set up a nutritional consultation for your personalized program.
For some it’s better to go cold turkey and give it up completely. For most, however, this would lead to failure and a slow and easy approach is better. Here are some tips:
• Change to natural sweeteners. Raw honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar are less processed than sugar and still have their nutrients intact. They burn more slowly in the body and do not cause weight gain as quickly. Remember they are still sugars, so limit the amount you eat. Try stevia, an herbal supplement that is very sweet and can be found in your local health food store. You can also grow your own plant if you have a yard or a patio.
• Keep sugar and all sugar products out of the house, so you won't be tempted and give in during times of stress and hunger.
• Reduce the amount of sugar you consume - the less you eat, the less you crave. Don’t forget, soda and juice are high in sugar.
• Root vegetables like yams, sweet potato, carrots and beets provide a sweet flavor that satisfies the palate helping to reduce your cravings.
• Eat Your Vegetables! Leafy green vegetables replenish the vitamins and minerals you have been losing to sugar.

In your consultation we will talk about protein, water, exercise, chromium, and how they affect your sugar removal program and many other ways to assist you in reducing you and your families sugar intake.
To your health!
Patty

Too Much Sugar, continued

Hello everyone,
Did you know that alcohol consumption also contributes to sugar cravings? Many former alcoholics have intense sugar cravings because sugar acts very similar to alcohol in the body. Moreover, for many, alcohol acts like a gateway drug to the over consumption of food. White flour, white potatoes, and white rice all convert to sugar in the body. These will all cause the high rise of insulin and the drop in blood sugar that leads to sugar cravings.
The average American consumes almost 150 pounds of sugar a year and much of it is hidden. Become a label reader; anything that ends with ‘ose” is a form of sugar⎯fructose, sucrose, maltose, etc. “Ols” such as mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol and maltitol, are sugar alcohols and are common in breath mints and gum.
What does sugar do in your body? There is the obvious disease- type two diabetes, that is closely linked to the over consumption of sugar and the consequence, obesity. Sugar causes inflammation in the body and inflammation is associated with everything from acne and wrinkles, to arthritis, heart disease and depression. Sugar suppresses your immune system, can cause chromium and copper deficiencies and interferes with the absorption of calcium and magnesium, which can lead to osteoporosis. Sugar leads to tooth decay, can lower your vitamin E levels, and even weakens eyesight.
Next posting you will learn tips on how to wean yourself from so much sugar.
In good health,
Patty

Sugar Cravings

Hello everyone,
I was asked today to write an article for our local newspaper reminding folks about their New Year's resolutions. Most people want to loose a few pounds, but I decided to focus on sugar. Sugar is pervasive in our food supply, addictive and, of course. expands one's waist line.
By definition, sugar addiction is a term for the situation where individuals crave sweet foods and find it difficult to give it up. There is clearly an aspect of psychological addiction (mother’s milk representing love and nurturing is naturally sweet) but recent research has also identified elements of physical dependence. Addictive drugs stimulate receptors in the brain to release natural opiods and dopamine, neurochemicals that trigger feelings of pleasure or well-being.
It’s important to understand what sugar is and how it affects your health before learning how to give up the white stuff. The term sugar refers to sucrose, also called table sugar, a white crystalline solid disaccharide. Commercially produced table sugar comes from either sugar cane or sugar beets. The sweetener High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS,) found in many processed foods has replaced regular sugar in a considerable number of products. It is six times sweeter than sugar and does not act the same way as sugar in the body. HFCS does not stimulate insulin production; it is processed more like fat. Some experts believe that it actually converts to fat faster and easier than regular sugar. Its super sweet flavor could contribute to sugar cravings.
Soon you will learn about how sugar affects your body. More soon!
Patty