Grilled veggies

Hello everyone,

Our neighbors brought us some asparagus out of their yard yesterday. I had just purchased some so I decided to grill what I purchased and will most likely eat Frank and Cynthia's raw. All I did was get out my cast iron grill pan and place a little olive oil in it, over medium-high heat. I sliced some red inion and a zucchini and grilled them, turning once, until golden. I placed those veggies in a bowl. I then grilled the asparagus with some red pepper and also placed those in the bowl. Lastly, I cut up some fresh lemons (also a gift from my new neighbors) and grilled those. I chopped up about half the lemons and added those to the veggies and left a few slices whole for garnish. I'm going to grill some great local sourdough bread, spread the slices with goat cheese and serve with the veggies and a Caesar Salad. Yum!

In good health...and taste,

Patty

In a Spring Cleansing Mood (with my friend Liz)

Hello everyone,

  Spring is a great time to think about cleansing and starting fresh. Be sure to check out the class calendar and sign up for the amazing "Doctor Saturdays." Today, however, I would like to introduce you to Liz Baughman. Liz is a Detoxification Coach with has worked with Dr. Elson Haas and has helped people create their own health for 20 years. 

 I enjoyed Liz's recent article and hope you will as well.

   

   Juicing always does a body good! Juicing is the fastest way to get live, fresh ingredients into the bloodstream, which is like the river of life in our bodies. If our body is polluted with unhealthy foods, the river will be adversely affected. The bloodstream feeds every single cell in our body bringing nourishment to each cell and taking away damaged cells so that may be excreted. The purity of the bloodstream determines how you feel and fight off disease. Juicing is the best way to detoxify your bloodstream, bringing relief to the body. The stomach can more easily process vitamins, minerals and fluids while using less of the bodies energy. The juicer has done much of the stomachs work by breaking down the food into digestible form.

   Daily juicing provides needed fluid to the cells, flushes toxins from cells, replaces expended vitamins and mineral, builds up a store of vitamins and minerals, and assists with regular bowel movements. In the following recipes, you may add garlic to taste. 

   

Morning Calm

2 cucumbers, 8 stalks celery, 8 kale leaves, 1/4" ginger

Eye Opener

2 cucumbers, 1/2 juiced lemon, 2 garlic cloves, 1/2 head cabbage, 1/2 bunch cilantro

Morning Mantra

8 stalks celery, 1/2 bunch spinach, 1/2 head cabbage, 1/2 bunch parsley, 1/2 lemon, fennel to taste, tamari to taste

Contact Liz for her Immune builder juice, mineral tonic and many other great recipes. 

Liz Baughman

707-483-9848

liz@ecstaticwellness.com

Mr Bad Food

Hello everyone,

A couple of weeks ago I happened upon a site with an article from Mr. Bad Food, a.k.a., John McGran. I found it informative and emailed the author asking permission to reprint his article. Turns out that John is in the editor in chief of www.diet.com and he asked me to be one of his expert "bloggers." My article/blog as a nutrition expert/chef will begin in April. Who knew? Here is his article that started it all...

10%20Foods%20To%20NEVER%20Eat.doc

Spring Cleanse in May

Hello everyone,

May is Spring Cleanse month at the school. For the first 3 Saturday's in May, I will have a guest doctors speaking about various ways to cleanse your body. May 3rd is Dr. Elson Haas who will be taking about the Purification Process and the 5 R's: Rebalance, Remove, Replace, Reinnoculate and Repair. On May 10th, Dr Ed Bauman will teach Pollution Protection and how to minimize damage from environmental toxins. On May 17th Dr. Michael Lipelt teaches us how heavy metals effect our bodies and the planet and what we can do about it. All 3 seminars include a lunch prepared by Patty. Each is $65.00 per person or all 3 amazing classes for $180.00. Please see the web site for all class details. You won't want to miss this series.

Sign up early as these classes are sure to fill.

In good health,

Patty

Simple Tips to Beat Your Sugar Habit

Did you know that the average American consumes almost 150 pounds of sugar a year and that much of it is hidden? How does this over consumption of sugar, some would say addiction, begin? Mother’s milk is naturally sweet and also represents warmth and nurturing, which may explain why under times of stress, many reach for something sweet.ds

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. 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.

Now that you know what sugar is what does it 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, but sugar also 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.

Sugar cravings are very real for many people. Many former alcoholics have intense sugar cravings because sugar acts very similar to alcohol in the body. 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.

How does one begin to kick the sugar habit?? For some it’s better to go cold turkey and give it up completely. For most, however, 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! The less you consume, the less you crave. The herb stevia is also a good choice.
• Become a label reader; anything that ends with ‘ose” is a form of sugar (fructose, sucrose, maltose). “Ols” such as mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol and maltitol, are sugar alcohols and are common in breath mints and gum.
• 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.
• Soda and juice are high in sugar, so eliminate or reduce your consumption.
• Eat Your Vegetables! Leafy green vegetables replenish the vitamins and minerals you have been losing to sugar.
• Drink more water- 8 glasses a day. We often mistake thirst for hunger. The next time craving strikes, drink some water and see how you feel.
• Stay away from artificial sweeteners! They are a chemical and not a food. Don’t eat any fake foods!
• A little bit of protein is much better for you in the morning because it will create satiety holding you over until your next snack or meal. Eat some form of protein at every meal to help cravings.
• Exercising will reduce cravings.

Generally speaking slow and steady changes are more likely to offer life long success. Good luck!

Please respond to this blog with a question, or personal experience of your own, by choosing the "comments" link below. View my Cooking Classes or Website Home for more information.