What exactly is this simple, healthy food?  You make yogurt by adding two bacterial cultures, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, to pasteurized milk to trun it into a thicker, fermented form.  All forms of yogurt contain these cultures at the start, and many supplement with additional probiotics that are associated with specific health benefits. 

The healing benefits of yogurt have been known for centuries.  The active live cultures used for the making of yogurt and kefir are the good bacteria needed for your body to function at its highest level, can help you live longer and may fortify your immune system.  The good bacteria prevents the growth of harmful bacteria that cause bacterial infections and disease.  Good bacteria prevents imbalances in your body’s yeast levels.  Urinary tract infections and yeast infections can be prevented when your body is in balance.  Antibiotics will destroy the good bacteria present in your body.  Stress, sugar, menopause and processed food can also affect your body’s bacteria levels.  It is said that active live cultures actually reduce the yogurt’s level of lactose, therefore making yogurt a dairy alternative.  There are also many varieties of soy, rice and coconut milk yogurt.  Don’t be afraid to ask your local grocery if you don’t see it on the shelf.

Dairy yogurt is made from dairy products milk and cream that is cultured with active live cultures.  Your body’s intestines are filled with bacteria that has to maintain a delicate balance of power to keep you functioning.  If one type of bacteria flourishes, your intestinal flora will be off balance.  Yogurt will help restore balance in the intestinal system.  Eating yogurt is also good for, digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, gas and bloating.

Yogurt is also a great source of calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin-vitamin B2, iodine and protein.  Protein is essential for many of your body’s systems and is also good for curbing your appetite.  You can add fruit, nuts, granola and fresh berries to yogurt.  Yogurt can also be added to fruit smoothies or you can substitue yogurt for milk in some recipes. 

In 2003, a Finnish study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showed a common link to women who consumed probiotic-fermented milk products and fresh berry juice had a lower recurrence of urinary tract infections.  Daily consumption of just 3 ounces of probiotic yogurt improved the cholesterol profile, lowered LDL (bad cholesterol) while raising the good cholesterol, in a study with women volunteers.  Studies have also shown that freezing yogurt will not affect or reduce the probiotic content.  Probiotic supplements can also be taken.  Choose one that shows an expiration date for its living organisms.

It’s certainly best to buy organic yogurt.  I stay away from dairy and soy, so I purchase the rice or coconut milk yogurt.  I also don’t want any added sugar to my food, so I try to pick up the natural or vanilla yogurt and add the fruit, granola, agave nectar or honey for breakfast or snack.  I don’t care about the low fat variety because of the artificial sweeteners in them.  Look for yogurt that is low in sugar and doesn’t add trans fat or high fructose corn syrup.  Check the levels of active live cultures.  The more there are the better the benefit.  You can also use yogurt as a substitution for sour cream on baked potatoes, yams or other veggies (cooked or uncooked). 

I’m ending this blog with an update about my Dad.  He recently went into the hospital for bypass surgery.  Although the surgery was successful, almost four weeks later he is still in the hospital.  I was with him for the first two weeks and watched nurses (not all) going through “the motions” of care.  Unfortunately, my Dad was given a combination of five different drugs one night when he couldn’t sleep.  Not only did this set him back in his recovery, but it proved to me why I don’t like hospitals.  There is so much more to say about his care during his time in the hospital.  I can only hope that if someone you love is in the hospital, you or someone you trust is there at all times to oversee what the staff is doing.  I realize it is not an easy job to be a caregiver, doctor or nurse, especially when caring for the elderly.  And those who do are to be commended.  Thank you for your service.  I’m speaking from firsthand experience and from a daughter whose father is still in the medical system.

These statements are informational only. Please consult with your physician if you have questions.

The juicing craze! After all of the hype and strict regimens of the raw and juiced diet fads, the whole idea may leave a bad taste in your mouth. But you do not have to learn how to cover up the taste of juiced beets or start watching infomercials with Jack LaLanne revving up his “Juice Tiger.” There is an easy, and yes, tasty way to drink your vitamins and boost your intake of the good stuff.

For starters, you may be wondering why juiced foods are so fantastic to begin with. Simply put, it’s because they are living, unprocessed foods that enter your body in their purest form, with their vitamins and nutrients intact. When you drink a glass of fruit juice from the bottle, you are most likely getting additives and additional sugar to enhance the flavor and appeal. The problem here is that you could have downed a soda if you wanted empty calories, and all for a fraction of the nutrients you could have received if you stuck to au-natural. So great. Now you know you can toss your fruits and veggies into a blender and delicious, nutritious nectar will appear, solving all of your ache and pains, as well as restoring your body to age 21 perfection. Not quite. The concoction you get might taste a bit more like a punishment than a treat. But comparing the thick, amateur juice of a novice to the real deal is like comparing apples to oranges. In order to get into your body, it’s got to taste good. So how do we get from bravery to savory?

First of all, start with what you know. What fruits do you like? Bananas make a fantastic “base” fruit, and your body will thank you for the potassium, not to mention the gram of protein and three grams of fiber. Bananas also tend to help neutralize the tartness of some fruits, so it can be a nice place to start. Not bananas over bananas? No problem! After a few tries at the old blender, you’ll figure out which fruit combination you like best. But what about veggies? How do we make that taste good? Well, right off the bat you will want a fairly decent juicer. Introducing veggies into your juice regimen is going to require a bit more “juice” than a typical blender can pack. But even when you’re armed with the right equipment, certain vegetables need some help from that spoonful of something to help the medicine go down. Your sweeter fruits and vegetables (pineapple, carrots, etc.) can also be used as a moderator to help tone down the all too unpleasant overpowering vegetable taste. Tomato and celery with a pinch of lemon juice makes a great foundation juice, as most people tend to like this health conscious knock off of a Bloody Mary. From here you can add cucumber, spices, carrots, or even a bit of apple juice.

Ok. So you have read this blog, dusted off your juicer (or purchased one), made a resolution, and now you are standing in the produce aisle at Grocer’s Gala and have not a clue what to buy, or why you even wanted to try this in the first place. Before you resign and head over to aisle five to pick up a jug of V8, hear me out. Grab a piece of paper and quickly jot down some health issues that you have that you want to resolve. Next, log on to the internet and do a quick Google search to learn which vitamins serve as an anecdote to your problem. As an example, if you suffer from fatigue than you may be lacking vitamins B12 and B6. Mangos and Kiwi’s have each of these B’s, so get them on your list. Is the common cold a little too common for your comfort level? Well than I am sure you are aware that vitamin C is key. Stock up on your friends in the citrus family. Have you noticed that you are squinting at the menu at your local fast food joint? Than stop eating burgers and fries and pick up some carrots! Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene, which morphs into vitamin A, which gets an A+ when it comes to your eyes. Have allergies? Try Mandarin Tangerines. Upset stomach? Pick up some pectin and grab some grapefruit. You may have to search a bit, but some Noni juice added to your blend can act quite like serotonin on your brain, and some believe it can relieve headaches. Aloe and cabbage have been rumored to do the same, and as you experiment you will find what works best for you.

So you have the idea. Now you have your fruits and veggies at home and you are ready to juice! As you are playing scientist and experimenting, remember to balance your sweets with your not-so-sweets and see what you can get. If you do not mind wandering off the beaten path every now and again, start trying fun additions like cinnamon, maple syrup, parsnip, or other spices. Juicers note: The natural sugar in fruit will raise insulin levels, so keep this in mind when you head into juicing mode. Too much of the sweet stuff can upset your blood sugar levels, causing you to feel hungry too soon. No worries, though. Soon you will have your “recipes” down, just keep experimenting and tasting.

One final note. “Smoothies,” although not as healthful as the juices we discussed above, can be an excellent alternative to typical desserts laden with fat and excess sugar. Dessert smoothies can end up containing a lot of calories, but watching your portion size can be the perfect way to treat your sweet tooth without trying to trick your diet. One of my special blends uses chocolate soymilk as a base. I then add a banana and a few tablespoons of organic, vanilla yogurt. Divide in two glasses and you and the person lucky enough to be dining with you are in for a “milkshake” that won’t leave you with a twist of guilt.

So go forth and juice! Your mind and body will thank you.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease.  The lining of the small intestine is damaged from eating gluten and other proteins found in rye, barley, wheat and oats.  Some gastrointestinal symptoms are abdominal pain, bloating, gas and indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, lactose intolerance, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.  There are also nonintestinal symptoms like: anemia, bone and joint pain, easy bruising, depression, fatigue, hair loss, skin disorders, seizures and malnutrition.  Symptoms can vary significantly from person to person.  Unfortunately a lot of these symptoms can mean a host of other disorders too.

Celiac disease is also known as gluten sensitive enteropathy.  Gluten makes bread doughy and sticky.  Gluten is also used as an adhesive on stamps.  It is found in grains such as wheat (not in wheatgrass juice), rye, spelt, barley, kamut, triticale, semolina and durham, but not in oats (although oats are often grown on former wheat fields causing cross contamination).  In celiac disease the immune system begins to produce antibodies when exposed to gluten.  These antibodies attack the fingerlike projections (microvilli) which line our small intestines.  This is where we absorb the nutrients for our body.  When these microvilli are attacked and destroyed, the body is unable to nourish itself with vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats.  The list of dis-eases associated with celiac are too many to list; from asthma to multiple sclerosis.  If you already have a known autoimmune disease, you could be at risk for developing celiac disease.  Someone can become sensitized to gluten at any time of life.  It also runs in families and women are more affected than men.  There is no exact cause of celiac, making it impossible to prevent.  However, we already know it is healthier for every part of your body to stay away from processed foods.

Wheat as a raw grain is unsafe to eat.  Wheat flour must be heated to destroy the enzyme blockers and lectins within the grain to allow for its consumption.  Anytime we alter food from its original nature state we are processing the food.  Some healthy alternatives to wheat are quinoa and brown rice which are much less processed.  The aisles of the grocery store are now stocked with gluten-free alternatives.  I just picked up some gluten-free pretzels, which someone told me are better than regular pretzels.  I also love the gluten-free fig cookies.

Eating a gluten-free diet will allow the intestinal villi to heal.  Read food labels and medication labels carefully.  Hidden sources of grains, wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats, are found in many products.  If you have some of these symptoms and you feel better if you do not eat gluten, please contact your doctor.  Being tested is the only way to diagnose this disease.  I have stomach issues when I eat gluten and when I’m under stress at the same time.  Other times, I fine.  I try to stay away from processed foods.  Left untreated, celiac can cause chronic inflammation eventually causing complete atrophy and flattening of the microvilli.

Gluten can also impact the brain.  When a patient has full blown celiac it can cause chronic inflammation of the brain and nervous system which will impact function of these systems.  Gluten also contains glutamate.  This substance causes excessive excitation of brain cells which ultimately results in brain cell damage and brain cell death. 

We need to protect the body with proper nutrition, exercise, relaxation and give the body what it needs to properly get rid of offending foods, toxins and microbes it does not need.  I’ve said many times the body has the ability to heal itself.  We’ve been eating unhealthy for many years, we can not expect healing to happen overnight.  New and improved versions of gluten make it harder and harder for our bodies to fight infection, inflammation and disease.  We need to return to a diet full of nutrients that promote health and longevity and prevent dis-ease.  Gluten is responsible for so many symptoms, that I believe taking gluten out of our diets can only benefit us.

A new documentary was released recently called Raw For 30-Days.  It followed five Americans suffering from Adult Onset Type II Diabetes.  These participants underwent a radical 30-day diet and lifestyle change.  They were hoping to reverse their diabetes or reduce their insulin dependency.  All subjects were eating a standard American junk food diet and were insulin dependent and diabetic when they started this process.  They were taken to the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Arizona to undergo a 30-day health regimen.  They ate 100% raw organic living foods that would reverse their Diabetes naturally.  They had to give up meat, dairy, sugar, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, soda, junk food, fast food, processed food, packaged food and cooked food.  Here’s the link to the movie’s site http://www.rawfor30days.com/

Is it just food?  I don’t believe so.  Changing your diet, even if you are not suffering from a disease, is not easy.  It will bring up emotions and feelings that have been long buried with food and other addictions.  The participants in the movie not only radically changed their food intake, but also took classes in alternative medicine, yoga, meditation, and spent their time in a beautiful, peaceful environment.  It’s important to surround yourself with support when you make any major changes in your life.  The results of this program brought astonishing results.  One person did leave the program.  But the other participants had exceptional results.  Within four days, most of the participants were off their insulin and oral anti-diabetic medications.  It was that quick.  After the 30 days, the Type 2 diabetics had achieved a level of health that was considered comparable with a normal non-diabetic physiology. 

It takes time to get on a healing track.  For most people, just taking meat out of their diet is traumatic.  These people went from eating a typical fast food diet their whole life to eating raw foods only.  They were introduced to supplements, enzyme therapy and exercise.  Moving was a very important factor in getting their blood sugar under control.  Exercise helps get the blood sugar into the cells.  The enzyme therapy is important because most people, especially diabetics, have a sluggish digestion process. 

We know it’s healthier to eat raw.  But do you have to do 100%?  No, you don’t.  Try eating as much raw as possible.  Also take red meat and chicken out of your diet.  Most of these animals are pumped with hormones and antibiotics.  Dairy should also be eliminated.  Dairy has been shown to increase childhood diabetes because of the inflammation it causes in the pancreas. 

One of the participants of the 30-day program went on to go to naturopathic medical school.  He was so influenced by his transition and his health by changing to a mainly raw food lifestyle that he chose to continue to help others.  He can now speak from personal experience.  I love this.  Make your own personal experience.  Being able to speak from personal experience will allow others to heal.  Diabetes is reversible.  The body is capable of healing itself.  Nutrition, mental health and exercise are all factors in that transition.  Statements from doctors about how there are no options for certain diseases or disorders, is damaging to your health.  I’ve heard of too many friends who believe the doctors and give up.  Share your knowledge about health with others.  Share the good news.

Unfortunately, even the American Diabetes Association says, “Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure.”  True fact….a good friend of mine is a diabetic.  We traveled to Florida many years ago and during that time she was free of stress and we were feeding her wheatgrass juice prior to our departure.  During our stay in Florida, she did not have to give herself a shot of insulin.  I’ve seen it work first hand.  Not just in the movies.  So why are doctors still not telling their diabetic patients about the raw food lifestyle?  I don’t know….ask yours.

Please consult your doctor before beginning any major lifestyle changes.