I Heart Pro-Biotics

Looking to boost your immune system before we head into cold and flu season?
One simple way to do so is taking a high quality Pro-biotic on a daily basis. Pro-biotics have gained a lot of attention in the media lately and with good reason
Pro-biotics maintain a delicate balance between the gastrointestinal tract and immune system. Companies claim their products (bread, yoghurt, cheese) are rich in Pro-biotics, yet most fall short of any therapeutic benefits.



In the late nineteenth century, microbiologists identified microflora in the gastrointestinal tracts of healthy individuals that differed from those found in diseased individuals. They named the beneficial flora “Pro-Biotics.” Pro-biotics literally means “Pro Life”.



In 1994, the World Health Organization deemed Pro-biotics to be the next-most important immune defense system when commonly prescribed antibiotics are rendered useless by antibiotic resistance.

Unfortunately most of us will not be able to get therapeutic benefits from eating yoghurt alone, therefore I supplement with Genestra’s HMF Forte. It is important to take a Pro-biotic if you have been on anti-biotics in the past. In this case I would suggest taking more than the recommended daily dosage.

The next time you visit Glow, be sure to ask your practitioner how Pro-biotics can benefit your health.

I Invite You To Explore The Farmers Market

One of my favorite things about summer is visiting the farmers market. Have you checked out the Gastown Farmers Market? If not, spend your Sunday meeting the fabulous people that grow your food. You can visit anytime between 11am and 3pm and you are sure to find wonderful, in season produce to inspire your Sunday night eats. Why not host a pot luck and encourage the guests to get their ingredients from the market to create a their dish? Allow yourself to be swept up in the passion that exudes from your guests as they talk about their culinary masterpiece.

Cleanse Your Body, Calm Your Mind!

As September approach’s it’s a good time to think about cleansing our bodies, clearing our minds and setting up healthy eating and lifestyle habits. What better way to do this than a quick and easy cleanse!

In the last 50 years our environment has become increasingly more polluted. This has resulted in a greater human toxic burden than ever before. With all of the toxic chemicals that have been introduced into our environment, plus the use of tobacco, alcohol, (although I’m sure non of the readers of this blog consume alcohol or tobacco) prescription and non-prescription drugs, and hormones and pesticides added to our food, you can start to see the challenging task that has been created for our bodies to rid itself of all of these substances. The liver carries the greatest burden of detoxifying foreign substances, as well as substances our bodies create (like hormones).

So, if we are exposed to toxic substances or if we make unhealthy dietary and lifestyle choices, we can build up many potentially toxic substances in our bodies. This can leave us feeling lethargic, moody, depressed, anxious, bloated and gassy.

A wonderful way to reverse such symptoms would be to do an overall body cleanse. There are many different kinds out there, herbal, restriction diets and vitamins. In my experience I find it best to do all three. I am currently doing a three week cleanse that where I will be excluding certain foods such as, wheat, dairy, sugar, corn, tomato and a few others. I will increase my intake of water, herbal teas, eat lots of fruit and veggies, fish (Click on fish to be directed to a website that will help you make healthy, sustainable seafood choices), chicken (free range), nuts (except peanuts) cold pressed oils such as olive oil, flax seed oil, Vega Oil, and pumpkin seed oil. I will also eat lots of whole grains such as rice, quinoa (click on quinoa for info and tasty recipes) and millet.

To give my cleanse an extra kick I have decided to take a product made by Thorne, called MediClear. This product comes in the form of a powder that you mix with water, fruit juices or add to smoothies (click for an abundance of smoothie recipes). MediClear acts as a nutritional support for inflammation, allergies, detoxification, and gastrointestinal integrity. The formula contains rice protein, vitamins, minerals, and specialized nutrients and botanicals. Its high concentration of rice protein aids in tissue repair and regeneration. The green tea extract in the formula provides potent antioxidant and liver-protecting activity, and MSM helps detoxification and joint function.

During the next 3 weeks I will provide you with updates on how I make out on the cleanse. I very much look forward to my coconut, pineapple, MediClear smoothie tomorrow for breakfast.

If you would like to take the 3 week challenge to a healthier body, healthier mind, come on over to Glow and we can set you up with all of the essentials and support.

In the meantime here are some pretty stellar recipes.

Enjoy!

Black Bean Salsa

In a mixing bowl combine 1-1/2 cups prepared black beans (drained), ¼ cup finely chopped red onion, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar, 2 tbsp olive oil, and one clove of crushed or minced garlic. Add cayenne and salt to taste. You may also add 1 small minced jalapeno pepper without seeds for more zip. Mix and lit sit for a t least on hour to develop flavors – serve over grilled chicken or fish.

Baked Apples

Place 4 medium apples that have been washed and cored in a large glass oven proof bowl (with lid). Place a strip of lemon rind, ¼ of a whole vanilla bean, 1 cinnamon stick, and some currants or raisins inside each apple. Drizzle apples with ¼ cup lemon juice and scatter remainder of currants around them. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 60 to 75 minutes. Serve warm or cold, you can also drizzle with almond milk.