Friday, March 29, 2013

Samplefest 2013

Please save the date for our upcoming
Samplefest Gluten Free Food & Health Fair
Saturday, April 20, 2013, 9am-3pm
St. John Lutheran Church
11005 NE Hwy 99
Vancouver, WA 98686
If you would like to help us with this food fair,
are a vendor and would like to showcase
your products, or are a healthcare professional
that would like to share your expertise, please contact
Kristi: #360-518-0464 or justus323@yahoo.com
Thank you

Six Strategies to Stop Spring Allergies

Halt sinus, throat, and respiratory tract symptoms naturally and effectively.
Seasonal allergies are not only downright annoying, they are becoming a serious health concern. Ranked as the 6th  leading cause of chronic disease in our country, allergy-induced disease and their secondary health issues are nothing to sneeze about anymore.
Stats now indicate that some 50 million Americans are affected with hay fever and allergy-induced inflamed sinuses, runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing, and dry, irritated throats. Many individuals can go on to develop sinus infections, bronchitis, asthma, and middle ear infections when their mucous membranes are under constant assault.
Here’s my personal Rx for proactively tackling symptoms before they develop into more serious maladies:

1. Use a daily sinus rinse. Mix ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon baking soda in an 8 ounce nasal squirt bottle. Rinsing away mucus can help sinus sufferers get relief in about two weeks.
2. Spray away pathogens. Boost immunity with powerful herbal fighters like echinacea and Osha Root. For a dry, irritated or sore throat and post nasal drip, consider a product like Everyday Throat Spray. It contains an arsenal of immune boosters like echinacea and Osha Root. While echinacea is a well known “natural antibiotic,” Osha Root has impressive antibacterial and anti viral properties which help relax smooth muscles, aiding both asthmatic breathing challenges and coughs. The colloidal silver component helps to kill pathogens in the mouth and gums while licorice and peppermint are both soothing and flavorful. I personally use this product every time I travel and recommend its daily use for both children and adults.
3. Skip the alcohol. Drinking during allergy season can create swelling of the sinus and nasal membranes. No more nightcaps for a while.
4. Sniff essential oils. I always recommend a bit of eucalyptus sprinkled on a tissue that you place under your nose.
5. Defend against pollen. Before bed, shower and wash your hair because hair is a prime hiding place for pollen to collect. Change your clothes after being outside on high pollen count days and stay indoors on windy days.
6. Support your adrenal glands – your system’s fight or flight center for stress control. Allergies, as well as hypoglycemia, fatigue, bags under your eyes, repeated stress of any type, and negative belief systems are all signs of adrenal burnout. It can be remedied over time with simple but consistent lifestyle changes.  Keep in mind that recurring respiratory infections are one of the most burdensome toxic loads on your adrenals so addressing severe or chronic infection like sinusitis, bronchitis or pneumonia is key to overcoming adrenal fatigue. Just about all forms of respiratory illness go hand in hand with low adrenal function.

Perhaps the least expensive thing that you can do in this regard is put sleep on the top of your “to do” list. Lack of rejuvenating, growth-hormone producing sleep is a major roadblock to complete adrenal recovery and is common with individuals who show both high and low cortisol levels. Getting in bed by 9:30 pm so that it’s “lights out” by 10 pm is ideal, as well as the faithful supplementation of an adrenal fatigue supplement at 7 am, 11 am, and 3 pm. Eating breakfast before 10 am, reducing caffeine, sugar, processed carbs, and emphasizing protein at every meal and a protein-rich bedtime snack is key to helping you recoup your energy, vitality, and enhance immune resistance during allergy season.
-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Reboot Your Brain

Preserve your central processing unit- aka your brain:
Two new studies suggest that vitamin D might not only
help women maintain better cognitive function as they
age, it could also protect against Alzheimer's disease.
Although the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin
D is 600 IU, many experts recommend taking a supplement
with 800 to1,200 IU for extra protection.
-Health Magazine, April 2013

5 Best Foods For Healthy Eyes

Leafy Greens
They're packed with lutein and zeaxanthin-
antioxidants that, studies show, lower the
risk of developing macular degeneration and
cataracts.
Fatty Fish
Tuna, salmon, mackerel, anchovies and trout
are rich in DHA, a fatty acid found in your
retina-low levels of which have been linked
to dry eye syndrome.
Almonds
They're filled with vitamin E, which slows macular
degeneration, research shows. One handful
(an ounce) provides about half of your daily
dose of E.
Citrus and Berries
These fruits are powerhouses of vitamin C, which
has been shown to reduce the risk of developing
macular degeneration and cataracts.
Eggs
The yolk is a prime source of lutein and zeaxanthin-
plus zinc, which also helps reduce your macular
degeneration risk, according to Dr. Dougherty.
-Health Magazine, April 2013

Bring On The Berries

Another reason to enjoy this superfruit: Eating a half-cup
of blueberries or strawberries three times a week cut women's
heart-attack risk by 34 percent, a new study found. Those
little gems are loaded with anthocyanins, compounds that might
help lower blood pressure by keeping arteries elastic, says lead
author Eric Rimm, ScD, associate professor of epidemiology
and nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health.
-Health Magazine, April 2013

Why Perimenopause Can Strike As Early As Your Mid-30's

Balance hormones when signs of the “Change” come too early.
Bloating, brain fog, depression, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, loss of libido, menstrual irregularities, migraines, thinning hair, swollen ankles and/or feet, vaginal dryness, water retention, and weight gain are common symptoms among menopausal women. But while they don’t recognize the cause, all too many women start to experience these complaints—signs of perimenopause—starting in their mid-30s.
“It’s not unlike a bad case of premenstrual syndrome,” explains Gloria Bachmann, MD, professor and chief of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine. But because reproductive aging is a progressive rather than a discrete change, perimenopause is difficult to recognize.
“When they first start to appear, perimenopausal symptoms may seem unrelated,” says Nancy Lee Teaff, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist in Charlotte, NC, “and women often treat each problem individually, not seeing the connection until years later.”
“Skipped periods and hot flashes are almost automatically attributed to menopause, ” she adds, “but if your first symptom happens to be insomnia, you may spend hours in a therapist’s office before it becomes apparent that the problem is primarily hormonal.”
“Along with migraine headaches, dizziness is one of the most common complaints of perimenopause,” write UC San Diego scientists in Medical Hypotheses. While researchers conclude “recognition of the steroid influences on migraine genesis will lead to improved treatment,” most physicians still don’t connect the dots.
“I would say that 50% of women in perimenopause have been misdiagnosed,” says menopause specialist Helene B. Leonetti, MD. “Usually they’ve been given Prozac or put through a $10,000 cardiac workup.”
The Change Before the Change
When I wrote the New York Times bestseller, Before the Change, fifteen years ago, few people were even aware of perimenopause. Women like me were wondering, “What on earth is happening to my body?” After many nights without solid sleep, it’s no wonder we were exhausted.
One of my clients, Liz, complained of “No energy…I’m tired all the time,” she told me. “My whole body is breaking down, falling to pieces. My mind, too.” In addition, she gained 15 pounds in less than two years. “That’s fat. But if you’d seen me about 10 days ago,” she added, “I looked like I was 30 pounds overweight because of water retention. Then it went away” later in her monthly cycle.
Another client, Dianne, complained of other symptoms. “I couldn’t explain why I didn’t want sex anymore,” she said. Her doctor assured her that she didn’t have a hormone problem, nor signs of any medical disorder, and suggested an emotional or psychological cause, while Dianne was certain her lack of libido “was for a physical reason.”
“I wasn’t going to see a shrink,” Dianne told me, her eyes blazing at the thought. In fact, she seemed surprised when I dropped the subject of sex and started asking her about unrelated symptoms. While she hadn’t gained weight and didn’t have headaches, she also felt sluggish, especially in the morning.
Estrogen Dominance
While Liz and Dianne had very different symptoms, they both lacked energy and vitality—and were beginning to experience menstrual irregularities! Much like myself and other clients in perimenopause, they shared some of the many signs of estrogen dominance—ranging from bloating and fatigue to diminished sex drive and weight gain—increasinly common from the mid-30s on.
In a normal menstrual cycle, your estrogen levels are high for a week or so after your period—peaking around the 12th day, beginning to drop just before you ovulate. After ovulation, the hormone progesterone increases, stimulating the build up of the uterine lining. If the ovum (egg) has not been fertilized in this cycle, both estrogen and progesterone levels drop sharply. If the egg is fertilized, progesterone remains high during pregnancy.
During the subtle hormonal changes of perimenopause, this natural balance gets thrown out of whack. If you don’t ovulate, for instance, the ovaries don’t secrete enough progesterone to counteract the effects of estrogen—and estrogen dominance occurs.
Estrogen stimulates both breast cell and uterine lining growth, increasing the risk of cancer. This hormone also adds to body fat and promotes water retention. Estrogen-dominant women tend to be depressed, suffer headaches, experience slow thyroid function, lower libido, and blood sugar imbalances. By contrast, progesterone stabilizes both breast cell and uterine lining growth, helps burn fat as fuel, and is a natural antidepressant and diuretic. This hormone also enhances sex drive and supports thyroid function, while stabilizing blood sugar.
As women approach menopause, hormonal imbalance not only increases but also raises their risk for cardiovascular disease. Besides its ability to counteract the unwanted effects of estrogen dominance, progesterone has been credited with helping to prevent heart disease and cancer. Among women in their 30s and 40s, this hormone also protects against osteoporosis.
By menopause around the age of 50, progesterone levels have declined 12 times the decline in estrogen—only exacerbating estrogen dominance. Interestingly, men have higher levels of the female hormone progesterone than some postmenopausal women!
Balance Hormones Safely
That’s too bad, because progesterone boosts energy levels, probably by helping thyroid hormones work better. Another of my clients, Jackie, is a case in point.
At 44, she came to my office, complaining of chronic, constant fatigue and asking for an energy boosting diet. While her doctor had suspected hypothyroidism (slow thyroid function), Jackie’s test results were normal.
During our consultation, I discovered that Jackie was using estrogen patches—something she neglected to mention to her doctor since a friend (not the doctor) had given her these prescription patches. I convinced Jackie to throw out her patches and rebalance her hormones with daily applications of ProgestaKey, a natural topical progesterone body cream.
Easily applied with its pump dispenser to the abdomen, chest, face, inner arms/thighs, or neck, this progesterone body cream helps revive vitality, spark sex drive, and enhance metabolism. One full press of the pump dispenses the recommended 20 mg of natural progesterone from wild yam.
Perimenopausal women can apply it once or twice a day, starting on the 7th day after menstrual flow begins and continuing until the 27th day. Menopausal women can apply it once or twice daily for 25 days, followed by a five-day break. You can read more about ProgestaKey including additional benefits and true stories and reviews from women at unikeyhealth.com.
Hormone Testing
To fully evaluate your body’s hormone levels and obtain a complete assessment, consider an at-home Salivary Hormone Test. You’ll collect a saliva sample in the privacy of your own home, send it to a licensed medical lab and receive the complete report along with a personal letter of recommendations from yours truly. You can learn more about Salivary Hormone Testing online; for specific questions, contact UNI KEY’s Testing Coordinator at 800-888-4353.
-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

Monday, March 25, 2013

Bread Sale!

Franz Outlet on Hwy 99 in Hazel Dell is having
a sale on their Gluten Free White and 7 Grain Bread.
They are 2/$5.00 for a limited time only.
Hurry in and take advantage of this great deal!
Franz Bakery Outlet
6701 NE Hwy 99
Vancouver, WA 98665
Between 68th St. & 63rd St.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

GIG Address Change

As of April 1, 2013, we will have a new address:
GIGSWWA
PO Box 822676
Vancouver, WA 98682-0057
Thank you.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

2013 GIG Support Meetings

 Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital
2211 NE 139th St., Vancouver
February 16 - Rooms C-D
March 16 - 6th Floor Classroom
May 18 - location to be announced
June 15 - Rooms C-D
**NO meetings July & August**
September 21 - 6th Floor Classroom
October 19 - 6th Floor Classroom
November 16 - 6th Floor Classroom

Thank you for continuing to support our efforts!

Samplefest 2013

Please save the date for our upcoming
Samplefest Gluten Free Food & Health Fair
Saturday, April 20, 2013, 9am-3pm
St. John Lutheran Church
11005 NE Hwy 99
Vancouver, WA 98686
If you would like to help us with this food fair,
are a vendor and would like to showcase
your products, or are a healthcare professional
that would like to share your expertise, please contact
Kristi: #360-518-0464 or justus323@yahoo.com
Thank you

Friday, March 22, 2013

Franz Bread

The Orchards BiMart is now carrying Franz White and 7 Grain bread
on sale for $5.99 each. Please stop by and pick up a loaf today so we
can increase sales and keep the products in stock.
If there are other gluten free products that you would like them to carry, talk to
the manager, he is very open to suggestions.
BiMart
11912 NE Fourth Plain
Vancouver, WA
360-944-8368

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Liver-Lovin Time!

Spring into health with a cleansed liver.
Spring is here! The world is finally reawakening and coming into bloom with renewed energy. And with the transition to spring comes another important renewal – it’s time to turn attention to your liver and its sister organ the gallbladder.
The liver doesn’t get the attention that the heart and brain do. But it is every bit as important, performing close to 400 different jobs from transforming food into energy and controlling hormonal balance to producing bile that supports healthy digestion.
The largest organ in the body, the liver is also a potent detoxifier. Perhaps its most important function, detoxification—ironically—puts the liver at great risk for damage. Everything from alcohol abuse and environmental toxins to parasites and unprotected sex can harm this vital organ.
A number of pharmaceutical drugs—acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, antidiabetic meds, anticonvulsants, cholesterol and triglyceride lowering drugs, and synthetic hormone replacement therapy—have been found potentially harmful to the liver. Even certain supplements—anabolic steroids, chaparral, comfrey, germander, high-dose vitamin A, ephedra, and senna—may be damaging if taken on a regular basis.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of systemic inflammation, which can result in Type 2 diabetes. A Swiss study in the journal Nutrition shows that eating too much sugar can lead to a fatty liver, as well as insulin resistance and increased body fat. And research in Hepatology links high-fructose corn syrup—common in today’s processed foods and drinks—with liver scarring or fibrosis.
“Non-alcoholic fatty disease is present in 30% of adults in the United States,” says Manal Abdelmalek, MD, MPH, associate professor of gastroenterology/hepatology at Duke University Medical School. And another study in the International Journal of Obesity shows that 11% of overweight and obese kids have NAFLD.
Finally, the liver is getting some respect! I’ve always observed that a persistent roll of fat at the waistline could be a warning sign of a fatty liver.
While it is true that the liver is perfectly designed to detoxify itself automatically, if it’s overloaded with poisons, petrochemicals, and prescription/OTC meds, it cannot perform its essential functions—maintaining blood sugar levels, synthesizing and normalizing blood proteins, and helping keep the body in hormonal balance. Freeing up this vital organ to do all its jobs may be the single most important step you can ever take in improving your overall health.
Detoxification is a highly nutrient-dependent process so your body needs to be well-fortified in order to detox your liver effectively.
Here are some simple, but effective ways to love your liver:
• Become a food sleuth. Nix food, drinks, salad dressings, and energy bars that contain high-fructose corn syrup.
• Begin each morning with hot water and lemon to help thin bile and tone liver function.
• Every day, eat liver-loving foods—particularly cruciferous veggies (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and cauliflower)—to speed the breakdown of fat-storing toxins from the phase 2 detox pathway.
• Drink cran-water, an antioxidant/phenol-rich cranberry juice and water mixture, throughout the day to keep detox pathways clear.
• Get plenty of fiber (from chia, flaxseed, or psyllium, as well as fruits and veggies) to keep toxins moving out of the body.
• Enjoy sufficient protein like eggs with sulfur and lecithin to support detox and to aid in the formation of bile salts, and/or whey protein with amino acids that are precursors to glutathione—the liver’s premier antioxidant.
For Added Support:
To nourish your liver naturally and give your body a cleansing boost, I recommend Liver-Lovin Formula.
This is a unique blend of:
• Artichoke, a well-known liver healer that’s loaded with antioxidants to help move toxins through detox pathways and to boost bile production.
• Copper-free chlorophyll to further enhance elimination (Note: Copper is found in many liquid chlorophyll supplements on the market in the form of chlorophyllin, a water-soluble, semi-synthetic sodium/copper derivative. In excess, copper can overwhelm the liver’s ability to detoxify.)
• Taurine, a major amino acid detoxifier that boosts the liver’s production of bile, aiding in fat breakdown.
Adults can take 2 capsules of Liver-Lovin Formula daily, with meals or as part of my Green Life Cocktail, or mix it up in a smoothie.
Resources:
Fat Flush for Life
The Fast Track Detox Diet
The Fat Flush Plan
-Edge On Heath, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Samplefest 2013

Please save the date for our upcoming
Samplefest Gluten Free Food & Health Fair
Saturday, April 20, 2013, 9am-3pm
St. John Lutheran Church
11005 NE Hwy 99
Vancouver, WA 98686
If you would like to help us with this food fair,
are a vendor and would like to showcase
your products, or are a healthcare professional
that would like to share your expertise, please contact
Kristi: #360-518-0464 or justus323@yahoo.com
Thank you

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Spring Health Fair!

 March 17-22, 2013
$1500 in FREE Grocery Gift Cards
2 - $150 Chuck’s Gift Cards Given Away Each Day Mon-Fri
Free Samples
Juices, Food and More Throughout the Week
Free Mountain Bike Drawing
An Over $800.00 Value! Given Away on 3/22/13
Over 100 Factory and Local Vendors’ Experts
They Will Give Samples and Expert Product Info
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98684
M-Th 7am-9pm - Sun 9am-8pm - Closed Saturday
Come on down!

Friday, March 15, 2013

March GIG Meeting

Our March support meeting is tomorrow
Saturday, March 16, 2013, 10am-12pm
Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital
2211 NE 139th St., 6th Floor Conference room
Vancouver, WA
Our Guest Speakers are:
Hank Sowerwine, Mama Nanos Sauce
Skylor Powell, Dietary Mediator at Sprout Health
Stephanie Tanner, Arbonne Make Up
Cash and checks only please for vendor product
sales.Thank you.
Don't miss it!!

Meeting Room Change

There is a room change for the GIG meeting tomorrow
morning. It will be in the 6th Floor Conference room
NOT rooms C-D.
Thank you and we hope to see you there!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Feast or Famine? Not So Fast!

How to incorporate “intermittent fasting” into your diet safely.
The latest diet fad centers around the age-old tradition of fasting. Commonly known as the 5:2 Diet, the basic premise of “intermittent fasting” involves five days of eating and drinking whatever you want, dispersed with two days of fasting (on 500-600 calories a day). The science referenced by its creators focuses on a “feast or famine” concept—gorging on food, followed by temporary periods of fasting during which the body goes into a “repair-and-recover mode” where it starts to turn off fat-storing and turn on fat-burning.
With the busy lives so many of us lead these days, it may seem like an attractive idea. And, a fast can be a terrific weight loss method because the body’s begins to burn fat as its primary source of fuel.
However, an improperly done fast can actually sabotage long term weight loss by disrupting your metabolism. The wrong kind of fasting can also threaten your health by stressing your liver, clogging your colon, and flooding your bloodstream with the oil-soluble toxins that your body has been storing in its fat.
Preparing to Fast
Healthy fasting—the kind supported by adequate nutritional preparation for the liver and sufficient fiber for the colon—is probably the best-kept secret I know for good health, long-term weight loss, and an overall feeling of well-being. Fasting may also be the secret to overcoming food cravings and other addictions, helping us to regain our natural hunger and restore an innate appreciation for the taste, smell, and texture of food.
Before you begin, however, it’s important to prepare your system and nourish your liver and colon with wholesome foods. Fasting without prior liver and colon support releases the toxins that were previously lodged in your fat cells into your bloodstream. These poisons can then relocate and settle in any number of organs, making you feel worse than when you started!
One-Day Fast
I designed my Fast Track Detox Diet with just this in mind. In order to adequately and safely prepare your system for fasting, you spend an entire week on the Seven-Day Prequel, eating liver-loving and colon-caring foods like leafy greens, green drinks, lemon and water, cruciferous veggies, whey protein powder, and chia or flax seeds to nourish the liver and help the colon purge excess toxins and waste.
You may also choose to supplement your diet with formulas like Liver-Lovin Formula, Super-GI Cleanse, and Flora-Key to provide additional support for your hardworking liver and colon at least one week before the fast—and two to three weeks thereafter.
Once you’re prepared, it’s safe to move on to a one-day fast. Fast Track features a deliciously spiced Miracle Juice, specially designed to stave off hunger pangs, boost your metabolism, keep your blood sugar steady, and flush toxins from your system. After the fasting day, Fast Trackers generally report feeling much more energized and centered. Whether through meditation, deep breathing, or journaling, fasting affords an awesome opportunity to detox both physically and mentally.
And the weight loss results are impressive—some have lost over eight pounds of bloat in just one day! Others have marveled at how the “cobwebs” get cleared from the mind—all by not eating and just sipping a delicious juice.
To get the complete fasting protocol, check out my Fast Track Detox Diet or The One-Day Fat Flush for the miracle juice recipe.
Breaking the Fast
Like preparation, it’s also absolutely critical that you don’t jump right back into your same old routine immediately after fasting. Fast Track includes a Three-Day Sequel designed to seal in the results—you’ll eat more liver-loving and colon-caring foods to flush out any remaining toxins and consume foods rich in probiotics to restore “friendly” bacteria.
Done right, I predict that this age-old tradition may become one of your favorite seasonal detox rituals just as it is mine. So let’s fast one day at a time—just for the health of it!
Note: Fasting is not for everyone…
Although fasting is an excellent link to better health for most people, there are some times in your life when you should not fast. You should not fast if you are pregnant, nursing, recovering from an illness or injury, debilitated, or malnourished, including severe anemia, AIDS, wasting states, or cancer. People with weakened immunity should not fast. You should not fast if you have cardiac arrhythmia, type 1 diabetes, congestive heart failure, ulcers, liver disease, or kidney disease or if you are struggling with mental illness (including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia), as your condition may worsen if you fast. You should not fast before or after surgery, as it might compromise your ability to heal.
-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

March GIG Meeting

Our March support meeting is tomorrow
Saturday, March 16, 2013, 10am-12pm
Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital
2211 NE 139th St., 6th Floor Conference room
Vancouver, WA
Our Guest Speakers are:
Hank Sowerwine, Mama Nanos Sauce
Skylor Powell, Dietary Mediator at Sprout Health
Stephanie Tanner, Arbonne Make Up
Cash and checks only please for vendor product
sales.Thank you.
Don't miss it!!

A Very Personal Story

Having had a history of odd, unrelated and seemingly inoccuous symptoms over the years, with no apparent common factor, in the spring of 1995 my symptoms began to accelerate seriously. My lifetime set of symptoms included: a very temporary allergy to acidic fruit, a long time allergy to sunlight from age 18 to approximately age 65, years of gray fungus patches which itched, itchy spots without the discoloration, swollen feet where my shoe size went from 7 to upwards of 8-1/2, and then the joint pain got so bad I could no longer knit, crochet, quilt or even get onto my knees to wash my tile floor. I became arthritic whenever I ate potatoes and for approx. 30 years I was also troubled with pin-head sized patches of water blisters. I suffered night sweats from age 45 to age 69. I had difficulty with mental focus as a young person, not good for good grades.

    When my symptoms got to the point where I could no longer even turn over in bed at night for the joint pain, I made an appointment with my general practitioner, and then I called my friend the naturopathic physician. Essentially I asked the same question of each of them. My friend advised I forego the use of both potatoes and wheat. So I did. By the time I saw my GP a week later, 90% of my symptoms were completely gone! The GP tested me for "celiac", but the test proved negative. He advised me to keep doing whatever I was already doing, because I'd already proven a connection of some sort.
    About 9 months later my friend the naturopathic practitioner called me again. She shared with me that with the exception of Red Star Yeast Company, all of the yeast manufacturers in the United States grow their yeast on POTATOES. (The Red Star Yeast Company grows their yeast on corn, so corn-sensitive folk should not use that brand of yeast.) That solved the mystery as to why I could eat a muffin but not a slice of bread. Muffins are not made with yeast!  Now I could have bread again as long as it was made with non-potato yeast.
    I've researched several resources for yeast and have learned the following:
1.    Most bakeries use what I call "brand x" yeast which cannot be used by potato sensitive folk.
2.    The King Arthur Flour company uses Red Star saf-T Instant Yeast. Safe for potato sensitive folk.
3.    Bob's Red Mill in Milwaukee Oregon sells a brand of yeast manufactured in Mexico, and grown on molasses. Safe for potato sensitive folk.
4.    Dave's Healthy Bread Store across the street from Bob's Red Mill uses Red Star saf-T Instant Yeast.
Safe for potato sensitive folk.
    Today I can do nearly everything I could when I was 17 years old! I was widowed a year ago. I am now nearly 71 years old, and am once again doing knitting, crocheting and quilting, washing my tile floor on my knees with no pain, not to mention doing my own wood-handling for my huge wood furnace. I am active (and I mean ACTIVE) in my church and community. My mental focus is in good shape, unless I eat a potato product. Then I can count on being a bit foggy for a day or so. My friends joke with me about it.
    The challenge for potato sensitivity is easy and cheap. Simply cease to use potatoes and anything with potato ingredients for a week or two. Keep in mind the sort of bread product you use: if it has yeast, beware unless you know the sort of growth medium in which the yeast was produced. Be aware that many products have potato flour as one of the ingredients. Label reading is important.
    It is my hope that this information will prove many of you to be NOT gluten intolerant, just potato intolerant. Now to get this information to folk suffering with fibromyalgia, and see if it is of any help to them. When I shared this information with my GP two years ago, he was excited with the possibilities for many of his patients, both gluten-intolerant and fibromyalgia.
    My prayers for all of you.
Carol Tedder

Monday, March 11, 2013

Mama Nanos Sauce

 Hank Sowerwine from Mama Nanos Sauce will be one of our guest speakers at
our March 16 GIG Meeting. Here is some information that he will be covering...

You may recall that part of what I present when I'm introducing Mama Nano's to the public, is it's versatility and healthy uses.  One thing that I've been doing is making what we call a 'veggie bread', where 1 cup of Mama Nano's is substituted in place of 1/2 of a cup of the water in the recipe.   Among the various differences it makes to the bread, is a subtle 'souring' of the dough, which brings two really interesting 'health' implications that I'm aware of that I'll be mentioning on Saturday... one relates to 'gluten', the other is to 'phytic acid' (present in the bran of grains and nuts) which blocks the absorption of nutrients.

I've been putting together some background reading material which I think your GIG group might find interesting and potentially helpful for Saturday's presentation.  It has to do with research and findings on the subject of gluten in 'sourdough' bread and is presented chronologically from oldest to  most recent.  The last piece is a commentary which covers the topic of 'soaking'' grains and legumes before cooking (which has implications for 'both' gluten and phytic acid.  http://www.westonaprice.org/beginner-videos/proper-preparation-of-grains-and-legumes-video-by-sarah-pope

Looking forward to our meeting Saturday morning !
Hank

Sunday, March 10, 2013

March GIG Meeting

Our March support meeting is next
Saturday, March 16, 2013, 10am-12pm
Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital
2211 NE 139th St., Rooms C-D, Vancouver
Our Guest Speakers are:
Hank Sowerwine, Mama Nanos Sauce
Skylor Powell, Dietary Mediator at Sprout Health
Stephanie Tanner, Arbonne Make Up
Cash and checks only please for vendor product
sales.Thank you.
Don't miss it!!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Gluten Free Products

Check out the BiMart in Orchards for good prices
on some gluten free products. Word has it they have
Gluten Free Bisquick, Betty Crocker gluten free mixes,
and will be carrying the Franz 7 Grain Bread. They are
very open to suggestions and have excellent customer
service. Please give them a try so they can keep stocking
our favorite gluten free products. Thank you!
BiMart is on 11912 NE Fourth Plain Blvd., Orchards, 98662
360-944-5432

Friday, March 8, 2013

Broccoli Supplement Fights Leukemia

Sulforaphane, a natural component of broccoli and
other cruciferous vegetables, killed cancer cells taken
from children with leukemia without hurting healthy
cells, in lab tests at the Texas Children's Hospital in
Houston. Other studies have shown that a diet high in
sulforaphane, which is also available in supplements
(also called broccoli extract), helps to prevent breast,
lung, prostate, colon, and bladder cancers.
-Amazing Wellness Magazine, Spring 2013

Thursday, March 7, 2013

March GIG Meeting

Please come join us for our next support meeting
Saturday, March 16, 2013, 10am-12pm
Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital
2211 NE 139th St., Rooms C-D, Vancouver
Our Guest Speakers will be:
Hank Sowerwine, Mama Nanos Sauce
Skylor Powell, Dietary Mediator at Sprout Health
Stephanie Tanner, Arbonne Make Up
They will also be selling their products.
Cash and checks only please. Thank you.
We hope to see you there!

Chia Is The "it food" for 2013

After earning its reputation as a “hairy” pet 30 years ago, Chia is finally getting the true credit it’s due – as a superfood! I first wrote about the benefits of chia in my Fat Flush for Life book in 2009, and it’s encouraging to see that chia’s benefits have finally achieved mainstream recognition. In fact, there has been so much buzz about chia recently that ABC News called it the “it food” of 2013.
Not only can chia halt hunger, and get things “moving,” it really packs an all-around nutritional punch—more than acai, pomegranate, artichoke, or blueberries. No wonder the fearless Aztecs could subsist on just a couple of handfuls during their mile long treks as they conquered Central America!
The Aztec Miracle Food
Today, there’s a lot more we know about this legendary super seed. For one thing, it is a complete source of vegetarian protein providing all the necessary amino acids to fuel muscles and build up tissue strength.
Chia seeds are extremely nutrient dense, containing nearly 50 energizing nutrients in one small seed. They are gluten-free and very abundant in vitamin C, protein, minerals, omega-3s, omega-6s, and fiber. The soluble fiber content of chia—about 11 grams in just one ounce, to be exact—is more than one third of the USDA recommended daily amount. Chia makes you feel full for hours and can absorb more than 10 times its volume in water so that you can fill up on fewer calories!
It is also a magic bullet for regulating the bowels and can start to work in just one day. Whether you are constipated or too loose, chia can balance all types of gut grief and calm your colon.
And if that weren’t enough good news, one ounce of chia yields about 5 grams of omega-3s, making it the highest source of omega-3s gram to gram of any of the omega-3 rich foods—including flaxseed and salmon. We all know by now how vital omega-3 is in supporting healthy cardiovascular function. In fact, research at the University of Arizona finds that chia lowers triglyceride levels and raises healthy (HDL) cholesterol levels. Most interesting of all for you “waist watchers,” a study in the British Journal of Medicine shows that the omega-3 fats in chia reduce belly fat.
All-in-One Nutrition
What most impresses me about chia is that it’s an all-in-one source of minerals—Mother Nature’s natural enzyme co-factors. Just one ounce will give you nearly 200 mg of calcium—making this the highest vegetable source of this macro mineral—easily trumping 1 cup of whole milk, which is allergenic to half the world’s population. And that’s not all. Chia is loaded with magnesium, potassium, and zinc!
Power Up with Delicious Chia Recipes
After searching worldwide for the highest quality chia, I am happy to recommend UNI KEY’s Whole Chia Seeds—which have the NSRI Seal of Approval. This certification guarantees that the chia is grown under the highest safety and purity standards, with complete traceability. The harvesting and cleaning process assures both you and your family of a 99.8% pure product.
To get your daily chia fix and keep things “moving,” I would recommend two to three tablespoons per day.  Add them to your smoothies (right at the end so they don’t bulk up your blender), as well as soups, stews, dressings, eggs, and veggies.
For an especially delicious way to enjoy your chia, try this delicious Chia Crackers recipe.
This is one ancient secret you will want to share with dieters and health fans alike!
-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

XO Baking Company Review

Fancy baking a whole bunch of tasty gluten-free goodies without the hassle of figuring out the recipe for yourself? You may want to check out XO Baking Company. They’ve already figured out what tastes great and now you can make it at home!
XO Baking Co. mixes include both sweet and savory goods. All of them are simple to make and the results are delicious!
For something savory they have All Purpose Flour, Banana Bread Mix, Corn Bread Mix, Pumpkin Bread Mix, Zucchini Bread Mix and Pancake & Waffle Mix.
For something a little sweeter check out their Oatmeal Cookie Mix, Gingerbread Cookie Mix, Pound Cake Mix, Double Chocolate Peppermint Mix,  Sugar Cookie Mix, Fudge Brownie Mix and Cupcake and Frosting mixes!
All XO Baking CO. mixes are produced in a completely gluten-free facility. The facility is also Certified Gluten-Free by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO).
You can find these mixes in stores or on Amazon.
Happy gluten-free baking!
http://xobakingco.com/
-Triumph Dining Gluten-Free Publishing, March 6, 2013

"Pasta" Picks for Gluten-Free Diners


One of my former favorite gluten-filled foods was angel hair pasta. There was nothing like swirling my fork around a plate, raveling a mess of pasta drenched in sauce and cheese and scooping it all into my mouth. While there are some great gluten-free pasta options available (the corn pasta is probably my favorite!), I feel I’ve had to sacrifice in the spaghetti/angel hair department. The structure of the corn pasta just doesn’t have the same effect on longer strands, so while tubular gluten-free ziti is delicious, the eating experience just isn’t the same.
Recently, however, I began experimenting with the use of spaghetti squash as a “pasta” substitute. Spaghetti squash is a type of winter squash that is widely available in these colder months. The squash has only about 40 calories per cup, and is much lower in total carbohydrates than traditional and gluten-free pastas. Additionally, spaghetti squash is high in carotenoids and vitamin A, which both help to support your immune system (which, as all Celiacs know, our immune systems can take all the help they can get, particularly if you’re still recovering from gluten exposure!). You can also roast the spaghetti squash seeds like pumpkin seeds and add them to your snack trail mix!
If you’re new to trying out the spaghetti squash, to prepare just slice the squash in half and microwave on high for 6-8 minutes, or until soft. Scoop out the center pulp and seeds, and then use a fork to shred the squash into the spaghetti-like strands. Mix with your favorite pasta toppings (I like to sautee onions, mushrooms, and ground turkey meat, and add in some tomato sauce) and enjoy your gluten-free “angel hair pasta”!
-Triumph Dining Gluten-Free Publishing, March 6, 2013

Recalls

Chalk and Dairy Allergies

There was an interesting study in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology regarding the potential of a child with dairy allergies to have a reaction from inhaling dust from chalk that contains casein. In the study, the researchers concluded:
     “Inhalation of chalk dust containing casein can induce asthma symptoms in  milk allergic patients. Hidden and nondietary sources of exposure should always be considered in food allergic patients.”
Casein is often used in chalks as a binder for the constituent ingredients and these chalks can pose a risk for children in schools that still use the old fashioned chalkboard or use chalks for arts and crafts projects. Fortunately, the brands of chalks that most children use are safe and do not contain casein.
  • Crayola: The company’s website states, “Products that are currently manufactured by Crayola (not including products manufactured under license) do not include any of the following ingredients that are associated with common allergies: peanuts, shellfish, fish, tree nuts, eggs, or milk.”
  • Cra Z Art: The customer representative informed us that their chalk is composed of calcium carbonate and does not contain casein. 
However, the chalk that is supplied by the school and used by teachers is another story. This chalk most likely comes from various sources but the teacher should be able to provide the packaging for the company’s contact information.
There of course are many other sources of other allergens in school that can be problematic. Our family worries about paints due to egg allergies and we need to take precautions when the class is doing crafts with bird seed during winter holiday parties due to nut allergies. To get a comprehensive list of other school supplies that can be allergenic, visit the Kids with Food Allergies website here for their chart of Potential Food Allergens in Preschool and School Activities. 
-Navan Foods Newsletter, February 6, 2013

Gluten Free Pop Tarts

About a year and a half ago, we posted on the launch of a much awaited gluten free version of the Pop Tart®. This generated a lot of interest, but customers were disappointed after the company experienced many delays in bringing the product to market. Now, we have found that Glutino has created its own version of a gluten free toaster pastry in two flavors: Apple Cinnamon and Strawberry.
Each box comes with five toaster pastries and it has been noted in the comments of Glutino’s Facebook page that they do not have the traditional icing topping which is attributed to the company making them “health minded”. In regards to allergens, the pastries do contain egg but there is no warning regarding cross contamination with other allergens (the company’s policy from its website states “We state ‘may contain traces of’ on our packaging if there is a risk of cross contamination with one of the 8 top allergens.")
Glutino says that the pastries are exclusively available now in Whole Foods Markets but after May 1st, will be available in other stores.
-Navan Foods Newsletter, February 6, 2013

March GIG Meeting

Please come join us for our next support meeting
Saturday, March 16, 2013, 10am-12pm
Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital
2211 NE 139th St., Rooms C-D, Vancouver
Our Guest Speakers will be:
Hank Sowerwine, Mama Nanos Sauce
Skylor Powell, Dietary Mediator at Sprout Health
Stephanie Tanner, Arbonne Make Up
They will also be selling their products. Cash and checks
only please. Thank you.
We hope to see you there!

Spinach is a Good Magnesium Source

Not getting enough of this mineral- found in green leafy
vegetables, meat, and milk- may trigger muscle spasms
and cramps. That may be why Turkish researchers found
that giving women with fibromyalgia 300 mg daily for 8
weeks reduced pain and tenderness. Your doc can test
your levels and prescribe a supplement, if necessary.
-Prevention Magazine, March 2013

Spice It Up

Two new ways to add cinnamon to your diet:
Sprinkle a teaspoon over ground coffee before
brewing. Research shows that hot water extraction
(the process that occurs when you brew coffee or
make cinnamon tea) is one of the best ways to get
the good stuff out of the spice.
Dust 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon on apple
slices and place in a container for an after-lunch treat;
the spice prevents fruit from browning.
-Prevention Magazine, March 2013

Come Clean for Spring

Simple tricks to eliminate constipation.
Spring is in the air and you’re ready, like Mother Nature, to whisk away the old and usher in the new. It’s time for a Spring Cleanse! And why not? Many health practitioners, including the renowned detox expert, Norman Walker believed that 80% of all disease begins in the colon…I would agree.
Shocking colon health stats to keep in mind:
The United States is Number One when it comes to laxative use throughout the world. Widespread constipation is probably the surest sign that America’s colons are malfunctioning. Today, two out of three people over age 65 use laxatives. We spend over a billion dollars a year on laxatives. Can you imagine?
The trouble is, constipation goes beyond being uncomfortable: it can spell danger. Your bowel movements don’t just relieve you of harmless waste, they rid your body of potentially harmful toxins too.
If you have fewer than two or three bowel movements a day, you may be constipated. In today’s world many factors interfere with normal digestion and cause constipation.
Consider the following:
*Laxatives, tobacco, and caffeine—especially from coffee—irritate the colon and over time leave the muscles unresponsive and weak. Caffeine, a kind of stimulant laxative, eventually leads to the atrophy of the colon’s muscles and nerves. (To read more about caffeine’s negative effects, see my blog Is This Drug Your Secret Addiction?)
*Nearly 50 percent of chronic constipation is caused or made worse by medications. The most common offenders are anti-depressants, pain meds, and iron supplements.
*A sedentary lifestyle contributes to flaccid colon contractions. Couch potatoes have recalcitrant colons.
*Stress impairs digestion, creating nervous system responses that inhibit reflexes that facilitate bowel movements.
*Low stomach acid interrupts digestion and allows masses of food to linger in the gut.
*Lack of fiber inhibits colonic contractions.
*Food intolerances to gluten and dairy products irritate the intestines and interfere with colon function.
My Keys To A Spring Cleanse
To remedy the situation, amp up your fiber to between 25 and 30 grams per day (I like several tablespoons of fiber-rich chia or flax seeds in my daily smoothies). Drink at least one half of your body weight in ounces of water or enjoy 64 ounces of cran-water which has a gentle laxative effect due to the presence of organic acids like benzoic, malic, quinic, citric and ellagic acids. These organic acids, which are unique to the cran, help to balance pH and appear to function as natural digestive enzymes. Load up on lots of high pectin Fat Flushing fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, cabbage, and okra.
Take at least two tablespoons of essential fatty acid oils per day (like fish oil or flaxseed oil) to lubricate the intestines, and get moving. Physical activity—of any kind—can turbo-charge the movement of wastes through the GI tract. We are talking about a 20 minute walk daily here, at the very least.
If you are still backed up, you might want to get things moving with a targeted GI formula—like Super-GI Cleanse or something very similar to it.
Super-GI Cleanse contains soluble and insoluble fiber from psyllium seed husk, flax seed, apple pectin, oat bran and rice bran, plus, natural colon cleansers including buckthorn bark, cranberry, butternut bark, alfafa herb, licorice root, fennel seed, peppermint leaf, anise seed, and Irish moss. It also contains a plant enzyme blend to aid digestion and an intestinal flora blend for a probiotic boost.
For special spring cleaning to prepare the GI tract for deep but gentle detox, I have been using Super-GI twice a day (3 in the AM upon arising and 3 before bed) during March 21 – June 21. After June, I go back to just three before bed.
-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Tip Of The Month

Non-fat, plain Greek yogurt has a pleasant tartness that's a
perfect foil for the natural sweetness of berries, bananas, or
your favorite breakfast cereal. It's strained, so even the fat-
free versions are thick and creamy. And the lost liquid means
that the yogurt that's left has twice the protein of ordinary yogurt-
about 18 grams in 6 ounces of plain Greek yogurt.
-Center for Science in the Public Interest Calendar 2013

Soup Up Your Soup

With just the right garnish, a simple soup becomes a nuanced
dish awash in flavor.
Carmelized Onions - a sweet garnish that marries well with
earthy soups, such as lentil, bean or parsnip.
Herbal Pesto - add a dollop to any vegetable- or tomato-based
soup. Any bright green herbal-nut mixture will work well, from
traditional basil and pine nut to mint and pistachio.
Toasted dried ancho or pasilla leaves - toast quickly in a pan,
let cool, crush and sprinkle over tortilla soup along with the
traditional (lime wedges, tortilla chips, cilantro and sliced avocado).
Crispy sage leaves - delicious with squash soups. Remove leaves
from stems and fry them in an inch of oil over high heat until they
turn from light green to dark. Drain on a paper towel.
Stone-ground mustard - stir a tiny bit with a good drizzle of olive
oil (or sour cream, or creme fraiche) into lentil or sausage soups
just before serving.
Poached eggs - slip them into tomato soups for a hearty garnish
and a pretty presentation.
Cashew cream - a creamy and delicious nondairy garnish to balance
spicy soups.
Morels - saute with a little preserved lemon, put a bit in a bowl and
pour asparagus soup around it for a lovely presentation. Try dried
morels when fresh are not available.
- Taste Magazine, March 2013