All posts tagged fermented foods

October 22, 2014 · Blog

Ear infections. What can you do naturally?

Back in the day, I watched my own children suffer from many recurrent ear infections.

Researchers and doctors thought that they were primarily bacterial which is why they prescribed lots of antibiotics.  We now know 80% of ear infections are viral in origin, not bacterial and they resolve without treatment in 4-7 days.

 This is clear in research but the memo hasn’t gotten out because most doctors still prescribe the antibiotics.  Parents are really distressed. It is difficult to see children having so much discomfort.  I remember my own kids screaming and pulling on their ears. Yikes! I couldn’t stand to watch it.

The problem is you have a 2 in 10 chance that the antibiotic will work.

 Causes

 Common causes of ear infections are;

 -Antibiotic use.  Antibiotics disrupt gut flora and predispose children to becoming more susceptible to ear infections as they get older.

 –      Food allergies.  Studies show, between 45 and 80% of kids with recurrent ear infections have food allergies to gluten, dairy, soy, peanuts, some non-gluten grains.  These food allergies cause leaky gut, which disrupts the gut biome and causes immune disregulation.  This makes them more susceptible to viral infections.

 -Low vitamin D levels .  Vitamin D plays such an important role in immune function.  Studies show that many kids with ear infections have a very low vitamin D level.

 How can we treat ear infections naturally?

 -Chiropractic and kinesiology are great for treating viral infections.  Many Chiropractors specialize in treating children.

 -Fix food triggers and improve gut health, which will strengthen the immune system.  Try an elimination diet.  Take all gluten, dairy, soy, peanuts, and all grain out of the diet and see if it makes a difference.

 -Xlear is a xylitol based nasal spray.  Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that breaks down bio-film.  Bio-film forms and makes it hard for the immune system to detox offending pathogens.

 -Garlic Mullein oil. Both garlic and mullein are anti-microbial and have a soothing effect on the ear.

 -Elderberry and Echinacea.  Both are herbs that support the immune system. Check the dosage with an herbalist.

 -Vitamin C.  Use up to 400mg for a 1-3 year old child.

 -Fermented cod liver oil is a potent immune booster. Just adding that to the diet can drastically reduce the frequency of colds and infections. For a 1 year old use 1ml. During active infection use 1.5-2ml.

 -Probiotics.  Under 2 years old use Ther-biotic infant formula. Give all children probiotic foods. Naturally fermented sauerkraut, kefir, beet kvass, fermented cabbage juice and other naturally fermented vegetables.

 -Ginger compress-  on children over 2 years of age do a ginger compress on the kidneys.  According to Chinese medicine an ear infection is stagnation in the kidney.  I have a how-to do a ginger compress video on my website. It is also amazing for coughs and bronchitis.

 -Dr. John Doulliard, an Ayurvedic specialist, recommends putting olive oil in your child’s nose and ears every day.  He believes fluid and colds are a response to a dry mucous membrane in those areas and putting the oil in prevents that reaction. I know people who have been very successful with that application.

 

It’s going to be a long winter, let’s make it a healthy one. Be green, never be blue, eat the rainbow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 1, 2014 · Blog

Preparation is Gratification

I had an enjoyable conversation with a beautiful young mother today.  She wanted to hear what I eat so she could determine what would be a good way for her to eat.

She caught me on a good day.  If this were last week, I would have told her ‘I am barely eating enough’.  I was recently very off in the timing of my meals.  I was just too busy.  That happens sometimes. If it continues too long it will effect blood sugar levels, cravings and energy levels.

A good friend listened to me complain about my weight going up a few pounds and we looked at what I was eating.  It was not enough, which was throwing off my whole metabolism.   This week I got my priorities in order and each day prepared my meals so that I got to eat at the proper times.

I am simple with what I eat.  For breakfast lunch and dinner I eat raw greens like baby arugala, spinach and mesculin.   I like to add a few other colorful raw or cooked veggies.  I prefer plain salad these days with no dressing.   I am enjoying tasting the vegetables. I have been having my fat as a couple of slices of avocado or a few olives. I may also cook my eggs with a bit of grass fed butter. I always like to have some fermented vegetables with each meal, like sauerkraut or fermented carrots or a naturally fermented organic pickle.  Variety is truly the spice of my life.  Last but not least I add a serving of a good quality protein.  Eggs prepared in a variety of ways, chicken, wild fish, beef or lamb.  I have a snack, which is usually my PaleoZip protein powder in some type of shake   with berries and almond milk.  These days as the weather is getting cooler, I love having hot water with lemon throughout the day.

 

I prepare any food I need to take with me, grab a kombucha tea and I’m off.

As we talked I realized preparation is key to a healthy diet.  It is an expression of self-love, really.  When we eat well we feel good.  All of us should practice extreme self-care and self-love.  Preparing and taking time to sit down and eat is gratifying. We are worth it.

Check out this blog post for more tips about preparation……..http://www.joyharari.com/the-zen-of-cooking-healthy-meals/ 

 

January 8, 2014 · Blog

Fermented Cod Liver Oil; Why Should We Take It and How to Get It Down

 

 

What is so great about fermented cod liver oil?  Well if you are one of my clients you know I absolutely insist that this is one of the few supplements you must take.

It is an insurance policy that makes up for a lot of dietary mistakes.  Kids are slammed from every direction with candy.  The bus driver, school, the hairdresser, just about everyone wants to make your kid happy with candy.  Please make sure they get their cod liver oil, please!

When taking fermented cod liver oil people notice a decreased incidence and duration of illness. Many see improvements in PMS symptoms.  Dr. Weston Price used it to reduce tooth decay and to treat connective tissue diseases.

It provides Vitamin D, which does all of the following;

-Helps mineral reabsorption in bones

-Protects against infection

-Prevents heart disease

-Reduces radiation poisoning

-Helps high blood pressure

 

It also provides vitamin A which;

-Improves reproductive abilities

-Fights depression and anxiety

-Has a positive effect on hormones

 

It has omega 3 fatty acids they;

-Protect against oxidative damage

-Improve skin health

-Protect against cardiovascular disease

 

The next question is why fermented cod liver oil? The best reason is that it is not an industrial product; it’s the real deal.

-It has no alkali refining

-No bleaching

-No winterization

-No deodorization

-no stripping of vitamins A and D

 

Many processed cod liver oil supplements are stripped of vitamins A and D and then synthetic vitamin A and D are added back in.  Not good.

Fermentation is the traditional way that people took Cod liver oil.  It adds probiotic goodness and a deeper and broader range of nutrients including CoQ-10.  Basically you are getting more bang for your buck!

 

Ok, now the million-dollar question… How to get it down! I agree it is not pleasant tasting.  However, there is a cinnamon flavor that is really doable.  I also recommend the orange flavored capsules.  The cinnamon liquid is much more cost effective than caps and you are getting more CLO.

I recommend Green Pasture ‘s Blue Ice brand.  For kids start with ¼ tsp.  Adults ½ tsp.   Pregnant and nursing moms take more, 1 tbsp. For people with depression and anxiety also up the dose.  I have been known to advocate a bit of bribery to get this into your children, a few stevia chocolate chips or points toward a toy.  The best idea (which I say all the time) is to be a good example and let your kids watch you take your dose of Cod Liver Oil.

Take it! Let me know how you feel in the comments below!

 

December 3, 2013 · Blog

Healthy Conception

Why should we be mindful and thoughtful about conception? One reason is the alarming number of birth defects we are seeing here in America.  1 in 8 children have Autism. There are also rising levels of auto immunity problems in children.We are not seeing these rates in 3rd world countries.We are malnourished and saturating ourselves in environmental toxins.The good news is we can learn to do better.

Back in the day when Dr. Weston A. Price traveled the world studying indigenous cultures, he found their treatment of people who would be trying to conceive a baby to be very special.  They would be fortified with the most nutritious foods, high levels of fat-soluble vitamins and calcium.  There was a reverence for conceiving, carrying and nursing-moms.

Men as well were well prepared with a pre-conception diet high in cholesterol rich fats like butter, egg yolks and organ meats and fat-soluble vitamins. Intuitively these cultures knew the healthiest preparation for conception.

Here in our culture today we see young brides and grooms starving themselves to fit into their wedding gowns and Tuxedos, yikes!

One very interesting bit of information is that these indigenous cultures practiced child spacing.  They allowed moms to replenish nutrients for 3 years before having another child…. interesting.  With the high rate of post-partum depression and knowing how malnutrition plays such a strong role in that, it may be something to think about.  It is also well known that the 2nd child and on are more likely to have Autism because the moms are depleted of vital nutrients.

So what else can we do to ensure we are in good condition to conceive a child?One important thing is to make sure your gut health is up to par.

-If a person has been on antibiotics they need a good time frame for clean up; A good year on the GAPS diet with sugar and caffeine out and fermented cultured foods in.  Also eating good sources of animal fats and organ meats.  I know someone who hates the taste of liver but cuts it up and swallows it like a pill so they can get the important nutrition it offers.

-Get rid of plastic and xenobiotics. They are estrogen like compounds that affect the hormonal balance.  Use glass as #1 preference.

-Make sure your iodine levels are right.  It is critical for the IQ of the baby.

-Also make sure your B vitamins levels are good.  If necessary take a good quality supplement especially for B6 and folic acid.

-Clean up your home environment. Make sure it is non-toxic and that you have pure water.

Let’s work on communicating these ideas for a good foundation for pregnancy and the developing fetus.  In a culture obsessed with weight and thinness we need to reconsider how important good nutrition really is.  It needs a lot more attention than its been given, for the sake of the coming generations.

 

January 6, 2013 · Recipes

How to Make Kefir

Kefir is a fermented liquid. I usually recommend organic milk kefir or organic goat milk kefir. People who have trouble with dairy usually do well with kefir because it is lactose free as the probiotics have eaten up all the sugars in the milk. Kefir is teaming with good probiotics and you all know how much I love those, especially in their host.

-Start with Kefir grains (which are not actually grains, they are more like little colonies of probiotics)
You can find some on my amazon shopCLICK HERE. Look in groceries.
Add some organic Milk, it can be goat, low fat or whole.

-Cover with a porous cloth or a kitchen towel and secure with a rubber band.

-Leave in a 70 degree F room for 24-48 hours. When it is ready it will be thickened like a buttermilk consistency.

– Just strain through a plastic or nylon sieve to separate the grains, and use the grains again and again to make more and more Kefir.

It’s so inexpensive and easy to do. The health benefits are priceless… READ HERE

January 2, 2013 · Blog

A Day in the Life of Joy Harari

It was requested by one of my readers that I give an example of a day in my life. I chose to write down a full day and share it with you honestly. Here we go:

I woke up at 6:00AM and thanked my Creator for another day, and then hung out in bed for half an hour reading emails and playing words with friends and scramble on my phone. You may think I was wasting time but they say word games are good for the brain :). Anyway it’s fun!

Then into the bathroom where the first thing I do is test my PH with a PH strip (It was just the right color green this morning) yay!  I test it under a stream of 1st morning urine. If it’s ever too yellow, which signifies too acidic. I will try to figure out why. Is it stress, or how I ate?  To help remedy that I will have a few of my glasses of water with a spoon or two of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar and stevia because it is so alkalizing.

 

The next thing I did was weigh myself.  I am sorry but that is one thing I can’t seem to give up (I have tried) although I don’t believe I allow it to rule my life any longer.  I don’t think it’s a good thing for most people to weigh in every day, just sayin’.

I then downed 16 oz. of clear delicious water to rehydrate after my long night. I got my exercise gear on and went downstairs to do my “Brazilian Butt Lift” video. Many days I go for a brisk walk outside, but the 27-degree cold made me choose to skip that today. I also love to do yoga when I can and I am trying to get some ballroom dance lessons going.

Some mornings I do a shoulder stand for 5 minutes on a special chair for inversions, they say it’s like an instant facelift.

I stopped off in the kitchen first and took fermented cod liver oil, a Mega flora probiotic pill and a ½ cup of Homemade fermented cabbage juice (it has so many probiotics, and is my new Obsession! It has been known to bust cravings too!) I also drank 1 tbsp. of Pure Synergy (a super nutritious green powder) in 8 oz. of water, and took a magnesium supplement.

 

I did my video (it was the sculpt class using weights). Upstairs again to shower and get dressed. Pray and breakfast.  Breakfast today was some organic blueberries and a cup of organic goat milk kefir, stevia and Ceylon cinnamon. I recently found out that Ceylon Cinnamon is the one that really helps stabilize blood sugar levels.  It’s a bit spicier than regular cinnamon and a bit pricier. I also had a big cup of tea with  pastured organic whole milk and stevia.

 

I did some chores around the house, called in some grocery orders and now to work.  E-mails, newsletters, clients and touching base with some family members (we have a lot of birthdays in January J) Happy Birthday Renee!!! Love You!

Drank lots of water in between all of that stuff. I try every day to set my timer for 15 minutes and Tap on something. It’s called my personal peace procedure. As an EFT coach I feel obligated to work on all my issues as well as yours! 🙂

 

12:30 my stomach calls. Time for lunch, which I like to be my biggest meal. In the middle of the day our digestion is strongest. I had a nice piece of wild salmon topped with mustard, coconut aminos and sesame seeds.  I made a salad with fresh organic curly kale, organic cucumbers, organic grape tomatoes, organic avocado, organic alfalfa sprouts, a drizzle of x-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice Himalayan salt and pepper. Fermented sauerkraut to top it off…Hits the spot! MMMMMM.  See a picture above. I had a big cup of plain hot water about ½ hour after lunch.

 

At about 3:00 I did a one-minute meditation (breath in and out hard through the nose for 30 sec and then closed my eyes for 30 sec and feel the buzz, it’s awesome!). After that I had an organic apple with a tbsp. of raw almond butter, and some nori seaweed strips, and another big cup of tea.

Today was a busy day so I wasn’t so munchy, but every day I have a big plate of cut veggies available so that if I feel like I can munch. I always cut jicama, peppers, fennel, celery, carrots and cucumbers. My goal in life is to get my body used to just 3 meals a day and no snacking. Dr. John Doulliard claims it makes your digestive fire very strong. Maybe one day…

 

Time to cook dinner. Tonight we are having chicken soup, stringbeans with zaatar spice and kalamata olives, organic London broil with sautéed mushrooms and onions, a big mixed salad, and arame seaweed. Every day I have at least one serving of some type of seaweed. Can’t forget about those amazing sea veggies people!! I like to eat small portions of great food at night so I know it will digest well.

I ate in between seeing clients at about 6:30-7:00.  Before dinner I had a ½ cup of My fermented cabbage juice again. I like to leave time between my last meal and bed so I just had 2 cups of caffeine free tea with fresh mint, stevia and water.

I like to hit the sack at 10:30-11:00 which works most nights. Before I sleep I do my gratitude thing. Sometimes I journal and sometimes I am too tired, so I mentally go through all my blessings and positive gifts.

So much for a sample day.  Just know that I am not big on doing the same exact things every day. I like a big variety of foods, teas and vegetables. My schedule changes every day as well. I just want to say that I really try to be a great example to my clients, my friends and my family, so you know I will keep you posted with any new and exciting additions, just can’t keep it to myself…J

If you have any questions about anything I do or any comments please ask in the “comments section” below this article.