All posts tagged healthy diet

October 29, 2014 · Blog

Bulletproof Coffee

From the time I was a little girl, really little (like 3 or 4 years old), I remember begging my mother for a little of her coffee poured into my milk.  Maybe it was the delicious aroma I smelled every day as my mom perked a pot of coffee in the morning, or how special it seemed to the adults around me.   My Mom called it my coffee, as in  “I can’t function until I have my coffee.”  That’s important stuff!  So it’s not surprising that I love coffee.

As I got older, and I was finally allowed to drink coffee, I realized I didn’t feel so good when I had it.  I became all shaky and felt weird from the caffeine.  So I had decaf coffee.  Later on in my late twenties, as I was getting more and more into healthy eating and lifestyle, I gave up drinking coffee.  I learned how it was acidifying, and that it was like drinking pesticide juice because of how the beans are commercially grown and processed.

I discovered grain coffee, a coffee-like drink made from barley and chicory.  It was okay, but nowhere near the taste and smell of real coffee. If you are a real coffee lover, it’s not gonna bring it home for you.   Twenty-five years I settled for walking into Starbucks, getting an unsweetened iced tea and watching my husband drink his delicious latte.  At least I got to smell it!

Then a great thing happened. I started reading about something called Bulletproof coffee.  All over the Paleo community, people were talking about it.  Healthy coffee? I couldn’t believe it.  I heard it from all the experts.  Mark Sisson was drinking it, but it was hard for me to believe because even the best organic coffee gave me terrible headaches and stomach aches.  Then I went on the Bulletproof website, Upgradedself.com, and I heard the greatest pitch ever from Dave Asprey, the Bulletproof executive.  He claimed that the micotoxins, mold, and pesticides found in commercial coffee are responsible for making people sick from coffee and not the coffee itself.  If you tell me there is a possibility that I can drink coffee, well you know I am going to try!  So I ordered the purest, best Bulletproof Upgraded Coffee and put it to the test.

I am having my freshly ground and perked coffee most mornings, bulletproof style, blended with 1 tbsp. grass-fed butter and 1 tbsp. MCT oil (concentrated coconut oil).  So delicious!  Full of antioxidants and good nutrition.  Yum, and I didn’t get the least bit sick!  No headaches, no stomach aches.  They claim that the good fats mixed together with the coffee slow down the absorption of the caffeine, as well.

Of course, my family caught on to this amazing coffee and two of my kids claim that I ruined any other coffee for them.  Since they’ve been drinking Bulletproof coffee, they actually taste the pesticides in all other coffees and they can’t drink it.  This makes me so happy!

I always say I am a human science project; I test everything on myself first.  Let me know if you try it and what your experience is. It is one thing you can change that will make your life a whole lot healthier.  I love to start my day with coffee; there is something nostalgic and cozy about it, my coffee.

 

 

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/ 

 

September 17, 2014 · Blog

What is Vitamin P?

My newest goal in life is to include more play and pleasure into my everyday, which are equally as important as good food and exercise.

 

I woke up on Sunday morning to a clear, cool, and sunny day.“What a great day to go rent bikes in Central Park, ride to the Boathouse and have a drink,” I said to my husband. This was not my idea, but was a good idea given to me by friends as we walked on the High-line in Chelsea last Saturday night.  I made a mental note and thought, wow, I have to do this!  I don’t always have such great ideas myself, but I am good at picking them up wherever I can and putting them to good use.

 

So, that Sunday, I skipped my morning workout, which is usually not so much fun, or very long, and rode a bike with my husband through Central Park for a few hours.  We laughed and enjoyed the beautiful park together, and I hardly realized I was riding!   Okay, maybe it was the Paradise Martini at the Boathouse (which I highly recommend), but really I think it was the exhilaration of good company and plain old having fun. Here’s to exercise that doesn’t feel like work! Cheers!

We went for an early dinner. I had a tricolor salad and tuna steak with a red wine reduction, spinach and mashed potatoes. It was delicious, I might add.  I ate slowly, happily and enjoyed every bite.

The result of my fun day was so amazing for my mind and body. I was relaxed, in a great mood and I slept soundly at night. I actually felt my endorphins elevated and I just felt good!!  I also noticed how good my digestion was in this state.  This is called the Cephalic Phase Digestive Response, which basically means that happy chemicals = good digestion.

I read a book by Norman Cousins, The Anatomy of an Illness.  In it he wrote about how he cured his disease with laughter.  He watched I love Lucy and other comedies and laughed so hard that it stimulated all the healing chemicals of the body. There is something to play and pleasure.  If stress, as we know, is harmful, well what’s the opposite?

Beyond nutrition and physical activity, we can infuse joy into our food, and fun into our exercise.  It is a mistake to assume diet is the only reason for good or bad health. Even when the intake of food is perfectly figured out, we should never forget that play and pleasure are key components of good health.

Think of play and pleasure as Vitamin P.  A big dose is recommended very often!

 

http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/emotionalmental-health http://www.nifplay.org/opportunities/personal-health/

 

 

 

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 25, 2013 · Blog

What does it all mean?! Organic, Grass-fed. Grass-finished……

I am so focused on the quality of food that I give to my family and recommend to my clients. It is probably the most important part of eating well and being healthy.

So here is a cheat sheet to help sort it out.

Cracking the Beef Label Code

If your local butcher does not carry high-quality beef products, take it to the internet and check out U.S.Wellness Meats, Eat Wild, and Beyond Organic. And for Glatt Kosher meats Grow and Behold or Kolfoods.com.

Best- 100% Grass-Fed These cows have been raised on grass and pasture from birth to slaughter.

Good- Grass finished.  Fed high-quality grass for the 100 days before slaughter.

Tricky- Grass-fed. In 2005 the USDA changed the grass-fed standards to mean that the cow must eat grass for 80% of its life.  The other 20% can be anything. Antibiotics and hormones are allowed.

Don’t be fooled- Organic. All this means is that the cows were fed organic grains and NOT grass.  The quality of the feed is better, but the nutritional composition is equivalent to commercial beef.

Better than nothing- Antibiotic /Hormone Free.  Grain-fed cows tend to have more fat, which is exactly where they store residues from pesticides  If none of the above are available, this will do, just be sure to trim off the toxic fat.

I’ll Pass- Regular Commercial Beef.  I don’t go for it, I know too much about where it comes from. If this is the best you can do, go for the leaner cuts in order to avoid the toxins. Good luck.

Note; Properly raised bison, lamb, venison, and buffalo are also great for you.

 

Cracking the Poultry Label Code

Best- Free-Range from a local farmer.  Get to know your farmers. Spend some time with them and see for yourself how the chickens are raised.

Cool But kinda Vague- USDA Free-range. The USDA requires that chickens certified as free-range have access to the outdoors.  However, there is no guarantee that the chicken will have access to anything but dirt or gravel.

Not Bad- Free Roaming.  Chickens have access to the outdoors. They do not live in huge metal barns under crowded conditions like factory chickens.

Decent- Organic.  Chickens were not fed their ideal diet, but what they were fed (typically corn) was organic.

Trickery- Vegetarian Fed.  All this means is that the chicken was fed corn (non-organic) this does not make it healthy, though.  Chickens are not vegetarians!!

Better than nothing- Hormone/ antibiotic Free.  You could use a little less antibiotics and hormones in your life.

I’ll Pass!!- Regular factory chickens.  You would be better off passing on those as well.

Note; Turkeys same as Chickens.

 

 

December 11, 2013 · Recipes

Best Paleo Birthday Cake

1 cup coconut flour, sifted

1tsp celtic sea salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

12 eggs

1 cup coconut oil

1 cup raw honey

1 tbsp vanilla extract

-combine coconut flour, salt, and baking soda

-in a separate bowl blend together eggs, coconut oil, raw honey and vanilla

-mix wet ingredients into dry and blend with a mixer or hand blender until smooth

-Pour batter into 4 well greased and floured (w coconut flour) pie or cake pans (to create 4 even layers)

-bake at 350 for 20 minutes

-cool completely

-frost and serve

 

Best fudge frosting

-1 cup almond milk

-2 cups good quality chocolate chips

Heat almond milk to boiling, close the fire. Put chocolate chips into hot almond milk and let sit a few minutes until chips are melted . stir well to blend.

When cooled frost each layer of the cake and the top and sides. Dust with almond flour or decorate with sliced almonds.

let cool completely.

Enjoy!!

December 11, 2013 · Blog

The Real Truth About Workout Food

 

What’s wrong with the fuel most people are using?  I call them Frankenfuels. From Gatorade to power bars to those creepy gel packs with the chemicals they contain and synthetic “nutrients”, I really don’t know how we got so far from real food.

 

Those Frankenfuels have very high sugar content. Gatorade was recently forced to take out the brominated vegetable oil, BVO.  Another ingredient in many sport drinks is TBHQ it is a preservative also an anticorrosive agent found in diesel oil!

 

Many of the protein powders people use have artificial sweeteners and chemicals that lead to brain fog during a workout.

 

The truth is that we should be putting as natural a food source as possible into our bodies especially during and after strenuous physical activity. To understand why we need to understand carbohydrate delivery and the maximum rate of fluid absorption; Osmolality.

Most sports drinks have 6-8% concentrated solution.  Bars. Energy packets and gels have 10-30% concentration of carbs. When you consume them absorption is not ideal unless you drink tons of water with them.  Many labels suggest drinking at least 8 oz. of water with it and most people don’t follow directions.  Anything above a 4% concentrated solution will result in GI distress and fluid emptying.

 

Another thing that’s been hyped up to sell sports drinks is electrolytes.  The body can maintain plasma levels of electrolytes and salts several days without running out. The body maintains this via the kidneys as it slows down the rate of sodium excretion. Sports drinks actually speed up the loss of electrolytes through the sweat.

 

Why don’t people just eat real food? Well you can’t patent and make money off raw almonds.  Real food takes time to plan and prepare. It is so much easier to grab a power bar at the gym.  People have been led to believe they need to train with the fuel they will use during competitions. At the time of an iron man competition it is not very aero dynamic to carry bags of food along.

 

However, here are some good ideas of things you can prepare and take along;

-Chia seeds 3-4 tbsp  Soak in water add lemon and stevia and make a slurry. Its clean burning food.

-Pemmican (rendered fat) or jerky

-Rice balls using pressure-cooked white rice, you can add eggs and meats or coconut, blueberries, raw honey and dates. Put in the food processor and make balls.

**Skip the rice if you are low carb and want your body to use fat to burn fuel.

-Raw seeds and nuts with a little dried fruit.

-Nut butters mixed with coconut oil and raw honey.

-Grain free granola

-Hydrolyzed Collagen Protein like PaleoZip by Joy Harari

Real food alternatives require less water than bars and gels. Bars and Gels contain fermentable carbs like fructose and maltodextrin, which causes gas and bloating and indigestion afterwards.

For post workouts, the ideal scenario is to eat a real meal. Don’t worry about protein carb fat ratio the experts say it is not necessary. Just eat your regularly scheduled highly nutritive meal.

 

So lets all commit to a more natural source of healthy energy to fuel our workouts.  It will keep you healthier and younger looking in the long run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 13, 2013 · Recipes

Healthy Toll House Pies

2 cups fine ground blanched almond flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup coconut oil, or ghee, softened or liquid
1/4 cup raw honey
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 tablespoon canned full fat coconut milk
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions: 

In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, baking soda and salt until well blended.
In a separate smaller bowl, combine the liquid ingredients. Blend well.

Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing till just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Fill small ramekins 3/4 way up with batter
Bake on 350 until tops are golden, approximately 20 min.

serve warm

Recipe By Yvonne J Harari

Thanks Yvonne!

October 23, 2013 · Recipes

pumpkin Smoothie

Ingredients for Smoothie:

  •        ½ cup pure organic pumpkin
  •        1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  •        ½ frozen banana
  •        ½ tablespoons maple syrup (or Raw honey)
  •        ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  •        ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (+ more to sprinkle on top)
  •        1/8 teaspoon ginger
  •        1/8 teaspoon nutme
  •        1/8 teaspoon allspice
  •        1/2 cup  of ice more or less depending on thickness you like.

 

Put all ingredients into the blender and blend on high speed until smooth.

*you can add 2 tbsp of Paleo Zip protein powder to add to nutrition and insulin balance.

 

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