Storage Wars

While driving through the city, I keep noticing new self-storage facilities being built.  While there are legitimate reasons to require extra storage, Storage Wars on A&E demonstrates the fact that often people later realize they really do not need the "stuff".  In fact, they often simply stop paying the rent and leave the items, or do not bother to sell or reclaim the storage items if they no longer can pay the rent.

Similarily, Hoarders on A&E and Hoarding: Buried Alive on TLC explore the psychology behind the compulsion to accumulate nonessential items. The Mayo Clinic's definition of hoarding is the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them.  While we may not all hoard excessively, we may still be overwhelmed with clutter.  Clutter is energy constipation ~ draining our energy, and adversely affecting our health, congesting our body and mind.

Like hoarding, constipation may reflect a person's inability to let go.  According to Louise Hay in Healing Your Life, the colon represents our ability to let go, to release that which we no longer need.  The body, being in the perfect rhythm and flow of life, needs a balance of intake, assimilation, and elimination.  Our fears block the releasing of the old.  Constipated people, even if they are not stingy, may not trust that there will ever be enough.  They may be afraid to throw out clothes that have been in the closet for years because they might need them some day.  They often hold on to old relationships that give them pain.  They stay in stifling jobs, or never give themselves pleasure, because they must save for that rainy day.  Learn to trust the process of life to always bring you what you need!

If constipation is left untreated, built up toxins in our colon may overload the liver and subsequently affect the kidneys causing diseases to appear.

Take a look at your living space and ask yourself "What am I holding on to?" and "why?" Then consider that all this is mirrored in your physical body.  What would it feel like to release all that stuff?  When you declutter, you allow space for your life to start flowing again.  Spring is a great time to "spring clean" not only our homes, but also our bodies.  A professional organizer, like Becky Ong, who's a local gal and owner of found decor company, can help you to streamline your calendar, your home, your workspace, so that your time and energy are flowing to the people and things you value.  A holistic nutritionist can show you how to use the food you eat to cleanse and detoxify your body~to clear obstacles to health and allow the body systems to run more efficiently, leaving you feeling revitalized and energized.

Your outer environment

 is often reflective

 of what is going on inside of you.

found decor company

remove. reveal. rejoice.

becky ong, life editor

founddecor@gmail.com

Laura VanDyk
Registered Holistic Nutritionist
holisticnutrition@execulink.com

You Are What You Eat ~ Doctrine of Signatures

Bleeding Heart ~ Lamprocapnos spectabilis (formerly Dicentra spectabilis)

An ancient doctrine, The Doctrine of Signatures, suggests that plants were given a "signature" or "mark" and their shape, color, texture, habitat, and taste were a clue to the plant's healing properties.  For more information ~ Doctrine of Signatures, Deborah Treijs, MH.  For example,
Tomatoes are red and have four chambers like a human heart.  They contain lycopene, an antioxident, that may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Walnuts resemble a human brain with a left/right hemisphere, upper/lower cerebrums, wrinkles/folds like neocortex, and contain omega 3, which is essential for normal brain function.
Carrots, when sliced, resemble the human eye, with pupil/iris/radiating lines.  Carrots contain beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, an important nutrient for eye health.
Grape clusters are heart-shaped, and individual grapes resemble blood cells.  According to recent U-M research findings, grape consumption may lower blood pressure, improve heart function, and reduce other risk factors for heart disease.  Natural News
Kidney beans are shaped like the human kidney, and contain iron beneficial for those with chronic kidney disease.
Avocado/pear/eggplant are shaped like human womb/cervix.  "Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers.  And how profound is this? . . . It takes exactly nine months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit." Pears contain folic acid, which is especially beneficial during the first trimester of pregnancy, and eggplant may help fight water retention during pregnancy.
Sweet potatoes resemble the pancreas.  Research from the University of California shows that a high fruit and vegetable diet (including sweet potatoes) may help reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer.  Alive 
Olives resemble female ovaries, and are rich in squalene and oleic acid, which reportedly inhibit ovarian cancer growth factors.  The vitamin E in olives may help reduce hot flashes during menopause.
Onions resemble body cells and clear waste materials from all of the body cells, as well as produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.
Celery/bok choy/rhubarb resemble our bones.  Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are reportedly 23% sodium.  If you don't have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak, so these foods replenish skeletal needs.
Grapefruits/oranges/citrus represent mammary glands of the female, and contain bioflavonoids that detoxify harmful estrogens and help prevent the production of cancer cells.
Figs are full of seeds, hang in twos when they grow, and increase motility and number of male sperm due to their folate content.
Peanuts contain arganine (viagra substitute).  L-arganine has been used for erectile dysfunction.

The Creator may have brilliantly set His mark on creation, so that by careful observation we could find all right doctrines represented for healing, even learning the uses of a plant from some aspect of its form or place of growing.  A local company JAYDANCIN incorporates this theory in the type of plants they use in their organic makeup and skincare products, using the purpose God designed for each plant.

So, the next time you stop to observe a leaf, flower, or food...take a look at the color, shape, and growing habits and discover for yourself what signature it may represent.

School Lunch Solutions

Is your child tired all the time, unable to focus in school, constantly whining, constipated, experiencing headaches or suffering from chronic colds?

If so, your child may have a nutrient deficiency that can be easily corrected with a proper diet.  A holistic nutritionist can help you plan lunches that will enable your child to concentrate in school, have the energy to participate in sports, build their immune system, as well as improve their mood and behavior.  A child's lunch needs to include several key nutrients:

Proteins ~ Children require protein to repair muscles damaged during play and sports, to boost the immune system, and to keep hair, skin, nails, bones and organs healthy.  Sources include meat, eggs, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds, nut butters, cheese and yogurt.

Carbohydrates ~ Children require carbs for energy.  Complex carbs elevate blood sugar levels slowly and provide a longer lasting form of energy than simple carbs (candy, soft drinks, fruit juice, white bread, baked goods made with white flour/sugar).  Sources of complex carbs include multi-grain bread, vegetables, brown rice, legumes, oatmeal.

FUN FACT ~ A lollipop is a simple carb, and so are healthier choices such as milk and fruit.  However, it is better to give your child simple sugars from milk and fruit because they also contain vitamins and minerals.  Lollipops do not.

Fiber ~ Children need both soluble and insoluble fiber to stay healthy.  Insoluble fiber (fiber that cannot be dissolved) prevents constipation.  Sources include skins of fruits and root vegetables, nuts and seeds (including flax seed), and whole grains (including brown and wild rice).  Soluble fiber increases the sense of fullness, and decreases blood sugar levels.  Sources include fruit (such as apples and citrus fruit), vegetables, legumes, oats, chia seeds, and ground flax seed.  Yes, flaxseeds provide both soluble and insoluble fiber.

Fats ~ Our children need essential fatty acids to build brain cells.  Since the brain is composed of about 2/3 fat, children need fats for proper brain function.  Fats are also required to properly absorb vitamins and minerals.  For example, in dairy products, fat is necessary to utilize  calcium properly.  Symptoms of a deficiency in Omega 3 fatty acids may result in hyperactivity, dry eyes and skin, irritability, poor immune system function, learning disabilities, allergies, or fatigue.  Sources of Omega 3 include cold-water fish (such as salmon), flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and dark green leafy vegetables.  Myelin, the protective sheath covering communicating neurons, contains oleic acid, which is the main component of olive oil, as well as many nut oils, and avocados.

Water ~  Since their bodies are made up primarily of water, children need to drink plenty of clean, filtered water.  Water is necessary for proper bowel, and immune function.  Blood is mostly water, and muscles, lungs, and brains all contain a lot of water.  Symptoms of mild dehydration include chronic pains in joints and muscles, lower back pain, headaches and constipation.

Calcium ~ Children require calcium for strong bones and teeth, proper muscle contraction and nerve function.  To provide calcium, there are foods other than dairy that are readily available and highly absorbable.  Milk's calcium absorption rate is 32% and the calcium absorption rate in leafy greens is greater than 50%.  Other sources include nuts and seeds, salmon (with the bones) and whole grain products.  Vitamin D found in fish oil, egg yolk, and sun exposure also ensures proper calcium absorption.  Magnesium is also required from green leafy vegetables, potatoes, nuts and seeds, and whole grains; as well as boron from raw avocado, nuts, peanut butter and prune juice.

Treats ~ Clean, healthy treats include air-popped popcorn, dried fruit (without sulphites), homemade muffins and cookies, granola and trail mix, fruit dipped in organic dark chocolate, fruit kabobs, and veggie chips.  PS. My daughter's version of "clean" muffins and cookies:  to make, dip in leftover dish water till it has soap suds all over it.  My version of "clean" baked goods are those made without using refined ingredients such as white sugar and white flour, and without transfats (hydrogenated and partially-hydrogenated fats).

So, based on this information, an example of a healthy lunch might include the following:
- an egg-salad sandwich consisting of a hard-boiled egg and cottage cheese on whole grain bread ~ for protein, fiber, complex carbs, calcium and the vitamin D to absorb it
- an unpeeled apple ~ for soluble and insoluble fiber
- a small salad of dark leafy greens with walnuts and strawberries  ~ containing fiber, calcium, (magnesium, and boron, and also vitamin D from the egg yolk in the sandwich, to absorb the calcium properly), omega 3, complex carbs, and protein
- air-popped popcorn (for insoluble fiber)
- oatmeal banana muffin (for complex carbs and fiber)
- water with lemon or orange slices

*there are many additional vitamin and mineral benefits not mentioned

Some tips:

1. Ask your child to help out - let them choose the fruits, veggies, or sandwich ingredients, so they can exercise choice and participate.
2. Pack fun foods - kids love to dip (veggies in hummus, fruit in yogurt)
3. Be creative - fruit kabobs, funny egg fish
4. Include lots of color and variety.
5. Remember fresh is best - limit prepackaged foods.
6. Kids love surprises - surprise them with a note or small toy.

Credits:
Winning the Food Fight by Dr. Joey Shulman
www.fitnessandmind.com
www.kidshealth.org
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1499

Holistic Nutrition ~ Who Can Benefit?

Holistic nutrition treats the whole individual, emphasizing your environment, emotions, diet, as well as physical symptoms.  By analyzing your health status utilizing a lifestyle and nutritional assessment questionnaire, a nutritionist can help you improve areas of deficiency or imbalance by assisting you to make positive diet, supplement and lifestyle adjustments.  A holistic nutritionist will customize a step-by-step nutritional program to meet your individual health needs.

• Diabetes, Blood sugar imbalances
• PMS, Menopause, Hormone imbalances
• Acne, Eczema, Rash, Psoriasis
• Weight loss, Weight gain
• Stress, Anxiety, Depression
• Chronic colds/flu, Asthma
• High blood pressure, High cholesterol
• Thyroid and Adrenal glandular issues
• Pre- and Post surgery
• Detoxification, Allergies, Arthritis
• ADD/ADHD
• Digestive disorders, IBS, Constipation
• MAINTAINING HEALTH

All these conditions and many more can benefit from nutritional coaching.  Take the first step toward positive change today. 

Small Changes ~ Large Results

It starts with a few healthy eating choices.  Even small changes can have an overall big impact on your health.  How are the foods you eat impacting your health?  By eating a variety of whole, live, natural foods, you can give your body the nutrients it requires to create health and reduce disease.

The human body needs food to function properly.  It is our body's source of fuel ~ the energy required to perform the many necessary biochemical processes.  It also supplies the essential nutrients needed to build, grow, and regenerate.  Are you providing your body with the essential nutrients it needs?

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

~ Benjamin Franklin            

What's In Season? ~ Gratitude

"For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thanksgiving weekend reminded us to count our blessings.  Research shows that an attitude of gratitude improves our health ~ gratitude initiates a positive healing effect in our mind and body.  It shifts our focus from negative thoughts and emotions that cause disease to an attitude that accelerates physiological and biochemical healing.  While I am truly grateful for my family, my health, and my home, I am also thankful for the little things in my life ~ for sunshine on the long weekend, for my tiny dog that thinks he is my bodyguard, for the full double rainbow I saw last week, for hugs, for the colour of the fall leaves, for printers that work properly, and for heartburn...

...for heartburn?  Well, I have to look at it positively.  Heartburn is a clear sign that something is wrong with my body, and gives me an opportunity to correct the problem and avoid any resulting health complications.  When it woke me up at 3:00 am, I was not feeling quite so positive about it, and was tempted to grab one of my husband's antacids and go back to sleep.  The last time I can remember having heartburn was 15 years ago, when I was pregnant with my first daughter.  Anyway, so I thought about it and recalled that heartburn is a sign that my stomach acid may be low.  If there is not enough digestive juice, nutrients will not be absorbed properly and mineral deficiencies will develop, as well as heartburn.  To confirm this, I conducted an apple cider vinegar test...at 3:30 am!  The leading cause of heartburn is hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid), and so, although we automatically reach for the antacids, it will only provide temporary relief and may actually exacerbate the problem.  The cause needs to addressed and remedied.

Some Possible Causes:

• Pregnancy
• Hiatal hernia
• Insufficient saliva production
• Low stomach acid
• Delayed gastric emptying
• Aging
• Certain foods
• Food allergies
• Stress

A Few Diet Recommendations:

• Papaya ~ contains papain, a digestive enzyme that aids digestion and soothes the stomach.
• Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day instead of 2 or 3 large ones.
• Drink less with meals, only taking occasional small sips, and avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Avoid fried and greasy foods, spicy foods, and heavy sauces.
• Avoid minty foods, such as peppermint, which can aggravate heartburn.
• Allow time before your last meal or snack and bedtime.
• Test for and eliminate food sensitivities/allergies.

Possible Remedies:

• Licorice root (DGL) for relief.
• Homeopathic Nux Vomica may help if a result of stress or spicy foods.
• Slippery elm to soothe and reduce inflammation.
• Marshmallow root also soothes and reduces inflammation.
• Digestive enzymes to help you digest foods more effectively.
• Probiotic for friendly bacteria to improve digestive function.
• Aloe vera gel promotes healing.

Not all remedies are right for everyone.  If you suffer from occasional or chronic heartburn, a holistic nutritionist can assist you in finding the cause and work with you to find a solution that will provide healing and prevent future complications.

Credits:  Prescription for Natural Cures

Olive

The olive is:

• low in cholesterol
• high in dietary fiber, iron, and copper
• rich in essential fatty acids (Omega 9 monounsaturated) and calories
• a good source of Vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that neutralizes damaging free radicals, along with polyphenols and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.

Eat olives in moderation if you are interested in:

• weight loss (low-fat, low-calorie diet)
• avoiding salt or vinegar (olives are high in sodium due to the brining)
• avoiding iron (hemochromatosis)

The timing of the harvest determines the color ~ they are green when picked before they are ripe and deep purple if picked when ripened.  Many black olives are blackened after harvesting and then the color is 'fixed' with ferrous sulfate/ferrous gluconate, often used to treat iron-deficiency anemia.  If you suffer from hemochromotosis (when the amount of iron stored in the body is too high), you may wish to avoid olives blackened using this process (read the label).  Olives must be stored in brine to prevent them from tasting bitter, and green olives must be fermented before brining.  The green olive has a firmer texture than the black olive.  American black olives, called Mission olives, are milder and do not require fermentation. 

Brine cured olives are a good remedy for vascular headaches (expansion of the blood vessels in the head); usually the result of too much liquid of any kind (including fruit juice), alcohol, ice cream, and other cold and highly sugared foods.  Expansion headaches also include migraines, hangover, and stress and tension headaches.  The remedy should take effect in two to fifteen minutes according to Annemarie Colbin in Food and Healing.  Traditional Chinese medicine uses olive soup as a remedy for sore throats.


Further credits:
http://www.olives101.com/
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=681

What's in Season? ~ PLUMS

Ontario has two types of plums:  Japanese and European.  When buying plums, rich color equals quality.  European blue plums will not continue to ripen after harvest; however, Japanese plums (Shiro and Early Golden) will continue to ripen after harvest.  According to Foodland Ontario's website, the Early Golden variety (freestone) is Ontario's most popular yellow plum.  They are available through July and August.  I used this plum to make the jam featured below. 

Nutrients

Plums (http://www.ontariotenderfruit.com/)

Plums are low in calories, and contain very good amounts of vitamin C, good amounts of vitamin A, B2, potassium, dietary fiber, and some iron.  Fresh plums and dried prunes reportedly contain phytonutrients (phenols) that function as antioxidents that may be helpful in preventing macular degeneration, boosting immunity, improving cardiac health, and protecting against cancer.  The vitamin C content assists in better iron absorption.

Plums also contain naturally-occurring oxalates.  Too high concentrations of oxalates in bodily fluids can cause them to crystallize and cause health problems.  For this reason, individuals with already existing and untreated kidney or gallbladder problems may want to avoid eating plums.

Healthy Quick Eating Suggestions
Add sliced plums to yogurt, granola, smoothies, cold cereal, or on a salad.

 Plum and Anise Jam with Chia Seeds (Salba)

Chia seeds can be made into a gel by absorbing up to nine times their weight in liquid--the perfect thickener for making homemade jam from your favorite seasonal fruit.

Nutrients per 2-tbsp serving:  Calories 51, Total Fat 1g, Sat Fat 0g, Omega-3s 530mg, Omega-6s 190 mg, Carbs 10g, Fiber 2g, Sugars 7g, Protein 1g, Sodium 1mg, Cholesterol 0mg.

Clean Eating Magazine Sept/Oct 2010

For their Orange Chia Dream Pops Recipe, www.cleaneatingmag.com/recipes/ce14_popsicles.html

For a Savoury Ontario Plum Salad Recipe, http://www.ontariotenderfruit.com/


Credits:  http://www.whfoods.com/