Author Archives: marie dimercurio

How Vitamin D Might Save Your Life

Tags :

Category : Allergies , Diseases , News

COVID-19 is one our worst nightmares of this decade. Vitamin D might have a positive impact on your body as well as your brain. Dr. Michael J. Stephen, a critical care pulmonologist, cared and treated many COVID-19 patients while carefully protecting himself as best as he could. Well, he developed COVID-19. Out of wonderment, because of his excellent health, he was stunned. How could this be? But the worse part of it all was that he felt he was losing his mind. He felt like his brain was on fire, doing and saying things that he was unaware of. Reports are showing that four-fifths of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have developed neurological symptoms and studies have found that at least half of those recovering from COVID-19 continue to suffer from neurological symptoms sometimes for months afterward. Brain scans show structural and functional changes to the brain. Right now, there aren’t any answers why, but the medical community is trying to figure it out. The researchers were surprised to find that neurologic manifestations as a whole were more likely to occur in younger people, although encephalopathy were more often found in the elderly. It’s a complicated matter on how the virus attacks and inflicts damage to the brain cells by sucking up precious oxygen from surrounding brain cells, therefore starving them. Read this article from
AARP December 2020/January 2021 Magazine…COVID and the Brain.

How can we defeat the severity of COVID-19? Dr. Kenneth Cooper, the pioneer of the aerobic health movement has done studies on vitamin D levels and immunity. It’s effect on the regulation of the immune system, acts as an anti-inflammatory lowering heart disease, cancer rates, lowering rates of Alzheimer’s, dementia, as well as Parkinson’s and cancer. Dr. Cooper states “that most everyone can safely and inexpensively take vitamin D supplements as a preventive health measure”. He consistently monitors some 4,500 Cooper Clinic patients since last spring for coronavirus antibodies and antigens. Those with higher vitamin D levels seem to have much lower rates of coronavirus antibodies. (He recommends at least 2,000 IU daily…I personally take 5,000 IU daily) It is recommended to get blood labs done to check your levels. Functional ranges should be between 55-80ng/ml. The research shows that those with lower vitamin D levels are at a 77% increased risk for COVID-19. Cooper states “85% of people with color have vitamin D levels in low teens and single digits unless they are taking supplements”.
Dr. Cooper’s article in Decision Magazine January 2021.

Two forms of Vitamin D and how they effect the body are:
Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is synthesized by plants and is typically found in mushrooms, fortified foods, and vegan dietary supplements. This form is not produced in people and breaks down into metabolites foreign to the human body.
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the form naturally found in people and animals, formed by exposure of the skin to sunshine containing sufficient intensity of UV-B rays.

I welcome any comments.
jmdimercurio@webtv.net
Marie

Pumpkin Chocolate Cups

Tags :

Category : Desserts , Recipes

Pumpkin Chocolate Cups

Pumpkin Chocolate Cups

Prep: 10 minutes
Serving Size: varies
Servings: 12 cups
Cooking Time: (inactive) 30 minutes

*It is recommended to use al organic ingredients
for health as well as flavor.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup shelled roasted unsalted pumpkin seeds
1.5 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup coconut butter
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tsp Stevia extract (I use NOW brand liquid)
1 tsp. vanilla (I use non-alcoholic)
1/2 cup coconut oil and 1/4 cup cacao powder
(I use Navitas Organics Brand)

Prep Ahead: 
Assemble all ingredients. Line a 12-cup muffin
pan with muffin liner cups.

Making It:
!.  Place the pumpkin seeds into a food processor and blend
about 10 seconds. Then add the shredded coconut, coconut
butter, coconut oil, vanilla, and stevia to the food processor
and blend until well mixed.
2. Using a spoon to equally divide the mixture into the 12 muffin
cups, mixture will be quite thick.
3.  Once all of the muffin liners are filled, melt the coconut
oil and the cacao powder together.
4. Using a spoon to scoop out about 1 tablespoon of chocolate
liquid and pour onto your coconut cups until the coconut is
completely covered. Repeat on all the coconut cups.
5. Place in freezer for about 20 minutes or until the chocolate
is frozen. Store in a covered container in the fridge.

*This recipe was revamped from Drjockers.com, but even tastier.
I use these as a bedtime ‘sleepy pill’. I cut each in half and
take one-half an hour before bedtime.
**With the healthy fats and proteins, these can help to regulate
night time blood sugar imbalances that can interfer with sleep;
and because of the tryptophan that is found in the unsweetened
cacao powder can makes you sleepy.

Apartame: The Sweetener That Decieves

Tags :

Category : Allergies , Arthritis , Diseases , MSG , News

There are many artificial sweeteners on the market to keep people out of the sugar bowl. These are designed to feed the sweet tooth but not gain weight in the process. All of these have their dangers as they are digested and metabolized by the human body as chemicals; and these toxic chemicals have disastrous effects. In this article we will focus on Aspartame, and its dangers to the human body. Aspartame is the world’s most widely used artificial sweetener and is marketed as NutraSweet, Equal, Sugar Twin, and Amino Sweet. What is it? It is a synthetic chemical composed of the amino acid phenylalanine and aspartic acid, with a methyl ester. When consumed the methyl ester breaks down into methanol, (another name for wood alcohol) which may then be converted into formaldehyde. Formaldehyde then accumulates in the brain and damages the central nervous system as well as the immune system, thus creating neurological damage to the body. The world’s most popular artificial sweetener must be banned say experts, and according to one expert, the sales of aspartame should be banned because of all the damage it does to the human body. Artificial sweeteners do not help with weight loss, but instead leads to weight gain because this product increases the appetite, thus creating obesity related disorders. Aspartame has been linked to many serious health conditions and diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, cancers, cardiovascular disease, brain tumors, seizures, strokes, blindness, headaches, migraines, and mood disorders. Also links to serious liver damage and glutathione depletion along with kidney function decline, diabetes and metabolic derangement. Aspartame should not be used by pregnant women as it can be harmful to the developing fetus. Aspartame is now in over 6,000 products on the market (please read labels), including Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, and other sugar-free sweetened drinks, Jell-O, candies, condiments, dressings, chewing gums including the ones that have sugar in them, children’s medicines, vitamins and cough syrups. We have to be alert and diligent about our own heath, after all we only have one body to get us through life; let’s take good care of it.
Truthfully yours,
Marie

The Real Nature Of Fluoride

Category : Allergies , Arthritis , Diseases , News , Sleep

The organic mineral fluorine is part of our body’s chemistry.
Uses in the Body:
Fluorine is found in the bones, teeth, blood, skin, nails, and hair.
It is essential to the body’s healing process.
Effect of Deficiency:
A lack of fluorine in the diet can result in tooth decay, weakened
eyesight, and spinal curvature.
Recommended Allowances:
There are not any recommendations at this time.
Food Sources:
almonds, carrots, green leafy vegetables,
exists in some quantities in all plants.
*A synthetic compound (fluoride) works against the human body;
but an organic ingrain compound (fluorine) is easily assimilated.

At this time, there is nothing more controversial than the additives being incorporated into the tap water, toothpastes and mouthwashes than fluoride. We have been told that fluoride, this synthetic chemical compound is safe, and must be used on a daily basis in order to have healthy teeth and bones. Well, with all the fluoride additions, one would assume that the population would have outstanding dental health, but the truth is just the opposite. In fact, it has been found that this synthetic chemical can be very harmful to one’s overall health. Look on the back of a fluoride toothpaste tube, and you will see a warning about the dangers of ingesting fluoride. It is suggested to call poison control if a child swallows more than the recommended amount. Well, in my opinion, that is absurd to put a likely poison in something a child needs (toothpaste) to have to keep healthy teeth. It would be better to eliminate the poison, instead of putting on a warning label on the product. For children, it is best to use a fluoride-free dental product. How does fluoride increase health risks? Several research studies have suggested that fluoride is poisonous to the human body, and have showed clear evidence that cities with fluoridated water had higher cancer death rates. Another point, as with all additives, many people can and do have sensitivities and allergies to fluoride, and some leading to severe autoimmune diseases. Risks of brain damage, the pineal gland of the brain and thyroid gland holds fluoride, decreased IQ in children especially in prenatal infants, arthritis symptoms, decreased bone health, in fact, millions of people in India and China had their health compromised by fluoride.
People may not be aware of what their body’s health problem really is, so just a little insight of what can be eliminated to help our bodies become less challenged and move forward to good health.
Comments or questions: jmdimercurio@webtv.net

Truthfully,
Marie

Savory Italian-Style Zucchini and Chickpea Dish

Category : Entrees , Recipes , Soups

Italian-Style Zucchini and Chickpeas

I use all organic ingredients for health as well as flavor.

Makes 8 cups
Prep Time: 20-25 minutes
Servings: varies
Serving Size: varies

Ingredients: 
2 Tbls. Avocado oil
1 onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 large red pepper, chopped (1 1/2 cup)
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
3 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
and cut into 1/4 inch slices (4 cups)
8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 cup Yummy Vegan Pasta Sauce
1 Tbls. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. Redmond’s Sea Salt
fresh ground pepper to taste

Making It:
1. Heat avocado oil in a extra large skillet or pot over medium
heat. Add the next five ingredients (through thyme); cook 10
minutes, stirring often and if needed add little water, 1-2 Tbls.
to prevent sticking.

2. Add zucchini and basil leaves; cook 10 minutes more or until
zucchini is tender. Stir is garbanzo beans, pasta sauce, vinegar,
sea salt and dash of pepper. Heat through. Serve immediately.

Alternatives:  Be creative.
*In place of red bells, I use 1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli.
*Eliminate the avocado oil and use filtered water instead.

This recipe has been revamped from the Forks-Over-Knives
Magazine version, but just as savory. This has been a weekly
meal in our house, and so simple to make. Leftover pasta sauce
is also a staple for this recipe.
*Look for 6-7 inch zucchini for best results, the larger ones
have more seeds and less flavor.

A dance of flavors…for all to Enjoy!
Marie

The End Result Of Root Canals Can Be Toxic

Tags :

Category : Diseases , News , Sleep

A root canal tooth develops a deep cavity infection in the inner parts of the tooth called the pulp. Dentists have been doing root canal treatments for many years. They will recommend root canals to their patients who are experiencing pain from a tooth. This agendum is designed to allieviate pain as well as protect the natural tooth. The procedure entails drilling through the crown (top of the tooth) and then removal of the obvious decayed matter within the tooth’s deep cavity (the pulp). The blood and lymph vessels as well as the nerve within this area are removed, and the blood and oxygen supply is  cut off.  The deep cavity is cleansed and sterilized with a sodium hypochlorite solution, a commonly used disinfectant. The tooth is then filled with a permanent rubberlike substance called guttpercha. It is to prevent bacteria or fluids from entering the tooth through the root. The natural tooth is permeable, that means the blood and lymph flow in and out of the tooth through the root into the pulp, but the tooth has now lost its permeability. The tooth will not recieve any blood, fluids etc and it now becomes a ‘dead tooth’. A crown is then cemented on top of the tooth. Sealing the main canal does not account for the thousands of side canals that branch off each tooth. They will be left untouched, made up of dead rotting nerves which the bacteria will feed off of and leak their toxic waste into the blood stream. There is a major assumption that the sanitation of the oral cavity kills 100% of infectious agents. It does not! Antibiotics are not any different from the disinfectants that cannot reach bacteria or the oxygen that is depriving the root canal environment. Without circulation and blood flow, antibiotics that are intended to kill the pathogens in your mouth are instead depleteing the healthy bacteria in your body that are suppoed to protect the immune system. I, personally, for my body’s health, have gone through this procedure twice and ended up removing both root-canaled teeth and replacing them will metal free implants, (in the same day).
Comments/questions are always appreciated,
Email: jmdimercurio@webtv.net

Take care of your oral health,
Marie

Tomato-Basil Relish

Tags :

Category : Condiments and Sauces , Dips , Recipes , Vegetable Sides

Tomatoe Basil Relish

Tomato Basil Relish

Makes: Approximately 2 Cups
Serving Size: Varies
Servings: Varies

*It’s best to use all organic ingredients for
the fullest of flavor.

Ingredients:
3 medium vine-ripe tomatoes
1/4 cup onion, chopped
8-10-fresh basil leaves, chopped,
or 1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. cilantro
1/2 tsp. dill weed
1 tsp. Redmond’s Sea Salt

Prep Ahead:
Assemble and chop all the ingredients.

Making It:
1. Place all choppd vegetales in a bowl, stir in
the spices and mix well to blend.
2. Refrigerate in glass jar or container.
Keeps 3-4 days in fridge.
*This actually can be made a day ahead…the
flavors are better blended and tastes far
better on the palette.
*Enjoy with Baked Falafals, organic crackers
or any other fish or meat dishes.

Enjoy,
Marie

Is Your Smile Keeping You Healthy?

Tags :

Category : Allergies , Arthritis , Diseases , News

IS YOUR SMILE KEEPING YOU HEALTHY?

“Taking good care of your teeth and gums isn’t just about preventing cavities or bad breath. The mouth is a window into the health of the body. It can show if you are not eating foods that are best for you or signal that you may be at risk for a disease. Diseases that affect the entire body (such as leukemia or diabetes) may first be noticed because of gum disease or oral problems.
“The mouth is filled with many bacteria, some linked to tooth decay and gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease may be connected with diabetes and cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke). However, a link between these two conditions and periodontal disease does not mean that one condition causes the other.”
Taken from the American Dental Association pamphlet…2011.
Oral health comes in many forms, but the deterioration or disease of the gums is the precursor of the diseases of the body. When the gums become affected they will present their inflammations throughout the rest of the body, triggering other medical problems. It it so important to keep your oral health as an important priority.
In people with gum disease (periodontal disease) which causes the gums to bleed, the bacteria builds up on the teeth making the gums more prone to infection. The immune system moves in to rid the infection and the gums become inflamed. This continues until the infection is brought under control. Without immediate treatment the same bacteria can then escape into the bloodstream and travel to other areas of the body and can cause serious health problems. Untreated periodontal disease with its bacterial plaque can lead to tooth loss, and may increase the risk of stroke, heart disease and other health issues
Many cancers are started in the mouth because of improper oral care. Nicotine in cigarettes cause the blood vessels to constrict which interferes with your gums ability to fight infection. Smoking also interferes with the any treatments or surgical procedures, and the body’s ability to heal. Mouth, tongue, and throat cancers are all caused by any tobacco use as well as alcohol use. Untreated abscesses have caused cancer and death. A friend of ours died because he did not get his abscess treated early enough and it couldn’t be brought under control, he died of cancer of the jaw.
Inflammation that starts in the mouth seems to weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar. High blood sugar provides perfect conditions for infections to grow, including gum infections. Fortunately one can use the gum disease-diabetes relationship and managing one can help bring the other under control.
Periodontal disease may make pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worse, possibly by increasing the amount of bacteria in the lungs. It also can worsen the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, treat the periodontal disease and the arthritis pain decreases.
Taking good care of our teeth, gums, and diet can really help you to live a longer healthier life.

Compassionately,
Marie

Tortilla Night!

Category : Entrees , Recipes

Tortilla Night Assemble

Tortilla Night Assemble

Servings: 2-4
Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
*Use all organic ingredients for best flavor and better health.

1 medium zucchini, peeled and shredded
1 medium carrot, peeled and shredded
1/2 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
2 Tbls. Italian dressing
Italian Basil Salad Dressing
2 tsp. Redmond’s Sea Salt, (divided)
2 Avocados, mashed
3 vine-ripened medium tomatoes, chopped (divided)
3 Tbls. onion, chopped fine
1 tsp. dry cilantro, or 1 Tbsp. fresh, chopped fine.
1/3 cup organic sliced black olives (optional).
May add shredded some non-dairy cheese as topping.
Variation:
*Package of 8, Non-GMO organic white corn tortillas
(they are lighter than the yellow corn tortilas.)
if desired.

Prep:
Preheat oven to 260 F.
Assemble and prepare all the vegetables in their
separate bowls.

Making It:
1. In a large bowl shred the zucchini and carrots, add the bell
pepper and Italian dressing with 1 tsp. sea salt. mix well set
aside.(optional, may also add 1 tsp. cilantro if.)
2. In another bowl mash the 2 avacados, and add 1 chopped tomato,
and 1/2 tsp. sea salt. Mix together and set aside.
3. In the third bowl, add 2 chopped tomatoes, the chopped onion,
cilantro, and 1/2 tsp. sea salt. Stir until mixed and set aside.
4. Just before serving, squeeze and drain as much liquid from the zucchini
bowl and also the tomato/onion bowl. (It will be less messy to eat.)

Assembling:
Assembling is the fun part.
On a wire rack heat the tortillas for 6 minutes.
When done just put a layer from each bowl onto each tortilla.
I start with Avocado, then zucchini, tomatoes and olives.
The choice is yours, do your own thing and have fun!

Tortilla Night mmm

Enjoy!!
Marie

Will The Real Wheat Please Stand Up

Category : Allergies , Arthritis , Diseases , News

When buying breads or bakery items in the store, what should you buy? ‘There are so many to choose from, oh my!’ If you are buying for health reasons then you have to be more diligent and read the labels as well as the ingredients carefully. Labels will state, white flour, refined white flour, wheat flour, and whole wheat flour. Now you have a dilemma, which should you buy? The wheat of the white/refined flour goes through a heavy processing that removes all six outer layers of the seed’s bran; taking away 97% of the dietary fiber and 76% of the essential vitamins and minerals. Thus, having stripped the bran, the flour goes through a bleaching process by applying chlorine dioxide. Then, chalk is added to it to further whiten it. Other additives added are ammonium carbonate and alum for the look and feel of the flour. This processing makes the white flour a sticky mess when mixed with water to make the bread product. So, this results in a slow-moving mass in your colon which builds up toxins that can potentially lead to cancers. Also, another fact is that cancer feeds on sugar and white flour has the same response within your body as sugar. This causes a spike in your blood sugar levels. Also, all non-organic wheat is GMO which creates another danger. Organic wheat and whole wheat flours are made from hulled wheat grain (wheatberries) retaining all of its natural nutrients and fiber. High nutrient content is important for your long-term health and blood sugar response. Its taste and texture are slightly different, but it’s a better alternative. How is your health affected? Whole wheat has it hands down with its high fiber content. So, caution is necessary with the white/refined products because they can lead to nutritional deficiency causing chronic disease and illnesses. The toxins, and additives also increase the toxic levels in your body. We all love our bread, but we must start choosing more wisely what we will put into our body.

Caringly,
Marie

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Archives

Pages

© 2016 Enigma Theme|Theme Developed By Weblizar Themes