Are Your Cravings Taking Control Of Your Body?

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Category : Diseases , News , Sleep

Cravings are something that we may have to deal with in our lives. It would be wonderful if the food we craved gave us some kind of nutritional support or really did help us to FEEL better. Usually not, that is the unfortunate part. Very often cravings can be multi-faceted. What I mean by that is the cravings may be caused by; for example blood sugar issues, gut issues, nutrient deficiency and poor diet which consists of the chemical preservatives and additives in these foods which produces in the body what’s called ‘toxic hunger’. This is a chemically induced reaction.

The processed food companies have added so many chemical additives to their products to make them taste better and if it tastes better, it will sell more and people will keep buying and the company gets the profit. Unfortunately, the buyer suffers because of the toxic effects of these poisons within the body. Some of these can be extremely addictive; especially in the case of refined sugar, white flour. and processed carbs. It took over a month for me to detox from refined sugar cravings. Studies have shown sugar withdrawal can be as bad a getting off heroin. The other flavorings and chemicals that we cannot even pronounce, play havoc in sometimes worse ways imaginable.

Actually, fulfilled cravings can be harmful to your body; the cravings sometimes get worse after you give in to your temptation…it’s what is called an addiction. You struggled with it, the ‘toxic hunger’,  your will-power ran out and you were beat by your craving. Now your body gets the brunt of it.

What people fail to realize is that cravings are not hunger to feed the body per say, it is to feed the irresistible need within the brain and satisfy your mouth. It is a body that has gone rampant. and needs to release the toxic load. Begin to ‘hear your body out’!…listen to your body’s voice.

My suggestion is to keep a food journal. You keep record of your each day’s food intake, how does your body react to it? Be specific. Try only one new food item at a time so your body doesn’t ‘tail-spin’ and it’s easier to keep track of. Eliminate from your diet as necessary, based on your body’s reactions.  http://frombirthuntilsunset.com/about/

Two important brain neurotransmitters for proper functioning:
Dopamine is a chemical released in the brain that makes you feel good. Having the right amount of dopamine is important for both your body and your brain. It helps the nerve cells to send messages to each other.
Serotonin acts as a hormone…it carries messages between in the nerve cells in your brain (central nervous system), and throughout your body (peripheral nervous system). This creates long-lasting feelings of happiness.

It is best to give our body what it needs to keep healthy and you will cease to experience these nasty cravings and addictions. I changed my diet and my cravings vanished. Some food suggestions for these two neurotransmitters are:
Some foods that contain Dopamine: Do organic; almonds, apples, avocados, beets, bananas chocolate, pumpkin seeds, turmeric, green leafy, coffee, etc.
Some foods containing Serotonin: Brazil nuts, almonds, cashews, eggs, turkey, pineapple, all foods containing L-Tryptophan, (calming the body). Can supplement L-Tryptophanand GABA. (These supplements work great for those who have sleeping issues). Also chromium and ALA (Alpha Lipoid Acid) are helpful to reduce cravings.
Caring,
Marie


Sour Cream Double Chocolate Muffins

Category : Breads , Desserts , Recipes

Sour Cream Double Chocolate Muffins

Sour Cream Double Chocolate Muffins

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 12-14 muffins
Suggest: Use all organic ingredients for
flavor and health.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour (I used Spelt flour)
1/2 cacao powder
1 cup coconut sugar
1 -1/2 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup Oil (avocado oil or olive oils)
2 eggs (or 1/4 sour cream to
replace each egg)
1/2 cup milk (I use coconut milk)
1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup full fat sour cream (I use
plant-based sour cream)
2 cups dark chocolate chips

Making it:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 muffin
pans with cupcake papers.
2. In a medium bowl mix all the dry ingredients.
Set aside.
3. Whisk the eggs, sour cream, oil, milk, and
vanilla until well combined. Pour the wet
ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold
together until well combined, including 1-1/2
cups of the chocolate chips.
4. Spoon into the muffin cups all the way to
the top. Divide the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips
onto the top of each muffin pressing into the batter.
5. Bake the muffins for 5 minutes at 425–then keeping
muffins in the oven, reduce the temperature to
350 degrees and continue baking additional 15-17 minutes.
or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
6. Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 10 minutes,
then transfer to wire rack to finish cooling.
*Storage: one week in the fridge…3 months in freezer.

**This recipe has been credited to: Sally’s Baking
Addiction.  I altered with all organic and non dairy.

ENJOY!
Marie


Potato Salad with Horseradish Vinaigrette

 

Purple Potato Salad with Horseradish Vinaigrette

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Ready In: 35 minutes
Makes: 8 cups
Suggest: Use all organic
ingredients for flavor and health.

Ingredients:

*2 lb. tiny red, yellow and/or purple
potatoes, halved if large. May add
extra purple potato slices as needed.
*1 lb. asparagus, trimmed, and cut
into bite size pieces.
*3 Tbs. red wine vinegar
*1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
*6 cloves of garlic, minced (opt.
can use more or less)
*1 -2 tsp. fresh dill
*1 tsp. prepared horseradish
*1 cup bite-size pieces red bell pepper
*Sea salt and fresh ground pepper,
to taste.

Making It:
1.  In a large 6-qt cooking pot, cook all potatoes
in boiling water 8 minutes or until nearly fork
tender. Add asparagus. Cook 3 minutes more; drain.
Rinse with cold water to drain and drain again.

2. In an extra-large bowl whisk together vinegar,
mustard, garlic, dill, and horseradish. Add potato
mixture and bell pepper; toss to coat. Season with
salt and pepper to taste.


Make Life Very Sweet…Have a Honey of a Day!

Category : Allergies , Diseases , News , Sleep

We do know that Winnie the Pooh loves to eat honey, in fact, that’s all he eats. Who doesn’t like honey? It feeds the palate with a mild delicious sweetness. Sure, it’s sweet, but there is much more to honey than we realize. Honey has so many astounding health benefits. Everything from brain heath, to wound healing, to promoting gut health and it also has antibacterial effects. Now of course I am speaking of “RAW” honey. Many of these benefits I will cover in this article.

RAW honey helps with those pesky seasonal allergies as well as dust mites. There is a natural protectant against specific allergies because it’s a ‘vaccine’ itself that contains trace amounts of pollen. It has various anti-inflammatory characteristics that fight allergy symptoms. Purchase raw, local, and organic for best results.

RAW honey aids in intellectual development. Do you seem to forget basic things? Maybe trying to form clear thoughts? Honey might help by providing your brain with more energy to think and process thoughts. It has an ability to improve memory by helping your brain to recover faster. The antioxidant properties of honey help the brain cells to thrive and stay in shape.

RAW honey is used for dressing burns and wounds. In a randomized trial of burn victims. honey dressing worked better than silver sulfadiazine dressing. After one to two weeks the skin grew back faster, inflammation reduced quicker and there was better control of infection with the honey dressing.

RAW honey reduces the presence of infection causing bacteria in the gut, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterocolitis, and others which are known to cause diarrhea; while acting to stimulate the growth of beneficial species of healthy gut bacteria.

RAW honey acts as a sleep aid. It can naturally induce sleep as well as improved sleep quality. Its rich content helps raise insulin levels which in turn release serotonin. This chemical converts to melatonin which is a critical component for creating sleep.

RAW honey creates healthy skin. Using it as a face mask, honey has binding capabilities to help reduce to signs of aging; also reduces blemishes, and fights acne and other bacterial issues.

For the best of nature’s health benefits choose the right RAW honey. First option, go to your local farmers market for your purchase. You want RAW, unpasteurized, (organic, if possible), read labels carefully…no added any ingredients. No markets? Options are health food stores and organic grocery stores that sell RAW honey. As a child I got to experience RAW honey directly from the hive; I was in heaven. So you will notice the difference.

Honey doesn’t replace fruit and vegetables in your diet, but can replace refined sugars as an alternative sweetener. Also be warned, those who have sugar issues, check with your doctor.

Have a sweet day,
Marie


Delicious Sugar Free Hot Cocoa

 

Delicious Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa

Makes: 2 2/3 cups beverage
Servings: 2-3
Prep and Cooking time:  8-10 minutes

Ingredients;
* 1 15oz can Organic Native Forest Coconut Milk
(unsweetened classic)
* 3/4 can filtered water (more or less,
depending on how frothy you like it)
* 2 Tbls. Organic Cacao Powder
* 1 tsp. Organic Vanilla (non-alcohol)
* 1/2 tsp. NOW Brand Organic liquid stevia
* Cinnamon sprinkle on top of cocoa (optional)

Making it:
1. Pour the coconut milk into saucepan, pour filtered
water into empty can and then pour that water into pan.
2. Add rest of ingredients to the pan, whisk over medium
heat just to barely heat it, but do not boil.
Pour into cups; if desired sprinkle with cinnamon, or
put on top non-dairy whipping cream.
Enjoy


What Is Nerve Energy? How Does It Affect Me?

Category : News

What is the body’s primary need to increase your brain power? The greatest need is nerve energy. Although it is not the only need—it is the primary need. Without wellbeing nerve power is elusive. How then does one acquire nerve energy? I am glad you asked. Nerve energy is created by the brain and the nervous system for its own use. It is generated under the condition of sleep. It is low-grade electricity measured in millivolts. How the processes of sleep help the brain to generate nerve energy is still under study by scientists. There are not any definite answers as of yet, just intense research still going on. But we do know that adequate sleep and rest are gravely important to having adequate nerve energy.

Another factor—toxic materials must be very low in the bloodstream and the body before the brain can function at its maximum peak. Even the bloodstream burdened with the nutrients from a meal will cause the brain to preform less effectively than if one had fasted instead. It has been said that “a full stomach makes a dead head.”  Missing a meal or periodic fasting for brief periods has been proven to increase the brain’s thinking power.

Intellectual pursuits use more nerve energy than physical labor. Thinking draws more current from our mental batteries than digging ditches. Mental labor is quite a bit more exhausting and wears one down, from mental tiredness to physical tiredness. Stress from overthinking is enough to short-circuit or deplete your reservoirs of nerve energy. Many have experienced deep emotional states and then collapse into depression—this is called enervation; meaning without nerve energy.

Periodic fasts are absolutely essential to the highest level of mindpower and health, no matter how good the rest of the life regime followed. Missing one meal occasionally will be of a great benefit. The body and the blood are cleansed of toxins, restful sleep will then occur, and health begins to increase, the brain once again functions effectively; thus, there is a great enhancement on nerve energy. So, you must turn yourselves around if you want to be mentally sharp all the time. It is now time to build and maintain a high level of nerve energy.   let’s keep your reserves high. Rejuvenation begins with you.


Feeding My Chocolate Addiction With Love!!

Category : News

So, you just love chocolate…most people do! It can be our downfall, but if we choose right, it can be our blessing. Let me explain what I mean by that. Most of the time it isn’t the chocolate that causes the problem; it’s the other ingredients that create harm and it’s those ingredients that do feed our addictions.

The cacao bean which is what chocolate is derived from is high in heart-healthy flavanols and antioxidants. When you buy a milk chocolate version; it is less than 50 percent cacao and at least half the bar is sugar. Now, if you purchase a chocolate bar labeled 85 percent cacao or more; the sugar content will only be 15 percent or less. The health benefits speak for themselves. In fact, one study shows that the bars containing 70 percent or more cacao showed improved blood vessel flexibility.

The ingredients as with any food, less is better. High-end chocolate is made with only cacao beans, cocoa butter, and cane sugar. Speaking of sugar, watch it, that’s the addicting part. Aim for 8 grams or less per ounce. It’s best to look for options made with stevia as a sugar substitute.

Natural additions such as almonds or cacao nibs (they are pieces of cacao beans the material from which chocolate is made), can contribute to health benefits, but avoid concocted ingredients i.e. caramel, which is straight sugar.

I, for myself, have opted to consume the dark chocolate bars as Montezuma or Guittard bars without sugar. The only ingredients are the cacao beans. I never liked dark chocolate before because it always had a bitter after taste, but these are pure ingredients, taste good and non-addicting. so, of course, I eat less and am satisfied. That’s encouraging for a chocolate addict to be satisfied with 1-2 pieces of chocolate and not the entire bar.  There is caffeine in all chocolate so I eat mine after lunch as not to interfere with my sleep. The dark chocolate which is richer in the cacao feeds the brain as well as the heart and blood vessels There are health benefits when you choose wisely.

Do watch your portion size, especially those who still insist on eating the sugar bars. As tempting as it might be to devour an entire bar, the nutrition facts only apply to a couple of squares…so limit yourself to 1-2 ounces per day There is a great recipe above for making your own healthy candy.
Brain Healthy Dark Chocolate Candies

To your health!
Marie


Chronic Stress Shrinks Your Brain

Category : News

Now is the time to motivate yourself to make the necessary changes to reduce and possibly eliminate stress from your daily life. Stress does affect the memory and the emotions by reducing the activity in your hippocampus or “memory center” of the brain; and at the same time increasing the amygdala (the “fear center”). While this is occurring, the stress hormone cortisol stops the production of new brain cells. Thus leading to early onset dementia or Alzheimer’s. Stress also reduces the development of dopamine and serotonin which leads to depression.

Serotonin’s important role of the brain function has to do with your mood, learning, appetite, control, and sleep. A deficiency with the serotonin can lead to depression, anxiety, ADHD, and alcoholism.

Dopamine’s role is one of pleasure and reward centers of the brain. Lack of dopamine leads to lethargy, decreased memory recall, anxiety, brain fog, lack of motivation, depression.

GABA, a neurotransmitter within the brain, blocks the impulses between nerve cells in the brain.  Deficiency in the GABA levels may be linked to anxiety or mood disorders, chronic stress, depression, muscle pain, headaches, as well as sleep issues and memory problems.

Chronic stress, my dear friends shrinks your brain. The prefrontal cortex which controls decision making, and well as the controlling of impulse behavior shrinks with long term stress. The hippocampus also shrinks with chronic stress; affecting learning, emotional regulation and memory. Stress also affects the blood-brain-barrier, which is supposed to protect your brain from harmful.
If Our Body Isn’t Healing, It May Be Stuck in Stress Mode

I care for your healing,
Marie


Sugar Free Chocolate Cake

Category : Desserts , Recipes

Sugar Free Chocolate Cake

Sugar Free Chocolate Cake

Prep: 20 minutes / Cook: 15 minutes
Inactive:1 hour, 30 minutes.
Total Prep: approx2 hours
Serving Size: varies, 12-20 pieces

Ingredients for the cake:
5 free range eggs
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 cup melted 100% grass-fed butter
1/2 organic maple syrup
1 tbsp. non-alcoholic vanilla
1/2 tsp. Real Salt sea salt
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 tsp. aluminum-free baking powder
2 full squirts NOW brand organic stevia

Directions for making the cake:
*Whisk, eggs, oil/butter, maple syrup, stevia, vanilla,
and salt together.
*Whisk in flour and baking powder and mix well.
*Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until thickened.
*Pour into a parchment paper lined cake pan and
bake for 15-20 minutes at 350F.
*Cool in pan on wire racks.

Ingredients for chocolate topping:
Melt together 1 and 1/2 2 oz. bars of Guittard Chocolate
unsweetened baking bars, and 2 tsp. coconut oil, 2 tsp.
organic honey and 1 tsp vanilla.
Shredded coconut to sprinkle on top of cake.

Finishing putting together the cake:
*Place a plate over the cake still in the pan, and carefully
flip the pan (invert) so the cake will end up on the plate,
(and the pan on top, remove pan and paper).
*Pour and spread the melted chocolate over the top and
sides of the cake.
*Sprinkle the shredded coconut over the finished cake.
*Refrigerate at least a couple of hours before
serving.

***Adapted from Dr.Jockers recipe, use organic ingredients
for flavor as well as health.

ENJOY!
Marie


The Anatomy of a Headache

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Category : Allergies , Diseases , News , Sleep

According to Oxford’s Dictionary a migraine headache is a “severe headache, often accompanied by nausea and blurred vision.” Mosby’s Medical Dictionary states, “Allergic reactions, excess carbohydrates, iodine-rich foods, alcohol, bright lights or loud noises may trigger attacks, which often occur during a period of relaxation after physical or psychic stress.” A headache is the body’s chief warning signal of the body toxicity. The toxic load in the body has increased so fast that poisons are circulating in the bloodstream and cause irritation to the brain and nerves.

Swelling of the intracranial blood vessels around the scalp causes most headaches. During an onset of a headache, especially a migraine; the blood vessels in the brain continue to restrict because of stress, chemicals, sugars, and improper diet, which also disrupt hormone levels within the brain and body. The toxic flow throughout the body continues to build. Sedentary lifestyles, lack of sleep, stress, and pain medications only compound the situation.

Pain halts the digestive and elimination processes; so, most people will seek treatments to ‘cure’ their pain, but this systematic approach does not make the headaches go away and stay away. Instead, the headaches always return more frequently and may become more intense because the root cause has not been eliminated. Mild headaches can develop into migraine headaches and more drugs are sought…it’s a squirrel cage effect.

Proteinosis, which is poisoning from excessive protein, can cause headaches and a general achy feeling. Experts claim that a high protein diet will eventually destroy the entire glandular system. It places too much burden on the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands.

Allergy is defined as an abnormal sensitivity to substances that may be harmless to most people. Migraine headaches are also classified as an allergic phenomenon. Certain food additives and preservatives, as well as chemicals in colognes, cosmetics, perfumes and household cleaners affect headaches.

In fact, when your body is detoxifying of toxins, a headache may result; hard as it is to do I suggest to ride it out, or you will stop the detoxification pathways.

There are other avenues that the body will do when it is challenged with anatomical issues as it is trying to maintain homeostasis. When in doubt it can be the best suggestion is to seek medical advice to perform a scanning procedure to find the root cause and solution.

Keep a diary of your headaches…and start the process of elimination, you will be amazed with the results.  It’s a good thing the body is working as it should be.

To the body’s freedom,
Marie