Now You Can Try Amande For Free (It's My New Favorite Yogurt!)

June 20, 2011 By 43 Comments

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I discovered that dairy really doesn’t do my body good back in 2000, and ever since I’ve been looking for new dairy-free products to spice up my menus.Laken loves amande yogurt

Many of my clients find they feel and look better when they remove dairy from their diets, so in the interest of market-research I get to spend a lot of time in health food stores, scanning the shelves for new products.

(I wrote an article for the super-glamorous CoCoEcoMagazine last month about going dairy-free to improve adult acne and eczema…)

Also, my 4.5 year old son is really into yogurt, and I like feeding it to him: it has those great live cultures like acidophilus, bifidobacterium bifidum, and other lus-es and um’s and us-es…all those unpronounceable words that mean your digestive system is getting the healthy bacteria it needs to keep your entire body running smoothly.

Non-dairy yogurts are also an easy snack that offers protein, calcium, and healthy fats, but it’s hard to find one that’s lightly sweetened.

I just discovered Amande yogurt from Cascade Fresh, and I couldn’t be happier! Laken too!

(Do you see that grinning face above?) 

Amande is made from almond milk, fruit juices, and truly natural flavors and colors. No hidden MSG or toxic colorings here; instead, they use annatto, purple carrot, and elderberry juices.

Almonds are highly regarded in traditional medicines for supporting the digestive tract and nervous system, and are the only nut that helps to alkalinize an overly acidic body pH. According to Ayurvedic medicine, almonds strengthen the bones, nerves, and reproductive organs.

This stuff is so free of dietary problems (unless you’re allergic to almonds) that almost anyone can enjoy it: dairy free, soy free, lactose free, no refined sugar, gluten free, no casein, vegan, and kosher…

Amande is great for people who prefer or need both dairy-free and soy-free foods. It’s also good for people who need to avoid too many sugars. So that’s pretty much everyone!

You could win some free yogurt! If you want to try a free sample of Amande, enter my blog contest here by leaving a comment before Friday, June 24th at 12pm EST.

Tell me why you want to try this awesome new product line! And be sure to ask your local grocer to start carrying Amande and other great dairy-free options so that you, and others, can get healthy, delicious foods to enjoy.

Filed Under: detox diet, diet for heart disease, gluten free vegan recipe, Hidden MSG, Natural constipation cure, What's Alex eating?, Win Free Natural Health Care Products, Women's Health

What’s the deal with Carrageenan?

June 15, 2011 By 1 Comment

If you enjoy a plant-based diet and read labels, you’ve probably seen the word carrageenan on your soy milk box. What is that stuff and what does it do for..and TO you?
Well, like most things, it’s fine for some people and not so fine for others. And then there’s the issue of quality – here’s what I mean:
Carrageenan is a common food additive made from seaweed. Seems safe and natural, right?

Well yes and no.
This thickening agent is extracted using powerful solvents, which may or may not end up in the final product. Just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe. Think minerals and elements: sodium is safe and our bodies need it. But not too much.
There is evidence that carrageenan, not soy, is behind the stomach problems that people experience when drinking soy milk or other products.

There is also debate about whether “food grade” carrageenan is as dangerous as the type used for industrial processes. It makes sense that you wouldn’t want to consume a substance that is used in industrial manufacturing, but does that mean that carrageenan is carcinogenic?

For more information check out Robert Cohen’s article on carrageenan: http://www.notmilk.com/carageenan.html and Eden Foods rebuttal:
If you find you’re having digestive trouble with certain soy foods, I recommend avoiding all carrageenan to see if you notice a difference. Good alternative products to use include Rice Dream or Edensoy Organic soy milks which use kombu seaweed instead of carrageenan.

Filed Under: detox diet Tagged With: ,

What's the deal with Carrageenan?

June 15, 2011 By 1 Comment

If you enjoy a plant-based diet and read labels, you’ve probably seen the word carrageenan on your soy milk box. What is that stuff and what does it do for..and TO you?
Well, like most things, it’s fine for some people and not so fine for others. And then there’s the issue of quality – here’s what I mean:
Carrageenan is a common food additive made from seaweed. Seems safe and natural, right?

Well yes and no.
This thickening agent is extracted using powerful solvents, which may or may not end up in the final product. Just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe. Think minerals and elements: sodium is safe and our bodies need it. But not too much.
There is evidence that carrageenan, not soy, is behind the stomach problems that people experience when drinking soy milk or other products.

There is also debate about whether “food grade” carrageenan is as dangerous as the type used for industrial processes. It makes sense that you wouldn’t want to consume a substance that is used in industrial manufacturing, but does that mean that carrageenan is carcinogenic?

For more information check out Robert Cohen’s article on carrageenan: http://www.notmilk.com/carageenan.html and Eden Foods rebuttal:
If you find you’re having digestive trouble with certain soy foods, I recommend avoiding all carrageenan to see if you notice a difference. Good alternative products to use include Rice Dream or Edensoy Organic soy milks which use kombu seaweed instead of carrageenan.

Filed Under: detox diet Tagged With: ,

Get rid of your constipation once and for all

June 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

“Your gut is the seat of your health”, I told my client. “We need to make things easier on your digestive system if you want to start losing weight and feeling energized. That’s the bottom line.”

I’ve counseled many clients about their digestive health, and time after time I have found that eliminating their constipation (pun intended!) has a fantastic domino effect on their energy and ability to lose weight.

Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaint in the US, resulting in over 2 million visits to doctors every year and Americans spend over $700 million on laxatives each year.

Constipation is mostly a result of a highly refined diet filled with packaged and processed foods. Think of the Elvis Diet: greasy, cholesterol-laden foods like cheeseburgers, French fries, fried banana sandwiches… My 8 Week Delicious Detox Tele-Course, starting September 6th, will guide you through transforming your diet to avoid this and many other health woes.

Go here to learn more:

Laxatives can help things start moving in the short term, but long-term use can lead to other problems and some products contain harmful ingredients.

Probiotics are my number one recommendation to help constipation sufferers. These friendly bacteria live in our digestive tract and help us to digest and absorb nutrients from our food. They do a lot of the work for us, and a majority of chronic constipation cases are improved with a good quality probiotic.

What do I mean by good quality?

-       Make sure you buy a refrigerated brand and keep the bottle cold after it’s opened: those are living bacteria and we want to keep them happy and vital.

-       Get a brand that has several different strains including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus helveticus, like New Chapter’s ProBiotic All-Flora. Different strains take up residence in different parts of your very lengthy intestines.

And probiotics are one of the few supplements I think help most people …I’ve been taking them daily, along with naturally fermented foods, for years.

Once you get regular (that means 1-2 easy bowel movements a day) your body will start to work more efficiently and your energy will improve. When your bowel movements are easier, your body will be able to remove excess cholesterol, and you’ll start losing weight faster.

Those little micro-critters are our friends – believe me!

Filed Under: detox diet, diet for heart disease, gentle constipation cure, metamucil dangers

Delicious Detox Recipe: Walnut Lentil Salad

June 4, 2011 By 4 Comments

Lentils and walnuts offer great protein, iron, and Omega-3 essential fatty acids which are necessary for brain and skin health. They also provide excellent fiber that helps the body to remove excess cholesterol and helps you feel full and satisfied. This is the kind of recipe my clients have enjoyed adding to their detox programs – it tastes so good, it’s a pleasure to eat well!

Walnut Lentil Salad

1 ½ cups cooked brown lentils, cooled and drained

¼ cup sliced green onions, green part only

1 cup packed thinly sliced baby spinach

½ cup halved cherry tomatoes

8 kalamata olives, pitted and roughly chopped

¼ cup chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic or umeboshi vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

1 clove garlic, crushed

½ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the lentils, green onions, spinach, tomatoes, olives, and walnuts. Mix well with a wooden spoon and set aside.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the oil, vinegar, mustard, rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper and whisk together. Pour over the lentil salad and mix well.
  3. Allow the salad to set at room temperature for at least 20 minutes, stirring a few times before serving. Alternatively, refrigerate in an airtight container for at least and hour hours before serving.

*Refrigerates for up to 3 days for picnics and lunch leftovers!

Filed Under: detox diet, detox recipes, Recipes

Top 4 Detox Do’s And Don’ts & How To Make Your Next Cleanse A Home-Run

June 4, 2011 By 1 Comment

Since writing The Great American Detox Diet after helping Morgan Spurlock cleanse after our Super Size Me adventure, I’ve assisted hundreds of people to cleanse their bodies, detox their diets, and transform their lives. Many have been successful, and others have found disappointment on the road to health.

http://astore.amazon.com/nutritionforempoweredwomen-20/detail/1594864845

After looking over what has worked and what has hindered their progress, I’ve put together a list of the top reasons why people don’t succeed in their cleansing efforts:

1. Going Alone:

Embarking on a detox, cleanse or major change in diet and lifestyle can be daunting, especially when you do it all by yourself. Flying solo makes it hard to get through tough times when you’re tired and just want to give up. If you’re the only person at work or in your family who is making changes, you might even get some grief from those around you who don’t understand how much you want to create healthy, lasting changes.

Success Strategy: Do your detox with a group of people who are as committed to changing their diet and health as you are. You’ll find support and ideas from others, and you’ll be able to offer suggestions too. Sometimes helping someone else is the best way to help yourself through a difficult transition.

2. Too Extreme = Rebound Effect:

Many detox programs and cleanses severely limit the number of calories and foods you’re “allowed” to eat. Living off of lemon juice and cayenne pepper has been useful to some people, but if your life is already super busy you’ll need more variety and flexibility to provide flavor, adequate calories, nutrition, and the option of eating with other human beings.

Success Strategy: Choose a detox plan that is based on real food. A diet of delicious whole foods that avoids common food sensitivities will allow you to feel satisfied while still supporting your body to cleanse and heal.

3. Not Planning Ahead:

Someone once said “If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.” Jumping into a new diet without knowing the when, where, why and how this is all going to work is a recipe for disappointment.

Success Strategy: Starting a detox or cleanse requires some advanced planning, so be sure to read up or talk to an expert on how others have weathered a similar program or diet plan.

4. Only Changing Your Food:

You nourish yourself in many ways, and your health, body, and ability to lose weight are affected by more than just your food. Most detox programs only address the food on your plate and don’t consider the other areas of your life that can be contributing to how you’re feeling…or the triggers for your food cravings!

Success Strategy: Start looking at every area of your life and how it affects your body, cravings, and energy. We are emotional and spiritual beings in a physical world, and sometimes your life matters more than your meal.

If you’re ready to make some major progress on your detox, diet, and cleansing goals now, I have 6 spots open for new clients before July 6th. After that, my rates will be changing and I won’t be taking any new clients until September.

* Go here and sign up for a 4, 8, or 12 week personalized program:

Once I receive confirmation that you’ve signed up, you’ll receive an email from me  with health history forms and we’ll talk about scheduling our first appointment!

If you’re psyched to make a rockin’ detox happen for you, but have too many weddings, vacations, and trips planned this summer, you can sign up for my group 8 Week Delicious Detox Tele-Course that begins on Tuesday, September 6th! And this one is open to men for the 1st time!

Filed Under: detox diet, Weight loss Tagged With:

Top 4 Detox Do's And Don'ts & How To Make Your Next Cleanse A Home-Run

June 4, 2011 By 1 Comment

Since writing The Great American Detox Diet after helping Morgan Spurlock cleanse after our Super Size Me adventure, I’ve assisted hundreds of people to cleanse their bodies, detox their diets, and transform their lives. Many have been successful, and others have found disappointment on the road to health.

http://astore.amazon.com/nutritionforempoweredwomen-20/detail/1594864845

After looking over what has worked and what has hindered their progress, I’ve put together a list of the top reasons why people don’t succeed in their cleansing efforts:

1. Going Alone:

Embarking on a detox, cleanse or major change in diet and lifestyle can be daunting, especially when you do it all by yourself. Flying solo makes it hard to get through tough times when you’re tired and just want to give up. If you’re the only person at work or in your family who is making changes, you might even get some grief from those around you who don’t understand how much you want to create healthy, lasting changes.

Success Strategy: Do your detox with a group of people who are as committed to changing their diet and health as you are. You’ll find support and ideas from others, and you’ll be able to offer suggestions too. Sometimes helping someone else is the best way to help yourself through a difficult transition.

2. Too Extreme = Rebound Effect:

Many detox programs and cleanses severely limit the number of calories and foods you’re “allowed” to eat. Living off of lemon juice and cayenne pepper has been useful to some people, but if your life is already super busy you’ll need more variety and flexibility to provide flavor, adequate calories, nutrition, and the option of eating with other human beings.

Success Strategy: Choose a detox plan that is based on real food. A diet of delicious whole foods that avoids common food sensitivities will allow you to feel satisfied while still supporting your body to cleanse and heal.

3. Not Planning Ahead:

Someone once said “If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.” Jumping into a new diet without knowing the when, where, why and how this is all going to work is a recipe for disappointment.

Success Strategy: Starting a detox or cleanse requires some advanced planning, so be sure to read up or talk to an expert on how others have weathered a similar program or diet plan.

4. Only Changing Your Food:

You nourish yourself in many ways, and your health, body, and ability to lose weight are affected by more than just your food. Most detox programs only address the food on your plate and don’t consider the other areas of your life that can be contributing to how you’re feeling…or the triggers for your food cravings!

Success Strategy: Start looking at every area of your life and how it affects your body, cravings, and energy. We are emotional and spiritual beings in a physical world, and sometimes your life matters more than your meal.

If you’re ready to make some major progress on your detox, diet, and cleansing goals now, I have 6 spots open for new clients before July 6th. After that, my rates will be changing and I won’t be taking any new clients until September.

* Go here and sign up for a 4, 8, or 12 week personalized program:

Once I receive confirmation that you’ve signed up, you’ll receive an email from me  with health history forms and we’ll talk about scheduling our first appointment!

If you’re psyched to make a rockin’ detox happen for you, but have too many weddings, vacations, and trips planned this summer, you can sign up for my group 8 Week Delicious Detox Tele-Course that begins on Tuesday, September 6th! And this one is open to men for the 1st time!

Filed Under: detox diet, Weight loss Tagged With:

How To Detox In 10 Seconds: Win SoCal Cleanse Here!

May 31, 2011 By 81 Comments

I found a cool new smoothie addition that offers great protein and nutrition from real, whole foods. SoCal Cleanse has come up with a fantastic protein and detox mixture that you’ll love! And it only takes 10 seconds to add the 4 scoops to your morning smoothie. This tasty product is a great plant-based protein, offers wonderful Omega-3s and is free of allergens like soy and dairy.

Add this hemp-based mixture to your morning breakfast drink and I can guarantee that you’ll be feeling satisfied while your body gets what it needs to cleanse easily and gently.

Congrats to Jeanne H, my hemp detox package winner! If you want to try the SoCalCleanse hemp detox protein mixes, they’re offering my peeps a 25% discount from today, Friday, June 3rd to Monday, June 6th! Use my code: ALEX25 at www.socalcleanse.com

Filed Under: detox diet, Detox Drinks, Win Free Natural Health Care Products Tagged With: , ,

Which Food Colorings Are Dangerous?

April 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

How to find out which food colorings and additives are lurking in your foods and whether they’re dangerous

On March 31st a special FDA Food Advisory Committee voted that there is “not enough evidence to conclude that artificial dyes used to color foods contribute to hyperactivity in children. That means juices, candies, cereals, yogurts, and hundreds of other everyday foods will maintain their brighter-than-bright hues.”

This is sad news for a country that is already enduring epic numbers of children being affected by ADD/ADHD and other health issues which are exacerbated by food preservatives.

Many tudies show that “when children who are already hyperactive eat food that is artificially colored, they become even more hyper.”

As reported on CBS.com by Nancy Cordes, “an analysis of 21 of the most conclusive studies found compelling evidence that, indeed, artificial dyes could contribute to hyperactivity, restlessness, and attention problems in some children – particularly those with ADHD. What’s more, the studies suggested that removing dyes from those children’s diet was a quarter to half as effective in reducing those symptoms as giving the kids Ritalin or other stimulants. In other words, certain kids with ADHD might not need drugs if the artificial dyes were removed from their diets.”

In the European Union, the Food Standards Agency has called for a voluntary ban of sunset yellow (E110), quinoline yellow (E104), carmoisine (E122), allura red (E129), tartrazine (E122) and ponceau 4R (E124) after the board “decided precautionary action was needed. (Guardian.co.uk)”

This use of the precautionary principle is too often lacking in this country. What’s the precautionary principle you might ask? Well, it’s a pretty good way to live life, as many parents will tell you. Here’s the definition from The Precautionary Principle Project:

“Precaution – the “precautionary principle” or “precautionary approach” – is a response to uncertainty, in the face of risks to health or the environment. In general, it involves acting to avoid serious or irreversible potential harm, despite lack of scientific certainty as to the likelihood, magnitude, or causation of that harm.”

To protect yourself and your family, take it upon yourself to use this easy resource from IATP and the Center for Science In The Public Interest, the group that asked the FDA to convene the special food coloring panel in March.

Food & Food coloring database

Food & Food coloring database

Known as the Food & Food Coloring Database, this simple online chart allows you to search by a brand, food or additive so you can start to see which food colorings or preservatives are lurking in your snacks, meals and beverages.

Parents and doctors have been using the Feingold diet, created by Dr. Benjamin Feingold, since the 1970′s that promotes eliminating food additives such as dyes and preservatives as a way to treat hyperactive children.

Luckily, you can find delicious, safe treats for you and your family at NaturalCandyStore.com. This great resource offers candy, food colorings, and baking decorations that are created with vegetable and natural dyes. Be sure to check out their awesome Easter offerings!

Filed Under: detox diet, Food-Mood Connection, healthy recipes for kids, recommended natural products, Toxins In Our Food, Toxins In Our Products Tagged With: , , , , , ,

My Natural Soda Challenge Is SO Timely: Diet Soda Risk Study

February 11, 2011 By 2 Comments

This week I started my Natural Soda Challenge to discover wether these products are really safe, if they taste good, and to have a little fun. I didn’t realize how timely this project was going to be! As reported on Medscape.com yesterday, “A new study suggests that the popular (diet soda) drinks may increase the risk for stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death.”

According to lead investigator Hannah Gardener, an epidemiologist from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida “People who had diet soda every day experienced a 61% higher risk of vascular events than those who reported drinking no soda.”

This is just an example of the kind of important information my Red Hot Hearts members will receive when we begin our 8 week tele-course on Tuesday, 2/15. There are 7 spots remaining, so contact me today to get in on the action!

To read the full article, go here:

Now you have even more reason to try Zevia, the stevia sweetened soda I reviewed this week in my Natural Soda Taste Test Series!

Filed Under: detox diet, Detox Drinks, detox recipes, diet for heart disease, Natural Soda Comparison Taste Test, Red Hot Hearts
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