My Home Birth Story...

It was about 4:00 PM on a Thursday when I felt like I had lost control of my bladder. "Is this my water breaking" I thought to myself. I knew that if it was I had 24 hours to have a baby at home as I desired. (This is a rule midwives must follow under law) I was not sure at the time, but in fact this was my water breaking. I contacted my midwife immediately who told me to start counting contractions. I had trouble with this because I really couldn't feel any. My Braxton Hicks were unnoticeable all throughout my pregnancy. It wasn't until about 6:30 PM that I felt a contraction. I did what my birth training told me to do..."ignore early labor and go about your business". I needed to make dinner so I did and when my husband got home he helped. We ate dinner, cleaned up and then Max blew up the pool. My contractions became more noticeable and were all over, anywhere from 7 to 15 minutes apart. I was in contact with my midwife throughout this time who was at another birth. She sent the back up midwife to come check up on me. Jacqueline arrived around 10:30 PM as my contractions became more intense. I lied in bed so I could get comfortable and relax as much as possible. This is where I did most of my labor throughout the night. I put to use my birth training by using the relaxation techniques I learned. I went to my "happy place", relaxed every muscle in my body and reminded myself of how God created me to do this.

As morning came my contractions became harder. I moved to the stability ball for a while which provided temporary relief, then back to the bed. It was about 7:00 AM when my primary midwife came. Sheila checked my cervix which was dilated 7cm. My contractions were getting more and more intense and I was about ready to get in the pool. By 8:00 AM they had the pool filled and I got in. YES! A feeling of instant relief came over me from the warm water. Then shortly after the contractions changed in quality. It was like a jolt of energy going towards my bottom. Soon I would need to start pushing.

I pushed for a while with my back against the edge of the pool until the midwives noticed I was not making much progress and suggested I change positions. This was so uncomfortable, but necessary. I squatted in the pool with my arms holding on, faced towards the edge. The midwife told me I could feel her head. As I felt her head I felt inspired to continue. I changed positions in the pool a few more times with not much more progress so it was time to get out of the pool and use gravity to my advantage.

I remember this point more vividly than any other. Max helped me in getting out of the pool. I remember thinking how great full I was to have my strong loving husband to help me. I leaned my head on his chest and took a few breaths. He held me with his strong arms while I squat down and pushed with everything I had. After a few hard pushes my baby's head began to emerge. I felt her head with my hand and became extremely determined. I got back into the pool for the final few pushes. This was it, I knew it was time, I gave it all I had, letting out a loud cry each time. She was born at 10:01AM on July 19, 2013. A flood of emotions hit me all at once.


What an amazing experience that was! I would recommend that every woman experience a natural birth if she can. The thought of needing pain medication never crossed my mind throughout the process. I just knew in my mind that I was designed for this, that women have been doing this from the beginning of time. I am so thankful to my team of midwives for guiding me through pregnancy and my daughter's birth, and also for all of my (Bradly) birth training. I thank the Lord for this precious miracle of life!

Is your body the ideal environment for disease or health?

Today, I was reading an article by Dr Tyson Perez on the connection between vaccines and cancer. In it he said this...

"Claude Bernard, considered the Father of Experimental Medicine and a contemporary of Louis Pasteur, once said so eloquently that "[t]he terrain is everything; the germ is nothing." Following this pronouncement, he is said to have gulped down a glass of water filled with cholera without getting sick. This demonstration was a bold attempt to prove that individuals with a healthy internal environment and a robust immune system provide an inhospitable environment for pathogenic germs and are unlikely to succumb to illness while those who are malnourished and toxic provide a diseased terrain which is far more likely to be inhabited by disease causing microorganisms."

The question to ask yourself is this: Are you an ideal host for disease or are you creating an internal environment that is so healthy disease cannot survive? My goal is the latter.

Another saying is this: "Genetics load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger" 

While genetics play a role they are not a guarantee. If your parents/grandparents suffered from a disease I advise that you learn everything about that disease and how to prevent it. For example, my grandmother is now dealing with Parkinson's and my grandfather had dementia in his final years. I have taken seminars on these subjects, read books and will continue to do so. I am now doing everything I know to do as far as preventing neurodegeneration in the brain. I am also advising my own parents on what to do to prevent these diseases as well. While there still may be a chance that I or my parents develop these diseases, I want to have the peace that I did everything I could to prevent them for the love of my parents and of my future children. 

My hope is that you will give this some thought and apply this kind of thinking in your own life. It is never to late to start generating a healthy environment in your body. God created an amazing capacity for healing within you. You can do it!

Blessings!

Dr. J

*For a great read on cancer prevention and overall disease prevention I recommend The Cancer Killers

  

Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Depression OH MY!

As a practitioner, I am faced with a number of health issues. Most people come into my office for pain relief, but many times our conversations will take a turn into other health concerns. I hear “I have trouble sleeping”, “I crave sweet or salty food”, “I have dealt with depression”, “I am having trouble with my memory.”

A number of differentials run through my mind when I hear these comments, but the common thread among these is; they are all related to neurotransmitter imbalance. Neurotransmitters are biochemicals produced by the brain (and other areas) acting as signals to the rest of the body, each having a unique effect. The four neurotransmitters produced are: 1) Dopamine, 2) Acetylcholine, 3) GABA, and 4) Serotonin.

Each person produces these four neurotransmitters in varied amounts. This is what gives us each our disposition or personality. Have you ever wondered why some people are the life of the party and others are laid back? Certain neurotransmitters create those personality traits.

You may have experienced times throughout your life where you did not feel like your usual self. This may be due to an imbalance or deficiency in one or more of the four neurotransmitters. Many times, people will self medicate without knowing what they are doing through caffeine, alcohol or drugs. Anyone on medication for depression, ADD/ADHD, Parkinson’s or sleep disorders are chemically trying to balance their neurotransmitters. I propose that we aim to do this naturally when possible.

How can we affect neurotransmitters through nutrition and vitamins? There are a number of foods and vitamins that will affect 2 or more neurotransmitters or overall brain function and these are the ones I want to review.

Vitamins B6 and Folic Acid are involved in the production of each neurotransmitter therefore should be supplemented in times of deficiency. Caution should be used when supplementing with folic acid because supplementing can cover up a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils) are an overall brain booster. Your nerves as well as every cell in the body are coated with this essential fatty acid which makes it vital to nerve and cell transmission. Any inflammation in the body will benefit from this essential nutrient as well. You want to get a good source of this or else you risk taking an already rancid supplement which will only cause further damage. The bottle must not let in light and capsules should be opaque, not clear. It should contain both DHA and EPA.

Other brain vitamins:

Antioxidants including Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), Co-Q-10, N-acetylcysteine(NAC), also vitamin D (found to be low in dementia patients), Phosphatidylserine(for increased cortisol)

Brain boosting diet:

Lean meats, fish, nuts (almonds/walnuts/pine nuts), Dark green vegetables, Sulfur containing vegetables(Broccoli/Cauliflour), Eggs, Avocado, Artichoke, Oats

If you are dealing with a chronic imbalance or have neurological disorders in your family history, I urge you to get help and start supplementing appropriately. The suggestions above are not specific to any one imbalance, therefore you may need more support. There may also be other primary factors to deal with such as blood sugar issues, chronic stress and hormone imbalances or vascular problems. To schedule a personal evaluation contact me at 305-259-8755. Phone consultations can be arranged. Feel free to comment below.

Be blessed,

Dr. J

Exercising Smarter

Good news! The latest research is saying that shorter intense workouts are more effective than long, drawn out cardio routines. Hallelujah!

I have adapted to this new way of exercising for about 6 months now and have greatly increased my strength, endurance and have seen noticeable improvement in overall muscle tone. These short 10-20 minute workouts are ideal for all people with a busy lifestyle and who despise working out. You may feel like you are going to die within those 10-20 minutes, but just think "It will be over in a few minutes." You will feel amazing later and enjoy looking in the mirror at your fit body.

If you are a nerd like me and want to know more, check out these articles by Dr. Mercola click here & here

If you need ideas on what types of workouts to do, follow me on Pinterest, where I re-post workouts that I find. click here

Here are some of my favorite workout sites:
/www.bodyrock.tv/
Zuzka Light Youtube
BeFit Youtube

If you find these workout routines to be stressful on your body, modify them and focus on proper form. The idea is to do an intense workout for 10-20 minutes.

Blessings,

Dr. J

Inner Beauty

Confession: I was a smoker at one point in my life. Fortunately, it was a short phase and easy for me to quit. I remember at one point during this phase, a good friend said to me, “Jessica, you are beautiful on the outside, but you are making yourself ugly on the inside?” I thought about that today, as I look at women around me and pictures of beautiful people. Many of us are aware of our outer appearance, but how many of us are concerned with our inner beauty. What do you think your organs look like? Are your lungs blackened? Is your liver enlarged? Are the rest of your organs inflamed? Think about this for a few seconds.

You may not have any physical symptoms of the ugliness going on inside. In fact, I have taken the x-rays and seen the lab results of some beautiful people, only to find out they are really messed up inside. They have had no pain or symptoms (or have ignored them) up until they come in to see me.

I challenge you to come into an awareness of what you may look like on the inside. Also, if your body is expressing a symptom of any kind, what is it telling you? Many times symptoms of poor health will show up in the eyes, teeth, nails or skin. Think about what you are putting into your body, or on your body, or the everyday toxins around you. Once you have the knowledge then you can take action.

Blessings and Love,

Dr. J

*To the right you will find some websites and books that can give you the tools to become informed about your health. I would recommend subscribing to Dr. Mercola's site to start. "Healthy Child Healthy World" is also a good one to subscribe to. I also welcome your questions and thoughts so feel free to contact me.

Breakfast for Dinner - Mushroom and Herb Omelet

I try to plan out most meals for the week, but Saturdays are what I call "Fend for yourself night". Since grocery day is tomorrow and I had only a few fresh ingredients left I decided on breakfast for dinner. I love a savory omelet with garlic and herbs. Here is what I did.

First saute the vegetables and herbs. I used some wild mushrooms I got from the farmers market last week, chopped onion and dried rosemary. (I would have added tomato if I had some) Cook to your desired taste and add chopped garlic at end and take off heat. In another saute pan, make your omelet (I like to use one egg with one egg white, organic and range free eggs) Tonight I used Earth Balance vegan/soy free butter in my pan, but a better choice would have been coconut oil. (I wanted the butter taste). Top with some more herbs if you like. Salt and pepper to taste and Voila! 

How fat is stored & used in the body: An essential concept for weight loss...

Many of us have heard the best way to lose weight is to eat or snack throughout the day. The problem is that this concept does not compliment how we store and use fat.

Imagine 3 storage tanks in the body. The first tank is glycogen. This is stored glucose, and is the first tank to be burned off for fuel or energy. The next two tanks are muscle and fat. These are broken down into glucose and used for energy at about the same time. If you were to continually put glucose or carbohydrates into the glycogen tank, than you would never be able to access your fat reserves and lose weight.

You may have noticed that you will be burning muscle once you burn your glycogen stores; so it is essential to replenish with a lean protein source.

Also, be aware that you may feel tired while depleting glycogen, but not to worry, you will regain your energy within a few days.

There are a number of things that may need to be addressed for weight loss, but this concept is the first step. Calorie restriction, and low or no carbohydrates are the way to go according to all of my research. If this plan does not work for you, then you may be dealing with toxicity, hormone imbalance or food allergies. There are a variety of other health issues that may inhibit weight loss, which is why the best weight loss plan is a health and wellness plan.

Do You Think You Can Dance? Then you need proper nutrition. Part 2

As for any athlete, proper nutrition should be integrated into a dancers’ daily routine. They should follow the basics of an anti-inflammatory diet just as anyone should. This means plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, chicken and grass fed beef, eggs and limited grains. The rigorous training of a dancer and possible injury leads to inflammation in the body, and smart nutrition can correct this. Essential fatty acids in the source of high quality fish oils, flax, black currant seed oil or sesame oil are a must.

Antioxidants are also a must as oxidation is a byproduct of athletic training. During times of extensive preparation for a performance it would be wise to supplement to help with recovery. A few sources of antioxidants include, but are not limited to zinc, quercetin and other flavanols, vitamins A, C and E. Other nutrients to consider include calcium, vitamins D and C, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin K and natural hormones. These nutrients support healthy bone formation, which can be a concern for dancers, especially young female dancers. For more information on bone health and dance nutrition visit IADMS: Resource Papers.

A general guideline for a dancers' daily routine for classes, rehearsals and performances should be this:

• Eat breakfast - This will provide you with energy to start your day as well as balancing your adrenal hormones after a night of fasting.
• Combine protein and carbohydrates - This helps a dancer to maintain energy and balance blood sugar. Avoid less healthy options such as muffins, candy and sugar and opt for whole grains, potatoes, oats and fruit.
• Eat small meals throughout the day - Doing this will ensure you maintain energy throughout the day. Plan ahead by packing small snacks to have between classes and rehearsals. Fruits, vegetables, nut butters and hummus are good choices.

You may have other dietary considerations such as a food allergy or sensitivity that may be causing headaches or fatigue. I consider myself a good resource for this, but also "Hidden Food Allergies" by James Braly, M.D. would be a good read for you if this is something you are concerned about.


If you would like specific nutritional advise based on your needs please contact me for a nutritional consultation.

Happy dancing!

Do you think you can dance? Then you should see a chiropractor… Part 1

I have the opportunity in my practice to care for some young lady dancers. This has prompted me to learn about the specific needs of these young athletes and how chiropractic care can benefit them.

Dancers, like any other athlete, can benefit from chiropractic care. The high demand of their training and performance requires that they be strong and flexible. Chiropractic aims to align the spine as well as extremities which will create symmetry in the body of the dancer. What this means for a dancer is improved proprioceptive input to the nervous system increasing balance and coordination. Chiropractic adjustments will also improve mobility in joints which can improve a dancer’s performance and reduce the risk for injury.

Balance in muscle functioning is another point of focus which can also improve performance and prevent injury. I have training in a technique called Applied Kinesiology which focuses on muscles, their function and how they relate to other body systems. Can stress cause dysfunction of a muscle? Yes. If an organ system and a muscle have the same nerve supply than they can absolutely have an effect on each other. 

While I strongly recommend chiropractic care to anyone with a spine, I would also like encourage dancers to see a chiropractor. If you need a dance chiropractor in Miami, please come see me. I so enjoy working with dancers. Follow my page for more upcoming blogs on dance health.

Why I am drawn to alternative medicine and choose to embrace holistic chiropractic care...

Because it searches for the answer to WHY?

I was watching a video yesterday of another holistic chiropractor named Dr. Schmitt to freshen up on some new information. In this video he was talking about patients who use chondroitin sulfate for joint health and respond well to using these supplements. Then he went on to explain the biochemical pathways where this is used and why patients respond well to these supplements. The point of this is to find why the person responds well to these because your body should make these things on its own. Maybe you don't need to give your body the end product, but instead give it the correct supplement it needs in making that end product. This would be even better because that nutrient may be needed in other processes throughout the body, but if the person is only thinking of their joint health and not their fatigue for example; they really are not solving the problem.

Chiropractors in general and alternative medicine seek to answer this why question. This is part of what drew me to the profession. Click here to find out why I became a chiropractor. The answer may surprise you.

The physical side to golf...

There are several components to a good golf game. There is the technical component of the golf swing and then there is the mechanical. There is also a mental side as well as physiological. I come from a family of golfers and have had the fortunate experience of learning under my uncle who is a PGA golf instructor. I recently attended Dr. Blanchard’s golf seminars to learn more on how to help golfers as a physician. Here are several tips to get your body into shape for golf.

1. Drink water and snack during game. Hydration and blood sugar balance are important to your performance.

2. Flexibility and balance of several muscle groups is key. The golf swing requires extreme flexibility in the shoulders, back and hips. Any dysfunction in these muscle groups can alter your ability to effectively play and can lead to injury. To find a doctor trained to evaluate muscle dysfunction in golfers, visit www.golfinjurydoctors.com. Pilates and yoga exercises can be used by golfers to gain flexibility.

3. Alignment from head to toe is needed to have proper form and freedom in range of motion for that ideal golf swing. Staying under the care of a chiropractor will be of great benefit to the golfer. Proper lumbar and pelvic alignment aid in the extreme rotation, lateral flexion and extension movements required. Also, proper foot biomechanics should be evaluated for balance and to handle the stress of prolonged walking during a game. Orthotics should be utilized by every golfer.

4. As for any athlete, proper nutrition is a must. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet of lean meats, fish, lots of fruits and vegetables and whole sprouted grains. Avoid dairy, alcohol, caffeine and processed foods. Supplement with fish oils, vitamin D3, probiotics and as needed. Find out if you have any allergies or hypersensitivities to outdoor allergens, foods or pesticides. There are a number of environmental factors to consider when on the greens, so be prepared. Allergies can many times be treated through nutrition. I suggest trying this first.

5. Get your head in the game. A large portion of this game is mental. Any emotional stress you have should be dealt with. Then learn how to focus during those few seconds of swing time.

6. Take lessons under a PGA instructor. Not only will they teach you everything you need to know about the game, they will be able to evaluate you and give specific advice based on what they observe. They will teach you the proper way to play, which will ultimately help in preventing injury. Also, most instructors will video your swing so you can see what mistakes you are making and how to correct them.

If you are in the Miami area and would like my help in some of the above areas, please contact my office.

To gain access to the best PGA instructor in the industry (in my opinion) click HERE.

Sebastian Camillo- PGA instructor at the John Pallot Golf Academy located at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida.

A little lesson on chiropractic...

Nervous System Physiology

Virtually every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body is controlled and regulated by your nervous system. And while the complex chemical and electrical nature of this vast network is best left to others, here are four key things you should know:

When the neurological circuits have integrity, your body works as it was designed.

When spinal vertebrae pinch or choke nerves, affected organs and tissues don’t work the way they should and ill-health results.

Efferent Communications

Nerve impulses are sent from the brain out to the organs and tissues of your body.

Afferent Communications

Nerve impulses are sent back to the brain to make sure everything is working correctly.

Compressive Lesions

If spinal vertebrae pinch or choke nerve tissue, signals going from or to the affected organ or tissue can be diminished. (i.e., constipation.)

Facilitative Lesions

If spinal vertebrae chafe or irritate nerve tissue, signals going from or to the affected organ or tissue can be excited. (i.e., diarrhea.)

The nervous system is vulnerable where delicate nerve tissue comes into proximity with the moving bones of your spine. That’s why we're interested in your spine!

(From my office web page: www.miamichiropractor.net) Visit for more information on chiropractic and health issues. 

Why Breast is Best...

Mother's milk really is irreplaceable. It supplies the baby with the perfect meal for development and provides a nourishing experience for both mom and baby. Here is some great information taken from my reading in a book titled "The Crazy Makers".

• Mother's milk contains about 100 elements that are missing from formula (including friendly bacteria, immunoglobulins, enzymes, growth factors, hormones and nonessential amino acids
• "Mother's milk contains growth factors that promote the development of the GI tract, these are missing in infant formula."
• The amino acids in mother's milk promote brain growth while the amino acids in cow's milk promote the growth of muscle and fat. This is because cow's milk is meant for the nourishment and development of baby cows.
• The act of breastfeeding "activates hypothalamic and other brain stem structures which regulates the sleep wake cycle and increases attention and vigilance through cortical activity."
• A mother's milk production is different from meal to meal and from the beginning of the meal to the end, giving the baby exactly what she/he needs. 
• Fatty acid and cholesterol content is unique in breast milk and is not duplicated in formula or cow's milk.
• "the mineral content differs in some formulas by as much as 500%"

Mom's diet while breastfeeding should include:

• Omega 6 and 3
• Eliminate trans fats (this is for anyone)
• Magnesium
• Healthy protein
• Variety of colorful vegetables
• Avoid exposure to toxins

Planning Parenthood...

Lately I find myself reading up on pregnancy and pediatrics in relation to health topics more and more. As my desire to become a mother grows, I get the feeling that I am studying for my board exams on motherhood. I have studied up on pregnancy and infants since getting married about 6 years ago, and while I have no intention on having a child right now, I figure that I went to school for 8 years to become a chiropractor (and continue to study), so why would I not study up on how to become a mother?

I say all this to encourage women to take charge of their health and the health of their family at whatever stage they are in. I have met many mothers who struggle with their diet and exercise because of busy lifestyles. The parents’ lifestyle is then passed on to the kiddos. I understand how great a responsibility it is to be a mother and also see how raising a healthy child is difficult. I know I have no experience and therefore have no place to judge. I only want to encourage. I have seen and experienced mothers who have made a change in the lifestyle of their family. So for those who those who need hope, you have it.

The greatest weapon we have is knowledge. Here is a list of the top things a parent should be aware of and some helpful resources.

•        What are you and your family eating? You should be aware of the effect of certain “foods” and the chemicals in them. Is your family eating real food or manufactured “food”? Think about making all food at home if you can, even baby food. (Books: “The Crazy Makers”, “Inflammation Nation”, “Hidden Food Allergies”, “Skinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven”)
•         Are you a woman with no intention of getting pregnant? Did you know that what you do to your body now affects your future child? (Magazine: “Pathways”, Book: “The Crazy Makers”)
•       Don’t even think about doing anything but breastfeeding. This is one of the greatest things you can do for your baby. Look into milk banks if you cannot breastfeed. AVOID milk from animals and formulas (they don’t even come close to breast milk). “Book:“The Crazy Makers”)
•          Do your own research on vaccines and come up with what you think is best for your family. (web site: www.nvic.org)
•       What skin products are you using on your child? Are they safe? (web sites: “Skin Deep” www.cosmeticsdatabase.com, www.ewg.org, www.healthychild.org
•        Chiropractic should be a part of every family’s health plan. (web sites: www.icpa4kids.com, www.miamichiropractor.net)
•          Know that wherever you are in your health, you can always decide to make a change. The body is incredibly forgiving with all the damage we do. 

What's the big deal about Omega 3 fish oil?

An essential nutrient is one that is needed, but cannot be made by the body. We must consume these nutrients either through the diet or via supplementation. Omega 3 fatty acids are just that, an essential nutrient. They are involved in a variety of cellular functions including: Improving cell membrane and cell function; increasing ability to regulate physiological functions; increase in immune function; benefit fatty acid ratio; and needed for neural development and maintenance. Research has also shown a wide variety of benefits to overall health and to disease processes: Fibromyalgia, allergies, depression and bipolar disorder, ADD/ADHD, autoimmune disease, autism, cardiovascular diseases, back pain, diabetes, osteoarthritis, asthma, pain, inflammation and many more conditions are improved with increased omega 3 intake. Unfortunately our diets are usually low in this fatty acid and/or have trouble breaking them down because the body is also lacking in the necessary co-factors, thus leading to many preventable disease processes. Omega 3 should be included in the diet and for many it is helpful to supplement this powerful nutrient.

Omega 6 is also an essential fatty acid which is usually too high in most diets causing prolonged inflammation in the body and leading to various health problems. This omega 6 to 3 ratio should be 3:1 to 1:1 ideally. Here is a short list of foods and their omega 6 to 3 ratios.

Pro-inflammatory            
Grains - 10:1                 
Wheat bread – 27:1        
White bread – 21:1         
Grain-fed meat – 5:1       

Potato chips – 60:1         

Seeds/Oils – 70:1          

Grain-fed chicken – 17:1  

Anti-inflammatory

Fruit – 3:1
Broccoli – 1:3
Potato – 3:1
Grass-fed meat – 3:1
Sweet potato – 4:1
Flax, hemp, chia seeds – 3:1
Fish – 1:1

This list shows how easy it is for us to slip into a pro-inflammatory state and how difficult it can be to maintain a proper omega 6 to 3 ratio. Fish oil is an excellent source of omega 3 which is conveniently already broken down into the fatty acids EPA and DHA making it readily available for the body. There is no need to worry about mercury toxicity when taking fish oil as any reputable supplement company uses a distillation process to take out any impurities. In fact, there is regulation on the amount of impurities allowed in supplements which is extremely low, even lower than found in nature.

 

Remember the key to good health is a multifaceted and integrative approach.

Click here for my recommended Omega 3 supplement or contact my office to make an appointment.

Ask not only what you put in your body, but also what you put on your body…

For years I have put thought into what I put in my body, but have never given much thought to all of the products I use daily to cleanse, moisturize and beautify. Then, recently I did some reading and research to find that all of the cosmetics I have used most of my life are toxic. Ahhhh! Yes, I am mad, but why have I not thought of this before? The truth is that it takes time and money to figure these things out. I spent a whole afternoon just researching the products I currently use. Then I started to research the safer products that I want to start using, and from looking at the product reviews there is a good reason women continue to use the popular toxic cosmetics. They work better and are cheaper! I was looking for a new mineral powder foundation and in every review there was a comment about the lack of coverage. That is the purpose of a foundation! I am frustrated by this new knowledge, but I think we all need to be aware of what we are putting on our skin. Your skin absorbs these chemicals and in many of these products there are ingredients that can modify your hormones. This is especially important with baby products because they are very sensitive to slight changes in hormones. In my research I read an article on the suspected effects of tea tree oil and lavender causing gynecomastia (development of breast tissue) in young boys. Just think about how many baby products have these ingredients and how harmless they sound. Now think about all the ingredients you don’t recognize and can’t even pronounce.


Here are some sites that have great information on skin care products. I will blog about any products I try.

http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/9_better_baby_lotions_and_potions_you_can_make_in_minutes/ (good blog on homemade baby products)

http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/(for info. on safer sunscreens)

www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ (info. on cosmetics, gives safety ratings and details of toxicity of ingredients)

A shift towards veganism...

I've just recently finished my paper for the completion of my bachelors in human biology. In it, I made the case that we should all shift to a more vegetarian style diet because of the associated health benefits. I searched through several studies done on people who follow vegetarian diets versus those who eat meat based diets around the globe. The results were always similar: people who follow a meat based diet have higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes, higher BMI and higher incidences of some cancers and degenerative diseases; while people who follow a vegetarian diet have decreased incidences of these diseases.

Over the past two years I have shifted my own diet from the traditional meat based diet to a primarily vegan diet (no meat or dairy). I have done this for many reasons which I will explain. Now, when I say ‘meat based diet’, I am referring to the diet that centers around meat. This means that most meals have a large portion of meat with a side. I have learned that we should make vegetables the center of the meal with small side portions of meat and/or grains. (This is the suggestion of Dr. Seaman who authors deflame.com)

Why the shift to veganism? Firstly, the research shows that meat based diets are associated with many of the diseases plaguing Americans. Dr. Ornish has even demonstrated that a diet restricting meat can stop or in some cases reverse heart disease. I am honestly not completely against the eating of meat, but I am scared of the meat being sold and served to me. The animals that are to become our food are being pumped with hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and fed highly inflammatory grain diets and living in stressful environments. All of these factors are transferred to us when we eat them. The purpose of eating is to obtain nutrients, not toxins. The next logical question most people may ask is; how do you get your protein? The average American actually gets too much protein in their diet (75-160g/day). This puts extra stress on the liver and kidneys. The recommendation of 46-56 grams per day for the average adult is even higher than really needed. I have seen research showing that 35-50g of protein per day is adequate for most adults. This can be met by eating a handful of nuts, a cup of soy milk and vegetables and grains throughout the day, or if you choose one portion of meat will satisfy this. Yes, vegetables and grains have small amounts of protein. So getting protein for a vegan is no problem. The only problem is getting vitamin B12, because this vitamin is only found in animal products. Personally, I take a B12 supplement and eat a portion of meat every few weeks for my insurance.

I am not suggesting that everyone become vegan, but that our diets shift towards less meat and dairy and more vegetables, fruit and nuts. I think that this switch in dietary mindset will help prevent many lifestyle illnesses. So eat your fruit and veggies today!

Freakin' awesome Greek Salad with Tofu "Feta"

I made this a few days ago for the first time and loved it. I have used the marinated Tofu "Feta" with other recipes and I love it. (It reminds me of soft mozzarella more than feta, but still yummy) The best part about this salad was that my husband liked it too. If you knew my husband and how picky he is then you would be amazed too. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Ingredients:

• 2 tbs red wine vinegar
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• ¼ cup EVOO
• 2 tomatoes diced
• 1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced
• ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cups marinated Tofu “Feta” * (you could use Feta, but I suggest giving this a try, you might like it and you are getting the protein of the soy and not eating fatty cheese filled with hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, and who knows what else)
• Salad greens (optional, but I used romaine)
• Pitted black olives (I hate olives so I omitted them and it was still awesome)

Directions: In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil; set dressing aside.
In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, onion and olives if you wish. Gently toss in the marinated Tofu “Feta” and dressing to taste. Serve as a side dish, or on top of salad greens for an entrée.

*Marinated Tofu “Feta”

• 2 tbs EVOO
• 1 1/2 tbs lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper
• 14-16 oz firm or extra firm tofu, cut into ¾ inch cubes

-In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt and red pepper. Add the tofu and toss gently. Let marinate for at least 1 hour, stir occasionally.

I must give credit to "Skinny Bitch In the Kitch" for this recipe. Thank you!

You may want to re-think drinking milk...

ever again! You may be thinking.... "well, Jessica how am I going to get my calcium, or I don't want to get osteoporosis" For one, there are plenty of other sources of calcium far superior to milk or dairy and, did you know that the countries with the highest dairy consumption also have the highest rates of osteoporosis. And, yes the U.S. is among them. In the Harvard's Nurses Health Study which is a reputable study, dairy was shown to have an increased risk of bone fractures. What? I grew up thinking that I needed to drink milk to gain healthy strong bones and now I am finding out that I need to avoid milk to prevent fractures. Aaaaaa! While this was tough to swallow at first, I am now used to this fact. Here are some more interesting facts about dairy that will make you think twice before pouring milk over your cereal.
- Too much dairy can cause iron deficiency
- Cow's milk has one of the lowest calcium absorption rates
- Dairy causes an acidic environment in the body which causes calcium to be excreted in the urine
- The milk protein casein in cow’s milk promotes all stages of cancer
- The cows that provide milk are loaded with bovine growth hormone and antibiotics (by the way BGH is banned in most countries)
- A lovely list of diseases linked to dairy consumption (from The China Study and other sources)
   - heart disease
   - diabetes
   - obesity
   - osteoporosis
   - kidney stones
   - cataracts
   - macular degeneration
   - multiple sclerosis
   - Alzheimer’s
   - breast cancer
   - prostate cancer
   - colon cancer
   - rectal cancer
   - type I diabetes
   - Crohn’s disease
   - leukemia
   - infertility
   - ear infections

And one more thing to think about… cow’s milk is for baby cows! Just like human milk is for baby humans. Our bodies are only equipped to metabolize milk when we are babies. We even start to lose the enzyme needed to breakdown milk at 18 mo. to 4 years. Try to stop drinking milk for a while and you will notice a difference. I did, and I have not looked back. (OK, yes I may splurge on some yummy Cold Stone every now and then, but please don’t judge=))


I am reading "Skinny Bitch, Bun in the Oven" so that's where I have gotten a lot of this info., so I recomend reading that book or the original "Skinny Bitch" book for some great nutritional info.