The United States of Sickness

We are rated in the top 10 of the sickest nations in the world with the highest medical costs.

Toxins, Sugary Foods, Stress, Lack of Exercise, (The Unknown X Factor)

Underlying factors such as toxins, over consumption of highly processed sugary foods, increased stress, little to no exercise are all contributing factors but there is something perhaps more insidious that most of us are unaware of.

What I’m Seeing in My Functional Medicine Practice

I'm seeing more clients with digestive problems combined with arthritis and hypothyrodism which are both autoimmune diseases.  An autoimmune disease is when the immune system gets hyper-vigilant due to its desire to cool inflammation somewhere in the body. Our immune system which is supposed to protect us, over does it and starts to attack a gland, organ, or joints in the process. The inflammation that it's trying to cool, most often originates in a compromised digestive tract and/or detoxification system (liver).  Other autoimmune diseases including, MS, lupus, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Diabetes, Psorisis have increased causing both physical and emotional pain and are often debilitating.

Autism, ADHD and mood disorders which include bi-polar, depression and anxiety, are not considered autoimmune disorders but are also on the rise in astounding numbers which is disheartening and can be extremely costly.

Inflammation and Links to Genetically Modified Foods (GMO’s)

 There is a common link that is beginning to appear between disorders of the brain and the autoimmune system. The link is inflammation, which is actually nothing new but we have not done a very good job getting to the source of the inflammation. The biggest source may actually be from our food.  Food that has been genetically modified may be damaging our digestive systems, increasing the toxic load on our livers, and disrupting our hormonal systems, all of which influences brain function and overall health.  

Knowledge is Power

There are 7 GMO crops that are abundant in the American food supply either directly or indirectly: Corn, Sugar Beets, Soy, Alfalfa, Canola oil, Cottonseed, Papaya. For starters, avoid soy,canola and cottonseed oils and eat only organic sources of corn, soy and papaya. Unless specified, sugar is from the sugar beet.

See the movie Genetic Roulette and go to http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com to find out more. 

To your health and well-being!
 Cindy

Making a difference for those on the Autistic Spectrum

There are multiple etiologies for autism.  It is important to cast a wide net to discover as many areas of abnormality as possible to determine which treatments are best. 

The three Ps of Autism:

• Predisposing factors - genetic, nutritional, environmental, etc.
• Precipitating factors - vaccines, illness, etc.
• Propagating factors - oxidative stress, nutrient deficiencies, etc.

Common imbalances that are seen in autism include: 

·                                 derangement of the immune system via gut imbalances

·                                 compromised methylation ability

·                                 compromised sulfation (lowered glutathione)

Potential Treatments:

1. Restore intestinal Health and Balance
2. Treat Food Sensitivities (gluten, casein and soy) to rid of opiate –like peptides
3. Eliminate sources of toxins & support body’s own detox process (methylation & sulfation)
4. Restore balance between excitatory and inhibitory transmitters in the brain (use of GABA-L-theanine)

Removing potential toxins:

• Dietary changes-remove gluten and possibly casein
• Eating organic, especially animal products
• Eating GMO free
• Filtered water is a must
• Assess environment

Repair the Gut:

  Remove irritants-allergenic foods-mainly gluten-possibly Casein

•   Test for and get rid of yeast and bad bacteria overgrowth
•   Test for and remove pathogens and parasites

 Heal the Gut with:

•   IgG, 
•   Glutamine
•   Re-innoculate with Probiotics
•   Use Enzymes and HCL to aid in digestion
•   Vit D

Adequate Sleep-Ca/Mg, valarian root, melatonin, L-theanine

Helpful Testing Options:

Blood/Serum: Homocysteine levels-measure of compromised methylation (liver & brain)

Test for celiac disease and/or gluten and casein intolerance, Vit D status, folic acid levels RBC magnesium and folate.

Genova Labs-Organix Testing   

Genova Labs--Gut permeability, pathogens, and function

Genova Labs: Gene testing

To help you implement the 3 P's of Autism, please call me  @949-370-9843.  

www.alivingbalance.net

Gluten Free Cookie Cups

PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES

COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES

TOTAL TIME: 35 MINUTES

YIELD: 12 OATMEAL COOKIE CUPS

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups gluten free oats

3 tablespoons ground flax-meal

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup real maple syrup 

2 tablespoons tahini or almond butter

1/4 cup coconut oil
3 pitted dates finely chopped

1 very ripe banana, mashed well

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For Serving: Coconut milk or yogurt*             

Small handful toasted or raw nuts, cocao nibs**, and fresh berries 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large mixing bowl mix together the oats, ground flax and salt.
2. In a small saucepan, heat the maple syrup until it begins to bubble.  Stir the nut butter in with the maple syrup. Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix the wet mixture with the dry oats until completely combined and all the oats are moistened. Cover the mixing bowl and place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to chill.
3. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan with butter or oil .
4. Remove the dough from the freezer. Divide the dough evenly among the 12 muffin cups. Starting in the middle, press down lightly with your fingers to form a bowl. Press from the bottom up to form the dough around the sides of the cups. If the dough is sticking to your hands try wetting them lightly, but just using messy hands worked best. :-)
5. Bake the cups for 10-15 minutes or until the cookies are lightly golden around the top. Remove from the oven and let cool 5 minutes, then run a butter knife around the edges and carefully dump the cups out.
6.  Allow the cups to cool or eat warm (this is the best way!). Serve the cups IN A BOWL and pour in some coconut yogurt, coconut milk or goat’s milk.  Garnish with fresh berries, cocao nibs(you can substitute with very dark chocolate chocolate chunks in a pinch) and nuts. EAT!

* Link for a very easy coconut yogurt recipe:  http://alivingbalance.blogspot.com/2014/08/coconut-yogurt-recipe.html

*Cacao Nibs: is chocolate in its purest form, yielding all of its antioxidant benefits. They are the cacao beans that have been roasted but not processed with alkali and are probably the best dietary source of magnesium, which is a wonderful little mineral that naturally relaxes us.  The cacao bean is also a great source of tryptophan which helps with moods. No wonder you crave chocolate when you're PMSing.

What Makes Food Sensuous?

Every time I watch a foreign French film portraying the heroine as a chef, I feel as if I've  been watching a love affair.  A love affair with food. The affair is not only expressed by the care and passion in the preparation of the dishes (that would be a one sided affair) but also with the actual experience of tasting and eating in a truly present way with great appreciation and pleasure.

After raptly watching the passion, love, and appreciation being exchanged between the chef and her patrons, I always feel inspired to make incredibly complex dishes, with the best ingredients for all those I care about. Unfortunately, this inspiration lasts about 48 hours max. After I've spent copious amounts of time finding the perfect ingredients, cleaned boat loads of pots and pans and have made a complete mess of my kitchen and I'm exhausted,  I realize that while I love making wonderful food, I am really best at the appreciation aspect of the love affair.

 I do love to create.  I do receive great satisfaction serving food that looks beautiful, tastes wonderful and will nourish the body, but I do not come close to the real chefs who seek the best ingredients and will spend hours in the kitchen to perfect a sauce or a dish.

 Even though I do think of food as medicine and such an important aspect to feeling good and keeping our bodies whole, I find myself spending less and less time in my kitchen!  I'm there less, mainly because I'm putting more time into what I'm even more passionate about, learning as much as I can about how the body heals itself given the right tools and then teaching it to you and helping the people who come to me truly heal.  With my time being spent here, I'm finding that I'm having to leave recipe development up to others.  

One site that I love to check out often, not only because this young lady is a wonderful writer, but because she also knows her flavors, and textures and has a love affair with food is www.sproutedkitchen.com. Her husband has a love affair with his camera so there are delicious photos to compliment the recipes.  Sara Forte is a new mama, so her postings are not as frequent as they used to be, but there is a plenty of content already there to make it very inspiring.  

On August 20th, I will be presenting a cooking class for a little summer romance: making a 
Summer Squash Pasta with Green Goddess Dressing, Coconut Yogurt, Raw Chocolate
 Macaroons, a Whole Food Protein Shake and more.  Click below to find out more.
 http://alivingbalance.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-special-summer-cooking-class.html

What makes food sensuous is attention to detail, a love to create and an immense appreciation of wonderful flavors, textures, and a touch of fat.  Yes, I said fat-good fat which includes fresh butter, coconut oil and olive oil.  Bon Appetit!

A Special Summer Cooking Class!

   

 Good Wholesome Fresh Food Made With Love 

Presented by: Cindy Dupuie

Menu

Whole Food Shake

Figs and Goat Cheese

Summer Squash Pasta w/Green Goddess Dressing

Coconut Yogurt

(we’ll start this in class, you will finish fermentation at home)

Raw Coconut Macaroons

We’ll be making and tasting dishes that are quick, delicious that support your Thyroid and Digestive system.

Class will be held on Wednesday, August 20th 10:30 AM to 12:30 at the Blue Heron Portal Studio in Laguna Beach.

   To make a reservation please call (949) 370-9843 or e-mail cindy@alivingbalance.net . Receipt of payment reserves your place at the table.  Credit cards are accepted.  Deadline to register is Sat. August 16th.

Cost: $45/person (includes mason jar for yogurt)

Notes: Space is limited to 12 guests.  Please register early to ensure you a place at the table.  Payment received reserves your spot. Because of the nature of the class, the fee is nonrefundable but is transferable. 

Coconut Yogurt Recipe

For those of you who have an intolerance to dairy but love ice cream and yogurt, then I have a treat for you!  This easy, peasy recipe for coconut yogurt will knock your socks off!  If I had known it would be this easy and tasty, I would have made it years ago.

All you need is a clean Mason jar, a 14 oz. can of coconut milk (the full fat kind-no skimping here) (I like using either Trader Joe's or Native Forest brands as their cans are BPA free), and 1 tsp of your favorite probiotic powder or capsule equivalent.  

Put the coconut milk with the probiotic in the mason jar, hand seal the jar, shake and place in your oven, next to the oven light for 24 hours. Remove and keep in the refrigerator until it disappears.  That's it!

The yogurt will be runny at room temperature, more like a kefir, but sets up very nicely in the refrigerator. I think there's a natural sweetness to this yogurt and it feels decadent in my mouth.  I love this over any fresh fruit.

For those of you that are interested in the nutritional benefits of coconut milk, here are some fun things to know.

Coconut milk does have a fairly high fat content, mainly in the form of MCT or Medium Chain Triglycerides.  Many fats can actually cause inflammation but the fat in coconut milk is easily digested and absorbed. It soothes as well as heals.   Coconut milk, with its MCTs, has antimicrobial properties which help prevent herpes, H-pylori, yeast, and giardia. It does all of this, while putting little strain on the digestive system and providing a quick source of energy as well.

Even if you can tolerate milk, I hope you will try out this little treat that is so good for you!

1. Thampan, P.K. 1994. Facts and Fallacies About Coconut Oil. Asian and Pacific Coconut Community, p.8
2. Kiyasu G.Y., et al. 1952. The portal transport of absorbed fatty acids. Journal of Biological Chemistry 199:415

Meet my client, Sara

She's 52, works 30 hours a week at a somewhat stressful job, watches her two grandsons one day a week, cleans her 3500 square foot house by herself, usually has home improvement projects going on, helps her mom out a bit, and has a slightly grumpy husband who seems to complain more as he gets older (he needs to see me). She has taken very little time for herself to recoup and relax for over 30 years.  

Sara came to me with the following symptoms:

• Hair dull and falling out
• Low energy (uses caffeine and sugar to keep going)
• Difficulty losing weight
• Low sex drive
• Slightly elevated fasting blood sugar levels
• Chronic Constipation
• Slightly depressed
• Craves sugars and breads

Can you relate? These are all symptoms of hypo-thyroidism or Hashimotos which results in a thyroid that is under performing.  These symptoms can also be an indication that there is adrenal dysfunction, which is often an underlying problem to hypothyroidism. While Sara's thyroid was underachieving, she was over achieving, setting herself up for adrenal fatigue and under performing thyroid hormones.

10% of women have hypo-thyroidism and many of those cases go undiagnosed. This means that thousands of women are out there who are tired, depressed, overweight and they do not have to be! For them, no amount of dieting or exercise is going to do them a whole lot of good.  They are fighting an upstream battle and getting no where fast!  Men also go undiagnosed but in smaller numbers. 

The adrenal glands play a direct role in converting the inactive thyroid hormone into the active.  It is this active form that regulates metabolism and energy.  If your adrenal glands are in hyper mode due to ongoing stress and little rest, the thyroid medication that most doctors give their patients for an under active thyroid may help to alleviate symptoms but will not get to the root of the problem to truly fix things. This results in an ongoing dependence on medication and most often, continued insult to the adrenal glands persists.  

If you would like to know more about your thyroid and adrenal glands, how they influence your weight, energy, elimination, moods, libido and how to support and heal them please join me for a complimentary webinar that I will be giving on July 31st at 6:00 P.M.  Please click on the link below to register.  If you can not make the time and date of the broadcast, but would like to receive a recording, please register at this same link to receive a link to the broadcast.

 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7646218623945456898