How Going Completely Grain Free Can Heal You Faster

This doctor feels that the gluten in ALL grains, not just wheat, barley, rye and oats, can negatively affect your gut and your health. All of the grains have glutens, just different types. The more I research the more doctors and studies I find that believe that a completely grain free diet is healthier for everyone. Click below to listen and come to your own conclusions.

http://joanneunleashed.com/1766/gluten-in-grains-central-to-autoimmune-diseases/

Predictive Antibody Tests fpr Autoimmune Disease by Gluten Free Society

http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/predictive-antibody-tests-for-autoimmune-disease/

Holistic Doctor List (to be under construction!)

My daughter made me gluten free, vegan fruit cake scones for Christmas.

I have to put up my recipe for scones/Irish soda bread (same ingredients)

Hi Everyone!

Hope you had or are having Happy Holidays! I wanted to let you know about a Holistic doctor list that I want to create. Be on the look out on my blog. It will be coming soon!

I want to put doctors that I have researched and know are good or doctors I have gone to that are excellent. I think I am going to add the list to my blog and if you have anyone to add please add to the comments or feel free to email me at lonedoggy@netzero.com

I get many people emailing me for suggestions on their specific case. I am happy to listen and give advice from what I have researched but by far my best advice is to find a holistic doctor (or a few holistic doctors - a team) that you trust and you feel comfortable with and work through your case with him/her/them.

Care 2 Card - Happy Holidays!

Photo by my daughter Carly

Just sharing this card that was sent to me by Care 2 about creating a special food tree for the animals. We do this almost every year. So touching that they sent this card to me. I wanted to share it with you!

http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/Ag4Gg/zLXP/b77XR Click here to play the e-card

More on how to make your tree to feed the animals

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/animals.html (an excerpt is below)

PROJECTS TO DO TOGETHER

NOTE: Please read all instructions completely before starting. Observe all safety precautions. Parents supervise use of knives, scissors and needles.

PROJECT 1 - Feed and observe winter birds and animals

What you need:

Some or all of the following: popcorn, peanuts in shells, apples, cranberries, pears, oranges, kiwi, peanut butter, suet (from butcher or bird food store)

String, needle and strong thread, scissors, knife

Pine cone (to use with peanut butter), onion bag (to use with suet)

What to do:

(1) String the popcorn and cranberries on a long, doubled piece of thread. String the whole peanuts on another thread.
(2) Slice the fruit crosswise, about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Poke a hole about 2/3 of the way across each slice, thread a 12 inch piece of string through it and tie the ends together.
(3) Put peanut butter or suet into the holes in a pine cone. Tie a string to it.
(4) Cut suet into large pieces and put it into an onion bag.
(5) Hang the food from trees and bushes in sheltered areas, where you can see it. Be patient. It takes time for birds and animals to find the food. Try different locations. Note: If you choose to begin feeding the birds regularly, try to do it throughout the winter. They start to depend on you and may have trouble finding other sources of food later in the winter.

Dr. Mercola on What is Lurking on Your Clean Laundry

Photo colored and photographed by my daughter Carly

Laundry products are not always the first thing that comes to mind when you think about toxic chemicals, but there are many toxins in laundry soap and other products. Please click below for Dr. Mercola's video/article on the subject.

http://products.mercola.com/laundry-detergent/?e_cid=20111222_DNL_art_1&source=nl

Genetic Testing for Gluten Sensitivity- DNA test

Photo by my daughter Carly

The link below tells the price and how to order the Gluten Sensitivity DNA test to your home. It also tells how easy it is to do in the privacy of your own home and then just send it in to the lab for your results.

Also who should order the test? Just click on the link and scroll down. This doctor says the test should be ordered by anyone with any autoimmune disease (Hello all you folks and their loved ones with Lupus!)

If you can't afford this DNA test, go to a gastroenterologist and have your medical insurance pay for the "normal" Celiac Disease testing. (if you have regular Celiac Testing you must presently be eating gluten) Although I guess it is worth it to check if your insurance company would pay for the DNA test...although I'm tending to think it would need to come "out of pocket".

http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/genetic-testing-for-gluten-sensitivity/


Excerpt from Celiacdisease.about.com (link below)

***Celiac disease is caused by an interaction between the celiac disease genes and environment. Strong evidence shows that in order to develop celiac disease, a person must have one or both of two genes known as HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8. The major environmental factor, of course, is gluten ingestion. Gluten proteins interact with the celiac disease genes to trigger an abnormal immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine.
More than 97% of patients with celiac disease have at least one of the two genes. Most patients (more than 90%) carry the DQ2 gene. Fewer than 10% carry the DQ8 gene. In the near future, researchers will likely discover additional genes that predispose an individual to celiac disease.
Important: Having these so-called "celiac disease genes" does not mean you're guaranteed to have celiac disease. In fact, the vast majority of people with the genes never develop celiac disease. Having the genes only means you have a risk of someday developing celiac disease. On the other hand, if you don't have these genes, your odds of developing celiac disease are slim to none.***

For more information click on the link below...

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/diagnosingceliacdisease/a/DNAtests.htm

Gluten Sensitivity lecture by Dr. Peter Osborne

A Gluten Free Testimonial Video - Restless Leg, Psoriasis, and Arthritis Gone!

My daughter's GF Vegan Candy Cane Pizzas

Watch this video  more testimony to the gluten free diet. I had restless leg syndrome that went away also, and my skin got healthier looking, and less aches and pains too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=oFO9iCCCfU8 Testimonial to gluten free diet causing health to improve

http://www.glutenfreesociety.org Gluten Free Society

DeLand Bakery Bread - notification of dedicated GF facility in 2012!

First off don't go eating tons of this bread,  just because, even when they certify it gluten free.
Make sure you eat your veggies and other healthy unprocessed whole foods. Just wanted to let you know that this is coming in the beginning of 2012.

I don't know if anyone knows about DeLand Bakery and their millet breads/rolls/bagels (their bagel is like a roll, sorry New Yorkers if you are in the mood for a gf bagel try Joan's GF Great Bakes) They are great tasting and would be a great bread substitute for those with Celiac Disease and others intolerant to wheat/gluten.

I say "would be" because years back they touted themselves as gluten free. Many people did fine with the bread but others had reactions. Upon testing, the bread was found to have gluten at higher than allowable levels. They then changed their story and said that they do not make their breads in a dedicated gluten free facility so they added a warning label to the bread that said may contain wheat, gluten and yeast this happenned many years ago.

Well now I just received notice from the company that beginning in 2012 they will be making a certified gluten free line in a completely gluten free facility. They have also added an organic line of breads. Again don't overdo it, just letting you know that a product exists for occasional sandwiches/bread crumbs etc. The link to the bakery is below.

http://delandbakery.com/

Shopping for Bed Sheets

Went out shopping for new sheets this weekend...

I have a couple of things to let you all know about.

Please look what your sheets are made out of.

I found a variety of sheet materials and qualities.

1) Extra soft flannel-like material (100% polyester - synthetic material)
How is polyester made? (you won't want to use it after you know)
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Polyester.html

2) Real flannel should be  100% cotton or wool

Flannel is a soft woven fabric, of various fineness. Flannel was originally made from carded wool or worsted yarn, but is now often made from either wool, cotton, or synthetic fibre. Flannel may be brushed to create extra softness or remain unbrushed. The brushing process is a mechanical process where a fine metal brush rubs the fabric to create fine fibers from the loosely spun yarns. Typically, flannel has either a single- or double-sided nap. Double-napped flannel refers to a fabric that has been brushed on both sides. If the flannel is not napped, it gains its softness through the loosely spun yarn in its woven form. Flannel is commonly used to make plaid clothing, blankets, bed sheets, and sleepwear.

3) 60% cotton - 40% polyester blend sheets (still not acceptable)

4) 100% cotton (watch out for regular cotton - cotton is the world's most pesticide sprayed crop -  click below for more info)

http://www.ota.com/organic/environment/cotton_environment.html

5) 100% organic cotton - you can find organic cotton sheets at Walmart and other inexpensive stores

For your health pick the best bedding to sleep on. Walmart also has some organic cotton clothes as well! When you see the organic label you can be sure that the cotton was raised without harsh and synthetic pesticides.

Healthy Meal Preparation Tips

Yesterday's lunch was organic pressure cooked garbanzos, organic chopped veggies,

(celery, broccoli, grated carrot )

marinated roasted peppers chopped ,

with organic red wine vinegar and organic extra virgin olive oil

One of the best ways to plan your meals that I've found is to ask yourself...

1) What is at the farmer's market/in season/ grocery store produce ?
(we now have a couple of winter farmer markets on Long Island!- I'm so excited )

2) What is presently in your fridge, what do you have to work with?

3) Do you want to just eat, prepare something easy, or go gourmet ?

This morning I looked in my fridge and the produce I found was

1) fresh cranberries (will make cranberry sauce)
2) frozen raspberries (can eat as is, defrost them, add them to a smoothie, or make sorbet)
3) lemons (eat as is, squirt their juice in water, make lemon ginger tea)
4) green and red bell peppers (eat raw or roast in oven and/or marinate)
5) celery (soup or salad or sticks to dip)
6) lettuce (salad or on a sandwich or as a wrap)
7) broccoli (can cook or eat raw)
8) kale (can cook or eat raw or smoothie)
9) ginger root (tea or add to desserts or Asian meals)


I also have garbanzo beans that I pressure cooked a few days ago (you can freeze portions as well)

Healthy recipes can be found by searching the internet, from library cookbooks, or at my blogs.

www.lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com (more healthy and healing recipes)
www.myfamilysfavoritegfcfrecipes.blogspot.com (more for cravings/a treat...not always so healthy)

I made a big batch of my garbanzo bean salad yesterday and my daughter had some after school for a snack and my husband had some in the evening as an appetizer...

It's great to make extra when you cook or prepare something healthy, so either yourself or the rest of the family has something easy to grab and eat whenever you are hungry, that will cause less slip ups of I'm starving and all I see are these GF Vegan Cookies...

Renegade Health and A Food That Could Destroy Your Thyroid

My first German Shorthair Pointer OJ (may he rest in peace)

I have found this in my research as well...especially for celiacs, but it may pertain to all people that ingest wheat. Read and listen when you click the link below.  Kevin Gianni interviews Dr. David Brownstein on thyroid health.

http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2011/12/13/this-food-could-destroy-your-thyroid/

Mittens and Warm Socks - Keep those digits toasty

Just a note to say I went to Walmart last night and my husband thought to look in the Hunting/Sporting area for warm socks. It turned out to be a great idea. We found some great choices.

When shopping for clothing items to keep you warm especially if you have Raynaud's or any other issue with low thyroid function or poor circulation, try the skiing area or the Sporting/ Hunting area. (last year I found the most incredible mittens 1 pair fleece at a ski shop, and 1 pair was ski waterproof mittens from Sports Authority) Those are the people who are in out in the harsh elements for extended periods and they have the best supplies for staying warm and toasty. Also don't forget some great boots like Ugg's or Minnetonka or another comfy , yet toasty warm fur lined boot. Don't forget to water proof  if necessary or pick boots that are waterproof. It's been getting colder and colder here in NY....BRRRRR!


This is a link to the brand that was at Walmart.
http://rockygeorgiasocks.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=26

An extra tip - if you shop at the end of the season at clearance time you can get great deals...these items are going to be more costly though.

Mindless Eating and Getting Back on the Healthy Track

Photo by my daughter Carly

Christmas is coming and I am getting busy with family fun and preparation...hope you are enjoying your Holiday season as well!

I may post a little less during this holiday...but I am still here! On to today's post...

I have had a little problem with "mindless" eating again...not really thinking what am I putting in my mouth and how will it affect my health and my body...I think many of you know about this phenomenon.

Not that I've been eating crazy or anything ( I never eat gluten, dairy, or eggs) but when I make homemade things for my family I try a few GF vegan corn muffins , a few GF vegan double chocolate chip cookies, a few GF vegan peanut butter chocolate covered pretzels...well it all adds up. The added sugar, salt, starches. If you are eating grocery store or even health food store brands the sugar, salt starches go up as well as the possibility of "natural flavors" (if they're so "natural" then why can't they name them?), the possibility of cross contamination, and possibility of other undesireable ingredients, etc.

I haven't been feeling as good as I used to and when I took stock/inventory...I realized I haven't been eating as many vegetables as I used to each day...time to ramp up.... I just started yesterday.

I made sure I had a large salad, cooked kale, cut celery and carrot sticks to munch. I also ate Hummus, guacamole, and frozen raspberries. One benefit to this type of eating is that this fills me up and leaves little room for the "junk food" (not so nutritious foods) also there is so much less sugar, salt (most of us get way too much) and other not so healthy ingredients if you are eating many raw veggies and fruits in your day. The last added health benefit is the amount of nutrients your body can take from those healthier foods and then the body can use those nutrients to repair anything in the body that it needs to.

I think it would be great to get a nutrition calculator computer program for Christmas. To everyone reading this...eat more veggies! Watch those holiday treats. Maybe try raw food pies and goodies they are the healthiest. Sweet Gratitude by Gratitude Cafe is my favorite "uncookbook" for delicious raw food desserts. You can check it out at your local library first if you like.

Here is a link to Gratitude Cafe's blog
http://cafegratitude.com/our-blog

Pharma Drugs Don't Work? From David Wolfe's Longevity Conference

http://www.thelongevitynowconference.com/dvd-fall2011.html#mini

Pharmaceutical Drugs Don't Work?

Click Here to Watch Now!

And in case you missed these other incredible clips...

Books to Read on Healing (a Repost)

Not sure if what I'm saying could be true? Want to find out more? Read up! See the titles below...

You can request many of these books through your local library. Ask the librarian for the book/s you are interested in and if they don't have the book, many times they can do an interlibrary loan (get it from another library).

"The Lupus Recovery Diet" by Jill Harrington (title says it all)

"Pain Free in 6 weeks" by Sherry RogersMD (total toxic load on the body, ways to heal, holistic)

"The Gluten Connection" by Shari Leiberman (diseases that can be exacerbated by gluten)

"Gluten Toxicity..." by Shelly L. Stuart R.N., B.Sc.N. (how gluten can wreak havoc in the body)

"Living on Live Food" by Alissa Cohen (A raw food diet, tons of recipes and testimonies)

"The Great Life Diet" by Denny Waxman (A macrobiotic diet)

" The MS Recovery Diet" by Anne Sawyer (healing MS through diet)

"Living Well with Autoimmune Disease..." Mary J. Shomon (holistic)

"The Ageless Woman" by Serafina Corsello, MD (MD+alternative/holistic)

"Dr. Mercola's Total Health Program" by Dr Joseph Mercola (diet for your specific body type)

"Arthritis..." 2nd Edition by Ellen Kamhi PhD RN HNC and Eugene Zampieron ND MH(AHG)(Holistic and Alternative by the "Natural Nurse" and a Naturopathic Doctor)

"An Alternative Approach to Allergies" by Theron Randolph MD and Ralph W. Moss PhD

"Celiac Disease a Hidden Epidemic" Peter H.R. Green MD and Rory Jones

"Food That Helps Win the Battle Against Fibromyalgia" by Deirdre Rawlings N.D., Ph.D.

"Breakthrough, Eight Steps to Wellness.." by Suzanne Somers(interviews cutting edge doctors)

""The UltraMind Solution.." by Mark Hyman MD(healing your broken brain, through healing your body first)

" The Cure Heal Your Body, Save Your Life.." by Dr. Timothy Brantley

"52 Ways to a Healthy You" by Laura Lewis

"The Women's Guide to Thyroid Health" by Kathryn R. Simpson, MS (Holistic, root cures, thyroid disease)

"Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests are Normal" by Datis Kharrazian, DHSc, DC, MS

"The Optimum Nutrition Bible" by Patrick Holford

Dr. Andrew Weil's Guide to Optimum Health" CD Set

"Health Wars" by Philip Day

"Cereal Killers..." by Dr. Ron Hoggan and Scott Adams (celiac disease treatments and other diseases that can affect a celiac patient- outrageous book!)

"The Sinatra Solution" by Stephen T. Sinatra MD (reversing heart disease with diet and holistic medicine)

"Is Your Cardiologist Killing You" by Sherry Rogers MD (research into the protocols tat cardiologists employ and why holistic approaches are safer and work better)

"Your Child Doesn't Have to Die" by Leanne Sorteberg (Holistic medicine and nutrition healed her child's cancer)

"The Detox Strategy" by Brenda Watson CNC with Leonard Smith MD

" ChefMD's Big Book of Culinary Medicine..." by John LaPuma MD (healthy cooking and halting disease with foods)


A link to my recommended raw food "un-cookbooks" (you know what I mean! Raw Food!)
http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/08/great-raw-food-books.html

A link to some of my favorite Vegan and Macrobiotic Cookbooks
http://lupushope.blogspot.com/2010/05/some-favorites-vegan-and-macrobiotic.html

Correct Way to Skin Brush from Green Smoothie Girl

Brandy, the skin brushing instructor, also tells how she had Lupus and is now free from it, both through blood tests, antibody free, and symptom free. Another testimony...also Robyn says Brandy is the fourth? person in a year that said to her that Lupus can be helped/reversed with a plant based diet.

Skin Brushing...click below to watch how to video from Green Smoothie Girl and Brandy.
http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/2011/12/05/how-to-skin-brush-oasis-part-12-of-13/

Gluten and Parkinson's Disease

Any disease that can be neurological in nature, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes etc. can occur with or side by side with Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease itself can cause neurological problems! If you have these conditions or the doctors say you have any unexplained neurological symptoms or an "incureable" disease. Go and get your self checked for Celiac Disease. Please click  below to read more on A Possible Link Between Gluten Sensitivity and Parkinson's Disease. Even if you test negative for Celiac Disease , try a Gluten Free diet anyway for 3-6 months and see if it helps.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5671732_gluten-sensitivity-parkinson_s-disease.html

Blanket over head but still see...???

This is one of the strangest phenomena that had happened to make me aware that I had health "issues".

Figured I would mention it as maybe others have encountered the "feeling" but didn't know what it was.

The feeling I am talking about is when I would eat foods especially with gluten, dairy and eggs or even worse combos of all three ingredients, I would feel such a profound drop in my energy that it felt like someone put a heavy blanket over my head but I could still see...it felt as if someone was pulling the energy right out of me through my feet.

Some foods that would do this (many times I thought it was the sugar...but now when I eat sugar occasionally in Gluten Free, Egg Free, Dairy Free goodies I don't get this feeling) donuts, french toast, bread, bagels and cream cheese, cake, cookies etc.

One day I started out my day with 2 Dunkin Donuts (about 7 years ago) and felt as if someone had walloped me. Felt like just going back to bed ASAP....I told my husband NEVER let me have donuts for breakfast again! That was before I new I had food allergies/intolerances...but I felt that profound energy drop for me at that time. It wasn't always like that I had eaten foods like that all my life previously and I guess after a while my body screamed " I can't take it anymore!"

Non- Toxic Toothpaste and dental health

Commercials don't always tell the whole story...Click below to see an older Colgate commercial. Are the bacteria and "biofilm" all bad bacteria that we are killing with the toothpaste? As usual I wonder if it's overkill...in every bacterial system in our body intestines, skin, mouth, etc. there are good bacteria and bad bacteria. We don't want to kill everything! We just want a balance of more good bacteria over the bad...

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=colgate+toothpaste+commercial+2011&view=detail&mid=D1CE52306373A343BEA7D1CE52306373A343BEA7&first=0&FORM=LKVR3

Been wondering if brushing your teeth with conventional toothpaste is a good thing. Is  killing your "biofilm" completely (or almost completely) a good idea?? Or does it contain healthy bacteria as well....

Weston Price studied dental health of  long living and healthiest civilizations that had no modern diseases he reported that even though their teeth were dirty... underneath it all, their teeth were extremely healthy....was it the foods they were eating? the exercise their teeth got from foods they were eating?Did they have some other practice like chewing on anti bacterial sticks** from bushes/trees?
http://soilandhealth.org/02/0203CAT/020305ppnf/price.html
http://www.amazon.com/Nutrition-Physical-Degeneration-Weston-Andrew/dp/0879838167
http://www.curetoothdecay.com/Dentistry/weston_price_dentist.htm

**Since before recorded history, a variety of oral hygiene measures have been used for teeth cleaning. This has been verified by various excavations done all over the world, in which chew sticks, tree twigs, bird feathers, animal bones and porcupine quills were recovered. Many people used different forms of teeth cleaning tools. Indian medicine (Ayurveda) has used the neem tree (a.k.a. daatun) and its products to create teeth cleaning twigs and similar products for millennia. A person chews one end of the neem twig until it somewhat resembles the bristles of a toothbrush, and then uses it to brush the teeth. In the Muslim world, the miswak, or siwak, made from a twig or root with antiseptic properties has been widely used since the Islamic Golden Age. Rubbing baking soda or chalk against the teeth was also common.
Tooth soap
http://store.renegadehealth.com/Liquid-Tooth-Soap-Peppermint-PLUS-Tooth-Brightener-p163.html

Fluoride
http://www.mbschachter.com/dangers_of_fluoride_and_fluorida.htm

Mercury fillings
A small drop can close a lake but they continue to put mercury in children's/people's vaccines and in people's teeth (what are people thinking???)

People with Celiac Disease or otherwise impaired digestion can not absorb nutrients properly and dental enamel problems/ more cavities can ensue.

Toothpaste terrible toxic chemicals (don't swallow) Watch out for SLS Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate
Also flouride is toxic, then there are the colors/sweeteners etc.

Nadine Artemis/ Longevity/ David Wolfe Their tooth health products

http://www.livinglibations.com/body-care/tooth-care Nadine Artemis at Living Libations

http://www.thebestdayever.com/news/podcast/podcast-81-dental-strategies-with-david-wolfe/ David Wolfe on protecting your mouth's biofilm (like I said there are good and bad bacteria everywhere...I personally don't think we should just kill off everything...otherwise it is like taking antibiotics and killing ALL the bacteria then you need to build up the good bacteria in your intestines with probiotics or the bad bacteria will come back with a vengeance....)

Xrays for cavities - Don't get too many xrays, radiation CAUSES cancer (makes sense that they use radiation to kill cancer too???? (much sarcasm))
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/non-toxic-toothpaste.html Another article from Care2 on Non Toxic Toothpaste

Green Decorating and Wrapping Ideas from Whole Living

These ideas are great for a homey and healthy holiday. The more you use natural (plant material/plants/rocks/stone/wood/glass/natural organic fabrics) items in your home, instead of plastic and synthetic the better it is for your health as well as your family's health!

On the second link, gift wrap recycling, watch the type of paper, try to get natural paper with natural dyes/inks. Some companies do exist that create these!
http://naturalelementspaper.com/

Green Decorating and Wrapping Ideas
http://www.wholeliving.com/photogallery/green-decorating-and-wrapping-ideas#slide_1

Gift Wrap Recycling Ideas
http://www.wholeliving.com/photogallery/gift-wrap-recycling#slide_1

Lupus, Gluten and Hypo Allergenic Diet Research (A Repost)

11/29/2011 Another link that I found today on the subject, check the end of the articles medical references too if you want to read further and delve deeper!

http://www.livestrong.com/article/441827-lupus-and-gluten-intolerance/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/284635-gluten-free-diet-for-lupus/?utm_source=popslideshow&utm_medium=a1

Want a book to read to learn more (I found it at my local library)....has the story of how Dr. Wright "cured" 100 cases of Lupus completely with diet change (from reading the book a long while ago I believe it was a diet free from gluten, dairy and beef--not sure if there were more foods eliminated I will request the book to take a look again- he also gave high doses of supplements/vitamins)...worth a look! Knowledge is power!
http://www.amazon.com/Trace-Your-Genes-Health-Overcome/dp/1890612235/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322573136&sr=8-1

The rest of this is from an older blog post (an oldie but a goodie) Please read!

Someone had posted a website link on my blog a while back and I was just re-reading it the other day. The rest of this post is from someone else. Below is this person's opinion and research. Read on below. I am doing more research on Dr. Reading and Dr. Wright for myself.



A little bit more on Lupus...

There are actually many cause and many approach towards treatment of Lupus depending on how you look at it. If the treatment is to prevent hair loss caused by lupus, treatment with prednisone might stop hair loss. There is a story of an Australian doctor who successfully treated lupus based on gluten allergies which was to avoid all grains except corn and rice. Here is some information:

Dr Reading, an Australian doctor who cured a hundred Lupus [SLE] patients by [among other things] taking them off all grains except RICE and CORN. Dr Wright discussed the connection between a Lancet article recently reporting a link between the genetic marker HLA-B8 and 17 diseases with what he had learned from Dr Reading. All but one of the 17 diseases [Celiac Disease] arethought to be autoimmune diseases. Dr Wright deduced that if dietary restriction of gluten cured the one gene-linked disease known to have an external cause that perhaps all of the gene-linked diseases had an external cause and that it might just be gluten sensitivity!


I would bet on it!!

Here is the list of the diseases linked to the gene that might respond to restriction of gluten containing foods. My advice is that ANY patient with one of the following diagnoses be taken off ALL grain and ALL dairy products until their involvement is ruled out.

Addison's Disease

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Celiac disease

Childhood asthma

Chronic autoimmune hepatitis

Dermatitis herpetiformis

Grave's disease

Insulin dependent (type 1) Diabetes mellitus

Lupus erythematosis

Myesthenia gravis

Pernicious anemia [100% also suffer total lack of

stomach acid]

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Scleroderma

Sjogren's syndrome

Thyrotoxicosis

Ulcerative colitis

Vitiligo



Dr Wright recommends the tTG test for gluten/gliadin sensitivity, a measure of tissue transglutaminase and supposedly the most sensitive test now available. Information from a website is included below for your convenience.



Other tests are the endomysial antibody test [EMA] for short lived antibodies and the antigliadin antibody [AGA] test for the longer lived IgA and IgG antibodies.



Be sure the patient has consumed gluten containing foods right up until test day or the tests might show negative even in gluten sensitive people.



Again there is a story of someone who was "cured" of lupus taking a common medicine available in most pharmacy stores, Calorad.



Some people are allergic to certain drugs and environmental toxins. So stopping certain medications, or drugs might help. Common drugs that induced lupus are procainamide (Pronestyl) hydralazine (Apresoline) quinidine (Quinaglute). Also, its been known that taking nasal vaccines causes lupus to be much worse. Discontinuation of vaccines might also be helpful.



Personally, I suspect that many authorities know what causes lupus and its cures, but they are keeping it mum and for a good reason. There has been many stories I hear of people taking vaccinations such as polio and hepatitis A for example then suddenly wham, lupus! I hear that taking high dose steroids for example cured lupus. Hormone therapy such as prednisone were also helpful.



Let me conclude about treatment with Lupus to make it simple: The main cause of lupus is nucleic acid deficiency. Supplementation with RNA/DNA, liquid protein supplements (e.g. calorad) and Sulfur rich foods and sulfur supplements (MSM, Brewer's Yeast, Selenium) and cofactors for DNA synthesis such as vitamin B complex should help along with TMG (Trimethyglycine).



Finally avoidance of gluten containing foods such as white flour and wheat, sugar, overcooked meats, drug medications, and vaccine should eliminate most of the lupus conditions. Short term treatments such as steroids and prednisone might be helpful. Detoxification is necessary in first stages such as liver detoxification, and reduction heavy metal toxicity by using EDTA for example are the basics. Elimination of environmental toxins is also important. If you just follow this email alone, most of the conditions of Lupus should be alleviated."

Healing Scriptures

Hope you all had a Happy Thankgiving and a pleasant weekend!

This post is dedicated to Rosa, who fought with me that God makes certain people sick for them to suffer and that for some there is no hope of getting well....this is for her....

God wants you to be well! He will show you how to get well if you will follow His lead. He led me along step by step and He will do the same for anyone else! Read the Healing Scriptures link below.

I definitely feel I got sick for a reason. It was a learning experience. Getting sick helped me learn to be healthier and to help my family, friends and everyone I meet to be healthier as well! I learned:

1) I shouldn't treat my body like garbage and just throw in unhealthy food
2) I need to exercise
3) I need to have healthy relationships/less stress
4) I need to say "No" if I am too tired
5) I need to take time to care for myself first then I will have more to give to others
6) I needed to research how to be and stay well naturally/holistically
http://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/uploads/bible-scriptures-on-healing.pdf

You or someone you love has Lupus? What next...

I get letters occasionally that ask for specifics of what to do to help someone that has Lupus or has been diagnosed with Lupus. Feel free to contact me. I would love to talk to you or help you in any way that I can.

First thing though...I am NOT a doctor....I am a Nutrition Consultant and a person that has Lupus and a blogger that researches diet and holistic healing with reference to Lupus (and other diseases) ....but I do have some things that I can recommend through my experience and the research and reading that I've done for the past 6 years.

1) Get tested for Celiac Disease through your regular doctor or even better a gastroenterologist.

2) Find a great holistic doctor

3) Get an IgG food allergy test, or an ALCAT test

4) Avoid any food allergens that you are found to have

5) If all the food allergy tests come back negative...I seriously doubt it...try an elimination diet (only try the elimination diet AFTER you are tested for Celiac Disease- though you can try an elimination diet after the Celiac test and before the IgG or ALCAT test)

When you are finished with the above steps, then gradually do as many of the action items on the following 2 links that you can (go slow don't get overwhelmed)

I need to combine these 2 lists into one but I haven't yet....please look at both....

So you have Lupus What do you do next?
http://lupushope.blogspot.com/2010/02/so-you-have-lupus-what-do-you-do-next.html

General Health Tips for Everyone
http://lupushopehealingplan.blogspot.com/2011/06/general-health-tips-for-everyone.html

Eat UR Veggies dot com

Check out this woman's blog. She has Lupus and is on a Whole Foods Diet.
http://www.eaturveggies.com/

Who Owns the Organic Brands?

Who owns those organic health food brands at the grocery/health food store? Scary....You can only hope they are doing "the right thing". Using non GMO, organic, and sustainable farming etc.
Click on the links for the article/video and organizational chart.

http://www.cornucopia.org/wp-content/themes/Cornucopia/downloads/OrganicT30J09.pdf

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/19/mark-kastel-cornucopia-good-food-movement.aspx?e_cid=20111119_DNL_art_1

Thanksgiving Recipes- Egg Free, Dairy free, Gluten Free, Some Classic, Some Raw, Some Vegan

Easy Thanksgiving recipe substitutions for food allergies or to have a vegan Thanksgiving.

I pick Martha Stewart Recipes because I know she uses "classic" type recipes for Thanksgiving. You can use your favorites and just adjust the ingredients as necessary. Have questions just email me
lonedoggy@netzero.com
Turkey or Vegan meal ??? You decide..... Links for a raw, vegan, and macrobiotic plant based Thanksgiving are at the bottom of this post.

Turkey
To prepare your turkey use your favorite turkey recipe or use the farmer's recommendation on how to cook their turkey. We have been purchasing our turkey each year from a local farmer, the turkey comes with directions on how to prepare it.

Use organic ingredients where possible.
Cranberry Sauce or applesauce use real cranberries and apples and cook and add what you like..

Cranberry sauce
http://www.marthastewart.com/338276/orange-scented-cranberry-sauce
....can substitute maple syrup for the sugar or add less sugar etc to get the taste you desire

Gravy 
http://www.marthastewart.com/342133/gravy
....can use turkey drippings separated with a fat separating measure cup
http://www.amazon.com/Gravy-Fat-Separator-Measuring-Cup/dp/B001TAKBSG
...instead of wheat flour use brown rice flour
...instead of butter use earth balance or olive oil or a combination (or leave this out entirely usually the gravy has enough fat in it already)

Green bean casserole
       ..... Instead of cream of mushroom soup use mushrooms minced and cooked with earth balance, salt  and pepper and a litttle rice milk (use rice flour to thicken if necessary)
       .....Instead of soy sauce use wheat free Tamari or Bragg's liquid aminos
      ......Add enough rice milk to make a thick mushroom sauce for the casserole (won't need 1 full cup)
         ..... Make your own fried onions to put on top....won't be crunchy
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Campbells-Green-Bean-Casserole/detail.aspx

Mashed potatoes
http://www.marthastewart.com/315645/mashed-potatoes
....instead of butter use earth balance spread
....instead of milk use a mixture of chicken broth and rice milk
....I wouldn't use the nutmeg...just my personal preference
Sweet potatoes- with brown sugar and earth balance salt and pepper

Pumpkin Pie

http://vegetarian.about.com/od/glutenfreedesserts/r/glutenfreepie.htm

This recipe looks like it would work but I haven't perfected it...was trying to do it without cornstarch...try it at your own risk....a great GF vegan pie crust can be found in "The Flying Apron Cookbook" (I found it at my local library)

Stuffing
http://myfamilysfavoritegfcfrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/11/classic-thanksgiving-stuffing.html

Corn Bread or Corn Muffins (can use this for GF stuffing if you don't have a corn intolerance)
http://myfamilysfavoritegfcfrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/08/gf-vegan-corn-bread-corn-muffins.html

Pie Crust
http://myfamilysfavoritegfcfrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/11/vegan-pie-crust.html (Need to get the book from the library (copyrighted))

Roasted Fall Veggie Salad
http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2011/10/whole-living-roasted-fall-veggie-salad.html

Apple Crisp (Raw or Cooked)
http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2010/02/apple-crisp-raw-or-warmed.html

Raw Carrot Cake
http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/06/raw-carrot-cake.html

Walnut Date Rolls/Balls
http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/04/walnut-date-rollsballs.html

Plant based Thanksgiving Recipes (Gluten Free/Vegetarian)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-gentry/thanksgiving-vegetarian-gluten-free_b_1093515.html

Raw food Thanksgiving Recipes haven't tried these just passing this on (Living Foods)
http://naturalzing.blogspot.com/2011/11/living-holiday-feast-recipes.html

Is Healing a Full Time Job? Tips for Easing the Overwhelm from Crazy Sexy Life Blog

I know I get overwhelmed at times with healing protocols.(and also overwhelmed by the costs as well)  Here is an article for all of you... and I.... to scale back, go slow, prioritze...but above all never throw in the towel and give up.  Click below for the article from the blog Crazy Sexy Life written by guest blogger Laurie Erdman. Please click below to read more.

http://crazysexylife.com/2011/is-healing-your-body-a-full-time-job-tips-for-easing-the-overwhelm/

Cancer Clusters in the USA

If there's cancer clusters there's toxins and more other sicknesses as well (like more Lupus, MS, Fibromyalgia etc). Found an old friend on Facebook from high school and he lives in West Virginia. When investigating the area my I saw that land  and housing is very inxpensive there. I wondered why.... My husband said coal mining was prevalent in West Virginia...looked it up on this map and sure enough more coal mining, more cancer there...click on the link below to check out the US cancer clusters map in your area.

Does this mean you need to move? Sometimes.... but not always, just know the information so you know what you are up against so that you can take extra precautions. If you are thinking of relocating, however, you may want to skip certain areas....

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cancer-clusters-in-america

Steve Nenninger ND Food Allergy Lecture and Slides

Are Hidden Food Allergens Destroying Your Health? from Steve Nenninger on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/31862633

****NOTE:  New Yorkers come together and vote to license Naturopaths in New York!****

Under the weather...

Feeling "under the weather" today...my daughter has been sick I may have caught it from her or maybe Lupus? Ate something that was cross contaminated? I really have a nasty headache and joint pains ...feel flu-ish.... (maybe because I told the real estate agent I was out with yesterday that I haven't had a headache in a long time...did I jinx myself?)

I hate it when I feel this way and I want to say a special prayer for anyone that is in pain today...

May God free you from your pain and give you the knowledge that you need and help you navigate your healing path. May He help you feel your best and make better choices and to help you find the time to care for yourself each day. Amen.

Just a quick note that I will be trying to get together gluten free/egg free/and dairy free recipes for Thanksgiving, like I did for Halloween alternative goody recipes. Hope you are all having a better day than me!

Feeling better this evening already..... looks like it was cross contamination. ...Hope you all feel better too!

Veteran's Day 11-11-11

Just a quick gratitude note. Thank you to all the people that are Veterans that fought for our freedom. I like the quote below.

It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you. 
~Author unknown, sometimes attributed to M. Grundler

Eat More Kale

Cute store too! But really, Eat more Kale!!
http://www.eatmorekale.com/

Eat More Kale

www.eatmorekale.com

Vermont's one-at-a-time orginal design shirts, hand-printed by the eat more kale guy, Bo Muller-Moore.

Celiac Disease and Multiple Sclerosis Link

It is worth getting tested for Celiac Disease if you have Lupus or Multiple Sclerosis. If you have Celiac Disease one of the major symptoms in many people is joint pains and even an uneven gait and trouble walking. Going gluten free especially if you are diagnosed with Celiac Disease can lessen all pains tremendously! Please read on. Research more on the internet. Many doctors have helped lessen their patient's pain with diet change. Click below.

http://celiacdisease.about.com/b/2011/09/21/multiple-sclerosis-and-celiac-disease-is-there-a-link.htm

Colder and Colder...

Just a quick reminder from New York...where it is getting colder and colder...to remember a few things if you have Lupus.

1) The sun is still strong watch for discoid lupus flares, and regular Lupus flares from sun exposure. Protect yourself with clothes rather than sunscreen (too many yucky chemicals in most sunscreens that can all be absorbed into your pores- if you do choose to use sunscreen choose wisely)


2) Wear gloves or mittens (ski gloves/mittens are best)  especially if you have Raynaud's Syndrome

3) Wear heavy lined comfy boots like Uggs type, Minnetonka type (buy off brand if you don't have money for the name brands) Pick good insulated shoes too and get nice thick socks or layer socks. I don't know the brand but I found socks that look like wool but are softer, and they are pretty thick... and I love them, I'll try to get the name if I see them again.

4) Wear natural material clothes, coats, cotton and wool (leather/animal hides if you are OK with that, some people feel better about buying animal products if they shop the second hand thrift stored for this because they are not adding to the population of animals losing their lives for their warmth) rather than polyester and other "fake" man-made fabrics. These fabric create static electicity and have chemicals that can be absorbed into your pores and breathed in also.

5) If your hands get Raynaud's symptoms, lose blood flow, use luke warm water/ air to warm them don't use extra hot water/ air, this can shock your body too much


6) Have warmer foods whether you eat raw or cooked foods(raw foods can be warmed in a dehydrator or from the friction of a blender like a Vitamix or a Blendtek. These blenders have a soup setting to warm foods gently. You just need the foods to be 105-115 degrees and it will feel warm to you and warming to your body which is at 98.6 - or lower with thyroid issues) Cooked foods folks try soups, stews, teas cooked veggies, etc.

7) Use warmer spices, cinnamon, ginger, garlic these stimulate blood flow and circulation for more warming spices click below
http://organicjar.com/2009/2458/

8) Eat root veggies/seasonal foods, winter foods like carrots, squash, pumpkin, onions, etc Click below for more ideas on winter seasonal produce
http://localfoods.about.com/od/whatsinseason/a/WinterFruitVeg.htm

2 Funny Comedian Clips on being Gluten Free and Vegan

If you are Gluten Free or Vegan or know someone that is you will get a laugh out of these 2 videos, click the links below....Have a Happy Weekend!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_-M0Kg7bQI&feature=share

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDh_cTOive8&feature=share

Doctor Oz- The Prehistoric Diet

The results from the "truth tube" were amazing on this. Eating a plant based diet works to bring down cholesterol, blood pressure, triglycerides, weight and more in just a few days!

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/prehistoric-diet-pt-1 Part 2, and Part 3 as well as the diet plan are below this first video, just click on the links...

Pomegranates

http://www.juicing-for-health.com/pomegranate.html  (this website says pomegranates are anti- inflammatory- I always thought they were good for you/anti inflammatory--something more to research!!!)

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/2038/2 (this website says that pomegranates are slightly inflammatory???)

Nuts and Tater Chips

May I offer some helpful advice, and when I say it you may think why didn't I think of that!

Nuts should be bought in a shell, they are fresher that way.  The shell is a nut's natural protective coating. If you take the time to shell and eat each one you will eat a smaller serving of nuts (a serving size is a small handful). On the other hand, it would lots easier to shovel the nuts in your mouth by multiple handfuls if bought in a bag, shelled from grocery store (Also forget the salt! and the roasting,  these take the nuts from being a healthy snack to being an unhealthy snack) a quick bake in the oven at 300 degress for 3-5 minutes will release their aromatic oils and make the nuts taste great.

Also try this recipe for tasty, healthier nuts
http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2010/02/raw-chocolate-amond-recipe.html

"Tater Chips"( Potato chips) should be cooked yourself if you really want them. Imagine if you had to slice each potato very thin (even with a mandoline this takes time) and then fry them in oil til just right. What would your serving size be? OR would you just be too lazy to make them at all...don't buy potato chips in a bag from grocery store. This should be illegal, it is just too tempting to eat more than you should.

That is my 2 cents worth!

Watch out for GMO corn - buy organic corn!

Our Carved Pumpkins from Yesterday

First off my body doesn't like corn anyway (makes my joints stiffen up- organic or not) and I've heard many others with Lupus don't tolerate corn well either.

Anything with corn in it that doesn't say organic or non GMO, is likely GMO. You may ask, "So? what's the big problem with that?"  The problem is they are splicing pesticide creating genes right into the corn plants. The corn produces it's own GMO pesticide. I know I don't want to eat pesticides! Here is an email from Kelloggs. Click below.

Watch out for GMO corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, corn chips, corn sugar, breakfast cereals, corn flakes etc. Corn is EVERYWHERE in processed foods. Just don't eat it!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6189864

Halloween Candy, it's not only sugar that you need to worry about... by Dr. Doni

This is why I make my own candy when I feel the need to indulge occasionally...click the link for more.

http://www.doctordoni.com/2011/10/fructose-intolerance.html

Pumpkin Seeds- Nutrition Facts

I roast the pumpkins seeds from my carved pumpkins right in the shell and eat the whole shell and all...extra fiber...

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=82

Happy Halloween!

              

From Martha Stewart Craft Ideas. Click the link below for more ideas...

Happy Halloween all!

 Try not to eat too much sugar... have one special treat. You'll feel better...

Being "crafty" makes me happy...what makes you happy?

Find something to do today that makes you happy, even if you think you don't have time, make time, it is important to nurture yourself and fill your emotional "bank" so you can have enough to help others!

http://www.marthastewart.com/649952/clip-art-and-templates-halloween#/350371

A Gluten Free Vegan (w/out eggs and dairy) Halloween

My Hazelnut Praline Chocolate Ganache Candies (inspired by Godiva)

Need some recipe ideas for Halloween?

www.myfamilysfavoritegfcfrecipes.blogspot.com Recipes for cravings/sweets/not as healthy

www.lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com All REALLY healthy recipes

http://myfamilysfavoritegfcfrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/10/martha-stewart-marshmallows.html Homemade marshmallows

http://myfamilysfavoritegfcfrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/11/corn-free-candy-apple-hard-clear-sugar.html Corn free candy apples

http://myfamilysfavoritegfcfrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/05/mama-ruths-like-baby-ruth-candy-bars.html Baby Ruth like candy

http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2010/02/hazelnut-ganache-chocolates.html Hazelnut Ganache Chocolates

http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/10/legally-raw-bar-or-raw-snickers.html
"Raw" Snickers

http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/10/decadent-chocolate-brownie-raw-or-high.html Raw or high raw brownies

http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/08/brownie-bottom-cheesecake.html raw brownie bottom cheesecake

http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2010/02/raw-chocolate-amond-recipe.html Raw chocolate almonds

http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2010/01/fun-valentines-day-treat.html Chocolate dipped fruit

http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/04/walnut-date-rollsballs.html Raw date nut rolls

http://lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com/2009/04/choclate-nut-clusters.html Chocolate clusters

http://myfamilysfavoritegfcfrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/11/gf-vegan-chocolate-covered-pretzels.html
gluten free vegan chocolate covered pretzels