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