Wheat Grass Juice and fluid in the ear

Here is my update on my first shot of wheatgrass juice...that night/the next 2 DAYS + I got fluid in my ear...I know the moms of autistic children would understand about the fluid in the ear reaction. It is a classic reaction to a wheat or dairy allergy (it is also why many young children have so many issues with ear infections). Well looks like wheat grass is NOT for me...I may try it one more time to see if that definitely was the problem, but it was also a little painful...of course it could have been worse I could have gotten a migraine/joint pains/and tummy troubles...

On another note I had my meeting with Denny Waxman about macrobiotics and will post it on my blog soon!

Juicing

My First Shot of Wheat Grass Juice!

Hi All! It's Saturday morning and I tried my first shot of wheat grass juice! I grew the wheat grass from hard winter wheat berries/seeds. See the picture above..

Well I washed the wheat grass, put the wheat grass in my Blendtec blender with a little water a couple of small ice cubes..and pressed "whole juice" then I strained the wheat grass juice through fine sieve.

I was afraid to drink it, because I am allergic/intolerant to wheat/gluten and so I might not be able to tolerate the juice. I had my husband test me with kinesiology (muscle testing for food allergies/intolerances) and I tested strong.  Well to my surprise I didn't mind the taste at all.....the smell was worse to me than the taste.

Also I didn't feel nauseous afterwards, (some people say this happens to them)...I actually kind of liked the taste... I am clearing my throat a lot...and am very nervous that I may have tummy troubles, or my joints may stiffen up or I will get a migraine headache in 1-3 days...those are 3 of the things that happen when I eat a food I am intolerant/allergic to (usually this happens by accident /cross contamination). I will be busy today though, and will not have time to dwell on it.

I will let you all know how it goes....have a great day!

Become a "Locavore"

Ten ways to become a "locavore" and eat locally. Food that is local is fresher, more nutrtious because it doesn't have to be shipped long distances ....and speaking of shipped, it also saves on gas, fuel and pollution. Let's work together to save the earth and eat healthier too! Whole Foods is a store that tries to get vendors and suppliers as locally as possible. Show them your support. Have a GREAT weekend!

http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/344/locavore.html

"Sun dried" tomatoes and a Raw recipe

Sun dried tomatoes are as easy as buying organic tomatoes, the meatier types are better..like plum and roma  tomatoes. You can flavor them if you like or marinate them after they are dried. Then put in a dehydrator (for raw food) or low oven and dehydrate til the texture/dryness you like is achieved. They have a chewiness and sweetness that is unparalled! These are great added to a raw wrap with nut pate or guacamole see the delicious recipe video below. My husband and I had a wrap like this last weekend for lunch it was delicious and my husband said "I can't believe how delicious it is...I thought the collards would be bitter...but they're not!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE6YXmH-hRw

Fresh.... the movie

" you're supposed to leave the Earth in better shape than how you found it for future generations.." imagine if everyone felt this way and made it their mission!

Above is a quote from the movie Fresh. My local Whole Foods will be having a screening in a few weeks. I will do my best to make it and see the movie. We all need to be educated about where our food comes from and what is involved in raising/growing that food.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwR44T69_Is

Food Allergies and Intolerances Video

Amazing things can happen when you eliminate food allergies/insensitivities... click on the link to watch the video below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFH1tX-a6jI

Metametrix Blog

There is SOOO much useful information out there to educate us on how to be healthier. I  found this blog while looking at the Metametrix site. They have great articles and research and information from top doctors and researchers.

Many Naturopaths and Holistic Doctors use many of the Metametrix tests to determine their protocols for patients. The Cardio Ion test that I had done, that Sherry Rogers read for me, was done through Metametrix. I highly recommend the Cardio Ion as it tells so much information aboout your body and what is lacking(deficiencies) or if you have toxins in your blood/body.

It is important to get an intense blood panel run (don't just get the basics) especially if you are on a vegan or raw food diet. So much can go wrong...you may be eating a great diet but it won't be absorbed if you have leaky gut/digestive issues. You can feel fine with small deficiencies for a long time but better to catch them early before your health goes down hill.

For instance so many people have B12, D3, K2 deficiencies and thyroid issues. It is almost a guarantee that everyone that gets tested will have an issue...the Cardio Ion is about $800-900 but isn't the investment worth it for your health...?

http://www.metametrixinstitute.org/

A Metabolic Tune Up

My silly kitty with 3-D glasses courtesy of my daughter

This is part of what Sherry Rogers said I need a metabolic tune up...the article is written by Mark Hyman MD Great minds think alike!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/how-to-give-yourself-a-me_b_506431.html

Also something from Dr. Crinnion on the subject

http://www.metametrixinstitute.org/post/2010/01/25/How-do-toxins-affect-mitochondria.aspx

My Phone Consult

My Witchhazel Bush

I had my phone consult with Sherry Rogers MD. She told me from reading my Cardio Ion and looking at my other blood work that my cell walls are damaged and that my mitochondria are poisoned and therefore starving. She recommended many supplements to rebuild my cells and also Detox Cocktails and a Far Infrared Sauna to detox further. She also really believes in enemas for colon cleansing and detoxing.

Also CoQ10 is not being produced properly by my cells , because ATP is not being produced properly either, causing me to be more fatigued than most...fatigue is my biggest issue! I get through my day but by early evening, most times, I just want to curl up in bed....

See the following excerpt about CoQ10 from curezone:
Benefits

Coenzyme Q10™ is found in every cell in the human body and is key to the process that produces 95% of the energy consumed at the cellular level.
 It participates in this important role by acting as part of another class of substances, known as enzymes. These important compounds are proteins found in plants, animals, humans - ALL living things. Their role is to facilitate, to act as a catalysts, in countless chemical reactions that take place in the human body. In essence, they make reactions happen without themselves being consumed in the reaction. When calcium is turned into bone, and enzyme makes the reaction possible, but the enzyme itself does not end up becoming part of the bone. When we digest our food, when we flex a muscle, when our heart beats, in some way an enzyme is playing a key role.

Enzymes consist of two parts, a protein portion made up of one of a variety of amino acids, and a cofactor portion that is either a mineral (like calcium, magnesium, or zinc) or a vitamin, the vitamin is called a coenzyme.

Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring molecule that has a structure similar to vitamin K.


As part of an enzyme, it acts as a catalyst in the vital biochemical pathway that leads to cellular energy production.
Specifically, every cell must have a special substance known as ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which provides all the cell's energy. The energy obtained from the food we eat is used to make this fuel for the cells, and when a cell needs energy, it breaks the bonds that hold the ATP molecule together. When this chemical bond is broken, it releases energy equivalent to approx. 7,000 calories, more than twice the energy a person consumes in an entire day. However, the body, at any given time, only stores enough ATP to sustain vigorous activity for 5 - 8 minutes. Thus, ATP must be produced constantly, and for this ATP to be produced, there must be a ready supply of CoQ10.


This explains why, in particular, COQ10 is found in high concentrations in muscle cells and especially in the muscles that form the heart - because the heart is constantly in motion, it creates a great demand for energy, and at the same time, a need for the CoQ10 to create it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my Mercury and Lead and Cadmium issues she said to read her book "The High Blood Pressure Hoax", that it says how to detox heavy metals in that book. She also said I should detox plastics/phlalates from my body as well as any other toxic burdens I may have...

I love it when doctors write books and have seminars/talks so you can see where they're coming from before you go to see them. Something has just drawn me to Sherry Rogers from the beginning. I had gotten her book "Pain Free in 6 Weeks" and she just seems "right on the money" with so many of her  beliefs/protocols.

I will also be posting something from Mark Hyman next on metabolic tune up. Check that out too! Right after I had my phone consult  with Sherry Rogers, Mark Hyman posted more info for me to try! Too Cool!

Dunkin Donuts and French Toast

Before I was diagnosed with food allergies these were some of my favorite junk foods:

Friendly's ice cream
Haagen Dasz ice cream
Cookies
Chocolate candy
Cake

and my 2 favorites were Dunkin Donuts and French Toast

When talking about allergies you may learn that the things that you crave the most you are probably allergic to.

I remember going to Dunkin Donuts one morning with my husband and my kids and we all had 2 donuts for breakfast...after I ate the donuts, I told my husband that I felt so tired and bad... I was thinking it was the sugar and I told him to NEVER let me do that again! When I think what was in the donuts besides all the processed crap and chemicals and preservatives AND wheat/gluten/dairy and eggs ALL of which I was allergic/intolerant to! Eating a donut was like eating poisin to my body. French toast also has wheat/gluten/eggs and dairy!

Please pay attention to what you crave...try to go without it for a bit and see if you can't (too addicted) or if you feel better without it (yeah!)

Gardening and the Sun....

Many people with Lupus also have sun sensitivity. This can cause extra aches and pains, a flare up or even skin sores to appear. This is one of my symptoms that confounds me the most...why does this happen? what makes our body do this?..if anyone received answers from their doctors/website info please comment below or email me at lonedoggy@netzero.com

 Here in NY we were teased a bit with 60-70 degree weather(now it's back in the 40's and 50's)...I wanted  to send out friendly reminder to cover up with clothes/hats/umbrellas and/or use sunscreen. Also try not to go out in the sun from 10:00am- 2:00pm if you can avoid it.

As soon as I felt the nice weather, I wanted to get out in the yard and clean up and then get into the garden to clean up too. I did wear a hat and long sleeves and long pants and had no adverse reactions. I don't like the idea of sunscreen too many chemicals so I try to cover up instead...

I am not a person that loves to sit in the sun and tan...never was . But I get REALLY sad when it is spring or fall and there is a cool day and  I would just love to bask in the warm sun, but Lupus does not allow. I would love to know why though, what is different in the skin/bodies of Lupus patients? If you all have any answers please let me know Thanks!

Green Chefs Raw Recipes

I had a good laugh at the description line underneath this blog, here it is...

"G Living The Darker Cooler Side of Green..A Modern Green Lifestyle Blog Created by a Bunch of Twisted Dark Green Juice Guzzling Space Monkies"

It looks like they have all types of "green" cooking, these are the raw food recipes and they look delicious and elegant too!

http://gliving.com/category/greenchefs/rawrecipes/  Check out this blog!

Juicing and Wheat Grass

Cover the soil completely with wheatgrass berries for thick and lush wheatgrass

then top with a thin layer of soil.

All  "signs" lately are leading me to "juicing"....friends, books, internet sites/articles...even saw Kris Carr "Crazy Sexy Cancer" drink her green juice in a fancy wine glass, You Go Girl!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbRM2RAjgh0

The idea behind juicing is that there is no pulp/ fiber for your body to digest, so it makes for easier digesting and the juice can get right into your bloodstream and feed your cells.

I am now starting to grow wheat grass to juice. I have never tried wheat grass juice but heard excellent things about it health wise. I also heard it has a gross, gag worthy flavor to it (I do find kale and other green juices yummy so I'll let you know my take on wheat grass juice and how I do with it).... I will go slow because I am allergic to wheat and am intolerant to gluten. I have heard that many people are still able to tolerate wheat grass juice even with wheat or gluten issues. I have decided to go for it!

At this point, while I wait for my wheat grass to be ready to harvest, I am making a green juice
(kale/  celery/ carrots/ daikon  or  kale/celery/carrots/ pear/ fennel) in the morning and carrot juice in the evening. I will probably work up to 3 or 4 times a day if time allows.
I am making the green juice by washing the veggies and putting all of the veggies/fruits in my Blendtec blender and then straining it through a very fine sieve. I will make a nut milk bag soon (I have the fabric), you can use a "nut milk" bag to strain the juice from the pulp also.

The carrot juice I make with my Jack Lalanne juicer. I have been very happy with this juicer too. The only thing is it won't juice greens very efficiently, epsecially wheat grass...

2  great books that I have found on this subject are :
 "Wheat Grass, Nature's Finest Medicine Medicine" by Steve Meyerowitz.
"The Wheat Grass Book..." by Ann Wigmore

ANDI Scores at Whole Foods

A new Whole Foods just opened a little closer to us. We used to have to drive 45 minutes to get to the old one, now the new one is 20 minutes away YAHOO! I look at Whole Foods or any health food store or the farmer's market as my "pharmacy". When I went in for my first shopping trip at the new Whole Foods I asked where the Brazil Nuts were. The associate helped me and then explained the ANDI scores. At Whole foods they will post the rating of  the nutrient density of the foods with single ingredients. See the explanation a liitle more in depth below.

PS the most nutrient dense foods are all the Dark Leafy Greens! Eat that Kale!

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/storeblogs/kirby/2010/02/15/what-is-an-andi-score/

Aloe Vera and Orange Juice

See Cautions below

I tried aloe vera and grapefuit juice (didn't have oranges) and it was OK, pretty slimy, I have a great peeler (called a soft skin peeler) that worked great on the edges and the first side but then I couldn't hold it to peel the second side. Wish that I had made a video of me trying to peel the aloe vera leaf, you guys could have watched it and LAUGHED! Well just imagine me fighting with a gooey, slimey, slippery thing and trying to hold it still so I can peel it....Minh makes it look so easy in the following video. ENJOY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGwR_gMPw3g


Also 10 Great Reasons to Take Aloe Vera
http://www.aloeeze.com/10-great-reasons-for-taking-aloe-vera

Soft Skin Peeler (Zyliss or Progressive are 2 brands)
http://www.amazon.com/Zyliss-30600-Soft-Skin-Peeler/dp/B0018IAH8I

Cautions
http://www.aloe-vera-advice.com/aloe-vera-juice-side-effects.html
http://www.ehow.com/facts_4928807_side-effects-aloe-vera-juice.html

Stop The Thyroid Madness

I take ferritin lately from my doctor (holistic MD) in Manhattan. Was just looking up how to order more and I found this article, looked interesting so I passed it on to you. Well back to shopping for my Ferritin supplements...

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ferritin/

2 studies I'd Love to See Done and Get the Results to

1) How many people with Lupus (and MS, and Diabetes, Hashimoto's and other autoimmune diseases) have Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance (underlying) that causes many of their symptoms...

2) How many moms that have Lupus (or other autoimmune diseases),  have kids with Autism...(either when born or get it later after vaccines)
Maybe the moms pass down the genes that are unable to detoxify the mercury and toxins...(See Mark Hyman's work and Dr. Datis Kharrazian's work)

What causes the celiac disease or the food allergies? (my research says gut bugs/parasites/candida, heavy metals, nutrtional deficiencies)
How many Lupus patients have crazy levels of heavy metals and pesticides and other toxins that they must get rid of ?
How many Lupus patients and people with Autism lack the genes to detoxify their system of heavy metals and toxins ?

Sprouts, Seeds and Wheatgrass Juicer Site

Check out http://www.gotsprouts.com/

A friend of mine recommended me to this website, her daughter stayed at the Hippocrates Institute recently.

For Those of You that Enjoy Matzohs...

I haven't tried this recipe yet. It is NOT a healthy recipe but a recipe for a special occasion. Living Without has a great weekly recipe newsletter, sign up to get it if you'd like. Most recipes are gluten free, dairy free and many times egg free too(or they will tell you how to make an egg substitution in the recipe if possible.)
I really recommend the "Living Without" magazine too. I subscribe to it, but you can also check it out at your local library first.

http://www.livingwithout.com/recipes/gluten_free_mock_matzo-1436-1.html?ET=livingwithout:e138:1299a:&st=email

http://www.livingwithout.com/