Could it be the glue….ten?

From one of my health practitioner friends after I wrote out to my e-list about issues with gluten that often go untraced….she wrote back:

My symptoms were heart palpatations in the Summer 2006. [Heart palpitations are also a symptom of peri-menopause.] I saw a naturopath in Autumn 2006 because I knew I was getting symptoms after eating wheat. She did an ALCAT test, drawing blood and sending it to a lab. You can read about ALCAT testing @ www.alcat.com. 

The test results showed that I was gliadin-intolerant. Most people have never heard of gliadin; it is a precursor to gluten and also a vegetable protein. Because it is so unfamiliar, I eat a gluten-free diet. Within 2 months of removing gluten, I released 30 pounds of [water] weight, and ceased to be allergic to cedar pollen and oak pollen. I used to get a 24-hour delayed reaction to dairy allergies. Now I get them within the hour – which has allowed me to know exactly what my true allergies are. The palpitations only surface when I eat something I shouldn’t, or too much of something processed like white rice.

I tested negative for celiac, but by that time, had already been off wheat/rye/barley/oats for over 5 months, so that may not be a true test. We’ll never know, because I’m not willing to get heart palpitations to find out. 

Thank you for bringing the gluten matter to the world’s attention.
Be well, 
Shannon

Moving Up the Food Chain

I’ve been on a personal mission to improve the quality of food I take in each day and thought I’d blog about my insights, adventures, and benefits. Also I want to give resources I’ve found helpful in the process. So here goes!

Most of my life I’ve been thin–not necessarily low in body fat, but thin. After an accident a few years back, my weight started gently, but steadily climbing. I hadn’t changed my diet. Hmm..I kept reading about how much nutrients we lose in preparing our foods and started looking at information about eating live foods.

I’m not a fanatic type–all or nothing, so my intent was to learn what I could prepare in live, raw foods that tasted good. I wasn’t concerned with going 100% raw, just experimenting to see if I would feel better and improve my body composition by making some changes.

I made this shift a few months back and have lost 10 pounds and 10% bodyfat and 2 pant sizes! (from a 12 to an 8). My body feels much more like itself again. I’m going to include a few tips each day and resources as needed.

The tip for today is GREENS! See if you can add more greens — preferably raw to your diet. I went to a raw foods class and learned lots which I’ll be sharing through this blog. Green vegetables are so rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and have the amino acids to give your body the protein it needs. So a great morning meal is fruit blended with greens in a blender. Very easy, very fast, and it tastes great. Here’s the easy foundation for a recipe which you can embellish to your body’s content!

Greens & Fruit Smoothie

Make drink with about 1/2 greens (salad lettuces, spinach, a little kale perhaps) and 1/2 fruit (pineapple and papaya are great–or berries, kiwi, peach, mango, banana.) I use about a handful of spinach and mixed greens and the amount of fruit to equal about 1 large peach. You can add a pinch of Celtic or Himalayan (or other high quality mineralized salt) and juice of 1/4 to 1/2 lemon. This drink makes me feel great! It gives me plenty of energy for 3-4 hours. You can garnish with hempseed nuts, sesame seeds, or sprouts. For extra staying power, you might add some of your favorite protein meal replacement. One of my all time favorites is the GlycoSlim Vanilla from Mannatech. Also, some like to add a supplement of concentrated green foods in a powdered form.

I also use supplements in the morning which you can find out about by contacting me. Basically a food-based vitamin/mineral and support for digestion and hormonal and immune system.

Try the green drink and let me know how you like it! Also, would love to have your comments on benefits you receive. We have many giving us feedback now that have incorporated this into their diet and noticing weight loss and more sustained energy!

Best of health and vitality,
Noni
www.ChooseVitality.com
HealthTutor@gmail.com