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While thinking about sweets for my sweetie this Valentines Day I began looking at what kind of sweetener I was going to use in my straight from the heart, homemade, yummy chocolate treats.    I want the best for my sweetie.  He loves chocolate but there will be NO "refined" sugar or "natural and raw" sugar for this man.  "Refined" and yes, "natural and raw"  sugar are toxic to the body for 2 reasons.

(Side step and FYI - I won't even go into the artificial camp of sweeteners here (ie. Aspartame, Equal, NutraSweet, Splenda.  Bottom line they are neuro-toxic....this means they damage your brain neurons - NOT good!)

Ok, on with the prelude.  First, sugar lowers the ability of our immune system to fight disease.  After consuming sugar your white blood cells (the warriors of your immune system that quench pathogens) are literally crippled for about 6 hours after consuming sugar containing beverages and foods. This leaves you vulnerable to infection......lord knows we need all the support we can get these days to fight sneaky bugs.  Secondly, it results in a damaging sequence that stresses your pancreas, brain, adrenals, not to mention waistline.

So, now on with my dramatic discovery....actually not MY discovery, this is actually well documented, known by many healthy practitioners, written up in scientific journals AND it has been bugging me for a long time! 

So, in my pursuit of "healthy" chocolate recipes, they all contained Agave Syrup.  Annoying.  Agave is everywhere! It is being touted as the lone star to save the day as a healthy sweetener, which couldn't be further from the truth.

Agave Syrup - the High Fructose Cactus Syrup

I may be bursting your bubble here but Agave Syrup is NOT all it is cracked up to be.  Yes, it is hailed as the super ultra healthy, low glycemic, safe for everyone, especially Diabetics, kind of sweetener......but this stuff is really just High Fructose Cactus Syrup.

 Blood Sugar Buster

Speaking personally as a very "glycemically sensitive person" this stuff can really land me on my face.  In my gut (not to mention pancreas) I know there is a serious glycemic response.  This symptom of feeling like I’ve just downed a bunch of sugar after eating (or drinking) Agave led me to look behind the scenes at why this stuff has been given the low glycemic vote of approval. To my surprise it is not the sweet savior to refined sugar we have been led to believe.

 The Process Busted

Yes, it is true – Agave is low glycemic.  But we must understand WHY it is given that title.  It is due to the fact that it has 90% fructose compared to the small amount of glucose (10%).  This ratio of fructose to glucose does not occur  naturally anywhere else in nature.  So, why does it occur with Agave?   Well…. the sap of the Agave plant is collected and then heated to concentrate the liquid into a syrup AND to develop the sweetness.  When the Agave sap is heated, it becomes FRUCTOSE. The fructose-rich solution is then filtered to obtain the desired products that range from dark syrup with a characteristic vanilla aroma, to a light amber liquid with more neutral characteristics.  So basically, Agave is just hydrolyzed fructose.  Yuck.  Why yuck? Well, liken it to High Fructose Corn Syrup where they have manipulated the molecules to create a dangerous, artificial substance.

Harboring High Fructose

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is a HUGE nightmare in the current food industry dilemma and accounts for much of the increase in obesity over the last 10 years.  It lurks silently in numerous products such as sauces, juices, enhanced waters, breads, crackers, cereals, protein bars, etc.   (HFCS) in soda contains an even less concentration of glucose to fructose ratio at 55% (HFCS) than compared to Agave at 90%.  Even though fructose is low on the glycemic index, there are numerous problems associated with the consumption of fructose in such high concentrations as found in concentrated sweeteners.  Here are some examples:

• Fructose makes you age faster!.  Research indicates that fructose induces oxidative stress.  Scientists found that rats given fructose had more cross-linking changes in the collagen of their skin than other groups fed glucose.

• Fructose actually promotes disease more readily than glucose. This is because glucose is metabolized by every cell in the body but fructose must be metabolized by the liver.  This makes fructose convert to fat and  increases triglycerides (blood fats) significantly as well as the potential for a fatty liver.

•  Fructose may make diabetic conditions even worse.  It reduces the sensitivity of insulin receptors which are essential for glucose to enter the cell and be burned for energy.  This can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes.

So, the moral of this story is to beware of any substitute sweetener, read between the lines and be a conscious consumer, even if it does claim to be all natural and low glycemic.  Get the facts!  If you want to add sweetness to something try using Xylitol or Stevia.  Xylitol is antibacterial and actually helps you burn fat.  Stevia is derived from an herb and is NON-glycemic AND it helps to regulate blood sugar.  One of my favorites is Stevia Sweet Leaf.  It even comes in little pouches you can carry with you and have on hand.  They also have drops in a variety of flavors. 

Here's a simple recipe to help you on your way...

Chocolate Pudding to Knock Your Valentine’s Socks Off!

Gluten Free, Sugar Free……and full of nutrition & LOVE!

This nutrient dense treat contains super stars such as:

• Coconut milk – antimicrobial , healthy fats that don’t make you fat
• Avocado – loaded with vitamin E and more healthy fats that don’t make you fat
• Raw Organic Chocolate – high in Magnesium and powerful antioxidants
• Stevia – a natural sweetener that is non-glycemic and will help keep your blood sugar balanced.
• Whey Protein Powder – The most bio-available form of protein which enhances energy, immune function and detoxification.
• Walnuts – heart healthy fats
• Raspberries - a tasty low glycemic fruit that contains fiber, manganese, Vitamin C, flavonoids, B vitamins & ellagic acid.

Directions

• ½ Cup of Coconut Milk (canned)
• 2 TBS filtered water
• ¼ Avocado
• 2 TBS water
• 1-2 TBS of raw Cocoa Powder
• 2 drops of liquid Stevia
• 1 scoop of Whey Protein Powder
• 1 TBS of chopped Walnuts
• 1/4 Cup Raspberries

In a blender add coconut milk, avocado, water, cocoa and stevia.  Blend until smooth.  Then add protein powder and blend to desired consistently.  Top with chopped walnuts and raspberries. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or eat ASAP!

Enjoy, be well & thrive!

Sarah

Trecking out of the post office today I looked up to the FINALLY blue sky.  A patchwork of puffy white grayish clouds and a soft blue sky hanging like a silken canvas.  I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply as though on the edge of the shore, thinking how nice it was to smell this fresh clean post storm air.

Then to my surprise - I suddenly thought I was choking - nose burning - stomach turning.  The smell of gas burning around me. Good God I thought, what on earth?! 

Low and behold, I had walked into the parking lot as a car was pulling out of the parking lot......leaving me enveloped in a cloud of exhaust.  Probably doesn't sound like a big deal.  However, if you could see the chemicals that were in this invisible air behind the vehicle you might think again.    I quickly made a 180 and went back inside the post to regain my breath.

As my nose continued to burn I thought about those specific chemicals in exhaust.  As I stood there people passed in and out, especially many women -  with manicured nails with fingernail polish.  It was then I remembered how the chemical makeup of fingernail polish and exhaust have some similar counterparts........chemicals such as Styrene, Benzene and Toluene.  And there I sat to pause for a moment thinking of all the people  that have NO idea that they are putting seriously toxic stuff on their their nails.  So, I did a quick look for the latest "environmentally friendly" nail polish.....

(Sidestep - this takes me back to the time that a friend had just put on her "organic toe polish"  I mean, it was sold at Whole Foods and was labeled "environmentally friendly" - - so it should be ok - right???  Wrong!!!  First of all,  I nearly keeled over after being with in 2 feet of her and her sparkly, still wet toe nails.  Secondly, it is not as "safe" as you might think.)

Ok, back to my research on the "safe enviro toe nail polish"......Agasp!  It still contains Styrene!  What is the big deal? Well, Styrene is a potential carcinogen and causes oxidative stress in our mitochondria.  Our mito-what??  Our mitochondria.   This is like the furnace in our cells where we we create energy.  And once this stuff gets in - it is hard to get it out!  This can slow down what is called our Krebs Cycle.  The Krebs Cycle is this amazing energy creating process that takes place in our mitochondria. 

As for the conventional toe nail polish, well it contains a very long list of toxic chemicals, including Formaldehydes Benzene, Toluene and Styrene - which are also in exhaust.  All toxic.  All potential carcinogens.

Who'd have thought that breathing in a bunch of exhaust would have led me to this blog of toe nail polish!  Well, no surprise I guess.  I don't know about you, but they BOTH make my nose burn and make me want to hold my breath!  

So how did I get nourished to remedy this little blip that felt like it depleted me.  I came home and took a slug of my MonaVie.   MonaVie?  This is a phenomenal whole food tonic that contains amazing Antioxidants that will help neutralize those free radicals that are caused by exhaust inhalation.  Sure enough, a few minutes later, I was feeling perky, clear and back to normal!  

Well, this blog just of rolled out of me....had no intention of writing about nail polish....I don't even paint mine!  Haven't for years now.....just going a la natural:)  I hope this has helped someone our there!

May you be well & thrive!

Sarah

Do you use a cell phone?  Do your children? Do your loved ones?  Well, it's time -  high time, to take the time to catch up on the latest science about the consequence of cell phones.  I know it is hard to imagine.  They are so convenient, and the consequence seems so  invisible.  So, how could there be a problem?  Well there is a problem - a very BIG one.  Recently released is yet another scientifically validated study that confirms cell phones DO in fact harm human health.  

A landmark paper by Igor Belayev's team at Stockholm University has
reported that very low intensity microwave radiation from mobile phones
inhibits DNA repair processes in human stem cells.  THIS IS HUGE!!!

So, what does this mean?  It means that cell phones damage your DNA.  What is DNA?  It is the blueprint for every cell in your body.  DNA controls every message of your cells to create, repair and function.  The consequence of damaging DNA? Well, to put it bluntly - Disease and death of cells.  This could manifest in such ways as  inflammation, chronic pain,  premature aging and disease, especially cancer.   

In the authors' words, "this represents a direct mechanistic link to epidemiological data showing an association of Mobile Phone exposure with increased cancer risk."  The data obtained from human stem cells is of "utmost relevance for assessment of possible health risks of exposure from mobile phones."  Most, if not all adult tissues and organs including blood, skin and brain contain stem cells.

 Children are especially at more risk.   A recent report proved that children are more at risk from mobile phone use than adults.   The risk of glioma is more than 5-fold in children but just more than 2-fold in adults.  This is not just skepticism.

The author went on to say "In children,  almost all organs and tissues possess stem cells and stem cells are more active in children (since their bodies are growing at rapid rates).   The possible relationship of chronic exposure and various types of tumors and leukemia especially in children should be investigated."

This issue is very close to my heart.  Speaking from personal experience, I have encountered health issues from wireless technology.  Had I not had the sever symptoms I did from wireless technology, I would not be as keenly aware of the devastating impacts. I am not against cell phones.  Yes they can be helpful in times of emergency.  However, I am all for DISCRETION.  Currently there is no discretion regarding the use of cellphones.  People have no clue.  We MUST be conscious consumers and users of this powerful technology.  For information on how you can protect yourself from the invisible impact of wireless technology (ie cellphones), please contact me at www.getnourished.tv.

May you be well & thrive,

Sarah

Finally, the EPA is stepping up to the plate and testing chemicals suspected of being Endocrine Disruptors.  What is an Endocrine Disruptor???  They are chemicals that mimic the action of Estrogen. 

Why is this important? Many cancers and disease processes  are estrogen dependent and MANY of these chemicals are abundant in our environment today.  To put it in perspective, over 600,000 new chemicals/year are put into use.  However, they are not adequately tested for safety measures.  To read about this hot off the press issue, go to http://www.epa.gov/endo/.

A few examples of Endocrine Disruptors are:

• Pesticides

Pesticides are toxic chemicals sprayed on agriculture and residential areas to kill insects, destroy weeds and potential fungus.  Non-organic food contains pesticides.  If you use Round Up to kill weeds or even RAID to kill Ants in your home - those are pesticides.

Solution:

1) Eat Organic!  Most grocery stores have an organic sections now, however if yours does not,  try the following:

Check out your local farmers markets for the freshest organic produce and meat http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/If you don't have organic choices, go to the following site for a handy cut out wallet guide to help you with choosing the least chemical covered produce www.foodnews.org.

2)Avoid Home Pesticide Use

There are many alternatives now to keeping bugs at bay in and around your home. Did you know something as simple as cinnamon can keep ants at bay? You can access handy alternatives here: http://www.avianweb.com/safepesticides.html.

• Plastics
  

Do you store your  food and water in plastic containers?  Or heat your food in plastic or even leave your plastic bottle water in the car?  Stop!  Plastic is an Endocrine Disruptor.

Solution: 

1)Store your food in glass containers.

2)Carry your water in a Clean Canteen http://www.kleankanteen.com/

3)Avoid using a microwave - it zaps the nutrients in your food!

• Body Care products

Solution:

1)Buy organic body care products and then.....see below.

2)Check to see if your products contain unsafe chemicals .  Just go to  Cosmetic Safety Database by the Environmental Working Group.  Just go to http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1

All the above are actions YOU can take to reduce your exposure to chemicals that are known to be Endocrine Disruptors. 

If you have further questions or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn how these chemicals may be affecting your health, please contact me (Sarah Reilly) at www.getnourished.tv.

Here's to a healthy, vibrant you!

Sarah

That’s what I called it last night.  I was so nervous.  Heart pounding.  What would they think?  I was attending a class where the week before I was sitting under Compact Fluorescent Lights for 3 hours.  My body burned the whole time and I wanted to crawl out of my skin.  I went home with a brutal headache, and my bones and flesh felt like they were on fire.  I had to complete this course, but I didn’t know how to remedy this situation.   I had to tell the instructor that I couldn’t do the class in that building with the Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL’s).   My first thoughts were, "Oh God, what is she going to think?  What will the whole program think?"  So she asked me to tell the students my circumstance in the next class and ask if we could turn most of those lights off so we still had enough light. 

So, fastforward to last night.  Prior to class I was nauseated and I was scared.  What would they think?  What would I say?  So I told them.  “I have Electrical Sensitivity and I am very sensitive to the light from Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs.  It makes my body burn and gives me a brutal headache.”  The response? Looks of shock and amazement - wide eyed shock.  No looks of doubt, just incredible empathetic open hearts - and willingness to turn off the CFL’s.

I was touched with their sensitivity to my issue. This has often times not been my experience in the past, so I have learned (in a sad way) to be quiet about this condition.  Many people have judged me, calling me paranoid and psychosomatic.  That is not the case.  Silently, I have kept quiet about this issue as though I am the only one.  I know I am not the only one.   I know I am not.  I know you are out there…….those of you that  experience your body burning, headaches, fatigue, anxiety or joint and muscle soreness after being under CFL’s. Maybe at this point you have not connected the dots between source and symptoms when you are at work, school or home.  Or maybe you have, but still think, naaaah, that couldn’t be possible.  Well, it is possible.  The world’s premier researcher on this very issue, Magda Hava has identified and proven – YES proven  there is a scientifically validated link between CFL’s and adverse symptoms.

Yes, I know CFL’s  are touted as being the “ecological choice”.  However they come with a hefty backlash of an implication.  The visually obvious is they are filled with Mercury, that hello, if one breaks, that is a disaster in itself and they are difficult to recycle.   The not so obvious is that they produce a type of frequency, also known as “dirty electricity”.  These of dirty electricity frequencies are biologically active and produce symptoms of inflammation as well as blood sugar dysregulation.   Give Mada Havas and CFL’s a Google, and you’ll see what I mean.   In fact, check out this YouTube video for a quick over view…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3YrEMlmE9E.  It is well worth the 3 minutes.

To learn more about this issue and how I work with people through Holistic Nutrition to help them mediate the unpleasant symptoms’ of Electrical Sensitivity contact me at: www.getnourished.tv

Until next time, thrive and be well,

Sarah at Get Nourished.TV

The Los Angeles Wildfires of Southern California have been blazing now for days, thus resulting in a dark blanket of smoke over an already pollution challenged region.   This results in not only increased toxins from the fires, but also trapping in and increasing the level of existing pollution, as well as  decreasing the amount of oxygen in the air.   Smoke absorbs oxygen.

So the result – 1) more toxins 2) Less oxygen

This may increase your level of feeling tired, stressed and toxic.  This is a CRUCIAL time to Get Nourished! 

Add: 

WATER!!!

Drink at least TEN  8oz glasses of filtered water with a squeeze of lemon a day. This will gently help your body  carry nutrients to your cells, carry waste out and help your system clear debris.

 ANTIOXIDANTS

Antioxidants help fight free radicals.  Free radicals are damaging to our cells cause premature aging on a cellular level and instigate disease.  Antioxidants in fruits and veggies are crucial.  Examples of veggie preparations are raw salads, or lightly steamed veggies.   As for fruits, some of the highest amounts are found in foods such, as berries like the blue berry and the greatest of all, the acai berry.  Both can be found in a very special product call MonaVie.  In fact just 2 ounces twice a day, will give you the phytontrient value of 13 fruits and vegetables!  You can order it here:www.getnourished.acaistory.com/Purchase.aspx

LEAFY GREENS!!!

Greens contain Chlorophyll which helps carry oxygen to your cells.  Getting them in the liquid form would be best for quickest absorption.  A great way to do that is with cooling soups, juiced greens and salads.  Organic is always recommended! 

Soups