Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Drinking water at certain times of your day 
can maximize the effectiveness on the body

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

office-water-cooler

Did you know that drinking water at certain times of the day can have a dramatic effect on the body?    It is true, every day I start my morning off with a large glass of room temperature water to awaken my internal organs and get “things” moving.  Water is a necessity for the body, it helps to regulate blood pressure, helps with digestion and can help avoid stroke and heart attack. Below is information that was written by a cardiologist and was an email sent to us from one of our clients explaining the best times of the day and how much water to drink so that risk of illness may be avoided.

- 2 glasses of water upon awaking will activate internal organs

- 1 glass of water before a meal will help with digestion

- 1 glass of water 30 minutes before a bath can help lower blood pressure

- 1 glass of water before going to bed avoids risk of heart attack, stroke and/or leg cramps.

Depending on what literature you read our bodies are made up 75%-90% of water.  Every organ, muscle and cell in your body uses the water you drink to help keep your body working every single day.  Dehydration can be a serious issue and by the time you’re thirsty your way behind in your water intake.  Here are some signs that you may be dehydrated before you even become thirsty.

- Hunger ( if you notice you’re hungry after eating a good sized meal - drink water before putting more food in your mouth, your thirsty, not hungry)

- Foggy thinking

- Tired

- Dizzy

If you would like more information about how much water you should be drinking daily or have health information you’d like to share with us please feel free to contact us.

To Your Health,

Dorothy and Lori

Is Your Liver Overloaded? Take the Test

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

The liver is the body’s second largest organ stop_liver1and it’s primary job is detoxification. Simply put, the liver takes a potentially harmful substance in your body and transforms it into a less harmful substance so that the body can then safely eliminate it. The liver also plays a role in fat burning. It works with the gallbladder to help us excrete fatty substances, including stored body fat.

In modern days, many of us are treating our livers unkindly, and they just can’t keep up. Alcohol, caffeine, trans fats, sugars (including fructose and sucrose), synthetic substances (ie..pesticides, medications, skin care, etc..) and infections/viruses all put an extra burden on the liver. When this happens, cells in the liver begin to die and the liver eventually is unable to regenerate new cells.

What, you may be wondering, replaces those lost liver cells?   Fat! If this happens to you, you may get diagnosed with a fatty liver by your MD.

The liver is also responsible to making approximately 80% of the cholesterol in your body. (Remember, cholesterol is our friend as it is responsible for making all of our steroid hormones among other things.) The liver will make cholesterol to protect itself, since cholesterol can act as an anti-inflammatory. So when your liver is exposed to substances that can inflame it (as in the list above) it will make extra LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) for protection.

Ensuring good liver support as well as finding other sources of hidden inflammation in your body is a great first step in lowering cholesterol. Our upcoming Wellness 101 class in Los Gatos is a great place to learn about hidden inflammation and what to do about it.

Take The Test


If you answer “YES” to any of the questions below, your liver may need some support.
1. I have a liver roll (a roll of fat just below the bra line).

2. I have a tender point in the center of my chest (at the bra line).

3. I have a very short fuse/temper.

4. I have PMS.

5. I have cellulite.

6. I get hot easily.

7. My sleep is worse during a night that I consumed alcohol.

8. I have floaters in front of my eyes.

9. I get bloated easily.

10. I have elevated LDL (”bad”) cholesterol.

11. I drink alcohol daily.

12. I prefer to start my day with coffee.

If you suspect that you have an unhappy liver, the first thing to do is to eliminate the items listed above to give your body a break. Discovering the source of hidden inflammation including food allergies, hormone imbalances, parasites, etc.. is also critical to getting balance back into your body. If you would like more information or to set up a personal consultation, feel free to contact us.

References: Weaver, Libby Accidentally Overweight 2010Image thank you to: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=liver&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1168&bih=592&tbm=isch&tbnid=tDpIFtlTLBwIYM:&imgrefurl=http://healthlob.com/2011/05/choice-liver-treatment/&docid=zUJjTuBcQvsNqM&w=590&h=581&ei=w2-KTtGcLcWFsgKBmuCjBA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=791&page=3&tbnh=109&tbnw=111&start=40&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:40&tx=49&ty=45

Seared Ahi Tuna & Edamame

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

seared-tunaSummer is here and so is the hot weather.  Cooking heavy meals and heating up the kitchen are typically items we try to avoid this time of year.   Hopefully you will find this recipe quick, easy & healthy.  This recipe comes from me, Lori, and by no means do I claim to be a chef.  I’m just another working woman who is always playing around in the kitchen to find quick, healthy and easy clean up meals not just for myself but also my clients.  I hope you find this recipe to be one of your favorites.   Let me know how you like.  If you have a quick, easy  and healthy recipe you’d like to share please email it to me at lori@replenishingsoul.com and I will gladly post it on our blog.

What you will need:

  • 1lb. Ahi Tuna Steak (feeds 2 adults)
  • Dark Sesame Oil
  • Sesame seeds
  • 5 Scallions
  • Soy Sauce
  • Ginger
  • Wasabi
  • Edamame (1 package)

How to prepare Ahi:

  • Cut tuna into thin slices or to thickness of your desire - place off to side once all sliced
  • Clean and cut scallions into thin slices including the greens - place off to side
  • Place pan on stove top- drizzle sesame oil all over the bottom of the pan
  • Turn stove top on medium heat and let pan get hot
  • Taking Tuna one slice at a time place in pan and heat for 5-10 seconds on one side then flip. Cook longer if you want less pink to show
  • Place cooked Tuna on a separate plate
  • Once Tuna is all cooked drizzle lightly with soy sauce, sesame seeds and garnish with scallions.
  • Serve with ginger, soy sauce & wasabi

How to prepare Edamame:

  • Bring pot of water to a boil
  • Place edamame in boiling water cook for designated time on package, drain, rinse with cool water and serve with sea salt

Healthy Eating!

Lori

pic by: http://northendfish.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/seared-tuna.jpg

In-home screening test for Candida

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

candida_micro1

Do you have Candida?  Find out with this quick in-home screening.

Candida is a type of yeast that is naturally found throughout the body.  It can be found in the regular flora of the skin, mouth, intestinal track, rectum and vagina.  Although Candida is found naturally throughout the body, it can cause problems if there is an overgrowth.  Antibiotic use and not properly replenishing the gut afterwards, poor diet, stress and poor digestion can cause an overgrowth of yeast.

Symptoms can range from:

  • Stomach pains
  • Digestive problems
  • Skin rashes (eczema, psoriasis & acne)
  • Foggy brain
  • Anxiety
  • OCD
  • Irritability
  • Headaches
  • Itchy skin
  • Cravings for sweets

Candida thrives in an acidic environment and therefore a diet that promotes an alkaline environment is best click here to read about foods to avoid on a Candida Diet.  You should also know that Candida typically is not seen alone, meaning that if one has Candida issues then parasites, food sensitivities, adrenal fatigue and liver toxicity are also problems and can be ruled out with our in-home test kits.

If you suspect or are curious that you might be suffering from a Candida issue here is a quick in-home screening process to check and see if this yeast might be infecting you.  Remember this is ONLY a screening and if you suspect that might have a yeast problem please call our offices to set up an appointment for more thorough testing.

In-home Candida Screening Test:

  • Perform this test first thing in the morning before you put anything else in your mouth.
  • Grab a clear glass and fill with water
  • Work up some saliva and then spit into the glass of water
  • Check the water after a moment or 2-3 minutes and then every 15 minutes up until 1 hour

Results of a positive screen:

  • Strings, like cloudy legs moving down into the water or
  • Cloudy saliva that will sink to the bottom of the glass
  • Call our offices for testing

Results of a negative screen:

  • Water is clear, no strings and saliva is sitting on top of the water

Candida thrives off of sugar and therefore needs to be eliminated from the diet in order to starve the yeast.  An alkaline environment also needs to be created so here are foods to avoid while on a Candida Diet.

  • Avoid all sweets & processed foods (any food that has a shelf life)
  • Avoid fruits (fresh or dried) & fruit juices
  • Avoid all grains & pasta
  • Avoid alcohol
  • Avoid all dairy products

Foods to consume:

  • Fruits allowed are all kinds of berries, grapefruit, pineapple and papaya and still should only make up 5% of diet
  • Proteins: only from organic sources- non-organic meats contain antibiotics
  • Vegetables - above ground are best because they contain less sugar
  • Best Vegetables to consume: broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, asparagus, onions, garlic & ginger

We hope you found this newsletter informative and we welcome any questions that you might have.

In Health & Happiness

Lori & Dorothy

Picture by:  http://overcomingcandida.com/images/candida_gallery/candida_micro.jpg

Find Your Purpose

Saturday, April 2nd, 2011

You may remember that last month we wrote about the power of the mind, and how we inevitably give in topersonal-success11 willpower. As we mentioned, to win you need to identify a negative behavior before it takes place so you can replace it with a good habit. Put in another way, we are what we think about. So, if we constantly think about not eating a cookie, we’ll inevitably eat a cookie. In a broader sense, if we don’t have goals, don’t have a plan and think about nothing, we become nothing. This subject ties in beautifully with this month’s tip: Finding your purpose. One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is: “What is my purpose in life?”.

Many times early on in life we set goals, like “Going to college”, “Getting a good job”, or “Getting married.”. However, these are goals that are commonly achieved early on in life. Once that happens, many times we get comfortable with our lives and forget to set new goals or make new plans. This lack of purpose can lead to us looking to external sources to “fill” our lives, whether it be with food, shopping, unhealthy relationships, or a variety of other sources.

To learn more about the concept of achieving success, we invite you to watch a powerful video, The Strangest Secret in the World by Earl Nightingale.


Wishing you abundant success,

Dorothy and Lori

Image: thank you to: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.healthylifestyleplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/personal-success1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blog.taigacompany.com/blog/green-living-consultant&usg=__bub7Swnh7msoyxYhjXWCZPeq3PQ=&h=253&w=383&sz=11&hl=en&start=19&sig2=Bk7a22EkANqF_DL_bICkhg&zoom=1&tbnid=oEDYYnuJTp5MNM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=169&ei=HmWXTY6zHpL2swOz0p3FBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsuccess%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1160%26bih%3D589%26tbm%3Disch0%2C275&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=845&vpy=302&dur=459&hovh=182&hovw=276&tx=188&ty=113&oei=FWWXTcTDDJP0tgPvj7TOBQ&page=2&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:19&biw=1160&bih=589


Heavy Metals: Mercury

Sunday, February 13th, 2011

We have been discussing 016_mercury_health_hazzard_or_hoax_8846_5452the effects of heavy metal toxicity over the past few weeks, including sources they are found in, toxicity symptoms and counteracting nutrients that include the vitamins and minerals we previously discussed. As always we hope you enjoy and if you have any questions please feel free to contact us. If you suspect heavy metal toxicity for yourself or are just curious call our offices and we will would be more than happy to assist you in running a heavy metal test.

Heavy metals include and are not limited to mercury, lead, aluminum, copper and fluoride. These items are found in our environment including our food, cleaning supplies, air & water. Completely avoiding heavy metals is near to impossible however there are several preventative steps that one can take in order to keep your body in a healthier state, therefore, making it easier to fight off exposure. These steps include and are not limited to:

· Eating organic when possible

· Thoroughly washing fruits and veggies after purchasing

· Drink plenty of clean water (filtered water is best)

· Avoid processed foods, sugar & caffeine

· Breathe fresh air – live in the city? Consider taking a ride to the country side or ocean

· Stress reduction – do something that helps you to manage & reduce stress such as exercising, meditation, listening to music that soothes you etc.

For our next heavy metal blog entry we will be discussing Mercury.

Mercury is one of the oldest common pollutants. The most common ingested source of mercury is in fish, however it is also found in plants, water, the soil, livestock and the atmosphere. Mercury residues can also be found in the processing of foods, such as foods made with high fructose corn syrup. Exposure to mercury vapor from dental fillings is also concerning. The University of Calgary has a powerful video showing the negative effects of mercury on the brain, demonstrating the degeneration of growing neurons in the brain when mercury is introduced. (http://apollo.ucalgary.ca/mercury/movies/Lor2_QTS_700kb_QD.mov)

CAUTION: If you have mercury fillings and would like to get them replaced you should:

1. Be sure that your body is healthy enough to handle the extra burden of detoxifying the released mercury from these fillings. If you have a poor diet, have negative symptoms like bloating, constipation, skin rashes, trouble losing weight, etc… YOU ARE NOT READY. Contact us to learn more.

2. When your body is in good health, go to a dentist that specializes in removing mercury fillings. If not, you may be doing more harm than good.

Common Sources of Mercury:

  • Amalgam filling
  • Fish
  • Soil
  • Fungicides
  • Some cosmetics
  • Pesticides
  • Film
  • Plastics
  • Paint
  • Residue in some processed foods

Toxic Symptoms:

  • Allergies
  • Arthritis
  • Birth Defects
  • Cataracts
  • Depression
  • Dizziness
  • Epilepsy
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Kidney Damage
  • Memory Loss
  • Nervousness
  • Paralysis
  • Seizures
  • Vision Loss
  • Weakness

Counteracting Nutrients:

  • Cabbage family vegetables
  • Calcium
  • Fiber
  • Lecithin
  • Pectin
  • Selenium
  • Sodium Alginate
  • Vitamins A, B Complex, C, E
  • Cysteine
  • Nutritional Yeast

Resource: Fighting radiation & chemical pollutants by: Steven Schechter, N.D.

http://commons.ucalgary.ca/mercury/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(element)

Picture by: http://www.ion.ac.uk/archives/016_mercury_health_hazzard_or_hoax.html

Staying well this flu season

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

Tis the season, not just for eating Turkey, putting up the Christmas lights but alsosneeze for getting sick. For this weeks blog entry we are taking a break from discussing heavy metals and instead going to discuss a few quick tips for keeping yourself healthy during the flu season.

Illness is going around if you have not noticed and keeping oneself healthy can be a bit of a challenge this time each year. The tips you will read below may seem like common sense but stop for a minute and check in with yourself to see if you are actually doing these “common sense” items:

1. Wash your hands- after coughing, using the bathroom or shaking hands

2. Sneeze into your arm rather than your hand- so many times we think we are being polite by sneezing into our hand but do you always have immediate access to a bathroom to wash your hands before having to possibly shake or touch someone else?

3. Get plenty of sleep: sleep is when your immune system goes to work. Therefore, no sleep, no repair and illness strikes.

4. Cut back or stop all sugar: Sugar suppresses the immune system and can’t fight off illness as easily.

5. Wipe down objects: wipe down your desk, phone & door handles with antibacterial wipes. Help assist in stopping the spread of germs

6. Take your vitamins and immune system boosting herbs

7. Drink plenty of water- this helps your body flush out toxins

8. Eat healthy foods- rather than having your mid-day snack be a snickers bar how about some carrots and hummus or a banana and nuts?

9. Exercise: be careful with this one…even though exercise can help keep us strong and relieve stress is can also lead to illness if one’s body is already tired and run down. Keep exercise moderate this time of year.

10. Slow down & If you feel sick…STAY HOME and not contribute to the illness being spread

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us.

Here’s to your health

Lori Metroka Yu, Clincal Nutritionist, Physical Therapist

Turkey Meatloaf

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

meatloaf-potatoes_300We often have clients coming to us looking for healthy alternatives to their favorite comfort foods. This recipe is packed with spinach, whole wheat bread crumbs and lean turkey, providing several vitamins, minerals fiber and anti-oxidants. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 1/2 pound lean ground turkey

1 onion, chopped

1 bunch fresh spinach, thick stems (about 4 cups)

1 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped

1/2 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 large egg white

Kosher salt and black pepper

1/2 cup marinara sauce


1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. In a bowl, combine the turkey, onion, spinach, parsley, bread crumbs, mustard, egg white, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper.

2. Transfer the mixture to a baking sheet and form it into a 10 inch loaf. Spread lightly with 1/4 cup of the marinara sauce. Bake until cooked through, about 45-50 minutes.

3. Serve with the remaining marinara sauce.

Photo and recipe courtesy of http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/turkey-meatloaf-mashed-potatoes-00000000008039/index.html

Minerals: Chromium

Monday, November 8th, 2010

blueberries_21Over the past few weeks we have been discussing minerals.  This week we continue with the mineral Chromium. To recap let’s review the difference between a vitamin and mineral.  A vitamin is any compound that contains carbon and therefore is organic.  There are two classes of vitamins…fat soluble A, D, E and K or water soluble, B and C.

Minerals on the other hand do not contain carbon and are what we call inorganic.  There are macro- minerals and micro-minerals.  Macro-minerals are calcium, chloride, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sodium.  Micro-minerals are:  chromium, iron, copper, zinc, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and iron.

There are many factors that can decrease the absorption of vitamins and minerals which include:  alcohol, caffeine, antibiotics, stress, corticosteroids, aspirin, diuretics, oral contraceptives, sugar and tobacco.  Therefore if your lifestyle includes any of these factors and you are not well there could be a good chance that you are not absorbing your essential nutrients.  You will learn over the next few weeks the critical affect that each of the vitamins and mineral have over the health of your body.

This week we will be discussing Chromium

The primary function of chromium is its role in carbohydrate metabolism, meaning that it moves insulin in and out of the cells helping with energy production.

What it Does:

  • Helps with energy production
  • May benefit someone who is hypoglycemic, has type II diabetes or is insulin resistant
  • The effect of chromium is also being researched on
  • o High blood pressure
  • o Cholesterol levels
  • o Obesity
  • o Metabolic Syndrome X

Absorbing and Utilizing Chromium:

  • Chromium is not easily absorbed and the body itself only produces small amounts. Therefore, it needs to be supplemented.
  • The absorption of chromium is affected by simple sugars, antacids and white flour. So the more you eat these items the less chromium will be absorbed into the body.

 

Found In: Peas, green peppers, whole eggs, beef, onions, broccoli, carrots, blueberries

References: The Power of Nutrient Dense Food, Patty Weller CCN
 

 

Picture by:  http://www.baltimoreeats.com/images/articles/Blueberries_5872758_sm.png

 

Minerals: Chromium

Sunday, October 17th, 2010

Over the past few weeks we’ve been discussing minerals.green-peppers This week we continue with the mineral chromium. To recap let’s review the difference between a vitamin and mineral.  A vitamin is any compound that contains carbon and therefore is organic.  There are two classes of vitamins…fat soluble A, D, E and K or water soluble, B and C.

Minerals on the other hand do not contain carbon and are what we call inorganic.  There are macro- minerals and micro-minerals.  Macro-minerals are calcium, chloride, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sodium.  Micro-minerals are:  chromium, iron, copper, zinc, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and iron.

There are many factors that can decrease the absorption of vitamins and minerals which include:  alcohol, caffeine, antibiotics, stress, corticosteroids, aspirin, diuretics, oral contraceptives, sugar and tobacco.  Therefore if your lifestyle includes any of these factors and you are not well there could be a good chance that you are not absorbing your essential nutrients.  You will learn over the next few weeks the critical effect that each of the vitamins and mineral have over the health of your body.

This week we will be discussing Chromium

What it Does:

Has a role in carbohydrate metabolism

Increases the action of insulin

Absorbing and Utilizing Chromium:

Chromium is not readily absorbed. Vitamin C and amino acids (from protein) increase the absorption of chromium. Factors that decrease absorption include simple sugars, antacids, phytates, excess iron from starches (especially made from white flour).

An “adequate intake” of chromium has been established at 35 mcg/day. Some experts recommend 100-200mcg pr day. The amount of chromium in food is affected by processing, and chromium levels in fruits and vegetables are highly variable depending on the quality of the soil.

Extremely high doses of chromium may increase the risk of kidney disease or liver problems. As with any supplements, you should consult with your doctor to make sure you are taking a dose that is right for you.

Found In: green peas, green peppers, wine, beef, onions, broccoli, carrots ( just to name a few.)

Resource:  The Power of Nutrient Dense Food by Patti Weller

Photo: Thank you to: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JSSqn84FcT0/SmV9D6gE-MI/AAAAAAAAHYI/rZROzGDQBgU/s400/green+peppers.jpg