Thursday, February 27, 2014

Got brain fog?

Like many, one of the things Justin and I struggle with as we get older is "brain fog". You know... the moments when you feel as though you are the "Absent-Minded Professor" at work or at home because you forget all those "little things" you used to recall with ease. Whether it's forgetting to e-mail information to a co-worker, misplacing the checkbook, or driving home and not remembering the last 10 miles, it's frustrating and sometimes down-right distressing. There's hope though. During the last 8 weeks, Justin & I have been pleasantly surprised by all the rewards we have been experiencing by being on a gluten-free diet (with the last two weeks being grain-free altogether). In addition to our stomachs feeling much better, we have also discovered that our memory has dramatically improved. With "the fog lifted", we quickly recall "all those little things" such as words, names, dates, and places that we had to deliberately think about before recalling the details. In addition, we have more energy to enjoy life, can focus on tasks for longer periods of time, and best of all remember more details en route to our destination. Thinking that this could be a fluke, I searched the Internet and ran across the book, The Gluten Effect: How Innocent Wheat is Ruining Your Health by Drs. Vicki & Richard Peterson, D.C, C.C.N., which validates our experience. In their book, they share that studies show a high correlation between gluten-sensitivity and memory loss. In fact, Chapter 20 is devoted to the topic. What is really alarming to me is that dementia and Alzheimers Disease are on the rise, not only affecting the middle-aged and elderly populations, but younger adults too. Further, that research has shown that a high percentage of people experiencing memory loss are actually gluten sensitive.There is hope though... by eliminating gluten from your diet early enough, you can reverse the damage and even improve your memory too!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Can Gluten-Free be better for the skin?

Struggling with unexplained acne or rashes? Wheat may be the culprit. While whole grain is nutritious (it’s packed with fiber and B vitamins), wheat gluten may be sabotaging your skin, triggering itchy rashes, acne and blemishes, psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, puffy bags under the eyes, and more. That's according to You Beauty's article entitled Gluten-Free for Better Skin? So before making that next sandwich, you may want to explore a possible connection between your skin's health and wheat to determine whether wheat is your skin’s friend or foe.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Is Grain Destroying Your Brain?

In his book "Grain Brain", renowned neurologist David Perlmutter, MD explores the topic of whether carbohydrates are destroying your brain. Regardless of whether you are eating unhealthy carbs such as cookies or candy, or "healthy" ones such as whole grain bread and cereals, the consumption of grain has been linked to dementia, ADD / ADHD, anxiety, mood swings, chronic headaches, depression, and more. Dr. Perlmutter explains what happens to the brain when it encounters common ingredients found in your daily bread, why your brain actually thrives on fat and cholesterol, and how you can initiate the growth of new brain cells regardless of age. The good news is that the book also offers a remedy, providing an in-depth look at how we can take control of our “smart genes” through dietary choices and lifestyle changes and demonstrating how we heal our most feared maladies ... all without drugs! For more about the book and the author, check out Dr. Perlmutter's website at http://www.drperlmutter.com/about/grain-brain-by-david-perlmutter/.

Is the Food Pyramid Making You Fat (and Sick)?


Unless you are superactive (let's face it, most of us aren't), the USDA's Food Pyramid may be providing the American public misguided nutritional information at best and at its worse may be making many us fat, if not sick. Initially developed to provide the American public with nutritional information in an easy to understand format, the Food Pyramid is based on very old scientific research and a lot has changed since the 1960ss research that supports it. For the full article highlighting the key issues, check out http://www.gll-getalife.com/entry/the-food-pyramid

Monday, February 24, 2014

Adding Veggies to Breakfast

Most of us do not think of having vegetables for breakfast, except for maybe a flavor ingredient in an omelet. But you can add vegetables to your morning meal as more than a flavor ingredient.

Shredded savoy cabbage lightly sauteed in garlic and herb butter with black pepper provides a low glycemic treat that has hints of citric taste. It is a fresh and lively taste.

Add broccoli florets, celery, and onion along with chopped chicken sausage to scrambled eggs to give you a crust free quiche, especially with shredded three, four or five cheese blends.

Microwaved sweet potato, cubedm then lightly sauteed with apple pieces and cooked crumbled sausage makes a super treat in the morning. Spinkle it with cinnamon just before it comes out of the pan.

Of course, there are many vegetable juices you can choose from as well.

Do you enjoy vegetables for breakfast? How do you make your breakfast fresh and delicious with these nutrient rich foods?

Have IBS? Read this...

Has your doctor told you that you have IBS? You may want to be genetically tested for gluten sensitivity intolerance. That's the latest word from the American Journal of Gastroenterology who is now recommending the test for those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In their research review, they discuss diet as a contributing cause of IBS symptoms. Further, that while the classic signs of Celiac Disease are often absent for those suffering with IBS, gluten sensitivity is the culprit.

So what is the difference?

With so many terms flying around, it is really hard at times to figure out what each one means let alone understand the similarities and differences. For example, what is the difference between Gluten Sensitivity vs. Celiac Disease vs. Gluten Intolerance? You may also be surprised to learn that just because a label may say, "gluten-free", it may not be. For more definitive answers, here's a video courtesy of the Gluten-Free Society.


The Perfect Human Diet

During the first week of our journey, we learned that many of the health issues we suffer stem from diet-related inflammation ... and if it isn't making us sick (yet) it is certainly making us fat. So if the low-fat, high carb diet offered by the USDA's Food Pyramid or MyPlate isn't working for you, then what is the perfect human diet? 

If you are like us and ask yourself, " is there such a thing as a perfect human diet?", you may want to check out the interview with C.J.Hunt that is on YouTube where he discusses his documentary on the Perfect Human Diet.disabled broadcast journalist, C.J. Hunt's documentary is an unprecedented global exploration to find a solution to our epidemic of overweight obesity and diet-related disease - the #1 killer in America. While the interview is 14 minutes, the film itself is full-length (roughly 2 hours) and is though-provoking as it bypasses conventional dietary wisdom by exploring modern dietary science, previous historical findings, ancestral native diets and the emerging field of human dietary evolution; revealing for the first time, the authentic human diet. While the film promotes a grain-free, Paleo diet, it does offer up a detailed look at what we really need as humans to achieve optimal health. Upon viewing it, decide for yourself the dietary journey you wish to take based on breakthrough scientific facts.






Sunday, February 23, 2014

Dietician changes her mind

Found on the net: Dietitian who once bashed paleo diet now praises its many health benefits

Justin's Grain-Free Adventure Update News 2/23/2014

As of Feb 10, 2014, I have stopped taking my pain killers and my acid reducer. My pain has subsided to the point that I feel I no longer need them. My plantar fasciitis still bothers me just a little. The only arthritis that is bothering me is some bursitis in my right knee. Today: I have lost 13.2 lbs thus far. My current weight is 262.4 lbs.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Hello World

Greetings from Holley NY
While my husband and I have a number of blogs between us, this is the first one where we collaborate. It is also the first one where we get up close and personal with the world about something so near and dear to us... our health. So why share something THIS personal in such a public forum? Quite simply because collectively we share many of the same struggles as many of you do. So if we can make a difference in at least one person's life by sharing our struggles, our knowledge, and our successes, then it would all be worth it. 

There's an old adage that says, "knowledge is power". So with this blog we hope to impart knowledge, sharing with you ... our new friends...our struggles with weight, brain fog, lack of energy, arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, irritable bowel, diverticulitis, and more; experiencing, learning, and growing from the many lessons we face along the way; and most of all celebrating our daily triumphs, however big or small, with our brand new online community. 

Many thanks to my husband's cardiologist, Dr. Solomon who encouraged him to try a diet that has worked for many of his patients when all else failed... the Gluten-Free / Grain-Free diet. For it is where our journey begins. A journey that has us paying closer attention to what our bodies are telling us; a journey that has given us an unquenchable thirst for new knowledge beyond what the medical community is willing to openly share; and most of all... a journey that has us connecting with the world through heart-felt conversations with our families, our friends, and to a world once beyond our reach thanks to the Internet. So join us as we "go against the grain". Together, we will explore, experience, learn, grow, and share recipes, shopping and dining tips, and the latest health news with the goal of feeling better so we can accomplish more with the life God has given us. United by a common goal to get healthy, we are stronger together than anyone of us can be on our own. 

So here's to a happier and healthier you!
Justin & Theresa Kirk