Coconut Cashew Honey bars...too easy

I used to be a muesli bar muncher most of my adult life, after all they are easy to grab and eat on the go or with a cuppa at morning tea. I must admit, I would take ages standing in front of that section in the supermarket, reading ingredients and trying to work out which one was a healthy choice. Yoghurt, chocolate, nuts, whole grains....oh boy, I would stand there for ages....there are so many to choose from!

I would consider which one had the least amount of fat, then learnt that less sugar is better and then the big one - grains are bad for your gut health....WHAT! I love grains, the grainier the better!

And of course, now I have adopted a `clean` eating approach, I limit processed and packaged foods to only healthy, `free from` type of products, like the yummy cereals from the Freedom range - which I add a spoonful of Tropical blend seeds (my new fave) banana, blueberries and strawberries..yum!

But the other day I was really craving a yummy bar, so I did a little Pinterest perusing and found the perfect recipe. And as with many recipes I find on line, I tweek them just a little bit to suit what is in my pantry or to suit my tastebuds. Sometimes it`s just a case of substituting an ingredient for a more healthy option or like this one I added some of the Tropical seed mix that I can`t get enough of lately. I bought a small packet from Kapai Puku at a Mind, Body, Spirit event recently, and loved it sooo much I ordered 3 kilos of the stuff on line!

I told my daughter what I was going to make, and of course her response was `You know I don`t like muesli bars and I`m not fussed about cashews either`. Well if I let her comments stop me I`d never cook anything! So I whipped out all the ingredients and threw it together in short order, all in one bowl. In to the oven for 20 mins and we`re done.

We kept the bars in the fridge because the honey in them got a bit sticky in our warm weather, and an amazing thing happened. One by one they disappeared and were all gone in less than a week! `I thought you didn`t like them` I said to my daughter....apparently they were really nice after all! Hmm, I know I really enjoyed the few I ate, and my other daughter, who is Dairy free, could also eat these - although I did have to hide one for her or she would have missed out!

So thanks to :- Sally`s Baking Addiction blog and this delicious and nutritious bar. Here is the link to this easy peasy recipe. Remember I did add my delicious seed mix and also increased the amount of dates, and you can tweek it to suit as well.

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2015/05/11/cashew-coconut-snack-bars/

Let me know how you go if you make this healthy delicious bar or if you have a favorite healthy recipe.

LEAKY GUT - A fad or fiction

Leaky Gut. It`s a fairly common phrase these days although very few people can actually tell you what it is and even fewer know if they have one.

It is not a new concept. Hippocrates said  ``All disease begins in the gut.``

Simply put, the gut lining is like a fine net. On the outside of this net is our first line of defence - our immune system. The gut processes food, filtering goodness into our bodies. We continually eat chemically processed food ie just about everything on supermarket shelves, Glutens and Wholegrains - the gut`s arch enemy. Then there is GMO foods like corn and soy and of course Sugar, which feeds yeast and bad bacteria, causing the net or filaments of the gut tear or open, letting microbal undigested particles, toxins and bacterial waste, through into the bloodstream. Immediately to battle stations is the Immune system, which is now tirelessly working to combat these invading particles. Enter low energy and fatigue. With continued leakage, the immune system begins to struggle to keep up with these foreign particles, literally going to war on itself, which is one of the major causes of many Autoimmune disorders. All of this action results in Inflammation, which travels to different areas of the body where it triggers various chronic disease, allergy, aches and pains.

Aching joints? Thyroid or hormone problems? Slow Metabolism? Gas and bloating or constipation. Allergies or Acne? Anxiety, Depression or ADHD, frequent colds or sinus? YES, YES, YES, they are all linked to a `leaky gut`. Mal absorption is another widely undiagnosed disorder. Are you low in Iron, Zinc, or Magnesium even though you take supplements? If your system can`t absorb nutrients, then many of your organs, including your skin - your biggest organ, will not function well and result in many hard to pin point problems.

There are over 10,000 research papers related to leaky gut - it is not a MYTH or a FAD.

It is generally unrecognised by modern medical practitioners because they do not study nutrition.

Many articles suggest the 4 main causes of leaky gut are:

                                                                   1./  Diet
                                                                   2./  Chronic Stress
                                                                   3./  Toxin overload
                                                                   4./  Bacterial imbalance

Dr Axe has a very informative, easy to understand article I recommend at:

                                                                   https://my.draxe.com/hlg-healing-leaky-gut

Our modern world is now reaching epidemic levels of disease - Cancers, Diabetes, Autoimmune disorders, Obesity, Thyroid issues, even mood disorders - the list goes on, and even though we are living longer lives, they are not necessarily healthy lives. Modern diseases are currently being treated by costly `patented` chemicals - more chemicals into a body already under extreme duress.

So why are people scared to eat toward good health? It has been proven time and again that when you eat healthy clean food you lose weight, your skin looks better and your amazing body heals itself. Don`t want to give up all the good stuff? Many don`t care or just don`t know where to start? Everyone has a reason not to bother - until they have a health issue.  By then they will probably go to their doctor who has no idea about leaky gut and will prescribe something for relief which will address the symptom not the cause.

It`s up to you folks. You are in control of your body - are you making yourself sick?

Watch out for my next post to find out how to fix a leaky gut - or subscribe by email so you don`t miss this vital information.

I welcome any comments about this topic and wish you good health

                                                                   

Aching back in bed? Could relief be this easy?

Do you wake up every morning with more back pain than when you went to bed?

Iv`e been a landscaper and gardener most of my life, so back aches are pretty normal for me. Digging, shovelling and moving heavy things have all contributed to regular visits to my wonderful chiropractor and having a large semi rural garden for the last 18 years has kept me fit, as does my regular yoga and Pilate's classes - great for core strength!

However, I still suffered from chronic back aches at night, to the point where I would have to sleep almost sitting propped up! Some mornings I would be in tears from the relentless broken sleep and aching. I literally felt like someone had punched me in the kidneys every night. I sleep on my side and as the aches started I would rotate to the other side, groaning with each turn until I was basically turning round and round all night long. Needless to say It didn`t impress my husband so I started taking painkillers just to get some sleep (and I hate taking anything unless it`s natural).

We did all the things you are thinking right now.... changed our expensive mattress, I even got fitted for wiz bang pillow - which I love - and still I woke up feeling 80+ with aches. So I did some research on line and asked the simple question `Why do I wake up aching?`

I didn`t realise how many people are suffering similar aches and pains each morning. You see, as the day wore on, all pains would melt away and I was fine - so something was going on in my bed!

One site simply stated that it was the sleeping position, and to use a pillow between your legs. What?
As if that was going to cure my chronic aches. So that night I took particular notice of my body positioning - being a side sleeper I made sure my hips were stacked and I was in a straight but comfy line. In fact, I would sleep with all of the above positions. I still woke aching. Right, now at desperation stakes I grabbed a spare pillow and shoved it between my legs. Hmm. It felt unusual but kinda nice. To my amazement I woke up PAIN FREE.

Could It really be this simple? The answer is yes. Give it a try for a few nights - it`s amazing.

It works by simply stopping your body from gently twisting your spine. I know many people have all sorts of back trouble that is not as easily fixed, however, this simple,easy and very comfy trick will help to lessen your spinal rotation at night, easing pressure on discs.

I gave the pillow up some time ago as I had no aches for months, but this week I have again suffered restless aching sleep, so I grabbed my favourite soft pillow and off to bed we went. Again I experienced great sleep and little to no pain in the morning. If only life`s other aches and pains were as easily remedied.

Have you tried this technique? I know many pregnant women do but for the obvious different reason. If you havn`t tried it, give it a go for a few nights - you`ve only got back pain to lose. Let me know how you go, perhaps you will inspire others to give it a go.

Cruising the seas - a gluttons paradise

My wellness journey - which began in January this year (2015) has seen me lose 8 kilos or 17 lbs simply from changing my eating. You see I gave up 95 percent of my sugar intake, which was recommended by my Naturopath to heal my leaky gut (more about that later).

So iv`e just gotten back from a little 4 day cruise up the east coast of Australia - very lucky indeed!
But what an eating and drinking fest it was! Now I`m all up for some yummy meals and a few cocktails, but most people over ate at least three times a day!

I would like to think that most people don`t eat that quantity normally, but why does a holiday equate to eating and drinking to excess these days? And of course a cruise is the perfect environment to indulge.

I had a couple of cocktails, well three to be exact. Pina Coladas - they seemed the best option with soothing coconut, pineapple and white rum. The rest of the time I drank Vodka, lime and soda or Gin Tonics. I did give in to a lovely glass of white wine with dinner one night and paid the price with a crook belly - too much sugar for my system now. But it seemed as though everyone drank from sun up till very late, with creamy, sugar loaded cocktails, beer and spirits which is all WELL & GOOD, but they also ate extremely large quantities of food.

After all, those of you who have been on a Cruise will know that everything revolves around meal times and cocktail lounges and bars. So it was no great surprise to find myself eating way more than I normally would - I don`t eat 3 course meals at home!, but at least I made lots of healthy choices, drank plenty of water and passed, on most desserts - I promised my daughter I would have a Creme Brule` for her, which was rather yummy and not too sweet.

Breakfast and most lunches were the self serve buffet, with everything laid on - so plates were usually piled high and second and third helpings normal for many people. We opted for the fine dining restaurant each evening and even one lunch, however I drew the line at dining there for breakfast which the rest of my lovely group enjoyed - twice.

I was often appalled at the amount of waste that self serve diners left, eyes bigger than their expanding bellies, but more so the fact that because it was all laid out for free, people seemed to think they needed to eat to excess to `get their monies worth`. No wonder we are such an overweight and unhealthy nation.

Very few people exercise moderation over temptation - there seems to be so little self control any more, and always the old adage - `must go on a diet when we get home`. Well, we all had a happy time of self indulgence - now back to reality and healthy choices...

Have you over indulged on holiday? or did you still make healthy choices.

Are you a cheese addict - lets face it who`s not - but now I know why!

Have you ever wondered why you cant stop nibbling at that cheese platter? or why we crave a cheesy pizza or melted potato bake? Or why your cheese keeps disappearing from the lunch room fridge?There is a very good reason that may surprise you - I know it did me - and like many health choices, it all makes sense now.

So what`s the big secret? Casomorphins.  Sounds like a drug right? That cause it is. Likened to an opiate effect in our systems, cheese is full of it. Now it`s starting to make sense why you cant give up cheese, as many dairy free dieters will attest to! Opiates give a feeling of euphoria and calming. Yup, sounds like cheese (and cream). Milk and icecream have a similar effect, but of course is not as concentrated as cheese. So mature tangy cheese is even more loaded than softer white cheese, but don`t kid yourself, they`re still chock a block full of Casomorphins.

So how does this work? Pretty simple really - Milk is full of a protein called Casein that when digested creates protein fragments called Casomorphins which have a natural opiate effect on our systems. Casomorphins interact with opioid receptors which are involved with the control of pain, reward and addiction in the brain.

As a rough guide, it takes 10 kilos of milk to make one kilo of cheese, therefore, after removing all the watery whey, you are left with concentrated amounts of casein. When casein breaks down in your stomach, producing Casomorphin, it also acts as a histamine releaser, which is why so many people are allergic to dairy products.

Even if you are not allergic to dairy, the effect that Casomorphins has, means that you want some more..., oh and just a bit more, and before you know it you`ve overindulged, feeling very relaxed and much happier if not a tad regretful of the quantity you just consumed.

In fact, although cheese has always been a staple in many European households, the amount we consume in, on and over foods these days has more than quadrupled, adding to obesity and health problems.

Researchers have known since the 80`s that it is found naturally in mothers milk as well as cows milk, which also explains why babies get milk drunk and sleep well after a feed

It makes sense that many social gatherings have evolved around cheese, with such a strong relaxing effect on the body, just as they have around coffee and alcohol and why they all go hand in hand.

That`s why it`s one of the hardest foods to say NO to in life, and like all opiate drugs, causes bowel blockages if eaten in quantity and regularity. And on a more serious note, why dairy is now strongly related to several cancers, due to the IGF-1 triggered when processed in our bodies.

Don`t panic, I`m not asking you to give up cheese - unless you have an intolerance to it - but like all good things we choose to eat, be aware and choose moderation over indulgence.








              

Cooking Oils - the GOOD the BAD and the DANGEROUS.

Did you know that some cooking oils, that are used by millions of people daily, are in fact, very bad for you? And not necessarily for the reasons you might think. So, what are these bad Oils.....

VEGETABLE OILS !!   -  This group of cooking oils were practically non-existent until the early 1900`s. Until then, we used oils that were `pressed` or `separated` naturally. Vegetable oils (and margarine) are a by-product of rapeseed (canola) soybean, corn sunflower, safflower etc. The problem is not the seed type but the process from seed to bottle.
                                                                                                                                                                   You see, the oils MUST BE CHEMICALLY REMOVED, DEODORISED AND ALTERED. These are not only some of the most harmful substances you can put into your body, but are Genetically Modified crops, that have been treated with chemical fertilisers and pesticides - all being before it gets to the manufacturing process!

Lets take a quick look at Canola, the golden goddess of the oil industry. Canola is a hydrid of Rapeseed which is poisonous to the body with high amounts of toxic erucic acid. Canola oil has an altered Low Erucic Acid Rapeseed (LEAR) which is produced by heating and processing with solvents to extract the oil. Then, another heat process with the addition of acid, is used to remove waxy solids. Not finished yet, the newly created oil is then treated with more chemicals to improve the colour and to separate different parts of the oil. And finally, the final process - to chemically deodorise the harsh smelling oil, making it palatable. IF the vegetable oil is then to be made into margarine or shortening, it will undergo yet another process of Hydrogenation - another chemical process which will make the product solid.

Have a quick look at this flow chart and you can see the amount of processing involved -
                                                                                                                 

As an added bonus to your cooking oils and margarine's are Butylated Hydroxyanisole BHA and Butylated Hydroxytoluene BHT, which are artificial antioxidants that help prevent food from oxidizing or spoiling too quickly. Yummy... Of course, that is a whole other process - making artificial antioxidents - which have been shown to produce cancer causing compounds in your body and have been linked to infertility.

So now you know, it should be easy to avoid these nasty oils...or is it? This is where we cross over to processed food that always contain hidden nasties. Here is a brief list of some products that often contain bad `hydrogenated` oils.

Biscuits and Crackers

Chips and nuts

Salad dressings - Mayo

Most snack foods

So, what should we use that`s Clean and good for you?

Virgin cold pressed Olive Oil - High in mono and low in polyunsaturated fats. Not suitable for high temperatures due to oxidation. Use in dressings, mayo and drizzled after cooking.

Coconut oil - Full of good Fatty Acids and Lauric Acid. By far the best choice. Does not oxidise easily or go rancid. Great for cooking baking and oh so many things.

Sustainable Palm Oil - high in saturated fat and heat stable

Pure Organic Butter - natural, churned and containing Activator X, which is known to improve nutrient absorption.

There are other healthy alternative, however the following should be consumed in moderation (my favourite word) as they are high in Omega-6 fats which can upset the balance of fats in your body.

Flaxseed Oil 

Macadamia Oil

Walnut Oil

Hopefully you will check your cupboards and consider what you are putting in your body. It`s a simple change that can make all the difference in your long term health. I must confess I had used Canola oil for many years thinking it was a good plant based choice. I now use Coconut Oil, Olive Oil and Pure Butter. You must read the `ingredients` list as some brands will slip in some bad stuff. Don`t be fooled by the front packaging spiel - read the ingredients before you buy.

Simple changes in your diet will reward you with life long health benefits - don`t wait till you have bad health to make changes. 

Leave a quick comment and lets see what you are all using out there.......

Broccoli - Natures internal scrubbing brush

This vegetable is greatly overlooked as a medical marvel. At this stage, I find my grown up daughters rolling their eyes, cause they know I`m all about the Broccoli. In our family, when boyfriends come to dinner they are `coaxed` to eat their broccoli - because it is Soooo good for you. I just picked these beauties from the garden. You might notice the almost purple hue to them bought on by the cold nights guaranteeing  maximum vitamins and minerals as in all dark green and purple vegetables.

My mum used to do the same when we were kids and our friends came to dinner. Annette would always roll her eyes at the vegetables mum would serve us - and then she`d tuck in and eat em up.
I know a lot of people don`t like Broccoli, but it is so versatile in cooking, I mean, how hard is it to grate some cheese on top with a dob of butter! But really, there are so many ways to use them, like every ones favourite - Au Gratin, or in stir fries and Thai food. I even had some on a gourmet pizza last night! I know! Broccoli and Snowpeas on a pizza! Now that is taking it to the extreme.

 IMPORTANT - don`t overcook it! Heat and boiling will greatly reduce the nutrition. Steam quickly or toss through stir fries last to retain goodness. And if possible try to buy organic Broccoli as many farmers use pesticides to keep the cabbage moth at bay, or better still, have a go next winter at growing them yourself. Pretty easy crop if you just cover it with netting - no chemicals needed for a perfect insect free crop.

We really have to rev up our intake at the moment, because the veggie patch is full of them, so tonight it is Corned Silverside with Au Gratin veggies. Even broccoli haters love it dripping in cheesy white sauce and tomorrow night....a stir fry I think

But what`s so good about them? They are packed full of vitamins and minerals to boost your health, but more importantly they are full of gentle roughage or fibre and will cleanse internally as it passes through your system. Broccoli is called a superfood rightfully. It is know to help health in many of these ways;

                              Powerful Antioxidant
                              Cholesterol Reduction
                              Cancer Prevention
                              Reduces Inflammation and Allergies
                              Bone, Heart and Eye Health
                              Greatly aids Detox and the Liver
                              Alkalizes Your Body

The only time it is unwise to overeat this generous vegetable is if you are on blood thinning medication.
       

So people, the message is clear....get cracking onto Broccoli and be Well & Good.

Special thanks to CreativelyPaleo.com for the use of their photo. Check out their site for great recipes and a a sensible Good Eating site.