I always wonder with only 24 hours in a day, how does one balance a busy life, that includes a demanding job, three kids with different activities, some kind of personal physical activity to keep the heart pumping, eight hours of sleep, and grab three square meals? Unfortunately, without proper nutrition, you will soon run out of gas, and those 24 hours will seem shorter or longer in some cases.

Choosing, preparing, proportioning, and combing the best foods available will help you fuel your body and soul, so that you are able to perform all the tasks necessary for the day. However we all fall in the trap of eating what is convenient rather than what is good. So what can we do to supplement the food we eat?

Nowadays, for convenience, the shelves of many delicatessens, quick marts, and 7-11’s are stocked with cans of some sort of nutrition. Some are better than others, however most are made from sugar with little or no significant nutrition. Basically, they taste good, rather than be good for you.

So where do you begin your journey for finding great nutrition?

First, start with consulting with your healthcare team when working on your diet.
Second, working with your healthcare team, have a blood test to determine the vitamins and minerals that may be lacking.
Third, write out a meal plan that would build up your vitamin and mineral levels. In addition to writing your meal plan in advance, this plan will help you stock your pantry with all the food you should be eating. Therefore, you choose to avoid foods that you were not planning to eat.
Forth, read all the ingredients and nutritional facts of all the foods you eat.
Fifth, review with your healthcare team to determine if a nutritional supplement, shake, additional vitamins and minerals will round out your nutrition plan.

So I was excited to find that Beachbody’s Shakeology has a blend of more that 70 ultra high quality ingredients chosen across the globe to deliver the nutrients that your body requires to function properly. Again, your healthcare team can determine what maybe lacking in your diet, and as a result of this malnourishment, you may have some associate ailments.

Shakeology includes:
· Prebiotic and Digestive Enzymes, which aid in breaking down food that improves digestion, regularity, and the absorption of nutrients.
· Protein and Essential Amino Acids to assist in building long and lean muscles.
· More than 20 different antioxidants and phyonutrients to help counteract free radical damage which can lead to degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.

Gluten Free Shakeology can help reduce weight, feel more energized, improve digestion, and help your body gently eliminate toxins more efficiently which allows better absorption of the nutrients. In addition, during a 90 day study, where participants replaced one meal per day with Shakeology, ate a balanced diet, and performed moderate exercise three times per week, total cholesterol was reduced on average by 30% and LDL cholesterol was reduced by an average of 38%*

Also, participants that have followed the Shakeology Program, which included replacing one meal per day with Shakeology, exercising three times a week, and eating a balanced diet have said the following*, “I lost 26 pounds,” “I feel more energized,” “My elimination has tripled,” “You look younger,” “My bad cholesterol dropped 57%,” “I felt full and didn’t struggle with hunger,” and “My favorite thing about Shakeology was the taste.”

The doctor who ran the study observed* reduced oxidative stress, a risk factor for degenerative diseases, by as much as 90%, lowered total cholesterol levels by an average of 30% and their “bad” cholesterol levels by an average of 38%, and reduced their cardiovascular risk factors by an average of 24%.

For those who are looking for a low glycemic index product, Shakeology is certified low glycemic index of 24. This means that your blood sugar level rises less than other carbs that have a higher glycemic index. Foods with a higher glycemic index include, pretzels (GI=83), potatoes (GI=93), white rice (GI=64), and corn flakes (GI=81).*

Here is my favorite Shakeology recipe
1-1/2 scoops of 1 package of Chocolate Shakeology powder (Greenberry is the other flavor)
1 Tbsp. peanut butter
1 stalk of kale leaves (note that the stem is kind of bitter so just use the leafy part)
1 banana
1 cup ice
8 oz. almond milk

Use a high-speed blender to blend. If you do not have a high-speed blender such as a Vitamix or Blendtech, do not add the kale leaves. Enjoy the shake!

* Please note, these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with your healthcare professional team for recommendation regarding your own health.

Please consider Shakeology. for a complete meal supplement that will make you free great!* Take action and enjoy life!

I really enjoy it, and the product speaks for itself. The following came from the manufacturer, and note the number of ingredients. I am checking to see if they make a diary free version also.

 
FINALLY,

HEALTHY

TASTES

GREAT!

LIKE NO OTHER SHAKE IN THE WORLD

Not only is Shakeology delicious, this patent-pending formula is packed with proteins and energy-providing carbohydrates, plus a combination of nutrients that is simply impossible to fi nd at your local supermarket or even health food store. Beachbody Nutritionals searched the world to find Açai and Goji berries, Camu-Camu, quinoa, wheat grass, Maca root, and sacha inchi (just to name a few) so that you don’t have to. With Shakeology, you truly have a world of nutrition at your fingertips.

ENJOY ALL THESE BENEFITS
This incredible drink provides your body withnutrients that help you maintain healthy body weight, support your immune system and well-being, protect
your long-term health, and give you energy.* It’s so delicious and satisfying, you’ll eat less and lose weight! Use Shakeology every day as part of your overall Beachbody wellness program to help your body reach optimal health.

A SHAKE JUST THE WAY NATURE INTENDED

Enjoy one Shakeology drink a day as a meal replacement or healthy snack alternative

- Gluten free and caffeine free
- No refi ned sugars or artifi cial sweeteners
- Provides health-supporting chlorophylls, polyphenols, prebiotics, and proanthocyanins
- Optimal health in a glass

Click here for Ingredients and Nutritional Facts for Shakeology

This pasta is a keeper for the cupboard! Having tried different gluten free pastas, many of them just fall apart or become mushy. It had a perfect Al Dente firmness. The real test is if the kids will eat it, and they did not hesitate!

Enjoy

Most prevalent infections occur in the bladder and urethra, which are painful and annoying, but if it spreads to the kidneys, immediate medical attention is needed.

Pay close attention to the following symptoms that may indicate a possible Urinary Tract Infection:

· A burning sensation while urinating
· Urge Incontinence (always wanting to urinate)
· Passing small amounts of urine frequently
· Cloudy Urine
· Bloody Urine (pink or dark colored)
· Strong smelling urine
· Lower abdomen pain
· Pelvic Pain
· Rectal Pain
· Shakes and Chills
· High fever
· Upper back and side pain

The urinary system plays a role in removing toxins and waste from your body and is great at keeping out bacteria. However, sometimes bacteria can enter the urinary tract through the urethra and grow in the bladder. The most common Urinary Tract infection occur from:

· Sexual intercourse,
· Close proximity of the anus to the urethra
· Kidney stones
· Enlarged prostate
· Weak immunity system
· Use of a catheter to aid in urination

Leaving cystitis (infection of the bladder) and urethritis (infection of the urethra) unchecked can lead to pyelonephritis (acute or chronic infection of the kidney). This infection can be seen from premature infants to older adults.

In general, the typical treatment for this infection is the use of antibiotics such as Bactrim, Cirpro, or Amoxicillin. There are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of contracting a Urinary Tract Infection, such as

· Drinking plenty of water
· Drinking cranberry juice
· Avoid drinking items that may irritate the bladder
· Avoid some feminine products
· Wiping front to back
· Use of Utymax or UtiStat both supplements naturally cleanse the urinary tract.

At anytime you feel any discomfort, pain or illness, you should contact your healthcare professional to exam your symptoms and review your treatments.

For more information, please visit www.cwimedical.com

More recently, since my son has been diagnosed with sensitivity to gluten, dairy and eggs, we are more cautious in reviewing the ingredients on packaged foods.    So we’ve been actually cooking more and going out less, because we don’t know how careful restaurants can be in preparing the foods that we order and eat.  We love going to WholeFoods on Saturdays knowing they have plenty of good food.  A note of caution, not everything in WholeFoods is good for you, but definitely good for the soul.  So eat in moderation, like anything else

With all this cooking at home, my friend suggested that we join a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture.  Basically a CSA provides a great way for local growers and farmers a different outlet for its produce versus the traditional grocery store.  When you purchase a share, subscription or membership you receive a box of seasonal vegetables.  Some have shares of fruits.  Most important, the produce is super fresh, and there for are full of flavor and vitamins.  In addition, most farms are Organic.  Also, you get to try vegetables that you normally won’t eat.  So exposure to variety is the spice to life.

My favorite so far is the heirloom tomatoes.  Their funky shapes and sometimes colors might be unappealing at first, but when you bite into one, the tomato flavor is so electrifyingly delicious.

At the beginning of the season, my wife and I were unhappy with the quantity items in the box, but a couple of weeks later, I don’t think we could have eaten all of the bounty.  It’s really worth the money for a family of 5.

There are thousands of farms that offer CSA. And here is a site that lists some of them  http://www.localharvest.org/   Treat your family to the freshest foods with a Community Supported Agriculture.

As we age, we really need to take care of ourselves so that we can take care the ones we love.  Our parents will require extra attention.  CWI Medical is a company that will save you money on medical and healthcare supplies and equipment.  They have many different products that will make life better.

Those with Celiac Disease must adhere to a life long diet modification without gluten. Gluten can be found in many wheat related food products such as breads, pancakes, cookies, brownies, pastas and waffles. Some foods you would not think have gluten would be soups and gravies that might use flour to thicken them up or some times you might dredge your favorite chicken, fish and french fries with flour to crisp them up, and meatloaf includes breadcrumbs. Other grains that contain gluten are barley and rye.

Even ingesting a small minute amount of gluten causes immunological toxic reaction that damages the villi in the small intestines, and therefore the food is unable to be properly absorbed. So all the nutrients that you might have gotten are passed through to the toilet.

Unfortunately, there seems to be no common thread that triggers the disease, so stress, viral infection, pregnancy, or surgery could be culprits. The symptoms are extremely wide ranging and not always a gastrointestinal disorder. While it is strange to associate the following with Celiac Disease, once diagnosed and treated the following seem to have been know to disappear; joint pain, anemia, depression, irritability, fatigue, weakness, unusual menstrual cycles, infertility, canker sores, loss of enamel, diarrhea, constipation, unusual weight gain or loss, vitamin deficiencies, flatulence, osteoporosis, pale looking, easy bruising, and nausea.

If you suspect or concerned about this disease, please contact your healthcare/medical professional team to determine the correct tests to check for this malady. They will probably test your blood for your Total Serum (IgA), Endomysial Antibody (EMA-IgA), Anti-gliadin Antibody (AGA-IgG, AGA-IgA), and Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody (tTG – IgA/IgG). After these blood tests, a biopsy maybe needed to confirm the damage of the diagnosis.

Here is a list of ingredients that do not contain gluten; meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, and rice. If your want some flour, try some flours made from rice, corn, potato, soy, and almond. If you’re tired of white rice, try quinoa, buckwheat or lentils. If your recipe requires some the glueyness that gluten provides, then add some xanthum gum or guar gum. Instead of wheat flour to thicken up some sauces, try starches made from corn, tapioca or potato. Remember to follow your recipes for the appropriate portions.

A final note, always read the ingredients on the back of the box. If you’re out at a restaurant, many now have a gluten free menu. Celiac Disease is a serious condition that people can live with, when proper precautions are taken.

P.S. My Gluten Free Pizza keeps getting better!

1 bunch of Kale (Green or Red)
4 Avacados
2 Lemons
3-4 Limes
3 Tomatoes
1/2 Onion
1 teaspoon of cumin
Salt
Pepper

Prep

Wash and Dry Kale
Strip the leafy part of the Kale from the stem (which is bitter)
Break the leaves in to bite size peices and place into a large bowl
Squeeze the juice from the lemons and pour over the kale
Sprinkle some salt on the kale
Gently massage the kale with the lemon juice and salt. Bascially you are “cooking” the kale with this method, like a ceviche, which keeps the enzymes intact.

Using a high speed blender like a Vitamix or Blendtech
Cut the Avacados in half and scoop out the avacado into the blender
Squeeze the juice from the limes into the blender

Seed the tomatoes by cutting off the end, and siting your pinky into the tomato pocket holding the seeds. The seeds/liquid can be added to the blender with the avacado and lime juice.
Dice the tomatoes and add to kale

Add cumin to avacado mixture
Blend the avacado mixture until a smooth consistency,
Add sale and pepper to taste and blend again.
Pour the avacado mixture on to the kale and mix

Dice the onions and mix with the kale.

The avacado dressing reduces any bitterness normally associated with kale. And the firmess of the kale gives it a little crunch compared to lettuce.

Enjoy!