This version of sheperd’s pie is made without the traditional starchy potatoes and uses mashed cauliflower instead.  It also contains grass fed beef, making it an ultra-healthy alternative to traditional sheperd’s pie.  It tastes very close to the original.  It also makes for a great presentation.

1  head cauliflower
1/2 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp organic butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 organic egg yolk

Steam cauliflower until soft then transer to a food processor or blender, puree the cauliflower with the garlic, butter, salt, pepper, and egg yolk.

1tbsp coconut oil or grapeseed oil
2 pounds grass fed ground beef
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1/2 large onion, chopped
2 tbsp organic butter
1 tsp xanthan gum (thickener)
1 cup organic vegetable broth
1 tsp wheat free Tamari (soy sauce)
1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)

While the cauliflower is steaming, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil to pan with beef.  Season meat with salt and pepper. and brown with carrot and onion until the meat is no longer pink.  In a seperate saucepan cook butter and xanthan gum together combining well. Whisk in broth and tamari.  Thicken gravy about 1 minute. Add gravy to meat and vegetables. and stir in the peas.

Preheat broiler to high. Put meat mixture into a rectangular or round baking dish and spread cauliflower over the meat as evenly as possible being careful not to let meat show through.   Broil 6 to 8 inches from the heat until potatoes are evenly browned.

Cholesterol-lowering medications such as Lipitor, Zocor and Crestor are the #1 prescribed class of prescription medication in the United States. Over 215 million prescriptions add $26 billion to drug company coffers annually.  A recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that 25% of Americans aged 45 and older takes statins. (1)

Heart Disease is the biggest silencer of Americans that is now estimated to be killing one out of every two people.  Heart disease kills one American every thirty-four seconds, more than 2,500 people per day. (2)  In the medical community it is believed that LDL cholesterol and saturated fats to be the cause of this national tragedy.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, 71 million or 33.5% of Americans have “bad” cholesterol levels. (3)

A staggering amount of money has been spent on research to conclusively prove the link between saturated fat, high cholesterol and the need for statin medication intervention.  It can be classified one of the greatest scams in healthcare today.

Low Cholesterol Causes Strokes

The Framingham Study studied heart disease indicators of nearly 15,000 participants over three generations.  Framingham researchers found no correlation for high cholesterol and heart disease in those participants who were over 50 years of age. (4)  In the study Cholesterol and Mortality: 30 Years of Follow-up from The Framingham Study found that high cholesterol levels not to be related to the incidence of strokes.  (5)

Participants in the study who were over the age 50 shockingly showed lower cholesterol rates were associated with a higher risk of death from heart disease. In fact, for every one mg/dl drop in cholesterol levels, there was a 14% increase in heart related death. (4)

A very large study spanning two decades in Japan concluded that low levels of blood cholesterol increased the incidence of stroke. (6) Supporting their findings was the MRFIT study in the United States of 350,000 men that showed death from cerebral hemorrhage to be six times greater if they had low cholesterol versus high. (7)

Low Cholesterol Causes Heart Attacks

Research from the University of Hull in England has linked low cholesterol with higher death rates.  A study of 10,701 patients with suspected heart failure found that those with low cholesterol were 1.7 times more likely to die within 12 weeks of being hospitalized. The study was based on the Euro Heart Failure survey, which involved 115 hospitals in 24 European countries. (8)

Researchers from Germany also found that the strongest predictor for death in patients with heart failure was the inflammatory process in the body.  Higher mortality rates were found in patients who had the lowest cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride blood levels. (9)

C4 Explosives in Your Arteries

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance found in blood that is the most reliable marker for inflammation in the body. Elevated levels of CRP have been identified as the primary indicator for the development of cardiovascular disease, not LDL cholesterol.

An eight-year study involving 27,939 women conducted by the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston found that more than half of the women who eventually developed heart disease had high CRP levels and their cholesterol values played a little role. (10)

A Cleveland Clinic study found ultrasound evidence that clogged coronary arteries had not gotten worse among 502 patients who were most successful at lowering their CRP levels. In a Harvard Women’s Health Study, results of the CRP test were more accurate than cholesterol levels in predicting heart problems. (11)

Call the Bomb Squad

Omega-3 fatty acids have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help disarm the bomb before it’s too late.  Omega-3 is found in flaxseeds, walnuts, cashew, olive oil, salmon, tuna, sardine, herring and other oily fish or cod liver oil.

Antioxidants help destroy free radicals that promote inflammation within your blood vessels.  Brightly colored vegetables have the highest antioxidant content.  Examples of foods include avocado, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, and peppers.

A recent study at Johns Hopkins showed that when fitness levels diminish, CRP levels go up. (12) This will explain how sedentary lifestyles promote the inflammatory response thus producing heart disease and other chronic diseases.

Chiropractic adjustments have been found to reduce C-reactive protein and normalize the inflammatory response. (13) The adjustment looks to restore the natural healing ability of the body by eliminating interference that causes the inflammatory response to be present.

The goal is not to rely on the lies and deception by the pharmaceutical companies.  You can effectively manage your health and reduce your risk of developing heart disease through lifestyle factors by making healthier choices.  You will never be the same when you take self-responsibility, learn the truth and take a stand for you and your family’s health.

One of the largest determining factors in aging is not your genes, but the quality of your lifestyle. A recent study in the British Medical Journal demonstrated that you can cut your risk of having a stroke in half by doing four things: Engage in exercise and physical activity, eat five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, avoid cigarettes and limit excessive amounts of alcohol.

Living to 100 may not be as hard as previously thought. You may not have family members that have reached that age but the good news is that improved lifestyle factors will bring you closer.  We can choose our lifestyles and determine if our actions are in alignment with the goal of living a long, successful, healthy life. The goal of living longer should not only be to live longer; it’s to create a legacy in your family, in your work and in your community.

It is very difficult to achieve greatness in any aspect in your life if you are unhealthy.  When we choose to ignore important lifestyle factors, we get sick and can miss our opportunity to impact our communities at the highest level possible.  Our goal is to provide you and others with the action steps to achieve your very best health.

1. Get Adjusted

The power of the chiropractic adjustment is not properly publicized.  The brain, spinal cord and nerves make up the master control system of the body; they control every function.  Every organ and muscle is controlled by messages from your spinal column.  The spinal column is moveable and one’s daily activities impact the integrity and strength of the spine and nerves.

There are countless studies on the effectiveness for back pain and even blood pressure, but those findings are not the most important. (1, 2,)  Overall health, healing and prevention of disease is dependent on the health of your nerves.  It is very common for someone to understand the importance of taking care of one’s heart, lungs, or liver; but completely forget about the nervous system that controls those organs in the first place.  The importance of an adjustment was recently featured on the Dr. Oz Show. (3)

2. Have a Plan.

Centenarians are people that have lived past 100 years of age.  Research has found that they tend to live by a series of healthy routines.   They have been found to eat similar diets and physical activities their whole lives. It is common for them to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. (4)  They also understand that a fluctuation in their life plan will throw havoc on their health and their overall happiness.

Creating a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly “war plan” is an absolute necessity to get organized.  This new plan will help you plan meals, get that work out in, ensure quality family time and even your next day off.  The “war plan” is simply a plan of what you would like to achieve and how to do it.

3. Consume Real Food.

When you eat real food, you get real nutrients.  It has been found that people that have real food in their diet have higher levels of selenium, beta-carotene, vitamin C and E.  These nutrients have been found to slow the aging process and prevent cognitive decline.  If you simply supplement these nutrients, it is common not to find the same results.  Supplements are meant to supplement, not replace the consumption of real food.

Eating not-real food has the exact opposite effects.  It causes you to age quicker and have accelerated cognitive loss.  Foods that are highly processed and found in a box or a can have high amounts of white sugars and flour that have no nutritional value and should be avoided.

4. Movement is Life

Exercise is the one of the ways to maintain your health and avoid disease.  The type of exercise is important however.  The classic low intensity, long duration exercise has been found to have aging effects, versus anti-aging.  Classic exercises include aerobics, running and biking for more than 30 minutes in duration.

The “new aerobics” has the opposite effects of the classic exercises.  Research has found the intensity of the exercise to be the most important component factor in generating the ideal hormonal response.  This hormonal response causes you to lose or maintain a healthy weight, improve lean muscle mass and improve cognitive brain function.  This “new aerobics” is right for any age group, since it challenges you where you are.  Do not compare yourself to others.

5. Never Retire

Strong evidence shows that societies that retire have higher rates of obesity and chronic disease.  The secret is staying active.  When you stay active, you engage in life.  You keep your cognitive brain function high and you also find yourself having more regular sleep.  It is common for individuals that retire to sleep sporadically, suffer from depression and die younger.

6. Turn off Technology

To live a long, happy life, you need to value what you have.  Broadcast media commonly produces more depression versus happiness.  The constant need to stay connected to the world usually prevents you from taking care of your personal responsibilities.  Schedule down time where there is no technology; just you, your family or other things you desire to have quality time doing.

7. Sleep or Die Younger

Many people do not get enough sleep, but there are others that get too much sleep.  Your physical activity level and overall health status is the best gauge.  Sleep is needed to help regulate and heal your body.  The poorer your lifestyle, the more sleep you need.  The solution is to improve your lifestyle, get less sleep and accomplish more things that you value.

Some people like to sleep, but find themselves more tired than before.  Everyone’s bodies are different and require a different amount of sleep.  The common range quoted is between six to eight hours of quality sleep per night.

8. Live Naturally

Living naturally means no smoking, alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets. Stick to a real food diet that is based on fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and lean meats.  Get plenty of exercise and focus on family and community.  Another part of living naturally is controlling your mindset. If you allow the world to control your mindset, you will get what the world has to offer; a short life.

Most enchilada sauces contain sugar, damaged fats, or additives.  Here’s the Maximized Living approved version that is a sure family hit!

CORE PLAN
Serves 4-6

Enchilada Sauce:

2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
1/4 cup chili powder
1 1/2 cups organic chicken stock
6 ounces organic tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

In a medium saucepan heat oil and chili powder for about 30 seconds. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes. Adjust the seasonings as desired.

Enchiladas:

2 pounds grass-fed ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
1 (7 ounce) can diced green chile peppers
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup organic (sugar free) salsa or 2 tablespoons tomato paste + 2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 cup chopped black olives, drained and divided
2 cups organic shredded Cheddar cheese
1 package sprouted grain tortillas

Optional Toppings:

1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup chopped green onion
1 avocado, chopped.

Directions

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Spread a thin layer of the enchilada sauce into a 13×9 baking dish
- In a skillet over medium heat, saute ground beef, onions, garlic, salt, cumin, olives, and green chile peppers.   Continue cooking until the meat is no longer pink. Pour in the salsa or tomato sauce and chili powder. Mix thoroughly and heat through.
- Spoon a little of the meat mixture into a sprouted grain tortilla.  Roll the tortilla up and place in the prepared casserole dish (seam down). Repeat for the remaining tortillas using up all of the meat mixture.   You may have some left which you can save for a taco salad
- Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas, sprinkle with remaining olives and top with cheese .
- Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until hot and bubbly.
- Top with organic sour cream, green onions, and chopped avocado.

British Journal of Cancer—A new link found in eating processed meats and the formation of pancreatic cancer.  Pancreatic cancer is one of the types of cancers that boast the highest mortality rate amongst all cancers.

The study confirms that eating processed meats daily increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer up to 38 percent.  The data was gathered from 11 clinical trials and over 6,000 pancreatic cancer patients and concluded that this deadly condition can be caused by what is in your refrigerator. [1]

Pancreatic cancer is classified the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Although it is not as common as many other cancers, it is responsible for 6 percent of cancer deaths each year.  In 2010, it was estimated that over 40,000 people were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  It has been found that 95 percent of pancreatic cancer victims die within 5 years of diagnosis.

The use of preserving agents such as nitrites was found to be the link in the production of cancer.  These agents have been known to be severe carcinogens for many years.  Despite numerous scientific studies confirming the link, processed meats have suspciously stayed on the market.

The methods used for processing meats include preserving, canning, freezing, refrigeration, and dehydration.  Many processed meats are made with unhealthy trans-fats, saturated fats, and large amounts of sodium and sugar.

Shopping Hints–Processed Meats Found to be High in Nitrates/Nitrites:

-  Canned meats and corned beef.
-  Smoked fish and meats.
-  Summer sausage, breakfast sausage and bacon.
-  Frozen fish sticks and all other frozen prepared dinners.
-  Hot dogs, bologna, ham, turkey roll and turkey breast.
-  Liverwurst, pastrami, prosciutto, roast beef, salami, and pepperoni.
-  Beef jerkies, Slim Jim’s, meat sticks and other dried meat snacks.

There are several meat sources for sausages including beef, pork, mutton, veal, and poultry.  Meat by-products are also commonly used such as lips, tripe, pork stomachs and heart.  These processed foods and prepackaged meals are very convenient and popular.

Read the Fine Print–The Processed Meat Food Label:

Chemical Free: Beware, this term is not allowed to be put on any processed meats.
Corn syrup: Sugar that is used as a flavoring agent and sweetener in meat and poultry products.
Emulsifier: Added to products, such as meat spreads, to prevent separation of product.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): MSG is a flavor enhancer.
Phosphates: The two primary effects in meat and poultry products are moisture retention and flavor protection.
Sodium nitrite: Used alone or in conjunction with sodium nitrate as a color fixative in cured meats and poultry products.
Texturizers/Stabilizers/Thickeners: Used in foods to help maintain uniform texture or consistency.

Becoming an informed consumer can be the most important factor in protecting you and your family from tragedy.  The common processed meats are laced with poisons that increase the risk of developing cancer.  Studies have linked nitrates to many other forms of cancer as well. These cancers include, but not limited to oral cavity, urinary bladder, esophagus, stomach and brain.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 pound escarole, chopped
1 Pinch of Sea Salt
4 cups organic chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
Freshly ground black pepper
6 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 (1-ounce) piece Parmesan

Optional: Grate more parmesan cheese and place on piles on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees until browned and holds it shape.  Serve with the soup.  NOTE:  the parmesan crisps will melt when put in hot soup so you may want to serve them on the side.

Directions:

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute about 15 seconds. Add the escarole and saute until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add a pinch of salt. Add the chicken broth, beans, and Parmesan cheese. Cover and simmer until the beans are heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Enjoy!

Finally! A pizza dough that Maximized Living doctors and patients can prepare, eat, and savour without feeling guilty or bloated, or both!

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups Almond Flour

¼ cup ground flax meal

¼ to ½ tsp. kosher or sea salt

¼ tsp. aluminum free baking soda

1 egg, beaten with a whisk

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp. seasoning of choice – Italian seasoning; roasted garlic powder (optional)

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients together until they form a ball.

Roll the “dough” into a ¼ inch pizza crust on a sheet pan with a silpat liner or piece of parchment paper.

(To make this easier, top the dough with another piece of parchment paper when you roll it out; then peel off the parchment paper when you have it the way you want it.)

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes.

Remove from oven.

Top with your favourite “Maximized” pizza ingredients. Left-over “Maximized” ingredients are fine.

Return the pizza to the oven for another 10-15 minutes (this is a slow, lower heat pizza).

On January 16th we commemorated one of this country’s greatest icons Martin Luther King, Jr.  King stated that his true contribution wasn’t a messiah of civil rights, but as an organizer of people and causes.  Many believe in the “great man” concept of leadership, but in reality change comes from the mobilization and action of citizens.

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” -MLK

King knew that you need to count on every person to create the change you want to see in the world.  We all must become the leaders that we desperately lack.  Look around, our country is suffering from a crisis in leadership.

“A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan.” -MLK

Our healthcare delivery system and the dysfunctional thoughts, actions and greed of its participants are destroying America.  Turn on the television, the pharmaceutical drug companies are marketing not only to you, but also your children.  Can you see something wrong with that?  Should a drug be mass marketed?  Drug companies thrive off of lying and scaring the public into thinking they need to be “junkies” the rest of their lives.

“The total number of advertising violations issued by the FDA for misleading drug ads from 1997 – 2001: 88; Amount of fines levied for such violations: $0 Based on a 2002 survey, 46% of Americans use at least one prescription drug daily.” [1]

“A lie cannot live.” -MLK

The atrocious cost of medical care and big insurance companies are commonly more interested in their bottom-line than you and your child’s health.  The “sick” care model of health encourages you to get sick and not take care of your health.  Even worse, there are medications that you should take to “prevent” conditions from arising.  Where have we gone as a nation?

Is disease a lack of prescription cures?  Have we been lied to in regards to the necessity of medications and procedures?  Do our daily choices not impact our health anymore?  The continuous legal lies allow us to give our health to a stranger; one with a scalpel and another with a calculator.

The healthcare system is needed, but is it abusing its powers?  Is the mandate to succumb your child to vaccinations a violation of our civil liberties?  Many American’s are forced to expose themselves to the annual flu vaccine.  Is it safe or effective?  Amazingly, parents can even be convicted of child abuse if they do not listen to the system.  Is this allowing for freedom of choice?

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” -MLK

“Civil liberties– rights or freedoms given to the people by the First Amendment to the Constitution, by common law, or legislation, allowing the individual to be free to speak, think, assemble, organize, worship, or petition without government (or even private) interference or restraints.” [2]

We are in need of change.  We can still accomplish great things independent of what Washington, your health insurance and pharmaceutical companies think you should do in regards to your health.  This is no conspiracy theory, this is the facts.  Research by the Journal of American Medical Association identified itself (healthcare system) as the third leading cause of death. [3]

“Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.” – MLK

The solution is not as far away as it seems, it’s you.  Improving your daily choices in regards to lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise, mindset and healthy neurology is attainable.  Self-responsibility needs to be taken back from your Doctor, your insurance and your prescriptions.  We do not say eliminate these factors, but do you really need to rely on them if you take care of your health fully?

Do not wait; the “sick” care model relies on that.  Take initiative, take action, be the leader, and most importantly mobilize your family and loved ones to better health.  If we are looking for change in this world, it starts with you.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” -MLK

The Centers for Disease Control now states that 1 in 5 emergency room visits are the result of participation in sports and exercise programs. The staggering 4 million annual emergency room visits have not only been deemed hazardous to your health, but also to your checkbook. The Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that the public spends more than $49 Billion dollars annually on preventable injuries to children alone.

Whatever your exercise goals, getting injured is definitely not one of them. However; a study from the University of Arkansas states that there has been a 35 percent increase in exercise injuries in recent years. We are all urged to exercise in order to stay in shape and avoid getting fat, but are you at risk of injury?  Injuries associated with aerobics and weight training has increased over 173 percent in recent years according to a U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission report.

If the goal is to live longer, you will need to remain active longer and avoid exercise induced injuries.  The type of exercise has been found to be an important factor in the development of injuries.

The Failure of Classic, Common Exercise Vs. The Anti-Aging, Performance-Boosting Exercise Standard cardio is generally the long, slow, boring exercise that people hate.  Long walks, long runs and hours per week on treadmills and ellipticals are also known as “low-intensity, long duration, high-injury” activity.  There are several metabolic effects worth mentioning in regards to this form of exercise. This type of exercise raises stress hormones such as cortisol, which has been shown to store fat, break down muscle and inhibit exercise recovery. It also decreases human growth hormone (HGH), which is necessary for building muscle and burning fat.

You can get in the best shape of your life and avoid injuries with high intensity, short duration exercise.  In this revolutionary type of exercise the amount of HGH released is directly proportional to the exercise intensity.  HGH is the hormone that allows for greater muscle growth and fat reduction.

The metabolic effects of high intensity, short duration are outstanding!  There is increased fat and carbohydrate burning after this type of exercise.  Research suggests exercise is important not only physically, but it has a powerful mental effect as well.  Increased beta-endorphin levels associated with high intensity exercise have been found more beneficial than antidepressants.

Success in 2012 is not limited to weight loss and injury prevention, but also other life and health management techniques.  The 5 essentials have the power to radically transform your life.  Start by creating a vivid picture of what you would like to achieve this year.  A New Year, a New You!

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/research_agenda/05_sports.htm

http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/PRHTML98/98101.html3

*Serves 4 – Advanced and Core Plan

Kale is one of the healthiest foods on the planet and it is also very versatile.  This is yet another way to prepare kale that has so much texture and flavor.  It is portable, goes with anything, and is a great introduction for people who haven’t tried kale before.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 bunch raw kale (washed, de-stemmed and patted dry)
• 1 tablespoon tahini
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon  liquid aminos or tamari
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic (1 -2 cloves of garlic)

Directions:

• Break kale into bite size pieces and place in a large bowl.
• Puree all ingredients except kale in a blender or food processor.
• Pour dressing over kale and massage into the kale with your hands really working the dressing into the kale.
• Refrigerate for an hour or more for best results.  The kale will wilt a bit and the flavors will penetrate the kale better.

Americans now spend between $33 and $55 billion annually on weight loss products and services.¹  The high dollar items include medical procedures, pharmaceuticals and weight loss centers.  It is now estimated that 45 million Americans enroll in a weight loss program at a weight loss center or a gym.²  However; it has been quoted that 70 percent or more do not enroll in programs and try to lose weight on their own.

The vast majority of people attempting to lose weight fail to do so. There are a multitude of reasons why people fail.  To best prepare for success, we must understand the mistakes that others commonly make.  It’s not where you stand right now that matters; it’s where you are going.  Let’s not buy into the myth that you can’t lose weight or that it has to be hard.

A  Harvard University weight loss study states, “It is clear that health is significantly affected by mindset”.³ Weight loss plans require dedication and consistency not only physically but also mentally.  Social obligations and temptations are two of the most common causes of inconsistency.  Our social gatherings commonly include food and we usually overindulge ourselves during the Holiday season.  It is very important to get friends and family members involved in a healthy living program as well. If you do it together, you will succeed.

Many times people expect miracles within days of starting a weight loss program. When you do not see a significant change it is common to get disappointed, lose hope and fall off track. The goal of any program is continuous daily improvements. The added weight did not appear overnight and will require time to improve.  You can do it though!

You can get into the best shape of your life, regardless of your age.  The secret to success is a proper mindset and a plan.  Failure only happens if your desire to indulge in unhealthy habits exceeds your desire to lose weight and get in great shape.  Rome is not built in a single day.  We need to set realistic goals and a great plan of action to achieve success.  It is very important to write it down and record the progress.

“Everyone has inside himself a piece of good news!  The good news is that you really don’t know how great you can be, how much you can love, what you can accomplish, and what your potential is!”
-Anne Frank

In 2012, the only thing that stands between a person and the results they want is the will to try it and the faith to believe it’s possible. This belief fuels enthusiasm and this enthusiasm explodes into passion.  Have the perseverance to succeed.  Perseverance is not a long race; it’s many short races, one after another.  Have simple, clearly defined goals that will capture your imagination and inspire passion.  We can never help another, without first helping ourselves.

Our goal in 2012 as an organization is to provide you with the very best resources for success. Success is not limited to weight loss, but also other life and health management techniques.  The 5 essentials have the power to radically transform your life.  This is your year of success. A New Year, a New You!

January 19: Maximized Living Makeover – Weight Loss
- Quickly lose ten pounds without feeling hungry.
-Can’t lose weight? Learn the most common reason why!
-Want to get in the best shape of your life? We will teach you how!

This is a great restaurant-esque soup that you can pull together in a jiffy.

Ingredients:

4 medium-size dried mushrooms
1 tablespoon dry sherry
4 cups chicken broth (or turkey broth)
1/2 pound chicken breasts, skinned, boned, cut in matchstick pieces (or leftover turkey)
1/2 cup sliced bamboo shoots, cut in matchstick pieces
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Tamari sauce
2 tablespoon arrowroot powder
1/4 cup water
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 organic egg, lightly beaten
2 whole green onions, cut in 1 inch diagonal slices
Salt

Directions:

Cover mushrooms with warm water, let stand for 30 minutes, then drain. Cut off and discard stems; squeeze mushrooms dry and thinly slice.  In a 2-quart pan, heat chicken broth to boiling.  Add sherry, mushrooms, chicken, and bamboo shoots.  Stir , then reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes.  Add  wine vinegar, and tamari sauce; heat, uncovered, for 1 minute.  Blend arrowroot powder and water.  Add to soup and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened.  Turn of heat.  Add pepper and sesame oil. Stirring continuously, slowly pour egg into soup.  Sprinkle with onion and salt to taste.

The holiday season can be a time full of joy, happiness, parties and family gatherings. But for many people, it is a time of depression, loneliness, reflection on past failures, self-evaluation and anxiety about the upcoming year.  Even more people experience post-holiday depression resulting in additional stress and exhaustion.

Lack of sleep, limited meal ideas, poor time management and stress all play a significant role in the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is a key messenger that creates an anti-depressant effect in the brain, it makes you happy.  We need to identify and resolve the effects of inadequate sleep, abundant stress and negative self-confidence on depression and realize that this will not happen through medication. This can only be accomplished through living a life with purpose.

This is the time of the year to get focused on creating a championship game plan for your health. You were born with the ability to have a championship marriage, children, business and mission.  It’s a tragedy to see a person’s destiny fall short because their health has failed.  We need to start by creating a championship winning body and self-image with limitless potential.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. “-Steve Jobs

It has been said; absent a destination, any road will take you there. Specific goals in life give you a destination.  If the goals are clear, tangible, visible, vivid and well planned; you are destined to hit them.  Develop big, audacious visions with near-term, attainable, deadline driven goals.  A  vision with a deadline is a goal.  Each goal you achieve should move you closer to the vision.

List exactly why you have created goals. You must be specific.  You can’t just have a family goal.  There has to be a goal for you and your spouse, you and individual children, and you and individual extended family members.  Create a vivid, clear picture.  Develop a plan.  Build trust in yourself but apply forgiveness.  In order to begin trusting yourself, you have to consistently hit your goals. However, if you miss some, demonstrate self-respect, forgive yourself and move on.

Measure your key health risks and indicators. Get out the dreaded scale and tape measure and record your measurements.  If your goal is to normalize blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid and insulin levels, you will also need to get your most recent blood work reports to accurately gauge success.

You may be hearing a lot of “you can’t” messages from your doctor, the news and maybe even your own family, but we’re here to tell you that you can!  You are not a victim of bad genes or bad luck.  You have more potential inside of you than you know.  If you desire to make a positive change, you can!

A New Year, a New You!

*Serves approximately 4-6 people as appetizer:

This recipe gets rave reviews… the best part about it is that it is only 3 ingredients, takes literally minutes to make, and tastes delicious. They are great for parties especially as an appetizer for your New Year’s Party or as a quick snack.  These are a perfect example of how simple ingredients can result in amazing taste.

Ingredients:

- 1 pint container of button or baby bella mushrooms – stems removed and cleaned with a damp towel
- 1/2 brick organic cream cheese. softened
- 6 slices uncured turkey bacon, cooked and cut into small pieces

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Mix the cream cheese with the chopped bacon and fill each mushroom cap.  You will want a small mound on top.  Bake for 15-20 minutes on a parchment lined baking sheet. Serve warm or at room temperature.

*This Recipe follows the Advanced Plan*

230 million prescriptions are now filled for depression every year.  Antidepressants are one of the most-prescribed drugs in the United States. More than 1 in 20 Americans are still depressed according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Research over the last two decades has shown that people with cardiovascular disease are more likely to suffer from depression than otherwise healthy people. The reverse is also been found to be true, people with depression are at greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease.

The National Institute of Mental Health states that “people with heart disease who are depressed have an increased risk of death after a heart attack compared to those who are not depressed.”  Cardiovascular disease now affects over 12 million Americans and is classified as one of the leading causes of death. The depression incident rates skyrockets to 1 in 2 for people who have survived their first heart attack according to the institute.

Depression and anxiety can result in heightened levels of stress hormones called cortisol and adrenaline.  The elevated levels signal an alteration and damages the type of tissue healing needed for muscle tissue repair, especially the heart.

A recent study which involved 80 adults aged 20 to 45 years who were diagnosed with moderate depression were able to cut their symptoms nearly in half with exercise alone. Exercise performed three to five times per week has immediate effects on your mood and brain health according to the study.¹

The proper balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 has now been considered to be the most important nutrient to battle cardiovascular disease and depression.²  Omega-3 deficiency can also decrease normal blood flow to numerous regions of the brain.  The ideal balance of Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids has been found to be in a 2:1 ratio. ³

Most people call this time of year “The Holidays.”  Because it’s “The Holidays” people tend to get irresponsible and careless. People eat mass quantities, put all sorts of horrible food and drink into their bodies, exercise less (if at all), miss adjustments, spend too much money, and put self improvement things off until after “The Holidays.”  The gyms and health clubs will double or triple their marketing in January, only to see a short-term boost in compliance.

If you add together the months of November and December (since most of us start the downward spiral around Halloween, and live off Christmas cookies and egg nog starting November 15th), plus all of the other times it is easy to completely neglect your health (parties, weddings, birthdays, vacations, long weekends, etc.), many are ultimately being irresponsible for their health 3 months out of every year.

Big deal or no big deal?  Well, living this way, by the time you turn 40, you will have spent 10 years doing serious, possibly irreparable damage to your body.  “The Holidays,” are a time designated to celebrate the many joys of life and appreciate God’s blessings.  However, they have become a time dedicated to shortening life and destroying God’s amazing and awesome good works.  It is time to look at “The Holidays” from a new perspective!

Have a blast and eat like it’s your last meal for 3-4 meals (not “days”) over the Holidays (starting with the Christmas parties, right up until New Years).  Yet, remember it’s about God and others – both of whom want you to live a long and joyous life.  Continue to exercise, manage your peace, and make the other meals nutritious.

We encourage people:

- If you typically exercise four days per week, exercise five days per week!
- If you get adjusted twice per month, visit your chiropractor three or four times during the month of December!
- If you typically “pig out” once a week, hold off and do it every two!
- If you usually function on 6-8 hours of nightly sleep, give yourself 8-10 hours instead.

You can also learn how to prepare gourmet dishes this season that are as delicious as they are healthy by Downloading our FREE Healthy Holiday Eats Recipe EBook.

What you will probably find, if you set these goals for yourself, is that you may not get in all the “extras,” but at least you won’t slide from where you should be!

Don’t fall prey to the old Italian Saying, “Sono divencete veccio, Troppo presto, ma Furbo troppo tardi” (I got old too soon and smart too late).  Have a wonderful Holiday!

We are happy to present a much requested collection of Healthy, Maximized Living Approved, Holiday Recipes.  Celebrate the season’s bounties with your family and friends without the guilt and damage of typical holiday meals.  Even the most well intentioned person can fall prey to the excessive amounts of sugar, damaged fats, processed ingredients and numerous store-bought treats during the holidays.  This year, make a change and enjoy real, healthy, homemade foods that are still festive and delicious. Impress your guests or bring one of the dishes to your next holiday party.  Most of all, make the most of the season with family, friends, food, faith and fun!

Enjoy these recipes, make them at home and tell us how you like them on our Facebook page!

Download Recipe Guide

Hot Spinach and Sweet Potato Salad

* Makes 4 servings

2 lg sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1″ cubes
1/4 c and 2 Tbsp coconut oil or grapeseed oil
1 tsp sea salt
3 slices uncured organic turkey bacon (2 oz)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 medium red onion, halved and sliced thin
1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
1 tsp ground cumin
fresh squeezed juice from 2 oranges (about 1/2 c)
1 lb fresh spinach leaves, rinsed and spun dry

1.)  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Put sweet potatoes on baking sheet, drizzle with 1/4 c coconut oil (melted on the stove top if not already liquid) to coat.  Sprinkle with sea salt and place in oven to roast, turning occasionally.  Potatoes should be brown and tender after about 25 minutes.  Remove from oven and set aside.

2.)  Cook bacon in stainless steal skillet over medium heat while potatoes roast.  Turn once or twice until crisp and cooked thru.  Drain bacon pieces on paper towel, chop into bit size pieces and set aside.  Pour fat out of skillet, leaving and darkened bits on bottom of pan.  Put back on stove over medium heat.  Add 2 Tbsp coconut oil.  When coconut oil is melted and sizzling, add bell pepper, onion, ginger and sprinkle of sea salt.  Cook, stirring occasionally til veggies are cooked tender.  Stir in cumin and turkey bacon.  Stir in orange juice and turn off heat.

3.)  Place spinach in a large bowl.  Add sweet potatoes, warm dressing and sea salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste.  Toss to combine.  Serve immediately.

Pecan Pie

* Makes one 9″ pie

THE CRUST:
2 cups almond flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Dash of sea salt
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
20 drops pure liquid stevia
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

THE FILLING:
1 3/4 cup raw pecans, chopped
1/3 cup Grade B maple syrup
1/4 tsp pure liquid stevia
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 Tbsp fresh flax seed meal
1/2 tsp arrowroot powder
2 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk
A couple pinches of sea salt for pecans

1.)  THE CRUST  Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.   In a large bowl, stir together almond flour, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt with a fork.  Add in the remaining liquid crust ingredients.  Stir together with fork until well combined and crumbly.

2.)  Press dough into a 9 inch pie shell (or tart pan — that’s what I used).  Bake at 300 degrees F for 15 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

3.)  THE FILLING:  In a medium sauce pan, mix together the coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.  Bring to a boil over Medium-High heat, then lower the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, whisking it frequently. (It will seem like the oil and syrup are separating.  The flax and arrowroot mixture will act as an emulsifier later!)  Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, stirring occassionally.

4.)  In a large stainless steel skillet, toast the pecans on Medium-Low heat for about 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently.  Remove from heat and sprinkle with sea salt.

5.)  In a small bowl, mix together the flaxseed meal, arrowroot powder and almond milk.  Let it sit for 6 minutes.

6.)  Once the sugar-oil mixture is cooled to room temperature, whisk in the flax/arrowroot mixture until combined and smooth.  Stir in the chopped pecans until combined.  Pour onto the cooled pie crust and distribute evenly.

7.)  Bake at 350 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until the filling begins to set and loses its shine. Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature.  Chill in fridge at least an hour or two before serving (we found it easier to cut and serve when slightly chilled).

Herbed Scones

* Makes 30 small scones

2 ½ cups almond flour
¾  tsp sea salt
¾ tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cup raw Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tbsp dried rosemary
1 large clove of garlic, minced
3 tbsp organic Dijon mustard
2 free-range eggs
1/3 cup of grapeseed oil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with unbleached natural parchment paper.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl and mix. In a separate bowl, whisk all the wet ingredients together. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix well.
3. Scoop and form about 2 tablespoons of batter onto the baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each. Bake 12-17 minutes until golden brown and a knife comes out clean. Let cool for 30 minutes on the baking sheets before serving.

Holiday Kale

2 bunches of organic kale
¼ cup raw pine nuts
¼ cup organic black olives, sliced
1 organic red bell pepper, diced
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp fresh black pepper (may need less, depending on preference)

1. Rinse kale leaves and dry. Remove stems and chop into horizontal strips.
2. Place the kale in a medium bowl with a lid along with the olive oil, lemon juice, and sea salt. Toss well with your hands. Every leaf should be moistened.
3. Add the red bell pepper, pine nuts, and olives. Toss gently. Add pepper. Cover and store in refrigerator at least 24 hours before serving. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Peppermint Bark

8 oz 73+% dark chocolate or baker’s chocolate
5-10 drops pure liquid stevia (can also use naturally flavored peppermint stevia)
2 tsp peppermint extract

1.)  Line a 10×10 inch baking sheet with all natural waxed paper.  (If you only have larger sized baking sheets, double this recipe so you have enough chocolate to spread out across it.)

2.)  Melt the chocolate in a double boiler.  Add the liquid stevia (I used only 5 drops, as I don’t like it too sweet…) and peppermint extract and mix well until smooth.  (Optional: Stir in chopped raw nuts — I’m partial to raw almonds and raw hazelnuts.  Pistachios add a splash of Christmas color.  Maybe even some goji berries, or cranberries for Core Plan?)

3.)  Once melted, pour onto natural waxed paper and use a spatula to spread chocolate about 1/4 inch thick. (Optional: Sprinkle with crushed raw nuts, sea salt, dried fruits.)  Allow to cool and dry 6 hours or overnight.

4.)  Once dry, break chocolate apart into uneven chunks, store in airtight container until ready to serve.

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* Visit Healing Cuisine by Elise for more great holiday recipes!

By Dr. B.J. Hardick and Kimberly Roberto, Co-authors of The Maximized Living Nutrition Plans

It’s holiday time and you wanna have fun.  This doesn’t just mean decorating Christmas trees and opening up presents.  It also means enjoying the kind of foods that go with this time of year.  Like ML Co-founder Dr. Ben Lerner says, however, “I love to eat this time of year, but I don’t like to get fat any time of year.”

Let us first explain to you why we make the food recommendations we do, and how they allow you to have fun, but not get fat for the holidays.

The Maximized Living Plans focus on the true principles of nutrition that have sustained human life for thousands of years. These principles can be seen today in cultures around the world that are free of the chronic conditions plaguing North Americans.

What Happened: The Standard North American Diet

The typical North American diet is not working, as seen by the skyrocketing statistics of heart disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and obesity. (It is these five chronic diseases that North Americans are most likely to die from.) To avoid becoming a statistic it is essential to avoid the 3 Dangers that compromise one’s health:

Sugar

Sugar is cheap and addictive and a primary risk factor for diabetes, heart disease and cancer. When too much sugar is consumed, as is the case in the Standard North American Diet, excess sugar not usable for energy is stored as fat. With too much sugar in the bloodstream, insulin becomes constantly elevated leading to Type II diabetes. Sugar also fuels cancerous cells, and impedes the immune system.

Damaged Fats

North American studies which have linked fat consumption with disease have primarily evaluated the impact of damaged fats on the body, and have overlooked the incredible benefits of healthy fats. Damaged fats such as trans fats (hydrogenated oils), vegetable oils, and canola oil have been denatured through heat and chemical changes, causing them to oxidize and form free radicals which are hazardous to your health. Healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and seeds provide your body with nutrients to build cell membranes, absorb vitamins and lower inflammation.

Toxins

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved approximately 3,000 food additives, preservatives and colorings for use in the food supply. The average person will ingest 140-150 pounds of additives and chemicals every year, creating a serious imbalance within the body. Because toxins from food and household products are fat-soluble, the body will naturally create fat to safely store the toxins and protect the body. This toxic fat will block nutrients, rob your energy, contaminate your cells, affect your moods and contribute to a host of symptoms and disease.

Solution #1: The Core Plan

This plan is for everyone. The three core nutrition principles are the foundation for the Nutrition Plans, regardless of age, gender, genetic background, or medical history. Following this plan results in healthy, thriving families.

The 3 Principles of the Core Plan

Fat – Healthy Fats vs. Damaged Fats: Eat more healthy fats and eliminate all damaged fats.

Protein – Naturally Raised vs. Unnaturally Raised Animals: Go organic and natural for all animal products.

Carbohydrates – Whole Carbohydrates vs. Refined Carbohydrates: Eat more vegetables, and eliminate refined grains & sugars.

Solution #2: The Advanced Plan

This plan can be used for short-term management of weight, disease, or detoxification, or may be used on a long-term basis for those who are genetically suited for it. The Advanced Plan has been researched and formulated to maximize your body’s full potential for health, energy, recovery, and cognitive power. It is designed to reduce inflammation, restore cell membrane function in order to aid detoxification, regulate hormones, and promote the use of fat (instead of sugar) as the body’s primary source for energy. This is why it works so well, so quickly. Some indications you may need this plan are as follows:

Cognitive dysfunctions – including ADD/ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Metabolic syndromes – including Obesity, High Cholesterol, High Triglycerides, High Blood Sugar (or Low Blood Sugar), High Insulin, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, and/or High Leptin

Modern-day Illnesses – including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Toxicity, Fibromyalgia

Immune System and Inflammatory Diseases – Cancer, Autoimmune Diseases, Digestive Dysfunction, Intolerance to Grains, Asthma, Arthritis

Three Rules on the Advanced Plan

Follow the 3 Principles of the Core Plan along with the following modifications:

Fat – Increase your intake of healthy fats.

Protein – Moderate your intake of protein.

Carbohydrates – Eliminate all grains, sugars, and most fruits.

The Advanced Plan is specifically designed to eliminate cravings (something that many diets fail to do). As a result, people see dramatic results in very little time on the Advanced Plan.

Your First Step

Maximized Living Nutrition Plans is your complete handbook and resource guide that will give you everything you need to discover the nutrition plan you can follow and enjoy for the rest of your life. It not only includes the research and science which explain why these principles work, but all of the resources and tools you need to implement these changes in your own life.

There are more heart attacks and lifestyle-driven fatalities in “the holidays” than any other time of year! The average person over-spends, over-eats, gains 10 pounds over the holidays, and starts the New Year in financial disaster! With Life Essentials on your side, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Stress during the holidays (or any other “days”) is common, but definitely not normal! In fact, studies show stress to be a leading cause of illness in North America. Luckily, there are simple strategies to relieve and reduce the stress in your life, feel better, and increase your longevity.

Attend this workshop to develop strategies to:

-Bust stress on a daily basis.
-Manage your time effectively.
-Avoid holiday weight gain.
-Put love and peace back into the season.

PLUS – Holiday recipes to make you the healthy hit of the party!

* See our Events page for more information.

This is a great stuffing option for your Holiday feast.  It contains no grains so is perfectly acceptable on the advanced plan.  It can be made with or without meat and the flavors and the crunch of the nuts make it a great addition to the table.

Advanced Plan
Serves 4

1/2 large sweet (vidalia) onion, coarsely chopped
1 large bulb fennel (white part only) cut in half, then cut lengthwise into 1/4 inch-wide strips
4-5 stalks celery (including leaves), chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup organic chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/2 – 1 cup chopped walnuts  (matter of preference)
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds (soaked if possible)
8 ounces mushrooms, chopped
sea salt and ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 – 1 lb ground turkey, turkey sausage, or chicken sausage, crumbled and cooked on the stovetop (optional)

Heat oil in a deep saute pan. Add onions, fennel and celery. Heat on medium for several minutes until vegetables are lightly browned.

Add chicken stock, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover pan. Simmer ingredients for 20 minutes. Add sage, oregano and salt and pepper to taste. Add walnuts and sunflower seeds, cover and continue to cook mixture, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

Add mushrooms and meat (if desired), cover and cook on medium for an additional 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. If there is excess liquid, cook uncovered to reduce.  If the mixture is too dry, add more chicken stock, a little bit at a time.

Check seasonings and add additional salt and pepper if needed.

Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

By Dr. Eric Slead and Dr. Justin Moseley

In a hectic world of time crunches and amounting deadlines we all know the overwhelming feeling of being stressed. While some people manage and tolerate different levels of stress better than others stress is still known in America as the silent killer.  Science is now showing that those who are living in this state of chronic stress is leaving them susceptible to chronic disease such as obesity and diabetes, two of the most rapidly rising diseases affecting nearly every family in this country.  In a new article on CNN’s website, Dr. Rajita Sinha discusses the link between chronic stress levels and poor health:

“We’ve known about the link between stress and addiction, and increased susceptibility  to chronic diseases for a long time. But we have not fully understood the biological mechanism until recently.  When we experience something threatening or stressful, two things happen immediately. The first thing is what we call the “fight or flight” arousal response. The whole body is gearing up to move quickly to get out danger. And the second thing is that the body releases the stress hormone cortisol. The body gears up immediately in the face of stressful stimuli. It goes to our energy stores, and releases glucose and insulin so that our muscles have the energy to deal with the stress.

Here’s where the rubber hits the concrete, in terms of our choices. Drugs like alcohol, nicotine and cocaine, and also high-fat, high-calorie comfort foods, are powerful modifiers of the stress system. They will change our stress pathways and affect the way our body is able to control our stress response. And so, after a period of bingeing, your body’s stress system eventually just wears out.”

This time time of year, stress and depression are higher than at any other time throughout the year. Knowing exactly how to curb this stress so your body is not living in a chronic state of stress is essential.

4 WAYS TO AVOID THE HOLIDAY BLUES:

1. High Protein Content:

Protein-rich foods contain the amino acid tyrosine, which boost levels of the neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine. These alertness chemicals are raised by protein-rich choices like beans, chicken, and lean grass-fed beef.

2. Vitamin D:

Vitamin D levels are very low in those who suffer from depression and heart disease. Sunlight is our best source of Vitamin D, but supplementation of Vitamin D3 has been found to help those suffering from winter depression. Foods fortified with vitamin D usually have the not-so-effective D2 form, rather than the more bioavailable D3. Vitamin D levels are linked to melatonin levels. Melatonin is secreted as we sleep normally and increases during seasonal changes in daylight. Melatonin increases appetite, decreases alertness, and affects mood.

3. Essential Fatty Acids:

Essential fatty acids include omega-3’s, omega-6’s and omega-9’s. Proper balance of these fatty acids matters for both physical and mental health.  The deficit of omega-3 fatty acids is linked to depression. Supplement with Maximized Living Perfect Protein, Vitamin D3, and Perfect Ratio Omega to prevent the winter blues.

4. GET AN ADJUSTMENT:

The physiological impact, the relief of nerve stress, and the subsequent relaxation of muscles and associated organs makes a Chiropractic adjustment not only a great way to reduce stress short term, but long term allows your body to live in a state of health.  With the severe, negative impact on the body that stress has – restoring your body’s normal function is a critical, but often missed part of stress management.

The Viscous Psychology of Stress: http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/16/the-vicious-physiology-of-stress/

National Institute of Mental Health (2010)

Ingredients:

3 large garlic cloves, pressed or finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red-pepper flakes
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 chicken breast halves (bone-in with skin)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 500°F with oven rack in upper third.

Mash garlic into a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in oregano, red-pepper flakes, oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Cut a 2-inch-long slit, about 1 1/2 inches deep, in side of each breast half and spread 1/2 teaspoon garlic mixture into each pocket. Coat chicken with remaining garlic mixture.

Roast chicken, skin sides up, in a shallow baking pan until just cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.

Road 1: The Road Most Traveled (The Traditional Medical Model)

The Facts

• - Americans Take 25 million pills an hour.
• - The citizens of Canada average 14 prescriptions per person. 35 per person age 60-79 and 74 per person 80 or older.
• - As many as five out of six Americans die of heart disease and cancer.
• - 4.5 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s. This is a number that has doubled in the last two decades.
• - 118 million antidepressants are prescribed each year for some 57 million American citizens who have been told they have a mental disorder.
• - 25,000 people killed by hospital error in Canada each year.
• - One billion worldwide are overweight. The United States Congress calls this problem “as serious a threat as global warming.
• - Over 22 million children worldwide are overweight and at risk of serious cardiovascular disease. This number has doubled in the last 20 years for children and tripled for adolescents.
• - Autism impacts as many as 1 in 68 children. 1 in 35 for boys.
• - Canada is dead last for timeliness and quality of care.
• - The U.S. is dead last in health care according to Reuters in 2008.
• - 62% of all bankruptcies are due to medical expenses. More than ¾ of these people had insurance.

Clearly, conventional wisdom when it comes to health, hasn’t worked. The challenge is that people are looking for better ways to pay for or different ways to travel down the exact same road. So even if we made this road cheaper or added wellness exams, preventative “medicine”, or early detection scans, you’re still traveling down the same road. As a result, no matter what has changed, you always end up at the same destination: crisis, disease, and early death.

Road 2: The Road Less Traveled (The 5 Essentials Of Maximized Living)

Essential 1: Maximized Mind

The first essential is Maximized Mind. This essential is about understanding the true principle of health and healing to create a mindset of success. After all, it is function and lifestyle, not genetics, that determine well-being. Half of heart disease deaths can be avoided with lifestyle changes. Almost 200,000 lives can be saved if certain heart risk factors are cut, even modestly.

Essential 2: Maximized Nerve Supply

Maximized Nerve Supply involves restoring and maintaining the proper function of the nervous system through spinal correction. George Bakris, MD, Director of the University of Chicago hypertension center found that Chiropractic adjustments reduce blood pressure better than two blood-pressure medications combined.

Vertebral misalignment is common in patients with atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. Adjustments caused a 70% improvement in allergic disease. In his study, Yasuhiko Takeda found that vertebral misalignment is a common characteristic found in patients with atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. He also found that chiropractic adjustments caused a 70% improvement in allergic disease.

Essential 3: Maximized Quality Nutrition

Maximized Quality Nutrition is nutritional science that sustains well-being, disease prevention and ideal weight management. Overweight women are up to sixty percent more likely to develop any cancer. Diets loaded with healthy fats significantly reduce your risk of prostate cancer. If we eat more naturally and avoid the processed foods of modern society, we will live healthier lives.

Essential 4: Maximized Oxygen & Lean Muscle

Maximizing oxygen intake and lean muscle mass can help reduce the damaging effects of aging. A study showed that if you learn how to exercise the right way through short bursts of maximium energy output, one can induce a “good” hormone response. Cutting edge exercise programs that work to facilitate optimum fitness in minimal time are your best bet. Just by walking 30 minutes a day, symptoms of depression can improve faster than with pharmaceutical therapy.

Essential 5: Minimized Toxins

Minimizing toxins in your body increases its ability to permanently remove toxins from cells.

The EPA reports that there are over 70,000 chemicals used commercially. These chemicals are found in household cleaners, plastics, pesticides, personal care products, foods, drugs, water, paints, fabrics, and floor and wall covering are leading causes of cancers, gland issues, and many of today’s common diseases.

Forge A New Path

The road most traveled has made people sicker, unhappier, more overweight and more out of shape than ever. The modern medical model is not health care, it’s disease care. Don’t make the mistake of waiting for a crisis to think about your health.

So where does the road less traveled take us? One five year study on Chiropractic maintenance care showed that chiropractic patients spent thirty-one percent less on health care and had fifty percent less medical visits than the national average. This calulates into:

• - 85% less pharmaceutical costs
• - 59% less days in the hospital
• - 60.2% fewer hospital admissions
• - 62% less patient surgeries

The road less traveled can save families hundreds of thousands on healthcare while avoiding disease and suffering. This is the road beyond health care and wellness. At Maximized Living, we study health, not just disease. It’s a complete system for living. We don’t simply treat symptoms, we find and correct the cause of health problems. The choice is clear.

Millions of people around the globe are beginning to learn how to take control of their health and get results they never thought were possible. Maximized Living is one of the largest group of elite Wellness Doctors in the world and the only network certified in the 5 Essentials.

You’ll be amazed at the results Maximized Living has the potential to help you achieve. People lose hundreds of pounds, reverse chronic diseases, rebuild immune systems, regain their energy and feel better than they have in decades. Most importantly, children and adults alike are on a road that will continue to give them the life and health that they truly desire.

By Dr. Shannon Pearce

Exercise is not only good for your waistline but it is also good for your brain.  The University of Colorado Boulder recently discovered that even a minimal amount of exercise can help to protect against brain damage and memory loss.  Microglial cells are the immune defense cells of the brain, these cells are known to become more reactive to infection with age resulting in excess damage to the brain including the memory centers.  The researchers at University of Colorado Boulder wanted to know if there was any way to prevent or even eliminate this process in order to preserve memory with age.  Their conclusion was very simple, exercise is good for the brain! The study showed that even small amounts of exercise profoundly reduced the amount of inflammation in the brain and its residual memory impairments.  Research has previously shown that dementia often follows bacterial infections, such as pneumonia or E.coli, due to the release of inflammatory cytokines.  It would stand to reason that if one could reduce brain inflammation and cytokine release they would also reduce the damage associated with memory loss.

A regular routine of voluntary exercise does just that, it is the easiest and most cost effective way to prevent dementia.  If you have ever known someone affected by memory loss it is one of the most difficult and debilitating conditions one can face.  Being proactive with a fitness routine now before the onset of memory loss can arm your body with the ability to fight bacterial infections, minimize brain damage and conserve memory for many more years.

Max T3 is an exercise program designed with this in mind.  It takes only 12 minutes and because of the “Burst” or “surge” elements – it’s especially designed to change body chemistry, regulate hormones, improve cardiovascular function, burn fat, and build lean muscle for all ages and fitness levels.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE ON INFLAMMATION AND INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES:

Nutrition

Sugars, bad fats, and grains – yes, even whole grains – cause an inflammatory, cytokine reaction too.  Inflammation is linked to virtually every kind of disease, pain, or syndrome.  While to most people, eliminating these nutrients from the diet sounds like torture – it’s actually not difficult.  That’s because there are endless alternatives that taste great and you can eat more, weigh less, and feel way better.  Combine MaxT3 and this type of eating and it’s a literal fountain of youth.

If you have yet to begin a Max T3 program and/or want to learn more about this kind of anti-aging nutrition, Life Essentials Health Center will teach you how to transform your body, save your brain and feel better than you ever have in only minutes per day.

By Dr. Brandon Vinzant

USA Today reports that people who are sleep-deprived eat close to 300 calories a day more than they do when they are well-rested, with ice cream being the food of choice when tired. ¹

It’s no surprise then when an additional study also showed that you can double your chances of reaching your target weight if you get between 6-8 hours of sleep (AKA – average at least 7 hours/night), which has been proven to be the target sleep amount.  According to The Telegraph, the study found that people trying to lose at least 10 pounds were more likely to reach their goal if they had lower stress levels and got the right amount of sleep. ²

The combination of high stress and a lack of sleep likely leads to altered metabolism, because when you’re sleep deprived, leptin (the hormone that signals satiety or fullness) falls, while ghrelin (which signals hunger) rises.  This is the perfect hormone cocktail for weight gain and health problems.  Some experts even suggest that the correct amount of sleep is equivalent in value to proper nutrition and regular exercise when it comes to maintaining a healthy body.

By not getting a good night’s rest, you are putting yourself at risk for developing high blood sugar levels, accelerated aging, high blood pressure, depression and an increased risk of cancer.

Recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that over 35 percent of Americans reported getting less than seven hours of sleep on average during a 24-hour period.  A CDC analysis found that people who slept fewer than seven hours were more likely to report unintentionally falling asleep during the day including nodding off or falling asleep while driving. This is easily one of the most significant and potentially deadly risks of too little sleep, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than 100,000 accidents each year. ³

THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF REASONS FOR LOSING SLEEP IN MODERN SOCIETY

These reasons can range from being addicted to late night reality T.V. to stress to taking lousy care of yourself to health issues.  Ultimately the conclusion is that the average person’s life is not in control.

For those who just have “trouble sleeping” – there are numerous things you can do to sleep better.

• Setting a bed time
• Reading
• Shutting off the TV an hour before bed
• Cover your windows to achieve complete darkness
• Cool the bedroom to 70 degrees or lower

If you are waking up tired and lethargic, try these little methods to improve sleep quality because something as little as a half an hour more of sleep could prove beneficial to your health.

However, the likely causes are stress, a destructive lifestyle, toxicity, neurological issues, a lack of fitness, no real well formulated time management strategy, and underlying health conditions that arise as a result of all or part of the above.

To start sleeping and start living, it’s going to be more than a cool pillow, a bottle of Ambien, or a bottle of wine for that matter.  The latter two only damage your health further.  Getting your mind and your health under control is a complex matter. Maximized Living is here to make it easier for you!

* Click here for Dr. Brian’s Beyond Organic page: http://drbrianclass.mybeyondorganic.com

Many of you may know my good friend and natural health expert Jordan Rubin, CEO of Garden of Life, and author of The Maker’s Diet.

Jordan is about to launch a new company called Beyond Organic, which will offer the world’s healthiest foods, including:

• Beyond Organic GreenFed Beef
• Beyond Organic raw cheese
• Beyond Organic 100% GreenFed cultured dairy beverage
• REIGN – mountain spring water with unsurpassed purity
• REIGN infused spring waters for enhanced performance in life
• Beyond Organic certified organic dark chocolate with probiotics and omega-3s

There are MANY significant features that set these foods and beverages apart from what you would find in health stores.

For example, we have all seen “organic” and “grass-fed” beef at Whole Foods.  But did you know that organic beef requires that the cows consume 30% grass?  Only 30%!

Jordan Rubin’s new company is taking 8,000+ certified organic acres in Missouri and Georgia to raise cattle that are free roaming, Green-Fed, and genetically superior cows. (By the way, Green-Fed is a more correct description than grass-fed, and you will learn more about that in future newsletters).   You can click HERE for several videos that describe the products.

One reason I am very excited about this company is rather than putting this food in health food stores; Beyond Organic will be skipping the middleman and will ship these foods directly from their farm to your family!  It has always been a huge pain for me to try and get grass-fed beef, and especially raw dairy products.  But now, with Beyond Organic, the foods and beverages come to me!

Another feature that sets this product line apart is the infusion of clinically studied probiotics. Probiotics are the naturally good flora that are so important to supporting digestive function and boosting immune system health.

Also, the dairy products are produced by cows with specialized genetics −producing milk that is highly tolerable and very digestible.

How to Live Beyond Organic

The really great news is you can literally be one of the first people in America to live Beyond Organic.  Since Beyond Organic has not officially launched, from now until October 31st you can become a Beyond Organic Insider.  Anyone who is interested in learning more about these foods and beverages, or even the potential to get your Beyond Organic foods and beverages for free by sharing this message with others, can become an insider before the rest of the world hears the good news about the new company.

There is NO fee to sign-up now through October 31st and in that time, you will be educated on the Beyond Organic lifestyle, have the opportunity to try some of the products and discover how you can share the Beyond Organic message with friends, family, colleagues and for physicians, your patients.

All of you have recommended healthy eating options to others, and now you can share with those you know and love, how they can consume the healthiest foods and beverages available and be compensated for doing so.

Over a decade ago, Jordan started Garden of Life, one of the leading nutritional supplement companies in America in his parent’s friend’s garage with his dad’s credit card and a dream. Now you can be part of Jordan’s new vision!  This is truly a ground floor opportunity, and I jumped at the chance to become a part of. And now, I am asking you to join me.

If you would like to get insider access to Beyond Organic at no cost, you can register HERE.

Once you hold your place by signing up, you can then invite your friends to do the same.

You can become involved with Beyond Organic in one of three ways:

1) You can purchase these foods retail.

2) You can become a preferred customer and purchase Beyond Organic products at a 20% discount.

3) You can become a Mission Marketer, share these foods and beverages with friends and family, and have the opportunity to get your Beyond Organic foods and beverages for free or even earn an income.

I have never been a huge fan of direct selling companies, which often produce inferior products at inflated prices.  However, these are literally the best quality foods and beverages I have ever seen, and they will provide real value to everyone who purchases them.

An area of focus for Beyond Organic that aligns very well with my beliefs is their mission to help feed and clothe widows and orphans by partnering directly with ministries and other non-profit organizations. Their groundbreaking program called “Give a Meal, Get a Meal” is powerful, and once you get set up as an Insider you can watch all these amazing videos and see the vision for yourself!

Healthy Food that Tastes Amazing!

I ONLY advise my friends and family to eat what I eat, and these are the foods I will be eating every day.  And now, I am inviting you to do the same.

Once you sign up as a Beyond Organic Insider you will receive your own enroller link and code. If you have friends and family who may also want access to these amazing healthy foods and beverages, please share this message with them on Facebook or email your contact list.

To Learn More

Make sure once you sign up as an Insider, you go to the “back office” page to watch the video archives and get educated on Beyond Organic!

*You must sign up as a mission marketer by Oct. 31st in order to be considered a “founder” of Beyond Organic.

By Kimberly Roberto, Author of Maximized Living Nutrition Plans

A common objection many people have at the thought of buying organic products is the price tag. While it is true that the costs of organic products are indeed higher, it is important to point out that there are longer term consequences and hard costs associated with buying and eating the less expensive, conventional food products. Unfortunately, we live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with toxins, chemicals, and food that is far from what nature intended. For that reason, attention must be paid to the quality of the food we are consuming. The first step to making any nutritional changes is to cut out the unhealthy foods and replace them with whole, natural, healthy foods. Eliminating the man-made, processed foods from the shopping cart, frees up dollars to put towards organic foods.

The good news is that it is not necessary to buy ALL of your food with an organic label in order to be healthy. In fact, when it comes to produce, Maximized Living Nutrition Plans provides a list that shows exactly where your money is best spent on organic fruits and vegetables and where buying conventional is acceptable. The list is based on the Environmental Working Groups analysis of a whole host of fruits and vegetables to determine which ones have the lowest pesticide load and which have the highest. The items that test the lowest in terms of pesticide load can be purchased conventionally. However, the items that test the highest for pesticides, the “dirty dozen”, should be purchased with an organic status. This is an extremely helpful list for those on a budget or when specific produce is scarce.

Grains are much less important than the other categories when it comes to buying organic.  Maximized Living Nutrition Plans recommends only whole, cracked, or sprouted grains on the Core Plan and the elimination of grains completely on the Advanced Plan. Looking at grains, rice typically carries a higher pesticide load than the other grains. Brown rice is an appropriate choice on the Core Plan while white rice should be avoided altogether.

Knowing which foods should be purchased organically is extremely important because the health consequences of eating foods high in herbicides and pesticides has been linked with toxicities, migraines, allergies, ADD/ADHD, neurological conditions, hormone dysfunction, immune suppression, and cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency’s website even states: “The health effects of pesticides depend on the type of pesticide. Some, such as the organophosphates and carbamates, affect the nervous system. Others may irritate the skin or eyes. Some pesticides may be carcinogens. Others may affect the hormone or endocrine system in the body.”  (1)

According to a 2005 study, measuring the levels of two organophosphate pesticides (malathion and chlorpyrifos) that have been linked to harmful neurological effects, a dramatic decrease was shown immediately after introducing organic food items. “We found that the median urinary concentrations of the specific metabolites for malathion and chlorpyrifos decreased to the nondetect levels immediately after the introduction of organic diets and remained nondetectable until the conventional diets were reintroduced.”  This is encouraging in that changing to organic food has immediate benefits.

An organic lifestyle is part of building immunity to disease. It’s your job to know everything you can about immunity. For a complete food, meal, and recipe program, Maximized Living Nutrition Plans is the most ideal resource there is today.  Stop by the front desk at Life Essentials Health Center to purchase one today!

(1) http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/health/human.htm

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info:doi/10.1289/ehp.8418

^{(2) http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2009-04-21-carbon-diet_N.htm}

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Welcome to DrClass.com, the leading source for all things natural: nutrition, fitness, health and wellness! Follow us to keep up to date on the latest information on health, recipes-cooked and raw, community events, health topics, and more! Real health answers for your real health issues!

Be sure to tune in to hear Dr Class live on “Maximize your Health” 94.3 WSC Saturdays at 10-11 AM EST. On the show, Dr Class will be discussing the latest health topics in the news, how to lose 20 pounds in 30 days, how to naturally treat diabetes, cancer, blood pressure, cholesterol, Autism, and more! Learn how to avoid sickness and disease and lead a MAXIMIZED life! 

SIGN UP TODAY!!!

* Cost is $25 per person ($40 for a couple) and includes the Winning My Race book as well as a 30-day follow up challenge.

Please provide us with the following information and we’ll contact you to complete the registration process.

By Dr. Justin Moseley

Newsweek magazine recently published an article titled, “The One Word That Can Save Your Life”. When it comes to medical tests and procedures such as: CT scans, mammograms, colonoscopies, medications, stents, etc. the one word that can save your life is:

NO!!!

In the case of PSA blood tests for prostate cancer, electrocardiograms to screen for heart irregularities, and mammograms, the research shows they lead to too many false positives, which leads to a “dangerous odyssey of tests and procedures,” according to Stephen Smith of Brown University School of Medicine. The research shows that these tests have not been shown to save lives.

Dr. Rita Redberg, professor of medicine at the University of California says that more health care often means worse health care. She states, “There are many areas of medicine where not testing, not imaging, and not treating actually results in better health outcomes.”  Archives, which is owned by the American Medical Association has been publishing study after study about tests and treatments that do more harm than good.

The article goes on to say, “From PSA tests for prostate cancer (which more than 20 million U.S. men undergo every year) to surgery for chronic back pain to simple antibiotics for sinus infections, a remarkable number and variety of tests and treatments are now proving either harmful or only as helpful as a placebo.”

So, if medical tests and procedures are not the answer, what is? The answer is lifestyle and body function. You can’t concoct a study that doesn’t show that nearly all common disease, symptom, or illness is self-induced by how you’re living and how your body is functioning.

If problems were simply genetic, then all 3 brothers would have prostate cancer, both sisters would have breast cancer, and everyone in the family would die before 60 of a stroke or heart attack. If the problems were simply environmental, then if one person at work or one kid at school got cold symptoms – the whole office or school would have them. But, it never works out this way. Many studies show the only reason several people in the family all end up getting a similar condition is because the whole family lives similarly.

Rather than invasive tests and procedures, take control of your health and the way your body works. It’s far less expensive then tests, drugs, and surgery and the right habits and doctors that support your body’s function offer no side-effects other then well-being.

Living a lifestyle which incorporates the 5 Essentials of Maximized Living hits all the components of health, immunity and good function. Many people think that health is just something you swallow or if you have great abs, you have nothing to worry about.  Yet, if you’re trying to avoid the dangerous tests and procedures, it gets more complex. By taking in the right nutrients (not just being lighter), by exercising properly (not just being more ripped), and addressing the other essentials like a healthy spine and nervous system (which controls body function), you’re taking all of the right steps to be well.

When you’re well, you don’t get disease in the first place. Sometimes tests are necessary, but at their best, all they offer is early detection. You still have the disease and as the report above shows, are now exposed to dangerous medical cures.

Follow your Maximized Living doctor’s advice on the 5 Essentials – don’t miss the Winning Your Race event on October 8th.  You’ll not only get well, but more importantly you’ll do something no test can do – stay well.

By Dr. Christie Ducote and Dr. Alex Pattison

The Lancet, a prestigious British medical journal, published a shocking report this week concluding that over half of Americans will be clinically obese by the year 2030.  The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines obesity as a person having a BMI, or body mass index, of 30 or higher.  A person’s BMI is correlated with their amount of body fat.

The report stated that not only will there be huge health consequences, but also worsen the burden of health care on our economy.  Obesity has been clinically proven to have direct associations between many life-threatening conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cancer, and stroke.  The current cost of obesity alone in the United States is $270 billion a year.

Most importantly, being obese and battling diseases for the rest of your life can steal you and your family of the most amazing quality of life that you deserve.

Most schools offer two options for lunch: a lunch the school provides or one that you provide.  Nearly 32 million children participate in a school lunch program every day.  This year the USDA is beginning to implement better nutrition in school lunch programs, but it is going to take years before schools are ready to begin serving healthy options that you want your children to eat.  The change follows the coat tails of a recent study that proved 25 million children are obese or overweight!  Statistics show that children consume anywhere from 30 – 50% of their calories while at school and the healthy options that many children have access to in their home refrigerators are not available to them at school.¹ By them time these standards are in place your child will most likely no longer be in school!

While the United States government is starting to be more proactive in providing our children with more nutrients, it is clear that the healthier option involves packing a lunch from home.  Most school lunches are prepackaged, full of preservatives and artificial flavorings, and are heavy on carbohydrates and sugars.  The CDC states that one in three children are considered overweight or obese.² Over 80% of obese children will be obese as an adult, which increases the risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

The best way to control your child’s food consumption at school is to send them with fun, nutritious lunches that they won’t want to trade with their friends for the pre-packaged hot dogs, hamburgers, and fries.  Below are some ideas of foods that are easy to pack, hold well until lunch, and are fun for the children:

• Any fruit or vegetable dehydrated into chips
• Raw vegetable sticks with homemade ranch dressing from Maximized Living Nutrition Plan’s book
• Raw almond butter or valencia peanut butter with granny smith apple slices or celery sticks
• Organic cheese sticks
• Lettuce wraps with nitrate free deli meat and cheese
• Whole grain, sprouted bread sandwiches cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters
• Any type of raw nuts or seeds
• Kale chips
• Granola
• Unsweetened apple sauce

You can even make your own lunch packs, where kids can assemble their own food.  Gluten free seed crackers go well with nitrate free deli meat and raw cheese.  Kids can make their own pizzas by pre-making the flax seed pizza crust in the Maximized Living Nutrition Plans book.  Pack the crust, some homemade sugar-free pizza sauce, raw shredded cheese, and vegetable toppings in separate containers so they can assemble it there.

A pre-made smoothie frozen over night is just the right consistency around lunch time. Smoothies are excellent because you can disguise nutrients with berries and other fruits.  Try throwing in a handful of spinach next time, and they won’t even know the difference!

Fun desserts include fresh made fruit salad, dark chocolate, avocado chocolate pudding, black bean brownies, almond cookies, and homemade sugar-free coconut macaroons.  Check out the Maximized Living Nutrition Plans book and MaximizedLiving.com for more easy and delicious recipes.

Just as important as what our children eat is the amount of physical activity they engage in during the day.  Do not count on gym class in your school district as a form of physical activity because gym class is not what it used to be.  Over the past ten years the amount of high school students in gym enrolled in daily gym classes has decreased from 42 to 29%!  As many as 50% of all students and 75% of all high school students are not enrolled in any gym classes at all!3  With these statistics as high as they are your child is just not getting the physical activity at school that you did when you were in school.  Exercise is an essential of health and if the school system is not going to ensure that your child is going to get the proper amount of physical activity, you must.  Start your family’s day off with a Maximized Living Max T3 work out, go for a family bike ride or run, swim at your local Y, or enroll your children in extracurricular activities, such as sports.

Make sure your child’s health does not get left behind this year.  Learn more about ensuring your child’s health at MaximizedLiving.com.

If you want to maximize exercise results, you have to make sure you’re fueling your body PROPERLY. There are very specific steps to take to ensure you haven’t wasted the effort you put into your physical activity.  The last thing you want is to nullify everything you’ve just accomplished by adding or not adding the proper nutrients.

If you’ve been physically active long enough, you’ve probably heard an array of different strategies to achieve results. Please understand that my goal is not for you to be a bodybuilder. The ultimate goal is true health, not just looking good.  This world is full of people that physically look great but are extraordinarily unhealthy.   What I’m going to offer you is the best of both worlds. I want to help you make sure that you’re maximizing your workouts through proper nutrition.

It’s actually quite simple. When it comes to health, people only care about two things.  One is the truth.  The other is results.  At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what works on a consistent basis.  I want to make sure you’re getting the results you need and desire.

The Good and the Bad

To maximize your exercise results, you’ll want to add and also eliminate certain things.  Post workout, you need to avoid energy drinks, sugary sports drinks, and energy bars.  These products have sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and fructose which will sabotage what you’ve worked for.  Sugar, especially fructose, “fools” your metabolism. When you consume fructose, 100% of the metabolic burden rests on your liver.  It doesn’t appropriately stimulate insulin, which, in turn, doesn’t suppress ghrelin (our hunger hormone). Leptin, the satiety (satisfied-feeling) hormone, also is NOT stimulated which will make you want to eat more, which will cause insulin resistance. Fructose is also the culprit for Metabolic Syndrome; low HDL, high LDL particle (small) size, high blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar.

Consuming sugar/fructose after exercise will counteract your natural human growth hormone production.  HGH (human growth hormone) is absolutely vital for muscle-building and fat burning. One of the reasons why it’s so important to avoid sugar/fructose after a workout is that it will prevent the production of the hormone, Somatostatin. Somatostatin inhibits the body’s production of HGH.  Essentially, sugar will “erase” everything you just accomplished during exercise. If you’re going to consume carbohydrates AFTER a workout, give yourself AT LEAST an hour before you do.  Remember to consume the majority of your carbohydrates through vegetables.

Most Important Meal for Workout Recovery

After exercise, you must eat within 20-30 minutes.  Your meal needs to include QUALITY and FAST-ASSIMILATING protein.  High-quality grass-fed whey protein is your best option.  Whey protein is the most bio-available protein on the planet.  Amino acids found in whey protein activate cellular mechanisms which promote muscle protein synthesis.  Make sure the whey protein is from a grass-fed source, cold-pressed, and sweetened with all-natural sweeteners such as Stevia and/or Xylitol.  If you’re having a difficult time finding a QUALITY whey source, contact your local Maximized Living doctor for assistance.

Follow these simple steps to ensure you’re getting ALL the benefits from your hard work.

In the year 2010, 215,000 people younger than 20 years old had diabetes, 10.9 million adults over 65 had diabetes, and 1.9 million people were diagnosed with diabetes.

This is shocking. Considering that diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, and the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, something is very, very wrong with the current methods of treating and managing diabetes.

Perhaps the worst thing about diabetes is that people think it is a permanent condition. Nothing could be further from the truth. Reversing diabetes is absolutely possible, and there are many, many resources available from websites to books to eating plans specifically targeted to reverse diabetes.

Both individuals and doctors are experiencing this phenomenon. Thirty-nine-year-old Jonathan Legg reversed his type-2 diabetes in less than two years, refusing medication and making diet and lifestyle changes. Dr. Michelle Magee, director of the MedStar Diabetes Institute in Washington, has seen “numerous” people reverse type-2 diabetes.

Dr. Cynthia Foster endorses “Raw for 30 Days,” a dietary plan for reversing diabetes in just a month. A less-drastic dietary solution is the Energy First Healing Diabetes with Nutrition meal plan, which focuses on whole foods and all-natural protein shakes. These are only a few of the diabetes healing diets available online and in books.

For example, ReversingDiabetes.org is a nonprofit resource offering seminars and solutions for people with type-1 and type-2 diabetes. They have helped many people reverse this disease.

Ultimately, both type-1 and type-2 diabetes are related to inflammation. Magnesium is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatories with a myriad of health benefits, including reversing diabetes. Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to type-1 diabetes. Proper supplementation, eliminating toxicity, and providing nutrition at a cellular level can permanently reverse both types. Begin by making the small, daily changes to support your overall health—the Five Essentials. These changes will support healing in all areas of your body.

For More Information:

The Movement to Reverse Diabetes Naturally

Simply Raw Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days Video

Reversing Diabetes Naturally

Preventing Type-1 Diabetes with Vitamin D

In the US, antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed drug for adults age 20–59, and ADD and ADHD medications are the most commonly prescribed drug among adolescents. While doctors may insist that these are “mental” issues that must be managed permanently with prescription drugs, they are far more related to diet and lifestyle—issues of the “body”—than you might think.

Everything in the body is connected. Digestion and mental health are very closely linked. With the current low-fat craze, many people are not getting enough good, healthy fat to absorb vitamins through the digestive system and feed the brain. Combine that with the numerous chemicals, preservatives, additives, colorings, and flavorings in the food we eat on a daily basis, and you start to see how what you eat can truly affect your brain chemistry.

While eliminating processed foods and sugars and increasing consumption of fresh vegetables, organic full-fat meat and dairy, and whole grains will often greatly improve symptoms of depression and hyperactivity and focus disorders, these are also closely linked to the spine and brain stem. Because all messages from the brain are communicated to the body through the spine and nervous system, a spine that is out of alignment can seriously interfere with brain and body health. I have seen numerous patients whose ADD/ADHD symptoms have improved drastically after only a few months of chiropractic care. It is absolutely essential to try this option instead of ADD and ADHD medication, for two reasons:

• ADD/ADHD prescriptions are, simply, speed, and have been linked to heart damage and sudden death.
• ADD/ADHD prescriptions can over time lead to depression.

So we see a link between the number one prescribed medication for adolescents and the number one prescribed medication in their next phase of life, to treat depression. And guess what a symptom of depression medication is: high cholesterol, the number one drug prescribed to seniors.

By taking prescription medications without question, and without trying alternative, natural options to heal ourselves, we are creating a cycle of disease and lining the pockets of prescription drug companies.

Exercise is proven to be one of the most effective ways to improve mood and treat depression. Surge exercise, during which you perform high-intensity exercise for a short period of time followed by a longer period of rest, and repeat several times, increases good-mood hormones and speeds up weight loss. It also increases oxygen flow to the brain and the rest of the body.

Deficiencies in vitamins also greatly influence depression. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin to almost every function of the body, and I recommend that everyone take a supplement. The B complex vitamins are also directly related to fatigue, chronic stress, and depression, including so-called depression symptoms of insomnia and loss of appetite. These are frequently, though not always, physical symptoms that are mistaken for imbalanced brain chemistry. And where there is a tangible, physical symptom, there is a tangible, physical cure.

For More Information:

Vitamins for Depression

Children, ADD/ADHD, and Chiropractic

ADHD Drug Dangers

10 Antidepressant Alternatives Proven to Work

The number one prescribed medication for adults age 60 and up is statin drugs for high cholesterol. Often accompanying high cholesterol is high blood pressure, so a version of warfarin, the main ingredient in rat poison, is prescribed as well. The side effects of these drugs are often insomnia and digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, bloating, and gas—so doctors add a sleep aid prescription and something for digestion. Before you know it, you’re on more drugs for the side effects of the drugs you are taking to manage your initial symptoms.

The key word here is symptom. A symptom is an indication of an underlying cause—in the case of health, it’s usually inflammation or some kind of imbalance: too much acid, interrupted nerve supply, or inadequate nutrition. When it comes to the body, symptoms are warning signals—like traffic lights telling you to slow down or stop! Therefore, taking drugs to suppress symptoms is like cutting the power to all the traffic lights just so you don’t have to be inconvenienced by having to stop at lights. What is the result? A serious accident on the road, and serious disease in your body.

Cholesterol is a protective agent, not a bad guy. While the Mayo Clinic, supposedly a leading health resource trusted by many, states, “Statin side effects can be uncomfortable, but are rarely dangerous,” the truth is that statins can cause neuropathy (nerve damage), rhabdomyolysis (muscle death that damages kidneys), and memory loss. That’s a little more than “uncomfortable”! And new research shows that statin drugs can actually lead to heart attacks—the very thing they are meant to prevent—in some people. As for high blood pressure, the pressure goes down, but research shows that plaque buildup leading to heart disease continues!

With the diet and lifestyle of today’s America, symptoms like fatigue, digestive upset, insomnia, and stress indicators like high cholesterol and high blood pressure are the norm. The fact is, you can lower your blood pressure simply by decreasing your caffeine intake or quitting smoking! You can lower your cholesterol by exercising regularly—and you will likely improve your sleep and digestion at the same time.

In fact, lifestyle changes have the opposite effect of drugs. While one drug to manage one symptom usually leads to more symptoms that need to be managed by more drugs (and the cycle continues), ONE lifestyle change has myriad benefits! If you add ONE healthy food or eliminate ONE unhealthy habit or start exercising or begin a chiropractic adjustment schedule, you will improve every single function of your body.

Drugs that manage symptoms not only interfere with healing, they prevent us from realizing that changes desperately need to be made. You can lower cholesterol or blood pressure with a statin drug, but the reason they were high in the first place is still there! The drug has nothing to do with it. So while you’ll remain symptom-free, you’ll continue down the path of disease.

Your body wants to heal itself. Make ONE change today and begin to notice the difference!

For More Information:

Statin Drug Side Effects
http://www.naturalnews.com/001353.html
http://www.statinanswers.com/effects.htm

11 Dangerous Cholesterol Drugs
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/07/20/the-truth-about-statin-drugs-revealed.aspx

Are Prescription Drugs Destroying Your Health?
http://www.totalhealthdynamics.com/Prescription_Drugs_Part1.htm

On Monday of this week I started a juice fast based on a documentary I recently watched called Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. I put an invitation out to my Life Essentials team members and to all of my patients to join me in a 10-day juice fast to help “reboot” our lives. No matter where you are at in your health journey, juicing has incredible health benefits for absolutely every one of us.

Here are just some of the many documented nutritional benefits of juicing:

• Boosts the number of fruit/vegetable servings you can ingest in a day
• Breaks the cycle of unhealthy eating
• Retrains your brain to crave fruits and vegetables
• Manages your weight
• Promotes a lifestyle that will lower risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, macular degeneration, cognitive decline and mental illness including depression
• Promotes longevity
• Decreases aches and pains in joints and muscles
• Improves your immunity
• Promotes increased energy levels
• Promotes healthy skin, nails and hair
• Gains greater access to digestive enzymes locked away in whole produce through juicing

And here are some “simple facts” you may not be aware of, as listed on the Reboot Your Life website:

Simple Fact #1:

Complex foods can be grouped into two major categories: foods that are high in macronutrients and foods that are high in micronutrients. Macronutrients are elements like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that we need, but should not consume in excess. Micronutrients include all vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. These are found in abundance in all plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, spices, herbs, and teas.

Simple Fact #2:

There are 170 phytonutrients in just one orange. To date, there are thousands of micronutrient phytonutrients that have been identified in plants, such as carotenes, antioxidants, and flavonoids. Often we hear that the vitamin C in an orange is responsible for its immune-boosting properties, but there are actually over 170 known phytonutrients in just one orange. The power of fruits and vegetables is bigger than we know.

Simple Fact #3:

A healthy diet full of micronutrients, coupled with physical activity, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight, reduces risk for cardiovascular disease, strokes, diabetes, certain types of cancers, mental illness, metabolic syndrome, and helps us live longer lives. A micronutrient-rich lifestyle can also reduce the severity of these conditions in those who already have developed them, meaning less medication and less side effects.

Simple Fact #4:

When eating fruits and vegetables that our bodies have seen for thousands of years, the digestive/immune response is milder than the response to eating heavily processed foods. Being constantly challenged by “foreign” processed foods will wear out the immune system over time, making us more vulnerable to disease and infection as we age.

Meet Joe Cross:  100 lbs overweight and loaded up on medications for a debilitating autoimmune disease.  After doing everything that conventional medicine had to offer, Joe turned to his only option left…. to get his body to heal itself without drugs.  Through his journey, Joe lost over 100 lbs., got off all his meds, and discovered the joy of true health and healing with one simple principle: eating GOD-made fruits and vegetables through juicing.

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?  Do you want to eliminate your chronic disease?  Are you ready to be in the best shape of your life?  Give your body the chance to heal itself!

For More Information See:

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead – A Joe Cross Film

Nutritional Benefits of the Fruits & Vegetables You Eat

Reboot Your Life Juice Recipes

Reboot Programs and Menu Plans

This week at Life Essentials Health Center I held a special workshop to teach patients how to take their health to the next level through advanced nutrition and supplementation, two of the key essentials of living a Maximized Life. We had a great conversation about the Healing Plan, leptin resistance, nutrient density, antioxidants, proper pH balance, glutathione, ORAC and ANDI scores, whey protein, alkalinity, essential fatty acids, vitamin D, probiotics, how to find quality supplements, and much, much more.

Whether you made it to the workshop this week or not, here are some key action steps you can take today to help realize your true potential for creating a lifestyle of health and healing:

• First, review the Healing Foods Diet and food list to get you up and running quickly
• Stop by the front desk to purchase a copy of “Maximized Living Nutrition Plans: The Solution to the Dangers of Modern Nutrition“, by B.J. Hardick, Kimberly Roberto, and Dr. Ben Lerner
• Get started on Dr. Brian’s Recommended Core Supplements
• Review Which Supplements Dr. Brian Takes and When
• Try making your own Bean Burgers, as well as the perfect complement, Strawberry Lemonade (both of which are on the Healing Diet)
• Visit Healing Cuisine by Elise, a great website with tons of Healing Diet recipes and recommendations
• Choose foods that are high in nutrient density using the ANDI chart (Aggregate Nutrient Density Index) and high in antioxidant levels using the ORAC chart (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity)

Put these simple steps into practice and you’ll be well on your way to true health and happiness!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups spring or filtered water
• 1/2-3/4 cups organic lemon juice
• 6 organic strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 3-4 packets of stevia, or to taste

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked garbanzo beans
• 1 1/2 lbs. sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 1/2 cup gluten free breadcrumbs
• 6 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, minced
• 1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced
• 2 Tbsp. tahini
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• black pepper to taste

Directions:

• Heat 1 Tbsp. coconut oil in a large pan and saute onions until they are soft and begin to caramelize. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste. Place caramelized onions in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
• Place garbanzo beans in a blender or food processor and mix until smooth. Add bean mixture to bowl with onions.
• Add all remaining ingredients and combine thoroughly. Form into patties.
• Heat remaining coconut oil in pan and cook burgers until done, flipping once. Serve with avocado slices and sprouts.

*Daily Detox taken one month per year

The following supplements are highly recommended by Dr. Brian for all patients, regardless of where you are at in your Maximized Living health journey. Stop by the front desk or call 843-284-8410 for more information.

1. Nanogreens 10- 10 servings of organic fruits and vegetables in powder form to help alkalize your body and provide proper vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
2. Vit D w/ Probiotics- boosts your immune system and aids in proper digestion and nutrient absorption
3. Krill Oil- healthy Omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants to aid in heart health, blood pressure regulation, cholesterol lowering, natural anti-inflammatory and proper nerve conduction
4. Daily Detox- only true cellular detoxification to enable your body to be truly detoxified. contains highest amount of glutathione, most powerful antioxidant, of any supplement on the market. boosts metabolism, aids in proper digestion, weight loss.
5. Coconut Oil- healthy Omega 9 fatty acid.  best oil to cook with because it does not become rancid at any temperature. great for cooking, body lotion, and more.
6. Stevia- natural sweetener that is SAFE for diabetics as well because it does not raise blood sugar levels.

The HEALING FOODS diet is not just a diet; it’s a tool that will launch you into a total health transformation. This diet was designed to help anyone triumph over diseases like: Diabetes, Obesity, Heart Disease, Autism, Digestive disorders, Fatigue, Depression, Hormone imbalance, and Cancer prevention.

The diet targets FIVE ASPECTS of your health to help you gain victory over any illness:

1. Decreases Inflammation – Most diseases today are due to inflammation. Inflammation damages your cells and arterials walls and causes High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Arthritis, and digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease to name a few. By reducing inflammation your body is better able to heal from any disease.
2. Alkalizes body – Your body should have an average pH of 7.36. A can of soda literally has a pH of 2.5 and it would take approximately 30 glasses of water just to balance things out. Green vegetable juices like wheat grass and spinach help restore the body’s proper pH. All diseases including infections, Osteoporosis and Cancer thrive in an acidic environment. By alkalizing your body your cells can heal and regenerate at the highest level.
3. Lowers blood glucose – One of the primary causes of Diabetes and weight gain are burnt out and insulin receptors. By lowering blood glucose levels insulin receptors can heal and your body can begin to produce normal amounts of insulin to heal diabetes and leptin for weight loss.
4. Eliminates Toxins – Toxicity has become epidemic in or society today and is a major cause of our increase in hormonal imbalance and autoimmune diseases. The diet helps problems like female disorders, infertility, hypothyroidism and headaches by balancing hormones and helps in reversal of autoimmune diseases like Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Alzheimer’s, and Autism.
5. Optimum Nutrients – Many of today’s illnesses are due to nutritional deficiencies. Most of the foods we eat today are processed and stripped of all vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and enzymes. This diet slows the aging process, improves mental capacity, and increases energy levels.

The Healing Foods Diet consists of eating equal amounts (33% each) of clean protein sources, healthy fats, and low glycemic carbohydrates in the forms of fruits and vegetables.

1. Removing the BAD FATS – Replacing them with GOOD FATS.

Bad fats such as hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, trans fats, soybean oil, canola oil and vegetable oils cause heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, chronic fatigue, and neurotoxic syndrome. Bad fats create chronic inflammation throughout the body inducing disease. Good fats are essential to hormone production, cancer prevention, brain development, weight loss, cellular healing, and anti-inflammation.

2. Change the MEATS that you EAT.

There are hundreds of studies that link commercial meats with cancer and heart disease. The grain fed to animals that were created to eat grass changes fatty acid ratios (too much omega-6, not enough omega-3) and denatures good fats, leading to modern day disease. The bioaccumulation of commercial pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, and hormones in meats are causing a toxic onslaught, which leads to many cancers, neurological disorders and chronic illness. Grass fed and free range meats offer many fatty acids missing in the Standard American Diet (SAD) such as: aracodonic acid, congegated linoleic acid, and Omega 3 fatty acids.

3. Remove ALL Refined SUGARS and GRAINS from your Diet.

This includes white rice, white pasta, and white bread. 1/3 sugar comes from soft drinks, 2/3 from hidden sources including: lunch meats, pizza, sauces, breads, soups, crackers, fruit drinks, canned foods, yogurt, ketchup, mayonnaise, etc. High glycemic or refined sugars cause elevated glucose, which elevates insulin leading to premature aging and degenerative diseases such as type II diabetes, heart disease (inflammation of the arteries), and cancer.

Sugar is an anti-nutrient offering insignificant amounts of vitamins and minerals and robbing your body of precious nutrient stores. This inevitably leads to diseases of the new millennium such as chronic fatigue, ADD, ADHD, heart disease, diabetes, and cancers.

Low glycemic carbohydrates in the forms of fruits and vegetables have high amounts of fiber, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help you age slower, improve energy levels, lose weight, and naturally detoxify your cells.

Foods on the Healing Foods Diet:

Nuts & Seeds (raw is best)
Almonds	Pecans	Cashews
Walnuts	Macadamia nuts	Brazil nuts
Pine nuts	Pumpkin Seeds	Flaxseeds
Hempseeds	Chia seeds	NO peanuts (biotoxic and high omega-6)
Black beans	Adzuki beans	Kidney beans
Pinto beans	White beans	Lima beans

Fruits
Strawberries	Blueberries	Raspberries
Blackberries	Acai Berries	Goji Berries
Cherries	Lemon	Lime
Apples	Pears

Fruits (to be eaten in moderation)
Bananas	Oranges	Mangoes
Pineapple	Melon

Dairy (raw is best)
Goats milk	Goats milk yogurt	Goats milk cheese
Sheep cheese

Fats & Oils (organic is best)
Ghee	Butter	Coconut Oil
Grapeseed Oil	Olive Oil	Flaxseed Oil
Hempseed Oil	Pumpkin Seed Oil	Borage Oil (GLA)
Fish Oil	Cod Liver Oil	Avocado Oil
Sesame Oil

Vegetables (high fiber and low glycemic)
Asparagus	Bell Peppers	Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts	Cabbage	Cauliflower
Celery	Collard greens	Cucumber
Eggplant	Garlic	Ginger root
Grasses (wheat and barley)	Green beans	Green lettuces
Heart of palm	Kale	Mushrooms
Mustard greens	Olives	Onions
Parsley	Radishes	Snow peas
Spinach	Sprouts	Sea Vegetables
Water Chestnuts	Zucchini

Vegetables (to be eaten in moderation)
Artichokes	Beets	Carrots
Chick peas (garbanzo)	Legumes	Leeks
Lentils	Okra	Peas
Pumpkin	Squash (acorn, butternut, winter, summer, spaghetti)	Tomatoes

Meats/Protein (all-natural poultry and grass-fed meat)
Eggs (cage free)	Fish (wild caught)	Chicken
Turkey	Beef	Lamb
Venison	Wild Game

Lower fiber Carbohydrates (NOT on Healing Foods Diet, but on Basic Diet)
Amaranth	Barley	Brown rice
Buckwheat	Corn (non-GMO)	Ezekiel bread
Millet	Quinoa	Spelt
Sprouted grains	Steel cut oats	Sweet Potatoes or Yams
Wild rice

Condiments
Sea Salt (Celtic, Himalayan, or sea)	Apple cider vinegar	Balsamic vinegar
Salsa	Guacamole	Hummus
Mustard	Organic flavorings (vanilla, almond, etc.)	Vegenaise w/ grapeseed oil
Cocoa and Carob	Herbs and spices (basil, rosemary, curry, cinnamon, etc.)	Soy sauce (wheat free)
Braggs liquid amino’s

Sweeteners
Stevia	Xylitol

Sweeteners (NOT on Healing Foods Diet, but on Basic Diet)
Raw Honey (unheated, in small amounts)	Agave Nectar	Maple syrup grade A or B
Brown rice syrup

Beverages
Purified, non-chlorinated water	Natural sparkling water, no carbonation added (Pellegrino)	Herbal Teas (unsweetened preferably organic)
Raw Vegetable juices	Raw lemonade (Stevia, lemons and water)	Fermented drinks

July is Prescription Drug Freedom Month at Life Essentials Health Center. While doctors tell many patients that they will have to take prescription drugs for the rest of their lives, there is a better alternative. Many drugs are prescribed to manage the symptoms of ONE cause: an unhealthy lifestyle.

As we discuss in my Maximized Living workshops, changes to an unhealthy lifestyle involve Five Essentials:

• Maximized Mind
• Maximized Nerve Supply
• Maximized Quality Nutrition
• Maximized Oxygen and Lean Muscle
• Minimized Toxins

Did you know that prescription drugs are toxins? We are led to believe they are good for us—”medicine”—but the fact is, drugs not only do not heal, they can seriously harm. Drugs increase the acidity and inflammation in your body, which are the breeding ground for disease. Drugs also tax your internal organs, specifically the liver and kidneys, which must filter these powerful chemicals.

I work with people every day who are receiving freedom from prescription drugs as a result of regular chiropractic adjustments, implementing Surge exercise, and changing their diet with healing foods. There’s a big bucket in my office for people to dispose of their no-longer-needed prescriptions, and it is growing daily!

When the Five Essentials above are practiced, your body can heal itself, and your symptoms will disappear! Since most drugs manage symptoms and do not address disease and inflammation, they are not necessary to maintain health when health is being promoted by lifestyle choices.

Prescription drugs have now been linked to liver failure, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, digestive issues, depression, and sudden death—the very things they are meant to “cure”! Multiple drugs have been pulled from the market due to their lethal side effects, but pharmaceutical companies keep making more, and doctors keep prescribing them—and the toxic cycle continues.

So how do we break the cycle? Start with the Five Essentials above, and stay tuned for specifics on freedom from cholesterol and blood pressure medications, from depression and ADD medications, and even from diabetes medications!

For More Information:

Ten Medications Withdrawn from the Market
Dangerous Prescriptions Video
Maximized Living Essentials 4 & 5

(*Makes about 8 servings)

2 pounds grass fed ground beef
1 free range organic egg
1 yellow onion, minced
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pinch sea salt
A few cracks of fresh pepper
1/3 cup finely ground almonds (optional)
2 1/2 cup Healing Cuisine Barbecue Sauce

1.  In a large bowl, combine beef, egg, onion, garlic, optional almonds, salt and pepper.  Mix together with your fingers. Shape into balls of uniform size.

2. In a large skillet, heat a Tablespoon or two of coconut oil over Medium heat.  Add half of meatballs to pan (don’t overcrowd!!) and brown on all sides.  Transport meatballs to a 6 quart pot over Medium-Low heat.  In skillet, brown remaining meatballs and transfer to 6 quart pot.

3.)  Pour Healing Cuisine Barbecue Sauce over top and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until cooked thru.

SLOW COOKER OPTION: Disclaimer: Be sure you are using a Ceramic or Stainless Steel slow cooker — other “standard” slow cookers are coated with “non-stick” chemicals that are pumped into your food as the dish heats up and simmers.  In a slow cooker combine the Healing Cuisine Barbecue Sauce with the raw meatballs and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.  Can’t get any easier!!

With over four billion people in the world using cell phones, the debate over whether cell phones cause cancer has been raging. But recently an expert committee at the World Health Organization concluded that exposure to cell phone radiation is a possible carcinogen in the same category as gasoline exhaust, burning coal, DDT, dry cleaning chemicals, and lead.

Since your cell phone is essentially a microwave transmitter, this classification isn’t surprising. Experts hasten to add that exposure does not cause an immediate threat, but like many carcinogens, the risk builds over time, accumulating small increments on a daily or weekly basis and resulting in disease. Therefore, it is especially essential that children’s cell phone use be limited. They are the most vulnerable, and they are using cell phones at a younger and younger age and will have logged more usage hours by the time they are adults.

So what is the best solution? Cell phones are a way of life, and going without them is unimaginable for most people. There are many harmful substances in our modern world we have to contend with and cannot avoid, but there are two steps we can take: reduce exposure and support our immune system.

The first thing you should do, rather than looking for a “safe” cell phone (which technically doesn’t exist), is choose a safer cell phone carrier—one that uses CDMA technology to distribute cell phone signals rather than GSM, which uses 23 times more radiation. Verizon & Sprint are the two primary CDMA networks, while most other carriers use GSM; check with your provider and consider a switch. (See Guide to Cell Phone Providers below.) In addition to choosing the safest cell phone carrier, you should also choose a cell phone with the lowest SAR rating possible. (SAR stands for “Specific Absorption Rate”–the amount of radiation a human body will absorb from a cell phone. The lower the rate, the less radiation will be absorbed. See Cell Phone Radiation Chart below to compare your phone to other phones currently on the market.)

While keeping a landline may seem like an extra expense, it is one of the best ways to reduce your cell phone use. Proximity to your body makes a big difference‚ so try to keep your cell phone at least an inch from your head when speaking into it directly. Consider using your speakerphone and putting the phone down so you are not in physical contact. Of course, privacy and convenience can be an issue, so a wired headset with radiation protection, such as the RF3 ENVi or AegisGuard Radiation Shield, is the best solution. Wireless headsets such as Bluetooth do not reduce risk and may even increase it. The best alternative is the Blue Tube Headset from Dr. Joseph Mercola.

As for boosting your immune system, I have frequently discussed the benefits of a good diet made up of whole organic foods, getting plenty of vitamin D, and getting regular chiropractic adjustments. All of these reduce your risk of any type of cancer from any source.

Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, makes a good point: currently cell phone use causes more car accidents than evidence of cancer, at least. However, that is all the more reason to reduce or cut out cell phone use while on the road, and to invest in a protected wire headset for as much use as possible, as these statistics may change in the next fifty years.

The “instant gratification” attitude of today’s medical and economic climate says that if there’s no immediate, provable risk, there’s no cause for concern. However, no medical degree or scientific study is a substitute for common sense. As with everything else we use and put into our bodies, think about whether cell phones are natural and original to human existence. Prevention is not paranoia, and an ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure.

Guide to Cell Phone Providers
http://reviews.cnet.com/2719-3504_7-389-2.html?tag=page;page

Cell Phone Radiation Chart
http://www.sarshield.com/english/radiationchart.htm

The 20 Highest and Lowest-Radiation Cell Phones
http://www.cellphonesafety1.com/cell-phone-radiation-levels/

Radiation-free Cell Phone Headsets
http://www.cellphone-health.com/airtubeheadset.htm
http://www.blockemf.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5188

The Facts about Cell Phones and Cancer
http://www.rense.com/general63/FACTS.HTM

Dr. Mercola’s Recommendations
http://emf.mercola.com/sites/emf/archive/2011/06/18/finally-experts-admit-cellphones-are-a-carcinogen.aspx

Electromagnetic Fields
http://emf.mercola.com/sites/emf/default.aspx?Sort=MostRecent&PageIndex=1

Cell Phone Safety: Is Your Cell Phone Safety Killing You Slowly?
http://www.cellphonesafety1.com/is-your-cell-phone-killing-you-slowly-2/

Does your child classify as a picky eater? Does a typical meal consist mainly of carbohydrates? Does your child refuse to eat unless the meal consists of pizza, macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers, or some other “colorless” meal option that he or she feels comfortable with? Does your child struggle with different textures and flavors?

Many parents know their child isn’t getting optimal nutrition but feel helpless to change their child’s eating habits. Children are especially susceptible to artificially flavored food, and they learn to prefer certain flavors at an early age, which might make it seem like their eating habits are set. But this isn’t the case. Just as your child learned to love pizza, hamburgers, chicken fingers, and the standard American diet, he or she can learn to love colorful, healthy foods.

Keep in mind that there is no “magic solution” to get your child to eat better. The very first change you can make is your own diet. Your example is powerful. If you begin to eat healthy, regular meals, they will be far more likely to try something that is good for them. A meal schedule also helps; children thrive on regularity and boundaries, so even if they complain about having to sit down at the table for breakfast or dinner each day at a certain time, rest assured that this will soon become normal.

Even if your children won’t eat healthy food at mealtimes, you can restrict unhealthy snacks: “If you’re hungry between meals, you can have a banana, or you can wait until dinner.” “If you don’t want to eat your vegetables, then you must be too full for dessert.” Keeping unhealthy snack foods out of the house reinforces this decision, both for you and your kids. Removing sodas completely from your home won’t deny your child any nutrients and will make a drastic improvement in his or her health.

One of the best parenting tools that can be applied to eating is offering choices: “Before you leave the table, you need to try broccoli or some salad. Which would you prefer?” Including kids in meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking also teach them valuable life skills while making them feel empowered, as if their opinions matter. At the store, limits are still appropriate: “We can get macaroni and cheese, but we’re going to try the organic kind today.” “You can choose one junk food item, but if that’s not enough we’re going to put it back and leave the store.” Be sure to follow through!

Some parents support “sneaking” healthy food into less healthy meals, like mixing a cauliflower into mashed potatoes or pureed spinach into ground beef. Others say children should consciously learn to eat healthy; the extra nutrition might be good for their bodies, but it doesn’t teach them to make good decisions about food on their own.

Joshua Rosenthal, founder of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, goes so far as to suggest putting chocolate sauce on greens just to get kids to take the first bite. Other schools of thought include allowing children to choose the foods they eat: when presented with a healthy food choice and an unhealthy food choice, children will eventually start to choose healthier options because their bodies are smart and crave the nutrients.

Of course, all children are different, and you may need to try several approaches. Above all, don’t give up. Keep making and offering healthy food options. If your children realize this “new” food isn’t going to go away, they will eventually adapt. Also, remember that sugar (also found in carbohydrates) is addictive, and it will take time for your child to overcome cravings for sweets.

Kelly Dorfman is a nutritionist specializing in children’s health. Her book “What’s Eating Your Child?” is focused on demystifying picky eating for parents and making the connection between developmental disorders or physical health issues such as obesity, and what the child is eating. Another book that might be helpful is Dr. Christine Wood’s “How to Get Kids to Eat Great and Love It!” Dr. Mark Hyman, founder of functional medicine, recommends “Ending the Food Fight” by David Ludwig, MD, PhD.

Autism and Nutrition
Solving the Childhood Obesity Epidemic
Get Kids to Eat Vegetables
Healthy Eating: Infants–Teens
A Real-Food Education: Arming Kids with Knowledge

How would you like to do one thing that will drastically improve your digestive
health for the following benefits:

• increased immune function
• increased mental clarity
• increased energy
• improved mood

While improving your diet in general and getting enough exercise will do wonders
for digestion, a key element to digestive health is frequently overlooked: fermented
foods. That may sound like something you shouldn’t eat, but in reality all pre-
twentieth-century cultures ate some form of fermented food, from shark meat to
sauerkraut.

The fact is that due to over-use of antibiotics, antibacterial soaps, and the modern
American diet, our digestive tracts aren’t what they used to be. So many people
don’t realize that the digestive system is the seat of not only the immune system but
also brain health, mental clarity, and energy.

Dr. Weston A. Price was one of the first to discover the fermented food connection.
He was studying indigenous cultures with no evidence of tooth decay, and what he
learned was that all of them consumed fermented foods.

Fermented foods are starting to gain popularity again as we see widespread
digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, IBS, diverticulitis, and gluten
and dairy sensitivities. The most common fermented food is yogurt, and the yogurt
drink kefir is also becoming well known. However, if these aren’t made with raw,
organic milk, many of the benefits are lost.

Fermented foods like miso, kimchi, umeboshi vinegar, and nama shoyu
(unpasteurized soy sauce) are dairy-free and are truly “living foods” that contain
beneficial bacteria that keep our digestive tracts healthy and performing at full
function. Yes, you can take a probiotic supplement, and we recommend the vitamin
D probiotic that we sell in my office, but many probiotic supplements are broken
down by stomach acid.

Plus, fermented foods are fun! You might be dubious, but there’s nothing like the
spicy tang of real kimchi or sauerkraut. Experimenting with new condiments like
miso, umeboshi, and nama shoyu can add flavors you’ve never experienced to your
foods. And fermented foods teach us an important lesson: that getting real food into
our diet is much better than supplementing a poor diet full of processed food.

Food is supposed to taste good. It’s also supposed to serve a purpose in our
bodies—a purpose of growth and healing. You can find naturally fermented organic
foods in your local health food store, Whole Foods, or Earth Fare. The sites below
also provide some simple recipes for making fermented food at home.

Recovery from Digestive Disorder through Real Food
Learn How to Ferment Anything
Modernizing Your Diet with Traditional Foods

If you were at the Maximized Living seminar this last weekend, you received lots of great resources for recipes to help you improve nutrition, one of the 5 Essentials. However, for everyone who reads this blog, I wanted to provide some options for maximized nutrition that you can apply to your meal planning and grocery shopping. Even I run out of healthy, delicious ideas, so here’s a refresher whether you’ve been eating healthy for a while or are just getting started.

Mashed Potatoes with Greens

Make over traditional mashed potatoes with a sneaky inclusion of kale. 2 tablespoons raw or ghee butter

1 large sweet onion, chopped 1 leek, cleaned and thinly sliced 1 bunch kale, leaves washed, pulled off of stem and chopped 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced 5-7 medium-sized red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into small cubes 1 1/2 cups almond milk 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon mustard 1 cup walnut pieces 1 apple, with peel on, cut into small pieces 1 cup raw cheese (gouda, edam, cheddar or monterey jack), cut into small cubes pepper, to taste freshly ground nutmeg, to taste sausage (optional) Melt 1 tablespoon butter in skillet, add chopped onions and leeks, turn down heat, cover and allow to caramelize. Add chopped kale and garlic, cook another 5 minutes until bright green. Cook potatoes in large pot with just enough lightly salted water to cover until soft (roughly 20 minutes). Pour off excess water. Back on low heat, add remaining 1 tablespoon butter, milk and salt, and mash until smooth. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste. Fold in kale-onion mixture, walnuts, apple pieces and cheese cubes. Watch the cheese cubes begin to melt as you serve onto plates.

Raw Pineapple Cheesecake

This delicious, refreshing dessert makes the most of raw foods. Crust: 1.5 cups raw almonds 5-6 pitted dates 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoon sea salt Combine above ingredients in a food processor using the S-blade. It helps to stream the vanilla in while the motor is running. When the mixture begins to ball-up on the sides it is ready. Transfer to a spring-form pan. Use a flat bottom bowl to press the crust evenly into the pan. Work the crust up the sides and use your fingers to pinch the top of the crust to make it pretty. Set aside. Filling: 2 cups raw cashews, soaked 1 hour and drained 4 cups fresh pineapple, chopped 3/4 cup raw honey 1/3 cup lemon juice, fresh squeezed 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1 cup extra virgin coconut oil Place above ingredients in a high-speed blender and process until smooth, about 3-5 minutes. Scrape the sides down with a spatula. Pour half of the mixture onto the crust and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until the filling has set. The whole pie should be able to be removed from the springform pan and hold its shape.

Portobello Steaks

Delicious and remarkably filling! 4 Portobello mushrooms 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 teaspoons oregano 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut off mushroom stems and wash both tops and stems. Mix oil, oregano and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Place mushroom tops and stems in a baking dish with an edge. Pour oil mixture over mushrooms and bake for 30 minutes. Sirloin Steaks 1-lb cap of a sirloin, organic and grass fed 1/3 cup soy sauce 3 scallions, diced 3 cloves of garlic, diced 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated Mix soy sauce, scallions, garlic, and ginger to create marinade Marinate sirloin in above mixture for 1-3 hours. Remove steak from marinade and grill or broil until desired doneness. Slice thinly and serve with grilled asparagus.

Huevos Rancheros

This dish is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! 4 organic eggs 4 small spelt tortillas ½ onion, diced 1 can black or pinto beans, no salt added 1 bunch kale or mustard greens, washed, pulled off of stem and chopped ½ tsp chili powder (optional) 1 cup organic raw cheddar cheese organic salsa While lightly toasting tortillas, sauté onion in olive or coconut oil on medium heat. Add beans and mix until warm, then sprinkle with chili powder Poach eggs in water and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Steam kale briefly in poaching water, until emerald green. Remove tortillas and layer with bean and onion mix, ¼ cup cheddar cheese, kale, and eggs. Top with salsa.

It always amazes me how much the various systems and part of the body are connected. If one area of your body is functioning at less than maximum health, it can affect your overall body. That’s one of the reasons your body is such an amazing self healing system.

That said, one of the most overlooked areas of the body in terms of health is the mouth. Mainstream health insurance rarely includes dental plans at a reasonable rate, and so many people neglect visiting the dentist as adults. Worse, they begin to neglect the overall health of their teeth and gums—which is far more than a twice-yearly trip to the dentist.

Nobody likes having cavities filled, so I understand why people put off the dentist. But if more people were aware that gum infections are directly related to not only heart disease but also stroke, diabetes, lung health, and the attitude towards taking care of your mouth, gums, and teeth.

If you go to mercola.com and search “teeth,” you’ll come up with a wealth of articles about alternative tooth care. As well-intentioned as dentists may be, many of them promote fluoride and other toxic procedures like tooth whitening. Dr. Mercola rightly points out that tooth decay, like any disease, is a symptom of an underlying problem, and a filling is simply like “plugging a leak in your kitchen sink with superglue”! Processes that are considered mundane in the dentist’s office—fillings, root canals—can potentially create health problems later on.

Once again, the solution is prevention. A healthy diet of whole, organic foods rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals is one of the best ways to maintain tooth and gum health, along with chiropractic visits, twice-a-day brushing with fluoride-free toothpaste, and flossing. Vitamin D is also a major contributor to gum and overall immune health. Foods to avoid for mouth health are not surprising: sugar and grains in high amounts, processed foods, and trans fats. Cultures that limit these foods have very low rates of dental decay—without fluoridated water!

There are a host of health issues linked to fluoride consumption, including neurological damage and lowered thyroid function, as well as damage to bones and kidneys. With instances of osteoporosis and hypothyroidisim growing daily, this is not a risk we can afford to ignore.

A healthy digestive system is the number one factor in a healthy mouth. Cultivating good bacteria through the use of probiotic supplements or fermented foods, and avoiding antibiotics, are major contributors to good digestive health. In addition, getting enough saturated fat is key to enable the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Did you know that healthy saturated fat is actually antimicrobial, which means that it helps kill off bad bacteria and viruses? Coconut oil and grass-fed organic meat and dairy products are your best sources of saturated fat.

Raw vegetables are also important, as they provide digestive enzymes and reduce acid inflammation. Choose the most nutrient-dense: organic kale, collards, mustard greens, broccoli, and arugula.

For More Information

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Body

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/womens-health-healthy-teeth-healthy-body/story?id=13462045

Brushing Your Teeth

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/06/15/will-brushing-your-teeth-prevent-heart-disease.aspx

Tooth Regeneration

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/04/22/tooth-regeneration-you-may-never-have-to-use-or-hear-a-dentist-drill-again.aspx

We’re about to embark on our second Maximized Living journey of 2011! February’s Makeover was so life transforming that I’m offering another opportunity for people to make small changes with big results. Maximized Living begins with a mindset that allows you to look differently at your life and what is possible. You don’t have to end up sick and tired, taking daily medications that cause as many problems as they fix. Instead, you can have a full, active life and wake up feeling rejuvenated every day.

At the Maximized Living Makeover we talk about the 5 Essentials that make this kind of maximized life possible. Whether you’ve been to a Maximized Living Makeover before or are just now hearing about it, these recommendations are a great start or new inspiration to your maximized life!

Essential #1: Maximized Mind

When our minds are clear, relaxed, and focused, we have the energy and direction to make better health decisions. Create space in your mind by simplifying and decluttering your daily routine:

http://zenhabits.net/simple-living-simplified-10-things-you-can-do-today-to-simplify-your-life/

Essential #2: Maximized Nerve Supply

Our nervous system makes every bodily function and process possible, from breathing to digestion. In this video, Dr. Ben Lerner and Dr. Greg Lohman, the creators of the Maximized Living Makeover explain why Essential #2 is the most important: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQD8Yo_bh6E

Essential #3: Maximized Quality Nutrition

Did you know that you can actually use food to help detoxify your body? It’s the reason why eating seasonally is so good for you. If you are suffering from lingering allergies or need a jump-start to your quality nutrition plan, check out this list of spring detox foods: http://life.gaiam.com/article/spring-detox-foods-shopping-list

Essential #4 Maximized Oxygen and Lean Muscle

Exercise is absolutely the best way to get oxygen to every part of your body. However, the way we breathe is important as well. These breathing exercises can be used to increase energy and alertness or to relax and calm you: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00521/three-breathing-exercises.html

Essential #5: Minimized Toxins

We are exposed to toxins on a daily basis. While eating organic food and using all-natural cleaning and beauty products is a huge step to avoiding toxins, there are also ways to help your body get rid of toxins you can’t avoid. This video shows you how to perform simple yoga moves that will improve your digestion and help flush toxins from your body: http://www.yogajournal.com/video/118

Instead of counting on a diet or a doctor to make you healthy, you can take charge of your own health and your family’s. If you live in the Charleston area, tickets to the Maximized Living Makeover on May 14 is a great gift—the gift of health and empowerment!

Saturday May 14th, 10am-1pm. Lighthouse Church, Mt Pleasant. Call 843 284 8410 to register.

If you find yourself experiencing spring allergies or clinging to excess winter weight, don’t try a diet; try something totally different! There is a way to clean out your body just the way you clean your house—but without products, without effort, and without spending any money.

Digestion takes more energy than any other bodily function—and that’s when we are eating 100% whole, organic foods, which we’re just not able to do in this day and age. There’s also a brain-gut connection, so often we feel tired because our digestive system balance is off.

Fasting is an opportunity to take a break from food rather than a period of denial or deprivation. Think of it like taking three days off work to just lie on the beach and soak up the sun, relax, read a novel, take a nap, whatever is most relaxing to you. That’s what this juice fast is like for your body.

Our bodies are designed to clean and heal themselves when we fast. It’s usually only when we get clogged up from continuous eating that we need medical drugs, special cleanses or procedures, and even surgery to undo or mitigate the damage of oxidation and stress during the digestive process. Think about it. Even if you try to eat healthy and not too much, you occasionally eat or drink too much; you get exposed to chemicals and toxins that are just unavoidable in the modern world. Mix that with a culture that doesn’t promote healthy eating habits, and your body is almost definitely overloaded from time to time.

A great informative source on the physical benefits of fasting is the ebook Eat Stop Eat by Brad Pilon, who has come up with a specific fasting philosophy and has extensively researched the benefits of fasting, such as increased ability of the body to burn calories and anti-aging benefits—and he provides research that you don’t begin to actually start burning muscle until at least three full days of fasting only water. I do recommend you check out his ebook; I have a copy up here.

There are many ways to fast, but the safest and easiest is fasting after lunch, or even midafternoon, until breakfast on the following day, about twice a month. Always be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. This simple fast is under 24 hours, and half the time without food is spent sleeping. You also won’t experience any hunger pangs or discomfort during a time when you might need to be most productive. However, many people find that fasting makes them feel more alert, rather than tired.

The spiritual benefits of fasting are frequently overlooked. No matter what your spiritual belief or practice, fasting is always a way to get in touch with God or with your own internal guidance system. This is an essential part of who we are, and it is part of our purpose in life.

Let me make a disclaimer here: food is absolutely not bad. It is essential to our survival. But we often use food to nourish not just our bodies but our souls when we are stressed, sad, angry, or lonely. Fasting removes this unhealthy source of emotional and spiritual nourishment and creates space for healthier forms of soul nourishment and awareness of the need for them. Then we can see that we also need nourishment in the form of a spiritual practice, strengthening current relationships or building healthier ones, physical exercise, and seeking our purpose in life either in a career or an unpaid vocation.

Many people are afraid to fast because they worry they won’t have enough energy or their hunger will be overwhelming. Everyone’s response is different: some people feel a heightened sense of alertness because their bodies aren’t being stressed by processed foods. Others feel discomfort as toxins are flushed from their bodies. Regardless, fasting is a good excuse to get in bed early, which is hard for many of us to do. Take a break from your social calendar and catch up on reading or the photos you’ve been meaning to organize or a letter you wanted to write—or just a movie. Be gentle with yourself instead of impatient if you are tired. Your body and mind work hard for you; they deserve a break!

For More Information

http://www.eatstopeat.com/

http://stovallweems.com/

http://daniel-fast.com/

This recipe is amazing! If you like Resee’s Cups, then this rich sweet treat is for you! Eat and Enjoy! They are healing diet approved!! No baking required!

ALMOND BUTTER CUPS

For the chocolate:

4 oz raw butter (or 1 stick organic butter)

1/4 cup cacoa powder (organic)

1 tsp stevia

1/4 cup xylitol

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 cup almond butter

Almond Butter Filling:

1/4 cup egg protein powder (optional)

1/8 tsp seasalt

3/4- 1 tsp stevia

1 tbls xylitol

1/2 cup almond butter

2 tbls raw butter softened

For the filling: Combine egg powder, salt, stevia, and xylitol. In a seperate bowl mix almond butter and butter together. Mix in dry ingredients.

For the chocolate: In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Add cocoa, stevia, xylitol, and salt. Mix well. Add almond butter. Mix well. Remove from heat. Spoon enough chocolate to cover the bottom of a cupcake liner. Put the almond butter on top. Cover almond butter with chocolate. Freeze until solid. Must be refrigerated-they melt fast- and enjoy!

Tomorrow is the last day for final weigh ins for the 30 day challenge! The winner will receive an ipod shuffle! AMAZING Surge class on Monday! Great job!

This Deadly Food Is Also the Most Common in the US Food Supply If I asked you what the most common food in the United States was, how would you respond? Probably a lot of people would say meat. What if I told you that there is a food that is more common than meat—in fact, it’s in your meat?! Others of you would say that soy has grown in huge proportions to be found in the American diet. While soy is the second most grown crop in the US, it still doesn’t beat out corn. This is largely because of huge government subsidies making this crop cheap to grow and produce.

The government spent $41.9 billion on corn subsidies between 1995 and 2004. This means there is a huge amount of corn that must be used—there are 72.7 million acres of corn harvested yearly in the US. Therefore, corn is in everything—from Coke to baking powder. This is great for corn farmers and food processers, but not good for food eaters—you and me. Corn is high in omega-6, an essential fatty acid along with omega-3. However, because corn is manufactured into a variety of filler ingredients—among them citric acid, corn fructose, corn oil, mono- and diglycerides, monosodium glutamate, and sorbitol— as well as fed to cows, chicken, pigs, and fish, we are getting an overload of omega-6. Instead of the healthy balance of 2:1 omega 6 to omega 3, we are getting a balance of more like 20:1!

This balance is critical to heart health and brain function and has been linked to depression, brain function, arthritis, learning disorders, and heart disease. In fact, omega 6 raises the risk of all “inflammatory diseases,” which include type-2 diabetes, cancer, and IBS as well as the above issues—virtually all of America’s top chronic disease killers! There’s no doubt about it: a little bit of corn in everything you eat goes a long way toward harming your health. But that’s not the only reason to be wary of corn.

GMO Corn Huge companies like Monsanto are pushing for the deregulation of genetically modified seeds, going so far as to patent GMO seeds and using scare tactics, intimidation, and expensive lawsuits to push out farmers who try to grow non-GMO corn. Is GMO simply smart science—a way to avoid having to use harmful pesticides that pollute not only our food but our air and soil? Plenty of studies show differently. GMO foods (corn and soy, primarily) have been linked to reproductive issues and even sterility. In a study released by the International Journal of Biological Sciences, GMO corn has been linked to multiple organ failure involving the liver, kidneys heart, and spleen. Right now products containing GMO ingredients do not have to be clearly labeled, so the safest bet is to avoid products containing additives and look for products that clearly display “non-GMO” labeling. Vote with your dollars and avoid GMO food. It’s not worth the risk to not only yourself, but future generations to come.

For More Information:

Corn and Soy http://strongertogether.coop/from-the-source/soy-and-corn-healthy-choices-or-hidden-ingredients/ Corn Subsidies

http://st4tic.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/corn-subsidies-how-congress-is-shortchanging-our-health-and-sweetening-things-for-the-food-industry/

Omega-6 Overload http://www.eriewire.org/archives/8971/section/environment-science-health/ GM Foods and Sterility

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/05/22/jeffrey-smith-interview-april-24.aspx Monstanto’s GMO

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/monsantos-gmo-corn-linked_n_420365.html