Non Toxic. Safe. Chemical Free. Feel Good Beauty Products!

I have a lot of goals and ideas for MTCAM and one of them was to get an all encompassing beauty line of nontoxic yet feel good products for my patients... One that was up to my standards, does not include chemicals or toxins in any way, actually works (feels good on the skin, face, hair, etc.) and something accessible to everyone where you don't have to join anything and can buy as much or little as you want.  Beautycounter fits all those categories. 

First and foremost did you know that in America only 11 chemicals are banned from cosmetics (the last one was banned by the FDA in 1938.  Do you know how many chemicals have been produced since 1938?!?!)... while over 1,300 are banned in Europe! This was actually unbelievable and simply unfathomable to me.  It should not be surprising but still is an eye opener.  I work with nutrition and supplements all day long so its hard for me to keep up to par on the cosmetic world.  I do my best reading and researching when I can but honestly most of my time is spent researching on what we put in our bodies not ON our bodies even though it is just as important.

Beautycounter has incredibly high standards and stringent protocols.  They do not release something until it has been under much scrutiny and actually works (unlike other 'nontoxic' body lotions that leave white streaks all over you because they won't absorb properly).  But most importantly their products do not contain the 11 chemicals banned in the US, the 1,300 banned in Europe as well as others.  The 1,300 chemicals that are banned in Europe are known to be linked to cancer and endocrine issues (aka disrupt hormones in the body causing a whole host of other issues).  None of their products contain heavy metals (over 95% of lipsticks have lead in them... not good). 

FACT: It is legal for the US cosmetic companies to use known carcinogens and reproductive toxins in products marketed to pregnant women and babies.  Scary and incredibly sad. 

I can go on and on with the lack of standards for cosmetic regulation and quality control.  How our bodies are burdened with chemicals day in and day out and we continue to expect our liver to function (which is our major detoxing organ).  How little kids are exposed to these same toxins causing hormonal issues at a young age.  Why skin cancer rates are drastically increasing.  (We aren't getting any more sun than hundreds of years ago yet there is more skin cancer than before...)

Okay I am off my soap box now and I am sure I will get back on it sometime. :)  I just want you to be aware that everything that you put on your body gets absorbed into your body.  The skin is our largest organ and it is something that gets overlooked all the time (and I am guilty of not talking about it that much at the office).  So first and foremost we can start putting chemical and toxin free, quality products (that smell and feel good) on our bodies, faces and hair.  Its worth the switch even if you do it gradually (and these products will last you awhile... it is not anything you have to order each month because you go through it so quickly.)

Click HERE to go to the website and check out/order products.  You don't have to sign up, get a membership, or even be my patient to get the products (and $5 flat rate shipping... its great!).  I will have products available at the office at the same price so you don't save or loose any money getting them one way or the other.  I will have them in the office if you want to feel and try them out.  

If you are going to begin somewhere start with full body products like the body wash and body lotion (I LOVE the lotion) because it is a larger surface area than just your face.  If you are wanting other great products I love the hydrating face creams (AM and PM) as well as both of the facial cream cleansers.  The shampoo and conditioner are great and I have tried sooooo many from expensive to cheap to other 'non toxic' and even toxic ones.  My hair is very picky, will dry out really easily and get bad dead ends but has been so smooth and soft with Beautycounter's shampoo and conditioner.  It did take my hair probably 3 days to get use to the switch though. (In case you care or are wondering... I use the body lotion, face lotions (AM and PM), shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face cleanser and face exfoliating cleanser, and rose water spray... that's more of a luxury item.  Next on my list... Lip shine!!)

Other products they offer... sun screen (great for these 20 degree days right?), sugar scrubs, kids shampoo/conditioner/body wash (coming soon!!), lipsticks and gloss (with NO lead... obviously), body and face oils, and makeup coming beginning of next year.  I will put features of different products on here but I just wanted to give you a nice little idea of the products they carry. Check it out.  Try it out.  Let me know what you think... and I am pretty sure you won't be let down and your body will be much happier and healthier because of it. 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me (drcarolynmaxfield@gmail.com) or call the office! We will be glad to help :)

Funny Video... Kids Reactions to taking away Halloween Candy!

If you need a funny video (well its not so funny how addicted kids are to sugar) to watch click the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK-oQfFToVg#t=227.  There is so much truth in this video about how addicted our society is to sugar.  Adults probably would act the same way if it was socially acceptable. :)  I definitely get my fare share of funny looks, wide eyes and raised eyebrows when I talk about eliminating sugars from the diet... but nothing compared to this. Enjoy!

Homemade Tomato Soup!

There are so many tomato soup recipes out there... so I figured I would try my hand at one of them.  It turned out very tasty!  If you all have any good soup recipes out there let me know... this is a perfect season for it and I love sharing the ideas with everyone out there!

Ingredients

1 Onion, chopped
1 TBS Coconut Oil
1 TBS Olive Oil
1/2 cup fresh Basil
1-2 tsp Sea Salt and Pepper
3 Garlic Cloves, minced
3 cups of Chicken Stock
5 Tomatoes- Vine (I used 4 large tomatoes... not sure if it made a difference or not)
6 oz Tomato Paste


Instructions

• Cut tomatoes into quarter slices and toss with olive oil (I did melted coconut oil), sea salt and pepper
• Roast tomatoes on a baking sheet for 30 minutes on 350 degrees
• With about 5 minutes to go on the tomatoes...melt 1 TBS of coconut oil over medium heat in a large soup pan
• Saute onion and garlic (until onion is translucent)
• Add in your roasted tomatoes and saute for 1 more minute
• Add in 3 cups of chicken stock, the basil (I ripped mine into smaller pieces first), and the tomato paste.  Stir until tomato paste is dissolved into the broth
• Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to low and cover pot
• Let covered pot simmer for about 30 minutes
• Pour soup into a food processor or blender and mix up until nice and smooth
• Last but not least... Enjoy! (And even top with your fresh basil... so tasty!)

Recipe from http://www.primalpalate.com/recipe/tomato-basil-soup/

Thankful (Part 1)

In honor of November and the spirit of Thanksgiving I am going to post up every week or so feelings/things/reasons that I am thankful for my office, the patients, the products I work with, etc.  I encourage everyone to be grateful for what you have, where you are and appreciate any struggles you have been or are going through.  There is always a purpose or reason even though it may not seem like that.  By having gratitude in every situation makes things much more manageable and allows you to see the positive in every situation. 

Nov 1
I am so extremely grateful that I truly get to do what I love every single day.  Each day is full of great patients with the most severe cases to mild ones.  Each patient has their own journey... from being at the beginning of the process and just learning to those who have been with me for a long time continuing and maintaining their journey through health.  I am soo sooo soo lucky to meet and work with people who keep me inspired to do what I do.   

Nov 2
I am very grateful for my supplement tray!  It seems silly but oh so true.  Each week I just fill that little guy up and take my supplements as I go throughout the day.  No need to carry pill bottles around making my purse 10 pounds heavier or gathering up my supplements each morning like I was doing.  It is extremely time consuming especially in the morning.  Each day I take my little container and away I go!  No time spent planning or thinking about what I need to get ready.

Nov 3
I am very grateful for digestive enzymes.  Before I started taking them I had the whole host of 'typical' digestive issues.  Bloating, gas, indigestion, constipation and diarrhea... the typical IBS stuff.  I never went to a MD about it but I have had many patients feel like they have to live with these issues and say 'Oh they said it's just IBS'.  There is something you can do!! It's called digestive enzymes.  I have 6 different ones in my office and each person does not do well on everyone of them.  I specifically do best on one called Food Enzymes by Nature Sunshine.  My fiance does best on Zypan by Standard Process.  I am thankful for those enzymes and allowing my body to digest food better, get more nutrients out of what I eat and just feel better in general!!

Nov 4
I am very grateful that I get to bring my dog into work each day!  How lucky am I?!  He hates being by himself and loves to be around people.  He gets more love in a day from our patients than probably most dogs do in week.  He lives a very happy loved life and I am grateful I can bring him in.  He is very therapeutic and healing for most of our patients... including me!  It is always great driving when Louie's head is out the window getting fresh air and the car next to me stops and smiles.  These little guys have a powerful healing effect and way to make everyone feel better no matter what.  I am fortunate to have one of these little fur balls and that he can spread the love to all my patients!

Nov 5
I am thankful for coconut oil.  You can cook everything in it and not worry about your food getting toxic or rancid, use as amazing nontoxic makeup remover, and eat it each day for so many health benefits.  Its anti-fungal, bacterial and viral so it works wonders with your immune system helping it kill off invaders.  It is also perfect food for your brain and nervous system. 

Over the past weekend I was getting sick and my neck and shoulders were extremely tight... much more than I have ever had before.  I knew I had to be fighting off something.  I simply did a oil pull (where you swish coconut oil in your mouth for 10 to 20 minutes) to pull out toxins and kill off invaders such as bacteria and viruses.  Within 20 minutes my muscles were relaxed and it completely fought off anything I was starting to catch.  I will write a post in the future specific to this because the more I learn and read the more fascinated I am.  Try starting with 10 minutes and work up to 20 (and make sure to spit it in your trashcan when you are done because the oil will harden up when cold in your sink/drain... and that is no good).   After you spit it out make sure to rinse your mouth with hot water and spit that out.  Rinse a couple times to get all the toxins out.  You may notice you it starts to release drainage from your throat and nose... Yay!  Get it out of there!  If you have questions feel free to call the office.  Lori swears by it too!

Conjunctivitis/Pinkeye... what to do?

Conjunctivitis (pinkeye) is something that is very easily treated all 'naturally' no matter if you are a human, dog or cat.  There is no need to 1) suffer with it and 2) run to a doctor to get it treated, get medicated eye drops or even antibiotics.  I was talking to my dad on the phone this weekend and he was telling me how their dog Mo's eye was red and seemed infected.  What can you do?  Silver Shield!! It's such an amazing universal healer.  It's antibacterial and antiviral (also antiparasitic).  It tastes like water and safe to put in the eyes, ears and nose (as nasal spray) to get the antiseptic properties in each of those areas.  Needless to say my parents put a drop of Silver Shield in Mo's eye 2 to 3 times a day and within a day or 2... it was gone!  No crazy treatments... just the trusty Silver Shield. 

Nature Sunshine's Silver Shield is patented and one of the best colloidal silver's on the market.  It is extremely bioavailable (99% actually) meaning it fully gets absorbed in the body and it doesn't go to waste.  

Next time you or your loved one gets pinkeye or some sort of eye irritation or infection use Silver Shield.  You will not be let down!

Mo (and his piercing blue eyes) and Louie  

 

 

 

 

 

6 More Tips on what do to during Cold/Flu Season!

6 More Tips for cold and flu season! 

1) Coconut Oil: Coconut Oil is antibacterial and antiviral (and antifungal)... so make sure you are getting in 3 tablespoons a day to keep your immune system healthy and happy!  It is also what Lori and I use as hand sanitizer because of its antimicrobial properties.  (And ps. antibacterial soaps kill off good and bad bacteria... sounds like something else?)  So lather your hands in coconut oil multiple times a day to keep the sickness away!

2) Tei Fu Essential Oil: This is something we use in a nasal spray but can also be used to help clear and open up sinuses... put a few drops on your fingers and rub under your cheek bones, above your eyebrows and even on your temples if you are getting headaches.  It helps to clear up sinuses and get you breathing better.  (It can be pretty strong so you can mix it with a little coconut oil before you rub it on your skin.)

3) Tei Fu/Silver Shield Nasal Spray: Using the same Tei Fu essential oil... click the link below for info on how to make an amazing nasal spray to open up your nasal passages and help you breath clear!

http://drcarolynmaxfield.blogspot.com/2013/06/allergies-use-this-great-nasal-spray.html

4) Don't take anything to break your fever... it does your body a disservice if you do.  I know having a fever is not the best feeling in the world, especially when your little one is screaming and in pain.  No one wants to watch their kids or loved ones suffer.  However fevers happen for a reason.  Your body naturally raises your body temperature to kill off invaders.  The higher temperatures make is unlivable for the bad guys and in turn kills them off.  Yes it may take a day or two however it is perfectly normal and healthy and should not be interfered with unless the temperature is above 102 (or honestly even higher).  Come in and get tested to see what you have so we can support the body naturally during this time but please do the best you can to not interfere with your bodies natural reaction... I know it is not comfortable at all (and pretty miserable) but your immune system will come out much stronger because of it. 

5) Make this terrible tonic.  Have it on hand when you are sick and drink as much as you can stand.  I actually don't mind the taste because there is honey in it (but my taste buds may be a bit skewed).  Try it and let me tell you it works! 

http://lindsayleighbentley.com/2012/09/17/terrible-tonic-my-favorite-cold-and-flu-remedy-and-prevention/  (Also this is a great blog to follow if you are looking for great info and tips to stay healthy and live and be well... just like the title of the blog.)

6) Get a lymphatic massage.  This helps to drain your sinuses and get the lymphatic tissue moving to help get you feeling better faster.  If the lymphatic system is stagnant (think of stagnant water in the pipes of your houses... not a good situation) things get backed up and infections brew.  The lymphatic system is a large network that plays a huge role in your immune system (when you get those pea sized painful nodules by your throat, neck or even armpits they are enlarged and fighting off invaders).  No matter what it is when you get sick the lymphatic system kicks into gear!

I give my patients simple lymphatic massages all the time that help clear head congestion, chest pressure and colds.  Some massage therapists can even do full body ones.  Let me know and I'll be glad to help get your lymph pumping and teach you a couple things to do at home! 

Pharmaceutical Drug Interactions... Easy to check online!

Although I don't personally prescribe pharmaceutical drugs (nor would I want to) I still have to closely monitor what people are on and any interactions they may have.  Hopefully the audience I am talking to is not on any or very few... however we all know people who are on a whole host of them.  Medications are something not to take lightly and should be researched for their side effects and interactions. 

This is such a great tool and website that anyone can use to check any interactions pharmaceutical medications have with each other.  Not only do pharmaceutical drugs have side effects, they can also have interactions with each other which cause another set of issues.  The website ranks the interactions as major, moderate, and minor.  It is very imperative that a person check this if they are on two or more pharmaceutical drugs.

Go to http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html and click agree.  From there you can enter in different medications and click check for interactions.  It will create a list of interactions between the different meds.  Even if you are not my patient please be educated about what you are taking.  It is your health and life.  Be informed. 

Chocolate Pudding Recipe... Very Easy!

I have experimented with a couple different recipes for chocolate pudding and this is my favorite so far!

All you need is unsweetened cocoa, almond milk (I am sure you could use coconut milk too), xylitol (or honey) and chia seeds.  I bought my chia seeds at Trader Joes.  They are packed full of nutrients and healthy omega 3 fatty acids. 

Instructions
Mix together 1 cup almond milk, 3 tablespoons chia seeds, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons xylitol or honey.  You may want to add more depending on how sweet you like it.  Let it sit for 10 minutes and then enjoy!

When I first put all the ingredients together the cocoa sat at the top and didn't mix that well.  After 5 minutes it started to settle in, especially after I stirred it.  By the time 10 minutes was up and I did a final stirring everything was mixed together perfectly. 

I loved it.  Enjoy!

Body Odor? Try this!

Have you ever noticed that some people just tend to smell worse than others?  It's kind of an awkward topic but it is just a fact of life.  People who tend to have more odor than others (a polite way to say it) are much more toxic.  Your body sweats and gets rid of toxins through the skin.  When people are toxic the body will continuously try to pump these toxins out which in turn creates body odor which no deodorant can mask. 
 
Another way to know if you are full of toxins is that your stool smells really bad.  Yes all stool smells... I get that... however it should not smell really bad.  I don't know how else to describe it. Sorry :)  This is another simple indicator that your body is continually pumping out a lot of bad things. 
 
A great product to start with or add into your daily routine is Chlorophyll ES.  I have talked about it before but not in this fashion.  Chlorophyll is a great all natural body odor neutralizer.  It works to mildly detox as well as heal up the digestive system and other areas in the body.  It's liquid and tastes like mint which makes it even better!  You want to keep it in the fridge and take 1 teaspoon twice a day and for those who have never 'cleansed' the body bump it up to 1 tablespoon twice a day.  Mix it with your water and drink up! 
 
If you know someone who would benefit from chlorophyll just leave it at their desk.  No explanation is needed :)
 
For those who order- the stock number is 1483-5.  Make sure you get the new and improved Chlorophyll ES.  

For those who do not order follow the instructions on the link http://www.drcarolynmaxfield.com/page/online-store.html.  

 
 

Cold/Flu Season in Full Swing... 9 Things to Do

Cold/Flu/Strep and Flu Vaccine promoting season is in full swing.  Does that mean you have to be one of those that are down for days with whatever new thing is going around?  NO!  There are obviously many things you can do to improve your immune system and prevent any sickness going around.  And yes you may get sick here or there- I just was this past week (but guess what... I just had a little sore throat and congestion but my energy was great).  Here are 9 simple things to do and I will keep thinking of more.

1) Drink LOTS and LOTS of water.  Stay hydrated.  Seems silly and obvious yet we continually drink much less water than our body needs.  I am guilty of it too.  Consciously drink a lot of water.  Flush out those toxins and give your body the proper hydration to kill off any invaders.

2) Eat as much raw garlic as possible.  Some people can chew it... and kudos to those out there who can.  I cut a clove up into 1/4 pieces and swallow it.  You can cut it up smaller or mince it and put in  a little bit of water and drink it fast.  Fresh garlic (not processed or refrigerated) has amazing antibacterial proprieties (and antifungal).  When cooked the garlic looses many of its medicinal properties so its important that it is fresh especially when you are sick.  Take as many as you can handle.  Start with 1-2 a day and work up to 3-6 in times of sickness.  I just took my clove right before doing this. If you just can't even think about doing that there are garlic supplements that we have available which you take instead. 

NOTE: Not all garlic supplements are the same.  The way the garlic is processed and handled is extremely important.  Many companies loose the medicinal value in the processing because it is heated and not protected.  Make sure you use a high quality supplement and if you need any ideas let me know.  We have plenty at the office (and ones you won't burp up... which is a common complaint).

3) Wash your hands.  Obvious- yet very important.

4) Take maintenance doses of elderberry (2-3/day).  Most of you at my office know that the Nature Sunshine version is by far my favorite.  Elderberry Defense has elderberry, olive leaf, and D3 in it.  All of those are extremely beneficial to the immune system.  Let me know if you need help ordering.

5) Drink hot water with lemon.  I say this all the time to patients but it is great for so many things.  It helps with digestion and has a mild cleansing action on the liver.  Lemons are packed with vitamin C and also are anti-mucolytic (break down mucous).  This helps tremendously during times of sickness.  Drink at least 2 cups of hot water with 1/2 lemon in each.

6) Sleep!  When you are tired it is for a reason.  If you were sick and not tired you would keep going and going and going and your body would never get a chance to heal.  You are tired for a reason.  Pay attention and don't push it.

7) Get adjusted.  This is something I haven't talked about much on here.  Every single part of your body- every muscle, organ, tissue, gland- is controlled by your nervous system.  The nervous system is our master control center and protected by your spine.  When you are sick it is essential to get your nervous system checked and make sure it is properly functioning without any restrictions.  There are certain areas in your spine that directly control the nervous system (any chiropractor should know where it is) and that should be specially worked on along with anything else that is restricted.  If you have any questions or concerns let me know.  I do light force adjusting with muscle work (very important!) to help relieve any issues you may have.

8) Don't drink cow's milk (unless its raw).  Most of my patients (hopefully all) already avoid cows milk.  It instantly creates a mucous producing response in the body.  So when you are congested and stopped up... definitely avoid this and all dairy.  You should be avoiding it anyway but that's for another day.  Drink almond milk or coconut milk, but NOT soy.

9) If your sickness isn't going away... please come in and get checked.  It takes me 1-2 minutes and I can see if you are fighting off a bacteria or virus and give you something that will knock it quickly.  The sooner you come in when you are starting to feel sick the better. 

Sweet Potato Cakes

Easy great recipe!  They make for great substitutes for breakfast with potato cakes or even dinner for something similar to tater tots. You only really need 4 things and very simple to make!

2 cups Grated Sweet Potato- This is the most time consuming part of it... maybe because I don't have the best grater. 
2 Eggs 
1 TBS Coconut Flour
1 TBS Coconut Oil
Sea Salt, Pepper
Optional: Add in any of your favorite spices (Rosemary or garlic would be good)

Mix all together and fry over medium heat in coconut oil.  I cooked each side for about 3 or so minutes.  I made 2 more crispy by leaving them on longer and liked those ones better.  Experiment and see what you like best!  They also would be good with some organic ketchup for breakfast :)

Recipe from: http://gabbysgfree.com/2013/03/paleo-shredded-sweet-potato-cakes/

Chemicals in your body... where do they come from?

At the office patients get tested for 'internal' stressors (aka immune challenges).  These are things that should normally be eliminated or killed off by your immune system but for one reason or another linger around.  The different things tested for (painlessly, quickly, and easily) are heavy metals, chemicals, bacterias, viruses, parasites and candida.  If you show up with any one of those listed it can cause basically any type of sign or symptom... such as (but not limited to) fatigue, mental sluggishness, hives, asthma, acne, diarrhea or constipation, aches, pains, gas/bloating, headaches, weight gain/loss, styes, anxiety, depression, overall joints aches and pains, and the list goes on and on...  It seems to simple right?  Many times in our society we try to over complicate things when the answer isn't really that hard.  Get rid of (detox out) the bad stuff and nourish your body with good things. 

With this being said- why are things not getting eliminated like they should?  One of the reasons (mainly for heavy metals and chemicals) is that our liver gets sluggish, tired and backed up... why?  There are many reasons but I will touch on one. 

The liver is our main detox center.  We are constantly being exposed to different chemicals on a daily basis.  Think of the air we breath in, lotions you put on, water you drink (fluoride, chlorine and other junk in it), fragrances you constantly breath in, put in your body or wash clothes with, plastics you store food in, cookware you use, cleaners you use at home, all the medications (prescription and non prescription) people put into their body, etc.  This is not intended to scare you but instead make you think.  Try changing just one thing, getting rid of one chemical or heavy metal (aluminum in deodorant) in your daily routine or home.  Once you have done than move to another and then another.  Baby steps in the right direction. 

I want to leave you with some of the chemicals tested for in the office... 
-Chlorine (really important to get a water filter to remove both chlorine and fluorine... more info to come)
-Dry cleaning chemicals
-Food colors (Look at your labels!)
-Fragrances (Think of everything this is in... soaps, lotions, shampoo, conditioner, air fresheners, makeup, cleaners, detergent, fabric softener, perfume, etc.  Think of what sits at the base of the neck where people spray perfume.  The thyroid!! Everything you put on your body gets absorbed. Use essential oils instead which are not toxic to the liver!)
-Medications (prescription and non prescription)
-Pesticides
-Plastics (Try to store and keep everything in glass... especially leftovers.  Get a glass water bottle and reuse instead of buying bottled water.  Go to TJ Maxx or Costco and get glass Pyrex containers to store food in for cheaper.)
-Preservatives (Really read your labels... the most common are nitrites/ates, sufites/ates) 

Other chemicals are tested for in the office but those are the main ones. Yes we can get rid of many but clearly we can't get rid of them all in our environment.  However by consciously removing them from your home and diet it will help your liver work better to detox the ones we can't remove.  More info to come on water filters and great beauty products!  If you need a good deodorant recipe click the link - http://drcarolynmaxfield.blogspot.com/2013/04/homemade-deodorant-that-works-i-promise.html

Hot Chocolate!!

It's back to cool fall weather which means it's time for warm fuzzy drinks!  One of the classics and a personal favorite... Hot chocolate!! It's easy to make and you don't need the instant hot chocolate powder that is made up of all sorts of crazy unnatural things. Soooo here is a simple easy recipe! And super tasty too!

3 Cups (unsweetened) Almond Milk - my personal favorite is Whole Foods organic unsweetened almond milk. It seems much creamier and richer than all the other brands I have tried. They are usually available in 2 packs which saves a little money. 

2 TBS Cacao powder or Cocoa - the difference between the 2 is that cacao powder is considered raw- meaning it is subjected to low amounts of heat which do not alter the presence of antioxidants (aka cold pressed).  Cocoa on the other hand has been processed in heat.  Cacao is very high in antioxidants and is considered a 'super food' for this reason- why it is much more expensive.  Cocoa does not have as many antioxidants due to the heating process.  With this being said, you are heating up your hot chocolate so the cacao does not remain in its raw state.  So there really is no benefit to using the cacao over the cocoa in this recipe.  If you were making a cold drink or not heating or cooking with it, cacao would be a much better option.  For more info on cacao vs cocoa visit this link http://nourishmylife.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/raw-cacao-vs-cocoa/.

2 TBS Xylitol, Honey, or Pure 100% Maple Syrup (Aunt Jemima doesn't count)- I didn't have xylitol at home so I used maple syrup. For anyone using xylitol (people on Candida Clear or phase 1) it may need a little bit more.  Just do a little taste test to try it out first.

1/4 TBS of Cinnamon

 

 

Over medium heat mix the almond milk and cocoa/cacao powder. Let it heat up but not boil. I probably kept mine on the stove for 10 min total and stirred occasional. After it's nice and warm take it off the burner and let it sit. Add in your cinnamon and sweetener (xylitol, honey, or maple syrup) at this time and stir. The clumps of cocoa will continue to dissolve at this time. 

Let it sit for a couple minutes and stir occasionally. Then enjoy!! 

Pure deliciousness. 

Zucchini Lasagna! Only 4 ingredients

For those of you who are missing lasagna... There is hope! It's great for anyone on Candida Clear, those avoiding pasta for other reasons (in my case I get instantly bloated and gain 2 pounds the next day. Not kidding) or for anyone wanting just a healthier option.

All you need is 2 to 3 zucchinis, goat cheese, hamburger and pasta sauce. (The pasta sauce is a tricky one. I was at Kroger and only found one that didn't have sugar or some form of it as an ingredient. You will have more options at Whole Foods I would imagine but make sure to read the labels. I have a pic of what I got below. It wasn't the cheapest thing but it was my only option. Plus I didn't use all of it so you can use it on something else. Maybe the homemade noodles? Click the link for the recipe http://drcarolynmaxfield.blogspot.com/2013/06/homemade-noodles-only-4-ingredients.html)

First throw your hamburger in a skillet and cook until it browns. While cooking try to prevent it from clumping (so it has a crumble like consistency).  

While it's cooking you can work on the zucchini. If you have a mandolin use that to cut your zucchini in slices. I don't have one so I cut it lengthwise in as thin of slices as possible. Some I could cut the whole length while others I could only make it half the length. No matter how it's cut it all tastes the same. 

One thing I didn't do that I would do next time is pull the moisture out of the zucchini so when it's all cooked the lasagna wouldn't be as runny. You can do this by slicing your zucchini and sprinkle sea salt on one side of it and let it sit for 5 or 10 minutes while it 'sweats.' Dab up the water and the flip the zucchini over and repeat.

Now it's time to layer. I put my zucchini down first. It doesn't perfectly fit together and there will be some gaps but you get the picture. Next crumble goat cheese. Then add a layer of hamburger. Lastly pasta sauce. I made 2 layers of each. 

Bake for 25 to 30 min on 350. Before I took it out I crumbled more goat cheese on top and broiled it for a couple minutes. 

Take it out and enjoy! You may notice it is a little watery which is due to the zucchini. No big deal. Also mine fell all apart when I served it. Presentation is not my priority :) So if it doesn't maintain it's form like regular lasagna don't be alarmed. If it does... Tell me how you did it! 

Other things you could throw in it that I thought about after... Chopped up onions or garlic. Seasonings such as dried oregano or basil would have been good in it too. Any or all of the above would be perfect in the pasta sauce layer. 

Now go enjoy your 'lasagna' and don't feel bad if you eat 1/2 of the pan or more! And no bloaty stomach afterwards :) Yay! 

Layer 1

 

 

 

Layer 2 and 3

 

Layer 4 

 

 

Pasta Sauce

 

 

 

Hot Flashes

Hot flashes-- "Oh yeah you can't do anything about it.  It's normal for everyone my age to have them."  NOT TRUE.  NOT TRUE at all.  It may be true that that most people have them... but it doesn't make it NORMAL.  Guess what... there are all natural supplements that can help (without the need for hormone replacement therapy which throws your body out of whack anyways)!  I have seen this over and over and over.  Ask my mom.

Yes it is very common for women going through the big, awful, dreaded menopause however it does not have to be that way!  I remember traveling with my mom in the winter time... the windows were rolled down while we were all shivering and yelling for her to roll up the windows.  About 5 minutes into the windows being up... she would roll them back down.  Up, down, up, down.  I don't know how we all didn't catch colds from that or frost bite.  After getting her on a supplement regimen she is hot flash free.  It is not an over night process but it is something that can be done fairly quickly.  Also ask Lori.  She very rarely, if ever, has had a hot flash and she will be proud to tell you why. 

Hot flashes are a way to let you know that your hormone producing glands (thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, pituitary, hypothalamus) are out of sync.  When women go through menopause they rely on the adrenals to make the sex hormones (instead of the ovaries).  Guess what body part has been stressed all your life and now you are asking it to do just one more job... the adrenals! They are the 'stress' gland in the body and are supposed to help you cope and deal with stressors in your life.  However in our daily lives we have one pressure after another after another.  The adrenals have a right to be tired.  This is equivalent to asking your body to keep running and running without a break.  Your body would break down... just like many people's adrenal glands do.  When the body starts to rely on the (tired/sluggish) adrenals to make sex hormones symptoms start to occur. 

The liver also plays a huge role in the process too.  It is the major detox center (aka filter) in your body which is a huge job.  If it is even a little sluggish hormones back up that are supposed to be eliminated and all sorts of crazy things happen... mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, depression, etc. 

Your body is going through a change and anytime you personally go through a change there is always a transition period, right? So why not prepare your body ahead of time before the change occurs.  Or if you happen to be in the full swing of things and have any signs or issues (hot flashes or anything else) let us know.  Please don't be fooled that this is normal.  Let us help you with those 'changes' in life!

Cheap Fruit and Veggie Wash

One of the things I test for in the office is chemicals.  This is such a large category that it is virtually impossible to stay away from all chemicals and toxins in our environment.  We can only do our best to lighten the chemical burden we put in and on our body.  One easy way (that people may forget about) is to wash your fruits and veggies.  I think sometimes people are just so happy that they are eating all their fruits and veggies (which you should be!) and don't think about it.  Water just doesn't cut it anymore when washing your fruits/veggies because of all the chemicals and pesticides.  There are two things you can do... 1) buy all organic (yes this is ideal... but not always realistic.  I try to buy as much organic as possible but lets face it I don't get everything organic) and most importantly 2) you can wash off your fruits and veggies really well before you eat them. 

What I do at home is fill a squirt bottle with 1/4 (if that) of Bronner's unscented soap and the rest with water.  I take whatever fruit/veggie I am eating, give it a few squirts and rub the soap around and wash it all off.  The castile soap washes off very easily and doesn't leave a residue.  It also leaves whatever you are washing all squeaky clean.  It is a great idea to just keep your fruit/veggie spray out next to your hand soap (or you can the same stuff as your hand wash... I use the eucalyptus scented Bronner's as my hand soap but don't want all my food tasting like it).  Now go out there and wash off all your fruits and veggies and eat them them right up!  :)

Turkey Burger Sliders with a Zucchini 'Bun'

This is a very simple way to recreate a healthy version of 'sliders' or small hamburgers with a bread substitution... zucchini!  I found this idea online and it is very easy to do and tastes great.

Turkey burgers
You can cook it like you normally would with spices but I added salsa and almond flour to give it a little more moisture and spice!
-1 pound turkey burger
-1.5 cups almond flour
-1 jar of salsa (watch out for added sugar and high fructose corn syrup!)

Mix together and cook as you normally would.  You can make them into little sliders like I did or large burgers.  Tastes great either way.

Zucchini 'Bun'
I cut the zucchini into quarter to half inch slices (this is something you can experiment with).  I cooked the pieces on medium/high heat for 2 minutes on each side in coconut oil.  This way they get warm but still maintain their form.  If you cooked them longer the zucchini gets soft and would be harder to make a 'bun' out of it.

There you go! Very simple to do.  I found it easier to eat them like open face sandwiches with no 'bun' on top.  With the top 'bun' I found it harder to bite into and not get all over myself.  Enjoy!

*A tip to make the sliders is to take a spoon full of your turkey mix and throw on a skillet.  They are perfect size and then you don't have to get your hands dirty each time. 

Great Video to Watch

Going through this crazy process of staying healthy can be a daunting task. Sometimes it seems easy and other days all you want to do is go back to the way you used to eat before. It's much more convenient right?

If you are feeling demotivated, frustrated, bored or just want to watch an informative little documentary I highly suggest Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. It was available on Netflix for those of you who have it. Anyways it follows a man who does a 60 day juice cleanse who, just like the title says, was fat, sick and nearly dead. He has a rare autoimmune disease and was on steroids and wanted to get his life back. Then it goes on to follow a 400lb man (with numerous health issues). Great documentary and informative. Also it is motivation for anyone who wants to do a juice cleanse! (I was actually on day 6 of one and didn't even know the movie was about it.  It was perfect motivation to do a couple more days.)

Whether you are doing a juice cleanse or not I really suggest you watch it when you have a little time to wind down. And it's getting dark sooner :( so why not watch an informative movie! :) 

I hope you all had a great weekend! 

Another Brownie Recipe! Perfect for those on Candida Clear!

Here is another brownie recipe I ran across.  This one does not use almond flour like the other one but instead uses coconut flour.  I have not found many recipes that I like which use coconut flour because it seems so dense to me.  So I was very happy to find one I enjoyed (probably because all the xylitol) plus its very simple to make.

Ingredients
1/3 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
6 eggs
1 cup xylitol
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 coconut flour
1 cup of nuts (optional)

Instructions
Mix melted coconut oil and cocoa powder together so all of the cocoa powder is nice and blended.  In another bowl mix the eggs, xylitol, salt, vanilla, and nuts together.  Then add the coconut oil/cocoa.  Stir well.  (My coconut oil was melted over the stove.  So when I added the warm coconut oil/cocoa mix to the rest of the ingredients, aka the cold eggs, the coconut oil quickly hardened and it didn't stir well.  The batter didn't look appetising but once the mix warmed up in the oven when baking they turned out just fine.) Then add in the coconut flour slowly until everything is mixed.  (Here again it seemed like it was hard to mix because of the coconut oil/cocoa mixture.  Just make sure the coconut flour is mixed and no chunks.)

Put in a greased (with coconut oil right!) pan and bake on 350 degrees for 28 to 32 minutes. 

When I make these again I would make sure the melted coconut oil had cooled to around room temperature before adding it to the cold eggs which in my case quickly solidified the coconut oil.  Either way it all tastes the same!  Also in the pictures it looks like it is 'marbled'.  That is just because the coconut flour didn't mix well with my hard coconut oil/cocoa.  It looks neat and there are no chunks of coconut flour in the cooked brownies so no need to worry if yours looks like this.  Lastly my brownies had a very small layer at the bottom.  This is the eggs/xylitol that settled to the bottom when cooked.  You can eat it or scrape if off (for kids who think it looks weird).  I ate it and it tastes just fine!

Just a few tips and pointers for you that I noticed along the way but... they taste great!!

 

 

 

PS. Remember NO xylitol for dogs. Its very toxic to their little systems. Sorry Louie... no brownies for you!

 

 

Lobelia Essence for Kidney Stones and Asthma

Lobelia Essence is a fantastic product by Nature Sunshine that helps to open up airways and relax muscles in the body.  I usually promote it in the office for people with asthma or chest tightness but it is also great for kidney stones!  Read below on how and what to take it for. 
Do not take more lobelia essence than recommended because it may cause an upset stomach. 

Ways to use it
Asthma- Do 10 to 15 drops under the tongue to help open up airways.  It works like an inhaler would.  If you feel like an asthma attack (or panic attack) is coming on or your chest is getting tighter do this immediately.  Follow up the next hour by doing 10 drops under the tongue.  You can also rub the liquid on your chest to help with breathing.  Rub directly on the skin or mix with a little bit of coconut oil. 

Its also great to do if you are having trouble breathing outside due to humidity, allergies or simply chest congestion due to a cold.  Do 5 drops under your tongue. 

Panic Attacks- Treat as if you would an asthma attack

Relaxation and sleep- Add 10 to 20 drops in a bath to promote relaxation.  You can also rub the liquid on your back over the spine (with a little bit of coconut oil) to help promote sleep. 

Kidney Stones- Do 10 drops under your tongue every 2 hours until pain subsides.  Drink hot water with fresh squeezed lemon through out the day.  Add apple cider vinegar and fresh garlic for even greater benefits and pain relief.   You can also rub the liquid on the middle and lower part of your back (where your kidneys sit) to allow the muscles and kidney to relax and help pass the stone. 

We recently had a patients husband do this and pass a kidney stone the size of a fire ant!

For those who have an account it is available through Nature Sunshine (Stock Number: 1765-8) and for those who do not have an account follow the ordering instructions by clicking the link http://www.drcarolynmaxfield.com/page/online-store.html.