Salutations!

As the cost of "Sick"care skyrockets so to do the cost associated with every aspect of the sick care industry (insurance premiums, co-pays, pharmaceutical drugs, sick leave, etc.). The time to act and take care of ourselves while jealously guarding our health has come. We can no longer afford to hand over our health or our wealth to others and hope to live happy, productive lives. The goal of this blog is to wade through some of the more mundane as well as a few sensational health issues that affect us today and how to get over them.







Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Diabetes - A 21st Century Scourge: Phase 2 Approved Food List



Admittedly the Phase 1 part of the plan is restrictive to say the least which is why it is designed to last just 4-6 weeks at a time. The benefit is extensive, however, allowing for an appropriate jump start to any anti-diabetes campaign. At some point it becomes necessary to transition to Phase 2.

The second phase of this plan is meant for lifelong changes to eating habits that will nourish the body and sustain your efforts to reverse or significantly mitigate diabetes. The first thing you will notice is the increase in the variety. The uptick is based on the increased likelihood that your metabolism is either higher or in much better working order after following the phase one program. The phase 2 food chart gives the recommended amounts of each food category that should be consumed during any particular meal.

The focus of every meal is to be as healthy as possible. Limit meat portions especially red meat which should be kept to no more than 18-22 oz. per week. Lean meats such as fish, elk, lamb, and turkey should be your focus. You may also find it helpful to have one or two of your meals be vegetarian based limiting your meat consumption to one or two meals a day.

Eating Out

Extreme care must be taken when eating out. Your diligence is required when ordering for many reasons. One, the ingredients used to create meals in most restaurants will be inflammatory and have the potential to set you back in your goals. Second, portion sizes are almost always two or three times larger than what is recommended for consumption at one meal. You may find it helpful to decide in advance that you will only consume ⅓ - ½ of what your ordered and ask for a box to pack it in in advance. Remember to eat slowly and savor each bite. This will help you feel satisfied without overeating.

When ordering salads order dressing on the side and stick to vinaigrette style dressings. Soups should be broth based. Avoid cream based soups as they are loaded with rancid oils, fats, and calories. Soups with lentils and beans will be far more filling with fewer calories. If having a meal that consist of only soups and salad be sure to have some fiber handy to help you feel full after the meal if necessary. This will help you not succumb to the temptation of ordering additional food. 

Desserts

Having a tasty treat with a meal or as a snack is always tempting but there are some things that must be considered. If you have reached your waistline goal and your blood sugar is under control then partaking from time to time shouldn't be a problem. If at all possible, though, save dessert for special occasions and rare treats. Your focus is to not go back to what you are trying to leave behind. When you do have dessert be sure to consume some fiber in the form of a supplement to help lower the glycemic value thus avoiding a spike in blood sugar and insulin production.


 Meal Planning


Plan your meals on a weekly basis. Shopping and preparing your meals on a day that is convenient for you is a great way to ensure success on your journey. The food chart provided will come in handy in assisting you in this process.


Approved Foods for Phase 2

Legumes, Beans and Starches (Servings are 1/2 cup for women and 1 cup for men)
Cereals (with unsweetened almond milk or unsweetened coconut milk)
Low Glycemic Fruit (1/2 cup servings)
Vegetables (at least 1/2 cup or more women and 1 cup or more for men)
     Beans: kidney, lima, navy, pinto, red, black
     Black-eyed peas
     Green peas
     Butter beans
     Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
     Green beans
     Lentils
     Yams
     Sweet potatoes


















     Old fashioned oatmeal or steel cut (1 serving for women, 1-2 servings for mens)
     Blackberries
     Blueberries
     Raspberries
     1/2 grapefruit
     Granny Smith apple
     Kiwi
     Strawberries
     Asparagus
     Bell peppers
     Broccoli
     Brussel sprouts
     Butternut squash
     Cabbage or sauerkraut
     Carrots (1/2 cup, raw only)
     Cauliflower
     Celery
     Collard greens
     Cucumbers
     Eggplants
     Lettuce
     Okra
     Onions
     Spinach
     Squash
     String beans
     Taro
     Tomato
     Turnips
     Watercress
     Zucchini



Approved Foods for Phase 2 Cont.


Lean Proteins
(Dairy) - Dairy is best avoided but limited quantities of the following is ok.
Lean Proteins (Meats) - 2 to 6 oz. for women and 3-8 oz. for men
Healthy Fats (two servings per day, none at dinner)
Oils (two servings per day, none at dinner, do not heat)
     Cottage cheese, plain-non fat
     Cream cheese
     Low-fat Greek yogurt, plain or vanilla
     Eggs (pastured center or organic) - two to three large eggs or one yolk and three egg whites

















     Beef, organic extra lean. Limit red meat consumption to 18 oz. per week.
     Buffalo, bison, elk, caribou, venison, goat, ostrich
     Chicken and turkey (remove skin)
     Turkey sausage
     Turkey bacon
     Fish, wild caught (cod, flounder, haddock, herring, halibut, mahi-mahi, sea bass, perch, snapper, tongol tuna, orange roughy, tilapia, salmon, trout, sardines, mackeral
     Almond butter (2 tablespoons)
     Almonds (about 18 almonds, 1 oz.)
     Organic peanut butter (2 tablespoons)
     Peanuts (1 oz.)
     Pecans (1 oz.)
     Cashews (1 oz.)
     Avocado, fresh (1/2 cup
     Guacamole (1/3 cup)
     Hummus
     Pumpkin seeds (2 tablespoons or 1 oz.)
     Sunflower seeds (2 tablespoon or 1 oz.)
     Flaxseeds (3 tablespoons or 1 oz.)
     Organic cold-pressed olive oil (1 tablespoon)
     High-oleic sunflower oil (1 tablespoon)
     Cold-pressed peanut oil (1 tablespoon)
     Cold-pressed sesame oil (1 tablespoon)
     Cold-pressed avocado oil (1 tablespoon)
     High-oleic safflower oil (1 tablespoon)


Cont. Lean Proteins (Meats) - 2 to 6 oz. for women and 3-8 oz. for men



     Lean pork (limit pork consumption to one serving per week)
     .Shellfish (wild caught if possible) - Limit consumption to 1-2 servings. (shrimp, crab, lobster, scallop, oysters, mussels)



Monday, December 1, 2014

Diabetes - A 21st Century Scourge: Approved Food List and Sample Meal Plan for Phase One




In line with the previous post we continue with practical ways to help alleviate or mitigate diabetes through meal plans. As stated in the aforementioned article Phase 1 is not intended to be a plan that lasts forever. It is only intended to jump start your transformation and accelerate weight loss when combined with an exercise plan. Eventually there should be a transition to Phase 2 which usually happens at the 4-6 week mark. As with any meal plan or exercise regime please consult with a trusted medical practitioner.


Approved Foods for Phase 1

Beverages
Lean Meat/Protein (grilled or boiled 3.5 oz.for women, 6 oz.for men  - choose one per meal)
Vegetables (raw or steamed, 1 cup; choose one per meal)
Fruits (choose one per meal or as a snack)
Breads
     Water

     Tea

     Coffee




     Lobster

     Veal

     Beef

     Chicken breast

     Crab

     Fresh white fish

     Shrimp

     Bison (buffalo)

     Elk

     Venison (deer)

     Egg (only occasionally either hard boiled, poached or scrambled but no oils
     Spinach

     Chard

     Chicory

     Beet greens

     Green salad

     Tomato

     Celery

     Fennel

     Onions

     Red radishes

     Cucumbers

     Asparagus

     Cabbage
     Apple
     Granny Smith apple*
     1/2 Grape- fruit
     1/2 cup Straw- berries

(You may choose to eat your fruit with a meal or as a snack)

















*Recommended
     1 Piece Doctor Krack-er Crisp Bread





Phase 1, Week 1 Meal Plan

Day One:
Breakfast:
     Fresh white fish or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste. No cheese or mushrooms.
     1 apple
     Or you may have a protein shake with fruit
            Snack:
     1/2 cup strawberries
            Lunch:
     Chicken breast
     1 cup spinach or green salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
     1/2 grapefruit
            Dinner:
     Lean beef, elk, buffalo, veal, or filet mignon
     1 cup green salad or asparagus
     5 pieces 365 mini-toast

Day Two:
            Breakfast:
     1 egg and 2 extra egg whites
     1/2 grapefruit
     Or a protein shake
            Snack:
            Lunch:
     Fresh white fish
     1 cup cabbage or green salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
     1/2 cup strawberries
            Dinner:
     Crab or shrimp
     1 cup asparagus or green salad
     5 pieces 365 mini-toast




Day Three:
            Breakfast:
     Fresh white fish or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste). No cheese or mushrooms.
     1 Granny Smith apple
     Or a protein shake
            Snack:
     1/2 Strawberries
            Lunch:
     Chicken breast
     1 cup tomatoes or green salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
            Dinner:
     Deer, elk, veal or fillet mignon
     1 cup spinach or green salad
     5 pieces 365 mini-toast

Day Four:
            Breakfast:
     Fresh white fish or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste. No cheese or mushrooms.
     1/2 grapefruit
     Or protein shake
            Snack:
     1/2 cup strawberries
            Lunch:
     Chicken breast
     1 cup romaine salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
            Dinner:
     Filet mignon
     1 cup spinach or green salad
     2 slice melba toast




Day Five:
            Breakfast:
     Shrimp or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste). No cheese or mushrooms.
     1 Granny Smith apple
     Or protein shake
            Snack:
     1/2 grapefruit
            Lunch:
     Fresh white fish
     1 cup cucumbers or green salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
     1/2 strawberries
            Dinner:
     Veal, filet mignon, or extra lean hamburger meat
     1 cup mixed greens salad or asparagus
     5 pieces 365 mini-toast

Day Six:
            Breakfast:
     Shrimp or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste). No cheese or mushrooms.
     1 Granny Smith apple
     Or protein shake
            Snack:
     1/2 grapefruit
            Lunch:
     Fresh white fish
     1 cup cabbage or green salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
     1/2 cup strawberries
            Dinner:
     Deer, elk, veal or fillet mignon
     1 cup mixed greens salad or asparagus
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads



Day Seven:
            Breakfast:
     Fresh white fish or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste. No cheese or mushrooms.
     1 Granny Smith apple
     Or a protein shake
            Snack:
     1/2 grapefruit
            Lunch:
     Chicken breast
     1 cup romaine salad
     1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads
            Snack:
     1/2 cup strawberries
            Dinner:
     Veal, filet mignon, or extra lean hamburger meat
     1 cup mixed greens salad or asparagus
1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads








Monday, September 16, 2013

The Story of Cholesterol: The Good and Bad About "Clinical Studies"

We all have heard at one time or another some announcer on television or radio say "clinical studies have shown..." and what follows is thought or assumed to be credible information. Rightfully so when it is considered that all clinical studies follow the scientific method, right? For the most part yes but there is more to the story and studies involving cholesterol aren't always what they seem to be.

The Bad

Scientist pride themselves on the scientific method and why not. Surely if you want to propose that a thing or an outcome is "true" you have to observe it over and over again and let the data tell you what is real and what is not. The problem, from time to time, is that scientist are human and are subject to the frailties associated with being such. Pride, arrogance, and greed, especially greed, has steered many doctors and scientist astray while conducting clinical studies. We, the non-clinical study conducting types, have our part to play as well by allowing people with profit driven agendas to run these drug studies without demanding a neutral third party either run a concurrent study or run the entire study outright. After all its only our health at stake. At this point I would like to be clear about one thing: I do not mind people making a profit. I just don't like it when it is at the expense of others as opposed to the benefit of others (and this is where I digress).

Cholesterol studies have long been plagued by biased research. One of the largest and most damaging of these studies was the Framingham Heart Study (FHS). The FHS began in 1948 in Framingham, Massachusetts involving 5,000 residents of the town. Follow up was conducted with the residents for 16 years. In the end it was claimed that a direct link between cholesterol and heart disease had been firmly established. This study has been heavily cited in order to defend the "cholesterol-causes-heart disease" hypothesis and helped form a $30 billion per year cholesterol drug industry. There are several key points to consider with this study that some would find alarming and the main ones are these:

  • During the study it was found that cardiovascular disease struck people with both high and low cholesterol (some levels as low as 150 mg/dl)
  • Thirty years after the study it was found that people with higher cholesterol levels lived just as long or longer, on average, as those with low cholesterol

According to this study cholesterol levels seemed to imply adverse cardiovascular health only for white men who had a heart attack before the age of 48. There was very little, if any, information garnered by this study that had any broad cholesterol "doom and gloom" appeal for the general population. In fact, the study director, Dr. William Castelli acknowledged in an article written in 1992 in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine that those people who participated in the study who consumed the most saturated fat, calories and cholesterol tended to have lower blood serum cholesterol levels, were the most active and weighed the least all while not experiencing any statistically significant increase in poor cardiovascular health outcomes.

The Good


One of the longest and most comprehensive studies ever undertaken was called the Nurses' Health Study conducted by Harvard University. The goal was to determine the risk factors for cancer and heart disease. Researchers conducted an extensive analysis of over 84,000 women and made a startling discovery. They determined that there were five essential contributing factors regarding cancer and heart disease in 82 percent of the women and they are as follows:


  • Smoking
  • Sedentary lifestyle (little to no daily exercise)
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Poor weight maintenance
  • Diet that did not consist of whole foods, whole grains (fiber intake) and was high in sugar.

Did you notice cholesterol didn't make the list? You can believe the drug companies did not want to hear any part of this because this study definitely had the potential to interfere with profits! In the end, however,  it is a lot easier for patients and lucrative for the drug pushers to take a pill than it is to lead a healthy lifestyle so the study fell mostly on deaf ears and those who did hear and believe were ridiculed or ostracized by "scientist" backed by big money from pharmaceutical companies. 

In the next installment we will discuss the true villain when it comes to heart disease: inflammation!


If you would like to read about more studies and the cholesterol myth (in case you just can't wait for the next article) I recommend reading "The Great Cholesterol Myth" written by Dr. Jonny Bowden and Dr. Stephen Sinatra.







Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Slow and Steady Wins the Weight Race!

Generally I do not write articles about myself. Generally. However, I do have a story to tell that I hope will be of inspiration to someone and that is why I’m making an exception. I don’t merely right articles or have an interest in health arbitrarily. There are many reasons for why I write, like a sincere desire to help others, with my own personal struggles not being the least of them. Weight gain, inflammation and severe sinus issues plagued me. If nothing else it proves that I am not immune to the pitfalls of life and more specifically a western diet and lifestyle. If you find yourself in a struggle don’t despair but take comfort in the fact that with knowledge, time and effort most any issue can be mastered and overcome.

How I gained the weight

I can sit on my butt with the best of them. Oh how easy it is to plop down on the couch and watch another mind numbing episode of (fill in the blank here). This is an insidious trap because inactivity feeds off of and breeds more inactivity. The more I sat the heavier I got and the more I didn't want to become active.

I was already about 20 lbs. heavier than normal when I returned to my hometown and then it happened. A combination of home cooking, fast food and the weekly stop at the “soul food” restaurant packed on an additional 20+ lbs. I gradually gained 42 lbs over a 16 year period of time. Sounds familiar? In addition, unbeknownst to me, I was suffering from severe allergic reactions to the inflammatory foods I was consuming. The result was a sinus issue so extreme that I was popping Sudafed twice a day. I blamed the usual suspects like dust, pollen and pet dander even though these never bothered me growing up and I didn’t have a pet to be exposed to pet dander so I don’t know why I considered that one. Grasping at straws I suppose. Add frequent nosebleeds and headaches to the mix and I was miserable and resigned to taking over-the-counter medications.

Stress is often a common denominator when it comes to weight gain among most people and I was no exception. My work in law enforcement was demanding and working many hours off duty left me fatigued which always compounds stress related issues. When you throw in the demands of family and everyday life chronic stress was a constant companion. An annoying, relentless, and pound producing companion! In short, the more cortisol, the more hunger increases and we know what happens next.

How I lost the weight

Although I don’t remember the exact date it happened I do remember the day I woke up startled, expecting to see someone in the room because I could hear them snoring. As I looked around frantically I slowly began to realize I was the only one in the room and it was me I heard snoring. I actually woke myself up and it was then I knew something had to change. At that time I realized I was approximately 40 lbs overweight and slowly falling apart at 32 years of age. Something had to go and I decided it was the weight instead of me. Intuitively I knew I was eating horribly. I confess an extreme weakness for Krystal burgers, soul food and Oreo cookies. Don’t even think about asking me to share! The amount inflammation in my body must have been astounding. Unfortunately, at that time in my life I had just began my journey to better health and sharing with others health related information and was not knowledgeable enough to really help myself. I did know enough to stop the fast food and slow down on the cookies but my food consumption evolution had only just begun. Thankfully I continued, little by little, and discovered the way I should go. Slow and steady does win the race. And when it comes to weight loss slow and steady is wonderful because it provides the stability you need to keep the weight off for good.

As I neared the end of my weight-loss journey I encountered an eating plan geared towards diabetics and those with pre-diabetes. After a few tweaks I reformulated the plan and began to use it and experienced great success. Most of us know how difficult it is to lose those last 5-10 lbs. and I wasn’t excluded. With the anti-inflammation food plan I eliminated or limited significantly sugar, dairy and non-healthy fats intake. Combined with moderate exercise my metabolism skyrocketed and I exceeded my weight goal by two pounds. Before anyone gets the wrong impression please realize that my consistent habits over a three to four year period lead me to my goal. There is no magic formula, no silver bullet. You must be consistent over the long term for sustained success.

Having spent many years in the military I knew exactly what I needed to do to get the weight off from an exercise point of view. Admittedly I hate running. I find it torturous, beneficial, but torturous nonetheless. As you can imagine the weight didn’t come off easily because I found it difficult to commit enough to running but I did it anyway. I have two points to make here. The first is that sometimes you have to do things that you really don’t want to do to achieve your goals. Just make sure they lead to positive results. The second point I want to make is that one should definitely look for activities that excite and connect with you. For me I have found cycling to be a great workout and it has done wonders. Search for what gets you moving and do it. Track your progress, keep raising goals and hold yourself accountable (or find a buddy to help hold you accountable).

I definitely  believe in supplementation. Any supplement that is truly natural and provides non-toxic nourishment for the body I’m all for. Be diligent about what you buy and understand that it is nourishment the body needs not gimmicks. If you’re supplements are chemically based and filled with synthetic materials and synthetic vitamins beware. These things tend to create inflammation and encourages weight gain over the long term.

My primary goal for sharing my story is to let people know that with forethought, perseverance, and consistent change you can begin to lay the groundwork for long term and sustained weight loss. Establishing a sound eating plan and consistent activity will lay a proper foundation in case other issues need to be addressed (e.g. poor thyroid function, adrenal fatigue, the need for cleansing, chronic stress, etc.). I cannot stress enough how important it is to avoid gimmicky diet plans and supplements that could cover up or even exacerbate the issues given as an example above. Gimmicks can mask the true nature of why you are gaining weight or are unable to lose it. If you are interested I will be more than happy to provide my phase one and phase two eating plan food charts. Just email me at thoughtfulhealth@gmail.com and I will forward them to you. Go in good health!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Cold and Flu Season Advice

Powerful Immune support against the cold and flu 



With our first taste of Fall like weather (a welcome relief for most of us) now is a great time to prepare for the “cold and flu” season. Here are a few ideas for you and your loved ones.

What to Eat

Eating well and proper supplementation is key in helping your body fight the good fight. Unfortunately, we tend to rely or otherwise come into contact with an increased amount of comfort foods during this time of year because of the holidays (and perhaps increased alcohol use, as well, for many different reasons). Nourishing the body now with great all-natural nutritionals that contain vitamins and minerals will help either stave off a cold or assist in recovering from one more quickly. Proper vitamin and mineral levels at the start will assist for a faster finish. The old stand-by vegetables to stick close to would be the green leafy variety (spinach, cabbage, etc.) for their calcium and magnesium. Broccoli and tomatoes are excellent for their antioxidant powers. Carrots help increase the flow of blood and also deliver powerful antioxidants ensuring your entire system gets nourished. Incorporate onions and garlic into your eating plan as often as possible. Bacteria and other pathogens have a tough time against this dynamic duo. If you are interested in powerful liquid nutritionals perhaps you should try a fucoidan based beverage. It nourishes the immune system and could prove very effective in your fight against the ill effects of the flu. Read more about it at https://thoughtfulhealth.mysisel.com/en/US/productdetail.htm?id=26.

Exercise

Exercise is an often over looked aspect of cold prevention. Exercise in and of itself is a great detoxifier. Nitric oxide is produced during moderate to strenuous physical activity. This helps to not only keep arteries clear but also helps to remove impurities from the body allowing the immune system to rest and get ready for other potential threats. Getting your heart rate up and maintaining that higher rate for at least twenty minutes could save you days of misery.

Home Remedy

What should you do when you begin to feel the first tell-tale signs of cold or flu like symptoms? Make your own therapeutic syrup! It has been well established that cough syrups, especially for kids, do not work (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,181128,00.html). Follow this simple recipe to make a tonic that could stop or shorten your cold or flu symptoms:

•Honey (Unpasteurized to prevent enzyme destruction; usually a locally produced honey will not be pasteurized)

•Fresh garlic juice

•Organic or Natural Black Seed Oil (cold pressed only)

Mix equal parts black seed oil and garlic juice. Add honey to the mix to a consistency you prefer. It is best to mix and consume at the very first hint of trouble to prevent the onset of all the symptoms. It is also a great preventative so if you are prone to colds and flu take a tablespoon or more of this per week to build your immunity. This particular tonic has been used in our household for over a year and has proved to be very effective.

Following these tips could save you from the expense and misery caused by being sick any longer than you have to be, if at all. If you would like more tips or have a more specific concern contact me at thoughtfulhealth@gmail.com. Happy cooler temperatures to all!

A word of caution…When reading the article referenced for this report please know that I do not endorse the “alternative” to cough syrup sited in the article. The underlying cause should be addressed and the remedy listed above is one of many great alternatives.

Also, it is typically advisable to not give children under the age of two honey because of a potential allergic reaction to some enzymes found in honey. Consult you Healthcare Practioner before doing so.

Powerful Immune support against the cold and flu