Benefits of Hemp as Food In spite of the colorful history of this plant, there are many environmental benefits associated with the ease and speed with which it grows. Hemp has the potential to replace many textiles, paper products, building materials and fuels that are damaging to the environment. There are many different products that can be derived from industrial hemp; its role as a food source is one of the most exciting, due to the many health benefits that have recently been discovered. High in Plant Based Protein – The slow moving protein provided by hemp helps keep blood sugar regulated and aids in keeping you feeling more satisfied after a…

Hemp…It’s not Just for Getting High Anymore… Actually, that’s not true.  Hemp was never for getting high, but I wanted to get your attention!  Worked, didn’t it? You’ve probably heard about the struggle between states and the federal government regarding the cultivation of industrial hemp. But, did you know that hemp barely has any resemblance to the marijuana plant for which it is associated? They both come from the same species of cannabis plant, but the hemp variety has absolutely no psychoactive properties. Hemp does however, have a great deal of value as a sustainable crop offering seeds, oil, fiber, and so much more. It can be used to make textiles,…

One Diet Doesn’t Fit All… I have a friend who has put herself on the Paleo Diet.  She’s been on it for a couple of weeks, but really isn’t losing much weight…only a pound or two so far.  We were talking about it yesterday, and she was telling me how good she’s being about what she’s eating;  she’s been sticking to the diet, not drinking alcohol and doesn’t understand why she’s not losing more weight. The question that occurred to me was to ask her about her portion size when she eats.  That struck a nerve.  Turned out she knows she’s eating too much. Then we talked a bit about…

Are you taking an antidepressant?  If the answer is “yes”, believe me, you’re not alone… Did you know that 23% of women in their 40s and 50s take antidepressants?  In fact, women are more likely to take antidepressants than men.  Antidepressant use does not appear to be affected by income status, and in the past 20 years, the prescription and use of antidepressants have increased dramatically to the point that one in ten Americans is currently taking some version of an antidepressant.  This is regardless of age, sex or income. Are we appropriately managing and relieving depression, or are we as a nation being misdiagnosed and needlessly over-medicated?   Who is responsible for…

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia I was so sad yesterday to read that Glen Campbell had been moved to an Alzheimer’s facility that will keep him safe and will provide him with 24 hour care. Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia are devastating diseases. How many of us have been affected by Alzheimer’s disease or by dementia?  Too many of us, I know.  My dad had Parkinson’s and suffered from the dementia associated with that disease. My mom died of end-stage dementia which was probably fast-forwarded by a series of strokes she had shortly after my dad passed away. It’s a long road for everyone but especially for the victim while they’re still “with…

How Can You Get Off Sugar? Recently, I was talking with my friend and client, Jill, about my adventures with food and the improvements to my weight, mood and overall improved health.  She said she wishes she could “get off sugar”.  She said she does for a while, but keeps falling off the wagon.  She’ll do well for a period of time, and then goes right back to the evil stuff. It made me think about how to talk to people about giving up sugar. I think, because sugar is highly addictive, it’s not a simple answer.  For some people, just stopping is the only way to go while others do…

Step #4 Gut Health – Heal Your Gut Chronic inflammation, if unchecked, is the precursor to most if not all disease! There’s a good chance you have some irritation and inflammation in your gut already. If you don’t take steps to reduce the inflammation, it can create real problems for you down the road.  Take heart though; there are some easy ways to heal your gut.  These include: Getting enough Omega 3 fatty acids – Eat cold water fish several times a week or take an omega 3 supplement. Make sure the fish you eat is wild caught, not farmed. Omega 3s reduce inflammation throughout your body, and healthy fats are great for your organs and vital…

Step #2 – Identify and Eliminate Food Sensitivities and Allergies to Improve Your Gut Health It’s becoming more and more common for people to suffer from food sensitivities, and that affects their gut health. On a very simple level, food sensitivities and allergies can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation. They can cause skin irritation like acne or eczema, and on a more serious level, they can also cause inflammation, malnutrition, and even depression or neurological symptoms. The key to identifying if you have any sensitivity is to go on an elimination diet. It’s not as difficult as it sounds. In fact, it’s pretty simple. You eliminate the most…

Eat Whole, Unprocessed Foods to Improve Your Gut Health Busy lives mean that many of us turn to foods that are quick and easy to eat. We eat sugary cereal, frozen pizzas and boxes of food that come ready to eat. These foods are highly processed and are seriously devoid of the micronutrients our bodies need to be healthy and fully functional. They contain unhealthy kinds of fat and large amounts of sugar and chemicals that are added to them so they taste good, but they’re not good for gut health. These highly processed foods can wreak havoc in your gut. Not only are the chemicals detrimental to the bacteria…

Let’s spend some time talking about what you can do to improve your gut health! Over the next week or two, we’ll discuss five different steps you can take to improve your digestive health also known as your gut health. Each of these steps will have a significant impact on your overall mental and physical well being.  Your mental and physical health are intricately linked.  Remember; you are what you eat! Attempting to adopt all the steps into your lifestyle at once can feel overwhelming. We want you to succeed, so we’ll take it slowly. First, decide what you’d like your changes to be.  It might be losing some weight or…