Calling All Wheat Bellies...And Grain Brains

Two books that I have reading of late (along with a bunch of other people in the area) are Wheat Belly  by William Davis, MD and Grain Brain by David Perlmutter, MD. These two gentlemen are a cardiologist and neurosurgeon, respectfully, so I figure their information and advice is not going to be fly by night silliness.

To say that my eyes were opened by these books is an understatement. I've read all of Grain Brain and I'm knee-deep into Wheat Belly. Nonetheless, I am already convinced that I don't need the current product called wheat in my diet. So, I'm cruising along these days living the GF (gluten free) life to the best of my ability. 

It's interesting to explore just how "front and center" gluten is in our lives. Take any kind of bread, for instance. With few exceptions--especially here in Southern Indiana--gluten-y bread is everywhere. Add to this pastries, pastas, cookies, cakes, pies...well, you get the picture. Getting away from this can be tricky.

I'm trying currently to find something GF that will work for sandwiches. I know there are GF breads out there, but paying $7.00+ for a loaf of bread just doesn't really appeal to me. So...to the lab aka the kitchen I go.

Dr. Davis has a recipe for tortillas made of flax seed meal in the Wheat Belly book. I'm currently trying them out to see how they best work for us. For the recipe, see the Recipes page on this website.

Give these books a read--very interesting how wheat can play havoc in our lives from our brains to our muscles and everything in between.

Making the Decision to Eat Healthier...Are We There Yet?

Are we there yet?
Are we there yet?

Anyone out there have a little brother or sister that used that mantra on every car trip, whether it was across town or across the country?

Make that mantra work for you...when it come to making that decision to eat healthier. 

According to the deluge of articles from the Sunday Indianapolis Star, you'll also be in style with the latest craze...healthy eating.

Really. Being healthy has now become a craze. Wow.

Nevertheless...whatever it takes. It's incredibly important that we all start paying much closer attention to what goes into our mouths. The growing majority of us are overweight (or obese), pre-diabetic (or full-blown diabetic), pre-hypertensive (or hypertensive). And all this can be turned around.

One plate at a time.

So...are we there yet?

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Be sure to check the Recipes  page for a cauliflower falafel. Pretty tasty!

Spring Break in Pike County

I see that it is officially Spring Break for the Pike County Schools. How about starting off the week with some healthy activities? The weather isn't going to exactly cooperate with highs only in the 40s, but there are several things that encourage health that can be done.

1. Take a walk--bundle up and enjoy the sunshine.

2. Re-evaluate your gym equipment--you might be amazed to find that you have your own gym...a little equipment collected here and there over the years results in some good stuff for improved health!

3. Make some changes for healthier eating during the week...come up with some healthy things to take for your lunches after returning to school. Be sure to include plenty of healthy fats, some good protein, and go easy on the carbohydrates.

4. Make a pact with yourself to lose the muffin top if you have one. According to Wheat Belly by William Davis, MD, fat located in this area of the body is not conducive to good health, and it's important to lose those unwanted inches in that area.

5. Get caught up on sleep...but do it during the correct hours of the night. Sometimes it's tempting to sleep in and then stay up extra late. Don't forget that we're all on cyclical cycles of circadian sleep (say that fast three times). When the cycle is out of sync, the adrenals start taking a beating. After so long, the adrenals more or less surrender and the balance in the body is overtaken by foggy brain, confusion, and inability to concentrate...not fun.

Happy Spring Break and here's to returning to school in the best shape you can be!

We Made It!! WELCOME SPRING

I know that there are snow showers in the forecast, but today is the first day of SPRING...and that's a relief. I know I'm in the majority out there that welcomes the season and gladly bids winter a fond farewell.

It also gives me the itch to start seeing some green from homegrown plantings. 

If you feel the same way, it's pretty easy to grow your own spring greens for some great salads. Here's what you'll need:

A plant starter box (usually a light-weight rectangular box with a clear plastic lid and some peat pot-type plant medium and seed holders)

A potting medium (light-weight is good for seedlings)

Seeds (local garden stores now have seeds in stock)

A grow-light in order to give seedlings enough steady light

It's a lot of fun for all ages to start a garden like this on a small scale. Once the seeds are planted, watered (it's best to water from the bottom and keep it moist), and the lid is secured, condensation will start to appear. This is exactly the growing environment you want for your plants to thrive. Adjust the grow light so it's just a very few inches above the planter. If you have a nice, pleasant day (around 70 degrees and sunny), be sure to take the planter outside for a boost of the sun.

Before you know it you'll be seeing some salad greens, spinach, or other seasonal plants "springing" up all over! 

Farmers Market Meeting Tuesday Night...Come Join Us!

THE FIRST MEETING OF THE 2014 FARMERS MARKET WILL BE HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 18, AT 6:00 P.M. AT LOG ENDS BED AND BREAKFAST. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN SELLING PRODUCE, CRAFTS, BAKED GOODS, ETC., OR JOINING IN WITH A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, PLEASE COME JOIN US FOR THIS INFORMATIONAL MEETING. THE MORE THE MERRIER! LET'S MAKE THIS THE BEST FARMERS MARKET WE CAN!

Grocery Shopping 101

Some of us actually enjoy grocery shopping...most, however, do not. I've heard many a person-female or male--lament the dreaded trip to the grocery store. 

When you're thinking about or attempting to eat healthier, there are some real short-cuts to a grocery store; it does, in fact, make the whole experience more timely.

It's not at all necessary to shop every aisle of a grocery store--most of them are useless to healthy shoppers.  

Always shop the perimeter at first. Here you will find the fresh/perishable foods, i.e. vegetables, fruits, dairy, meats.  The doughnuts are usually on the perimeter, too, but you know better...right?

You can dive into the aisles in specific areas--nuts and seeds; healthy oils; GF and/or healthy condiments; GF and/or healthy grains; dark chocolate; the freezer section to find frozen meats, fruits, and vegetables; teas and coffee. That pretty much covers the needed geographic area of the store.

The next time you're planning a visit to the grocery, try shopping the outside first; see how much you have in your cart. If, after you visit the aisles you find much more in your cart, re-examine your choices. 

Be well! 

"Spring" into a New Healthy Eating Pattern!

One week from today will be the first day of spring...we're almost there!

How about giving it the proper welcome by beginning a new healthy way of eating on the first day? Just think how incredible you'll feel by the first day of summer!

I know...who wants to give up all the good stuff? All the pre-diabetes, the full-blown type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, poor muscle tone, aching joints, etc...who on earth would want to give all that up?

YOU, I hope, if you find yourself with any of these issues.

It's truly not difficult to change the way you eat for the better. It IS, however, difficult to get your mind changed to eating better. If you find yourself in this category, there are all kinds of good folks in the county that will happily help you get started.

The main thing is to be HEALTHY. Don't take shortcuts with your health. Be sure to take careful and sensible steps. But DO give healthy living a try. 

Happy soon-to-be spring!