Optimizing Health 150 results

10 Amazing Health Benefits of Walking

Trekking on the Camino in Spain, I learned an important lesson. I walked 125 km of the trail in 8 days, which means about 15 km per day. Some days it was 25 km, some days just 8. My body was weary, however my mind and spirit felt total joy and freedom! My skeleton and musculature were gently realigned each day. Even better, I enjoyed a time of peace, a chance to be with myself away from WiFi, computer, and cell phone. Yes, I was tired, however when I arrived in Santiago de Compostela and the Finisterre ocean at the end of the trip, I felt AWESOME! ...

How to Eat Monsanto-Free in Restaurants

Eating out is a time to enjoy a meal with friends. A few leading edge restaurants serve GMO-free, local, organic, or Monsanto-free food. If they don’t, they might be interested to learn how. Remember that eating GMO-free is nice, but it doesn’t rule out toxic pesticides and herbicides on conventional crops. To protect yourself from all industrial food chemicals, you've got to ask for 100% Organic. If you're in Los Angeles or NYC, just use the handy Clean Plates App on your smartphone to find an organic meal! ...

Uh Oh! Big Loopholes in Organic Regulations

Yep, expect a few surprises here. What does it really mean to be certified organic? Who are the BIGGEST producers of organic foods? What are the 3 levels of organic? Are "organic" farms tested by the USDA? How is increasing demand for organic causing more lenient enforcement? Are there stiff penalties for failing to meet requirements? What about international organic foods - are they actually reliable?...

Feeding Intelligence

By Jane Barthelemy. What is your most valuable personal asset? Most people would agree that intelligence is right up at the top of the list. We spend time and effort building our appearance, and our physical assets. But how can we stimulate healthy brain function? What can we do to build intelligence? ...

Is GMO-free Safe to Eat? NO! Many non-GMO foods harvested with Glyphosate!

Is GMO-free food safe? The shocking answer is NO. Sadly, GMO isn't our only health risk. Monsanto's toxic pesticides and herbicides like Glyphosate are widely used on both GMO and non-GMO foods. To be safe and chemical-free, we need to eat 100% Organic. This article shows surprising new scientific research, clearly linking many common chronic diseases to Glyphosate. ...

Best Paleo Sweeteners

  By Jane Barthelemy. The spotlight is on Paleo Sweeteners - minimally processed that don't raise blood sugar. We live in times when sugars and refined carbs in industrial foods are causing epidemic health challenges worldwide. Many people are turning to the Paleo diet for guidance. What did our ancestors eat? ...

Raw Milk a Superfood? My Udder Surprise!

You might wonder - what's a Paleo enthusiast doing with milk? As a firm dairy-free advocate, I've been reading studies about the immune boosting properties of raw milk. Could it be true or hype? So I decided to try it. To my total and "udder" surprise, almost immediately I noticed a higher energy level. My skin was smoother. Little skin spots vanished. I slept ...

Vanquish a Virus with Food & Lifestyle

By Jane Barthelemy. Did you know there are over 400 different viruses that can affect your health? And over 200 viruses that can cause a common cold? No matter if you have the flu or another virus, there's a LOT you can do to build your immune system and eat in ways that will clear a virus. Other virus-based illnesses include chicken pox, mumps, hepatitis, ...

Preventing Parkinson’s and Neuropathy

By Jane Barthelemy. Over one million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease. An additional 100,000 are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year, with countless cases unreported. Worldwide, 7 to 10 million people live with ...

Should You Go Gluten-Free?

By Jane Barthelemy. Are you ready for a new perspective on gluten? Bread is the staff of life. And money! Gluten-free is the fastest growing niche in grocery stores. The gluten-free market was recently valued at $4.63 billion per year, and projected to grow to $7.59 billion within a short time. While it is true that gluten reactions are increasingly common, ...

Food affects your body, mood & life quality!

Guest post by Dr. Eva Selhub, MD, Harvard Health Publications. I'm glad the research is finally IN! Yes, think about it. Your brain is always “on.”  It takes care of your thoughts and movements, your breathing and heartbeat, your senses — it works hard 24/7, even while you’re asleep. This means your brain requires a constant supply ...

Emotional Eating? 5 Reasons You Can’t Stop

Many people believe that emotional eating is due to a lack of self-control. However studies suggest this is simply not the case. Here are 5 factors that contribute to emotional eating, and 5 practical solutions! Guest post by Jennifer Kromberg, PsyD, Psychology Today...

The Food We Eat Changes Our Genes!

“Nearly all of a cell’s genes are influenced by changes to the nutrients they have access to. In fact, in many cases the effects were so strong that changing a cell's metabolic profile could make certain genes behave differently.” ...

Good-bye Sugar Cravings. Hello Health!

It's 3:30 pm, your brain is getting foggy, your energy is a bit low, your nerves are on edge, and you need a sweet snack. Sound familiar? Sugar cravings are a very physical reality in our lives. Sugar stimulates the brain’s reward centers through the neuro-transmitter dopamine, just like other addictive drugs. Foods high in fat and sugar stimulate ...

Are There Any Almonds in Your Almond Milk?

Have you ever wondered how many almonds are in your almond milk? I compared four brands to find the number of almonds used. The results are astonishing. This won't be my most popular post. There are only 9 to 14 almonds in 2 cups of commercial almond milk. A profitable business model indeed! ...

Top 10 Ways to Build Your Immune System

By Jane Barthelemy. Your immune system is your most precious resource. In the past century, changes in the global micro-biome have challenged our delicate internal eco-systems, precipitating many of the major health issues we face today. Our environment is continually infused with new chemicals, ...

6 Surprising Tips to Lick Colds & Flu

By Jane Barthelemy. Any change in the weather can shock your immune system. That's when we get sniffles, colds, and flus. Microbes are everywhere, just waiting for opportunities. They float in the air, we share them with family and friends, spreading them with our hands. We spend good money on medications, and we lose time from the things we must do....

Paleo Sweets with no sugar spike or weight gain?

Sound too good to be true? Nope, it’s real. My big "aha!" discovery is how to make healthy desserts with no blood sugar rush or added pounds. Let me explain how this is possible. Easy! Simply follow my recipes, using original, unrefined, low carb, low glycemic Paleo ingredients like coconut, almond flour, and chicory root sweetener. ...

End Your Food Cravings & Addictions

By Jane Barthelemy. Something amazing happened last week. My cravings vanished, and my body released all that stress. OMG, this is the happy balance I've been wanting for years! Finally it happened! All week, there was no craving for sweets, no moodiness or familiar addictive message demanding chips or chocolate. Nope. Just quiet balance. ...

Egg Buyers, Beware

By Jane Barthelemy. You're in the grocery store looking for non-GMO eggs, and it's confusing. What is the truth behind these terms: Free-Range, Organic, Cage-free? Are any of these eggs Paleo? While most have legal meanings, the labels are purposely misleading. For example, did you know that pasture-raised hens may receive up to 30% of their diet in GMO grains? GMO grains are NOT Paleo....