Monday 26 August 2013

Almond Milk


I find that store bought almond milk has additives, so I find it easy and preferable to make my own for my smoothies.  Enjoy!
Fresh, homemade almond milk is a easy to make from scratch. This homemade almond milk recipe is a completely raw food recipe, a real raw treat! Use your homemade almond milk in smoothies or shakes, soups and other raw food dishes. If you like homemade almond milk, you might also want to try a homemade cashew milk recipe or another dairy substitute.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • water for soaking nuts
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 dates (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla (optional)

Preparation:

Soak the almonds in water overnight or for at least 6 hours.
Drain the water from the almonds and discard. Blend the 3 cups of water, almonds and dates until well blended and almost smooth.
Strain the blended almond mixture using a cheesecloth or other strainer.
Homemade raw almond milk will keep well in the refrigerator for three or four days.

Smoothie Cupboard

PictureI have been asked many times about my smoothie cupboard.  So here is a list of many of my favourite ingredients.  They are favourites because they work well for my body, so you will need to test them out to see if it is the same for you.  I have put a * beside the basics as I have added to it over time.  I have highlighted the benefits of most of the foods, and will go into more detail, next repost.

PROTEIN POWDER
Sun Warrior - Warrior Blend Raw Protein*
This dynamic fusion creates a unique, raw, plant-based protein with a complete amino acid profile, exceptionally high in Glutamine, Arginine, Lysine, Luecine, and branch chain amino acids. WARRIOR BLEND is the next generation raw, plant-based protein - an easily-digestible, nutrient- dense superfood, perfect for those who want to be ultra-healthy and fit.

SWEETENERS
Lucuma powder *
Navitas Naturals Lucuma Powder is made from whole Peruvian lucuma fruit that has been dried at low temperatures and milled into a fine powder. This low-glycemic sweetener contains many nutrients including beta-carotene, iron, zinc, vitamin B3, calcium and protein. Yellow lucuma powder has a unique, maple-like taste that’s a delight in a variety of recipes.
Also it has been reported to prevent West Nile Disease

Honey  - choose a local honey, as it will contain the pollens you are exposed to
Manuka Honey - Hydrogen peroxide is a component of honey. It gives most honey its antibiotic quality. But some types of honey, including manuka honey, also have other components with antibacterial qualities.
The major antibacterial component in manuka honey is methylglyoxal (MG). MG is a compound found in most types of honey, but usually only in small quantities.
In manuka honey, MG comes from the conversion of another compound -- dihydroxyacetone -- that is found in high concentration in the nectar of manuka flowers.
MG is thought to give manuka honey its antibacterial power. The higher the concentration of MG, the stronger the antibiotic effect.

Dutchman's Gold Honey with Royal Jelly - local honey
Contains an extraordinarily high concentration of vitamins B5, B6, and amino acids and is believed to be a potent antioxidant and a special rejuvenating substance that promotes tissue growth, muscle and cell regeneration

Dutchman's Gold Honey with Bee Pollen - local honey
Researchers have demonstrated that there is a substance in bee pollen that inhibits the development of numerous harmful bacteria. Experiments have shown bee pollen contains an antibiotic factor effective against salmonella and some strains of bacteria. On the clinical level, studies have shown that a regulatory effect on intestinal function can be attributed to bee pollen. The presence of a high proportion of cellulose and fiber in pollen, as well as the existence of antibiotic factors, all contribute to an explanation for this efficacious effect.
It is reported that bee pollen in the diet acts to normalize cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood: Upon the regular ingestion of bee pollen, a reduction of cholesterol and triglycerides was observed. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) increased, while low-density lipoproteins (LDL) decreased. A normalization of blood serum cholesterol levels is also seen.

Maple Syrup - alkalinizing, cleansing
The newly-discovered compounds are types of lignans, also found in flax seed and whole wheat, a stilbene, which is in the same chemical class as the red wine extract resveratrol, and flavonoids, which are known for their anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antioxidant properties.

Banana Flakes/ Powder

Heart and nerves: Bananas contain a high dose of potassium - an essential ingredient to keep your heart and nervous system in good shape. Potassium is essential for proper muscle contraction and hence plays an important role in muscle-influenced activities including: the normal rhythmic pumping of the heart, digestion, muscular movements, etc.
Some studies have also linked low potassium intake to high blood pressure and increased risk of stroke. Most Americans don’t get enough potassium in their diet (recommended dose is about 4 g per day) - blame it on our fast food culture.
Including a banana (or two) in your diet everyday would take you a step closer towards getting your daily recommended dose of potassium .
Kidneys and bones: Benefits to the kidneys and the bones are again due to the high potassium content of bananas. A normal intake of potassium suppresses calcium excretion in the urine and minimizes the risk of kidney stones. Also, for the same reason (suppressing of calcium excretion), it minimizes the loss of calcium from the body and thereby reduces the risk of osteoporosis .
Mild sedatives: Bananas contain tryptophan (although it’s not one of the major sources, a medium still contains about 10.6 mg of tryptophan). Tryptophan is one of the 20 amino acids which are building blocks of proteins .
Blood: are one of the highest sources of naturally available vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 plays an important role in converting tryptophan to serotonin (read #3 above), and also helps the body to make hemoglobin - a crucial ingredient of your blood. Vitamin B6 is also essential for antibody production and to maintain a healthy immune response. It also helps to convert carbohydrates to glucose and thereby maintains proper blood sugar levels.


HEATHY FATS
MCT*
Coconut Oil - Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed*
Cacao Butter

OTHER
Raw Cacao Powder
Rose Water - Food Grade
Mint Oil - Food Grade
Coconut Flakes
Matcha

IN THE FRIDGE
Kale
Greens
Cilantro
Parsley













Tuesday 20 August 2013

Dave’s Healthy Dip Recipe for snacking


For chips
(makes enough for 1 person)
I like it hot so you can adjust, combine, remove, add any other ingredients to what you like.
1/ 150 to 200 grams of 0% Fat Organic Meadow Greek Yogurt (Longos, Whole Foods & Organic Garage)
2/ Cayenne pepper ground – ½ level teaspoon (Bulk Barn)
3/ Organic Turmeric – ½ level teaspoon (Whole Foods)
4/ Mr’s Dash – 1 level teaspoon (Costco)
5/ Dry Dill – 2 level teaspoon (Bulk Barn)
6/ Garlic Powder – 1 level teaspoon (Costco)
7/ Dry Oregano – 1 level teaspoon (Bulk Barn)
8/ Dry Ground hot Red pepper – couple sprinkles (Costco)
CHIPS – Kettle baked sea salt chips 113 gram bag – even if you eat the whole bag it is only  12  grams of fat (safflower or sunflower oil) and 570 mg of salt. Other chips are 3 to 4 X more fat and salt.  (Whole Foods, Organic Garage) 
ENJOY!
Oakville 

Thursday 8 August 2013

Meditation Course for Correcting Biology and Neurobiology



Please contact the clinic and reserve your space.


September WEDNESDAYS 10 AM - 1 spaces
September TUESDAYS  10AM -        3 spaces


July/Aug COURSEFULL.


DUE TO A SECOND CLASS OFFERED IN SEPTEMBER THERE ARE A SMALL NUMBER OF SPACES OPEN in the following:

November THURSDAYS 7PM - FULL


Please send an e-mail to sign up for the next available course that will be offered.  



Natalie is offering a 5 week course on positively changing the brain through the 5 meditation techniques.


Neuroplasticity research demonstrates that people can use meditation to alter their brain such that it thinks more positively.  Depending on the pattern of thought that one is using, one can alter this unuseful way of thinking by applying the correct meditation technique to the fixed thought pattern.

Week 1 - Concentration practice to improve attention and  self-regulation
Week 2 - Noticing practice for fixations and depression
Week 3 - Loving kindness for reparenting
Week 4 - The 4 contemplations for anger or being stuck
Week 5 - Visualizations for achieving the 3 C's (connected, count, capable),  mind like sky for reparenting

Cost is $150.00

Limited to 8 people.

Please send me an e-mail at westsidehealthclinic@sympatico.ca if you would like to join the course, and if day or evening works best for you.

I highly recommended you take this course if you are a current patient.  This course is part of new patient's protocols.  Research has demonstrated that meditation lowers blood pressure, decreases inflammation, reduces pain, increases happiness, decreases stress, depression, and anxiety.

Natalie has been meditating for 25 years.  Her teacher is Jack Kornfield PhD.  Natalie is also trained extensively in neurobiology and the science of attachment.