" . . . but I love cheese!"

If you have a cheese addiction and you are serious about overcoming it, take these three basic steps:

1. GET INFORMED
2. LEARN ABOUT DAIRY ALTERNATIVES
3. JUST SAY "NO" AND BREAK THE ADDICTION

1. GET INFORMED about the adverse health effects of eating cheese as well as the enormously negative impact of the dairy industry on our planet, and of course the terrible toll on the animals exploited for their mammary gland secretions and the tragic fate of their offspring.

http://www.vegsource.com/julieanna-hever-ms-rd/10-reasons-to-ditch-dairy.html

http://www.vegsource.com/news/2010/05/happy-dairy-propaganda-vs-undercover-reality-video.html

http://www.veglov.com/2011/02/white-poison-horrors-of-milk.html

"For an animal that would normally produce just one gallon of milk per day for her baby (not up to 15 gallons for the breakfast of some 30 families of humans), extreme amounts of hormones are introduced into dairy cows in order to cater to public demand for milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, etc...

A dairy cow's udders will bloat well beyond normality, causing severe pain, discomfort and most often, they drag on the ground, leading to sores as well as infections.  Over 50 different antibiotics are used to keep such infections in order.  Each serving of dairy that most humans drink contain these hormones and antibiotics.

A legal cubic centimeter of mil is allowed to contain up to 750,000 animal blood/pus cells and 20,000 living bacteria.  This says nothing of the pesticides, herbicides and dioxins which are common in dairy at up to 200 times what is considered to be safe levels.  Some of the hormones used to keep cows pumping out milk, such as Insulin-like Growth Factor One (IFG-1), have been scientifically linked to breast, prostate and colon cancer in human consumers."
~  The AELLA team  ~

2. LEARN ABOUT DAIRY ALTERNATIVES to milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and ice cream.  There are plenty of ways to fulfill your rich and creamy cravings without consuming the milk from another species.

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-health/easy-tips-to-help-you-ditch-dairy/

http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com/2012/04/cheeseaholics-anonymous-truth-about.html

DAIRY SUBSTITUTES:

Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds and Mozzarella Style Shreds
Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread, Soy Garden Natural Buttery Spread and Vegan Buttery Sticks
Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet Cheese Alternative
Galaxy Nutritional Foods Parmesan Flavor Grated Soy Topping
MimicCream Non-Dairy, Non-Soy Nut Cream
Rice Dream Non-Diary Beverages
Smart Balance Light Original Buttery Spread with Flax
So Delicious Non-Diary Frozen Dessert
Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese and Soy-Cheese Slices
WhiteWave Silk Chocolate Soy Milk
WholeSoy & Co Soy Yogurt

3. JUST SAY "NO" AND BREAK THE ADDICTION.  Once you really understand what you are eating when you choose dairy, cheese, yogurt, butter and ice cream, and you become more mindful of the saturated fat and sugar content you are consuming, you will begin to question why.
REMEMBER: the food you eat is the food you wear.

http://freefromharm.org/health-nutrition/addicted-to-cheese-and-ice-cream-the-opiate-qualities-of-dairy/

There is no doubt: Dairy is Addictive.  As long as you continue to eat it, your body will crave it.  But, addictions like dairy don't have to control you.  Try and dairy fast for three weeks; your taste buds will change and you will find the craving greatly weakened or even gone!  You can take control of your addiction with a little effort and knowledge that allow you to make informed decisions.  And you can take pride in the satisfaction that you are doing something good for yourself, for the earth and for the animals.

You can happily and healthfully go from saying, "I love cheese" to "I loved cheese".

After all, are your taste buds really worth this kind of suffering?:

Antioxidant Awareness

Carotenoids support the immune system and act as a powerful antioxidant.
Carotenoids convert to Vitamin A, which plays a key role in vision, reproduction, bone growth, tissue repair, and cell function.  They also help to stave off infections.   

Carotenoids and Vitamin A are found in:
apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, mango, peaches, peppers, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watercress, winter & butternut squash.

Flavanoids inhibit tumor cell growth and detoxify harmful substance. 
Flavanoids are found in Vitamin C, which is necessary for the formation of collagen, the protein that makes skin, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.  Without it, wounds would not heal and cartilage, bones and teeth would break down.
Flavanoids and Vitamin C are found in:
blackcurrants, broccoli, cabbage, citrus fruits (grapefruit, lemons, limes, oranges), cranberries, green leafy vegetables, green peppers, kiwi, mango, parsley, papaya, peaches, pomegranate, purple grapes, strawberries, tomatoes.

Vitamin E has strong antioxidant properties which may play a key role in immune function, tissue healing, skin health, metabolic processes and repairing DNA. 
For these reasons, Vitamin E is used to protect against disease.
Vitamin E is found in:
apples, avocado, carrots, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, tomatoes, whole grains.

Anthocyanins destroy free radicals.
Anthocyanins are found in:
blueberries, plums, purple grapes

Lutein has been shown to protect against cataracts and macular degeneration by eliminating excess estrogen and carcinogens.

Lutein is found in:

broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kiwi, spinach

Lycopene is an antioxidant associated with a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer and sun damage to the skin.

Lycopene is found in:

guava, pink grapefruit, tomatoes and tomato products, watermelon

Selenium interacts with proteins to manufacture antioxidant enzymes called selenoproteins, which may help regulate thyroid function and support the immune system.
Selenium is found in:
garlic, whole grains

Fresh From the Farmers Market

Fresh Air, Fresh Produce, a Fresh Perspective on Food:
Nothing here is processed, chemicalized, denatured, depressed, devoid of nutrients.
Everything is fresh, local, made with love and care.
Please enjoy this series of photographs I took on my most recent visit to the local Farmer's Market!

Fabulous Fruits and Flowers:
Peaches, Plums and Nectarines brought home, washed, and eaten almost immediately (too good)!

 Apricots:

 Blackberries and Blueberries:

 Strawberries:

 Edible flowers - what could be more beautiful???

Gorgeous Greens:
Arugula Micro-Greens:

 Romaine Lettuce (I also bought spinach):

 Assorted Sprouts and Shoots:

A Variety of Vegetables: 
Summer Squash:

 Eggplant, Peppers, Zucchini:

 Tantalizing Tomatoes:

Adorable Mother and Daughter vendors:
Day Dream Farm:

A Very Vegan Stand:
MUST visit their website, check 'em out:

Meet Stephanie and Justin:

 Vegan Cheese Sauce AND Oil-Free!

 Delicious, Savory Soups:

THE JOYS OF JUICING

Blend your own fruits and vegetables for delicious liquid refreshment, concentrated antioxidants and pytochemicals, and plant enzymes that aid in digestion.

CLICK HERE to follow my cleanse and for further recipes

Soothing Indigestion and Easing Inflammation: 

Papaya and Pineapple juices contain the enzymes papain and bromelain (respectively) that ease pain in the upper abdomen:

CLICK HERE for further details and some simple recipes
Preventing Cancer: 

Red Pepper and Carrot cocktail is rich in sources of antioxidants beta carotene and vitamin C:

CLICK HERE for another great site and some more super recipes
Absorbing Iron: 

Fresh Citrus juices make ideal components to greens as they contain plenty of vitamin C which helps the body absorb iron from foods:

INFLAMMATION ELIMINATION: An Anti-Inflammatory Approach To Eating

BEST ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FRUITS


Acerola cherries
All berries
Avocados
Black currants
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Guava
Lemon peel
Melon
Olives
Papaya
Pineapple


BEST ANTI-INFLAMMATORY NUTS


Almonds
Brazil nuts
Hazelnuts
Macadamia
Walnuts


BEST ANTI-INFLAMMATORY SAUCES


Hot red pepper
Salsa


BEST ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FERMENTED FOODS


Miso Paste
Saurkraut


BEST ANTI-INFLAMMATORY SEEDS


Chia
Flax
Hemp
Pumpkin
Sunflower


BEST ANTI-INFLAMMATORY SPICES


Cayenne pepper
Curry
Garlic
Ginger
Hot chili peppers
Onion powder
Turmeric


BEST ANTI-INFLAMMATORY VEGETABLES


Avocado
Broccoli
Carrots
Cauliflower
Chives
Dark, leafy greens (Collards, Kale, Parsley, Spinach)
Grape leaves
Jalapeno peppers
Onions
Pumpkin
Radish
Turnip

My Wellness Counts

The Benefits of Working with me as your own Personal Health and Wellness Counselor.

The reason for this blog today is to let you know why having a personal Health and Wellness Counselor in your corner, can make all the difference to you achieving success in attaining your health and lifestyle goals.
http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/10/when-a-health-coach-is-better-than-a-doctor/

The individual attention you receive from a one-on-one meeting with me, a Certified Health Coach, is entirely different from the typical 5 or 10-minute conversation you might have with your doctor (after you have been kept waiting for 30 minutes to get in), which typically ends in the prescribing of a pill to "cure" what ails you!

At My Wellness Counts, I offer my clients time, guidance, and inspiration to help shift behavior to healthier habits.  I consult with my clients in-person, over the phone and via Skype, so even if you live a thousand miles away, we can still make that personal connection (love that!).

Clients develop a deeper understanding of food and lifestyle choices that work specifically to improve their individual lives and their own bodies.

 Most nutritionists give their clients a list of foods to avoid, which explains why so many people fail in adhering to the restrictions; I add in healthy foods that support your body so that your body re-learns and re-adapts to know what it needs and what it does not.
 Many people are frustrated by cravings for “bad” foods which tend to make them feel guilty or engage in deprivation; I know that cravings are our body’s way of communicating to us that something is missing, perhaps out of balance nutritionally or otherwise.
 Most people have heard the expression “you are what you eat”, but did you also know that what you eat directly affects your blood, your cells, your thinking, your energy?  I believe there is a direct correlation between what we eat and how that food makes us feel.  Food has energetic properties and distinct qualities that have a direct impact on our thoughts and our feelings and our actions.

See what some of my clients have had to say about the changes they have made working with me at My Wellness Counts:
http://mywellnesscounts.com/client-testimonials-0

Nutritional and Lifestyle changes are implemented over time, gradually, so that they can be understood and integrated as clients observe their own body’s responses to various modifications, choose health-promoting behaviors that work for them, and eventually become self-sufficient in knowing how to improve energy, balance, health and happiness.

If you are intrigued, or are ready right now to begin enjoying
the life you really deserve, 

It’s Time We Talked.

Simply complete this brief Health Form and I will call you to schedule your complimentary 30-minute Health Consultation:
http://mywellnesscounts.com/forms

What do you have to lose, or more importantly: what do you have to gain?
(702) 443-4339
saridennis@gmail.com

5 Tips To Better Food Preparation

So, you have just returned from the grocery store with your shopping bags full of healthy, beautiful and colorful produce, inspired by good intentions and a desire to have all of your food prepared for the week ahead (yay!).

Did you know that in order to turn these good intentions into working realities, you must not put your groceries directly into your refrigerator? – at least, not yet!

Preparing your food begins the moment you bring your groceries home.

Here are some tips to help you prepare your foods ahead of time so that when you are hungry, nutritious food is accessible and available.

Remember, it can be so easy to reach for something healthy (so long as you have it on hand), and so much better for you.

1. Clean and cut up all vegetables (carrots, peppers, celery, radishes) and divide them either into individual containers or mix them all together and put into containers for grab-and-go convenience.
Extra Tip:
It might be worth it for you to buy pre-cut veggies, or even purchase a Cuisinart as this process only takes seconds to perform.

2. Plan your meals ahead of time in order to prevent last minute scavenging.  Consider keeping an easy-to-follow guide on hand that allows you a starting point, and every week you can tweak it by using a variety of different herbs, spices, vegetables, grains, sauces, etc., to keep it fresh and new.
For Example:
Monday is Italian, Tuesday is Soup and Salad, Wednesday is Stir-Fry, Thursday is Wraps and Rice, Friday is Mexican, Saturday is a Surprise, Sunday is Slow-Cooker and food prep day.

3. Wash all lettuces thoroughly, pat dry and roll up in paper towels.  Put into a large zip-lock bag leaving the zip partially unlocked to allow air to flow through. The paper towel will absorb any excess water thereby acting as a “humidifier”, keeping the greens fresh and crisp for a longer period of time. Taking a few extra minutes to do this right away makes it easy to put together wraps, salads, soups, sandwiches, anything later on - it is all clean and ready to use.

4. Cook large quantities of various grains (quinoa, millet, amaranth, brown rice) and portion-out half into family-size or individual-size serving bags, and freeze for future use.
Extra Tip:
Cook once, eat twice (or even three times).  This is great if you live alone, or if you have a family to feed.  It cuts down on a lot of time, and frozen grains can be added to hot vegetable broth to thicken soups and add extra protein.

5. Never dress your foods all together – by leaving the dressing aside until you are ready to serve and eat individually, allows leftovers to be stored and recycled for another time.  Once you have dressed your foods, they will not last as long.

Taking just a little bit of time out of your weekend to make a few preparations for the coming week can prevent you from making those unplanned stops at the nearest coffee chain or fast-food restaurant.  Incorporating even one of these tips will help you get on track with your healthy lifestyle.

Bon Appétit from My Wellness Counts!

For further cooking tips, click here: Vegetable Cooking Tips