EAT

The Myth of Weight Gain & What To Do About It

January 15, 2016 By Karen Leave a Comment

Are you swept up in the first-of-the-year weight-loss battle?

As we’ve established, it’s not uncommon post holidays to be 5-10 pounds heavier than you were two weeks ago and frustrated (yet again) that yet another year has passed where you ate all this junky food and are feeling like crap from all the over-indulgence. Chances are you’re likely thinking about what to do to start losing that weight. (It’s why Gym memberships EXPLODE during January.) You’re going to start seeing all these Detox and Cleanse programs – with the emphasis on exercising more and reducing calories.

While that’s all well & good, there’s also an elephant in the room!

What if I told you that your struggles to lose weight aren’t so much about how much you’re eating, but rather WHAT you’re eating? And that the chemicals and other irritants in your environment can also have an enormous impact on your weight!

What’s toxic to your body?

For starters, it’s all those additives and preservatives in the “fake” food you’ve been eating.

Add to this a simmering cocktail of chemicals like the BPA found in plastic storage containers, water bottles, and store receipts! (you’ve likely read about this offender in the news)

How To Find Your Path & Stick With It

January 8, 2016 By Karen Leave a Comment

Have you stepped on the scale this week?

Post holidays, it’s not uncommon to be 5-10 pounds heavier than you were two weeks ago.

And frustrated (yet again) that another year has passed where you ate all this junky food and are feeling like crap from all the over-indulgence – too much pies and cakes and pastries at holiday parties (or too many cookies, in my case).

And now you’re regretting it!

Chances are your digestive system is also out of whack because you’ve been eating things you normally don’t eat. And you’re paying for it now with daily heartburn & indigestion – along with those extra 10 pounds.

It’s also the time of year when (after the wave of regret passes) you’re likely thinking about what to do to start losing that weight. (It’s why Gym memberships EXPLODE during January.)

You’re going to start seeing all these Detox and Cleanse programs – with the emphasis on exercising more and reducing calories.

And yet, you already know doesn’t work!

Is It Time For You to H.A.L.T.?

January 1, 2016 By Karen Leave a Comment

During the holidays, there’s a lot of emphasis on love and joy, family togetherness and endless festivities.

But what if the holidays find you alone?

What if you’re dealing with a recent break-up, or illness, or worse still – a death in the family?

Perhaps you can relate?

While there’s no question these things are difficult any time of the year, the pain and heartache increases ten-fold during the month of December.

When you’re up against life’s challenges, do you still find time to take proper care of yourself?

I experienced this first-hand in the past two weeks, when my mother spent the weekend before Christmas in the hospital. Even though her caregiver stayed with her, I still made numerous trips back and forth from home.

I didn’t feel like cooking. (There was little time to shop).

The holiday cookies I had planned to bake were put on hold. I found myself eating on the run – grabbing a quick snack from the fridge (or cupboard) to tide me over. It being the holidays, there were plenty of sweets on hand so my choices weren’t always the best (even though they met my gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free criteria).

While sugary anything is very easy to come by this time of year, it’s certainly NOT what you or I, or anyone needs during times of stress.

Yet, there it was – comfort food that fit a need.

How Not to Feel Like Crap by New Year’s

November 27, 2015 By Karen Leave a Comment

How’s your stress level these days?

Are you obsessing over the holidays? Wondering how you’ll survive?

I hear you! It’s a common refrain, for sure.

Another thing I’m hearing from my clients is this:

“I don’t want to feel like crap by January 1!”

Perhaps you’re also wondering how you can rein in your appetite when so many temptations abound? Let’s face it – the holidays can be extremely stressful, with so much to do and so little time.

Plus stress is a huge compounding issue for any health concern you might have – especially your digestive health!

So today I’m sharing 3 of my favorite tips for managing your stress during the holiday season, so you don’t feel like crap come New Year’s!

What’s On Your Table This Week?

November 20, 2015 By Karen Leave a Comment

Are you stressing over your holiday menu?

Perhaps you have the basics worked out already. But what about dessert?

No worries, I’ve got you covered with a special treat – just in time for your big feast. Even better, this Raw Pumpkin Pie allows you to literally have your ‘cake’ (or pie, in this case) and eat it too!

Truth be told, I didn’t grow up with pie.

In fact, I didn’t grow up with many of the traditional dishes we associate with the Thanksgiving feast – thing like bread stuffing and sweet potatoes or yams, never made it into the holiday table.

Did I grow up deprived?

Not in the least! As with most families, we had our own wonderful traditions, many of which have been carried forward to the next generation. (Things like my fabulous Turkey Stuffing with Rice & Pecans, which I shared with you last week).

As we marry or form new partnerships of our own, other traditions sometimes fall by the wayside – as we meld different families and different traditions.

Either way it’s all good! [Read more…]

Filed Under: EAT, HOLIDAYS Tagged With: gluten-free, holiday traditions, pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving, vegan

How to Survive A Holiday Feast

November 13, 2015 By Karen Leave a Comment

Have you checked your calendar?

Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and the rest of the holiday season is close on it’s heals!

If you’re new to the gluten-free lifestyle, you might have decided that all this is more of a challenge than you can handle.

I absolutely get it.

It could very well be a challenge.

After all, it’s not just Thanksgiving you need to worry about. In the weeks to come, your senses will be assaulted with treats of every kind, beginning with the holiday turkey and all the traditional side dishes.

To help you survive the big day – should you decide to go for it – here’s what you need to know:

[Read more…]

Filed Under: EAT, HOLIDAYS Tagged With: bread stuffing, Diestel, gluten-free, holidays, rice stuffing, Thanksgiving, turkey

How to Step Into Your Power

October 30, 2015 By Karen Leave a Comment

Do you have days when you feel frustrated and overwhelmed?

As if your life is simply out of control?

Truth is, we all have days like this.

In fact, I’d venture to say it’s a fact of life, especially in today’s fast-paced world.

Just think how easy it is to get sidetracked by work and family and outside obligations!

Unfortunately, this often means there isn’t enough time for YOU.

Well, it’s time to take back your power, my friend!

That’s right.

I’m putting YOU back in command!

Mimics, Marauders & Masqueraders

October 16, 2015 By Karen Leave a Comment

Do you sometimes feel like there’s a lot of drama going on in your body?

With Halloween just two weeks away, it seems like the perfect time to explore this drama in greater depth, since these so-called mimics, marauders and masqueraders are present 24/7.

Yes, you read that correctly.

You see, even though your body is beautifully designed to deal with these pranksters at a moment’s notice, sometimes your immune system does make mistakes.

Or rather, we think of them as mistakes, but in all actuality, your immune system is simply doing what it’s designed to do.

And that is to protect you.

So, what’s really happening here is that some of these invaders are actually very clever, mimicking or masquerading as something other than what they really are.

And the immune system gets confused.

Let me explain.

Is Gluten Toxic?

October 12, 2015 By Karen Leave a Comment

Do you have Celiac Disease?”

Or, perhaps the bigger question is “ “Do you have a gluten-related disorder, most often referred to as Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity – or Gluten Intolerance?”

Did you answer “yes” to either question?

In that case, gluten certainly is a toxin, at least to you.

If you’re one of the lucky ones who doesn’t appear to have a sensitivity to gluten – that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re completely off the hook.

According to Dr. Tom O-Bryan, who refers to himself as the Gluten-Free Doc, “Everyone should be checked for a gluten sensitivity. And if you have the celiac gene, you definitely want to be checked every two years or so. You might be fine now, but at some point you will likely cross the line.”

Why is that? [Read more…]

Filed Under: EAT, HEALTH & WELLNESS Tagged With: Celiac disease, gluten-free, immune system, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, tipping point, toxic, toxins, what's going on in there

What Are You Resisting?

October 9, 2015 By Karen Leave a Comment

Have you ever been in this situation?

You’re at a restaurant, watching the person next to you devour a pile of crisp sweet potato fries.

They look SO tempting.

In that moment – what would you do?

Would you reach over and grab one, without a moment’s thought?

Which of the following outcomes best describes you?

You FIGHT the urge – you’d really like to sample just one.
You CAVE – there’s no way you can sit there and not have a taste.
You RESIST – as tempting as it might be, you remind yourself that it’s not worth the physical pain and discomfort.

Do you see yourself in any of these sceanrios?

Of course, if you answered (C) – that is the correct answer! [Read more…]

Filed Under: EAT, HEALTH & WELLNESS Tagged With: cross-contamination, dining out, gluten-free, temptation