Can you make a Smoothie with Just Fruit?
My “Just Fruit” Smoothie – I really love smoothies, but have a hard time finding good combinations that are just fruit. No ice cream, yogurt, or anything else. Just fruit.
What to put in it:
a pineapple, chopped into chunks and peeled
a good handful of strawberries
a small package of other berries (blueberries or raspberries are good choices)
How to make it:
Blend the pineapple chunks and strawberries until creamy.
Divide other berries of choice in glasses and pour the smoothie over the top.
Benefits:
Lots of vitamins and antioxidants. (Keep in mind there are quite a few grams of natural sugar, so try to keep any other sugar to a minimum for the day.)
A great pasta veggie stir fry
I always love a good stiry fry. It is so quick and you can be very inventive with your ingredients! Here is a nice vegetable variety. For meat eaters, you can always add some chicken or turkey.
Ingredients:
1 package wheat spaghetti (16oz)
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
Ginger seasoning, or a tiny amount of fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, finely sliced
1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup mange tout
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 green onion, sliced
Salt, to taste
How to make:
Cook the pasta according to package instruction until al dente (still slightly firm). Use some salt if desired.
In a large skillet, heat the oil over high heat. Once hot, fry the onion and red pepper for about 1 minute. Add garlic, broccoli, mange tout, and soy sauce and cook for a further 2 minutes. Then add the al dente pasta (and the cooked chicken/turkey slices if desired) to the vegetables, toss well and cook for 1 minute.
Top with green onion slices, serve and enjoy.
How to do a tasty Halloween party dip
Halloween is almost upon us! Whether you’re attending or hosting a party, here is a lovely dip to share:
Ingredients:
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup white corn kernels, freshly cooked is the best, but canned/frozen can work
1 red pepper, chopped
1 cup finely diced tomato
2 green onions, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp salt
How to make it:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Refrigerate for at least an hour. Serve with tortilla chips. To do your own tortilla chips, just buy some good quality tortillas (try to find some with no preservatives.) Lightly oil them, slice them into triangles and bake them for a few minutes. As a final touch, put some sliced avocado on top of the dip when serving. You could also sprinkle some coriander on top.
How to Identify your Food Intolerances
October 23, 2009 by kbuchanan
Filed under Food Intolerance & IBS
Are you suffering with digestive problems and/or unusual weight gain? Do you think you may have sensitivities to certain foods?
Here is a surefire way to identify those foods in order to eliminate them from your diet and start to feel great again (and lose some weight!)
YorkTest offer an at home food intolerance test called the FoodScan 113 Food Intolerance Test. It tests your blood against 113 different foods to see what foods don’t agree with your body.
This is certainly on my “best buy” list, as it was a great experience all around; the initial purchase, the way the test is completed, the after test support, and finally the great results I’ve had by following what the test said. And the company is well established in the industry.
The home test is sent to you in a discrete package. It includes a test kit, detailed instructions, and even a paid envelope to mail the test back to YorkTest when finished. And the test is super easy to use.
Firstly, you use the special finger prick tool to create a tiny trickle of blood on the end of your finger. No, it doesn’t hurt!
Next, you use the swab provided to soak up some blood and then put it back in the hygienic container. They provide you with a marker pen to write your name on the container, which all goes back to the lab for testing. So simple!
Within 2 weeks, you get your results back in the post and it gives you very comprehensive information, including:
- A list of the 113 foods tested and a stop light guide for each. Red means AVOID, Orange means OK sometimes, and Green means Ok all the time
- Comprehensive results pack including 12 week food diary and sensible tips to make the change easy
- Pocket sized summary of your results for easy reference at any time
- TWO FREE telephone consultations with a qualified nutritionist from the British Association of Nutritional Therapists
- One years FREE membership to Allergy UK
It costs around £265 (~$400) but if it helps you feel great again, then it’s WELL worth the investment (it was in my case.) If you’re hesitant to do it, they do offer a first step test for £20, which just tells you YES you have food intolerances or NO you don’t. You can then pay the other £245 to get the full test done as a second step.
“All I can say is that taking this test and making the suggested changes has given me a new freedom. The IBS and weight gain has all gone, really within a few months!”
They will ship to any country worldwide. This includes North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UK
Why to Focus on Losing that Extra Belly Fat
These days, many people are overweight or even obese. In the US, it has actually gotten more common to be overweight than to be of a normal weight. Scary! With such a widespread epidemic of weight gain, I think more people are getting complacent about doing something about the weight gain. In other words, because so many people are overweight, we feel like it is “ok” or that it’s just the way it is and it’s too hard to do something about it.
If you need a reason to take that first step in losing weight (other than just feeling better about yourself!), then here are a few:
A) First and foremost, excess fat around your middle area has a direct link with the top illnesses: heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. By getting rid of the extra inches on the waistline, you decrease your chances of being affected by these common life threatening conditions.
B) Being overweight has a negative impact on your psychological well-being. If you have been overweight for awhile, you might not even realise it, but every additional pound that you put on takes a bit of your self-confidemce.
C) To enjoy life! Many people are more likely to get out and enjoy things if they are a normal weight. Being able to run around with your children is easier. Putting on a bathing suit to enjoy the swimming pool or beach is certainly less traumatizing! And even just being able to walk comfortably makes visiting new places a better experience.
You can start today. Look out for the upcoming free guide to easy weight loss.
To your health,
Kimberly
Dating – a love/hate relationship
I was debating about whether or not this was really a “My Health Villa” topic, but I came to the conclusion that it was relevant. Why? Well, I think that dating and relationships have such an impact on our lives (mentally, physically, emotionally) that it is absolutely part of our overall well-being. Not sure if you agree, but I’ve done it anyway!
So, Dating. The word conjures up different thoughts for different people. For me, who is married, dating is now just a fun thing to chat with colleagues or friends about. I get to hear 
about other people’s dating experiences, dating traumas, blind dates, and even once in awhile dating successes!
For those of you currently on the dating scene, you may feel differently about it all. Sick of it? Loving it? Just wanting to get it over with and meet the right person?
I certainly remember when I was still dating. For the most part I thought it was great fun! It rarely worked out the way you wanted it to, but I have plenty of good stories to tell now 
And it made for lots of fun giggle sessions with my friends.
However, dating has changed a bit over the last few years. Online dating is now hugely common. In fact, I think most of my single friends/family have tried at least one of the online dating sites. Some of the most common sites are eHarmony, Match.com, Dating Direct, and Plenty of Fish.com.
The reason that this topic came to mind is because of an advertisement I saw recently on television. I think the statistic said that out of all the 4 million people getting married in the USA, something like 2% of them met on eHarmony. Wow! If that doesn’t seem like a lot, maybe this will mean more. That is 236 people per day! Wow again! That is an outstanding statistic.
Have you tried it? Or any of the other dating sites? I think if I were dating, this would be something to consider.
If you do go ahead and try it or already have experience, I would love to hear your comments!
To your health (and happy dating)
Kimberly
Top 5 Reasons to consume Wheat Grass
Wheat and/or Barley Grass have so many benefits, the list could go on for awhile. Here are the Top 5 reasons you should make it a part of your daily life.
1) Natural detox and healer – Wheat grass and barley grass have high contents of chlorophyll. This is the basis of all plant life and can stop the growth of bad bacteria. It actually neutralises toxins, thus acting as a natural detoxification tool. Because of this, it is touted as a great healer.
b) Vitamins and Minerals – There is a very high concentration of vitamins and minerals in these grasses. I’ve heard statistics saying that wheat/barley grass contains a level of nutrients up to 30 times higher than that you would get from eating a normal day’s worth of vegetables. That is pretty high! In fact, it is probably physically impossible to consume enough vegetables in a day to match this.
c) Energy like you wouldn’t believe – Because of the great nutrients that your body absorbs from these grasses, your energy levels will sore.
d) Natural (and naturally gluten free) – Wheat and barley grass are a 100% natural way to get nutrients, and they are naturally gluten free. These days, we all have enough unnatural temptations around us. Isn’t it great to have something simple that is totally natural, easy to consume, and natural? I think so. Just make sure to check labels when you buy it – sometimes manufacturers try to sneak things in.
e) Fountain of youth – These grasses have essential enzymes, which help repair damage to your body. Effectively, this helps prevent and possibly reverse premature aging! Isn’t this what many of us strive for? Including wheat or barley grass in your diet can be a huge help.
Why not give it a try? It does take a bit of getting used to, but you do feel amazing after only a couple of days.
To your health,
Kimberly
Kidney Stones: What are they and what is the cause of them?
Crystalline deposits, otherwise known as kidney stones are found in the kidneys and as a rule even though they don’t generally cause any kind of long term damage, those suffering with kidney stones will tell you they can be extremely painful. If you would like to know a little more about what kidney stones are and what causes them to form, read on.
The kidneys are the organs responsible for the filtration system of the body. Any unwanted substances, such as salt acids and mineral deposits are disposed of through the kidneys as they are dissolved in our bodily fluids and passed out of the body when urination takes place.
Sometimes the substances become concentrated and solidify in the kidneys resulting in the formation of small crystalline stones which have calcium as their main component. Problems arise when these jagged little stones move from the kidneys into the soft structured ureters, the tubes which take the fluid to the bladder for removal from the body.
When a kidney stone gets wedged in the ureter pain can be experienced in various parts of the body but particularly in the lower back, the side, the groin and just underneath the ribs. The pain can be lessened by the use of medication or removal of the stone(s) by surgery.
So why do kidney stones happen? When substances in the body which are used to form urine turn into a solid state and become crystallised the amount of bodily fluids run short. Problems also occur if there is an imbalance in the mineral and salt levels within the body and such an inconsistency can lead to the development of kidney stones.
Kidney disease, the administration of some prescribed medications and metabolic issues can all result in kidney stone formation. Nonetheless, there are also cases where kidney stones are created and no definite cause is evident or can be found.
An idea as to the cause of kidney stones can be discovered upon examination of the stone after it has been passed in the urine. Too much calcium within the body is often the reason for this condition arising.
Stones may be the result of hereditary disorders or deficiencies in the diet. Quite often high protein diets and urinary tract infections can create excessive urine components which, in turn, can cause kidney stones.
In order to stop kidney stones recurring, a change in lifestyle may be recommended by the family doctor. Drinking more water will be encouraged as this flushes the kidneys as well as the body’s cells and helps them to function as they should.
Spinal Touch Therapy
If you have recently noticed your back is hurting you or that muscles you didn’t know you had are feeling strained, it could be that your body and your centre of gravity are not properly aligned. The pain you feel along the centre of gravity in your lower back can be the root of many additional conditions you may experience depending, of course, on how much time your body has been out of alignment.
In order to put everything back to where it should be and make you feel much better, spinal touch therapy, a non-invasive treatment, may be just what you need.
However, before telling you about spinal touch therapy, there are few things you really should know about the theory behind it.
The human body is meant to be in line with the planet Earth. After all, gravity is the force holding us on Earth so to ensure your body functions properly it has to remain aligned with your centre of gravity. This means your spine should be lined up right, your pelvis tilted as it should be, and your muscles need to be in a state of relax.
When this is not the case there are muscle groups within your body which will be strained to support your skeletal structure. Every time you pick up heavy or awkward packages in an improper way you run the risk of causing strain to your muscles so knowing about your centre of gravity will mean you can lift those objects and keep your alignment correct at the same time.
Spinal touch therapy is painless. Gentle pressure is used to put the spine back on its normal axis and when your muscles are not being exerted they will return to a relaxed state. Lasting around 30 minutes or so, the treatment allows the patient to feel relief, sometimes instantaneously in cases where chronic pain has been suffered for many years.
Here are some examples of the conditions and diseases that spinal touch therapy has been successfully used to treat.
* Breathing problems
* Digestive issues
* Injuries caused by accidents
* Injuries caused by partaking in sport
* Menstruation problems
* Migraine
* Pain in the lower back area
* Problems with vision
* TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain
This is just a few of the areas known to have benefited from spinal touch therapy. The list is by no means exhaustive.
The treatment goes something like this: Whilst the patient is standing up as straight as possible the therapist will use a skin marker and put dots in the areas where treatment is necessary.
The patient will then be asked to lie down and treatment will begin by pressure being applied to the spine, the pelvic area and as far down as the buttocks.
The technique of spinal touch therapy has been designed to put the spine back to where it should be painlessly. Although, it could not be described as a remedy for all the ailments you may experience, it has to be said that as soon as you start taking proper care of your spine, you are likely to notice an abatement of many undesirable health conditions.
Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms in Children
Boys and girls alike are vulnerable to urinary tract infections. However, accurate diagnosis is often difficult due to the fact that many of the symptoms experienced may also present themselves with other conditions. Detailed below are the basics of urinary tract infections and the symptoms you need to keep an eye out for as far as your children are concerned.
When bacteria are introduced into the urinary system, a urinary tract infection may occur. Urine is filtered by the kidneys and what isn’t needed gets propelled to the bladder by muscular ducts known as ureters. The urethra, the tube carrying urine from the bladder to the outside of the body is the most common entry point for bacteria.
Urinary tract infections in children occur for several reasons and probably the most common cause is inadequate toilet training. In particular, girls who are at the age of toilet training are more prone to suffer with urinary tract infections. For this reason good hygiene habits need to be developed as early as possible. For example, girls should be taught to wipe from front to back to make sure bacteria from the anus is not introduced into the urethra. Uncircumcised boys can be affected in a similar way although this tends to be less common.
Deodorised soap and scented bubble bath regularly irritate the sensitive skin children have and this can lead to infections occurring in the urethral area. A condition known as vesicoureteral reflux, where urine travels back into the kidneys instead of being flushed from the body is often experienced by some children.
Because infants can only show you that they are feeling discomfort by crying, the only symptom you are likely to see is that of a fever and this makes the condition extremely difficult to diagnose.
Of course, for older kids who can describe exactly what they are feeling, the signs of urinary tract infections are more obvious. If your child pays considerably more than normal visits to the toilet without having taken in more fluids or complains of soreness or stinging when he or she passes water this is usually an indication that the urinary tract is infected.
Urination problems can sometimes lead to bed-wetting during the night and this is likely to wake the child from sleep. Particular attention should be paid to the smell of the urine on their nappies or bedding as this will help you to decide whether or not a urinary tract infection is present. Your child may tell you that there is an uncomfortable feeling in the tummy area, in the region of the bladder. This will also help you to make a diagnosis.
The signs and symptoms your child may be experiencing can be relieved by medical attention being sought, and it goes without saying all cases of fever require immediate inspection. Make sure your child is seen by a doctor as urinary tract infections which remain untreated can spread to the kidneys and this will only lead to further and more serious symptoms and conditions being suffered by your child in the future.
