Health For a Lifetime

My blog has moved!

lindadefever — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:45:35 +0000

I’ll continue to update my blog on my new website www.vitalityincorporated.com

Come visit me there – and comment on my posts. I look forward to seeing you at

www.vitalityincorporated.com

The Dirty Dozen

lindadefever — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:08:30 +0000

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has put together a list of foods they call The Dirty Dozen – foods you always want buy organic. Read why you want to buy organic. On a budget – included is a list of foods that do not have to be organic

Click on the link for more information

http://static.foodnews.org/pdf/EWG-shoppers-guide.pdf

Contact Linda

Call: 847-722-4376 for your free consultation

vitalityincorporated.com

How to Make Marshmallows

lindadefever — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:11:27 +0000

OK I am still sticky from head to toe – but I cannot wait until I can try – too bad I iwll have to wait for 12 hours.
Here is the recipe:
1/2 Cup Water
3 TBSP Great Lakes Gelatin
Put water in large bowl and sprinkle gelatin over it. Make sure the gelatin is spread over the entire surface of the water. Let sit for 30 minutes.
2 Cups Organic Pure Cane Sugar
1/2 Cup Water
Cook the sugar and wateer together until it reaches 240 degrees – need a candy thermometer.
Pour hot sugar mixture over the gelatin and water and beat on high for about 10 minutes – maybe a bit more – until it peaks.
For flavoring add juice of half a lime or 1 tsp of vanilla -add flavoring after the mixture peaks
Put in 9 x 12 glass pan that has been coated with coconut oil. Let sit for 12 hours and then cut with a scissors – store in an air tight container
When you feel your blood sugar drop – have a small square.

Contact Linda

Call: 847-722-4376 for your free consultation

vitalityincorporated.com

Whey – Toxic Wast Product

lindadefever — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 11:01:37 +0000

I do not know who wrote this – but I think the public should know that all this whey powder is nothing more than waste – it is a “no food” and takes more of our internal energy to convert to energy. The role of food is to provide us energy for life. Whey does not fall into this category. This post came from a Yahoo Group that I get.

Please read the following:

“Whey has virtually no natural lactose, as the lactose in any milk is held in the
fat which is separated out in the cheese making process.

Whey is an industrial waste product from the cheese making industry.

In the 1980′s I worked in the dairy industry in several capacities. From the
actual milking of the cows to hauling milk to the cheese plant and hauling whey
out of the cheese plant to disposal outlets like using it in calf milk
re-placer.

The cheese plant that I hauled the milk to, in northern Wisconsin, first dumped
the whey out in the fields until the soil became so toxic that the corn and
beans would not even grow. Then the cheese plant built several large pig barns
and fed the whey to the pigs.

That only lasted a couple of years till the health of the pig diminished. The
mama pigs became sterile for the most part and the little pigs would not grow
right anymore, so that whole idea stopped. Then by the time I was involved with
hauling milk they had the idea of putting it in calf milk re-placer to feed to
the calves. As the health of the calves began to diminish the industry began to
lower the amount of whey in the milk re-placer so the calves would not have the
same effect as the pigs.

In the early part of the 90′s the cheese industry did the same thing as the soy
industry, from the 1970′s, with the induction of whey as a human food
supplement. This little deal with the FDA went on in secret just like the
million dollar deal that the soy industry made for them.

Now we have study after study, sponsored by the industrialists to justify the
use of whey as a food supplement. Now the sale of whey to humans is a huge
profit to the cheese industry, just as the soy industry has profited over the
last 40 years.

My old friend Dr Michael Steffy Professor of Anthropology at Queens U. has told
me a hundred times, “The science of today is merely an advanced marketing tool
for industry”.

And here in the cheese industry, we can hear the words of my friend, Michael,
ringing, just like in the soy industry, peddling its industrial waste as a food
supplement to increase its’ profits.

Whey is a known neurotoxin causing things like dysbiosis and all manner of
digestion issues, liver and kidney issues, stopping some enzyme production and
causing malnutrition, to name just a few of the adverse effects. I have seen so
many lives damaged by the heavy use of whey it makes my eyes leak just thinking
about it.

Look at history, the poor people of old would have the curds and whey while the
elite ate the cheese. This is a personal story from my past experiences and my
family history from old Europe, as my family descended from English royalty,
Princess Diana was a Spencer as I am. The Royalty or Nobility consumed the best
and the poor class ate the rest.”

Contact Linda

Call: 847-722-4376 for your free consultation

vitalityincorporated.com

******

Why Mess with Mother Nature – Raw Milk!

lindadefever — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:12:16 +0000

This is a topic I am quite passionate about. I find it maddening that in this wonderful state of Illinois, I cannot go to the store and purchase organic raw dairy. I can buy cigarettes and alcohol but purchasing quality milk is strictly illegal. Oh I can go to a farm, if you can find one because they that cannot advertise, and buy raw milk. Does this make sense? I’m not suggesting that they make pasteurized milk illegal so that everyone is forced to choose raw – all I want is the choice to be able to buy the healthy, enzyme and nutrition-rich raw dairy from pasture-fed cows grazing on certified organic land.
The only choice we have currently is the pasteurized stuff, where all the enzymes, vitamins and minerals have been destroyed. This does not even resemble milk from the cow.
The reason, we are told is it is for our own health, and that the bacteria in raw dairy are dangerous. This was true in the past before refrigeration, stainless steel tanks and when the milking barns were less clean. When one looks at the incidences of sickness from milk, just as many people get sick from pasteurized milk as raw. Even Louis Pasteur, the person that told the world that heating up food will kill the bacteria in the food, admitted late in life that the problem is not the germ, but rather the terrain.
What is the answer? Do your own research and make up your own mind, but in my opinion, best is certified organic, pasture-fed, raw dairy. If you cannot find raw dairy – do not waste your money on the the CRAP from the grocery stores.
Many people that are sensitive to dairy do well on raw, as it has the enzymes in it to help with digestion. I would not recommend consuming raw dairy from grain-fed or factory farmed cows. Remember that cows are meant to eat grass, not grain, so make sure the cows have daily access to pasture so the cows are as healthy as possible.
There are many who believe that once milk is pasteurized there is absolutely no point in drinking it at all, and this is true. If one can’t access raw and you must have milk, chose low heat pasteurized, non homogenized full fat certified organic milk. Homogenization is the process milk undergoes where it is passed through a micro filter so that the fat globules are broken down into tiny little bits and stay suspended in the milk. The smaller fat molecules have more surface area, which makes them more prone to oxidation. You will be able to tell if the milk is non-homogenized, as the cream in the milk rises to the top of the bottle. The reason for full fat is we cannot absorb the minerals in the milk without the saturated fat which acts like a carrier. So if you are drinking skim milk to get the calcium, it isn’t working, unless you are having some quality fatty meat with it. Secondly, most milk producers put milk powder in lower-fat milks in order to keep the consistency smooth, and these powders are made by spray-drying the milk proteins and fats, which oxidizes the cholesterol in them. Cholesterol is not harmful, but oxidized cholesterol is very dangerous and is linked to heart disease. Milk manufacturers are not required to list milk-powders on the label.
Be sure to read the ingredient list on the dairy you choose, and select a brand that does not have extra stuff in it.
Again this is a personal decision, but my thoughts are we should not mess with Mother Nature!
Need help finding raw milk – then contact me I can help you find a source

Contact Linda

Call: 847-722-4376 for your free consultation

vitalityincorporated.com

Boost Your Metabolism

lindadefever — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:35:27 +0000

Strength training is one of the best ways to increase your metabolism so you will burn more calories. It is also great for increasing strength, building stronger bones, increasing energy, improving overall function, and toning your body.

Muscle is the most metabolically active tissue in the body. Making muscles stronger will improve your body’s ability to burn unwanted fat. In the first six weeks of starting a strength training program, metabolism may increase up to 30%, and then it will taper off.

Start with whole body type exercises like squats, lunges, pushes and pulls, with bodyweight or light resistance for at least three weeks, in order to strengthen the tendons and ligaments adequately before increasing the load. Always maintain excellent posture throughout each exercise. This will help prevent injuries. Exercise two to three days a week with at least one day off between sessions. When you are going through your routine, you are breaking down the muscle tissue, so you are actually weaker at the end of the workout than you were when you started. You need at least two days for your body to rebuild the tissue stronger than it was before. If you do the same exercise two days in a row you are simply breaking down your tissue and you will get no strength gains.

After about six to eight weeks, you will need to change the exercises and exercise parameters in order to continue progressing and to avoid boredom. A well designed resistance program done in a circuit format can provide an excellent cardiovascular workout as well.

If you chose to do aerobic exercise, either do it on alternate days of your strength training program or do aerobic exercise after your strength training program. Keep your aerobic exercise to 30 minutes, using high intensity interval training. My professional recommendation: Tabata Intervals!

Contact Linda

Call: 847-722-4376 for your free consultation

vitalityincorporated.com

It is Never too Late!

lindadefever — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:18:31 +0000

It is never too late to start an exercise program. In fact physical inactivity could be more of a major risk to your health.

Here are a few interesting statistics: In the year 2000, roughly 35 million people (13 percent of the population) were age 65 or older. By 2030, the number is expected to double. According to the Active Aging Partnership National Blueprint, 88% of these people have at least one chronic health condition that in many cases may be improved or managed with physical activity.

Once adults pass the physical prime of their teens and 20’s, an average of 10 ounces of lean body mass in the form of muscle is lost yearly. Since few people actually lose 10 ounces of weight a year (instead, we are more likely to gain about a pound a year), the loss is masked. The average person actually gains about a pound and half of body fat a year. This gradual loss of muscle strength is one of the main reasons the older population has difficulty performing daily activities. Ultimately, this leads to the loss of an individual’s independence. It is important to remember a slight increase in muscle strength, at any age, can improve a person’s quality of life, and prevent the frailty that use to be considered a normal part of aging.

Older, inactive adults lose ground in three areas that are important for staying healthy and independent. These are endurance, balance and flexibility. Endurance training can maintain and improve cardiovascular function, which reduces the risk factors associated of diabetes, colon cancer, and heart disease. Balance exercises help prevent falls and builds confidence, while flexibility training helps to keep the body from stiffening up by stretching muscles that are limiting motions needed to perform daily activities.

Whether you are approaching 60 or 70, I encourage you to increase all types of exercise and physical activity. According to an article in the winter of 2002 Aging Successfully, published by the St. Louis School of Medicine and Geriatric Research, the goals of exercise for the older adult should be to minimize the effects of aging and chronic disease, reverse the effects of inactivity and maximize psychological health.

Regular exercise will help the older adult. The older population becomes sick or disabled more often from not exercising. Almost all older adults can improve their health and independence through exercise and physical activity. There are few reasons to keep from exercising, and “too old” and “too frail” are not among them.

Contact Linda

Call: 847-722-4376 for your free consultation

vitalityincorporated.com

Wacky Cake – Gluten and Dairy Free

lindadefever — Sun, 09 May 2010 13:41:32 +0000

Recipe from Sue R. – Thanks
3/4 to 1 Cup Organic Sugar (or Stevia to taste)
1 TBSP. Vinegar
1 ½ Cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Flour
1 tsp. Vanilla
3 TBSP. Powdered Organic Cocoa
6 TBSP. Coconut Oil
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 Cup Water
½ tsp. Salt

Sift together in an un-greased 8X8X2 pan, sugar, flour, cocoa, soda and salt.
Make 3 wells in the flour mixture. In well number 1, put the vinegar. In well number 2, put the vanilla. In well number 3, put the oil. Pour water over all. Mix with a fork until lumps are gone. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. The cake should not remain dented when touched lightly. Upon cooling, the center of the cake will fall. Cake should sit for at least 8 hours before eating to allow the chocolate flavor to intensify.

Contact Linda

Call: 847-722-4376 for your free consultation

vitalityincorporated.com

Know Your Fats!

lindadefever — Sun, 09 May 2010 11:36:00 +0000

There are three macronutrients the body needs for health and vitality, carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Fats and oils are important for optimal health. Fats provide source of concentrated energy, they are the building blocks for cell membranes, fats are necessary for the production of hormones and when consumed as part of a meal, fats slow down absorption so that we can go longer without feeling hungry. In addition, they act as carriers for important fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Dietary fats are needed for the conversion of carotene to vitamin A, for mineral absorption and for a host of other processes.

Detailed research done at Harvard shows that the total amount of fat in the diet, whether high or low, is not really what is the cause of disease. What really matters is the type of fat in the diet. New results from the large and long Women’s Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial showed that eating a low-fat diet for 8 years did not prevent heart disease, breast cancer or colon cancer, and did not do much for weight loss.

There are three kinds of fats. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and are the most stable fats; they can withstand high cooking temperatures and will not turn rancid. Saturated fats are found in animal fat, whole milk, butter, cheese and tropical oils and the body makes them from carbohydrates. These criticized saturated fats are not the cause of modern disease. If they were, none of us would be alive today because saturated fats were the primary energy source for most of our ancestors. Saturated fatty acids make up at least 50% of the cell membranes, play a vital roll in the health of our bones and enhance our immune systems. Monounsaturated fats are not quite as stable as saturated and should be heated to only moderate temperatures. Sources are olive oil, peanut oil, most nuts and avocados. The third type of fat is polyunsaturated; they are very unstable and should never be heated. Examples of polyunsaturated fats are omega 6’s, which are readily available in grains, and commonly used cooking oils such as corn, safflower and sunflower. Omegas 3’s are found leafy green vegetables and oily fish. Our diets are generally too high in omega 6’s and too low in omega 3’s. An ideal ration is 1:1

The fats to avoid, the bad fats, are trans-fatty acids (TFAs). Structurally, these fats are closer to plastic than fat. TFA consumption has been linked to heart disease and elevated cholesterol levels. Margarine is a vegetable based product designed to compete with butter – it is notorious for high levels of TFAs. In the same Harvard study mentioned above, margarine was linked to heart disease. Other sources of TFAs are vegetable shortening, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, deep-fried chips, many fast foods and most commercial bake goods.

What is important to remember is a diet that consists of 10-20% is good, depending on the person. Watch the handling of fats and get a good mixture of all the good fats.
Contact Linda

Call: 847-722-4376 for your free consultation

vitalityincorporated.com

Why Not MSG!

lindadefever — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:11:53 +0000

• MSG – is an addictive neurotoxin that accumulates in the tissues, causes weight gain and a host of other problems. Things to know about MSG:
oNeuroscientist agree that MSG is a neurotoxin, killing brain neurons by exciting them to death
o Despite the fact that in 1980 MSG was added to the FDA’s list of additives needing furth
er study due to the uncertainties that exist, MSG has been increasingly added to food products
o Studies reveal that when fed to pregnant rats MSG causes the offspring to suffer from learning disabilities
o In other studies on small animals MSG has been proven to cause brain damage to the young. As a result many baby food manufacturers have removed MSG from their products. However, there are still junior food products and baby formulas on the market that contain MSG. Ironically, many formulas for allergic infants contain larger amounts of MSG than the regular formulas.
o The leading reaction to MSG, which may take up to 48 hours to appear, is migraine headaches.
o MSG also effects the hunger center of the brain causing those who eat it crave it more. That is why food manufacturers put it in their products – it keeps you coming back for more!!!!!!!!
o MSG causes weight gain. It is actually fed to laboratory animals to fatten hem up for research without increasing their food intake.

When you consider that an estimated 60-90% of processed, packaged and frozen foods contain MSG, and the majority of the foods consumed in this country are these, it is understandable why so many people are sick, tired and overweight.
Food Manufactures disguise this toxic additive under more than 27 different names, MSG can be avoided. The best way to do so is to eat primarily whole, fresh natural and organic foods.

Symptoms Associated with MSG:-Headaches/migraines
-Lethargy
-Dizziness
-Weight Gain
-Pressure Around the Eyes
-Anxiety/Panic Attacks
-Extreme Fatigue
-Blurred Vision
-Hyperactivity/ADD
-Depression
-Runny Nose
-Behavioral Problems
-Burning Sensation -Sneezing
-Irritability/Angry Outbursts
-Numbness/Tingling
-Shortness of Breath
-Muscle/Joint Pain/Stiffness
-Chest Pain/Tightness
-Asthma Attacks
-Bloating
-Rapid Heartbeat
-Frequent Urination
-Nausea
-Drowsiness
-Seizures
-Vomiting
-Foggy Thinking
-Insomnia
-Stomach/Intestinal Cramps
-Weakness
-Chills and Shakes
-PMS/Menopausal Issues

Terms that ALWAYS Indicate MSG:-Monosodium glutamate
-Plant protein extract
-Autolyzed yeast
-Sodium caseinate
-Yeast Extract
-Calcium Caseinate
-Hydrolyzed protein
-Textured protein
-Hydrolyzed plant protein
-Hydrolyzed oat flour
-Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
-Potassium glutamate

Terms that Frequently Indicate MSG:-malt extract
-flavoring
-malto-dextrin
-natural flavoring/artificial flavoring
-bouillon
-natural beef or chicken flavoring
-broth
-seasonings
-stock
-spices
-salad dressing mixes

Terms that May Indicate Hidden MSG:-soy sauce
-protein fortified
-enzyme modified
-gelatin
-fermented
-carrageen
-ultra-pasteurized

Contact Linda

Call: 847-722-4376 for your free consultation

vitalityincorporated.com