I like to try new things.  A lot.
I’m a dabbler. If it holds up to my quality standards and seems like something my clients might benefit from, I’ll give it a try.

Right now I am playing with a lot of new products, which I will be talking about here in the coming months, but I wanted to share this one first.

NutriiVeda is a weight management shake that is based on Ayurvedic herbs and modern nutrition. At first I thought it probably wouldn’t be that much different than anything else. My experience had been that protein powders generally feel the same in your body (unless one has a food sensitivity) and it is really a matter of taste preference and quality assurance.

In this case, it’s a little different.

While the basis of NutriiVeda is whey protein (which research shows to be most beneficial to retaining muscle and providing highly absorbed amino acids), the most notable difference is the addition of seven plant botanicals which very effectively curb cravings and appetite.

I tried it. I can vouch for it.
I currently exercise between 7 and 10 hours a week, which means that I get hungry often. I eat about every 2-3 hours, be it a handful or trail mix or an all out meal. When I received my first jar of NutriiVeda and mixed it as directed (just the powder and unsweetened almond milk) I found that no thought of food crossed my mind until nearly 4 hours later.

People, this is unheard of.

That got me pretty excited. It exceeded my expectations, which is hard to do!
Not only this, but being sensitive to dairy I was a little wary of a whey based shake, even if it is listed as casein and lactose free. My digestive system handled it quite well and I have found it to be a tasty, quick snack during busy work hours that allows me to focus more on work and less on snack. I find my blood sugar stays balanced, I stay focused and am actually as productive as I am on caffeine, without the nasty side effects.

NutriiVeda also comes with a 12 week weight loss program that introduces the follower to the concepts of Ayurveda and eating for one’s dosha to find balance in the body (which is designed to facilitate weight loss).  What I love most about the program is it’s incorporation into MINDFULNESS as an essential component; journaling and meditation are key elements to this program. Beginning in January, VIBRANCE will be offering the 12 week program in a group format and include other concepts of healthy living and more detailed information on Ayurvedic eating.

I am considering keeping a supply of it on hand for clients to try.  In the meantime,  if you are interested in trying it out contact me and I can assist you in getting started. The product is currently available through distributors only (unless you live near the Chopra Center in Carlsbad, CA) so it is pretty hard to stumble upon unless you know someone (and you do!)

For more information on the product and to check out the NutriiVeda Diet Program, click here. Want to try it yourself? Click  “join” on the top right corner to give it a try!

I just received a piece of bliss in my mailbox.
It looks like this:

This guide is a must-have for anyone with multiple food sensitivities. It takes the guesswork out of the initial search that must go into creating a new lifestyle. I wish I had it last year, but I am so grateful to have it now — it will be a great asset in maintaining an optimal eating structure.

Small enough to fit into your purse, this indispensible guide contains over 10,000 sources of GF/SF/DF items in grocery stores. Is ice cream on your list (or wish it was)? You have no less than 17 brands to choose from, including easily accessible sources like Coldstone Creamery, Dreyers/Edy’s and Safeway Select.

I am so excited to have this guide, and am looking forward to having it as a guide for some of my food-intolerant clientele!
For those of you with food intolerances, what other sources have you utilized to help you navigate the grocery store?

Searching for a tasty gluten-free bread used to be an expensive hit and miss. Up until a few years ago, there were very few options and most of them were so unpalatable it was best to just go without.

Food for Life has done an excellent job of creating a variety of breads that are satisfying, unique, and versatile. Among my favorites of the company’s options is their millet bread; it is the only one I can eat without toasting (although I still prefer it toasted).

Food for Life’s Millet bread is moist and slightly sweet with bits of crunchy whole grain millet embedded in the loaf. It is the perfect carrier to the cashew butter ginger jam breakfast sandwiches that are a mainstay in my home. I nearly always gravitate to this loaf, occasionally seeking variety in the Raisin Almond Loaf or the China Black Rice Loaf.

If you are working on a gluten-free diet, give Food for Life’s Millet Bread a whirl. If you have a personal favorite that you use, please share it here!

Romio’s Pizza has wowed me by offering dairy, gluten, and/or soy-free pizzas coming the first week of June!

They have partnered with DaVinci’s bakery to reach out to those of us who have food intolerances. DaVinci’s makes a D/S/F pizza crust and DaVinci’s has been offering soy cheese to those who are lactose intolerant (please note – the soy cheese make have the milk protein casein in it; check with staff to make sure). I’m no stranger to a cheeseless pizza from my vegan days (back in the 90′s, in Alaska, when soy cheese was relatively unheard of), so even if Romio’s hasn’t figured out a dairy-soy free cheese, I’ll gladly order a pie from them the next time I’m having a craving for pizza or wanting to prep for a long run.

Please show Romio’s your support by ordering from them the next time you want a pie. Thank them for considering those with food intolerances and encourage them to keep up the good work!

Romio’s is located in Greenwood, but offers delivers free to the following areas:
North to 160th St.
East to I-5
West to Puget Sound
South to the Ship Canal

Greenwood, Phinney, Green Lake, Wallingford, Fremont, Ballard, Loyal Heights, Crown Hill, North Beach, Blue Ridge, North Park, Broadview, North Gate, And Bitter Lake.

ROMiÓS PIZZA & PASTA
Greenwood
8523 GREENWOOD AVE. N.
SEATTLEWA 98103

Tel: (206) 782-9005
Fax: (206) 781-9181
E-Mail: office@romiospizza.com

You can’t be healthy all the time, right?

In fact, “they” have labeled it as it’s own disorder: orthorexia.
In defiance of othorexia, and spurred forth by menstrual cravings, I made brownies. Gluten, soy, dairy-free brownies.

With the help of my friends at Namaste Foods, I was able to pull some incredibly moist, delicious brownies out of my oven Friday evening. They were light, fluffy, and it was impossible to tell they were wheat-free! They did not crumble, were not gritty, and took my addition of almonds, dried fruits, and candied ginger quite well.

Namaste Foods is a purveyor of allergy-free products. They make it possible for people like me to get a sugar high without getting sick. And while this isn’t recommended, being able to have a slice of cake, a brownie, or some lovely treat without feeling miserable afterwards is a new and welcome concept; highly encouraged for those who have been missing out! No brain fog, no crazy fatigue. No bloating or unmentionable digestive distress. Just sweet, sweet chocolate cakiness in my mouth.

Thank you, Namaste Foods!

(Namaste Foods has a wealth of allergy-free products available at Whole Foods, PCC, Wild Oats, and hopefully – your neighborhood health food store. You may also visit their website by clicking here.

Acupuncture is a fantastic treatment for both physical and emotional maladies. I’ve been working closely with David Tucker for several months on re-balancing my system and have had wonderful results. David works on the whole person and is a skilled listener and practitioner. I want to share his personal, comprehensive approach with others, and decided the best way to recommend him was to have him introduce himself to all of you. Below is his written interview:

(more…)

…what you put on your body counts as well.
A phone client and spa owner told me last week that Americans ingest an average of 5-7 pounds of chemicals via their skin each year.
Shortly thereafter, a reader here in Seattle sent me a link to this Cosmetic Safety database offered by the Environmental Working Group. It rates common cosmetics on a numerical scale of safety based on standards that would satisfy the most hyper-sensitive, hypervigilant consumer. Information available includes ingredients listed by potential toxicity, possible side effects, and reference for specific studies indicating hazards.

Check it out!

FREE 50 minute phone consultation!

With the weather cooling considerably and the days shortening, my bones have been aching for some steel cut oats. Not just any steel cut oats, but my tea-soaked steel cut oats (a genius discovery last winter). Steel cut oats have staying power far superior to oatmeal and provide all the benefits of whole grain oats in a thick, warming porridge with more substance than Quaker will ever have.
The problem with steel cut oats (and why most of you have never had them) is cooking time. I certainly don’t have 45 minutes in the morning to stand over a stove and cook fresh oats! I pondered a plausible solution — if my rice cooker can cook and keep rice warm, can it cook and keep oats warm?
Answer: YES! A resounding yes!

Aside from my Vitamix, the kitchen tool that makes me the happiest is the Sanyo ECJ-D100S 10 cup rice cooker. It will cook and keep rice warm until gone. Period. How ever many days it takes, you will have hot rice. It is the modern kitchen maven’s secret to easy, available whole grains.
I’ve made brown rice, wild rice, and oats in mine. I can use the keep warm function to keep quinoa and other quicker cooking grains hot and ready when I want them. I wake up every morning and have hot whole grains in my bowl in less than 45 seconds. It’s the next best thing to being fed by family.

Ah, is that the sound of sniffles in the air?

Cold and Flu season has arrived! Normally I squeak by unscathed, but this fall I can’t make that claim. I’m just sick enough to be a little cranky and low energy, but not so ill to feel comfortable taking a rest day. After whining for a spell, I’ve realized that I’m going to nip this in the bud quicker by doing less, dosing up on my favorite remedies, and getting some extra sleep. This is somewhat of an amazing feat as it counters a multi-generational attitude in my family (on both sides) of “toughing it out” through illness and injury.

I know many get struck with the cold or flu every time it comes around. While long-term nutrition strategies for a healthy immune system are the best way to counteract this, individual consulting is the best place for that discussion. So I’m going to share some of my favorite “helpers” to recover from illness quickly after you’ve been bit.

1) EHB: One of NF Formulas most popular concoctions, this herbal and vitamin support for immunity cuts the duration of illness significantly. This coupled with the Master Cleanser (below) enabled me to knock out Mononucleosis in 3-4 days about a decade ago. I’ve been a faithful supporter ever since!

2) Master Cleanser: This recipe, adapted from Stanley Burrough’s notorious fasting beverage, will knock out just about any cold, flu, or infection you may be experiencing.

• juice of one lemon
• 1 tbsp grade B maple syrup
• 2-3 small cloves garlic
• 1″ fresh ginger root, peeled.
• cayenne pepper or cayenne tincture, to taste
• 1/2 cup water
• hot water

Blend lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, cayenne, and half cup water until smooth. Pour into a 24-32 oz. mug and top off with hot water. This is most effective at night after a hot bath and before bed. Alternatively, it can be nursed throughout the evening. Use as much cayenne as you can tolerate. It tastes much better than it sounds, believe me!

3) Sweat it out! Saunas or hot baths increase the core body temperature will often kill off unwanted invaders. This is essentially creating a feverish environment within the body. Drink plenty of water during and after your bath or sauna. Also, wrap up in warm clothes and blankets afterwards to draw out the sweating potential.

4) Soup’s On! Mom’s chicken soup, a bowl of steaming pho, or your favorite broth-based soup rich with vegetables and protein will help boost your immune system, retain heat, and sweat out invaders. Garlic, ginger, cayenne, thyme, shiitake mushrooms, and licorice root can be added to further support the immune system and fight viruses.

What is your favorite way to combat colds and flus? Do you have any family recipes or tips that you’ve used to hasten the duration of a cold? I’m always open to suggestions and would love to hear what you have found helpful for you! Please share your favorite tips and recipes with me. If published, I’ll be sure to give you credit for your thoughtfulness!