In our Client's Words

"The Love Cleanse is a game changer. Our entire executive team went

through Kim's program together and we all increased our performance, health and energy. I recommend it to anybody."

- Clayton Christopher, Founder of Sweet Leaf Tea and Deep Eddy Vodka

“When I began working with Kim I had chronic allergy attacks that required daily medication and monthly allergy shots, lower back pain, mid afternoon energy slumps, the occasional tossing and turning at night and could not lose weight despite a healthy diet and exercise. Kim's program helped me discover my sensitivity to lemons and limes as well as gluten and dairy. With this knowledge in hand, I dropped 30 pounds in 30 days, my allergies disappeared, my back pain subsided, I sleep better than ever and I am energetic all day. The improvement in my clarity is paramount to my performance and I'm happy to report that 3 months later the benefits continue. Kim’s cleanse was a life changing event for me and as with most things in life, you will get out of the program what you put into it.”

- Charlie Pace, CEO, Smart Flour and SiteStuff, Inc.

“This program will really blow you away. It was really amazing and everyone I have referred to it agrees that it’s the best program they’ve tried. Kim is amazingly knowledgeable and has created a program that works with your body, not against it. I was never actually hungry and the symptoms were much milder than with other cleanses. I emerged full of life and energy. It’s truly a transformational experience.”

- Mason Arnold, Founder, Greenling Organics

“After working with Kim, I’ve noticed a quick and significant improvement in my general health and energy level. Having suffered from chronic allergies and nasal problems all my life, I had almost entirely lost my sense of smell. Now, my allergies and sense of smell have dramatically improved. I smelled a honeysuckle bush! I've also lost 14 pounds so far! Thank you!”

- Heather McKissick, CEO/President, Leadership Austin and mom of 2

Mood & Food

Think the holiday frenzy is making you extra irritable? Parties, gifts, travel, and extra expectations from family, all heaped on top of an already busy life are indeed a recipe for dwindling patience. However, we invite you to consider the possibility that the source of irritation and mood swings isn’t solely related to life circumstances. 

What if we told you that there is a very real possibility that life’s circumstances could be handled much more gracefully if you were to find the foods that work for you while eliminating those that don’t? We know it sounds crazy, and it did to us too. In the early days of the program, we were surprised and delighted when we first heard accounts of increased levels of patience, compassion, and outlook on life. However, because we now see this so frequently, we are surprised when we do not see improvements in these areas. Increased patience = happier relationships, both with oneself and our loved ones.

What are the top food impacts on our mood levels?

Food Intolerances: 

One of the most profound impacts on our mood levels comes from discovering our personal food intolerances. Any food that is creating inflammation in our body, can also inflame our consciousness, decreasing our threshold for the little annoyances in life. It is common for each person to discover between 1-3 food intolerances; often one of those foods trigger mood level jumps and slumps. 

Through an elimination of the most common food triggers along with a methodical reintegration and simultaneous tracking of key areas (including energy, weight, mood, digestion, allergies, pain and more), clients are able discover how to use food to create more positive mood levels. Whether citrus, garlic, or gluten, learning how specific foods affect our mood has far reaching effects on every other area of our lives.

Higher Quantities of Plants: 
Like mom always said - eat your vegetables! Vegetables, especially the green ones, create a more alkaline state, offsetting the acidic nature of processed foods prevalent in the standard American diet. Becoming more alkaline is often associated with more positive mood states.
Processed Foods & Refined Oils: 
Processed foods provide little in the way of nutritive value and, in fact, leave our bodies constantly wanting more, triggering a cascade of food cravings. Food cravings often lead to a perpetual hybrid of hungry and angry, resulting in H’angry states. Replace processed foods with nutrient dense whole foods and veggies.

Sunchoke Mashers

This week we're featuring another under-utilized tuber, the Sunchoke (aka Jerusalem artichoke). 

Maybe you're limiting starches in the evenings to help reach a weight loss goal or perhaps you've discovered that nightshades just don't work for you. Whatever your motivation, this fresh twist on an old favorite elegantly conquers the great potato void. Embodying the word comfort food with their creamy texture and mild flavor, these choke mashers are a welcome side at any dinner.


INGREDIENTS:

• 2-3 pounds f Jerusalem Artichokes (aka Sunchokes)
• 1-2 cloves of garlic
• 2 TB Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Himalayan Salt and black Pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup unsweetened, plain Hemp Milk

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Rinse and wash the Sunchokes cutting off and discarding any long tails. Place in a large stockpot and fill with 1 inch of water. Add sprinkle of HImalayan Salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium high with lid on top. Keep an eye on the water level and continue adding more water in small increments as needed (too much water will make them mushy). 

Meanwhile, using garlic press, crush garlic cloves and place into small skillet with drizzle of olive oil. Saute the garlic until light brown. Add to Sunchokes while cooking.

Cook Sunchokes until the larges pieces are tender in the middle, generally between 30-40 minutes. Remove from stove top. Make sure water is boiled down or pour off remaining water. Add olive oil and 1/2 cup hemp milk. Using hand immersion blender or manual potato masher/ricer, blend sunchokes until they have a creamy consistency. Top with chives and an extra drizzle of olive oil.

Go Raw Organic Spicy Flax Snax

Little discs of crunch pack a major punch. Spicy, zesty and chalk full of protein and fiber, these Go Raw treats are sure to please the taste buds while also sating your belly. Dip them in your favorite hummus snack, slather with avocado or simply pop them into your mouth while on the go. Found at Whole Foods, Central Market, Wheatsville and People's Pharmacy.

The Tidmore's

CLIENTS: Crystal & Todd Tidmore


CRYSTAL
Weight: 149 to 138 = 11 pound loss

CRYSTAL’S PERSONAL DISCOVERIES:

• POULTRY (esp. CHICKEN): Causes Inflammation resulting in Headaches, Backaches and Tailbone Pain
• NIGHTSHADES: Cause Bloating and Severe Drowsiness/Energy Loss
• DAIRY: Impacts Sinus Inflammation and severe Allergy Symptoms during "allergy season" also Impacts bloating
• CITRUS: Causes Stomach Cramping and Digestive Issues; Strongly Impacts Moods
• CAFFEINE: Causes Anxiety

FROM CRYSTAL:
“After hearing great testimonials from friends, I was eager to begin the LoveLife Method with my husband. I wanted to discover what foods were affecting my energy levels, moods, and allergy symptoms. As a mother, it is important, no critical, for me to feel good and have lots of energy to keep up with the pace of my family. When I'm "off", the entire family suffers and that's why I started this program while pregnant with our fourth child.

I knew that I needed to learn how to eat right to feel my best, and to eliminate the foods that were causing me to feel tired, grumpy, anxious and bloated. Because I was pregnant, Kim tailored the program to fit my needs and I consulted with my doctor so that we monitored weight loss and diet.

At the start of the program, I was at the highest weight I have ever registered on a scale (and unfortunately that wasn't "baby weight", it was just "fat" and bloating!). Cutting out caffeine, sugar and processed foods immediately had a positive effect on my body and mind. After just a few days I felt clear-headed, focused and could actually see my body shape change once the bloating subsided. Not to mention, I have never slept so well in my whole life!

All of these changes were great, but the most shocking change was my pain levels. Little did I know that foods could impact pain. When Kim encouraged me to include my head, back and tailbone pain in my daily monitoring spreadsheet, I thought she was crazy. However, since she's the professional, I agreed to indulge her. Personally, I didn't think anything could cure my horrible tailbone pain that I've lived with for 10 years after breaking my tailbone snowboarding. The pain had escalated so much in the months prior to starting the program that I couldn't even sit through a movie or even dinner because it hurt so badly. After one week of the program, I was totally pain free. This was unbelievable to me and to my husband who has had to deal with my complaints from these annoying pains. Within 1 hour of integrating chicken back into my diet, I suddenly had a headache, backache, and my tailbone hurt again! I was instantly reminded that I had been living pain-free since starting the program.

Overall the program taught me and my husband to pay attention to how foods affect us and our children, to listen to our bodies, and to encourage others to do so as well. We both feel like the LoveLife Method was the best investment we have ever made in terms of our health. We are confident that the tools we've learned from the program will minimize our trips to the doctor's office and will add years to our life. Thanks, Kim!”


TODD:
Weight: 204 to 186 = 18 pound loss


TODD’S PERSONAL DISCOVERIES:

• NIGHTSHADES: Impact Weight Holding, Increase Congestion and Decrease Mental Clarity
• CHICKEN: Impacts Digestion and Energy Levels

FROM TODD:
"I went into this process with a couple of goals...figure out why I couldn't get below the 200lb mark and figure out a way to have more energy throughout the day. I had an idea that my diet was the culprit however I had no idea how to figure out which foods were at fault.

Kim's program was a huge help in determining which foods I had sensitivities to and it was enlightening to immediately realize the benefits of her program. Although concerning at first, since I realized how much clearer my thinking became when I eliminated certain foods from my diet, was eye opening to the ways in which food effects all aspects of your being; mind, body, energy levels, sleep, etc.

My wife, Crystal, and I went through this together and we can always tell within a few hours when either one of us has eaten something we shouldn't. In the end, knowing which foods have adverse affects on us has been life-changing and we've had friends as far away as Italy wanting to give Kim's method a try once they hear (and see!) our results.”

How to Prevent the Holiday "Slide"

It’s that time of year again. Festivities beckon and our bodies reckon. Wine glasses tilt, nibbles to the hilt and by January we are pulling out our baggiest pants and jeans. Now I know what you might be thinking - I don’t care, I just want to have fun. But fun is a relative term. As the old adage goes - a minute in your mouth is a lifetime on your hips. We might also add - days of feeling less vibrant, looking less vibrant, abusing the dog as the scapegoat for your digestive ills and numerous other maladies which we blame on life that are truly related to foods. Having fun yet? We invite you to consider - how to keep the fun rolling while keeping the feel good vibes flowing?


Tip 1: Eat Before You Go
Showing up ravenous leads to overindulgence and even a small amount of almonds or hummus can go a long way in preventing a butter-laden Chex Mix overdose later.


Tip 2: Drink Water or Sparkling Water Between Each Cocktail
When wine is flowing, good choices are often muted. Consciously choosing to drink water between every cocktail hydrates what alcohol depletes while also gifting a reset opportunity.

Tip 3: Choose Protein
Sugar begets more sugar and once that train leaves the station it can be hard to slow down. Opting for protein often helps balance cravings for sugars. Seek out the hummus and veggie tray and scan the buffet for dishes that include smoked turkey or salmon.


Tip 4: Just say No
Learn your trigger foods. These are foods that create inflammation which manifests in unique ways for each person. Some signs that certain foods aren’t working for you? Digestive ails, low energy, weight holding, cravings and allergies are but a few of the signs.


Tip 5:  Just say Yes
Splurge on foods you know may not be the best choices but also don’t have the personal consequences of a food which creates inflammation. Maybe eggs make you irritable and sink your energy but gluten appears to work okay in moderation. Opt for a nibble of the pannini over the quiche. Knowledge is power.

Pecan Vinegar Glazed Parsnips

Parsnips are an all too often overlooked side dish. Cousins to carrots, these white-fleshed root veggies stand up to high temperature roasting and take on a myriad of flavoring profiles with ease.

We recently discovered a new favorite way to jazz up meals, Pecan Balsamic Vinegar*! In this recipe the vinegar lends a sweet, nutty glaze and paired with rosemary the parsnips are transformed into a dish worthy of a spot on your holiday table.


INGREDIENTS:

• 2 pounds of parsnips, washed and julienned 
• 1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, roughly chopped
• 1.5 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Pecan Vinegar (balsamic, if not an inflammatory food for you works wonderfully as well)
• Black pepper and Himalayan salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Parsnips before roasting.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 

In a big bowl or plastic bag combine the julienned parsnips, rosemary, olive oil, vinegar, and black pepper. Toss mixture until parsnips are evenly coated.

In your favorite roasting pan or cast iron skillet, roast parsnips 20-25 minutes, stirring every ten minutes or so until golden brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with Himalayan salt to taste.

For a holiday meal we plan on taking this dish a step further by tossing the final product with some lightly toasted pecans. 


*Balsamic vinegar can be more inflammatory for some. Red wine negatively impact you? You may consider skipping the balsamic as well.

Texas Olive Ranch Pecan Vinegar

Okay, okay, we know this isn't necessarily a snack item but man-oh-man can it elevate a dish and we wanted to make sure to share Texas Olive Ranch's Pecan Balsamic Vinegar. Robust chocolate flavor pairs well with Shitake and Portabella Mushrooms, as a steak marinade and makes a delicious salad dressing. (We recently showcased the product in our featured recipe: Pecan Vinegar Glazed Parsnips.) Try their blueberry and pomegranate vinegars as well. Found at Greenling Organics, Republic Square Farmers Market or your local Whole Foods.

Ali Fights Candida and Wins!

CLIENT: Ali Kamas

PERSONAL DISCOVERIES:

FISH: Significantly impacts energy and digestion
• VINEGAR/KOMBUCHA: Upsets stomach, causes mouth ulcers
• GRAINS/SUGARS: Exacerbated Candida in turn causing significant lethargy

IN ALI'S WORDS:

"I want to start off by saying I have never felt better since living the LoveLife Method!! It has been life changing for me.  

I was eating a very healthy gluten-free vegetarian diet prior to the Love Life Method, but still didn't feel great on a daily basis. Hormonal issues, neck and shoulder pain, fatigue and cravings were just a normal part of my day and I just chalked it up to being 40, hormones  and fibromyalgia. 

It's amazing to me that even "healthy" foods can have a negative affect on your body.  My biggest discovery was finding out I had Candida and ANY sugar, natural, fruit or processed was making me feel horrible and craving more. Once I eliminated all sugars,even fruit, and grains, I felt like a new person. Also finding out how much vegetarian protein and carbs(protein/carb ratio) works best for me was another big turning point. I couldn't believe how much food I was eating while losing the stomach bloat I carried around for years.  

With such daily fatigue I thought possibly I needed to add some animal protein like fish, finding out that was one of my major reactive foods, making me feel even more tired. 

I have lost almost all of my cravings and the only craving I have now is for my green juice, which I consume almost daily.  

The support I got from Erin and Kim was invaluable. I looked forward to my daily emails from Erin, because they were so supportive and informative. Erin was a joy to work with, so enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to helping me feel better.

The staff was awesome too! :-)"

Second-Wind Hazlenut Bites

We often feature snacks that can be purchased but do you know how easy it is to make your own snacks and keep them on hand for 2 weeks? See below for one of our favorites!

We are in love with Stephanie Tourles book, Raw Energy. It’s chock full of easy delicious recipes that provide quick energy boosts on the go.

Try these Second-Wind Hazelnut Bites.
Makes about two dozen.


INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup raw hazelnuts
• ¼ cup raw, hulled sunflower seeds
• ½ cup unsweetened coconut, finely shredded
• ¼ cup raw honey
• ¼ cup raw tahini

INSTRUCTIONS:
Grind the hazelnuts and sunflower seeds into a medium-fine meal in a nut and seed grinder.

Transfer the nut mixture to a medium bowl and stir in the coconut, honey and tahini. Use your hands to blend the ingredients well and mash them into a small, cohesive dough ball.

Pinch off small pieces of dough and roll them into bite-size balls about 1 inchch in diameter.

For the best flavor and consistency, allow the balls to set for 24 hours before eating. Store the balls in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator and consume within 2 or 3 weeks. They may be individually wrapped, using waxed paper or plastic wrap, and taken with you to enjoy as portable energy bites.

Amy's Inner Expert Leads her to Sleep Solution + more!

CLIENT: Amy Holton
Owner of Amy Holton Designs

PERSONAL DISCOVERIES:

TOMATOES: Significantly impact sleep quality and duration
• TURKEY: Impacts sleep quality
• CORN: Impacts weight holding
• SOY: Impacts digestion 
• DAIRY: Impacts weight holding
• WINE: Red or White impacts mental recall the day after

IN AMY'S WORDS:

"I actually found the Love Life Method over a year before I started the program, but it was never the right time. I was looking for a cleanse as I knew my body wasn’t quite right, but was determined to find one that was food based…not a fast. Being a bit obsessive (my husband would say “a lot”), it was never quite the right time. Finally, things slowed down and I jumped at the opportunity to go at it with full dedication. For me, working with the fantastic staff at the Love Life Method was truly a lot of fun. 


As I said to Kim when I started the program, it was an experiment with my body and I was to play the role of “Lab Rat.”  I’ve long been very interested in nutrition, various dietary practices and have quite a collection of books and websites on the subject. The program’s principles that food can affect the body as powerfully as a drug was in line with what I’d learned and believed through my own research.  Never mind I was armed with so many references, I chose to do the full, guided concierge program. I had some idea of what foods affected me, but I wanted validation from  someone with a tried and true, tested system. The Love Life Method taught me to trust my inner expert and to feel empowered by what my body was telling me.

I knew going in I’m gluten intolerant.  Further, I’d long suspected I reacted negatively to most grains…and beans, and corn which can be quite limiting when you’re gluten intolerant.  Immediately beans and rice were eliminated and symptoms subsided. When corn was later reintroduced, I reacted and it was promptly removed. A mild but chronic nasal congestion was eliminated with the removal of garlic, onions and later, citrus. I learned what protein sources my body responded to best. As I’d suspected, my body needs quite a bit of protein, but I did learn it didn’t need as much as I’d usually give it. 

Then there was the Holy Grail of food intolerances…tomatoes, peppers and turkey. I have long suffered from insomnia and was one of the great mysteries I was hoping to uncover. Sleeping 3-4 hours a night was not uncommon. As I started the program, I began sleeping so much better. Then we began reintroducing foods. Tomatoes are a favorite of mine and I love spicy food.  However, when we re-introduced nightshades, I immediately went back to my old sleep patterns. 

Tryptophan be damned, it happened again when we reintroduced turkey to my diet (though I learned I drop weight like a fiend eating turkey). Years of sleep issues were suddenly uncovered. Tomatoes are one of my favorite foods.  I used to keep a colander of cherry tomatoes on my counter and snack on them throughout the day. We love spicy food. Sliced turkey was a quick and easy protein fix on days I was too busy to make myself prepare a proper lunch.  Mystery solved. I miss my tomatoes, but the tradeoff is priceless.  Of course, it’s not that I can never have a tomato again or have to avoid Thanksgiving altogether, I’m just now empowered to pick my battles and make the decision to indulge in these favorites when I can afford a slow-moving day the next day.

A few days after I finished the program, we were to go spend several days with my family at the beach. I’d promised to bring a fresh salsa I regularly make that my family loves, though I knew most of the ingredients would not agree with me. I probably had 1-2 tablespoons of the salsa as I adjusted the seasonings…and I was awake all night! Proof positive that I had found my sleep nemesis. For all of the materials I’ve read, websites I’ve researched and options I’ve explored, the Love Life Method solved a life-long dilemma.  Now if I have a sleepless night, my husband (who was initially skeptical) will ask me, “What did you eat yesterday?”  It never fails that I can narrow my sleeplessness down to food.

All around the program was a great experience. Everyone was so wonderful to work with and I’ve recommended the program to so many others.  It’s interesting and eye-opening being the “Lab Rat.”  This program taught me a lot, validated what I thought was true and empowered me to trust my inner expert as the program teaches.  I always thought I knew my body quite well.  The Love Life Method taught me I knew it better than I thought…I just needed to trust my instincts.

Coconut Curry Seed Crackers - Our Obsession Continues!

Our obsession with seed crackers continues! Portable, high in protein, a whole food (if raw and dehydrated) - these are as good as it gets for healthy snacks.

Our new favorite: Living Spoonfuls Coconut Curry Crackers. The crisp crunch of the cracker pairs with the creamy, sweet and spicy infusion of your favorite Thai Coconut Curry Dish. We will be eating these regularly.

Note: They do contain nightshades and citrus - so if either of those is your poison, opt for one of our other recommendations. Everyone else - enjoy!


Available online or at JuiceLand on Barton Springs in Austin.

Kelly Kicked Cravings & Revved Up Her Energy!

CLIENT: Kelly McBride
Type 1 Diabetic, reduced insulin requirements by 65%

WEIGHT: 14 pound weight lost

PERSONAL DISCOVERIES:

• ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS: Significantly Inflames Pain
• SOY: Increases Allergies and Negatively Impacts Digestion
• CITRUS: Impacts Mood Levels
• CHICKEN: Impacts Weight

IN KELLY'S WORDS:
"This has been a great experience and a wonderful learning opportunity! Losing 14 lbs in 6 weeks is absolutely incredible and the best part of the weight loss is that I was finally able to push past the plateau weight that I had struggled with FOREVER, and to keep it going!  

I’ve been a type 1 diabetic since I was two years old and daily insulin injections are part of my daily routine…that will never change, but a wonderful, unexpected outcome from this program was my 65% reduction in the amount of insulin I was taking every day. Talk about life changing!

The program takes work and dedication…and a lot of vegetable chopping, but it is worth it! To have more energy, to sleep better and to just feel so much better overall is worth the work.  It will change your life and your palate for the better!"

SeedWeed Snacks

So last month we featured these tasty little snacks we happily stumbled upon while road-tripping and we were immediately inspired to head to the test kitchen and try out a version for ourselves. We wanted to add a few LoveLife twists including using the least amount of sweetener by removing the brown rice syrup and sticking to the more flavorful maple as well as upping the seed factor. 


Easy to throw together, the end result is a crunchy, satisfyingly sweet and salty combo that makes for a great portable snack. The seaweed lends a briny spin and increases the overall mineral content while the seeds really work to satiate hunger and provide a pop of energy. Bring them on the road, the hiking trail or to work for a quick nut-free snacking solution.


If you have a dehydrator at home, even better! You could soak the seeds (all but the flax and chia) overnight and dehydrate the mixture for an even more nutritiously rocking snack.


INGREDIENTS:
Makes about 1/2 baking sheet

• 3 large, raw Nori Sheets (seaweed)
• 1/4 cup each of:
• Flax Seeds
• Chia Seeds
• Raw Sunflower Seeds
• Raw Pumpkin Seeds
• Sesame Seeds
• Scant 1/4 cup real maple syrup

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix together all the seeds with the maple syrup until all seeds are coated and the consistency is slightly tacky. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. With your hands (a bit of olive oil on the fingers makes for easy cleanup) press the seed mixture onto the parchment paper. We went with about 1/4 of inch thick. You could also use cookie cutters or form into thicker bars; the latter would require a longer baking time.

Pop the baking sheet in the oven. Because most ovens don't bake evenly you'll want to rotate the sheet about 15 minutes. Within 30-45 minutes you should start to smell the maple syrup permeate the house and the seeds turn a light golden brown, this means they are done. Remove from the oven and cool completely - this is where the crunchiness will really set in. 

Using a knife you can cut neat little crackers but we decided to use our hands to break apart the final result, more fun and just as tasty! 

Buying Local Meats & Preventing Drug Resistance

Excerpt from September 19th, 2011 Yahoo News, "Growing Concern over Drugs Fed to Animals." 

Drugs fed to animals to promote growth and prevent diseases may play a key role in the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria, microbiologists said.The practice of administering large quantities of antimicrobial drugs "favors the emergence of drug resistant bacteria that can spread to humans through the consumption of contaminated food, from direct contact with animals or by environmental spread," said Awa Aidara-Kane of the World Health Organization.

Factory farming is an unnatural method of raising our livestock that requires pumping animals full of steroids and antibiotics. We have heard for many years that this will lead to antibiotic resistance of diseases we once thought long gone. Sadly, this predicted future is now here and will only continue until we take measures to correct it. Fortunately, you and your family can choose to be a part of the solution while also helping to protect yourselves.

Choose organic, grass fed, free range animals. For the most optimally raised livestock, visit your local farmer’s market and get to know your local farmers. 

Beef 
Grass fed beef is not only free of antibiotic hormones but also contains a third the calories of traditional beef. In addition, grass fed beef,  compared to grain fed, contains high quantities of Conjugated Linoleic Acid, which has many documented health benefits including promoting lean muscle. There are many grass fed beef sources at natural grocers and plenty of restaurants are now serving grass fed burgers and steaks.

Chicken
Free range, organic chicken is free of antibiotics and hormones that are  prevalent in 99% of commercially available chicken. Significantly healthier for you and your family, it is also said that free range, organic chicken tastes better. Not all chickens labeled 'Free Range' and 'Organic' are given optimal conditions and, in fact, Michael Pollan visited one of the more popular “Free Range / Organic” farms that is commercially available in many natural grocers and found that the chickens were only given these conditions during the last few weeks of their lives. A great resource for information is: http://www.eatwild.com/index.html. 


Bottom Line: Choose local and organic farms whenever possible.

Image Courtesy of Dan.

Are your “healthy” beverages really healthy?

Excerpt from September 1, 2011 Yahoo! Health News, "Half of Americans Drink Daily soda, Sweet Beverage":

Half of Americans drink a soda or sugary beverage each day - many are downing much more than this. 1 in 20 people drink the equivalent of more than four cans of soda every day, even though health officials say sweetened beverages should be limited to less than half a can.

From Kim:
Over half of Americans are drinking a sugary drink each day. We know what you might be saying right now, “But, I don’t drink sodas”. Before you exempt yourself from the masses, we invite you to ask yourself: Am I drinking Packaged Teas, Juices, Flavored Waters or “health” beverages such as certain Kombucha’s that contain high amounts of sugar?

Labels can be deceptively seductive, making it easy to believe we are doing ourselves a favor even as each sip creates spikes in our blood sugar and sets off a cascade of negative health effects such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. It also triggers cravings, mood and energy issues: the very items that give rise to a pop of the sugar top.

Anything beyond an occasional 4-6 grams of sugar – whether through cane sugar or fructose - per serving is likely to set off the sugar cascade.

Unfortunately, artificial sweeteners, as inferred in the article, are not the antidote to sugar. They have much more dangerous effects than sugar including neurotoxins. Think they will help you shed the lb’s? In fact, many of our clients who eliminate artificial sweeteners before beginning our programs begin immediately melting away the very pounds they hoped to shed when they picked up their first diet drink.

Think instead you can reach for fruit juice? Fruit juices are loaded with fructose and behave similarly to sugar.

Sugar begets more sugar and learning to tame this beast will allow you to operate in a much healthier and happier zone. Click here to learn more about Solving the Craving Riddle.

What are some truly healthy beverages?

Top Natural Beverages:

1. Plain Water

In a league of it’s own, there is no documented replacement for agua, plain and simple. Has your palette become so accustomed to sweets that this natural elixir has lost its sparkle? Try swapping out 1 non-water “beverage” every day for water. This natural progression will allow your palette to adjust slowly as it begins craving what truly nourishes its system. Click here for more information about your best bets when it comes to water.

Before we launch into “Healthier” beverage alternatives, it should be noted: There is no replacement for water. In other words, though we believe that the beverages below are healthier alternatives to the stealth sugar drink explosion, none of these should be used as a substitute. And in fact, for each glass of a non-water beverage consumed, an extra glass of water should be drank, even after something as seemingly innocuous as herbal teas.

2. Herbal Teas

Brew your own herbal teas throughout the day and watch your cravings melt away. Having a cold or hot toddy to sip on throughout the day often sates the physical and emotional desire for something soothing. In warm summer months, Hibiscus or floral teas cool the senses.Whole Foods offers a gaggle of tasty and refreshing iced teas, ready to self-serve in the Coffee Bar. In warmer months, opt for smokier, robust flavors such as Rooibos or LoveLife Method’s Awake Tea, a delicious coffee substitute.

3. Bragg's Apple Cider Beverages

If you are a fan of sweet and sour, you’ll love this unusual pairing. Fermented apple cider vinegar, mixed with spice and fruit and then sweetened with Stevia - most of these selections fall within our recommended range of less than 6 grams of sugar. Our favorite is their Apple and Cinnamon.

4. GT Dave’s Kombucha

Not all Kombuchas are created equal and many Kombuchas contain as much as 20 grams of sugar per serving! Considering that most containers have two servings, this “health” beverage is landing you right up there with a coke. Kombucha makers will say that the net sugar content in these beverages is negligible due to the fermentation of the bacteria that feed on the sugar as their food source. While we are huge advocates of fermented foods and beverages and, understand that a small amount of sugar will allow the good bacteria to thrive, there is a law of diminishing returns to consider. For this reason, one of our favorite kombuchas is GT Daves. Most of their drinks are under 2 grams of sugar. Our latest favorite – Grape Chia flavor.

5. Tonix Coconut Kefir

Coconut Kefir is a fermented fizzy beverage that contains loads of natural probitoics waiting to crowd out the unfriendly bacteria that create a range of issues as it makes a cozy home in your belly. With only 2 grams of sugar, this effervescent beverage will delight your taste buds, your senses and your body.

First image courtesy of Master Isolated Images