Is Cheese Bad For You?

As humans, we commonly like for things to fit in tidy little boxes with easy explanations. While this might work well for organizing our underwear drawer, with foods, it doesn’t hold a lot of water and often leads to lackluster results.

As someone who spent her lifetime following every ‘healthy’ diet on the planet, looking for the one-size fits all approach that would solve my health maladies, I get the temptation to want to be told - This is good for you. This is bad for you. Now just follow this diet and with a wave of your wand everything is better......

During SXSW Interactive I heard an inspiring talk by Linda Avey who created 23andMe. Her personal genome test kit was named “Invention of the Year” by Time Magazine in 2008. Her inspiration for wanting to make genomics accessible for the average person? Studies which show medicines only work 40-50% of the time. So why aren’t meds working for everyone as we’ve commonly been told? Many answers could be at play, but a large one resides in our genes. Hence the ultra-cool revolution in targeted gene therapy and personalized medicine.

Linda Avey was at the forefront of this movement in medicine. And now she is at the forefront of what she considers an evolution beyond personalized medicine. Personalized medicine is still ultimately about treating sickness. She wants to prevent sickness and foster wellness. Her latest incarnation is still being hatched, but she’s moving her genius to the personalized wellness movement.

The premise: Can you find what works for YOU and prevent the need for personalized medicine? It appears we are coming full circle with what our ancient philosophers have told us all along:

Know Thyself. And Let Food Be Thy Medicine.

Now you might be wondering....What does this have to do with cheese?!

Perhaps the temptation to place cheese into the Good Camp or the Evil Camp is misplaced as well. Maybe, just maybe, it depends on you, along with wisdom from our elders.

How to know if cheese works for you?

Cheese is a problem food for a large % of people creating everything from stomach bloating, lower energy levels, congestion, headaches, sleep issues and fatigue. Obviously if cheese is bringing you down, the only way up, is without.

But how to know for sure? The clearest, most accurate test is with a good old fashioned elimination and mindful reintegration. But in order to receive an accurate read, read on:

• Eliminate all forms of dairy for at least 2 weeks. As surprising as it sounds, even a trace amount of dairy can warp your results during this test period, since it can hang around in your body for several days.
• Towards the end of the test period, note any areas that have improved. Has your sleep improved? Your digestion? Your allergies? Energy levels?
• During your test period, suss out life circumstances that could interfere with your results. A big one is for us women and our cycles. PMS can mimic the effects of food intolerances: increased bloating, back pain, fatigue, irritability and headaches can all be indications of either PMS or the impact of dairy.
• Since dairy is only one of many foods that could be creating issues, it is most optimal to omit the common offenders all at once to get a true read on your vitals.

When you are ready to re-integrate cheese and find out how it works for you, follow what we call the basics. In true form with - “Let Food Be Thy Medicine”, ask yourself, would this pass what Hippocrates or our great grandparents considered real food?

• Eat non-processed dairy. Food did not come in packages with multitudes of chemicals, preservatives and coloring agents to make it spreadable.
• Eat unpasteurized, raw cheeses. There is an abundance of raw dairy that has avoided the pasteurization process. Pasteurization renders any food unrecognizable to our bodies and it certainly didn’t exist in the time of Hippocrates.
• Know the quality of the herd. Shop at your local farmers markets to receive cheeses produced from free range animals that graze on the land rather than those that are factory farmed, which of course, didn’t exist in our elders' lives.
• Not all dairy is created equal. If consciously sourced cow dairy does not work for you, try consciously sourced raw-chevre (goat cheese)
• And with all good things in life - moderation is key. If eating dairy, begets eating more dairy, this might be a signal.....

Hiring LoveLife Coach

Do you have a passion for healthy eating and healthy living? Do you feel inspired in the presence of others creating positive changes in their lives? Is your work history rich with different types of responsibilities? Do you want to work for a small company with big things on the horizon? Are you a master at written communication? 

If so, read on! 

LoveLife Method is growing at a rapid rate. We are currently hiring a wearer of many hats with an emphasis on client coaching, administrative responsibilities (to start), community outreach and content creation. Please read thoroughly for full details. 

ABOUT US:
Here at LoveLife, we have a passion for helping people realize how great they can feel, through the simple power of food. LoveLife Method is a food-based cleanse system which allows our clients to connect the dots with what they eat and how they feel. Through a suite of tools including a product kit, technology, a unique coaching methodology, food partners, recipes and more - our clients achieve unprecedented results in weight loss, higher energy levels, improved digestion, decreased allergies and pain. Our unique method allows clients to optimize their diets and find the one that’s right for them. We are in a high growth phase and are preparing to be a major force in the health and wellness field. 

You will have the opportunity to help others create lifelong changes that will serve them in living their healthiest, happiest lives. Every day is an adventure and you will be amazed by what you witness.

As mentioned, we are a growing start up with serious vision and potential. We want to help change the way individuals and the world views food. And we’re looking for someone to join us who will be vital to our growth. 

YOU:

• You are interested in food, health/wellness and live a life that reflects this
• You are open minded, curious and passionate about the potential within each of us
• You are flexible, grounded and not easily flustered - we are a start up, after all! 
• You thrive in environments that require you to be creative. 
• You want to and will be able to make a difference in this organization and understand that this is a great opportunity to be involved at the ground level.
• You have a positive and can-do attitude.
• You don’t subscribe to what we call ‘diet dogma’ - each of us is unique and requires unique foods. Some of us thrive as vegans, while others need animal protein, and every variance in between. Our method helps us to uncover what is best for each person. If you feel that there is only one way to eat whether raw or paleo or vegan, etc – this will not be a good fit.
• You are very comfortable with and love technology including Word, Google Docs, Facebook, Twitter, basic blogging - no exceptions. 
• You are an excellent communicator, writer and excel at communicating complex topics, a good amount of our communication with clients is via email and online forums (a writing sample is required if brought in for an interview)
• You enjoy a high level of customer service and sensitivity to nuances of individual clients
• You are a strong team player who likes to dive in and help teammates wherever your skills are needed
• You deeply value confidentiality and commit to dealing with private information and handle this with the utmost discretion.
• You live in Austin, TX and have your own reliable transportation. This is a must. 
• You are seeking a long-term career in Austin with no plans to move. 
• You are willing to sign a nondisclosure and non-compete agreement.

WHAT THE POSITION LOOKS LIKE
This role is a combination of different functions including the following:

• Your primary role is as a coach. You will begin training as a Jr. Coach. and will participate in online Q&A forums, interacting on a daily basis with clients. Training time is estimated at 2-3 months. Eventually, you will also hold in-person meetings with clients, along with sending daily emails supporting them in experiencing these changes for themselves.
• For the short term, as you are training and we are transitioning, you will also act as our administrative assistant (this role to replaced with a full time administrator). Initially, your hours will include managing and organizing the office, acting as the intermediary between clients and company, client email support and assisting in research, marketing and other areas as needed. This is a fabulous way to learn the ins and outs of how our programs and methodology works.
• Community Outreach: Meeting with vendors and partners, helping to facilitate community events.
• Content Creation: Social media posts, content editing. Amateur photography a plus.

As you can see, this position really does require someone who loves to wear a myriad of different hats and has fun doing it. 


Full time, non-exempt (40 hours/week ) at our office in 78704
Salaried position, commensurate with experience. Benefits after three months.

Get more of a feel for us, our programs and who we are here.
Read more about the founder, Kim Love here.
See what our clients have to say here.

TO APPLY:
Please send a cover letter, resume to careers@lovelifemethod.com.
Do you have a blog, Instagram, Tumbler you’re proud of? Include it!
We WANT to meet you - highlight why you’re our missing piece!
Also be sure to confirm in your cover letter that you live in Austin and have your own transportation. 

Because of the number of applications, we regret we will not be able to respond to emails without ALL requirements. 

Austin Monthly Editor-in-Chief Rocks Through SX

Photo by Andrew Chan

ERIN QUINN

Editor-in-Chief, Austin Monthly

Food Rewards

• Weight: Down 8 pounds
• Sleep Quality: "5" to "9"
• Waking Energy: "3" to "8"
• Digestive Discomfort: "7-10" to "0-2"
• Hip Pain During Exercise: "7" to "1-1"
• Dry Skin: "9" to "2"

Food Discoveries

• Chicken & Fish: Optimal protein sources
• Potatoes & Red Meat: Impact weight holding
• Citrus: Acidic stomach

From Erin:
"Whew! I made it. My official cleanse is done (I was down 8 pounds when I finished on March 1), but I'm still working on figuring out my food sensitivities. And, the biggest bonus of all: I made it through SXSW Interactive and Film (a feat in itself) and a vacation in Mexico with plenty of energy and no big digestive problems!

What I loved most about The Love Cleanse (read about my full journey here, here and here) is that I've been able to tailor it to my real life. While I definitely indulged on vacation—though I did avoid gluten as much as possible and focused on lots of fish, fruits and veggies—I got right back on the horse today, eating a healthy breakfast and lunch and my favorite cleanse snack in the afternoon: baby carrots dipped in sunflower seed butter. Delish!  

As I mentioned before, I learned that veggies, fish and chicken work well for me, while potatoes and red meat don't. I incorporated eggs just fine, and dairy seems to work, too. (Hallelujah!) I'm going to officially test gluten soon, but until then I am avoiding beer, bread and pasta like the plague. The biggest lesson I learned from this cleanse? The reward for eating what works well for your body is feeling amazing. And feeling amazing is priceless!”

”

- Erin

Spring Recipe Sneak Preview: Asparagus Ribbon Salad

INGREDIENTS

• 1 bunch fresh asparagus, rinsed, stems and tips removed
• 2 cups watercress, arugula or salad greens of choice

DRESSING:

• 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 scant tsp honey
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp Dash of Spring (included in your kit) 
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Optional:

• Diced Avocado
• Hemp or Lightly toasted Sunflower Seeds

INSTRUCTIONS
Using a vegetable peeler, start from the top of the spear, and gently shave downward, to create a thin ribbon. Continue shaving into ribbons until spear is mostly used up. Slice tips of asparagus in half.

Combine dressing ingredients in a jar covered with a tight-fitting lid and shake to combine. Taste to adjust seasoning. Toss asparagus with the dressing until fully coated. Let marinate for 15 to 20 minutes. (Also excellent the next day)

Toss the marinated asparagus with salad greens. 

Sprinkle the asparagus-arugula mixture with the seeds, avocado, fresh black pepper.