Friday, March 13, 2015

Kale - Apple Smoothie

In celebration of St. Patricks Day, I am sharing my favorite Green Smoothie....

KALE-APPLE SMOOTHIE

1 C. Frozen Kale
1 Apple of Choice**
1/2 Ripe Banana

1/2 Avocado
1 C. Soy Milk
2 C. Water (cold)
1 T. Pure Maple Syrup*
1 T. Chia Seeds*

ICE ~ as desired

Blend well.  Add Ice and water for desired consistency.

*optional ingredients 

**I use red delicious apples

TIP:  I  buy ripe bananas and avocado's on sale, cut them up into chunks and freeze. It saves time when making my morning smoothie, I can just throw a few pieces in my blender and then I don't need much ice.

I CRAVE my morning smoothies.  They re-hydrate your body after sleeping all night and give me the jump-kick needed to get through the day.  

ENJOY... and REMEMBER You Are What you EAT...

Namaste, Beci 

Nutty Butter Balls

I've been asked by a number of my friends to share the recipe for this incredible, raw treat.  It is so simple to make but truly decadent.  They are wonderful with a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of cold Almond milk in the afternoon. And there is nothing but healthy ingredients so you can enjoy guilt-free.

I have finally measured out how much of what ingredient I use and here it is....

Nutty Butter Balls

2 C. RAW Peanut or Almond Butter
1 C. RAW Honey
1 1/2 C. Old Fashioned Oats
2 T. Ground Flax Seeds
1 T. Chia Seeds
1/2 teaspoon of Sea Salt*
1 teaspoon Vanilla*

Put the Peanut or Almond butter in a bowl and mix with the honey until well blended.  Add all other ingredients one at a time.  I usually add the Oats last.  Create balls by using a cookie scoop and put them in an air-tight container.  Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

And.... ENJOY.

*If using jar peanut butter, omit these ingredients.

Other Optional Ingredients:  Add Coconut and/or mini chocolate chips.

Happy Eating ~ Beci :)


Sunday, March 8, 2015

Balancing Hormones Part I: Symptoms of Thyroid Disease

Today more than 12% of the U.S. population and 1 women in 8 will develop a thyroid disorder during their lifetime.  An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease and up to 60% of those with this disease are unaware of their condition.  Women are five to eight times more likely to be diagnosed with this disease than men.

After being diagnosed with hypothyroidism last year, I began doing a lot of research on Thyroid disease and Endocrine disorders.  Recently, I learned that the endocrine and nervous systems work together in creating homeostasis or the balance inside the body.  This has led me to believe that my suffering with severe adrenal fatigue for at least three years is most likely what caused nerve damage in my lower legs and feet.  I feel very fortunate to be attending The American College of Healthcare Sciences which has given me the tools to do in-depth medical investigations in all forms of DIS-Ease.

So what is causing this epidemic that is throwing our bodies and hormones so off balance? There are many sources including genetics, diet, toxic chemicals and auto-immune diseases. I believe it is a combination of all these things that have made this disease so rampant in the society today.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Resources:
"Endocrine disorders involve the body's over - or under-production of certain hormones.  Endocrine disorders include hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasis, diseases of the parathyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, diseases of the adrenal glands (including Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease), and ovarian dysfunction (including polycystic ovary syndrome), among others.

Polycistic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age, and is the most common cause of endocrine-related female infertility in the United States.  An estimated 1 in 10 women of childbearing age has PCOS, and it can occur in females as young as 11 years of age.  In addition, PCOS may put women at risk for other health conditions, inclding high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes."


Picture provided by WebMD.com
The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland in the front of the neck.  It acts as the control center for your body.  Hormones secreted by the thyroid gland travel through your bloodstream and affect nearly every part of your body, from your heart and brain to your muscles and skin.  It is vital in helping the body to use energy properly.  When something goes wrong it will lead to either an under-active or overactive thyroid.  Your metabolism will either speed up way too high or slow completely down. Both of these conditions affect the thyroid in different ways and therefore have distinct separate symptoms.


In simple terms, hypothyroidism is an under-active thyroid that doesn't make enough thyroid hormone.  And hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid so the thyroid makes too much hormone.

As a result of an under-active thyroid (Hypothyroidism), you may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue
  • Feeling cold
  • Forgetfulness
  • Dry Skin & Hair
  • Brittle Nails
  • Constipation
  • Weight gain*
  • Muscle Cramps
  • Depression
  • Decreased menstrual flow
  • Swelling in the front of the neck (or goiter)
*If a person with under-active thyroid can force herself to maintain a normal activity level, she may only gain a few pounds.  But most people with hypothyroidism feel so tired they stop exercising, sleep more and change their routine, which causes even more weight gain.

Hyperthyroidism is associated with all of the body functions speeding up and can cause all or some of the following symptoms:
  • Feeling Hot
  • Sweating
  • Problems falling asleep
  • Racing thoughts
  • Difficulty focusing on one task
  • Forgetfulness
  • Change in bowel habits, bowels are looser
  • Elevated heart rate and palpitations
  • Anxiety, nervousness, or irritability
  • Weight loss
  • Menstrual problems
  • Fatigue
My symptoms included severe fatigue, brain fog, feeling extremely cold all of the time, dry hair, brittle nails, skin rashes, being off-balance, falling down frequently and bruises that would not heal. This all eventually led to chronic nerve pain in my lower legs and feet which brought on depression.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, please see your health care professional.  He or she can order tests to see if your thyroid hormone levels are in the normal range.  If they are not, there are medications that can treat and ease your symptoms.

Please read my next discussion on WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU GET TESTED FOR THYROID DISEASE.  Not all tests are the same and could come back negative when you really do have the disease.

For more information, please see the articles listed below.

Thanks for being a part of my journey.

Namaste,   Beci


References:

Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. (2009, January 1). Retrieved March 8, 2015, from     http://mchb.hrsa.gov/whusa09/hstat/hi/pages/217emd.html#footnote1

Hypothroid (Underactive Thyroid). (2015, January 1). Retrieved March 8, 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/women/hypothyroidism-underactive-thyroid-symptoms-causes-treatments

Prevalence and Impact of Thyroid Disease. (2015, January 1). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://www.thyroid.org/media-main/about-hypothyroidism/

Shimer Bowers, E., & Jones, MD, N. (2013, April 25). Hypothyroidism vs. Hyperthyroidism: What's the Difference? Retrieved March 8, 2015, from http://www.everydayhealth.com/thyroid-conditions/hypothyroidism-vs-hyperthyroidism-whats-the-difference.aspx