Author avisha Categories Blog, Food & Nutrition, Lifestyle Posted on 0 Comments

Start Your Day with Sole (Solay)

I have a new addition to my morning ritual and it’s called Sole.  Sole (pronounced Solay) is essentially water that has been fully saturated with a natural salt, preferably Himalayan salt.

Himalayan salt contains approximately 84 naturally occurring trace elements in their natural mineral form.  A few of these include sodium chloride, sulphate, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.  And because of their structure, the minerals in this salt are very easy for our cells to absorb.

The benefits of Himalayan salt (and of course using Sole) are many and include the following:

  • Promotes bone strength
  • Supports vascular health
  • Promotes blood sugar health
  • May aid in peristalsis and improve digestive health
  • Supports healthy lungs and respiratory function
  • Promotes healthy sleep patterns
  • Prevents muscle cramps
  • Increases hydration
  • Improves circulation
  • Increases energy
  • Helps to detoxify the body of heavy metals

Making Sole (solay) is easy and I have include the process for you below.

Making Sole

  1. Fill the jar about 1/4 of the way with Himalayan salt crystals or ¾ full with Himalayan chunks.
  2. Add filtered water to fill the jar, leaving about an inch at the top.
  3. Put on lid and gently shake.
  4. Leave on the counter overnight to let the salt dissolve or chunks to soak.
  5. If using salt crystals and there is still some salt on the bottom of the jar, the water has absorbed its maximum amount of salt and the Sole solution is ready to use. If using chunks it is assumed that solution is saturated.
  6. If all of the salt crystals are absorbed, add more salt and continue doing so each day until some remains. At this point water is saturated and you now have a Sole solution.

Using Sole

Consuming Sole is best first thing in the morning and on an empty stomach.  Add 1 teaspoon of Sole to 250ml of good quality water and drink.

 

FODMAP
Author avisha Categories Blog, Food & Nutrition, Lifestyle, Recipes Posted on 0 Comments

What is a Low FODMAP Diet? Find out here and grab some FREE Low FODMAP Smoothie Recipes

The FODMAP diet is used to help alleviate gastro intestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.  The diet was developed at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.  FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. These are all types of carbohydrate molecules that some people have trouble digesting and can cause the symptoms mentioned above.  So high FODMAP foods are removed from the diet to see if they help alleviate these symptoms. What is almost counter intuitive though is that many of the offending foods, those high in FODMAPs, are healthy foods such as onions, garlic, asparagus, cauliflower and celery.

If symptoms are alleviated while on this diet the question becomes, why can’t these foods be digested and absorbed? One reason is the lack of enough good gut bacteria.  So if you are following the FODMAP diet, it is also very important to improve  your gut health as the ultimate goal is to be able to eat the high FODMAP foods with no distress. Many high FODMAP foods are prebiotic foods which are foods that feed our good gut bacteria. They are removed however to see if symptoms are alleviated.  But there are many prebiotic foods that are allowed on the diet. While wheat is to be avoided, grains such as corn, brown rice and oats are allowed, as are potatoes and small amounts of corn. These contain resistant starch, an important prebiotic.

It is important to remember that the only reason to avoid these foods is to see if it helps you with symptoms. Follow the plan while working on your gut health.  You may need to include specific supplements as well.  When you feel better, try adding a food that you have been avoiding back in to your diet and see if it bothers you. If it doesn’t, then it does not need to be avoided any more.  Continue in this manner with all of the foods that you have eliminated adding them back one at a time with several days in between.

To get you started with the low FODMAP diet I have a gift of health for you.

Click HERE or on the picture below to grab your FREE Low FODMAP Smoothie recipes.

 

 

 

 

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type 2 diabetes
Author avisha Categories Blog, Food & Nutrition, Lifestyle Posted on 0 Comments

5 Tips for Managing Blood Glucose Levels

Canadian statistics in 2015 estimated the pre-diabetic prevalence in the age group of 20 and over was 5.7 million, approximately 22.1% of this population. This number is expected to rise to approximately 6.4 million (23.2%) by 2025.  Pre-diabetics have elevated blood glucose levels but not high enough to be classified as diabetic.  However many of those that are pre-diabetic will develop full-blown Type 2 diabetes. In general terms, Type 2 diabetes is the result of the body’s inability to properly utilized the insulin that it produces. The end result is a build up of glucose in the blood instead of it being moved in to the cells and being properly utilized for energy. This condition, where cells of the body fail to respond adequately to the insulin produced is called insulin resistance.

Individuals in both the pre-diabetic and Type 2 diabetic categories can decrease their blood sugar levels by making lifestyle changes and especially by making modifications to their diets.

Here are 5 dietary tips for managing blood sugar levels:

Increase Fibre

Fibre helps to slow down the entry of glucose in to the blood stream.

Eliminate Processed Foods

Processed foods are often devoid of key nutrients and have excess unwanted calories.  

Eat heathy fats especially Omega 3’s

Healthy fats create insulin sensitivity by increasing cell fluidity.  Foods high in healthy fats include:

  • Avocado
  • EVOO
  • Wild Caught Salmon
  • Coconut Oil
  • Ghee

Eat foods high in Chromium

Chromium enhances insulin sensitivity.  Foods high in chromium include:

 

 

  • Brazil nuts
  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Cacoa
  • Chickpeas
  • Turkey
  • Chicken

Eat foods high in Vanadium

Vanadium mimics insulin, operating in a different pathway than insulin to lower blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity.  Foods high in vanadium include:

  • Parsley
  • Mushrooms
  • Black pepper
  • Dill weed
  • Buckwheat
  • Oats
  • Green beans
  • Carrots
  • Cabbage
  • Garlic
  • Tomatoes
  • Radishes
  • Onions

The health complications that can arise from persistent high blood sugar include cardiovascular disease, nerve and kidney disease, bone and joint complications and skin issues.  By implementing these 5 dietary tips you can have a very positive impact on your glucose levels and your overall health.

 

 

 

Homeopathy
Author avisha Categories Blog, Media, The Health Hub Posted on 0 Comments

This Week on TheHealthHub…Understanding Homeopathy with Debbie Allen

 

Every Tuesday from 11am -12pm I host The Health Hub, an interactive, forward thinking talk show on Radio Maria Canada.   Call, tweet or email your questions as together we explore health issues that are relevant to you from new and innovative points of view.

This Week on TheHealthHub

Debbie Allen

Homeopath, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, 
Certified Therapist

Homeopathy

Debbie started her journey in the health field back in 2002 when she graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, she opened a private practice in Aurora Ontario. As Debbie worked with patients she realized she needed more than just nutrition to complete her practice. She went back to school in 2008 for three years and graduated from the Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine. Debbie quickly realized the curative effects of this incredible medicine called homeopathy by first being a patient. Homeopathy didn’t mask symptoms but in fact heals the body and is deep acting and long lasting.  Debbie drew on her education as a Homeopath and a Registered Holistic Nutritionist to build a successful practice in both Homeopathy and nutrition.  She also works closely with a couple of medical doctors to offer a full integrative medical model. Debbie works with patients across Canada offering online services as well as in person. She teaches at the Canadian college of Homeopathic medicine and the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.

Her approach is patient centered with a trusting therapeutic relationship, supportive listening approach, providing the tools to help her patient’s journey of healing. Her intention is to provide a safe place where care, compassion and experience come together to help her patients have a life better than they have ever known.

 

Contact Information

Debbie Allen

www.asafeplacetoheal.ca

www.healthonearth.ca

TheHealthHub is now on SoundCloud!

Follow us and don’t miss a single episode!

Click HERE to check us out!

How To Listen

Visit our website and learn how to listen to our show each week.
http://www.radiomaria.ca/how-to-listen

Here’s how to connect with us:
Email: thh@radiomaria.ca

Twitter: @radiomariaCAN

Twitter: @cathy_biase

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHealthHubRadioMaria/

Let us know!

If you have a health topic that you would like us to discuss or are a health care specialist who wants to be a guest on our show let us know!

Here is our email.  We would love to hear from you!
thh@radiomaria.com

Author avisha Categories Blog, Food & Nutrition, Recipes Posted on 0 Comments

Spotlight on Pineapple…With a Quick and Easy Recipe

Craving a tropical fruit on a hot sunny day?  What could be better than a cool slice of sweet pineapple?!! Pineapples have an interesting appearance with their spiky tops and thick skin but underneath that intimidating demeanour lies a sweet, refreshing offering full of healthy goodness.  The many benefits of pineapples include reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, improving eye health and boosting immunity and blood circulation.  Pineapples are loaded with vitamin C and manganese and are a good source of dietary fibre.  Pineapples are composed of many flowers whose individual fruitlets fuse together around a central core giving them their very unique appearance.

One of the challenges in pineapple world is figuring out which ones are ripe and which ones need more time to perfect their goodness.  Here are 3 solid ways to help you choose the perfect one:

  1. Look at it.  A delicious pineapple should look fresh, firm and not have any mould in its crevices.  A ripe pineapple’s colour can be greenish or yellowish
  2. Pull out a green spike.  It should give you a bit of resistance
  3. Smell it.  The best place to do this is by its butt.  It should have a sweet smell.  If there is no sweetness to its smell at all it’s probably not good to go

Although you can find pineapple in the stores already in chunks and slices, talking the time to cut it up yourself will help to preserve more of its freshness.  It’s really not that hard to do.  First, using a sharp knife, cut off the spikey top.  Then trim the butt so that it can stand up.  Trim down the sides of the pineapple removing all of its skin.  At this point the choice is yours on the type of cut.  Rings or chunks.  The tougher core in the middle is completely edible but not as tender as the rest.

Fresh is best but if you are looking for another way to eat it I have included a quick broiled pineapple recipe that is a great complement to many dishes.

Just click the menu icon for your recipe.

Enjoy!

 

Broiled Pineapple with Cinnamon

 

 

 

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