Sticking with it! Week 2 – 2012

 

This week you will make juicing and exercise to your new habit. Wow, you are doing extremely well! Keep up the water and multi V’s and add juicing and exercise to this week’s assignment.

Once a day, either as the mid-morning snack or mid-afternoon snack, incorporate the juice. Best option is a carrot apple juice (2 carrots and 1 apple). Carrot and apple is enjoyable for people who just start out. These fruits and vegetables are sweet and loved by many.

Don’t worry; I’m not going to make you drink a cucumber/celery with herbs, although it would be a refreshing cleanser! For a variety of juice recipes and produce recipes, visit my website at www.30dayjuicefast.com

Next step is the exercise. You need to get moving! You have to start somewhere. If it’s not too cold, you can get out with the kids and play! Start walking or jogging, it can be anything you’re comfortable with.

 Just get up and move!

If you aren’t ready to go outside or make an appearance at the gym, exercise at home. Everybody has workout- tapes or DVDs at home. Judging by my own experience, you probably have more than 3-5 DVDs stashed away somewhere.  Dig out those DVDs and exercise at least 3 times a week. This is all you have to do this week.

 

Everybody can do this.

 You can do this.

 One day – one step at a time.

 One Juice at a time.

 

As your body cleanses, a sense of power and exuberance will come over you. Every morning will feel like a healthier and more energized than the day before.

If you missed week one:

Week One

Until next Monday, Week 3!

 

Have a fantastic week and keep up the good work

Monika Baechler

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sticking with it in 2012 – New Year’s Resolution – Week 1

Introduction:

You will learn how to eliminate:

• sugar, fast food and candy
• breads, pastries, cakes
• TV and PC after 10pm
• eating after 8pm
• your coffee/caffeine habits

And you will also learn, how to add these important habits/supplements to your daily/weekly routine:

• weight training at least once a week
• take multi V’s
• take green food supplement
• take enzyme supplement
• 5 meals minimum (three main meals and two little snacks)
• more water intake
• juicing at least once a day
• incorporate cardio (cardiovascular exercise)

I know how this can seem like a lot to master, but if you take it one week at the time it’s going to be manageable.

The most important thing is not to be overwhelmed by the task at hand. Compare it with a scale – realizing that you have some 40 pounds to lose at once would terrify anybody! Isn’t that true? How many times did you put resolutions off, thinking that the task at hand is simply too overwhelming?

I’m going to break it down in manageable weekly tasks, which makes this plan “procrastination-proof”.

Every week you will learn a new habit and by the time you completed this easy to follow 8-week program, you will have developed healthy, skinny-jeans habits. Or wash board abs if you’re a guy.

Week 1 – Add More Water and Multi Vitamins

This week you will learn to program your system to accept more water and you will start taking multi V’s – Multi Vitamins. How much to drink and when is always the big question. Have a bottle of water at hand at every given time. I have multiple water bottles ready in almost every room in the house. You will find a bottle in the kitchen, one in the bedroom one in the office and for sure, you will find one in my car and bag.

Just after getting out of bed, drink a big glass of water. Room temperature is best. Try it with some fresh lemon juice. The lemon juice starts to alkalize your body and makes your bowels move.

Never drink with your meals because the water will dilute stomach juices and inhibit proper digestion. Enjoy a glass of water 30 minutes before your meal or 30 minutes after your meal. Drinking between meals and snacks is highly encouraged.

Hydrate also at work, leave the bottle as close to you as possible. Leave it by your phone and every time you check your emails or pings, drink some water.

until next week, keep up the great work!

Why I became a Nutritionist!

I assumed for many years that I needed to become a Nutritionist to save my dad’s life. He suffered from colon cancer. I begged him to change his eating habits and cut out meats and coffee, trying to convince him not to go through chemotherapy and resort to natural remedies. Nothing could change his mind since his Oncologist suggested chemotherapy. After painful surgeries and agonizing years of chemotherapy, he passed away in 2005.

I now believe that nothing could have changed his mindset, not even his own daughter.

Do you ever wonder why you have become, what you are? Why does the universe have such riddling ways planed for each one of us?

My digestive health was always questionable, and I did get into health and nutrition way before my father’s diagnoses. Not until, my dad has passed away have I fully committed to a healthy diet. I was desperately trying to figure out what could have caused his cancer in the first place and totally ignoring my own health. He never smoked, had extremely little alcohol and ate home cooked meals at every meal. Where was the problem?

Is cancer hidden in the genes?

Just like my dad, my aunt (my father’s older sister) passed away from cancer. She was quite a large woman my aunt. They never diagnosed her with colon cancer, but they diagnosed her with cancer in all organs and tissues. By the time she went to the doctor, the cancer has spread all over.

This mystery sent me on a seven year quest of more learning, reading and much more research!

Just this year, my Mother in Law got diagnosed with pre-cancerous polyps and badly damaged intestines which needed immediate surgery. She is also a health nut. My Mother in Law eats well, does not smoke, does not drink and prepares her own foods. Where is the culprit for all this madness?

Finally after 7 years all is clear! What I have discovered is, that it was genetic, but not what one would think! Cancer is not genetic. Now one would wonder, what is the underlying cause? This is going to surprise some, but bear with me; the pieces are coming together!

Many family members suffer from food intolerances or food allergies. It was so obvious –Gluten Allergy and Gluten Sensitivity. There is a difference between symptoms of wheat intolerance and gluten intolerance symptoms. Also, it is possible to experience Celiac Disease symptoms but test negative for Celiac Disease. Even adults can develop food allergies, do not neglect the thought that certain conditions can be brought on in adulthood despite not showing any signs in their youth.

I had couple pieces of the puzzle, but the picture did not make sense until my boys, 10 and 6 showed weird symptoms and too many unexplainable infections. My 10 year old suffers from sinus infections and pollen allergies for a couple of years now as does my younger son. Recently my older son got diagnosed with anemia which was specially puzzling to me. I’m a nutritionist. We eat natural beef and foods high in natural iron. What was going on?

Sebastian is the little guy he had trouble with his tooth enamel for years, funny white bumps on his arms and cheeks, just like I used to have when I was little. He suffered from tonsillitis since he was a toddler with frequent ear infections and colds, funny, just like his mommy!

These are all symptoms of a suppressed immune system caused by an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine triggered by gluten! Symptoms of this autoimmune disorder are also vitamin, mineral and a nutrient deficiency!

Important to recognize is that conventional clinical tests can determine Celiac Disease to some degree,  but inconclusive or negative results in these tests do not mean; free from gluten intolerance. Quite frankly, most people experiencing hidden and significant gluten intolerance symptoms, have tested negative for Celiac Disease. These individuals are categorized as Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitive, or NCGS. The scary part is that, only because individuals are not positively diagnosed with Celiac Disease by doctors, does not mean that they could not suffer the same outcome from your gluten sensitivity – Colon Cancer!

As a now Gluten-Free Family, I do suggest an elimination diet. If one is not familiar with these allergy testing approach, please research: Elimination Diet.

More information on Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease, as well as symptoms, can be found on this site Gluten Intolerance Symptoms.

I’m thanking my dad for paving my way, so I could diagnose my children quite early with this nasty food intolerance. Some children, like me, go undiagnosed for years until they develop symptoms that are extremely hard to pinpoint in adulthood.

My Dad with my son Pierce

Be proactive and research your family”s history. Colon Cancer does not mean cancer it means that the digestive system and immunity are compromised by something!

Wishing your family best health and like always…

Stay Healthy and Keep Juicing … oh, and gluten-free!

Monika Baechler

Sticking with it in 2011 – Week 5 – Caffeine is highly toxic – more than marijuana or speed!

The scientist noted that a good way to measure the toxicity of drugs was to compare the number of completed sides in the web. The more toxic the chemical, the more deformed the spider’s web. Based on their findings so far, it appears that caffeine is quite highly toxic – more so than even marijuana and speed. The scientist noted that a good way to measure the toxicity of drugs was to compare the number of completed sides in the web. The more toxic the chemical, the more deformed the spider’s web.

(Noever, R., J. Cronise, and R. A. Relwani. 1995. Using spider-web patterns to determine toxicity. NASA Tech Briefs 19(4):82. Published in New Scientist 27 April 1995.)

Studies never state that coffee or chocolate as a whole is good for you, never! Instead they say that one particular ingredient is good for you. No matter how the big companies twist or turn it, one is very clear to many scientist and specialists – coffee is unhealthy!

What are some of the experts and doctors saying?

Everybody “knows” that caffeine makes you more alert and clearheaded. Think again. A cup of coffee gives you a wakeup jolt because it triggers a stress response. Your adrenal glands are prompted to kick out the same stress hormones that are released when you perceive an external threat or danger. Your muscles tense, your blood sugar elevates for extra energy, your pulse and respiration rates speed up, and your state of alertness increases so you’re ready to wrestle with or run from environmental dangers. You may be only sitting at your table or desk drinking a cup of coffee, but your body doesn’t know that. It’s preparing for action. The Memory Solution by Dr Julian Whitaker, page 261

Caffeine and nicotine overstimulate the adrenal glands. When these substances, other stressors, and a generally poor diet are combined, the adrenals can enter into a state of emergency. They become depleted of important vitamins, such as B-complex vitamins and vitamin C. Complete Encyclopedia Of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 233

Cut your coffee, black tea, chocolate and soda intake down to ONE serving a day at first! As you cut coffee and caffeine slowly, you should eliminate it altogether. Coffee is elevating your insulin level and spikes blood sugar. High blood sugar is known to lead to sugar and food cravings! Coffee is also known to aggravate the stomach lining and cause mild to severe symptoms. Eliminate coffee all together and drink more water or herbal teas instead. You will also save about $1000 a year skipping the coffee shop. Don’t be surprised if your body reacts to the caffeine detox with day-long headache.

Dangers of caffeine could be an eBook on its own, there is just so much to write and even more to find out. Be smart and research the dangers of caffeine and coffee for yourself.

Again: Detox headaches are absolutely normal and medically nothing to worry about. If you can’t stand the headache anymore because of work responsibilities or housework, a small aspirin is known to help.

Until next week,

Monika Baechler

(1) http://www.ajcn.org/content/37/3/416.short

Sticking with it in 2011 – Week 4 – The 3 White Poisons

OUT WITH Processed White Flour!

For some, these nutritional facts will be shocking and scary! To some, this will be the necessary eyeopener to change their diets once and for all!

You will think twice before eating your next sandwich on white bread or any processed breads or serving peanut butter jelly sandwiches to your kids. Studies show that alloxan, the chemical that makes white flour look “white” and “clean”, destroys the beta cells of the pancreas. Without the beta cells, the pancreas is not able to produce insulin!  That’s right; you may be devastating your pancreas and putting yourself at risk for diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer, all this to taste spongy “clean” looking bread!?

Scientists have known of the alloxan-diabetes connection for years; in fact, researchers who are studying diabetes commonly use the chemical alloxan to induce the disorder in lab animals. In the research sense, giving alloxan to an animal is similar to injecting that animal with a deadly virus, as both alloxan and the virus are being used specifically to cause illness. Every day, consumers ingest foods made with alloxan-contaminated flour. Would they just as willingly consume foods tainted with a deadly virus? Unless they had a death wish, they probably would not. Unfortunately, most consumers are unaware of alloxan and its potentially fatal link to diabetes because these facts are not well publicized by the food industry.

How does alloxan cause diabetes? According to Dr. Hari Sharma’s Freedom from Disease, the toxin alloxan damages the beta cells of the pancreas, causing the cells to malfunction and die. When these beta cells fail to operate normally, they no longer produce enough insulin, or in other words, they cause one variety of adult-onset type 2 diabetes. Alloxan’s harmful effects on the pancreas are so severe that the Textbook of Natural Medicine calls the chemical “a potent beta-cell toxin.” However, even though the toxic effect of alloxan is common scientific knowledge in the research community, the FDA still allows companies to use it when processing foods we ingest.

If you’ve been eating white bread for years and you have a family history of diabetes, you still have a good chance of recovery. Studies show that you can reverse the effects of alloxan by supplementing your diet with vitamin E. According to Dr. Gary Null’s Clinicians Handbook of Natural Healing, vitamin E effectively protected lab rats from the harmful effects of administered alloxan. Now, I know you’re not a lab rat, but you’re also a mammal and vitamin E is definitely worth adding to your daily regimen of nutritional supplements, especially if you have a history of eating foods made with white flour and are at high risk for diabetes.

The next time you serve your child processed white bread, buns and McDondald’s, I want you to think about the fact that you might be damaging your child’s pancreas to the point where he/she gets diabetes or worse -cancer!
If you take your health and life seriously, then you can’t ignore Week 4! Got it? Good!

• NO Processed Sugars – you know why
  
• NO Foods with Processed White Flour
• NO Artificial Sweeteners
  

Now, if you just had a bagel with cream cheese, a muffin and a coffee with a pack of sweetener – I think  you can do better at lunch time!

Enjoy your Week 4

Monika Baechler

www.monikabaechler.com

Sticking with it in 2011 – Week 3

This is for most people the toughest week. Cut out all sugars, fast foods and candy as well as chocolates and sweets. I understand how this is a big one to conquer but you have no choice, you have to do it.

Cravings will challenge your will-power for a couple of days until they completely disappear. You can fight the lingering craving-monster by drinking lots of water or tea during the day. Sugar makes you want more sugar, it’s a scary merry-go-round to be on. Cut the sugar habit with fresh fruit or chew some sugar-free gum with xylitol. Don’t be surprised if your body reacts to sugar-detox with a day-long headache. It’s absolutely normal and medically nothing to worry about. If the headache becomes to overwhelming, a small aspirin is known to help.

You hear a soft voice screaming for carbs or sweets – answer the call with water or herbal tea

ADD an Enzyme Supplement

There is no breathing, no digestion, no growth, no blood coagulation, and no reproduction without enzymes. Each enzyme has a very specific job and one job only. Enzymes are made by the body and are involved in all body processes, including breathing, thinking, talking, moving and immune function. Our body manufactures digestive enzymes, which are mainly manufactured by the pancreas but also in the mouth, stomach and small intestine. Enzymes are very critical for digesting food properly. For more info on enzymes, visit www.theenzymerevolution.com

Your body will learn to adjust and cope with the changes.

Time for a well-deserved water break…

Monika Baechler

Sticking with – Week 2

 

 

This week you will make juicing and exercise to your new habit. Wow, you are doing extremely! Keep up the water and multi V’s and add juicing and exercise to this week’s assignment.

Once a day, either as the mid-morning snack or mid-afternoon snack, incorporate the juice. Best option is a carrot apple juice (2 carrots and 1 apple). Carrot and apple is enjoyable for people who just start out. These fruits and vegetables are sweet and loved by many.

Don’t worry; I’m not going to make you drink a cucumber/celery with herbs, although it would be a refreshing cleanser! For a variety of juice recipes and produce recipes, visit my website at www.monikabaechler.com

Next step is the exercise. You need to get moving! You have to start somewhere. If it’s not too cold, you can get out with the kids and play! Start walking or jogging, it can be anything you’re comfortable with.

 

Just get up and move!

If you aren’t ready to go outside or make an appearance at the gym, exercise at home. Everybody has workout- tapes or DVDs at home. Judging by my own experience, you probably have more than 3-5 DVDs stashed away somewhere.  Dig out those DVDs and exercise at least 3 times a week. This is all you have to do this week.

 

Everybody can do this.

You can do this.

One day – one step at a time.

One Juice at a time.

As your body cleanses, a sense of power and exuberance will come over you. Every morning will feel like a healthier and more energized than the day before.

If you missed week one:

Week One

Until next Monday, Week 3!

Have a fantastic week and keep up the good work

Monika Baechler

Sticking with it in 2011 – Week 1

Introduction:

You will learn how to eliminate:

• sugar, fast food and candy
• breads, pastries, cakes
• TV and PC after 10pm
• eating after 8pm
• your coffee/caffeine habits

And you will also learn, how to add these important habits/supplements to your daily/weekly routine:

• weight training at least once a week
• take multi V’s
• take green food supplement
• take enzyme supplement
• 5 meals minimum (three main meals and two little snacks)
• more water intake
• juicing at least once a day
• incorporate cardio (cardiovascular exercise)

I know how this can seem like a lot to master, but if you take it one week at the time it’s going to be manageable.

The most important thing is not to be overwhelmed by the task at hand. Compare it with a scale – realizing that you have some 40 pounds to lose at once would terrify anybody! Isn’t that true? How many times did you put resolutions off, thinking that the task at hand is simply too overwhelming?

I’m going to break it down in manageable weekly tasks, which makes this plan “procrastination-proof”.

Every week you will learn a new habit and by the time you completed this easy to follow 8-week program, you will have developed healthy, skinny-jeans habits. Or wash board abs if you’re a guy.

Week 1 – Add More Water and Multi Vitamins

This week you will learn to program your system to accept more water and you will start taking multi V’s – Multi Vitamins. How much to drink and when is always the big question. Have a bottle of water at hand at every given time. I have multiple water bottles ready in almost every room in the house. You will find a bottle in the kitchen, one in the bedroom one in the office and for sure, you will find one in my car and bag.

Just after getting out of bed, drink a big glass of water. Room temperature is best. Try it with some fresh lemon juice. The lemon juice starts to alkalize your body and makes your bowels move.

Never drink with your meals because the water will dilute stomach juices and inhibit proper digestion. Enjoy a glass of water 30 minutes before your meal or 30 minutes after your meal. Drinking between meals and snacks is highly encouraged.

Hydrate also at work, leave the bottle as close to you as possible. Leave it by your phone and every time you check your emails or pings, drink some water.

until next week, keep up the great work!

How To Get Anybody To Eat Beets – Beet-Carob Cake

For the cake:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 10-inch spring-form pan by lining it with baking parchment.

Dry ingredients:

• ¼ cup ground pecans (food processor is O.K.)
• 1 cup Organic spelt flour
• 1/2 cup Organic unbleached flour
• 1 ½ tsp aluminum-free baking powder
• ½ tsp natural mineral-rock salt or sea salt
• 5 Tablespoons carob powder or organic cocoa powder

Combine dry ingredients, sift once and stir well.

Wet ingredients:

1. 3 eggs
2. ¾ cup fructose or sugar
3. 4 oz. raw beet, peeled and finely grated
4. 4 oz. Organic Sour-cream or Organic low-fat buttermilk
5. 2 Tablespoons strong coffee (optional, but it complements the beets quite nicely)
6. 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

In a separate bowl, beat eggs with sugar until very light, about 5-7 minutes, speed 8 on a stand mixer. Add the beets and combine well. Add the sour cream, coffee, and vanilla.

Finally, add the dry ingredients, mixing gently, do not over-work the batter. Pour into the prepared buttered pan and bake at 350F for about 30 minutes, test cake after 25 minutes with a tooth pick. Let the cake cool on a rack for 15 minutes before unmolding.

For the carob whipped cream:

Whip the cold organic whipping cream until stiff peaks form (makes sure you don’t turn it into butter)

Half way through add 2 tbsp of carob or cocoa powder and some maple syrup to taste, approx. 2 tbsp

Serve the cake room temperature or slightly warm. Decorate with some grated beets and carob powder.

Enjoy!

Stay Healthy and eat your beets!

Monika Baechler

Recipe adapted from “Cook yourself Thin!” UK TV show

How to Raise a Healthy Child (page 3)

How involving children in kitchen activities can help them eat healthier.

Even small children can help out in the kitchen. Always remember to tell them about some kitchen safety lesson first.

• Wash your hand with soup before working in the kitchen
• Don’t run with utensils, don’t run in the house! Period.
• Stay away from the hot stove

Cooking with kids can take longer than cooking alone, especially when you just start introducing the basics. Keep in mind the various benefits that children will be developing, from an increase in fine motor skills, to advances in math, measurements and direction taking, as well as a sense of confidence in the kitchen. Cooking together is also a great time to bond for parents and children, take advantage of the fun and the laughs. (7)

Start with simple tasks like mixing and measuring baking ingredients, pouring liquids and washing fruit. Older kids can graduate to harder tasks like chopping fruits, vegetables and preparing salads.

Just remember to be patient with children. Give directions as often as possible and let them know how well they’re doing. Spills can happen if children help in the kitchen and it’s a welcoming opportunity to teach them how to clean up. (7)

Kids who get to touch and prepare foods are more likely to sample it. For that reason, why not let them pick out a new vegetables at the market and figure out a way to cook it together? I bet he or she will be excited to try the weekly vegetable.

Having family meal times can prevent unhealthy eating habits in your children

For many families, eating together has become a lost tradition. The facts are on the table: eating dinner together every night keeps the doors of communication open. It’s the perfect time and place to reconnect and to show your kids that they are your priority. Find out more about your children’s likes, dislikes, and daily life. Having this information can help you guide your children toward positive activities and behavior. (8)

Why are family meal times important?

1. Having sit-down dinners and taking time for your children shows that you care and that your children are important to you
2. Girls who have five or more meals a week with their families are one-third less likely to develop unhealthy eating habits, which can range from skipping meals to full-fledged anorexia (9)
3. Family dinners are a perfect time and place to get involved in your child’s activities and learn more about friends.
4. Parental involvement and influence is an important role in preventing substance abuse (8)

How to put this into a workable plan?

• Limit computer and all media types to 1-2 hours a day
• give them a chance to play outside for at least 30-60 minutes daily
• make sure they get enough exercise 30 – 60 minutes
• monitor their water and fluid intake
• limit their sugar intake
• provide their meal with sufficient whole foods, raw and steamed or broiled
• Let them help in the kitchen

• plan a sit-down meal at least once a day

I wish you and your family good health. If you enjoyed this publications, please don’t forget: Caring means sharing, please share with your friends on Facebook. Keep in touch by subscribing to my eNewsletter.

Stay Healthy and Keep Juicing!

Monika Baechler

1. kidshealth.com
2. Water.org.uk Wise-up Children!
3. Dr. Mercola’s article “This Addictive Commonly Used Food Feeds Cancer Cells, Triggers Weight Gain, and Promotes Premature Aging”
4. Nancy Appleton, PhD, author of the book “Lick the Sugar Habit”
5. Professor Gary Null “Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing”
6. “Enzymes: The Fountain of Life”, by D.A. Lopez
7. National Network for Child Care – NNCC. Part of CYFERNET, the National Extension Service
8. American Dietetic Association. Making the Most of Mealtime, last referenced January 31, 2008.
9. The Importance of Family Dinners IV, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, September 2007.

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How to Raise a Healthy Child (page 2)

How can I make sure my child drinks enough?

The amount of water we need depends on our body size, physical activity and the weather. Most men and women need about 8-12 cups of water per day. Children need less because they are smaller.

Children’s water requirements vary with age. Recommendations from the US National

Academies Food and Nutrition Board suggest that: (2)

• 1-3 year olds should drink 0.9 liters per day (4 cups)
• 4-8 year olds should drink 1.2 liters per day (5 cups) and
• 9-13 year old girls should drink 1.6 liters per day (6.5 cups), and boys should drink 1.8 liters per day (7.5 cups)
• 14-18 year old girls should drink 1.8 liters per day (7.5 cups), and boys should drink 2.6 liters per day (11 cups)

Water intake should be higher in warm weather or when the child is exercising. A good way to make sure they drink enough is measure out the water they should drink a day and label the water bottles with their names. As soon as they get up in the morning you should offer them water, room temperature with some lemon. Lemon water in the morning stimulates the cleansing process.

How sugar can impair your child’s defenses against infectious disease.

In Dr. Mercola’s article “This Addictive Commonly Used Food Feeds Cancer Cells, Triggers Weight Gain, and Promotes Premature Aging” he says that, in addition to limiting your intake of fructose, you should eliminate all sweetened beverages and fruit juices (including all artificial sweeteners) and drink only pure water. (3)

It’s not that high fructose corn syrup is bad for you, but it’s the huge amounts of HFCS that makes it dangerous and overwhelmingly toxic to our bodies. You can find HFCS in all kinds of products. The worst products are sodas/pops. These days high fructose corn syrup is in bread, candy, crackers, soups and juices.

Nancy Appleton, PhD, author of the book “Lick the Sugar Habit”, contributed an extensive list of the many ways sugar can ruin your health from a vast number of medical journals and other scientific publications. (4)

Just to name a few:

• Sugar can suppress your immune system and impair your defenses against infectious disease (4)
• Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline, hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children (4)
• Sugar contributes to obesity (4)
• Sugar can damage the pancreas (4)
• Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines (4)

What is the difference between simple sugars and starches?

Carbohydrates are the body’s most important and readily available source of energy. Even though they’ve gotten a bad rap in the 2000s and are often blamed for the obesity epidemic in America, carbs are a necessary and important part of a healthy diet for both kids and adults.

The two major forms of sugar are:

• simple sugars (simple carbohydrates), such as fructose (from fruit), glucose, and lactose (milk sugar), and also found in nutritious whole fruits
• starches (complex carbohydrates), found in foods such as starchy vegetables (potatoes, corn, beets, carrots and peas), grains (brown rice, millet, quinoa), and breads (whole grain bread)

Where do the healthy carbohydrates come from?

You probably ask yourself, how do I know which one is a good carb and which one is bad. It’s really quite simple. All carbohydrate sources coming from a whole food like fruits, vegetables and whole grains are good for you and your children. Bad carbohydrate coming from sugar, white flour and all processed foods are bad for you and should be limited to small treats once in a while. For more on the worst foods possible, check out my video “The Worst Foods Possible”

There is no need for counting carbohydrate or sugars in whole foods. Whole foods are fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, seeds and meats in its whole – meaning unprocessed. If it’s grown like that, it’s a whole food.

How can dairy harm my child?

To quote Prof. Gary Null “In all respiratory conditions, mucous-forming dairy foods, such as milk and cheese, can exacerbate clogging of the lungs and should be avoided,” writes Professor Gary Null in his Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing. It’s quite simple really, when more mucus accumulates in the lungs than can be expelled, inflammation results and asthma attack develops. Many children who suffered from asthma have recovered from frequent attacks just by eliminating dairy from their diet.

Dairy is also linked to lowered immunsysteme, which invites more infectious disease, colds and ear infections.

How living food can save your children from disease.

According to “Enzymes: The Fountain of Life”, by D.A. Lopez. They are a measure of our life and immunity. “The immune system depends heavily on enzymes to conduct its protective functions. When enzyme activity stops, life stops and the person or organism dies!” In other words, enzymes are our supply of the vital energy of life. (6)

Many nutritional studies have shown that a regular diet of cooked, microwaved or canned foods causes the development of chronic degenerative diseases and premature aging followed by early death. How is this possible? Cooking food destroys the important plant enzymes.

They are more heat-sensitive than vitamins and are the first to be destroyed during cooking. They are destroyed by being heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit and are deactivated or destroyed by pasteurizing, canning, and microwaving. (6)

This means that you need to feed your children’s body more raw fruits and vegetables. The easiest way to do this are raw juices and smoothies. Smoothies should be made fresh and not store bought. Fresh smoothies are mode with some kind of raw liquid like fresh raw fruit juice or almond milk, fresh fruit with a handful of spinach, and maybe some raw honey. Start you child’s day with a full glass of vital energy so they can be productive in school. More about enzymes

How can I be a positive role model to my kids?

No matter how old your children are or what their level of fitness is, remember that he or she looks to you for guidance and needs your support and encouragement. Also it’s important to be a great role model, so don’t make negative remarks about your own exercise or weight, and look for chances to be physically active as a family.

It’s also important to teach your child proper eating habits with a whole food diet and home cooked meals without overcrowding the day with treats.

Some fun autumn activities you can try with your own family are:

• hiking
• collect colorful autumn leaves
• walk trough the forest, explore
• visit farms and learn about fall vegetables
• fly a kit
• go to an indoor pool (ask around for a non-chlorinated pool)

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How to Raise a Healthy Child

“The percentage of overweight children in the United States is growing at an alarming rate, with 1 out of 3 kids now considered overweight or obese.”

Are your children hooked on electronics?

Hours and hours of video games, on the phone with friends, on the computer chatting with friends and too much junk food can lead to overweight children and later overweight adults. You already knew this and it’s no wonder with all the “excess” in this world today.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average child is watching about 3 hours of television a day. And the average kid spends 5½ hours on all screen media combined (TV, videos and DVDs, computer time outside of schoolwork, and video games). (1)

The combination of to much excess and not enough of the healthy components can leave your child lethargic, depressed and unhappy. What follows is craving more of the bad stuff like TV, candy, fast food, and more junk.

How can I get my kids to exercise?

Don’t refer to exercise as exercise. Just ask them if they want to go play outside or ride their bike. Children love to play and run. They don’t know that playing tag and soccer is exercise. Well, not consciously anyway.

Adults usually think of exercise as something negative, a chore, something like a never ending treadmill session. For children, exercise is fun. Remember your school recess? Running after others, being chased by your friends, ( hopefully they were playing a game of tag!), skipping rope and so forth. Remember how much fun you had climbing trees and spending hours outside with classmates monkeying around on play structures?

How important is outside play to children?

You as a parent can provide the happy childhood you had to your children, by replacing the negative habits with positive ones.

Let them play almost everyday outside, even if there is a chill in the air or it’s rainy. I understand how that might not seem like fun to you, but hear me out. Children love to play in wet leaves, in puddles and on forest trails. Why not, how much harm can they get into if it’s a little wet outside. Put them in warm clothing, a pair of rain boots and a hat. Fresh air detoxifies the lungs and body and can clear your mind.

Exercise doesn’t only control obesity, exercise helps them:

• develop stronger muscles and bones (1)
• have a leaner body because exercise helps control body fat (1)
• decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes dramatically (1)
• possibly lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels (1)
• fell positive about themselves (1)
• fit in better with their peers (1)

How to spot dehydration symptoms in my child?

The human body is about 60% water. It is necessary for our health and well-being. Water is part of our cells, blood, digestion, and waste elimination. Water also controls cravings. We can’t live more than a few days without water – water is life.

Too little water can lead to dehydration and the following symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Dry and itchy eyes
• Muscle weakness
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Lack of concentration
• Overeating

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Apple – Celeriac and Strawberry Salad

What you’ll need:

• 1 celeriac root
• 1 apple
• 3 medium carrots
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• 5 strawberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 lemon
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• little mint

Put it all together:

1. peel the celeriac root and carrot
2. grate celeriac, carrot and apple in the food processor
3. set it aside
4. in a bowl, mix the orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil together
5. mix the vegetables with the dressing
6. cut the strawberries into slices
7. mince the mint
8. mix the rest of the ingredients
9. you can garnish each serving with more mint leaves, pumpkin seeds or more strawberries

Enjoy!

Stay Healthy!

Monika Baechler

Cert. Nutrition Specialist

How to Prepare Healthy and Tasty School Lunches – A never ending Challenge!

Every mother knows the dreading feeling of coming up with a healthy and tasty school lunch kids actually enjoy to eat.

Are you going from turkey sandwich to tuna sandwich and ham and cheese? How can you possibly come up with new ideas for a tasty and imaginative lunch everyday?

A nutritious school lunch should include all the very important building blocks for your children to grow on.  Pack some kind of whole grains, lean protein, vegetables and fruits. Whole grains are vital for energy and slow sugar digestion. By supplying your kid’s lunch bag with 100% whole grains and not whole wheat or white flour you guarantee a slow rise in blood sugar and a longer satiety level. Children need to supply they brains with complex carbohydrates during the day, what you think is healthy for you, like a low carb diet, is not at all healthy for your growing kids.

What is a lean protein? A lean protein is a some kind of meat, fish, chicken or vegetarian option that doesn’t contain more than 8-12% fat.

Great lunch options for lean protein are:

• Eggs: Hot days are over and you could without a doubt pack a nice egg lunch. Try some deviled eggs with low fat mayo or hummus or avocado base. Egg salad wraps are a welcoming treat for any child.
• Dairy: I’m not a big fan of dairy, but children love cheese. If the cheese is natural and without any antibiotics and hormones – why not? You can include cheese once in a while in their lunch boxes without any worries.
• Fish: Tuna is not the best choice for children because of its high mercury content. Choose a fish lower on the food chain for its lower mercury content, the smaller the fish the lower it is on the food chain. Simply poach the fish, let it cool and prepare as fish salad, like you wood a tuna salad. Find some healthy and low mercury fish options here.
• Chicken: Natural grilled whole chickens are very healthy for children and they need the low fat protein to grow and play. Think of chicken wraps, chicken strips for dipping, chicken kebabs and chicken salads.
• Lean Meats: Lean natural deli meats are a little more expensive, but what’s more important then the health of your children? Depending on their age, you wont need more than 2-3 slices of deli meats. Choose turkey, ham and chicken. Sunday is a great day to hang out with family and talk about the next week. Plan the lunch menus together. Older children can also help in the kitchen with the preparations. Try a tasty home made chicken noodle soup for the colder days.  Canned soups are very low on nutrients and contain way to much sodium and too little lean protein and vegetables. Take the time to prepare your soups at home. Cook the noodle separately from the chicken soup to prevent it from going soggy. Let them add the cold noodles to the warm soup at lunch for a tasty and nutritious meal for any autumn day.
• Beans: Beans are a wonderful addition to any lunch box. Bean dips, bean soups or even mixed bean salads are tasty, colorful and fun for children all ages.

Vegetables are loaded with vitamins. Even better than any vegetables are raw vegetables for their high enzyme and high vitamin and mineral content.  Think of cucumber slices with bean dip or hummus. Tomato, cucumber, pepper slices in wraps and sandwiches. Instead of carrot sticks or baby carrots try carrots chips. Just cut carrots on an angle 2-3 mm thin. Children love to be surprised and it keeps them trying new foods.

Cater to the adventurous mind of your child. Keep them guessing – What did mom make me today? Once or twice a week pack them their favorite snack or make them a tasty and healthy oatmeal cookie from scratch. Show them how important they are. Show your children how important health is. They wont understand now, but they will appreciate it later in life.

Children love sweet foods. You wont have any problems convincing them to eat some ripe cut up fruits. Children love little bites, cut the apple in discs instead of slices for a change. Core the apple and slice in little discs. To keep the apple from turning brown, squeeze some orange or pineapple juice over them and serve it with fresh natural yogurt sweetened with some honey. Fruit kebabs are also to much fun to pass down. Stay away from fruit cups in syrup or jello. Always choose fresh fruit over canned and juice boxes.

Have a great school year and see school lunches as an adventure and challenge not a chore, even thou it can seem as a never ending task! Smile – and challenge yourself! What can you come up with next?

Do you have any tips or questions? I would love to hear from you!

Stay Healthy and have a great school year!

Monika Baechler

P.S. Explore new recipes with your children and let them make suggestions for lunch ideas.

Cherry-Berry Watermelon Soup

What you’ll need for 4 servings!

• 1 medium watermelon
• some blueberries
• some strawberries
• some cherries

Chill your watermelon overnight!

1. scrape all the watermelon flesh out with a spoon and pulse it couple of times in the food processor and strain
2. save the flesh for something else if you like
3. wash and slice the strawberries, put aside
4. wash the blueberries, put aside
5. wash the cherries and remove the stones
6. pour the watermelon juice into 4 soup bowls
7. add some berries and cherries and voilà

Stay Healthy and Enjoy!

Monika Baechler

Monika’s Barbecued “Tripple B’s”! Boneless Bad Boys

Are you a Sucker for Barbecue Chicken Wings but don’t care for the fat, cholesterol and the belly fat that comes with it? Worried letting your small kids eat wings because of the bones and fat?

Let me show you a great Fake Barbecue Chicken Wing Recipe that wont leave you begging for a pack of Zocor and an appointment with a Cardiologist!

These “Wings” are not even wings, they’re actually deboned skinless chicken thighs. You wont hear any complaints from anybody if you serve up these “Tripple B’s” boneless bad boys!

Buy some deboned thighs from your butcher or at the market (buy the best quality you can afford).

1. clean the thighs (6 full thighs) and get rid of all the visible fat and joint residue
2. Cut in half, so they look like little chicken wings
3. place all of them in a zipper bag
4. mix the marinade

My marinade is not oily or fatty. This tasty marinade relies on  fresh ginger and garlic salt for it’s mouthwatering taste.

• 2-3 inch piece of fresh ginger (freshly grated)
• 1 tbsp garlic salt
• 2 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
• place in the zipper bag with the chicken
• remove most of the air from the bag, close the bag and massage the chicken with the marinade
• place in fridge for 1-2 hours or overnight

Let’s get cooking!

1. preheat your oven to 400/200
2. line a sheet with baking paper
3. place 1 tbsp of EVOO into a skillet, brown the chicken from both sides (work in two batches)
4. place the chicken onto baking sheet
5. I used Bull’s-Eye Barbecue Sauce, Sweet and Sticky
6. Brush the chicken with the barbecue sauce
7. bake for 20 minutes
8. remove from oven, turn the chicken and brush some more sauce over the thighs
9. back into the oven for another 20 minutes
10. remove and let stand for about 10 minutes
11. They are ready to enjoy!

You can also finish them on the grill, if you prefer! Enjoy

Stay Healthy!

Monika Bachler

P.S. Let me know how they turned out, Thanks!

Monika’s Wakame Salad – How to make Seaweed Salad at home

If you love Sushi as much as I do and Millions of North Americans as well as Millions around the world, then you must know the bright green colored wakame salad.

My family always ends up fighting over the little wakame salad box because it’s so darn tasty! You probably wondered why you can’t find wakame seaweed in the Asian grocery stores to make your own seaweed salad at home.

What is Wakame?

Sea farmer in Japan and Korea have grown this healthy treat for hundred of years. Wakame is a sea vegetable which is mostly used in soups and salads.

It’s a bit tricky to find things at the Asian markets and grocery stores, everything is written in Japanese or Chinese. There is no sign on the wakame seaweed stating “This is the thing you need to make your own seaweed salad you like out of the sushi case”! And, they don’t tell you, that they mix the wakame with some Agar Agar. The chewy more translucent strand in your wakame salad are agar agar strands. Agar-Agar is a natural vegetable gelatin counterpart. White and semi-translucent, it is sold in packages as washed and dried strips or in powdered form. Agar Agar is made up of 80% fiber so it makes a wonderful intestinal cleanser and regulator. Most Asian gelatin desserts are made with Agar Agar.

Now that you know that seaweed comes in a dehydrated form, you’re ready to find the right kind of product.

You’ll go “Wakame” for this seaweed salad recipe!

What you’ll need:

• 1/2 of the 2oz pack of Wakame (dehydrated sold in bags in the nori section)
• 2 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
• 1 tbsp and 1 tsp of vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup less 1 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar
• 2 tbsp Toasted Sesame
• little Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
• 1 tbsp Sugar
• 1 tsp or to taste Sea Salt
• Agar Agar (optional)

Prepare your salad:

1. soak your Wakame in some warm water (please use drinking water, not tap)
2. keep the wakame submerged in water for about 5 -6 minutes, the seaweed will expand enormously
3. meanwhile, prepare your dressing
4. mix the rice vinegar, oils, salt, sugar, sesame seeds (red pepper flakes optional) and set aside
5. drain the wakame and press the water out.
6. take the drained wakame and cut into strips with a very sharp knife.
7. mix with the prepared dressing and let it cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes
8. adjust your dressing to taste, more sugar or more sesame seeds or oil…

Wakame Salad is perfectly fine on its own or with lunch or dinner and sushi of course. It keeps in the fridge for 3-4 days and freezes well too.

Stay Healthy and Enjoy!

Monika Baechler

P.S. Let me know how your wakame salad turned out and what you pared it with, thanks.

Raw Apricot – Almond and Strawberry Jam

What you’ll need:

• 1 1/2 cups Dried Apricots
• 1 cup chopped Raw Almonds
• 4-5 fresh Strawberries
• 1 tbsp honey

Put it all together:

1. Soak the apricots in water for 2 hours
2. Soak the almonds as well
3. put the soaked apricots with the soaked almonds in the food processor
4. mix until it forms a paste, use some of the soaking liquid from the almonds if needed
5. add honey and  2-3 strawberries, mix
6. use the leftover strawberries for decoration

This raw apricot jam would be delicious on whole grain toast, crackers or mixed in with your yogurt or muesli. It tastes so sinfully good without being spiked with white sugars.

Enjoy and Stay Healthy!

Monika Baechler

P.S. Let me know about your recipe ideas for raw jam and post them here.

The “30 Day Juice Fast” eBook is available!

Finally the “30 Day Juice Fast” eBook is available for download.

Thank you for the pre-orders and I hope you enjoy reading and fasting with the eBook as a detailed guide. This 52 page eBook about fasting and juice fasting is written with you in mind. No nonsense info you don’t need and all the detailes you always wanted to know about fasting and detox.

Special Content you will appreciate.

• herbal supplement list to relieve your detox symptoms and support your body, all explained in detail and with added links if supplement is not available in regular health food stores
• Shopping list, recipes for transition days and build-up days
• tips on how to eat after you end your fast and how to stay on track

I hope you’ll enjoy reading the eBook as much as I loved writing it for you. Try the guide for 60 days, if you’re not 100% satisfied, I will refund your full purchase price, no questions asked.

Download the “30 Day Juice Fast” eBook! (don’t forget to add your pre-order code!)

Stay Healthy and Keep Juicing!

Monika Baechler

Raw Almond Coconut Truffles

What you’ll need:

1 1/4 cup almonds, divided 1 cup and 1/4 cup (raw unsalted)

3/4 cup dates (pitted)

3 rounded tbsp carob powder

1/2 cup coconut milk

To make it easier on your food processor, chop the almonds lightly and put 1/4 cup aside for rolling the truffles in.

1. Mix all the ingredients together and add some more coconut milk if you need to.
2. Place the truffle mix in the fridge and let it harden for about two hours or overnight.
3. Form little truffle ball and roll in the chopped almonds you set aside.

Enjoy!

Stay Healthy!

Monika Baechler

P.S. you can also use different nuts or dry coconut flakes (unsweetened) in the mix, or add some spices if you like. Send me your recipe combination.

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