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

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

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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What every Mother ought to know about Danger-Foods to small Children!

Peanut butter: Children can be allergic to peanuts or develop reactions like skin disorders. Don’t give peanut butter to small children under 2. Peanuts are heavily sprayed with chemicals and are grown on land saturated with synthetic fertilizers and it might also have a carcinogenic fungus aflatoxin. Only use organic peanut products sparingly or avoid all together to be safe.

Keep your children safe and…

Stay Healthy!

Monika Baechler

The 101 on caring for kids if they get the Flu

Quite frankly, it is a scary thought but if my family can get through it so can you. Sunday a week ago my 5 year old told me his throat hurt, which scared the poop out of me. Since it was just two days after helloween I wasn’t alarmed, because they sometimes scream so much while trick or treating that they do develop a soar throat. Well, we were not so lucky. Sunday evening he got a fever and I knew we had a flu case on our hands. Monday came and with the morning came also the cough and higher fever. His fever lasted about three days with some normal temperature in between. The highest temperature we measured was 101.3. My 5 year old complained about aches and pains, head ache, lungs hurting when he coughs, runny nose, fever, stuffy nose, night sweats, shivers, chills, fatigue, watery eyes, sleepiness and so on…

On Friday it seamed like he reached a plateau and just to be sure I took him to the doctor to check out his lungs. The doctor gave us an ok and sent us home to rest. He told us to keep him hydrated and resting. It wasn’t until the 7th day until his cough subsided a bit and he started acting like a five year old again.

My 9 year old had similar symptoms but closer to what I experienced. He also started with a soar throat and cough but he complained about severe leg pains and muscle weakness. Runny nose from almost the onset of symptoms and high level of fatigue. We all had clear runny nose, fever, chills, cough and muscle pain with severe head aches for about two days.

What you should have at home to get through the flu with your children:

• Echinacea Elder Tea, Herbal Tea, Traditionally used to fight off colds, flus, and infections, especially of the respiratory tract
• Ginger Lemon Tea, Herbal Tea, Great with honey for little upset tummies or big tummies, ginger is also a great anti viral, anti bacterial
• Olbas Oil, Olbas Oil is a traditional Swiss herbal medicinal remedy containing a unique mixture of essential oils, all carefully selected and 100% pure, put on chest and back
• Nasa Mist, Saline Spray, Specially Designed for Babies and Children, Allergy and Sinus Relief
• Organic Lemon, for hot lemon and honey tea, reliefs cough and sore throat

Keep them hydrated and warm, even if they have a fever. A lot of children in the hospital are there because of dehydration, keep them drinking tea and water all day! It’s important not to give them fever reducing medicine, fever is needed to produce anti bodies. A fever above 103 and 104 is dangerous and should be seen by a doctor. Also help the children breath easier with some vapor bath made with eucalyptus and menthol with lavender.

What is Homeopathy and how can it help us with the H1N1

Homeopathy uses all natural ingredients to stimulate and assist the body’s natural ability to heal. For over 200 years, physicians and homeopathic specialists have used homeopathic treatments. Homeopathy is a “holistic” remedy, which seeks to treats the whole person. Homeopathy takes a different approach from conventional medicine in diagnosing, classifying, and treating medical problems. The term homeopathy comes from the Greek words homeo, meaning similar, and pathos, meaning suffering or disease. In classical homeopathic treatment, we strive to include all aspects of the patients health into their prescribed remedy.

Key concepts of homeopathy include:

• Homeopathic practitioners select remedies according to a total picture of the patient, including not only symptoms but lifestyle, emotional and mental states, and other factors.
• Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body’s defense mechanisms and processes so as to prevent or treat illness.
• Treatment in homeopathy is very personal (tailored to each person).
• Homeopathy believes the body can heal itself, however our lifestyles and negative habits prevents our bodies from doing so.

How does the treatment work?

Typically, in homeopathy, patients have a lengthy first visit, during which the provider takes an in-depth assessment of the patient. This is used to guide the selection of one or more homeopathic remedies. During follow up visits, patients report how they are responding to the remedy or remedies, which help the practitioner, make decisions about further treatment. In classical homeopathy, only one remedy will be given at any time.

Why are homeopathic remedies great alternatives?

• No known side effects
• No medications interaction
• Very effective
• Homeopathic remedies will stimulate your own bodies natural ability to heal plus it will strengthen your immune system
• Remedies are all-natural
• Homeopathy is highly affordable, comparied to a lifetime of drugs and surgeries

Who can safely use Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is versatile and is used for any illness, everybody can use it. Even safe during pregnancy and on infants without side effects. The remedies are pretty inexpensive plus homeopathy has the potential to  save you money by reducing prescriptions.

What are homeopathic remedies?

Most of the homeopathic remedies are derived from all natural substances. A homeopathic remedy is prepared by diluting the substance in a series of steps. You can get homeopathic remedies sold in liquid, pellet, as well as tablets.

How to fight the Aging Process and strengthen your Immunsystem

Fasting is the abstinence from solid food and addictive substances like alcohol, coffee and drugs for a specific time. This is for therapeutic maybe even for religious purposes. Fasting will support your body by resting your digestive system. Do you know why this is so important? Now that you are fasting, your body can use the energy (calories) you are getting by juice fasting to use elsewhere in your system to heal and repair “stuff”

• I had a client who healed a very old knee wound he sustained in a car accident.
• Couple clients that cured Hemorrhoid after years of suffering.
• A Lady who cured syndrome x
• IBS gone after years of suffering for a teenager

Fasting for 3 to 5 days is considered a short term fast. If you go longer it’s a long term fast. I have seen people go 40 or more days on a juice fast. In our days, I do NOT recommend a water only fast. It is very harsh on our bodies and involves major detox symptoms, which may need hospitalization if you are very toxic to begin with. For expert fasters it is possible to finish a water only fast but don’t go over 10 days. The best idea anyway for seasoned fasters is to combine a juice fast with a water fast. This is done as follows: 5 days juice fast followed by 2-3 days of water fast, again continued by 5 days juice fasting and so forth.

People with blood sugar problems could be adversely affected by a juice fast. I recommend to fast only if you talked to your doctor. (They will not agree with your decision anyway)  If you have syndrome X (insulin resistance) please use only vegetable juices instead of sweet fruits. You can add some granny smith apples for lunch, but do not use them for breakfasts or by themselves and always dilute the juices.
I do believe, that people with high blood sugar can extremely benefit from a juice fast. Your body could in fact “reboot” and use insulin in a more efficient way, if you stick to a changed and improved diet after your fast. (more about the diet later)

Did you know that your body can not get to the nutrients in your vegetables and fruits because it’s encased in fiber? Some 90% of the nutrients in produce we eat are eliminated with the vegetable fiber as it passes through the body. This is why juicing is so important these days, the full 100% of the nutrients in the vegetables and fruits can be absorbed by our body, since the juicer does all the work for you and separates the juice from the fiber in the process. Our system can digest and absorb the juice in about 30 minutes without weighing down the digestive system.

You can find out more and learn more on 30dayjuicefast.com. Information about how to start and try a juicing day or how to buy a juicer are some of the things you will find. Videos are also available and a documentary as well.

Zinc for hormones, libido and fertility.

Zinc is needed to make so many hormones, keep your immune system healthy, skin regeneration and healing, growth, eye health, blood-sugar metabolism. It is very well known to keep your sex-life juicy and keep you fertile. You don’t know how important zinc is until you have a zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency sings are hair loss, poor wound healing, poor immune function, diarrhea, skin conditions like acne, white spots on the nails. The most important for women is hair loss and low libido. If you feel disconnected from your husband and just don’t feel like sex or snuggling up at all, you must be zinc deficient.

Daily optimal intake is 15 – 30 mg of zinc and toxicity is very rare, you would need to get more than 150 mg a day and that would lead to immune system suppression, or digestive upset or anemia.

Great sources of zinc are oysters, herring, shellfish and red meat. For vegetarians it’s whole grains, legumes and nuts. Why do you think everybody is talking about oysters being a aphrodisiac? Because it’s full of zinc and zinc helps you with low and not existing libido. Tomorrow, get your honey out for oysters and some seafood, you might get lucky!

Have a great night out!

Monika

Some other Zinc Sources are:

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