by M.Cokas on March 5, 2010
About 4 weeks ago I embarked on a new journey in my life. Never having been on a diet before, my husband and I were looking for one that we could use to quickly shed a few pounds before walking in the Re-Vamp Fashion Show. After a couple days of research we finally decided on the anti-candida diet. If I was going to make this sacrifice and actually deny myself certain foods, I wanted it to be the most beneficial for our health at the same time.
I have done a lot of research on candida overgrowth over the past 4 weeks and it has been really enlightening. It has sent me on a completely different path nutritionally and I have changed my family’s diet in many ways for life. The best resource I have found for info is The Whole Approach . I personally did not buy any of the supplements that they sell on the website, however, I am taking a high quality probiotic and rotating using oil of oregano, coconut oil, grapefruit seed extract, garlic and pau d’arco tea to fight the candida. These are all available at natural food stores.
The gist of the diet is you want to re-balance your digestive flora (which takes time) by starving the candida (an opportunistic naturally occurring yeast that is normally a part of digestion). Nearly 80% of the population suffer from an overgrowth due to widely prescribed antibiotics, birth controls and the Standard American Diet (SAD). Within this population, range dozens of related health problems including allergies to environmental stimuli and food, behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, sinus and bronchial infections, skin conditions, digestive problems, brain fog, indecisiveness, joint pain etc. In most cases doctors do not recognize candida overgrowth as the disorder and will attempt to treat symptoms only. I really think that we are in the midst of an epidemic. The rates of childhood illness, allergies and behavioral disorders is climbing at an alarming rate. Most people have no idea that the majority of the food they consume is harmful and of little to no nutritional value, especially because of the way it is prepared.
Candida thrive on sugar and simple carbohydrates – so the first phase of the diet is eliminating those almost completely. No sugars of any kind including fruit, honey and agave (we’ve still been eating a VERY small amount of green apple and berries from time to time), no refined flours or gluten – which means no bread, pasta, ect… No milk (it has lactose, which is a sugar) and no alcohol. The first phase is 3 – 4 months and then you move on to add more things back in in the 2nd phase. The third phase is probably one that we will base more on The Weston Price Foundation and continue for life, after a couple months in this way of eating having some things that aren’t in the diet here or there don’t impact you as negatively as they do when you still have overgrowth, so it is ok at that point.
Another important factor in this new realm of nutrition is knowing where your food is coming from and how it is raised, treated and grown. I highly recommend watching Food Inc and Future of Food (this one is free on hulu). The state of our nations food industry is absolutely appalling and it has really opened my eyes. I now try to source as much of my food through organic and local sources as possible. There are many excellent local farms in the area, many organic and even some that are biodynamic.
Chris and I have both lost more than 15lbs (and any trace of cellulite) in the past 4 weeks and it was not by starving ourselves. It has been through consuming healthy, natural (responsibly produced) fats, such as grassfed raw milk, butter, meats and eggs, eating lots of veggies and preparing everything from scratch (no more packaged foods). We’ve discovered lots of ways to create the tastes we used to love even within the somewhat strict boundaries of phase one. In the process I have developed a new love for cooking and am really embracing domestic goddess-hood.
Beyond the weight loss, I have experienced a tremendous increase in energy and clarity, the dark circles under my eyes are diminishing and I’m more driven and optimistic. I’m looking forward to seeing what other benefits the diet brings me in the future.
by M.Cokas on January 11, 2010
I spent some time researching the current controversy over the fluoridation of public water supplies. When you think about the practice it for a minute, it doesn’t really add up. How many millions of dollars are we spending every year to add fluoride to our water supplies in hopes that it might help to make our teeth stronger? And if you think about it for another minute it seems more like forced mass medication more than a public health service. Shouldn’t we all have the right to choose whether or not we want to ingest this chemical additive, without having it quietly injected into our drinking water? And I’m talking about when you think that there is actually a health benefit. Then, when science and research comes out showing that not only is it NOT improving dental health for the masses as we were originally coerced, but it’s actually causing health problems to boot – isn’t it then time to slowly back away from the sauce? Well apparently not. A quick check of your local Consumer Confidence Report will show that the majority of towns in the US are still Fluoridating. Whatever the reasons actually are, I think the recommended mediation should begin with dissolution of the practice. Stop putting s**t in our water. For more information on why you should oppose fluoride in your drinking water check out what these folks have to say here:
50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoride in Drinking Water
To find out the levels of Fluorine in your own town’s drinking water call town hall (or go to their website) and ask for a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report.
by J.English on January 5, 2010
Dr. Atul Gawande on Democracy Now
Everyone has been talking about health care reform and it seems most have a strong opinion about which way things should go. Personally I have felt very in the dark about the real details of the situation. All I hear is the catch phrases, mandatory health coverage, private coverage, single payer. I am one of the many uninsured, the only thing these catch phrases mean to me is $$$ dollar signs and how I may or may not be forced to pay out money I don’t have and still may not be covered for the care I may need or want.
Luckily I live with a well informed man who has taught me you need to research many sources and then look at where each receives their funding from before you can have a clear picture of what is really going on.
Today on Democracy Now, they had an informative discussion with Dr. Atul Gawande that I would like to share. It gave me a sense of what was going on in the day to day beyond the basic catch phrases and front line politics.
I would love to hear what you all are feeling about this topic.
Oh! the solitary confinement/torture topic… I had no idea this was happening. I am very disturbed that I didn’t know and more disturbed about the true extent of the of what’s entailed in the practice. I feel this issue needs a blog of it’s own.
by M.Cokas on January 3, 2010
So, I’ve recently become enamored with fractals, the mathematics of nature. I’ve always been a bit of a closet mathie, a decorated mathlete in my formative years, but how did fractals evade my radar for so long. And as an Environmental Engineer, how did this not show up at least somewhere along my course of study? It seems like it would belong at the foundation of required knowledge. Well, the good news for me is that the journey has now officially begun.
So, what am I all worked up about? Monsters, pathological curves, measuring the CO2 absorption of an entire rain forest using data from just one leaf and the branch pattern of one tree. Think about this one dilemma for a moment, in trying to measure the length of a coastline, the number is inversely proportional to the size of the ruler you use. The coastline becomes longer if you employ a smaller ruler to measure it. Fractal math seems to be what will propel us forward in technology and understanding of our universe. Already at play in some key locations such as cell phone antennas, african village structures and 3d video modeling of natural and organic shapes and textures; pondering the possible future applications is a whole hobby in and of itself.
If you’re feeling at all fractally frisky check out this video on Nova:
Hunting the Hidden Dimension
by J.English on December 30, 2009
Many people have been feeling the financial pinch this season, myself included. We had many grand ideas of how we should spend our New Years. In the end we all decided we would feel less stress by staying close to home. It will be just as magical if not more so and we will be sharing instead of spending.
Missy and I love to throw parties. Sometimes we make advanced plans that we don’t follow, most of the time we scramble up something awesome the day before. Seeing as this is the day before it’s definitely scramble time.
The Setting:
We have a 4 bed room house, 10-12 guests including hosts, 4 kiddies to tend to and lots of random items to attempt to decorate and create a theme with. We want to make it magical. I also want Missy and Chris to feel like they aren’t just having another low key dinner party.
Supplies:
1. Everyone’s bringing food or wine
2. Lots of random left over booze
3. Missy’s craft room (crafting and herb central, this will be a big help)
4. Lots of luck
We still need a theme. It will help us transform the space. We are thinking 50’s pot luck and martini party, or Mad Hatter’s style with fancy treats and hidden treasures.
I will keep you posted on our progress. If anyone has ideas please share!
by J.English on December 5, 2009
by M.Cokas on December 1, 2009
Well it’s sickness season again and with all the H1N1 hysteria I’ve been trying really hard to keep my mouth shut. Vaccinations have to be a personal choice; I don’t want people telling me what to do so I try to be careful of pushing my beliefs on to others as well. Unfortunately, after weeks of holding my tongue, I’m ready to explode. This blog is a place where I come to give my opinion on things. It’s time for me to state my opinion, if you agree, if you disagree that is fine, at least we’re talking about it. The most painful part of the whole medical system for me is that so many people give their doctors blind trust. Remember, doctors are people too, and EVERYONE, including all doctors and me, makes mistakes!
I personally feel that most strains of germs (including H1N1) are already present in your body all the time. Illness is the outcome of prolonged stress. Maintaining the fight or flight response, which turns off your immune system so that blood can be preferentially sent to the limbs. Fight or flight is a highly intelligent program that comes standard with your body at birth, but it was intended for a world where dangers are acute, i.e. threat of attack from predators, not home forclosure, job loss and other chronic stressors. So if I become sick and start to blame someone else for sneezing on me, or coming into work with a cold or the flu, it really just sounds like passing the buck. I am the one who is in control of my health. What I should be most concerned with is: ‘How can I reduce stress in my life? How can I find balance between responsibility and play? Where can I find joy on a rainy day with a mailbox full of bills?’ The answers are there if you look for them and when you do you will be rewarded with true health and the ability to say no to the injections and chemical concoctions.
by J.English on November 24, 2009
I think it’s safe to say, we all have days we feel this way. Nothing goes smoothly from start to finish. All our best intentions of getting things done are blocked by some gigantic invisible wall. By the end of the day your ready to pull out your hair or attack a loved one.
I actually started this blog last week. I was having an unbearably frustrating day and thought “mmm… I’ll do a shout out. I’m sure I’m not the only one dealing with a thousand little daily frustrations that have morphed into BIG monster frustration.” I thought maybe there would be someone out there that would appreciate knowing they’re not alone. I sure know I would.
Well as it would on a day like this. I couldn’t even get the photo for this blog to upload correctly.
The moral of this story is… It is Totally OK to sit on your hands and not get anything done from time to time. Whats the point in continuing to push and try to force an outcome that isn’t going to be resolved today anyways. Shut off the phone, read a book, play with your kids. When this wall presents itself it generally means you need to focus on you, not all the things you think you need to do.
by M.Cokas on November 9, 2009
Building a Green Smoothie
I recently became hooked on green smoothies as a delicious and efficient way to eat raw greens. Greens provide so many essential nutrients for every part of the body, they can even help to remineralize your teeth and reverse tooth decay. It hasn’t always been easy to consume the recommended daily amount, especially if you are trying to get your kids to eat them. Well, it can be easy – enter the Green Smoothie. When I started making these smoothies for my family life became easier, my children got healthier and I felt good about the level of nutrition my children were getting.
Kai Likes to Push the Button
What is a green smoothie? A green smoothie is really any frozen blended fruit beverage that you add greens to and no, it isn’t necessarily green in color. It is also a great place to hide other superfoods like chia. There are hundreds, probably even thousands of combinations out there that you can suit to your own tastes, but I have a very basic recipe that I work from most of the time.
[click to continue…]
by J.English on November 9, 2009
Making my Red Riding Hood costume
I am a self taught clothing and graphics designer. I definitely would not call myself a seamstress. I just love to create things. A couple years ago a friend of mine taught me how to thread a sewing machine and encouraged me to experiment. From that moment it became an addiction. The feeling of accomplishment is nice but for me it’s more about making it work (wouldn’t Tim Gunn agree). Figuring out how a piece will come together is like a massage for my brain. Yes, sometimes you have to go inside out and upside down to put a garment together. Though I love the puzzle, there are many tried and true tricks of the trade that make life easier. These tricks are hard to stumble on but there are plenty of resources to learn from these days.
One of the sites I like is Burdastyle. Here you can find all sorts of how to’s, patterns and project ideas. So dust off your sewing machine and play.
Oh! if you find a resource you love or a project you’d like to share leave a comment so we can all benefit.
