The Joy of A Healthy Immune System: The Picky Eater

When my brother was born I caught a cold playing outside and eventually passed it on to him.  As a toddler I was frequently sick going in and out of doctor’s appointments.  In the beginning I was a picky eater.  I loved Happy Meals at McDonald’s and I loved eating sweets.  If I got sick I’d be sick for at least a few weeks long.   

One time when I was a little older I remember my mom placing food at the dinner table.  My brother and I said that we didn’t like the food.  My mom sternly looked at us and told us that if we didn’t eat the food she cooked we could go to our rooms and starve.  My brother and I looked at each other and made the decision quickly to always eat our mom’s home cooked meals going forward.  

Immediately, I stopped being a picky eater and I ate everything on my plate including the protein, starch and vegetables.  If I couldn’t finish something because of being too full I would ask my brother or dad to eat the remaining portion.  

Interestingly when I was in elementary school I probably missed just one or two days of school from kindergarten to the sixth grade.  My class attendance was outstanding.  When other kids were absent due to illness I was at school growing, learning and taking my education seriously.

Our food wasn’t organic however it was consistently well balanced and our beverage choice most of the time was spring water.  Those choices made a difference in my well being and health.

A good immune system starts with what you put into the body.  If you or your family members get sick at least once a year your immune system is telling you that it is weak and requires better nourishment.  For those who are on any kind of prescription medication your immune system requires attention as well.  

If you’re worn out and frustrated with getting sick or seeing your kids get sick what if now was the time to learn about strengthening and boosting the immune system?  What if now was the time to seek changes in diet and discover natural remedies and modalities that really work and have been gentle and effective for thousands of years?  What if you could teach your picky eaters to enjoy healthy and nutrient dense food with so much ease and fun?

If you’re ready for change check out The Joy of A Healthy Immune System at http://diostiagngina.com/favorites/the-joy-of-a-healthy-immune-system.  What else is possible?

The Joy of A Healthy Immune System: Using Ancient Medicine to Heal Any Condition

There’s pretty much an herbal tea that can be taken for every disease and condition. I’m not talking about the regular tea in tea bags that you find in grocery stores. I’m talking about real ancient medicine that has been used for thousands of years.

A few years ago when we were still new to Central New York my parents were ticketed to visit. When my mom found out that my husband, son, and I were getting over a cold she panicked and said that she didn’t want to get sick. I told her not to worry and I promised that she and my dad wouldn’t catch a thing.

As soon as they arrived I got them started on an immunity tea that shielded and protected them from any viral infections, colds or the flu. It worked like a charm! My mom and dad were amazed. At the time my mom was still on prescription medications for high cholesterol, diabetes, and neuropathic pain. That meant that her immune system was still very weak so if she didn’t have access to my immunity tea she would have most likely caught our colds.

The good news was that my family healed and my mom and dad stayed healthy during their visit. Not one sniffle, cough, scratchy throat, or sneeze came out of them.

My parents asked me to prepare packages of the tea for their upcoming trip to the Philippines. They drank the tea daily and stayed healthy during their trip.

This is called preventative medicine and I’ve been making my own organic herbal teas for quite some time now. Knowledge is power. If you have a condition you can reverse it and if you’re healthy you can maintain it by using ancient medicine.

How does it get any better than that? 💗💗💗

The Joy of A Healthy Immune System opens today. In the online course I talk about how to drink the immunity tea whether your immune system is compromised or not. There is an immunity tea available for those who are currently sick and another immunity tea for those who aren’t sick and would like to shield themselves from infections, colds and the flu. Both teas are available on my SHOP for purchase. You do not have to purchase both the online program and the tea. However, I highly recommend both in order to optimally strengthen immunity.

Visit http://diostiagngina.com/…/the-joy-of-a-healthy-immune-syst… to join the online program.

Immunity Tea I is for those who would like to shield and protect themselves from infections, the common cold and the flu. This is the same formula that I used to make the tea for my parents. For more info visit: http://diostiagngina.com/…/immunity-tea-i-for-those-who-are…

Immunity Tea II is for those who are currently sick. This ancient remedy will help you mend quickly. For more info visit: http://diostiagngina.com/…/immunity-tea-ii-for-those-who-ar…

The Joy of A Healthy Immune System

I’ve been promoting integrative nutrition and clean, organic, seasonal and local eating for some time now. In the last couple of years I’ve figured out how to optimally strengthen immunity. My family’s immunity is stronger than ever. We haven’t been on antibiotics, prescription medications or over the counter drugs in a very long time. No one gets sick in my household.

What are we doing that others aren’t doing?

A number of things. One thing that we do is we utilize the old traditional remedies that are thousands of years old. The old is new again for our current situation and health crisis.

Just like with money you really should be diversifying your healthcare toolbox. By putting all your bets in one nest egg you are gambling on your health and the health of your loved ones.

People feel scared, overwhelmed, and helpless at the moment. It doesn’t have to be that way.

What if The Joy of A Healthy Immune System is your ticket to achieving a healthy and strong immune system and the way to beat infections, colds and the flu with so much ease?

How does it get any better than than? 💗💗💗

http://diostiagngina.com/…/the-joy-of-a-healthy-immune-syst…

International Day of Happiness

Today is International Day of Happiness!

In honor of this day I am posting my spaghetti recipe which my son and so many people just love. Yeah, it's that good! It gets people's happy on. If you're observing Lent and no meat on Fridays you can easily omit the meat and still have an enjoyable meal. If you're on the 45 day detox with me I substituted the noodles for baked potatoes and added micro greens on top. You could also use sauteed cabbage. Isn't it so gorgeous in the second picture?

You know what else gets people's happy on? Money, money, money! 

We start the Money Workbook Bootcamp on Tuesday, March 24. My wonderfully talented friend Annie Choi will be facilitating the class. You do not want to miss out!

Ahem!! I repeat. You do not want to miss this!

Get your happy on at https://www.annielettemay.com/moneyworkbookBOOTCAMP

Get your happy on with my delicious spaghetti recipe at https://diostiagngina.com/food/2017/10/6/local-spaghetti

How does it get any better than that? 😀❤

#MoneyWorkbookBOOTCAMP #bestspaghettiever #getyourhappyon #thejoyofdetoxing #integrativenutrition

The Joy of Detoxing: Miracles Can Happen

My mom went through a three year detox.  When I first started health coaching her my mom was very sick with an aggressive form of cancer and other health problems and was heavily medicated taking 13 or 14 different medications.  She complained of the worst kinds of body aches and pains, pains even worse than labor pains.

My family and I have seen her in and out of hospitals.  We were with her during some critical, close calls as well.

I am incredibly proud of her!  As of December 2019 my mom no longer takes any kind of prescription medication.  She’s no longer diabetic and her cholesterol levels are normal.  

My mom was on Lipitor for 20 years and was on diabetes medication for more than 20 years.

Today she’s able to do things she couldn’t do before.  She’s even able to travel to the other side of the world. She’s so much more healthier, vibrant and energetic than ever before.

Going from 13 or 14 different medications to zero medications is truly a miracle.  Thanks be to God!

If you’re looking to detox this year now is the time.  The Joy of Detoxing launches this Wednesday, February 26, 2020 in time for Lent.  Check out the details at http://diostiagngina.com/favorites/the-joy-of-detoxing.

If my mom can do it you can do it!  What’s holding you back from becoming your healthiest, happiest and most brilliant self?

The Joy of Detoxing: Detoxing with a Good and Experienced Health Coach

It makes all the difference in the world.

Most people need to be under the guidance of an experienced and certified health coach or wellness practitioner when they decide to make dietary changes. Why? It’s smarter and safer and people usually get the results they are looking for. When people go on some type of diet, cleanse or detox, they end up following a yo-yo pattern. They’ll starve themselves with shakes and a whole bunch of supplements and then after the program they “reward” themselves by eating poorly again gaining the weight that they lost plus adding even more pounds. This treatment on the body is downright abuse.

When people realize how sick they really are they might think that doing a detox is the answer. A detox is not always the best solution. You have to get to the root cause. If you’re already deficient and you go on a detox you’re just going to keep dragging and become even weaker.

I explained this to a friend last night who is dealing with chronic fatigue. She recently went on a detox, felt great and lost a good amount of weight afterwards but eventually feels tired again and gained the weight back.

Another friend that I’ve been health coaching told me a while back, “I am afraid.” I told her that she needed to face her fears even though it may be difficult and painful. If you don’t then nothing will change. People choose to escape their reality in different ways. One way is through food. Many people are eating all kinds of junk that causes them to be fearful, weak, and sick. The junk that people eat on a daily basis is not fit for human consumption. When you start eating real, clean, organic food everything changes for the better. Your body, heart, and soul change for the better.

The Joy of Detoxing starts this Wednesday, February 26, 2020. There are three detoxes that I will be discussing in the video modules in all levels - easy, medium, and challenging. In the program I will explain how each one is done. You choose which plan you are comfortable with. For the 45 day detox I will guide you through the program with exact specifics and offer delicious healthy recipes to be cooked at home. To join me click here: http://diostiagngina.com/favorites/the-joy-of-detoxing

If you are dealing with chronic or debilitating fatigue The Joy of Detoxing is NOT for your condition. At least not at the present time. I recommend one on one health coaching sessions to address the issues that are causing the fatigue. You can check out my program here: http://diostiagngina.com/favorites/1-month-coaching-program.

What if now was the time to really listen to your body and to finally get your health in check and possibly be your healthiest and happiest self? 

The Joy of Detoxing: Fasts, Cleanses and Detoxes

Traditionally, people would fast or eat lighter in the spring time. One of my holistic health coach mentors recommends doing an annual cleanse or detox in the spring. Detoxes can help to move stuck energy. If you’re feeling tightness, aches and pains, you have stuck energy.

Energy is everywhere. Your body is an energetic body. It is meant to move. Organs and body parts are meant to move. During the winter months we tend to consume heavy foods because the body needs warm, building foods. Although these types of foods are necessary in the winter they can stagnate the body. Spring is a great time to lighten the load off of the body. As the weather warms up it makes sense to eat more salads and cooling foods.

Before you read further - this is really important. If you are deficient (feeling weak), pregnant or trying to conceive, DO NOT go on a fast, cleanse or detox. It is NOT for your condition and it is NOT safe for you.

The spring of 2018 I went on a two week liver cleanse and I got my husband on a three day liver cleanse. His was more challenging since he couldn’t have food, just water and the concoction that I made for him. During the holidays that same year I decided to do something that I’d never done. I went on a 45 day detox. Forty-five days is a long time but since I’d done cleanses before it was like a walk in the park. So I said goodbye to all the food and sweets that I’d normally indulge in. That meant no pecan pie or pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, Christmas cookies or sweets, birthday cake for my son’s birthday (I did make him two gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free birthday cakes though), and New Year’s treats and libations for me. Of course, everyone else in my household enjoyed the holiday dishes and traditions as I prepared a lot of the baked sweets for the family. What did I eat? I made my own wholesome, organic meals. I was on the most strict diet and protocol I’d ever been on.

How did I stick to my detox plan? It took a lot of will power and trust in the plan. Mostly it was my “why” that kept me focused. Although I went from weighing 118 pounds to about 108 pounds (I’m about 5’2”), I did the detox to get healthier (I was already healthy; I take no medications, over the counter drugs, pills or supplements whatsoever) and to feel my very best.

The results of the detox were amazing! During and after the detox I felt my strongest and most energetic. Even going to exercise at barre class regularly or irregularly I didn't experience soreness or body aches. Even my breathing improved and amplified. I felt like I was breathing air in the mountains.

The Joy of Detoxing starts this Wednesday, February 26, 2020 in time for Lent. (This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday already.) I will be personally going on the 45 day detox. Would you like to join me?

The Joy of Detoxing is available at
http://diostiagngina.com/favorites/the-joy-of-detoxing.

What would it take for you to live a new brilliant life going forward? What would it take for you to embrace new possibilities? 

The Joy of Sleep: A Tale of Two Grandmas and a Papa

I can’t remember when my mom started having sleep problems but it had been decades.  In recent years she would complain about all kinds of problems including trigeminal neuralgia, leg cramps, and neuropathy in the feet.  These issues caused her difficulty at night and interfered with her sleep.  

Last May my mom and dad celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. I gave them one of my favorite natural sleeping aids.  The following day they both reported good restful sleep.  My mom eventually noticed that she wasn’t suffering from leg cramps anymore.  

In June I gave them another natural sleeping aid.  In two weeks time I got a call from my mom.  She detailed all the positive changes.  She said both her and my dad’s energy levels and stamina increased.  They both felt a lot better and their sleep improved.  My mom said that she even started having vivid dreams.  

When people can remember their dreams that means that they are getting really good deep sleep.  When that happens the body can do what it’s supposed to do.  It starts to heal.

Since using the natural sleep solutions my mom hasn’t been suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, leg cramps, and neuropathy in the feet.  Both she and my dad no longer complain about aches, pains or lack of sleep. What else is possible?

Last November my family and I visited my mother in law in the Philippines.  We love to bring gifts when we visit her so we decided to bring the same natural sleep aids that helped my mom and dad with sleep.

The amazing thing was that the sleep aids worked immediately!  The next morning my mother in law told me that she wasn’t bothered by leg cramps and that she was able to sleep well.  

I thought to monitor her sleep since we were staying for two weeks.  Each day she revealed that there were no leg cramps and that she could sleep well.  Even if she had to wake up in the middle of the night she was able to go back to sleep fairly quickly and sleep soundly.  Before it would take her a while to go back to sleep. How does it get any better than that?

The special promo price for The Joy of Sleep is coming to a close.  After Sunday the price will jump to $99. What are the possibilities to finally experience the deep sound sleep you and your loved ones have been waiting for?  

Being able to help our parents feel more comfortable with more ease in their elder years is truly a blessing.  Thanks be to God for natural effective and simple sleep solutions.

The Joy of Sleep: Let's Talk About Snoring

A few years ago my son and I were video chatting with my dad. After several minutes we saw my dad fall asleep sitting up.  And then he started to snore.  

My husband also used to snore.  That meant that I too had trouble sleeping because the snoring would bother me.  

The fact of the matter is when someone in the family snores sleep quality gets disturbed all around. Everyone’s sleep gets affected.

Snoring is the body’s way of saying that the body is not happy and it is not being honored.  It means that the body is struggling to get good quality restful sleep.  But most people just ignore the issue and don’t think anything of it.

Recent studies show that poor sleep is linked to the following:

~ Memory issues

~ Weight gain

~ Mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder

~ Weakened immunity

~ Higher chances of cancer, diabetes and heart disease

~ Being accident-prone

~ Stress in relationships

~ Shortened life expectancies

After I started health coaching my dad and husband everyone’s sleep started to improve and my dad and husband stopped snoring.  

Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  

What changed?  They started following my recommendations and more importantly they started honoring their bodies.

What would it take for us to just start honoring our beautiful bodies every single day?  

What changes and possibilities can take place?

A friend and client messaged me a couple of days ago.  He’s been using three of my five favorite sleep solutions.  He said, “I’ll continue with the recommendations. It is helping me a lot!  I observed my sleep is more deep.”  And this is the result of following my protocol the last couple of weeks.

Getting messages like this make my day!  And I just feel like singing, “Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!”

The Joy of Sleep is now available at a special promo price in celebration of the new year.  It may not cost a lot but from my interesting point of view the program is priceless.  Getting good restful sleep is the foundation of good health.  

How does it get any better than that?

The Joy of Sleep: Suffering from Anxiety and Paranoia

Have you or someone you know ever experienced anxiety or paranoia at night?

About six years ago when my son was about a year old I started noticing that I couldn’t sleep so easily at night.  My husband had a few overnight stays for work each month and I found myself feeling super anxious and somewhat paranoid during those times. 

It got to be so bad.  

Every sound that I could hear at night terrified me.  I could hear the cars driving by outside of the house. I could hear sounds throughout the house and that would keep me up.  

I would get frantically upset.  I would jump into conclusions.  I felt so scared and alone.

I would even pray the Rosary multiple times at night.  

Unfortunately, I found no solace for my sleeping problem. 

So my problem continued and eventually I became very, very sick with debilitating fatigue and numerous gut issues.

My life became all about constant worry and sleepless nights.

As a certified integrative nutrition health coach one of the biggest complaints that I keep hearing from clients and loved ones is lack of sleep.  

Sleep is imperative in the healing process.  

And yet so many people worldwide aren’t getting good quality sleep.  

The Joy of Sleep is my contribution to those who are dealing with insomnia and sleep problems.  I remember how bad my sleep issues were so I understand how one feels when dealing with sleep disorders. I’m sharing my knowledge and experience of the very best natural holistic sleep solutions available so that people can finally get the much needed deep sleep their bodies require.  

To join The Joy of Sleep program there is a one time investment of $20 in celebration of the new year. But you shouldn’t wait.  This promo price is available up until Sunday, January 26, 2020.  The price will go up to $99 as we will start the program on Monday, January 27, 2020. You can find details here. 

How does it get any better than that?

For those of you who do not know my health story this picture represents me at my sickest point.  I was emaciated at 95 pounds. I’m about 5 feet 2 inches.  My debilitating fatigue was out of control to the point in which I couldn’t leave the house or my bedside.  This went on for several months. Talking about sleep, I just couldn’t even fall asleep. Why?  Because sleep requires energy which I had none of.  

The good news is that God answered my prayers and led me to a holistic healthy path that I am forever grateful for. Thanks be to God.

The Joy of Sleep: Sleepless Nights with a Newborn

From day one my son would cry all the time.  I’m telling you; he was born with a full set of healthy pipes.  

I remember at the hospital the nurses would come often to check on him because they could hear him from down the hall.  They quickly realized that he was a naturally loud crying baby.  

Even today if you ever get to sit near us at church his singing voice is pretty powerful.   

As a new mom I hardly slept.  At tops I was lucky to get two or three hours of sleep. My baby loved being in my arms.  If I put him down to sleep he would cry.  So I ended up holding him all night long sleeping sitting up on the sectional.  

If only I had the knowledge that I have now about sleep and how to get really good deep sleep.  

Because back then I got cranky and irritable many times.  There were times when I myself cried because my baby was a constant crier and nothing that I did could appease or soothe him.  I believe my husband joined us as well for those crying episodes!

So picture this.  Mom, dad, and baby boy all crying at the same time.

Yes, that was our reality seven years ago.

The awesome thing is through my experience with nutrition school, health coaching, traditional Chinese medicine, herbal medicine and other holistic modalities I’ve created a new online course all about how to get deep and restful sleep.  

Do you know what else is wonderful?  My husband, son and I get really good restful sleep nowadays.  Things can change for the better if you have the knowledge that keeps you in good health and wellness.

If you or anyone in your family is dealing with sleepless nights, restlessness, or even a dependency on sleeping aids this course is for you.

Now picture this. 

You aren’t feeling anxious at night anymore.

You aren't staring at the ceiling for hours waiting to fall asleep.

You don’t need the sleeping pills, CPAP machines, sleep tests, etc. ever again.

You and the children can finally sleep soundly.

And no one is gritting or grinding their teeth.

The Joy of Sleep includes my best tips and solutions to finally get the sleep that you and your loved ones deserve.  Every recommendation in the course is effective, practical, simple, safe and natural.  It’s a culmination of all that I’ve learned since becoming a certified integrative nutrition health coach.  How does it get any better than that?  

The Joy of Sleep launches on Monday, January 27.  The doors on the promo price will close this Sunday, January 26.  

Is your body asking for more ease and joy this year? If so, get in early here.

Last Call

I wish I had my program The Gift of 100 Days:  High Blood Pressure Reversed Simply years ago.   You see, I have a family history of heart disease.  Three of my grandparents died of complications from high blood pressure.  Several aunts and uncles passed away due to heart disease and high blood pressure.  My dad suffered from high blood pressure for ten years.  

My dad was really blessed.  He chose a different path for himself.  He chose better health and lifestyle choices.  It’s all about choice.  People have the choice to stay stagnant and the same or the choice to achieve greater.  

I’m really proud of my dad.  It wasn’t always easy to make healthier food and lifestyle changes but he stayed focused and persevered understanding that the body will heal itself with the right foods, faith, patience and time.  Those two months that he was on my program were worth it. 

Tonight I got a call from a family member who is on the same program my dad was on.  She said, “I’m doing very well.  I’m still taking my BP pills (but) every three months now.”  She was so happy to tell me that and I was just beaming with joy the whole time she was talking.  She is almost there! 

The right foods, faith, patience and time - that’s the recipe on how to reverse high blood pressure and pretty much any disease or chronic health issue.  

This is the last call to get my special offer for those who would like to reverse their high blood pressure with my program The Gift of 100 Days:  High Blood Pressure Reversed Simply.  You’re going to love it. Visit http://diostiagngina.com/favorites/the-gift-of-100-days-high-blood-pressure-reversed-simply.  

Your life will change for the better and greater and you will gain a sense of peace and gratitude that will stay with you.

The President of the United States

Whether you like him or not we can learn a lot by looking at Donald Trump’s face. The body tells us a lot. You just have to know how to read it.

President Trump’s face is fiery red. That means that he has a lot of inflammation. Inflammation is a top trigger for heart disease. He really needs to lower the inflammation by eating cooling foods.

Another point to note from this picture is that President Trump has high blood pressure. The vertical lines visible next to his ear show this. Also In traditional Chinese medicine you can potentially tell whether someone is about to suffer from a heart attack.

This is why I love traditional Chinese medicine. It’s preventative medicine. There’s potential in saving lives. When you have the knowledge of TCM (that’s traditional Chinese medicine for short) and integrative nutrition you can reverse pretty much any disease.

The interesting thing is when you reverse high blood pressure those vertical lines next to the ears begin to fade. My dad used to have long vertical lines next to his ears when he suffered from high blood pressure. After he reversed his high blood pressure those lines faded and are now gone. It’s simply amazing! The body never lies.

For those of you who suffer from high blood pressure, you are warmly invited to join my program The Gift of 100 Days: High Blood Pressure Reversed Simply. It is available up until Monday, November 11, 2019 at midnight EST.

We will use the gifts of the earth to heal safely, gently and quickly. It’s simply just food and it’s really the fastest way I know how to heal high blood pressure.

I’m excited for you join me here: http://diostiagngina.com/…/the-gift-of-100-days-high-blood-….

How would it feel to get heart healthy in 100 days or less? How does it get any better?

Afraid of Change Versus Ready for Change and Possibilities

Back in 2014 and 2015 I felt like a prisoner in my own home.  I felt trapped and stuck in a very sick, debilitating body.  My autoimmune problem took over.  I was scared for my life.  I was scared for my future.  I was scared of change but I took the plunge into nutrition school.  I trusted my gut.  I trusted God.

So what happened?  Graduating from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.  I started to heal physically, emotionally and spiritually.  

In 2016 and 2017 my dad was going through some health issues.  He was bothered by his heart beat at night.  He actually thought that he was going to have a heart attack a few times.  He was constantly worried whether he would wake up in the morning.

In February 2017 I told my dad that I could help.  I said that if he wanted to live an extra 10 or 20 plus years he needed to listen and do exactly what I recommended.  

There was no doubt that he was scared of change.  He was used to a lifestyle of poor eating habits.  He was used to doing things his way.  But he realized that those things were not working in his favor.  So he took the plunge.  He took a leap of faith. He trusted God.  He trusted me with his health journey.  

And so we began.  We worked simply with food.  In April 2017 his doctor took him off his high blood pressure medication after being on the medication for ten years.  And up to now he’s never had to go back to taking the medication.  He was able to reverse his high blood pressure simply by listening to his body and following my protocol.  

My dad was ready.  He was ready to heal, get off the medication and get on with his best life going forward. 

Some people aren’t ready for change.  Some people aren’t ready to let go of the crutch of medication.  That’s okay.  That is simply their choice.

But if you’re ready for better and greater...

You’re warmly invited to join my program The Gift of 100 Days:  High Blood Pressure Reversed Simply at a special offer at http://diostiagngina.com/favorites/the-gift-of-100-days-high-blood-pressure-reversed-simply.

Doors will close on November 11, 2019 at midnight EST.

If you’re ready to reverse high blood pressure simply and quickly now is the time.  

How does it get any better than that?!!!

Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease

Look at these beautiful, organic persimmons! By the end of summer or early fall my parents always graciously send me a large box or two of these wonderful fruits also known to the Chinese as Chinese figs because of their natural sweetness.

According to the book Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine by David Hoffmann, persimmons are helpful in reducing your risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. He writes: "Lycopene occurs in the ripe fruits of tomatoes, Citrus species, persimmon, dog rose, and numerous other fruits and berries. It also occurs in the petals of many orange flowers, in very large amounts in the ripe seeds of bitter melon, in rutabagas, and in red varieties of carrot... Dietary intakes of tomatoes and products containing lycopene are associated with decreased risk of chronic illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Serum and tissue lycopene levels have also been shown to be inversely related to the risk of lung and prostate cancers. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant, which is clearly one of its major mechanisms of action."

I'm all about eating seasonal because it's Mother Nature's way of helping us stay healthy and boost our immune systems. If you're fortunate enough to get some persimmons now is the time to enjoy them. They are some of the most delicious fruits around.

The Colors of Fall

Isn't this pasta gorgeous? I got this from Williams Sonoma. It's all organic, all natural without the fake artificial colors or flavors and it's made in Italy.

I love that it's from Italy because glyphosate is illegal there. What's glyphosate? It's poison and it causes cancer. It's in Roundup and in many of the foods in our local grocery stores.

This meal is loaded with organic mushrooms specifically cremini and shiitake. Mushrooms are super awesome because they make cancer cells commit suicide. How does it get better than that?!

If you don't like the texture of mushrooms, there are a number of alternatives to get the anticancer benefits. Mushroom teas, mushroom powders, and mushroom vitamins are all available. Organic is best.

Rigatoni with Creamy Mushroom Sauce by Giada

1 lb rigatoni pasta (if gluten free I like to use Jovial brand, penne, it's made in Italy)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 shallots, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lb assorted mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, button) cleaned and sliced
1/2 cup white wine (I just use about 1 or 2 tbsp)
1/2 cup vegetable, mushroom, or chicken stock (homemade is best)
1 cups (8 oz) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives (I use Italian flat parsley a lot)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook till tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. While the pasta is cooking heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the shallots and garlic to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook till soft about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook till mushrooms are tender stirring occasionally about 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the heat to high. Add the wine and cook for 3 minutes till all the liquid evaporates. Add the stock and simmer till liquid is slightly reduced. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the mascarpone cheese. Stir till creamy. Drain the pasta reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water and transfer to a serving bowl. Add the mushroom mixture and the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss well to coat pasta adding the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the chopped chives. Serve immediately.

5 Things My Dad Failed To Do When He Suffered From High Blood Pressure

I've been thinking a lot about heart disease and how it's greatly affected so many families including my own. Everyone is connected to someone who's suffered from heart disease.

My dad suffered from high blood pressure and it was problematic on a daily basis.  I am thankful that he was able to reverse his high blood pressure and get off the medication for good.

Here is a list of the top five things that DID NOT help my dad when he had hypertension.  I thought that this list could help those who are currently suffering.

5 Things My Dad Failed To Do When He Suffered From High Blood Pressure 

1. He didn't quit coffee and caffeine. He easily drank more than a pot of coffee a day. At the time he wasn't aware that caffeine was affecting his heart condition. 

2. He refused to give up the junk. My dad loved Krispy Kreme Donuts, cream and sugar in his coffee, cereal, and all kinds of frozen novelties and coffee cakes. Fast food was easy to grab at McDonald's, KFC, Wendy's, etc. especially when my mom and dad owned a beauty salon. And table salt (including Morton's salt), the chemicalized crap with no minerals, was used in all the home cooking. All the crap and junk were addictions that he thought he couldn't live without.

3. Regular exercise was not a priority after my dad retired from the Navy. My dad enjoyed a relaxed, slow paced lifestyle like some retirees but he did not exert himself physically. He knew something was the matter when he was in NYC visiting family and had trouble catching his breath. Like everyone in his shoes he saw the doctor. What was the result? The dosage of his HBP medication increased. End of story and no questions asked. 

4. My dad never read the side effects of his HBP medication, Losartan. My dad just shrugged off the visible bruising that suddenly appeared all over his body. He never noticed it until my mom mentioned it. He had tightness in the chest area, anxiety, problems urinating, fatigue, and other issues. All of these are current side effects of the drug Losartan. 

5. My dad took everything too seriously. He always kept checking his blood pressure. He was quite stern, hardly smiled or laughed. How could he when he was scared and anxious all the time? 

We make things way too complicated. There is an easier way. People keep taking their meds hoping that these things are the cure and miracle to make them get better. That's fine and all if you want to live the hard way and continue to struggle.

The good news is that I've got something really cool cooking!  I'm hoping to launch it very soon.  If you or someone you know would be interested in reversing their high blood pressure, heart disease and/or high cholesterol, you'll want to stay tuned.

This is a picture of my dear dad when he was in active duty more than three decades ago. He wasn't on HBP medication then but it was to come and he ended up being on medication for ten years. My dad chose better and greater for himself. And that's truly awesome! How does it get any better than that?! 

What's Your Potential?

"505" is my six year old son's new nickname according to his sensei. Last week he did 505 push ups non stop for the push up challenge at his karate school. Previously, he did 250 push ups but another student beat his record. He's back in first place.

This was a great teaching experience because I like to emphasize to my child that striving for your full potential is most important. Yes, I'm mighty proud that he was able to do 505 push ups in about 20 minutes. But that wasn't the point. I'm interested that he did his very best. If you do your best you never have to worry about the what ifs. So many people tend to quit too soon or be satisfied doing the bare minimum in life. They choose to be mediocre and ordinary. That's not what life is all about.

I learned from Dr. Bernie Siegel in nutrition school that realizing a person's full potential is what matters. Dr. Siegel's grandmother saw something special in him that no one else saw. Every single person has his worth. You take what God gives you and you give it your all. You use your God given talents to do good. Whether it's lending a helping hand, lifting someone up who's emotionally down or stuck, or inspiring others to be their best, we all have something to give to the world to make it a more beautiful place.

So how did my boy do 505 push ups in good form non stop? Determination. He had a goal. He also lives a very healthy lifestyle. In our home he is exposed to very little poisons and chemicals (I am careful and choosy in what brands we use on our bodies, for laundry, etc.) and he eats a 90 to 95 percent organic, local and seasonal diet. We purchase from local organic farms and my boy eats a large array of dark leafy greens and vegetables. Very little junk goes into his system because he understands that junk only brings problems while organic whole foods fuel the body. Commit to a healthy lifestyle and you'll see that you can avoid chronic illness and disease. Beat disease the smart easy way simply with the right foods. And be your best self going forward.

Well done "505"! Mama and daddy love you!

How To Get Off Your Meds

Last night I got a call from my mom. She said, "I saw my doctor today." I paused and asked, "What's wrong?" She said, "My doctor gave me a clean bill of health!" I said, "That's good, Mom." I asked her, "How are your cholesterol levels?" She said, "They're good. They're normal. My doctor was so surprised. He couldn't believe it!"

My mom had been on Lipitor for over twenty years. I urged her five months ago to get off Lipitor and there's a good reason for that. She did what I suggested and now her cholesterol levels are good. 

My mom's a very smart woman. In the last few years she's been really listening to her body. Second, she has a good holistic health coach. That would be me. And she follows my advice. If she has questions she calls me up. We talk and I make suggestions. But I always tell her that she's the one that knows her body best.

If you want to get off your medications get with a good holistic health coach or wellness practitioner. That's really how it's done because most people aren't able to heal on their own. They need someone who's been there and/or who has the knowledge and experience in helping others to heal.

My mom's doctor's response is a funny one. Yes, it is possible to reverse disease and get off medications. It's really very simple. But if you're content taking all of your medications just keep doing the same old same old.

17 Year Old Diagnosed With Fatty Liver

Over the weekend my family and I visited some good friends in our old stomping ground. My friend was telling me that she had decided to get a blood panel done on December 31 for all three of her teenagers. She was frightened for her oldest child. The doctor reviewed his liver test results and told her son that 70 is within normal range. His levels were off the charts at 270. He diagnosed him with fatty liver and said that he needed to change his diet pronto. The boy was very scared after hearing this. My friend had told me years back that the only food that her eldest would eat was chicken and he never ate vegetables. So he started eating less fatty foods and more vegetables. He tried spinach, lettuce, carrots, and cabbage but didn’t like those so well. He ate them anyway. Surprisingly he learned that he liked kale. On top of that he lost about ten pounds from the long hours of dress rehearsals and dance practices for his high school production. Recently he got tested again. He still has fatty liver but his levels are not as high. He surprised the doctor and is still determined to get healthier.

Why are we waiting till there’s a health issue to teach our children proper nutrition? Why are we waiting for a health scare to happen? The truth of the matter is that the parents aren’t eating healthy so the children aren’t eating healthy. The end result is sickness. Doctors aren’t trained in nutrition. They barely have time to eat healthy themselves with their demanding schedules and the number of sick patients waiting in the waiting room.

In ancient China if the doctor was not able to help a patient heal the patient was NOT obligated to pay the doctor. Umm, hello? Our society has it all backwards. Patients continue to look to conventional medicine and accept everything that they are told. They’re told that they have to have their thyroid radiated and so they take thyroid meds for the rest of their lives. They’re told that they need to be on high blood pressure medication for the rest of their lives despite the dangerous side effects. They’re told that they need to be sliced open to remove a part of their intestines. They’re told that there’s no cure for this disease and that disease. They’re told there are no other options whatsoever. All lies. And the people get sicker and sicker every day.

If only people started to question, think for themselves, and get with a good health coach or wellness practitioner to get to the root cause of their condition people would have less health problems and be less dependent on Big Pharma. Because people need the help. They need to learn preventative medicine, which is taught by health coaches, in order to heal. Preventative medicine is the best way to prevent disease. Well maybe it takes a whack on the head and a real health scare for people to start realizing the lies they’re being told every single day.

Yup, my friend’s son is seventeen years old and has fatty liver disease. True SAD story.