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: 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: 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.

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?!