Hi!

As I have mentioned many times, over the past few years, I LOVE reading about how to stay healthy and prevent disease. I recently sat down and put together a list of some of my favorite books. I hope you enjoy! Let me know!

Never Be Sick Again, Raymond Francis

One of my all time favorites. Great explanation of why we get sick.

The China Study, T. Colin Campbell

Not an easy read, but details the relationship between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

The Beauty Detox Foods, Kimberly Snyder

I love this girl and this book. She explains the relationship between food and beauty.

Food Combining and Digestion: 101 Ways to Improve Digestion,  

 Steve Meyerowitz

A book everyone needs to read! All food digests at different paces. When we eat certain foods together, it literally creates an explosion in our stomach.

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, Dr. Joseph Murphy

Anything is possible!

Anticancer: A New Way of Life, David Servan-Schrieber, M.D., Ph.D.

Read how a medical doctor healed himself naturally from cancer.

Hippocrates Life Force, Dr. Brian Clement

Learn to go from toxic and self destructive, to healthful and life affirming!

Super Immunity, Joel Fuhrman, M.D.

I love this nutritional guide to living happy and disease-free.

The Ph Miracle, Shelly Redford Young and Robert D. Young

Understand how to keep your body health by putting foods in it that create an alkaline environment.

Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics- A Philosophy for Achieving a Radiant Mind and a Fabulous Body, Jessica Porter

Enough said!!

NUTRITION...Taking it to the Next Level

Dear Gina, Many of you ask again and again for recipes. In  The Nutritional Cleanse Guide there are over 50 go to recipes.  What is most important is developing the tools for not only spotting a healthy recipe but knowing how to makeover any recipe to be healthier. One of my favorite jobs was working at New Life Spa in Vermont where we taught clients how to transform recipes.  Substitutes for butter included applesauce, increasing fiber by adding bran, and whole grains, and cutting sugar down by half or more. I always substitute raw honey in place of sugar. Today I would suggest looking for recipes which are nut and seed based, green based, protein based, include flax, berries and  and some dried fruits. And t there are ways to enjoy sweets. Recently I discovered an amazing almond meal recipe, and also still love a new raw energy bar given to me by Linda Heller. When these are not in my fridge I am missing them. So enjoy a few favorites here to add to your festivities this summer and your quest for health. Wishing you health, Lynn FOOD ENERGETICS In other countries such as India and Asia, energetic and healing qualities of food is recognized In India for example, sattvic foods  are foods which create calm and are eaten calmly. Foods such as beans, nuts, seeds, vegetables yogurt, dahl(split peas). Rajasic foods are stimulating and break down balance in the body, and decrease prana(life force)these include meat, eggs, fish, tea coffee and alcohol.  In China where energy is viewed in terms of yin and yang, yin representing nutritive processes in the body. Yin imbalances cause inflammatory imbalances and heat sensitivity such as hot flashes, palpitations and insomnia. Yin foods include fruits, vegetables and beans. Yin tonics include American ginseng, flaxseed and evening primrose oil. Yang imbalances can cause fatigue, weakness, diarrhea. Warming herbs such as ginger, and cumin may be used. Yang foods include more whole grains and meats.Yin and Yang imbalances can occur both as excess or deficiency.    Collard Wrap with Hummus Make your own easy hummus or use White Bean and Eggplant recipe below with 1 can garbanzo beans or for an easy hummus use white cannelloni beans, lemon juice and fresh or roasted garlic and some olive oil, use grated carrots, and cucumbers, sprouts to add some crunch to your wrap. White Bean and Roasted Eggplant Hummus 1 eggplant cubed and roasted in 450 oven for 20 minutes, drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper. In a food processor combine 1 can canellini beans , 1/3 cup parsley, lemon juice to taste, 1 clove garlic. Add cooled eggplant.  ROASTED AND MARINATED SUMMER VEGETABLES My Favorite Summer vegies include zucchini, asparagus, red onion, and red or orange peppers. Slice all vegies toss with fresh thyme or basil, olive oil and lemon. Serve over a bed of spinach. Or along side your collard wrap. Roast 375 20-30 minutes.  FETA AND CUCUMBER SALAD with Lemon Dressing Slice 2 english cucumbers and quarter. In a measuring cup, juice 2 lemons, 1/4 cup of olive oil add some dried or fresh dill, sea salt and pepper. Toss and serve.  Almond Meal and Cocao Nib Cookies( you may never eat another chocolate chip cookie again). 1 1/4 cup almond meal, 1/4 cup cocao nibs, 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/3 cup raw sugar, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons coconut oil, 1/2 tablespoon vanilla. Mix all ingrediants bake 375 until firm double this recipe they disapear Yummy Raw Nut Bites   1 cup almonds, 1 cup cashews or pecans, 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut, 1/2 cup yellow raisins or dried fruit, 1/2 cup dried blueberries, 1/3 cup almond meal. Warm 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup coconut oil in sauce pan. Puree all ingredients in food processor. Press into pan. Refridgerate 2 hours. Store in refridgerator. USE ALL RAW NUTS AND SEEDS.  VISIT THE NEW WEBSITE!!!!! www.naturalhealthoptions.com Stay committed to your health Regards,  Lynn Feinman Natural Health Options NEW WEBSITE!!!  Check it out!!!! www.naturalhealthoptions.us

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Saturday, May 18th, was one of the greatest days of my life. For me to write that, it  must have been extraordinary. Most of my days are pretty darn good!

I love my friends from Platoon Fitness and with them I completed my first adventure race. CMC, Civilian Military Combine. Google it. It was a 6 mile race up Camelback Mountain and back down.

Our training started back in January. On Sunday mornings Mike Smaltz, from Platoon, would lead a group of us on trail runs through Valley Forge Park. The mornings were beautiful! We lucked out with perfect weather every week. We met at 7:30am. There would usually be about 20 of us. Each Sundays run was different. There were 4 trails that we ran. My favorite ones were when we combined 2 trails through the mountain. One Sunday we did 9 miles.That was amazing! I never run 9 miles.  The runs that were the most painful for me were when we would  run flat, straight out 3 miles and then turn around and come back.  So painful, so boring, but all part of the training. I was lucky to run with a few girls  I really like and who ran my same pace.  I loved the Sunday runs. I believe they elevated my fitness level and  kept me behaving on Saturday nights!

Morning of the race we met at Platoon Headquarters and followed each other up to Camelback. I slept pretty good the night before but my stomach was filled with butterflies. My friend Ben drove me and two other girls up. We arrived about 2 and a half hours before we were supposed to begin. That is a lot of time for me to just hang out but I went with the flow and enjoyed it.  We had set up a tent and there were 2 massage therapists giving us massages to loosen us up before the race.  After we registered a few of us girls were walking around checking out the beginning of the course and the PIT, where it started. I was so nervous. I  am not kidding when I say I went to the bathroom 10 times. My friend Julie went 20!

Fast forward 11:00am start of the race.

We began in what was called the PIT. We were there for 7 minutes. During those 7 minutes we did 7 push presses, 7 kettle bell swings, 7 burpees and 7 box jumps. You were to try to do as many rounds as you can in those seven minutes. Your score was part of your overall score. I did 109 reps which is a little over 5 rounds. I was happy but a little bummed because my first few times over the box did not count because he said my feet did not clear the box correctly.  We each had someone assigned to us who was counting our reps. 

I believe one goal of the PIT is to tire you out a bit and make it more of a level playing field because there were a lot of good, fast runners.

After the 7 minutes we exited the PIT and went directly to the starting line.  There is a 3 minute break, then the whistle blows and we were on to the course.

First thing we encountered was a wade pool. We walked in and had to get to the other end of it. I believe it was 5 feet when you got across and  there were ropes on the side we had to climb out of.   We started the race soaked. If it was cold I don't remember, too much adreneline flowing. But I do remember having my breath taken away. Frightened me at first.

Then on to the trail which was filled with all kinds of obstacles. We were constantly pulling ourselves over things and crawling under things. We were wet and covered in mud. What sticks out to me most was how much upper body strength was required. There were a few times during the race when I almost psyched myself out and did not think I could do something. One time I could not climb over an A frame obstacle and a random guy was up top of it and yelled at me to "come on, try again." I did and he helped pull me over. Another time we had climbed up something and had to take a fireman pole (slide) down. I was scared. Mike Smaltz happened to be at the bottom and told me to just come on and do it. So I did. Toward the end of the race we had to climb up and down an unstable metal ladder. At this point it was raining, everything was slippery and I was getting tired. Another friend, trainer, from Platoon, Kat, who had finished the race was watching, saw me, and yelled "its  a ladder Gina just climb over it." So I did.

I loved getting to the very top of the mountain (bear crawling) and having the woman at the top tell us only 1 and a half miles to go and it was all downhill. 

The race ended walking about a quarter mile or so through a waist high pool.

The finish line was filled with people who had finished before me and cold beer.

I finished the race in 1 hr and 41 minutes. I felt amazing and totally prepared. There were 85 women in the masters category (over 40 years old.)  I finished 29th. My ego wishes I had finished 15th, buts that's ok.

After we dried off we spent the next few hours in the parking lot hanging out and tailgaiting. For me that was the best part of the day. I loved being around all those inspiring people and getting to know everyone better. Of our Platoon group Marty came in #2 of all racers. 1400 people! Jenny came in #1 for all females. That is awesome. My good friend Julie came in #1 for female masters. These people are amazing athletes!

Since then I have felt a real sense of accomplishment. Doing it made me feel so healthy and alive. I  want to keep up that level of training. My body and spirit love intensity. I heard there was another one in the fall which I may do. I will definately do the one next spring. My goal will be to beat my 29th place.

My Thoughts on Dairy

I have been procrastinating writing this for weeks. Not because I am not sure of what I write, I have studied the issue and know the truth. I hesitate because I am finding this is such an emotional issue for people to learn that dairy is not a health food. ...."you mean my yogurt is not good for me? What about greek yogurt? I saw a commercial...."....."I thought milk helps to build strong teeth and bones?"......"I only put a little milk in my coffee"......"I have cottage cheese in the morning, I heard it was good for me."......"Where will I get my calcium?"....etc.... etc.

We have only been hearing publically one side of the story. The side of the American Dairy Association.

My body has always known dairy was not good for it. Thankfully my mom never really pushed it on us. I could never eat ice cream or drink milk. Did not agree with me. I would immediately get cramps and soon after would need the bathroom. As an adult I notice when I have cheese and crackers, the next day I am very bloated and I will have dark circles under my eyes. The dark circles, I have learned, are the toxins my body is trying to get rid of. (do you have dark circles? Or your kids? Most likely it is dairy coming out.) Dairy is extremely toxic and very hard for your body to digest.

I am not trying to bum you out! I am a total moderation girl. I LOVE to have fun. The reason I am presenting what I know is because as we get older, we need to keep our digestive system in great shape. Perfect health, and maintaining youthfulness and beauty begins with good digestion. I also don't want you to kid yourself when you eat dairy and think you are doing something healthy for your body. I challenge you to start listening to your body.

Milk has a reputation as a healthy food. It is a reputation that is not deserved.

* Elson M. Hass, MD states in his nutritional book Staying Healthy with Nutrition "lifelong use of milk is among the biggest misconceptions and mistakes in nutrition".  But, dairy is BIG business.  

* 70% of the world's population does NOT drink milk.  
*The World Health Organization states that the countries with the highest milk consumption have the highest rates of osteoporosis, breast cancer, allergies, and diabetes.

* Humans are the only species that consume milk past infancy and the only ones that consume the milk of another animal.  If you really think about it, it is against the laws of nature. There are thousands of studies on the ill effects of dairy.  

* The main protein in cow's milk is casein which makes up almost 90% of cow's milk. Of all the animal proteins casein consistently and strongly seems to promote cancer. Casein is also linked to the astronomical rise in autism and related disorders.

* It has been reported that casein can be broken down into casomorphin, a peptide fragment with opioid qualities, which has been suggested to increase the release of histamine. It is also thought that casomorphin is responsible for aggravating the symptoms of autism and because casein and gluten are so similar, many children with autism spectrum disorders are on a casein and gluten-free diet.

* Please read The  China Study.  Dr. T. Colin Campbell, a professor in the Division of Nutritional Studies at Cornell University wrote the book and found a strong link that casein "promoted all stages of the cancer process".

*Casein has been used as an ingredient in wood glue because it is a strong binder (does not break down/digest easily)

* A Harvard review of research for 2001 found that dairy has been found to double the risk of prostate cancer. My husband had prostate cancer 5 years ago.  We worked with a nutritionist and were told to immediately give up dairy, sugar, all meats and alcohol to begin healing.

* Menstrual cramps, infertility, allergies, chronic colds, ovarian cysts, kidney stones, obesity, breast cancer, prostate cancer, bone spurs, gout and atherosclerotic plaque are all linked to our body not being able to digest milk.  Ridiculous amounts of growth and sex hormones in cow's milk has lead girls to getting their periods at ages 9 and 10.  

* Yogurt contains casein, is pasteurized and mucus forming.

* Dr. Hiromi Shihya, Chief of the Surgical Endoscopy unit at Beth Israel Medical Center and Clinical Professor of Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine states in his book The Enzyme Factor " I have yet to meet a person who eats yogurt on a daily basis and still has good intestinal health"

* Yogurt is marketed as a tool to prevent constipation and promote weight loss. This could not be farther from the truth. Mucus is a natural secretion that your body produces to protect the surface of membranes. When the body is filled with excess mucus toxins become trapped in the mucus and are not able to leave the body.  Everything going through your intestines begins slowing down and produces build up on the intestinal walls.  

* It is a huge burden on the body to try and get rid of the excess.  As the body tries desperately to rid itself of dairy, it can come out as phlegm, mucus, or pimples. Teenage acne is probably caused by dairy.

* Mentally and spiritually milk is very cloudy, think about it - it is obvious.  It creates cloudy thinking, brain fog and you are not able to be tuned in.

What about calcium?

Yes, cow's milk does have calcium in it, more than human milk BUT..cow's milk has a large amount of phosphorous which binds with the calcium already in our digestive tract and makes most of the calcium indigestible.  Lactase is an enzyme specifically designed to break down lactose, the sugar contained in milk, and our guts let go of lactase after we are weaned from our mother.  This loss is natural,  just like the loss of our baby teeth and contributes to the inability to digest milk. Notice that baby cows continue to build strong bones, muscle mass and produce milk without drinking milk past infancy.  

* Cow's milk is pasteurized which destroys nearly all of the nutrients and creates toxins.

* Osteoporosis is less about a lack of calcium and more about ingesting foods that create acid in our blood which require stored calcium to buffer it.  Acidic foods/substances include coffee, alcohol, soda, vinegar, sugar, dairy and meat.

* When acidic substances are eliminated from your body, calcium and other minerals will stay.

* Sources of absorbable calcium include leafy greens, veggies, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains.

If you still are not convinced that dairy is not your friend, consider this:

* Because the body cannot rid itself of dairy it tends to stick to your problem areas - belly, upper arms, hips, face, and thighs.

Give up dairy and see if you are able to lose those last 5 pounds!

Wellness Facts, My Thoughts & Habits

Wellness Facts, My Thoughts and Habits

I like to start my day with hot water and lemon. Lately, I have been adding cayenne pepper. It's great for digestion and liver cleansing.

I drink 2 oz of Wheatgrass everyday. Google the benefits of Wheatgrass. 

It is amazing!

2oz of Wheatgrass is like eating 5 lbs of veggies.

The body cleanses itself daily from 3 am to 11 am, 

(Notice how you wake up about 3?).

Breakfast is not most important meal of day and not even needed. Remember body still cleansing until 11am.

Should do a green drink every morning

My green drink is celery, cucumber, lemon and sunflower sprouts.

It is important to keep your body in an alkaline state. Try not to eat foods that are acidic. Google foods that are acidic. Being aware is so important. Many, many studies have been done that say an acidic body leads to cancer and other disease.

Disease cannot live in an oxygenated body. Take deep breathes daily in addition to yoga and pilates.

Sprouts are the healthiest things you can eat. They are living food filled with enzymes and oxygen.
I eat a salad made of almost 100% sprouts for lunch.

Enzymes help digest food. We lose them due to age, and having to use too many to digest meats, dairy and processed foods.

I take digestive enzymes before every meal.

It is important to chew food well. Saliva contains enzymes.

I have a meditation practice.  I try to do daily. Good things happen when I meditate.

Dairy is VERY, VERY unhealthy.

Google "casein found in dairy products"

My kids are not allowed to drink milk. They can have almond milk.

Despite marketing efforts Yogurt is not healthy and does not help with digestion. I can explain what it really does.

Dairy products actually deplete calcium from your bones. They also create imflammation in your body.

Soy is not a health food. Very mucus forming which leads to inflammation. Stay away from especially if you have estrogen problems.

I have reads dozens and dozens of health books over the past 20 years.

My favorite book is "Never Be Sick Again" by Raymond Francis
I am reading now "The Beauty Detox Foods" by Kimberly Snyder. I like her she is spot on!

I am not a vegetarian but I should be.

I fast every Wednesday.

You should drink water on an empty stomach and not with your food.

You have a new stomach lining every 5 days new skin each month.

 Everyone should know about food combining. Especially if you take antacids.
 I believe in the health benefits of colonics.

 Coffee not a health food. I go on and off coffee. I am on right now. 

My weakness!

If healthy should not have more than 2 pieces of fruit a day. If unhealthy no fruit is recommended. Happy to explain.

Fruit should be eaten on an empty stomach because it digests so much quicker than other foods.

I believe sugar shows up as wrinkles on our faces.

Only time I use my microwave is to heat my wax:) It is so very unhealthy. It literally kills your food.  Then people eat that dead food and the body has no idea how to digest it. That's disgusting. Sorry but it is true! Banned in some countries.

Exercise increases energy reserves and promotes healing.

I need exercise everyday. I am not the same without it.
I go to bed at 9 and get up 5 30.

I do take supplements. I take B12, Chlorella, E3 live, enzymes, a liver detoxifier. I get plenty of vitamin D which is so important. If I did not get outside 20-30 min a day, I would take  vitamin D supplement. I don't need now.

The sun is  very healthy. Of course don't burn, but our bodies need the sun. Many, many studies prove it.

Sunlight is an immune builder.

This stuff fascinates me! Thanks for taking the time to read! Xo