My practice is currently closed as I am taking an educational break. 

Chemical added to soda, laxatives, cocoas, vinegars & salts promotes obesity

Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, or DOSS, is a chemical used to mix the the ingredients in soda. DOSS is also used in laxatives like Colace and Docusate, in some breakfast cocoas, in vinegars and in salts. A research study conducted earlier this year found that DOSS appears to act as an obesogen, a chemical that promotes weight gain. Read the full article here.

Clinton Doc: This Is How We’ll Fix Health Care

“The healing arts will be advanced not by the big science of pharmaceutical companies, but by the ‘little science’ of the exam room—and through accepting that the patient will always be part mystery—beautiful and complicated—that a good physician will be alert and responsive to.” Read more here.

Is coffee safe on a gluten-free diet?

Coffee, like dairy and several other gluten-free foods, can cross-react with gluten, causing a inflammatory response that triggers unwanted symptoms and conditions. Read more here: https://www.glutenfreesociety.org/is-coffee-safe-on-a-gluten-free-diet/?inf_contact_key=9430d7cd167832235d9f8948b4d4fa8d2971d1e59bfefabe1b62936113484e77

Safe & Eco Plastic Wrap Alternative

http://nourishedkitchen.com/plastic-wrap-alternative/

As-Healthy-As-It-Gets Peanut Butter Ice Cream

I modified a classic ice cream recipe into this healthier, not-so-sickeningly sweet one. The amount of sweetener (xylitol) used can be adjusted to taste but I recommend keeping the sweetness to a minimum (1/3 to 1/2 cup). That is the key to making ice cream less addictive! No need to use low fat cream and half-and-half. By getting grass-fed, organic dairy you will be making a snack higher in healthy omega 3 and CLA fats (anti-inflammatory, brain-boosting, and obesity and cancer fighting fats). You’re going to need an ice cream maker for this one. I use a KitchenAid mixer and ice cream maker attachment.

2 1/2 cups grass-fed, organic half-and-half

8 pasture-raised egg yolks

1/3 to 1/2 cup of xylitol

2 1/2 cups grass-fed, organic whipping cream

4 teaspoons natural vanilla

1/8 teaspoons sea salt

1/2 cup natural peanut butter (aflatoxin free such as Santa Cruz Organic)

In medium saucepan over medium heat, heat half-and-half until very hot but not boiling, stirring often. Remove from heat; set aside.

Place egg yolks and xylitol in mixer bowl. Attach bowl and wire whip to mixer. Turn to speed 2 (medium speed) and about 30 seconds, or until well blended and slightly thickened. Continuing on Speed 2, very gradually add half-and-half; mix until blended. Return half-and-half mixture to medium saucepan; cook over medium heat until small bubbles form around edge and mixture is steamy, stirring constantly. Do not boil. Transfer half-and half mixture into large bowl; stir in whipping cream, vanilla, and salt. Cover and chill throughly, at least 8 hours.

Assemble and engage freeze bowl, dasher, and drive assembly. Turn to STIR (Speed 1). Using a container with a spout, pour mixture into freeze bowl. Continue on STIR for 20 minutes. Transfer to airtight container and store in freezer. Ice cream may be a bit soft but it will harden in the freezer.

Yield: 16 1/2 cup servings (That’s right, 1/2 cup servings! Consume in moderation!)

Kale Salad with Pomegranate Seeds and Pine Nuts

This dish, from theflexiblefoodie.com, is tasty, simple and packed with nutrition. Kale, the star ingredient, is an excellent source of vitamins K, A and C and a good source of manganese, copper, iron and calcium.

Ingredients: 1 bunch of kale, 1 pomegranate, 1/4 of pine nuts (I use chopped walnuts), olive oil, salt, and 1 lime

To prepare:  Thoroughly wash and dry kale. remove middle vein. Cut into very thin, ribbony strips. drizzle with a bit of olive oil, sea salt, and juice of 1/2 a lime. Using your hands, massage the kale until it begins to turn a vibrant dark green color and is tender to the touch. Add the seeds from 1 pomegranate as well as the nuts. Toss everything together and then add salt to taste.