Dates are the perfect energizing snack to keep on hand at all times! There are many different varieties, all having slightly different taste and texture. Called the “Tree of Life”, the date palm is thought to be the first cultivated tree in history, having been grown for at least 8,000 years that we know of. Directions for growing date palms are recorded on sun-baked bricks made in Mesopotamia more than 5,000 years ago.

Best nuts for men: Brazil Nuts, Pecans. Brazil nuts are packed with selenium, a mineral that can protect against prostate cancer. Just one nut contains more than a day’s worth, so you don’t need a lot! Pecans are also good for men’s health, because they are loaded with beta-sitosterol, which is a plant steroid that is also promotes prostate health.

Seaweeds are the most nutritionally dense plants on the planet. They can contain up to 10 times more calcium than milk and eight times as much as beef. The chemical composition of seaweeds is very close to human blood plasma, which greatly helps build our own blood. Seaweed also has the ability to alkalize the body, and protect us from a wide variety of toxins including heavy metals, by converting them to harmless salts that the body can eliminate.

So many people today suffer from an under-performing thyroid, which greatly reduces metabolism. Unfortunately, most of the products sold on late night infomercials and celebrity doctor shows are just more scams to pry money away from people who are desperate to shed the lbs. Of course, as a clinical nutritionist and person who lost over 100 pounds myself, eating lots of fruits and vegetables and getting daily exercise are a given. But what about when your body is stuck in a mode where the scales won’t budge?

Today, in our predominantly meat eating, processed food consuming society, thyroid impairment is a growing epidemic. Unfortunately, there are so many myths and much confusion about the issue. The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland located in the lower part of your neck. It secretes hormones such as: T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). The hormones T3 and T4 provide energy to cells in your body.

There is a lot of confusion in the area of maintaining an alkaline body, and the role of foods in doing so. Our bodies have 3 built-in systems that regulate blood pH and help prevent it from going outside of the optimum 7.35 to 7.45 range: A buffering system, Exhalation of Carbon Dioxide, and Elimination of Hydrogen Ions through your kidneys.

PCOS is a very common diagnosis for women of childbearing age, and it can take patience and perseverance to get under control. PCOS Symptoms include weight gain, fatigue, acne, excess facial hair and body hair, dull complexion, fertility problems. It is extremely important for women to manage their PCOS, because it puts women at higher risk for cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.

The truth about dairy milk has been slowly getting out to the general public, despite the challenge in overcoming the aftermath of the wildly successful “Got Milk” ad campaign. The same ad firm that created campaigns for Frito-Lay, Haagen Dazs and Dreyer’s Ice Cream, was hired by the California Milk Processor Board for the Got Milk? campaign.

Do you experience any of the signs of adrenal fatigue? Difficulty getting up in the morning? Never feeling well-rested, even after sleep? Nocturnal waking? Anxiety, nervousness, mild depression?

Iodine is one of the most important and overlooked minerals, and happens to be critical for proper thyroid functioning. Iodine is actually utilized by the thyroid gland to produce T4.  But it’s not just your thyroid that loves iodine.  Iodine is also required for every tissue of the body, and is used by the skin, breast tissue, kidneys, spleen, liver, blood, salivary glands and intestines, among others.

1. The Insulin Connection

2. Eat Iodine Containing Foods

3. The Zinc Connection

4. Avoid Fluoride and Chlorine

5. Remove Skin Creams From Your Body Care Regimen

I use cumin in my recipes quite often. Not only because I love the taste, but because it is such a healing spice for the digestive system, and works exceptionally well for those suffering from indigestion, bloating, constipation, nausea, and gas. Nutritionally speaking, cumin seeds contain vitamins E, A and B-complex and are an excellent source of zinc, selenium, iron, copper, calcium, and manganese.

There has been a lot of buzz lately about our need for the “sunshine vitamin” D3. But truly, how many of you are supplementing in high enough doses to make a health difference? I am writing this to urge and encourage you to do at least one thing for you health that will bring dramatic changes to your overall wellbeing, and that is supplementing with a high quality plant based D3.

Low – Calorie Dieting equals starvation to your body. Did you know that the World Health Organization established that “starvation begins at fewer than 2100 calories per day”. In the United States, on any given day, half of all women eat less than 1500 calories. This is quite simply not enough food to keep the calorie furnace going.

Did you know that women who have experienced trauma, or who have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) can gain weight rapidly? And that overall, women with PTSD are more likely to be overweight than women without the disorder?

I have conducted countless fasts in large groups, small groups, in person and online. In my last in person group fast of 20 people, a total of over 300 pounds was lost over 21 days by the group. On a proper balanced juice fast with detox protocol, people will experience different amounts of weight loss.

One of the most frequent questions I get is “What is the difference between juicing and blending?” Some people are uncertain if these methods are the same, or if one is different from the other. Juicing and blending are actually completely different and I believe both can have a role in a living foods diet. However, in terms of nutrient power and efficiency, juices win hands down.