Several years ago, I became severely disabled by toxic mold poisoning. Doctors were initially unable to help me because I didn’t find the mold in my house for months. Eventually, a doctor ran tests for my digestive complaints which led to one of my diagnoses: overgrowth of harmful intestinal bacteria, including Candida. I consulted with many doctors whose plans were largely ineffective, so I researched and implemented a healing protocol of my own. Two years later, I had the tests redone, confirming that I’d fully healed from the digestive problems on my own. Tailor my tips to your own healing plan, or give them to your health coach or doctor who will be better able to assist you in creating an amazing new you!

Tests: Straight to the point, testing gives you a clear picture of what you’re dealing with. Candida overgrowth is a common claim for ill health, but testing is important if you’re to know for certain. There’s no sense trying to fix a problem that isn’t there or missing one that really is there.

Elimination diet: If your life is exceptionally disrupted, you’ll need to follow a strict plan for weeks or months. If it’s a minor hindrance, try cutting out 1 or 2 foods (dairy and gluten are common offenders) that you suspect are the culprits. And listen up, vegans. No matter what anyone tells you, you can stay vegan during this phase. I did it, and any wise doctor, nutritionist, or health coach will know that you can, too.

FODMAPs: An acronym for Fermentable, Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides and Polyols, it is simply the categorization of foods based on the type of sugars present in them. Temporarily eliminating some or all foods with these sugars has been found to significantly soothe IBS and other digestive issues. During my elimination diet, I noticed that a hodge-podge of foods like pears, chickpeas, onions, cabbage, and coconut exacerbated my symptoms. I read about FODMAPs and realized that these sensitivities were not so random. Many specialists are unaware or unconvinced of the FODMAPs diet. In my opinion, this is the #1 missing link to healing digestive disorders.

General diet: Eat more vegetables, lightly steamed if you cannot handle raw, and fruits. Minimize difficult to digest foods. Legumes and beans are great if you can tolerate them. In the mornings, break your fast delicately by blending or juicing. Try a green smoothie – chew it so that your body begins to prepare for digestion – for instant energy, clarity, mood lift, and ease of digestion.

Digestive aids: Warm lemon water in the morning stimulates digestion, and digestive enzymes help at meal times. Depending on your specific problem, you may also find relief with: deglycyrrhizinated licorice, pure aloe vera, oregano oil, and lemon balm among many other herbs and supplements.

Restoration and balance: Take a high quality probiotic and eat probiotic-rich raw foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and coconut kefir to replenish the good bacteria in your gut.

Eating etiquette: Create a calm eating environment, chew well, express gratitude for your food, eat only until 80% full. Try a massage before meals, starting just below the right of your ribcage and rotating clockwise around the stomach.

Exercise and attitude/stress control: Exercise is great for getting the digestive juices moving as well as stretching and relaxing the body. Yoga is fantastic. Stay relaxed during meal times. Don’t force eating if you are upset.

Education: Read everything you can get your hands on. There will be different and conflicting opinions out there. Weed out the information that makes sense to you.

If you try and fail, know that you’re one step closer to finding the solution, and there is a solution. Believing that is a nonnegotiable component to healing. Believe that you can heal, feel it deep down in your soon-to-be healthy gut. I believe in you!

Marissa Podany is a certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator who blogs at (RevelinginRaw.blogspot.com). She healed her severe digestive condition with a high-raw vegan diet and lifestyle modifications. She lives in Pittsburgh in an all-vegan household with her partner and their gregarious fur child. Connect with her on Twitter and Instagram.

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How to Heal from Candida, IBS, and Other Digestive Ailments

Nature thrives on cycles based on its own internal rhythms, such as the annual cycle of the seasons and the harvests. When we observe nature, we find that the same cycles we see in the seasons appear in microcosm in the course of a single day. The more closely we can align our own circadian rhythms with the natural flow of the daily cycle, the more we will feel as if we are floating downstream instead of swimming upstream.

Early to Bed, Early to Rise

How would you feel if you went to bed at midnight and woke up at 10:00am? Perhaps groggy, stiff or dull. What about if you went to bed at 8:00pm and woke up at 6:00am? Probably chipper! In both instances you would have slept the same amount – 10 hours – and the only difference is when you went to bed and when you woke up. The same principle applies not only for sleeping, but eating as well. When we follow nature’s rhythms, we invariably end up merrily rowing downstream. Muscles are also strongest in the morning, and it is the best time for vigorous exercise.

The Noon Meal

The hottest part of the day, when the sun is climbing to its zenith, is the summer time of the day and when the digestive fires are at their hottest. This is the ideal time to consume a meal large enough to provide fuel for the rest of the day. Try resting on your left side for 5-10 minutes after your meal to facilitate digestion.

Afternoon Brain Waves

In the four-hour period that follows lunch, the body is primed for heavy mental activity. The brain uses about 80 percent of the body’s glycogen, or energy supplies, during this time. If you ate too little at lunch, or at while driving, rushed or distracted, you may feel sleepy, listless or crave emergency fuel.

Sunset

After the sun sets, digestion and cortisol levels go down, making it difficult to digest a large dinner. A smaller, supplemental (“supper”) meal is ideal around 6:00pm. If you are unable to exercise in the morning, the second best time to workout is after your supplemental meal at 6:00pm. Toward 10:00pm, the body begins to rest and relax as it gears down for sleep.

Night Crawlers

If you observe yourself for a few nights between 7:00 and 9:00pm, you will probably notice a pleasant drowsiness come over you. If you force yourself to stay up, you may get a burst of energy after 10:00pm that will keep you up into the wee hours. The purpose of increased metabolic activity during this time is to clean blood and repair damaged tissue. If you are awake, changing the world and having midnight snacks, you miss out on this crucial internal cleansing time. Internal cleansing can also be affected if your body is still trying to digest a large evening meal; resources slated for cleansing have to be diverted to digestion.

Spiritual

The very early morning between 2:00 and 6:00am is believed to be most conducive to prayer and meditation in many spiritual traditions, both Eastern and Western. A lightness and quickness characterizes this time; when you arise around 6:00am, you are likely to take on those characteristics, which will balance out the natural heaviness of morning.
Adapted from “The 3-Season Diet” by John Douillard

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How to Fall in Line with Your Daily Ayurvedic Cycle

Catch Us Live On QVC 4-6pm EST TODAY for a Summer Mini Special!

QVC is offering a one-of-a-kind deal today on a mixed case of our Ancient Grain Granola Minis! The timing couldn’t be more perfect because our minis might as well be made for summer. Whether you’re traveling, hiking, biking or camping, you can sneak a few of the 2oz pouches into your cooler, backpack, purse or lunch box!

Fun fact: Our mini bags double as a bowl! Pour milk straight into the bag, grab a spoon + enjoy.

Not at a TV? >> Live stream here.

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One-Of-A-Kind Summer Granola Mini Special

We couldn’t be more excited to see our Ancient Grain Granolas making their way onto Target shelves across the country. Target has been making a big push towards offering more natural and organic products and we’re thrilled to be a part of it!

To celebrate the launch, we’re hosting an Instagram regram contest for the grand prize of a $200 Target gift card. The contest is super easy to enter, simply: 

1. Follow @purely_elizabeth on Instagram

2. Regram this photo

3. Include #purelytarget

The contest runs through June 16th and we will be uploading several different photos to regram throughout the week. The more photos you regram, the better your chances of winning!

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Regram for a $200 Target Gift Card

We thought we’d make your gift buying for Father’s Day this year a little bit easier.. Here are some fun, out-of-the-box gifts that we think your dad will love!

Canvas Lunch Bag | Kaufmann Mercantile

Funny Card | Rifle Paper Co.

Headphones | Think Sound

Charger Case | My Charge

Golf Watch | Garmin

City Map Glasses | Uncommon Goods

Hemp Hand Cream | The Body Shop

Swim Suit | Faherty Brand

Mahogany Turntable | Crosley Radio

Suede Shoes | Oliberte

Grilling Sauces | Abes Market

Campfire Recipes | Shop Terrain

BallPark Blue Prints | Uncommon Goods

Cast Iron Fire Pit | Shop Terrain

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Father’s Day Gift Guide

Hey Purely Fans,

It is with great excitement, that we announce that our Ancient Grain Granolas will be available in Target stores nationwide beginning June 8th!

When I started Purely Elizabeth four years ago, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that our products would one day grace the shelves of such a huge retail chain. Today, I am pinching myself with this milestone.

Before launching Purely Elizabeth, I worked as a holistic nutrition counselor, helping clients to live better by changing their diet and lifestyle choices. When I began Purely Elizabeth, my vision for the company was simply an extension of that. I wanted to offer delicious, nutrient rich food alternatives and help change the way people eat and feel. So with the introduction of our products at Target stores nationwide, I am beyond thrilled to see my vision unfold on such a grand scale.

Read the full press release for more details.

Thank you for helping to make this all possible. We certainly couldn’t do it without you!

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Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Granola Now At Target

We’d love to know your stance on the latest trends in health and fitness! Share with us by taking this quick survey. To thank you for your time, we’ll pick 3 respondents to send FREE product coupons–so make sure to include your email address!

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Take It Or Leave It: What Do You Think About The Latest Health Trends?

It happens to the best of us. Some days just don’t go as planned and it seems your mood is to blame. Perhaps you’ve experienced moments, minutes, or hours, when you are just in a funk or have a case of the grumpies for no reason at all. Would you believe me if I told you that choosing certain foods could actually improve your mood?

One of the most well-known pieces of dietary advice is to eat five portions of fruits and vegetables a day, but I think we should start a new campaign. This campaign would be designed to help the overwhelming percentage of the population in need of stress reduction, spirit rejuvenation, and increased energy.

As a firm believer in the concept that “food is medicine”, let me suggest five foods that have been known to act as natural anti-depressant, mood boosting, anti-oxidant packed substances! Here we go…

GRAPES. No denying that many people would prefer to relax with a glass of wine as their drink of choice after a long, hard day, but grapes actually do help you to relax on many levels. Oxidative stress, the form of stress caused by free radicals in the body, can have a damaging effect on the brain. Grapes, however, have been found to counteract the free radical damage and relax blood vessels. Rather than waiting for the evening to arrive so you can enjoy your wine, try to add grapes earlier on in your day to help you flow freely, letting the hours pass without unnecessary stress.

KALE. Most know that leafy greens are a healthy addition to the diet, but perhaps you didn’t realize that kale is nutrition powerhouse among the leafy green family. Did you realize that while you are helping to detoxify the body, you are also “detoxifying” the mind? Kale is rich in carotenoids, known to boost moods and lead to a brighter outlook on life. The relationship between carotenoids and mood is a bit unclear, but a recent Harvard School of Public health study suggests that the beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, the powerful nutrients found in kale, are associated with increased optimism in mid-life adults.

WALNUTS. Walnuts may be a great addition to brownies, salads, and oatmeal because of the taste and texture this nut provides, but walnuts are much more powerful than you may have realized. A brain “on walnuts” is a happy brain. This particular nut is packed with antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids, causing it to act as a powerful mood enhancing food. Rich in magnesium, walnuts boost serotonin levels, causing brain cells to fire the neurons that result in a better mood and an uplifted spirit.

GREEK YOGURT. Having gained popularity over the last few years, this yogurt is a great source of protein and probiotics. This creamy yogurt not only boosts your immune system due to the healthy bacteria that your gut craves, but it also has been shown to boost your outlook on life. Greek yogurt elevates dopamine and norepinephrine, brain chemicals that help to alleviate depression. In addition, the calcium found in dairy has been shown to reduce irritability, helping you to turn that frown upside down and have a happy day.

SALMON. Proper nourishment of the brain is high priority to keep stress at bay and sail through your day. Optimal brain function requires properly nourishing your body with the right nutrient building blocks, including omega-3 fats. These “healthy” fats are an essential addition to help boost your mood. Consider that the brain is 60% fat, so show your brain some love and add in omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in salmon among other fatty fish, to alleviate depression and somber moods.

Ready to eat your way to a better day? How about this…find this kale and avocado salad recipe. Make a creamier version of the salad dressing listed by tossing in some greek yogurt. Then toss with some sliced grapes and walnuts. Add a side of salmon for an omega-3 fatty acid protein source, and tell me all about how your day unfolds. Now how’s that for fuel for your body, mind, and spirit?

Stacey Frattinger currently resides in Sparks, NV, working part-time as a Licensed Clinical Dietitian, as well as running her own health coaching practice. Because of her love for learning, she views each experience in life as an opportunity for growth. Stacey’s virtual integrative health coaching practice called Whispers for Wellness, allows her to live in alignment with her passion for helping you discover your own formula for health and wellness without rigid rules to follow or fad approaches. Her greatest hope is that you will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the life changing process that coaching creates. If you aren’t interested in coaching, you may find value in her blogs to enhance your personal growth and development. To read more about Stacey’s background, coaching philosophy, and the services offered, please visit whispersforwellness.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @StaceyWhispers, or Facebook at WhispersforWellness,LLC.

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Wellness Wednesday: Good Mood Foods

What is metabolism? Metabolism is the total of all chemical reactions in the body–all molecules and hormones that are responsible for burning calories and regulating weight. Our eating behavior, stress levels, quality of food, bio-individuality, changes in our environment and physical activity all effects the way we metabolize food.

What are some common metabolism killers?

Inflammation: Inflammation is a cutting edge word these days in the area of nutrition and obesity. More and more research shows the direct link between obesity, disease and inflammation. Being overweight promotes inflammation and inflammation promotes obesity creating a never ending cycle.

Free Radicals: Free radicals in the body slow down your metabolism by inhibiting the mitochondria. In addition, inflammation, processed foods, trans fats, sugars, and heavy metals also damage mitochondria function. Mitochondria combine the calories you consume with oxygen and turn them into energy… So if they are damaged it causes a reduction in the metabolic power of the mitochondria and the ability to burn calories.

Thyroid: The main role of the thyroid is to stimulate metabolism. It is one of the top 3 hormones along with insulin and cortisol that control your weight and metabolism.

Toxicity: Toxins from within our bodies and toxins from the environment both contribute to obesity. Getting rid of toxins and boosting your natural detoxification system are essential for long term weight loss and a healthy metabolism. Toxins interfere with the thyroid hormone levels, slowing down metabolism as well as inhibiting the mitochondria again slowing metabolism. Toxins also block the hormone leptin that tells your body you are full. So this can increase your appetite.

Certain foods can help increase your metabolism. Here are 10 of our favorites…

1. Omega-3s. Daily salmon or fish oil controls fat metabolism and calms inflammation. They also help combat depression.

2. Sea Vegetables. Contains abundant minerals and iodine which nourish the thyroid function and detoxify the body.

3. Spirulina. An excellent whole food source of fat burning GLA (gamma-linoleic acid) and provides a very usable source of protein.

4. Flax Seeds. High in omega-3’s and soluble fiber. They will not only help you rev up your metabolism, but keep you feeling full so you eat less.

5. Coconut Oil. Coconut oil is made up of lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid found in mother’s milk that supports a healthy metabolism. It’s also a powerful thyroid booster and helps to increase energy. Read more about coconut oil’s amazing benefits.

6. Raw Cacao. High in magnesium to relax the stressed body and the highest antioxidant food to fight free radicals.

7. Probiotics. Replenish good bacteria in the gut and help to calm inflammation. Fermented foods such as keifer, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, and miso are great sources of probiotics.

8. B Complex Vitamins. Help to detoxify body of excess cortisol and balance your mood.

9. Leafy Greens. Detoxify the body and rich in Vitamin A which helps with thyroid function.

10. Brazil Nuts. Highest dose of selenium which nourishes the thyroid, protects from free radicals (only need 2 a day!).

More here – 

10 Metabolism Boosting Weapons