We've moved! Please visit www.enlightenedwellnessfx.com to find out how to get Functional Nutrition counseling with Angie.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Certified LEAP Therapist (in-training)
I am happy to announce that I am in the process of specializing in Adverse Food Reactions pertaining to refractory Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Migraine and Fibromyalgia! Soon, I will add Certified LEAP Therapist to my credentials. www.nowleap.com
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Gourmet Healer Client Success
Two of my clients-a husband and wife team-were very successful with their healthy detox plan. Husband lost 9 and Wife lost 7. Now we're onto the maintenance phase and continuing toward their goal weights, which are only just a few pounds away. We've been working together for almost a year now. Wife has lost a total of 18 pounds in 1 year and Husband has lost 13. Way to go guys!
Husband lost quite a bit of water weight, very rapidly, which makes me suspect some food allergies or sensitivities. Inflammation caused by the body's natural defense systems against food antigens can cause water retention, which is a red flag. He will be reintroducing foods and monitoring his response, especially by monitoring his weight and any noticeable symptoms. I am also recommending some additional supplements for him that support digestion and integrity of the GI system.
If you're allergic or sensitive to a food, you need to avoid it, to decrease systemic inflammation, which contributes to many disease states and damages the gastrointestinal tract. Good digestion is at the root of good health.
Their detoxification plan was a modified elimination diet, which was particularly high in antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. I individualized a plan for each of them based on their caloric needs (they continued to train for a half marathon, so calories and nutrients were crucial). They eliminated some foods that are known to be major food allergy offenders, such as dairy and wheat, as well as alcohol, with minimal caffeine from green and white tea during this time. I equipped them with a booklet of recipes, which they thoroughly enjoyed. The booklet was very worn and splattered with food by the time I saw them for our 2-week follow-up, so this was hard evidence that it was used quite a bit.
Along with this plan, they supplemented with Mediclear powder from Thorne Research, to ensure adequate protein, vitamin, mineral and antioxdant intake. The Mediclear, as well as some of the other products I typically recommend from Metagenics, contains nutrients that support detoxification as well as gastrointestinal health. Detoxification is an important part of weight loss, since toxins are typically stored in fat cells. When a person begins to lose weight and the fat cells empty, the toxins are released into the blood stream. If the liver detoxification is not supported and is sluggish, the toxins can't be cleared and can cause a person to feel under the weather and negate the process of healthy weight loss. Luckily, we can support detoxification by ensure adequate/increased intake of detox-supportive nutrients and phytonutrients, as well as with healthy lifestyle choices.
I also had them meticulously log their intake based on The Core Food Plan system (from Institute for Functional Medicine) and plan that I gave them, which comes with a nifty one-page food list sheet with individualized "servings per day" of important food groups and serving size information. Don't be confused. This is not the Food Pyramid. The food groups are different and divided up in a way that truly supports optimal health.
I also supplied the Core Food Plan food tracking sheets. This was the "boot camp" piece, so to speak. I know from my own experience of losing excess weight, that meticulous monitoring for at least 2 weeks can change the way you see the amount of food you eat and helps to raise your awareness (for the rest of your life!) about portion sizing and how much you food actually need to thrive and find enjoyment. It typically ends up being far less than what you may think it is or what you start out doing. These are all realizations that my clients have had after 2 weeks of hard core self-monitoring. Moving forward, I will not have them monitor as meticulously, but will encourage the occasional check-in with self-monitoring, either with me or with themselves.
This couple is a prime example of the success that can be had with regular and committed Nutrition Coaching follow-ups. They have been open to my feedback, although it has been hard for them to hear at times. I have learned that there are things that people just don't want to do in the beginning of health and body transformation, that given some time, they become more open to trying and even completely committing to doing. Some things, though, are just non-negotiable, and that's OK. We work around those things and preserve enjoyment if they are not harmful. After all, enjoyment is an important part of life and eating. I get that and I support my clients in finding their own way to healthy AND fun lives!
Husband lost quite a bit of water weight, very rapidly, which makes me suspect some food allergies or sensitivities. Inflammation caused by the body's natural defense systems against food antigens can cause water retention, which is a red flag. He will be reintroducing foods and monitoring his response, especially by monitoring his weight and any noticeable symptoms. I am also recommending some additional supplements for him that support digestion and integrity of the GI system.
If you're allergic or sensitive to a food, you need to avoid it, to decrease systemic inflammation, which contributes to many disease states and damages the gastrointestinal tract. Good digestion is at the root of good health.
Their detoxification plan was a modified elimination diet, which was particularly high in antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. I individualized a plan for each of them based on their caloric needs (they continued to train for a half marathon, so calories and nutrients were crucial). They eliminated some foods that are known to be major food allergy offenders, such as dairy and wheat, as well as alcohol, with minimal caffeine from green and white tea during this time. I equipped them with a booklet of recipes, which they thoroughly enjoyed. The booklet was very worn and splattered with food by the time I saw them for our 2-week follow-up, so this was hard evidence that it was used quite a bit.
Along with this plan, they supplemented with Mediclear powder from Thorne Research, to ensure adequate protein, vitamin, mineral and antioxdant intake. The Mediclear, as well as some of the other products I typically recommend from Metagenics, contains nutrients that support detoxification as well as gastrointestinal health. Detoxification is an important part of weight loss, since toxins are typically stored in fat cells. When a person begins to lose weight and the fat cells empty, the toxins are released into the blood stream. If the liver detoxification is not supported and is sluggish, the toxins can't be cleared and can cause a person to feel under the weather and negate the process of healthy weight loss. Luckily, we can support detoxification by ensure adequate/increased intake of detox-supportive nutrients and phytonutrients, as well as with healthy lifestyle choices.
I also had them meticulously log their intake based on The Core Food Plan system (from Institute for Functional Medicine) and plan that I gave them, which comes with a nifty one-page food list sheet with individualized "servings per day" of important food groups and serving size information. Don't be confused. This is not the Food Pyramid. The food groups are different and divided up in a way that truly supports optimal health.
I also supplied the Core Food Plan food tracking sheets. This was the "boot camp" piece, so to speak. I know from my own experience of losing excess weight, that meticulous monitoring for at least 2 weeks can change the way you see the amount of food you eat and helps to raise your awareness (for the rest of your life!) about portion sizing and how much you food actually need to thrive and find enjoyment. It typically ends up being far less than what you may think it is or what you start out doing. These are all realizations that my clients have had after 2 weeks of hard core self-monitoring. Moving forward, I will not have them monitor as meticulously, but will encourage the occasional check-in with self-monitoring, either with me or with themselves.
This couple is a prime example of the success that can be had with regular and committed Nutrition Coaching follow-ups. They have been open to my feedback, although it has been hard for them to hear at times. I have learned that there are things that people just don't want to do in the beginning of health and body transformation, that given some time, they become more open to trying and even completely committing to doing. Some things, though, are just non-negotiable, and that's OK. We work around those things and preserve enjoyment if they are not harmful. After all, enjoyment is an important part of life and eating. I get that and I support my clients in finding their own way to healthy AND fun lives!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Coconut Curry Soup with Turnips
This is a recent development that is spawned from my love of tropical Asian cuisine. It's also a great vehicle for bitter greens, since it is sweet from the coconut and lime juice. I call for turnips in this one, but you can use any green you want. Turnips are even more powerful from a cancer-fighting perspective than broccoli, kale, cauliflower or cabbage--that's saying a lot!!
Ingredients
1 pound wild shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped (optional)
1 medium onion chopped
2 cloves fresh or roasted garlic, minced
2-3 stalks celery, chopped
2-3 large carrots, chopped
2 medium golden potatoes, chopped (optional)
1 bunch of turnip leaves, chopped into 1" bite-sized pieces
1 bunch of turnip roots, sliced
1-2 TBSP fresh grated ginger
1-2 TBSP Curry Powder
1-2 TBSP Lime Juice
2 TBSP chopped Cilantro
1-15 oz can organic coconut milk
About 16 oz homemade or organic vegetable or chicken broth
4 cups water Sea Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions Heat organic ghee (clarified butter) in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Saute onions and garlic until just soft. Add carrots, potatoes and turnip roots and saute for several minutes on medium heat until they begin to soften. Add turnip greens and saute for about 1 more minute. Add Curry powder and stir, then lime juice and grated ginger and stir. Add water, stock and then coconut milk. Bring to a boil and let simmer, covered and stirring occasionally for 30-40 minutes. Add shrimp, cilantro, salt and pepper, as well as additional lime juice if desired. Let shrimp cook for about 3 minutes or until pink. Turn heat off or to warm heat and let set until ready to serve. Add more veggies to this recipe if desired. There are very few limits with soups!
Remember to take a moment to breathe and send out a little gratitude before digging in. Enjoy!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Beets
Beets are my absolute favorite vegetable. I love their color, their earthy, unique flavor, and I love that I love them now, but hated them in my childhood. I have found many great ways to enjoy beets in my adult life that I never thought possible in my childhood.
The other reason I love them is because they are so medicinally useful. Beetroots have long been used medicinally to stimulate liver detoxification processes. Research has shown that betacyanin, a phytonutrient in beets that also serves as a pigment, has cancer-preventive properties. It is speculated that betacyanin and the bowel-regulating fiber in beetroots work synergistically to prevent colon cancer.
The greens are also edible and very rich in nutrients like beta carotene, Vitamin C, iron, and calcium. The roots are an excellent source of folate (prevents neural tube defects and promotes heart health by preventing build-up of homocysteine in the blood)and a good source of manganese, potassium and Fiber. Both greens and roots are good sources of phosphorus, magnesium (stimulates calcitonin production, which shuttles calcium into the bones and away from and even out of the soft tissues. This is good. We don' t calcium in our soft tissues, especially our blood vessels!), iron and B6.
Many people may think they don’t like beets, but that's because they likely haven't ventured outside the box. From my experience, beets go very well with balsamic vinegar, Italian herbs, curry (believe it or not) and goat or feta cheese. Check out my Phyto-Bliss Beet Salad, which incorporates all of these things at once!
Also check another favorite, Rosemary Red Soup.
Take moment to breathe and send out a little gratitude before digging in. Enjoy!
Friday, March 18, 2011
CTS Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Wednesday and Thursday of this week were spent preparing to serve healthy AND yummy snacks for the Creative Therapy Services ribbon cutting ceremony. I served some of my best healthy snack/side dishes like Spiced Asparagus Fries, Black Bean Dip (Eating Well), Basil Hummus (recipe postin soon!) and Healthy Almond Butter Dip , along with cut apples, carrots, celery, an assortment of gluten-free and regular chips and crackers. I also put out an assortment of cheeses and made sample smoothie shooters, which was a real hit! I LOVE the opportunity to show through food what Gourmet Healer is all about!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Creative Therapy Services
Above is my new headshot for Creative Therapy Services in Rio Rancho, NM. Catch me there practicing Integrative and Functional Nutrition every Tuesday and some Fridays! I'm working alongside a wonderful team of healers including wholistically-minded Physical and Occupational Therapists; a Speech Language Pathologist; Licensed Massage Therapists; a Brain Integration Therapist; Wholistic Kinesiologists; a Reiki Master and Intuitive Healer; and last but not least, an amazing Doctor of Oriental Medicine! We also have an amazing staff who all play a role in keeping the energy of Creative Therapy Services loving, fun and healing. A large portion of our patient/client population are kids, but our aim is to help parents and families heal on all of the necessary levels. When the family heals, the child heals!
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