Should you be Gluten-Free?

There is so much hype these days about gluten-free living. There are tons of housewives' gluten-free blogs popping up that have a huge following. Should you be eating this way too to be more healthy?

"So many people have food sensitivities that don't even know it" says Dr. Wayne. "It can make a significant impact on the way you feel if you give your body a break from offending foods."

That's why Tompkins Wellness Center considers it a vital part of a patient's care to address food sensitivies, with wheat being one of the biggest offendors. Some of the other common foods that can be tested:
- corn
- wheat
- sugar
- chocolate
- coffee

No, we're not trying to stamp out all the fun in your life. But, if you don't like some of your symptoms, such as:
- slow digestion
- moodiness
- cloudy thinking
- low energy
- skin irritations
- poor sleep patterns

We support you as you stay away from some of these for at least 30 days to let your body heal. Then we re-check these foods to see if the sensitivity has been eliminated.

Remember, too much of even a good thing can be a bad thing for your body.

Show the Love

Valentine's Day is around the corner. The traditional way to celebrate is to inhale chocolate, get short-lived roses or support the Hallmark dynasty. Well, here's a way to celebrate and show some love to your body and those of your family. Invest in a Blendtec. It's a super-duper-ultra-powerful blender that can chop up a small sapling (or electronics per this website: www.willitblend.com).

Blendtec is having a V-day promotion. From January 31st to February 8th, save $50 off a reconditioned Blendtec with coupon code: CHOCOLATE. Or get free shipping on the following products, only.
Blendtec Total Blender Wildside (3qt) package, all colors
Blendtec Total Blender Combo (2qt & 3qt) package, all colors
Just click on this link to order: http://www.blendtec.com/?affiliateid=268599.

Why do we love this? 5 reasons:
1. A way to get veggies down your little picky eaters.
2. The concoctions can be really yummy. (look for a recipe below)
3. Grinds flour so you can save money on all those expensive Bob's Red Mill alternatives.
4. Make your own nut or rice milk.
5. An easy way to eat raw.

Now, for my V-day gift to you:
Purple Passion
1/2 c. frozen berries
1 banana
1/8 wedge of purple cabbage
1/2 c. spinach
splash of unsweetened apple juice
1 T. flaxseed oil
2-3 drops of Stevia liquid sweetener

What if you could reset your metabolism?

You can! Now with a comprehensive program facilitated by Dr. Wayne and the team at Tompkins Wellness Center you can reset your metabolism, decrease inflammation and boost your immune system. And major weight loss is the side effect. Now we're talking!

Here's what we will do to ensure your success:
- Homeopathic hCG (a safe formula by a functional medicine Dr. in St. Louis
- Provide dietary guidelines in an easy-to-use booklet
- Administer acupuncture according to Dr. Oz's recommendations:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/acupuncture-and-weight-loss
- Hold your hand during and AFTER the program to prevent you from going back to old habits.

Here's what you will do to ensure your success:
- Come to a workshop on January 13th at the YMCA to get your tools and launch your success
- Follow the guidelines in the booklet
- Fall in love with some form of exercise *
- Get acupuncture
- Purge your pantry and follow grocery guidelines provided by Tompkins Wellness Center
- Invite a friend to join you in this and to whom you will be accountable

* The Ozark Family YMCA is starting a weight loss challenge on January 11th with an 8 week membership for only $45 - with prizes for the biggest loser! Call 337.9622 to sign up.

The Big 5

Your body's best defense is a wicked (as they say in Dr. Wayne's birthplace) offense. As we approach the challenging cold and flu season, instead of encouraging you to get a toxic flu shot (more on this later), we are going to give you the gift of a winning supplement combination that has been proven to be a one-size-fits-all boost to the body's immune system.

Here you go:

1. Fish Oil
2. Probiotics
3. Multi-Vitamin
4. Vitamin D
5. Magnesium

Keep in mind that not all supplements are created equal - especially when it comes to fish oil. There are lots of fillers and substandard processing methods in the unregulated vitamin industry. It's a good idea to use your natural health practitioner as a filter to get the best supplement for your precious dollar.

Be Healthy. Cook. Be Inspired.

Just have to inform you of a foodie blog that just emerged:
(www.lexieskitchen.com)
If you've been within listening range of Dr. Tompkins these days, you will realize why we're promoting such a site. He is forever telling patients about inflammatory foods. Yes, even a good ol' wholesome loaf of home-baked bread can make you more susceptible to disease and cause you to hurt. There are so many wonderful and tasty alternatives to foods that can sabotage feeling really, really good.

As you will read on this blog site, Alexa has chosen to make healthier choices in cooking for her family to address developmental challenges that her 2nd son has faced since his birth.

Big kudos to Alexa for not only making efforts for her own family's health, but inspiring the rest of us to do the same. Keep cooking, keep blogging, Lex.

Day 12 & 13: A Study in Contrasts

Day 12:
A cleanse day - just the cleanse juice, snack capsules, and tons of water to drink.
Accomplishments - Up at the crack of dawn, painted dining table, paid bills, had company, put antique-look glaze on dining chairs, played with 22-month-old daughter, made bread from sourdough starter.

Day 13:
Shake-Meal-Shake day - Fell off the wagon and indulged in several (won't tell you #s) homemade cookies and drank too much coffee.
Accomplishments - Straightened house for company, was in a fog from all the sugar & white flour I inhaled, couldn't take a nap when hubby did as I was wired on coffee.

Plan of Action: Back on the wagon tomorrow. Not going to beat myself up too bad as I learned some valuable lessons.

Day 7: What? No Sweets Cravings?

A week down, 3 more to go. I am surprised how easy this is. I am loving this energy. Something I just realized is that I'm not having my usual cravings for sweets, especially in the afternoon. They say that once you rid your body of those simple carbs, your body then doesn't miss them.

As Dr. Wayne mentioned during his cleanse days, the sleep during the cleanse is heavenly. I am really relishing those ZZZZs. It also helps that I take a magnesium supplement right before bed. This morning, I was raring to go at 5:30 a.m. Whoa!

Now, if I can just save sweets for special occasions only after these 30 days are up, my body will thank me...