Top 15 Body Cleansing Foods

Over the past few years. a lot has been written about body cleanses. Some call the trend towards cleansing the body nothing more than a diet fad or craze while others tout the benefits of cleansing the toxins from the body. Performing a “detox” or body cleanse has some benefits that cannot be disputed by labeling such practice as a fad. By cleansing, you will remove excess toxins and waste from the body and by this fact alone, you will likely feel better.

Many of the foods we should be eating (fruits, vegetables, etc.) have body cleansing benefits that we can adopt — or already practice — in our every day lives without pea protein shakes or limiting calories to next to nothing. For example, lemons contain high amounts of Vitamin C, making them perfect for flushing toxins from your body. Simply adding some lemon juice to your water first thing in the morning will kick-start waste removal and start your day off right. Watermelon contains citrulline which is an amino acid that assists the liver and kidneys in ridding the body of excess ammonia. Blueberries have the healing power of antibiotics and can assist the body by blocking excess bacteria, often leading to urinary tract infections. Pomegranates are super charged with antioxidants, help fight disease and strengthen the body’s immune system. Apples are high in pectin and help to cleanse intestinal toxins. Avocados have been shown to lower cholesterol and dilate blood vessels to help destroy any toxic build up that might block arteries.

Grapefruit is an antioxidant rich, fiber filled fruit whose juices pack a detoxifying punch for cleansing the liver and intestines. Like blueberries, cranberries are natural fighters against urinary tract infections and provide antibacterial cleansing purposes in the body. Figs offer a great cleanse for the kidneys and liver and also fight infection. Adding kiwi, alongside other cleansing fruits and veggies, aids to deepen the body’s cleanse and when eaten first thing in the morning, provides a boost of energy to begin the day. (Maybe eat a kiwi while sipping your morning lemon water.)

Papayas offer digestive health benefits and boost energy while detoxifying the body. Cucumbers, whether eaten solo or added to water, aid the body in rehydration. Goji berries are a superfood with more vitamin C than oranges and more beta-carotene than carrots. Their Vitamin C benefits help to remove waste from the body; their beta-carotene properties help to improve liver performance. Pineapples are touted for their anti-inflammatory benefits and contain bromelain, a digestive enzyme that supports colon cleansing and improved digestion. Finally, strawberries are a natural diuretic and can help with shedding a few extra pounds if added to the diet on a regular basis. Their ability to rid the body of toxins cannot be understated.

As you can see, these 15 body cleansing foods are all fruits, vegetables and health-conscious choices that we can make – quite simply – in our every day lives. No pea protein or artificially produced cleanse products needed. We are what we eat and our health is dependent upon the choices we make. Smart, clean, healthy choices will in time lead to a healthier, happier life. Isn’t that what we all deserve? You’re worth it!

Grocery Deals

NUTRO ROTATIONS Dry Dog Food

Dogs love a good variety in their diet but allergies can happen when switching from one dog food to another. This is not typically an issue with NUTRO dry dog food. Right now, NUTRO Lamb, Potato and Flaxseed dog food is a bargain on Amazon. Normally, $35.99 on Amazon and $35 at Costco, a 12 pound bag is currently selling on Amazon for just $8.49!

NUTRO dog food derives its fiber from chickory root, which is shown to aid in digestion. Made from real chicken, your dog is sure to love it!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T62YIYC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=bubsbuy-20&linkId=c7094769bff359b2ab8425c64b85f060

Gluten Free Cosmetics – And Some Places You’d Never Expect Gluten to Hide

I have to admit that when I was first told of my sensitivity to gluten, I did not appreciate the many places – across the entire spectrum of the grocery store – that gluten can hide. This became apparent to me when I looked closely at my Tea Tree shampoo and noticed that wheat was listed in the ingredients. Could that be why my head would break out from time to time? Maybe so!

Of course, from there, I began taking a much closer look at everything I owned from soap to yes, cosmetics. Little did I realize how extensive the list of ingredients that might contain gluten actually is. Thanks to Gluten Free RN – that devised a list of ingredients in popular makeup products which might contain gluten, I was able to learn what to look for in my cosmetics. Ingredients such as Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Cyclodextrin, Dextrin, Dextrin Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Hydrolyzed Oat Flour, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Flour, Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/PVP Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Secale Cereale (Rye) Seed Flour, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Gluten, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Starch, Wheat Amino Acids, Wheat Germ Glycerides, Wheat Germamidopropalkonium Chloride, Wheat Protein, Wheatgermamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, and Yeast Extract could all — or do all — contain gluten.

I, personally, am also highly sensitive to oat. Oat, because it grows similarly to wheat, causes me to become an insomniac and one particular time I tried using a cream that contained an oat germ in fine print that I did not see at first, I found myself unable to sleep for nearly a week before realizing why. This is why reading labels and re-reading them again is so important when you are highly sensitive to gluten and what it can do to your body.

Fortunately, for those of us that must be gluten free for our own good health, there are several companies that DO produce gluten free cosmetics. Afterglow Cosmetics, Everyday Minerals, Gluten Free Beauty, Red Apple Lipstick, 100% Pure and Joelle Cosmetics, to name a few, offer safer alternatives to beauty products that do not leave you feeling or looking like you’ve seen better days.

Just yesterday, Bella Reina Cosmetics announced ahead of Fall Fashion Week that they are ready to launch Rebel, a maple red Vegan Lipstick. From their press release: “One of the many trademarks of Bella Reina’s lipstick is that it is vegan and gluen-free; and, it is also chemical-free. Gluten-free lipsticks are free from wheat, rye, barley and other hybrid grains. Lipsticks that contain gluten can trigger health issues and attacks in those with celiac and gluten sensitivities.”

You probably get tired of hearing every doctor and health care professional, as well as every blogger you read, preaching the importance of reading labels, but for good health, it is essential. You can look your best and feel great about yourself — and your makeup — and still remain gluten free. Self care is important in all aspects of life and your gluten free journey is no exception. In fact, it is the most important of all to maintaining your health, but that said, you are still very able to live gluten free, feel and look great inside — and out!

Grocery Deals

Kashi Chewy Granola Bars, Chocolate Almond and Sea Salt with Chia, 1.2 Ounce, 6 Count

Chia and flax seeds are a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to boost the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory medications and lower high levels of triglycerides in the blood, thus reducing your risk for heart disease.

As back to school time rolls around and life becomes even busier, snacking on the go – to keep blood sugar levels balanced – or simply to catch a break during the day will be so important. These Kashi Chewy granola bars have the health benefits of chocolate, nuts, chia and flax seeds in a handy 6 serving package.

This Amazon Add-On Item is just $1.78 after the 20% off Clip and Save coupon on the site.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FRDUH62/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&linkCode=sl1&tag=bubsbuy-20&linkId=a1f474b131ede11fc557c0b045560fdb

Gluten Free Birthday Celebrations

Today is this writer’s beloved sweetheart’s 34th birthday and the celebration has lasted all week. It began yesterday treating Matt to dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse, where there is a nice selection of gluten free items from which I could choose and carried over to a delicious gluten free Funfetti cake from Pillsbury. This was Matt’s first birthday celebration opting for gluten free (he has no issues with gluten but often refuses to eat gluten containing items in front of me out of respect for the fact I could eat gluten for over 30 years). All in all, it was a fun celebration.

One of the things I have noticed about living gluten free is that sometimes when you mention a food item is gluten free, people automatically bolt from it. Matt, fortunately, knew from the get-go of our relationship that a gluten free life was one I had to adopt and in support of me, he has followed it. Oh, if everyone had it that lucky.

When you are planning your own gluten free birthday celebrations, the ability to make a tasty gluten free cake with frills is becoming easier. With companies, like Pillsbury, embracing the culture’s shift towards eating less wheat, many are stepping up their games to create the tastiest, most creative cake mix possible — even with sprinkles!

If gluten free cakes still leave your leery of cross contamination or flavorful goodness, then having a birthday ice cream party with many of the more popular gluten free ice cream options would be an idea, especially for hot summertime birthdays. Ice cream does not only have to be the side dish to a tasty cake party.

If you are making a gluten free cake for a party — especially a children’s party — it is probably better to not sky write the fact the cake is gluten free. Just as cake companies are making gluten free cakes more creative or flavor filled, they are also not as cardboard-like or dry as they once were. Oftentimes, it is hard to tell the difference between a gluten free cake and one that uses a wheat-based mix. As much as Celiacs MUST know if a cake contains gluten, it is every bit as good that gluten free NOT be broadcast (unless a lot of Celiacs will be at your party) to avoid having a lot of extra food leftover. Some, sadly, do still judge gluten free as a fad, when – for some – it must be a lifestyle.

Lastly, if you plan the birthday party in the afternoon, after lunch and before dinner, you will avoid the need of creating a large meal for the masses. This way, you will not be tempted to have a pizza party (Pizza Hut offers gluten free Udi’s now, true, but the pizzas are small and the costs add up quickly).

Birthdays are still a wonderful time to celebrate the fact that our loved ones have lived another year of their lives as a part of ours, but they should be fun and not bogged down by the remaining stigma that sometimes exists with a gluten free lifestyle. With a few simple steps and planning ahead, you will ensure the day is stressful and happy for everyone!

Grocery Deals

Utz Sourdough Specials Pretzels Fishbowl Barrel, 60 Ounce

For healthier late summer snack or pre-planning for Back to School, Utz Sourdough Pretzels are a great deal right now on Amazon. A 60-ounce fishbowl barrel of the tasty snacks are just $12.99.

Pretzels are a healthier alternative to chips and are packed with fiber, iron, zinc and folate; they are also lower in fat and calories than their chip counterparts. If you are watching your salt intake, then eating pretzels in moderation is beneficial, as these treats are often salty, but for a quick on-the-go snack for Back to School time or to replenish your salt intake on these hot summer days, then you can’t go as wrong with pretzels as you would with a bag of chips.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001U92XU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=bubsbuy-20&linkId=173e125a866c0210d77d947ea9190d04

Grocery Deals

Gluten and Fibromyalgia

Since the Spring of last year – and honestly for the last four years – I have experienced intermittent bouts of widespread pain and exhaustion, more so than the typical tiredness to come from overexertion. In April of 2014, I went to a functional endocrinologist that ran a bunch of testing to determine that I have an intolerance to gluten. I do not have Celiac Disease; my body just lacks the ability to properly digest gluten. As a result of this testing, I was put on a gluten free diet. My symptoms improved, but did not totally go away.

A couple of months ago, after accidentally ingesting gluten, I experienced the pain and the exhaustion again to the point I spent an entire weekend in bed, where just something as simple as sweeping the floor would ruin me for the day. More labs were run through my traditional medicine doctor and I learned I am trending towards early Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and the word “Fibromyalgia” was uttered. This fibro theory was no surprise to me. I have friends that live with fibro daily and all had told me my symptoms matched well with theirs.

Through a process of elimination – and many other labs coming back entirely clear – I began a treatment plan for fibro and more days than not, I am sleeping better and doing better, though cold air conditioning still impacts me greatly. This diagnosis got me to researching fibro and I came across interesting research. Fibromyalgia can co-exist with many other diseases, especially autoimmune disease (hence why it likely is found more often in women than men; so are autoimmune conditions). But, what struck me is a study in the New England Journal of Medicine that found fifty-five (yes, 55) that can be caused by the consumption of gluten. That’s a lot of diseases!

Among the diseases which a gluten connection are autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogren’s Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and Lupus, to name a few; osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome and anemia, both autoimmune anemia and traditional anemia. While gluten may not be solely responsible as a diagnosis for these diseases, research has shown that consuming gluten has been shown to worsen the symptoms of fibromyalgia, which include cognitive difficulties, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, headaches, painful menstruation in females, tingling and numbing of the extremities, temperature sensitivity as well as sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises.

While it is believed that fibromyalgia may be causes by some dysfunction in the body’s Central Nervous System, research shows that gluten itself may be responsible for neurologic changes in the body and therefore gluten consumption can lead to depression, neuropathic pain or dementia. Given the correlation between fibro’s suspected source in the nervous system and the neurologic changes gluten is believed to cause, it is not a stretch to see a correlation.

While I have been gluten free for over a year, it is highly possible that my fibromyalgia journey now may be a residual effect of my thirty-plus years of eating gluten containing foods. I am now adopting a stricter gluten free diet regimen and hope that this decision — as well as sharing my story — helps others as well. Wheat, today, is not the same as that our grandparents knew. Choose health and if you see gluten in your diet as a potential trigger, try an elimination diet for a month and see if the symptoms return when you begin eating it. If they do, then it is best for you to be gluten free as well. Or, play on the safe side and adopt a gluten free diet. While the diet is not for everyone, many people with chronic illness can be helped by eliminating gluten from their lives.

Grocery Deals

Keebler Mini Cookies Cup, Fudge Grahams, 2.8 Ounce (Pack of 10)

Just in time for Back to School preparations, Keebler Mini Cookies Cup, Fudge Grahams are on sale! This 10-Pack of 2.8 ounce cups of the tasty little cookies is just $10.38 after the coupon on the page.  Keebler cookies are made from 100% cocoa.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DBSG6V0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=grocery&linkCode=sl1&tag=bubsbuy-20&linkId=43388afad5ea55f0105f6058e9a7c190

Gluten Free Back to School Preparations

With summer in full swing, it may be tough to consider Back to School but for many school districts across the U.S., we are within a month of just that. For others, Back to School is just 5-6 weeks away.

As a caring parent, I am sure you have spent a fun summer with your children, making sure they remain gluten free in their diet and maybe you have even enjoyed teaching your child how to make some of their favorite gluten free recipes.

However, when Back to School time arrives, the temptation to cheat on their gluten free diets will again appear. (I am an adult and I fight the temptation myself on a daily basis, all while knowing it is wrong.) Your child may think “Oh, but just eating anything is easier.” (I have thought it) But, for children with Celiac Disease or extreme behavioral issues when consuming gluten, a gluten free diet MUST be maintained.

A new school year means new teachers to educate, new friends whose parents will likely need to be made aware of your child’s dietary needs and the time to plan is now. Here are some tips to help you.

1. Inform your child’s teacher about your child’s gluten free diet and specific dietary needs and musts. While many classroom parties have been eliminated in schools today, teachers still do share treats with their classrooms from time to time (i.e. rewards of pizza parties, etc.)

2. Keeping with that train of thought, giving your child’s teacher a bag of gluten free treats that your child can enjoy during these special treat times (including the ever popular birthday party season that comes at back to school time, honoring summer vacation or fall birthdays) will ensure your child does not feel left out or “different.”

3. Keeping gluten free waffles, pancakes or quick go-to breakfast snacks that you can fix or your child can grab on a busy morning will be a tremendous help when the school year arrives. You can plan ahead by shopping now.

4. If your child is the only member of your family that must be gluten free and you have not put everyone in your house on a gluten free diet as a show of support, then maintaining a separate gluten free cutting tool for your child’s lunches will ensure no cross contamination. Be sure to label the knife or scissors so everyone knows this is for gluten free use. Further, maintaining a special gluten free jar of peanut butter or jelly will help to ensure no health hazards.

5. Prepare vegetables in bulk at the start of each week and label the container gluten safe. This way you will be able to grab and go quickly.

By thinking of Back to School planning NOW, you will not be in as much of a rush when the first day of school arrives. Less stress for you also means less stress for your child and at the start of a new school year, that’ll benefit everyone.

Grocery Deals

Bob’s Red Mill White Corn Popcorn, 27-Ounce (Pack of 4) (packaging may vary)

If your summertime fun includes a family movie night of togetherness around the TV with a DVD from your collection, then popcorn is in order and Amazon has you covered. Bob’s Red Mill White Corn Popcorn is on sale in a 4 pack for $11.08. Each bag is 27 ounces (108 ounces in total) and the price for a 4-pack figures out to just $0.10 per ounce.

The popcorn has no added salt or oil and is certified as Gluten Free and tested using the ELISA Gluten Free Assay, kosher and non-GMO. Here’s to a healthier alternative for your movie night snacking!

http://www.amazon.com/Bobs-Red-Mill-27-Ounce-packaging/dp/B004VLV6ES/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=bubsbuy-20&linkId=04f1e76157b933c9541b62c5d356f5c5