1st Dissetion! CytoSport 100% Whey Protein

Purchased from Costco... this just happens to be in my cupboard. Don't worry, we are not using it. Especially after this post, I knew it wasnt good. Now I know exactly why!

#1 Whey Protein Concentrate- legally it has to be 29%-89% actual whey. I would assume, but not a proven fact by me, that a product mass produced like this is on the lower end of that spectrum. When it is between 29-49% the rest of that is made up of lactose and fat. Probably came from cows that are given hormones and antibiotics. I cant give them the benefit of doubt if they are mass producing. Sorry.

#2 Whey Protein Isolate- To my understanding this just means that it has been processed a bit further from concentrate to make it easier for your body to break down. Good and bad, more processing means more good things taken out in my opinion.

#3 Natural and Artificial Flavors- I Google'd this and found an interesting article HERE. Having the thought of Castoreum {befoodsmart.com says: Castoreum is a specific type of natural flavoring. This extract is made from secretions and glands near the anus of both male and female beavers. It has a very strong odor and bitter taste. Found in a variety of foods including: alcoholic beverages, baked goods, frozen dairy, chewing gum, candy, beverages, meat products, pudding, gelatin, ice cream, vanilla flavoring, raspberry flavored food} in my natural and artificial flavors makes me want to throw up! Beware!

#4 Acesulfame Potassium- Once again Google'd and found THIS, which makes it sound fabulous and safe. Then I found THIS one titled 4 MOST Dangerous Artificial Sweeteners, it is #2... Um, supposedly it starts out as something organic according to the first link. Weird! I'm not buyin' it!

#5 Guar Gum- Google: HERE. This is a thickening agent and helps ice cream be smooth by preventing crystals from forming. It was used in the 90's in diet pills and has since been banned from the diet pills. Yet is still used in our foods. It is also known as a laxative.

#6 Sucralose- (#3 on the article titled 4 MOST Dangerous Sweeteners)
           What's in it: Sucralose is a synthetic additive created by chlorinating sugar. Manufacturers say the chlorine in sucralose is no different from that in table salt. Fact: the chemical structure of the chlorine in sucralose is almost the same as that in the now-banned pesticide DDT.

           Reported side effects: Head and muscle aches, stomach cramps and diarrhea, bladder issues, skin irritation, dizziness and inflammation.

          Concerns: Research has shown sucralose can cause shrinking of the thymus gland, an important immune system regulator, and liver and kidney dysfunction. A recent study by Duke University found sucralose reduces healthy intestinal bacteria, which are needed for proper digestion and can impact the effectiveness of prescription and other drugs.

AND #7 Soy Lecithin- A soy product, what else can I say. One of the highest genetically modified products in the county. 

Doesn't that make you want to go enjoy a protein shake? Not me either. 

Cold Season, Here It Comes! {Remedies of Wendy}

This season is not everyone's favorite I am sure we all agree! Here are a few things we do in our house to help us stay healthy...or to get better quickly!

Probiotics 

Vitamin C & D (a good multi is great too!!)

Diffuse some kind of a germ fighter oil daily (I use doTERRA's Onguard)

If you do catch a bug (after all they are EVERYWHERE!) Here are a few home remedies that help us. Remember to believe in what you are doing, if you are full of all sorts of doubt over something, you probably wont get better. Your mind has a lot of power!

Silver

Zinc

Up the vitamin intake

Up the oils diffusing

Up the PROBIOTICS

(You really cant ever get enough of these, just make sure you get a *live one)

Elderberry syrup 

Coughs & Colds:

An old remedy I have been using for a LONG time is the "wet T-shirt"

At night (or for a nap) get a T-shirt wet with warm water, ring it out as much as you can, put it on yourself or your child (while damp yes) and put PJ's over it. Then snuggle up in a blanket and go to bed. Within 4 hours your shirt will dry, your body will sweat out what it needs to. This usually gets rid of coughs for my family within 2-3 nights. 

Sore Throats:

Elderberry is great for this!

We also drink orange juice with cayenne pepper to help get lots of Vitamin C as well ask kill the bacteria. (kids may not like this, it can be spicy depending on how much cayenne you add)

Silver

Rub Melalueca or Onguard oils directly on the outside of your throat.

Tummy Aches/Flu:

Smelling and/or putting peppermint oil on your tummy will help settle your stomach fast (apply as often as needed) 

Pink Eye:

Silver, drop 1-2 drops directly in your eye 3-4 times a day until it goes away. 

If you are sick, stay away from all the sugar you can. Yes, this includes natural sugars. It will lower your immune system and will continue to feed the sick germs. Sometimes we crave the sugar when we are sick, it is your body telling you it needs energy. Try eating a well balanced meal. Avoid the sugar. :)

I hope you don't get sick! But if you do, these are great methods to get rid of them fast. 

Ew! Gross! Someone Pinch Me! IS THIS FOR REAL??

So start by reading this statement...

"The 84-page study found that meat production in the U.S. is unsustainable, damaging to the environment, poses a serious and looming threat to public health, and the industry is purposely thwarting laws introduced to bring about change in livestock production."

Now this is the 3rd paragraph in THIS article. It makes me ill AND sad that we support this in the United States. {Sigh}

Top 10 Genetically Modified Foods Today

This list scares me to death! I try to not buy anything with these ingredients in it unless they are organic of course! In a few weeks I think I am going to dissect different boxed/canned/preserved food so you can actually see what is in them. Hang on to your seat!  

Canola Oil

Soy

Corn

Rice

Tomatoes

Potatoes

Cottonseed

Papaya

Peas

& Dairy Products

Instead of the list above, here are things I use instead...

Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil or Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil NOT Canola Oil.

I try to stick to organics when it comes to soy or I steer clear.

Organic corn (although this is hard, corn is practically in everything in every form) Be cautious!

We eat a lot of quinoa or occasionally go with barley in our house, not much rice.

Tomatoes - in the summertime I grow my own heirloom seeds, in winter I buy organic.

This year we finally grew our own red potatoes, normally I buy organic sweet potatoes.

I'm not sure I have ever had papaya, but curious now. I will get it organic!

Organic peas all the way, grow your own if you cant find them

Dairy products- we drink raw milk (it is safe with lactose problems, although we don't drink a lot. It takes 5 of us to drink a gallon every 2-3 weeks)  I used to be a horrible ice cream eater {YUM!} I don't do that much anymore. If I go for ice cream we usually hit up Red Mango to make ourselves feel a little better, Greek yogurt (we don't consume a lot but I should go organic on this) and cheese... I need to find  a better cheese. We do eat cheese and just get the local stuff which is probably not safe unfortunately. 

Happy Eating!

12 Foods We Should Eat Organic AKA "The Dirty Dozen"

The foods known as "The Dirty Dozen" look healthy, but unless you eat them organic, you are consuming some of the highest levels of toxicity in food today! Yikes, right?

Apples

Blueberries

Cucumbers

Lettuce

Sweet Bell Peppers

Celery

Grapes

Nectarines

Peaches

Potatoes

Spinach

& Strawberries

If you don't feel like you can buy organic quite yet because of the costs, try soaking your fruits and vegetables in a sink full of cold water with a cup of vinegar added to it. I usually let them soak a while depending on what it is. Strawberries tend to go soggy fast after this process and nectarines and peaches may get leathery, so I have switched to organic completely with those. YOU will be amazed at how dirty the water is when you are done, give them a final rinse. This doesn't 100% solve the toxicity problem, but definitely helps!

**UPDATE** I hear if you only do your strawberries, nectarines, and peaches for 10 minutes they come out fine. When I try it I will update you!

My WHY For Another Journal

Quite often find myself in situations repeated from my past. Trying to heal my family or even just wanting to remember a healthy recipe I made. After having kids I have found I am not near as organized as I once was. So here it is, my journal of my secrets to being beautiful and healthy! 

When I first started looking at labels and paying attention to my food, I was SO overwhelmed. I had just been told that my baby (3 months old) had a gluten intolerance and I needed to treat him like a Celiac. Since I was nursing, this meant my diet too. Talk about a change of life! The best change that ever happened to me and my family. Some think I am crazy and over the top, others just don't know where to start. So here it is, a place to start! OR just something you can laugh at. I care and that is why I am here.