Recently, I attended the
Wellness Forum's 15th Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio. It was quite a 3-day event, full of dynamic speakers, tons of healthy info and great people.
It was so comforting to be surrounded by 300+ people all striving towards a vegetarian or vegan, oil-free diet. Not a single person asked my why I eat the way that I do and we spent our time instead swapping recipes and tips and tricks on navigating a carnivore's world.
I took lots and lots of notes and here is what I found most interesting...
Enjoy!
The Hoff
Wellness Forum's 15th Annual Conference Highlights
November 11 - 13, 2011
Friday - November 11, 2011
Dr. Janice Stanger, Ph.D.
"Top Nutrition Myths"
- Myth: A little bit can't hurt.
Fact: Actually, it can! Inflammation is the cause of many health issues and by eating just a little of something, you continue that inflammation, thus preventing the body from healing itself.
- Myth: We need a special source of protein.
Fact: Animal protein is a hyper concentration of protein. Too much protein can be toxic. As we only require 10% of our daily calories to be derived from protein, that can be easily obtained through plants. Animals obtain their protein from the plants that they eat - eat plants instead and cut out the middleman.
- Myth: Soy is the source of most dietary estrogen.
Fact: Dairy is the number one source of estrogen, which fuels reproductive cancers.
- Myth: Cows milk is the best source of calcium.
Fact: Calcium is a mineral, cows get their calcium from eating grass - eat plants instead and cut out the middleman(cow).
- Myth: Calcium makes bones strong.
Fact: Calcium has little effect on fracture risk. As calcium is a brittle mineral (like chalk), rely on weight bearing exercises to increase bone density. Too much calcium can be toxic and result in kidney stones.
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"Take matters into your own hands to improve your health."
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Gene Baur
Farm Sanctuary
- Farm animals are specifically exempt from the Animal Welfare Act
- In order for a cow to give milk, it must be pregnant - female cows are kept pregnant, having a calf once a year until death (dairy cow average life span is 3-4 years, cows can live up to 20 years). Calves are separated from the mother at birth to prevent nursing and thus lowering milk production.
- "Downed animals" (animals that cannot get up and walk) can be sold for human consumption and therefore are not euthenized or treated. Cows are now excluded as a result of the mad cow disease outbreak.
- "Farm Sanctuary works to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living."
- Visit the Farm Sanctuary Bed & Breakfast for a truly inspiring weekend get-away!
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When traveling, ask the hotel for a list of vegan/vegetarian restaurants in the area.
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Saturday - November 12, 2011
Dr. Janice Stanger, Ph.D.
"Its Toxic Out There"
- Our biggest danger is being oblivious.
- No one knows the impact of the radiation from tests (cat scans, dental x-rays, etc.).
- Coal releases mercury, making grilling toxic.
- Fiber removes toxins from the body, while antioxidants fight damage caused by free radicals
- "Natural" means nothing, look for "USDA Certified Organic."
- Insecticides hurt the nervous system.
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"If God made it, eat it. If man made it, don't eat it." - Jack LaLanne
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Dr. Janice Stanger, Ph.D.
"Why Fasting is Bad"
Yes, fasting facilitates detoxing, but the chemicals that are stored in fat are released into the bloodstream and do not leave the body. As chemicals have a half life of 17 years (average), meaning they will be active in the body for quite some time, they can become more harmful during fasting as you are not getting the phytochemicals from food that protect your system against the chemicals, leaving yourself vulnerable during a fast.
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No medical schools in the U.S. requires nutrition as part of their curriculum.
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Chef AJ
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| Chef AJ |
- Keep sugar at 5% of your daily calories
- Agave is 90% fructose, best to avoid
- Cacao power is very high in antioxidants and has no saturated fat
- Walnuts are the healthiest nut to eat
- Sugar is more addictive than cocaine
- Dates are a great sugar substitute - "nature's candy"
Decadent Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients:
- 2 boxes (12.2 oz each) silken tofu - extra firm
- 1 bag (10 oz) Sunspire Grain Sweetened dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1 cup date syrup
- 1 cup raw cacao powder
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tbsp alcohol-free vanilla extract
- raw cacao nibs, for garnish
Method:
- In a nonstick pan over low heat, melt the chips with the date syrup, stirring so it won't scorch.
- Place the rest of the ingredients, except for the nibs, in a food processor fitted with the "S" blade and process.
- Add the melted chocolate mixture and process until smooth and creamy, scrapping down sides occasionally.
- Pour into individual bowls or glasses and garnish with nibs.
- Chill until firm.
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The body always strives for homeostasis - health.
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Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., MD
"Treating the Cause to Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease"
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| Dr. Esselstyn |
- Heart disease is a foodborne illness.
- Kids have heart disease by the time they graduate from high school.
- Stay away from fructose and caffeinated coffee.
- The famed Mediterranean Study, that touted the health benefits of olive oil ended with 25% of the participants experiencing either a heart attack, stroke or death - compared to .5% of those who follow a whole food, planted based diet.
- Erectile dysfunction is the first sign of heart disease.
- Calcium loss is due to high acidity in the body.
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"The fat you eat, is the fat you wear." - Caldwell Esselstyn
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Ann Esselstyn
"Cooking the Plant Perfect Way"
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| Ann Esselstyn |
- Drink water predominately.
- Avoid sugar, salt and oil.
- Substitute apple sauce for oil when baking.
- Hummus makes a good salad dressing.
- Add flavored balsamic vinegar to cooked greens to make them taste better.
- Use baby romaine leaves as a scoop for hummus.
- Add nutritional yeast to mashed yukon potatoes for a buttery taste
Sunday - November 13, 2011
Dr. Ralph Moss, Ph.D.
"Integrative or CAM Cancer Clinics Around the World"
cancerdecisions.com
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| Dr. Ralph Moss |
- CAM - Complimentary Alternative Medicine
- Combine complimentary and alternative medicine for the best results.
- Main CAM Treatment Countries: Germany (#1), Mexico & Caribbean, United States (especially West Coast), China & Israel.
- Joan Bull, MD from the University of Texas is working with low dose chemotherapy paired with whole body hypothermia (emerging treatment from Germany)
- Pine Street Clinic in San Anselmo, California is a top CAM practice
- Cancer cells thrive & grow on glucose 17 times the rate of a normal cell, therefore, sugar feeds cancer.
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Never stop learning.
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