DIY Food Allergy Test

If you're interested in performing your own food allergy test, the Coca Pulse Test, created by Dr. Arthur F. Coca is a good one to try.  The theory behind this test is that allergens cause the heart rate to speed up.

The Coca Pulse Test For Allergies is a very simple, effective test that you can perform yourself in order to determine which foods you may be allergic to.

Here's one way to do it:

1. On an empty stomach, lie down & take your pulse for 60 seconds
2. Place a small sample of the suspected food under your tongue for 20 seconds & spit it out
3. Wait 20 minutes & take your pulse again for 60 seconds
4. If the pulse raises by 5 beats or more per minute, you may be allergic to this food

Another way:

1. Take pulse for 60 seconds before getting out of bed in the morning
2. Then take pulse for 60 seconds 30 & 60 minutes after each meal
3. If your heart rate goes up 10 beats or more per minute, you ate something your body doesn't like

A good starting place is with the most common food allergens: wheat/gluten, milk products, eggs, citrus, peanuts, cashews, soy, fish and shellfish, yeast and chocolate.  Also, trust your gut; you may already have an idea of certain foods that don't agree with you.

It is very important to deal with food allergies as they can lead to inflammation, irritation and can cause or aggravate any illness including chronic diseases.

For instance “heartburn” may not be due to hyperacidity or other reasons, but rather an allergic irritation.  I myself came to the realization that my daily acid reflux attacks were the result of an intolerance to sugar.  After eliminating sugar from my diet for six months (a year would have been better), I am now able to tolerate it in small amounts.

Once you find out what you're allergic to, consider an elimination diet in a hope that you may be able to return these foods to your diet without reaction.

For more detailed information, check out this PDF.

Sources:
Super Charge Your Immune System

http://www.alternativehealthzone.com/alternative-health-news/coca-pulse-test-for-allergies

Himalayan Salt Lamps!

I recently welcomed a Himalayan Natural Crystal Salt Lamp into my home - well, rather my cubicle.  I had been looking for some type of light/lamp to keep my energies up throughout the workday and when this "natural" lamp crossed my path, I decided to give it a try!  I was not disappointed!

What is it?

"Crystals hand-harvested from mineral deposits on salt cave floors that have been dated by geologists to the Precambrian Age." - eHow Health  Himalayan salt contains over 84 minerals and trace elements.  It is believed that this type of salt is the most pollutant free form of salt on earth, due to the remote locations in which it is found.  A light-bulb placed within a hollowed out middle of the formation, disburses the negative ions naturally emanating from the salt crystals.

Reported Benefits:

• Scientifically proven to work like an air purifier
• Emits negative ions that fight against positively charged particles
• Purifies by emitting negative ions to clear air of smoke, dander, pollen, bacteria and other pollutants
• Reduces the amount of electro-magnetic pollution of office equipment
• Improves breathing, providing a better night sleep
• Enhances the amount of chi (energy) present in the air (Feng Shui)
• Naturally dilutes odors
• Aids in concentration
• Reduces fatigue

Can a Salt Lamp really do all this?  

I don't know.  At this point, I can't honestly say I have noticed a difference in my environment.  However, I really enjoy looking at them - on and off!  And anything that is aesthetically pleasing has to do wonders for the mind, body and soul.  

One thing to keep in mind, the salt crystal was created by nature and carved by hand, so don't expect to get exactly what is pictured or every lamp to be the same.  Colors, textures, sizes - are all open for interpretation by Mother Nature.  Don't worry, she knows what she's doing.

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a lamp, the redder the color, the higher the mineral content, and thus the greater intensity.

Also, don't think of this as a reading lamp, but rather as an ambiance or mood enhancing lamp.  Many refer to these lamps as nightlight, due to the low glowing light they emit.

Believe it or not, you can get one of these lamps through Walmart.com, although I went through Amazon - both places are very reasonable in price.  Price wise, you can find lamps go for anywhere from $10 - $100, depending on shape and size.

After receiving my first lamp, I was compelled to get two more for my home.  I just love the warm, tranquil glow they give off and the nature element makes a nice statement piece.   

Personally, I think a Crystal Salt Lamp would make an awesome and unique housewarming gift!  Or, for anyone into meditation or yoga as these lamps are known to create an ambiance of relaxation and calmness.

Glow On!

The Hoff

Limited Free Viewing of Fresh The Movie

For a limited time, you can view, Fresh the movie, for free right in your own home!  This doc has won five film festival awards!

"FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.

Among several main characters, FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, the recipient of MacArthur’s 2008 Genius Award; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, challenging our Wal-Mart dominated economy."

What: Viewing of Fresh Documentary
When: Sunday, February 26, 2012 - Saturday, March 3, 2012
Where: Your computer
Cost: Free!

Click here to watch for FREE!

If you watch, come back here and tell me what you think!

Check out the trailer!

Doc: The Beautiful Truth

The Beautiful Truth follows a 15-year old boy in search of a cure for cancer after reading a book by a Dr. Max Gerson and the untimely death of his mother.  Garrett, who lives in Alaska takes on this monumental task as a report for school. What he finds for all intensive purposes, The Gerson Miracle.  Dr. Gerson is best known for his discovery and practice of curing cancer among other diseases through diet.

In order to determine whether or not this is possible, Garrett begins a cross-country road trip to research and conduct interviews; including one with Charlotte Gerson, daughter of the late Dr. Gerson.  What he discovers are the dangers of fluoride, mercury, food additives, processed foods, genetically engineered seeds (GMOs), environmental issues, among other things.

Garret, asks the question, "Is there hope?"

The answer he found...yes.

Check it out for yourself!

Rehydrate Your Greens!

Broccoli Rabe Brought Back To Life

I am constantly loading up on greens and by the end of the week, those left standing are a little limp, sad and unappealing.  Don't throw these greens out - revive them!

I recently learned (why this never occurred to me...) that you can bring back limp and droopy greens just like you do cut flowers! Simply chop off the ends of whatever, for this example we'll use Broccoli Rabe and immerse in a bowl of cold water.  After about 10 minutes, the leaves will come back to life!

The theory is pretty simple: greens, are very water dense, they start to look bad because they have lost some of this water content, you just need to replace it before eating!

See, you're not the only one who needs to hydrate!
The Hoff

Hoff Hit: Food for Thought

"An education will make you a living, but self education will make your a fortune." - Jim Rohn, Business Philosopher

Hoff's Minestrone Soup

The beauty of this recipe is that is really packs in a lot of veggies and it's a great way to use up anything lying around.  I encourage you to substitute any veggies or add more/less to suit your taste!

Hoff's Minestrone Soup
Yields: A lot!
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free
 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Veggie Broth
• 4 cups Water
• 3 Swiss Chard leaves (chopped)
• 1 Potato (chopped)
• 1 Zucchini (chopped)
• 1 cup Carrots Sticks
• 1 cup Corn
• 1 cup Lima Beans
• 1 - 15oz can Tomato Sauce
• 1 - 15oz can Diced Tomatoes (seasoned)
• 1 - 15oz can Kidney Beans (rinsed & drained)
• 1 cup small Whole Wheat Pasta
• 1 small Onion (chopped)
• 2-3 Garlic Cloves (minced)
• 1 - 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Cumin
• Sea Salt

Directions:

1. In a very large crock pot set to high, soften Onions & Garlic while preparing the rest of the ingredients
2. Reduce to Low
3. Add Veggie Broth & Tomato Sauce & all ingredients except Water & Pasta
4. Add just enough Water to cover all the veggies in your pot (may need more or less than 4 cups)
5. Cook for 4-6 hours
6. 20 minutes prior to serving, add any Pasta that cooks in under 10 minutes, 35-40 minutes for Pastas that takes longer to cook or cook Pasta alone & add to soup just before serving
7. Adjust Seasonings as needed

My2Cents: Experiment with rice instead of pasta, try a variety of Greens!  Depending on the time of year, this soup can be combination of fresh, frozen & canned - use what ya got!