Gluten-Free Diet: Trend or Necessity

Chelsea Clinton had a gluten-free cake at her recent nuptials. Word is that she has a gluten allergy. Elizabeth Hasselback blamed her infertility on gluten. Wheat allergy or not, “gluten-free” is definitely a buzzword that really stands out. Gluten is the protein that is found primarily in wheat, rye, barley and oats, and hidden in a wide variety of processed and prepared foods. Because gluten is hard to digest, it can wreak havoc on our bodies causing symptoms that range from fatigue, bloating and gas to malabsorption of nutrients, infertility and even osteoporosis.

While some people are going gluten-free to help them lose weight, many make the switch out of necessity. Determining whether you have celiac disease or are just sensitive to gluten can mean the difference between eliminating gluten from  your diet for the rest of your life, or just cutting back on the amount of gluten you consume. So what’s the difference between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity? Celiac is a hereditary autoimmune disease with no known cure, except eliminating all gluten from your diet. Continue reading “Gluten-Free Diet: Trend or Necessity”

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Support Your Immune System: Garlic

Garlic has long been the go-to herb of cooks and health advisers for its health benefits. Garlic contains organosulfur compounds that research has shown stimulate white blood cells (fight disease and infection) and have anti-tumor properties.

Can’t deal with the smell or the digestive consequences of raw garlic? You are not alone! Fortunately, garlic extract supplements provide odor-controlled alternatives. You should also look for a high allicin content. Allicin, is a powerful compound in garlic that is released when it is crushed. As well as having antibiotic properties, allicin is an excellent anti-fungal; garlic preparations have been used in folk medicine to treat skin infections such as athlete’s foot.

Dosage varies according to individual needs, but 500mg of garlic is great for supporting your immune system.

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You Are What You Eat…and Think, Feel, Hear, See, Do and Believe

Many of us have heard the saying, “we are what we eat.” Basically this means that if our diets are made up of fast food, takeout, foods high in sugar, high in fat, if we drink too much or if we consider our children’s leftovers a decent meal, we can’t really be surprised if our body doesn’t look or feel it’s best. To sum it up; eat bad, look and feel bad. Well, not only are we what we eat, but we’re also what we feel, think, hear, see, do and believe.

Let’s start with what you think. If you think you’re unlovable, unworthy or incapable, and these are the thoughts that play continuously in your mind, can you really be surprised if these thoughts encourage you to act or carry yourself a certain way? Maybe they’ll prevent you from feeling deserving of a loving relationship, because you too feel unworthy of something fabulous or incapable of achieving a goal or dream. If these or similar thoughts are playing in a negative tape loop you’ve created, take a look at how they’re showing themselves within your life.

Moving on to “we are what we feel.” If you feel overweight, unattractive or ill-equipped in some way, take a look at the way you dress, the way you carry yourself, what you do (or don’t do) and the relationships you have. Notice how these feelings show themselves in the clothes you choose, the opportunities you may be avoiding and what you’re willing to tolerate in a coworker, friend or partner. Now identify how different things would be if you didn’t feel this way about yourself. Continue reading “You Are What You Eat…and Think, Feel, Hear, See, Do and Believe”

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Support Your Immune System: Oregano Oil

Last week, I wrote about astragalus and its positive effects on the immune system. This week I am tackling oregano oil. Not just a spice used in Italian cooking, oregano extracts have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity. Chronic infections like candidiasis, and contagious new viruses like SARS, seem to be inhibited by oregano. Oregano also seems to be beneficial for respiratory health, but also may act as an expectorant (helps to expel mucus) and antispasmodic (relieves coughing).

Chemical substances in oregano account for its tremendous healing qualities. These include alcohols, esters, phenols, and terpenes. They work synergistically to make oregano a powerful natural health aid. Phenols act as antiseptics and antioxidants, while terpenes exhibit antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties. Alcohol components linalool and borneol add to the antiviral and antiseptic qualities, and esters are potent antifungal agents.

A little goes a long way, and if you are using the drops, then 4 drops is all you need. Now, before you go buy it, make sure you buy Oregano Oil liquid and not the Essential Oil of Oregano.  The latter is used in aromatherapy and should not be ingested.

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Diaper Bags: Go Natural

All moms know that a properly packed diaper bag can make or break your day, when you are dealing with small children and babies. A diaper bag is not just a portable changing station, but it can also be a first aid kit, a small kitchen, and a toy store. However, there are things in your diaper bag that you may not be considering. Chemicals like phthalates (the “ph” is silent) are used to make plastic flexible and stabilize fragrance, while bisphenol A (BPA) is used to make plastics hard. There are also parabens, preservatives in lotions and shampoos. All these chemicals are going straight into your baby, and while there has been a push for regulation on BPA in baby bottles and water bottles, we still need to be conscious of what we are putting in and on our babies.

Here are a few things that you can do to make your diaper bag safer and greener:

Diaper Creams:  If your little one has a diaper rash, air time is really the best medicine. Free them of their diaper for 5 or 10 minutes per day and you will notice a huge difference. Continue reading “Diaper Bags: Go Natural”

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Our Bloggers

  • Paula Gallagher
    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
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  • Margo Gladding
    Margo Gladding
    Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
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  • Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
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  • Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
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  • Debi Silber
    Debi Silber
    Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
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  • Teri Cochrane
    Teri Cochrane
    Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
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  • Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
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  • Susan Levin
    Susan Levin
    Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
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  • Rob Brown
    Dr. Rob Brown
    Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
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May 2025
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