Sunday, December 23, 2012

Gluten Free at Starbucks

Ok, so in my quest for all things "gluten free" I contacted the  canadian head office of Starbucks.
Basically I got a long but friendly email back stating the following:



We're delighted you took the time to contact us!

Starbucks is unable to guarantee a "gluten-free" environment in our retail locations due to the potential for cross contamination with gluten-containing products. The open environment and operating procedures of our store locations may present additional risk for gluten-sensitive customers aside from the gluten-containing ingredients themselves. "Gluten-free" is a claim with specific requirements defined by government agencies and industry standards. We are unable to make this claim on a product unless the item is specifically formulated and manufactured to meet the definition of the claim.

Thanks again for writing us.  If you ever have any questions or concerns in the future, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

So that was the main gist of the email. Kinda stinks that a prosperous company would care so little for those who are struggling daily with gluten intolerance. Even Rice Crispies has come up with a "Gluten Free" brand  of rice crispies in order to meet the demand. If you want to inquire about the Starbucks locations in your neighbourhood contact their head office yourself either through their website or by snail mail:

http://www.starbucks.ca/customer-service

Note to their credit. The local Starbucks does carry some prepackaged snack bars under the brand called
"Kind" which are labelled gluten free. However, that seems to be the limit to their gluten free food options.


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Winter Wellness!

The following KEY points to think about to maintain wellness during the winter months may assist you and your family:

Chewable Vitamin C tablets-- readily available at pharmacies and grocery stores--follow the instructions on the label.Vitamin C is said to boost the immune system and prevent vulnerability to colds and flus.
Raw Ginger-- peel a raw chunk smaller than a dice and swallow it with water like a supplement. Take care to chop it small enough that you can comfortably swallow it easily.
Raw Garlic-- One raw peeled clove of garlic taken at night, chopped into small size pieces that you can easily swallow with your favorite beverage. Raw garlic has been praised in numerous books and articles and is also being studies for it's effects on prevention of cancerous tumors.
Sunlight-- even though there isn't much sun these days in the winter time, your mood will lift if you are able to get outside even for a ten minute walk in cloudy weather. Even through the clouds, there are small amounts of sunshine that seep through, that can help you maintain a joyful mood and help infuse your body with small amounts of Vitamin D, aka, the sunshine vitamin. Of course, you must observe your own doctor recommended forms of sunscreen through the use of sun screen, sun block, proper protective clothing and hats. Sunlight that reflects off of objects around you outside will still impact you under any hat you may be wearing.
Probiotics- Doctors have finally come to the conclusion that our digestive tract may occasionally needs some support with the assistance of supplemental probiotics. Talk to your doctor about taking probiotics to assist your digestive system. Some individuals find that taking probiotics regularly helps them prevent cravings, gas, bloating, and constipation. Winter months can be more sedentary for many people, and therefore some people find that they are tempted to eat more food during the winter. Probiotics are sometimes helpful in curbing those uncontrollable cravings for carbohydrates.
Iron supplements for Women-- Seek your licensed medical practitioner to have regular testing of your iron levels, especially if you are in your years of menstruation. Women battling fatigue often discover that they have been low in iron, which is easily fixed with proper doctor recommended levels of iron supplementation.
Oregano Oil-- These pure oils are VERY VERY potent and should always be used sparingly. Just one or two drops of oregano oil in your coffee or tea can help build up your immune system against winter time colds.Most health food stores and some pharmacies carry these kind of oils. If you can, try to get the organic form.
Simplicity-- Keeping your food regimen simple and fresh. Perhaps this is obvious, but note that even though there really isn't much seasonal fruits and veggies locally available in the winter, that you don't necessarily need to neglect your good fresh food habits. You can gain great benefit from simple winter wonders like
homemade chili made from whole canned tomatoes, canned kidney beans, onions and garlic and bits of your favorite proteins such as meats, cheeses, or tofu.Season generously with rich chili powder and kosher salt. Serve your chili with a spoon of fresh sour cream, for that finishing touch.
Other fresh wonderful winter comfort foods include Homemade Chicken stew made with your
favorite seasonings such as parsely and curry powder. Basic healthy items are hopefully available year round in your grocery store, such as carrots, potatoes, apples and bananas. Keeping those items around will help you have fresh items available to nibble on when you or your family get the munchies. Oatmeal is available as a great breakfast food to have with your favorite natural sweetener and/or frozen/canned berries.

May you be blessed with the info you need at the right season in your life to learn what works well for you and your family in maintaining a happy life with more than enough energy and zest to accomplish all that God has called you to do.
Peace.
Carla
Disclaimer: This list is intended for conversational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, and is not intended to replace medical advice. This blog post is not intended to suggest treatments, cures, diagnosis, or prevention of any disease. Always consult your licensed medical professional for medical advice. The author and publisher of this blog post hold absolutely no liability for any ideas discussed in this post

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Garlic is natural medicine for treating high blood pressure

Garlic is natural medicine for treating high blood pressure
Wow, I just had to blog about this article.
This article claims that "the Japanese government officially recognizes garlic as a blood-pressure depressor."

Isn't that worth reading about? If you or someone you care about is struggling with high blood pressure, it may be very interesting to read this article. You can access it be clicking on the 
Garlic is natural medicine for treating high blood pressure


God bless. Peace, Carla.
Disclaimer: This blog post is written for conversational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice or cures or prevention of any disease. Always consult your licensed medical practitioner for medical advice. This blog  and it's author and publisher accepts no liability for the ideas discussed in this post or any other post on this blog .

Monday, December 3, 2012

12 Miracles

Hi Friends,
On your right you will see a new photo I took recently, depicting what I describe as
"12 Miracles" ... Why do I call them miracles? Because they are simple straight forward blessings that God has provided for us, to help us maintain great health. This list did not float down to me from heaven. But it is a hard won list, that has been accumulated over years of trial and error.Most of these items are available at low cost and the only ones that are a little more expensive are still available for less than 20 dollars per bottle in most cities.
Here's my blessed, my very precious and carefully carved list as well as a

description of some of their potential benefits and uses:

  1. Cranberry juicecranberry juice has been used to work with those who are trying to prevent or deal with bladder infections. Try to get the bottled cranberry juices that contain only cranberry juice and not other added mixtures. Most brands will sell for under $6 per bottle.
  2.  Epsom salt—Epsom salt is available at a very low cost in most bulk stores, pharmacies, grocery stores and even dollar stores.Epsom salts can help draw out toxins out of the body through the skin. 

Having Epsom salts on hand for soaking feet in warm water
is quite valuable. Some add Epsom salts to their bath
water for over all body maintenance. Do not take Epsom salt
internally, it is intended only for external use. Epsom salts can help draw out toxins out of the body through the skin. You can also soak your
arms or hands in a warm bath of dissolved Epsom salts and find
relief for weary muscles or aches and pains.
3.Olive oil—The famous “Mediterranean diet” includes this staple,
often referred to as the “healthy oil”. Olive oil has so many
benefits, I can’t even begin to complete such a list, but a few
benefits are as follows: olive oil is an unsaturated fat and is great
added to pasta sauces, to stir fries, salads and any fried item.
Olive oil can be used freely on the skin and hair to add moisture,
shine and a healthy glow. Olive oil can be used with a cotton ball,
to remove makeup. Olive oil can be used to massage tired joints
and stiff muscles.

4.Coconut oil--- coconut oil is a saturated fat, but is considered a
healthy alternative to butter. Coconut oil can be used as a hair
treatment to restore shine and relieve dryness of the scalp. Just a
small pea sized amount of olive oil will treat an entire head of
hair. Coconut oil can be used freely in the kitchen for frying. It is a
solid and will become a liquid at warmer temperatures. Many
cosmetic companies and hair product designers add coconut oil to
their preparations, as it is proven to be so helpful for the
treatment of dry skin, hair and nails. You will enjoy coconut oil
immensely if you use it sparingly. It is a  heavy oil, so just a little
bit goes a long way.

5.Ginger—Ginger is one of my favorite items to have on hand in the
kitchen. Just peeling and chopping three “dice” sized chunks and
boiling in 2 cups of water with a bit of your favorite natural
sweetener, is a great inexpensive health tonic. You can also use
fresh ginger as a supplement, by peeling and chopping
just bits of raw ginger and swallowing with some
water. Be sure to chop it small enough that you can swallow it
easily without discomfort. Ginger can stimulate a sluggish
digestive system and bring about a boost in energy. Raw ginger
revs up the immune system and re-energizes the skin.

6.Garlic --- So many articles and books have been written about the
beneficial qualities of garlic.  If you find the scent of raw garlic to
be too overpowering, you can use deodorized garlic supplements purchased from your favorite health store. Fans of garlic consume it in its
raw state by peeling it down to a small enough size to be able to
swallow it like a vitamin with water. Garlic is known as a natural
antibiotic and helpful for the strengthening of the immune system
and cleansing of the blood. It seems to assist humans in fighting
off many forms of viruses, and bacteria.

7.Echinacea. This herb is made from a popular perennial flower also
known as the cone flower. People consume it in vitamin pill form
or in a liquid tincture. It works with your immune system to
prevent the spread of colds and flu’s and shortens the duration
for those already battling a cold.

8.Water—don’t chuckle. It’s often the simplest of remedies that are
the most effective. Just forcing yourself to drink at least 500 ml of
room temperature clean tap water per day can help heal a tired
digestive system and assist your body in flushing out any toxins
that need to be expelled from the body. Those who regularly
drink water, find almost instant improvement in the texture and
vitality of their skin.


9.Carrots. Yes the humble carrot. Readily available in most grocery
stores and priced well within most people’s budgets, we would do
well to consume carrots more often. The orange hue of carrots
reveals that they contain an ingredient that has been
reported to improve vision and overall improved health. It is great
to consume carrots raw as well as cooked or in stir fries.

10.Apples- One does not need to spend a lot of money to benefit
from the wonders of apples. Particularly when apples are at their
peak harvest time, one can find apples for sale for even less than
one dollar per pound. Apples, when eaten raw, stimulate the
metabolism and energize.
11.Parsley- The wonder of this little green specimen is manifold.
Parsley has been show to be a natural deodorizer to freshen
breath and body scent. Add fresh or bits of frozen parsley to
smoothies or other raw drinks to maximize the benefits. Parsley is
easily added to soups, stews and stir fries with great taste and
added health benefits.
12.Vitamin B complex. This supplement is highly recommended for
women, particularly during their years of menstruation. Vitamin B
complex has been reported to calm the nerves and prevent the
incidence of yeast infections. Take only as directed by a licensed
medical professional and always read and follow the labels.

Well, that’s it  my friends. You have had the opportunity to see my
precious list of 12 miraculous simple items that can 
improve your life. The great thing is that each item is usually
readily available and sells for twenty dollars or much less per
item. You don’t know what benefit you may reap from using these
simple and healthy items as part of your total health routine.
Don’t just take my advice. Talk about these items with your loved
ones and friends, and most importantly, with your licensed health
professional. 
May God bless you with accurate knowledge and the ability to
achieve great health..

Disclaimer: This list is intended for conversational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, and is not intended to replace medical advice. This blog post is not intended to suggest treatments, cures, diagnosis, or prevention of any disease. Always consult your licensed medical professional for medical advice. The author and publisher of this blog post hold absolutely no liability for any ideas discussed in this post