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February 2016 
Could Gluten Be the Problem?

"I've had plenty more patients come through my door and leave with a pain-free head, thanks to the adoption of a gluten free diet ."- David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain

"Gluten free is trendy right now, and everything trendy is a source of ridicule, but the fact is for some people, giving up gluten isn't a trend or a fad, and we would love to be able to eat foods containing gluten. But we can't because of what it will do to us and there's nothing funny about that." 
- Jennifer Esposito, author of Jennifer's Way

A few years ago a friend suggested I eliminate gluten from my diet as a way to help clear my skin, reduce hot flashes and eliminate headaches, joint pain and stiffness. 

I was appalled, I couldn't imagine this would help in any way because I didn't believe I had any kind of issues with gluten.  After about a year I worked up the courage to give it a try because nothing else was working.

I gave it up for two weeks and boy was I surprised! My skin began clearing up, my body started feeling so much better, I felt my hot flashes decreasing and I didn't have one single headache.  
 
It was a miracle!!!! and I have been gluten free ever since.
 

What Has Gluten Done for You?


Most of you will deny, just like I did, that gluten causes you any problems at all.  One way to determine if gluten is your culprit is to have a blood test which, unfortunately, is not generally subscribed to by most physicians. 

The easiest way to truly know is to eliminate it completely for a period of two weeks then have a piece of bread. 

You will know within a couple of hours if your body has a negative reaction; you might experience fatigue and depression, body aches and pains, a headache, stuffiness in your sinuses or acne eruptions the following day.

Often these symptoms will last for several days without eating any more than that one piece of bread! This is a big eye opener for many people and that's when they experience that life changing AHA! moment.

Many children diagnosed with ADHD and Autism show significant improvement in behavior and learning abilities with the elimination of gluten.
 
There are different levels of reactions to gluten; celiac, a life threatening allergic reaction, being the most severe, next is an intolerance and then there is a sensitivity which is much more common. 

So why is gluten such an issue today?  Read this article from TheAlternativeDaily.com; Is Modern Wheat Making You Fat and Sick? to learn more.
 
If You Can't Eat Gluten, What Can You Eat?

There is a misconception that all gluten free products are healthy.  I seriously wish this were true, unfortunately, it's not!  
   
Just because a processed food says gluten free doesn't mean it's good for you, it is after all still a processed food possibly containing many unhealthy ingredients. They often contain unhealthy fats and excess sugars as well as preservatives and synthetic vitamins and minerals.

Your best bet is to choose whole, unprocessed and organic foods.  And you can easily change any of your favorite recipes to gluten free.

These are some very tasty gluten free grains you can use instead of your typical wheat, they come as whole grains and also as flours:
  • Buckwheat, millet, quinoa, rice, corn meal, amaranth, teff, sorghum and oats (make sure oats specifically say gluten free as they are often cross-contaminated with gluten grains) 
Sometimes discovering hidden glutens can be tricky, these are things to look out for: 
  • Wheat, barley, spelt, rye, bulgur
  • Malt, malt flavoring, malt vinegar, beer, brewers yeast
  • Triticum vulgare, triticale, hordeum vulgare, secale cereale, triticum spelta
  • Wheat starch, protein & hydrolyzed wheats
  • Bread flour, bleached flour, wheat germ & wheat germ oil


  • Couscous
  • Farina
  • Pasta (unless specified otherwise)
  • Seitan
  • Wheat or barley grass
  • Vegetable protein, modified starch, natural flavoring, artificial flavoring, caramel color, seasonings, flavorings, vegetable starch, dextrin & maltodextrin

Become the most diligent ingredient label reader you can be and then if you find these ingredients in a food you are considering just put it back on the shelf and walk on.

If you are simply heartbroken about not being able to enjoy some of your favorite baked goods and breakfast foods, have no fear because I'm including some recipes for you 
to try.  I'm sure you'll love them!

The list is endless!  Now you know life does not stop when you go gluten free because you have so many alternatives to try.

 

Get Healthy Now!


 

Are you curious about the benefits you will receive by eliminating gluten from your diet?  Would you like help figuring out the best foods you need to achieve your health goals? Let's talk!  

 

I love my work as a health coach!!!  I'm passionate about helping my clients to achieve the lives they have always dreamed of.

 

I offer coaching programs that are individualized specifically to your needs and goals. With step-by-step changes that are easily integrated into your lifestyle so that you can stay on track and reach your goals permanently.  

 

My goal is to give you confidence and tools that you can pass on to your family and friends, thereby creating a ripple effect of health in your community.


Are you curious about how health coaching can help you to have a healthy life?  

 

Schedule an initial complimentary health strategy consultation with me today--or pass this offer on to someone you care about!

 

In Health, Happiness and Gratitude,

 

Kim Jones

 

Integrative Nutrition and Health Coach

 

 

 

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February 25, 2016

DIY Almond Milk Class
6 PM at
Whole Foods in Valencia  
 I hope to see you there!

You must RSVP at the store as they will need to know the quantity for the supplies.  Cost is $10