The Clean Program

Seven months ago, I was browsing books at the local library when I came across one that intrigued me.  It showed a clear class of water on the cover and was called Clean, by Alejandro Junger.  It was a “revolutionary program to restore the body’s natural ability to heal itself.”  When I got home, I saw that the book was a detox program.  I had never read about a detoxification program before, much less tried one, but I decided to try to keep an open mind and at least read the book.  It turns out that the recommendations were sound, and I was motivated enough to give it a try.  For 3 weeks, I cut out potentially irritating and inflammatory foods like wheat, dairy, soy, corn, eggs, bananas, oranges, nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes), most animal protein, peanuts, and alcohol.  What’s left to eat, you ask?  Rice, quinoa, millet, amaranth, coconut milk, almond milk, avocados, olives, most vegetables, most fruits, cold-water fish like salmon, lamb, chicken and turkey (which being 95% vegetarian, I don’t eat), peas, lentils, beans, seeds, nuts, and olive oil.  Lest this sound familiar to you, Gwyneth Paltrow recently endorsed such a diet and even wrote a cookbook called It’s All Good, which includes recipes that are Clean program friendly.

The program isn’t just about avoiding certain foods.  There’s more involved with detoxification.  The basic premis is that we live in a toxic world and therefore, our bodies are full of toxins.  We’re exposed by the air we breath, the foods we eat, and the products we slather on our bodies.  Even if you try to avoid toxins, as readers of this blog know I do deligently, studies continue to show that the majority of the population has hundreds of chemicals in their body–even ones banned decades ago (like DDT).  The way we eat in the West causes our liver, the organ responsible for detoxification, to be consumed with the role of filtering blood that comes from the digestive tract.  We eat 3 meals and 3 snacks each day, and rarely go more than a couple hours without shoving more food into our GI tract.  Before bed, we have a snack, and when we wake up, we have breakfast.  The digestive system is always on, and therefore, our liver is alway preoccupied.

Review of Physique 57

I recently tried some barre type classes/DVDs, and found it to be a new, interesting form of exercise that I wanted to keep in the mix of my regular gym visits.  A friend who teaches barre classes in another state recommended Physique 57 DVDs, so I purchased the first volume (which includes 3 DVDs and a workout ball) for $60 plus shipping from physique57.com.

The first volume of the workout series includes the full-body 57-minute workout, a 30-minute abbreviated workout for when you’re pressed for time, and a 30-minute arms and abs booster workout.  The workout ball was clearly made of phthalates and the smell bothered me, so it’s been airing out in my garage since it arrived.  Instead, I used my kids’ playground ball from Crocodile Creek.  You’ll also need some hand weights (I use 5 lbs and 8 lbs).  If you visit their website, you can download a workout for $5-7 for 48 hours, which is what I did to sample it before purchasing the program.  

Dry shampoo

I recently bought my first dry shampoo.  When I shower and straighten my hair, but don’t work out, I find that I can make it 48 hours without washing my hair.  However, the roots around my face get a little greasy.  So I’ve purchased a dry shampoo from Fekkai.  The powder absorbs the excess oil and gives my hair a little lift.  This particular brand is free of parabens and synthetic fragrances, unlike most of the ones on the market.  It’s a bit of a pain to use, but it does what I want it to do.  If you don’t feel like washing your hair every day, you might find a product like this helpful.

Review of The Dailey Method

I recently tried a one-month unlimited membership to a Dailey Method studio in Northern California.  I had never tried a barre class before and had read good reviews online.  It was created in 2000 by Jill Dailey, who has a B.S. in Kinesiology (as do I) and was a certified personal trainer (as was I).  She created an exercise program that incorporates Pilates (which I love), yoga, the Lotte Berk method/barre/dance, and orthopedic exercises (which I desperately need for my hip pain and poor posture).  It really seemed like a good match for me, other than the cost!

My favorite exercise DVDs!

It’s been over six months since I’ve posted and I’m hoping to start writing more regularly.  My family has moved to a new state and I’m in the process of trying lots of new workout programs and DVDs.  About two months ago, I stumbled across a DVD from Jillian Michaels that I liked so much, I bought three more of hers.  I have to say that overall I find them very impressive.  Impressive enough to review and recommend here!

The first DVD I tried was Killer Buns and Thighs.  What I love most about this DVD is that there are three workouts.  What bang for your buck!  They are all about 30 minutes, with each level more difficult than the one before.  I was impressed with the variety in the moves.  I work out a lot, and have for almost two decades, and I’m always amazed when I see new moves I’ve never tried.  The video was short, but challenging, and to my surprise, I was incredibly sore the next day.  That’s the best way to hook me–make me sore!  Then I know it’s working.  The Level 2 workout is my favorite, and I love switching up which ones I do.  On days when I have less energy, I do Level 1.  When I really want to hit it hard, I’ll do Level 3 and then immediately after do the Level 2 or Level 1 workout.  I also do her moves without pausing (so when Jillian finishes a set and begins to describe what to do for the next exercise, I keep working through that break).

How I raised three good eaters

I have three children ages 7, 4, and 2, and all of them eat things that are apparently unusual for other children–kale, swiss chard, broccoli, cauliflower, balsamic vinegar, olives, sheep’s milk feta, etc.  When we visited Greece while my oldest was three, he ate little fried fish, heads and tails included.  Most impressively, all three children will chew on a fish oil capsule every morning after breakfast.

My husband and I grew up much pickier.  I hated olives and feta as a child, something to really be ashamed of since I am half Greek and spent many summers in Greece.  I mostly liked things that were creamy and cheesy and vividly remember a one-week family vacation where every night at every restaurant I ordered fetuccine alfredo to be followed by cheesecake.  And I washed it down with a virgin strawberry daiquiri.  How does a person with a childhood like that end up raising children who will eat fish heads?  It turns out, mostly by accident.

Taking a little break

In case you haven’t noticed, I just don’t have much time to post these days.  Being a mother to three kids has finally caught up with me.  I plan to take a break for a little while and will evaluate what to do with this blog.  There are still over 400 posts with lots of great information, so please feel free to search or browse the categories.  Sorry to disappoint all my recent subscribers!

Forks Over Knives

I finally got to see the documentary Forks Over Knives that has been out for months.  The film is about how diet can stop and even reverse some diseases, and about the dangers of animal products.  I read The China Study, by Colin Campbell Ph.D. (who is featured in the film), almost 3 years ago.  Since then, our family has eaten much less animal products–we only eat meat about once a month and we cut way back on dairy.  But the film featured other doctors (Caldwell Esselstyn, John McDougall, and Pam Popper) as well as plenty of anecdotal evidence from individuals who changed their diet to treat cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.  It was highly motivating and I found it really enjoyable.

The film had a good balance of scientific research and anecdotal evidence.  I will mention a bit of the most impressive research.

• Dr. Esselstyn, a heart surgeon, was struck early in his career about this study, and I have to say it floored me too–in the 1920’s and 1930’s in Norway, heart disease was on the rise.  During WWII, Germany invaded and confiscated all the livestock to feed themselves, leaving Norweigans to eat plant-based foods.  The number of deaths from heart disease plummeted, only to rise again when the occupation ended.  Very interesting!
• Dr. Campbell duplicates Indian research showing that when rats are expossed to the carcinogen Aflotoxin, the growth of their tumors can be controlled by the minipulation of their diet.  Rats fed 20% casein (dairy protein) had rapid tumor growth, while rats fed 5% had none.  Rats on the 20% diet switched to the 5% diet saw their tumors shrink.  Notable is that the group with no tumor growth did not have no casein at all, but 5%.  Perhaps a strict avoidance of dairy is not necessary and considerable reduction is sufficient?
• Dr.  Esselstyn takes a group of heart disease patients who have had multiple heart attacks and are basically knocking on death’s door.  He puts them on a plant based diet.  A few drop out over the years, but after two decades, 18 are still in the group and all are alive.  Eleven of them have stopped their heart disease progression and four have reversed it.
• Dr. McDougall notes that in Hawaii, the immigrants from Asia are trim and healthy.  Their children, born on the island, tend to eat more fast food and animal products, and are “fat and sick.”

One of my favorite new companies–Acure

I recently stumbled across a new line of personal care products from a company called Acure.  They may or may not be new, but they’re new to me.  I have found every product I’ve tried to be of exceptional quality, and the company also does many other things I love–many of their products are Fair Trade (which guarantees livable wages for workers and their families), their bottles are made from recycled plastics, they plant trees, they donate profits to worthy causes, and the ingredients live up to my strict standards.  For example, the bottle of body lotion I’m currently holding is vegan, paraben free, sulfate free, cruelty free, and free of synthetic fragrances.  Many of the ingredients are organic too.

My personal favorites include:

• Energizing Mandarin Orange and Mango Body Lotion – very intense moisture without a greasy feeling.  Love the fragrance from essential oils only.  One tree planted for every bottle sold.
• Brightening Facial Scrub – I have tried so many exfoliators and this is by far my favorite!  I can’t say enough good things about it.  I love the fine grit and it actually makes my face feel so soft and smooth afterwards, not irritated or raw like it has been from harsher scrubs.  Read the reviews on their site and you’ll see I’m not alone in my opinions.  Highly recommended.
• Lemongrass Conditioner – Very nice fragrance and very moisturizing without weighing down my hair. I have a hard time finding good conditioners that don’t contain synthetic fragrances and this is one of the best ones I’ve tried in years.
• Radical Resurfacing Facial Lotion – I’ve been using this for less than a week, so I haven’t really seen any changes in some of my hyperpigmentation or blotchiness, but I’m happy with the feel and scent of the lotion.  I’ll be curious to see if it really can even out my skin tone.

Video about labeling GMOs

Watch this video about why genetically modified foods should be labeled.