Health and Wellness

Healthy Cells, Healthy Immune System, Healthy Body

Our immune system was designed specifically to heal our bodies and keep them healthy. So why are so many failing these days?

There are many factors that cause our immune systems to function poorly - diet, lack of exercise, too much stress and how we handle it, pollutants and contaminants in the air and water, toxins in our food supply, body care and cleaning products among many other factors. But taking our health seriously doesn't have to be burdensome and confusing.

I don't know anyone who wants to be sick or die of disease but sadly that's what is happening to so many people. Death is a sure thing, but disease doesn't have to be.

If you're interested in strengthening your immune system allowing it to do its job, which is to heal your body, then go to Amazing Molecules . Find out how healthy cells make for a healthy body and then contact me!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Not Just Cooking Newsletter is finished!

It has been five years since I was diganosed with breast cancer.  It seems appropriate that after all this time of research and study on health and nutrition that I begin to hold classes on what I've learned, so far. 

In this last week I've been working on my first Not Just Cooking newsletter.  In it, I introduce my classes and give more detailed information about them.  I also included some health tips, a list of resources, a page for Pets featuring our feline friends and more. 

I will be emailing the newsletter out but you may not be on my list.  If you'd like a copy, please send me an email or call me, and I'd be happy to email one to you. 

I hope you will find my newsletter informative and helpful.  Please pass it on to anyone you would like to or make copies.  If you find a mistake, please let me know! 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends, and remember to always be thankful, not just on Thanksgiving day!

To your and health and mine,

Lisa
lisasmall@rcn.com
(610) 532-6594

Thursday, November 12, 2009

2nd Unofficial Juicing Class

Had a great time today at my friend's house for my second unofficial juicing class.  She has a Jack Lalanne juicer that worked well.  She wanted to make sure she was using the juicer properly before she started on her new juice venture (by the way, if anyone has a juicer or is going to purchase one and has no clue as to how to use it, I give private juicing classes).  She chose to juice oranges, cranberries and apples. The juice was delicious but then again, how could it not be? We put a plastic bag in the pulp catcher and it made clean up easier.  Cleaning the juicer is important and getting the pulp out of the screen is not always an easy task.  I advised her to use a vegetable brush to clean the screen because the pulp gets stuck in the tiny holes.  The brush works wonders.  

We also discussed detoxing.  Detoxing the body (removing toxins) is a great way to, as my friend stated, start with a clean slate.  But before you start a detox, there are many things you need to know.  Detoxing can be quite dangerous if you don't know what you're doing (yes, I have a personal story about this and learned the hard way). In one of my classes detoxing will be introduced and the prerequisites discussed.

Remember I will be having an OPEN HOUSE as I mentioned previously so that anyone who is interested will have the opportunity to come and find out about my classes (and sample some good food and beverages, too)!  I also plan to incorporate Pampered Chef products in my classes so that anyone interested can purchase them conveniently (you don't have to have a demonstration/show in order to make a purchase).  Pampered Chef specials and discounts will be offered to those who participate in my classes.  I also have some other ideas I'm working on but won't mention them until they are for sure!

Side Note:  Cranberries are only available seasonally in PA (usually in the Fall) so if you want to have them year round, freeze them in a single layer on a cookie sheet.  Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag.  This way the cranberries will be individually frozen and won't freeze in clumps.  When ready to use, take out what you need and give them a rinse under water.  Cranberries are  also great in smoothies!

~ Lisa
Email me at LisaSmall@rcn.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Juicing/First Unofficial Juicing Class/Juicer Reviews

JUICING


Juicing is a major step towards building a strong immune system. For babies and children, it could make a tremendous difference in how often they get sick and how long an illness will last. The younger a baby or child is when fresh vegetable juice is introduced to them, the better! My 2 1/2 year old granddaughter loves fresh vegetable juice and fresh fruit juice. She knows when mom-mom gets out the apples that she's getting fresh apple juice. She also guzzles down carrot and green juice which she's been drinking most of her short young life.

As for adults, it's important to realize that anything new may take some time to get used to but believe me, you will want to, especially when you see how much energy and clarity of mind you have, not to mention the elevation in your mood. Doing the most menial tasks are no longer drudgery.

JUICING CLASSES

I had my first "unofficial" private juicing class. We juiced all organic veges and apples. Some of the veges we juiced include carrots, zucchini, and collard greens that we had growing in our back yard. And oh, yes, a touch of lemon. For me, it was very exciting to see someone so interested in strengthening their immune system and going towards optimal health. My husband, Rich, also participated and he was very encouraged, too.

I have another private juicing class coming up that I'm also looking forward to. If you're interested in a juicing class or any one of my classes, including a shopping (reading labels) and new basic pantry class or cooking and food prep classes, please feel free to contact me. Anyone who has a class and has at least three but no more than five participants will get their class for free as a thank you. Brides-to-be and their bridesmaids are an exception to the five participant limit.

JUICER REVIEWS

Juicers can vary a lot in quality, longevity and price. The Norwalk Juicer, the highest priced juicer I've seen, goes for around $2400-$2500. It's solid construction of stainless steel and is a hydraulic press juicer. It is said that the Norwalk Juicer results in no oxidation, which means there's no spoilage (oxidation example:  an apple, when cut, turns brown). The company also claims that it extracts 50-100% more juice than other juicers thus saving money in the long run (http://www.nwjcal.com/).

The Champion Juicer, which is what my chirpractor, Ron Feinberg, my step-daughter and I have, can be purchased for around $200-$250 online (may or may not have free shipping) or may be purchased in some natural food stores. I love the Champion juicer.  To me, it's easy to clean and easy to use. The Champion Juicer has a 1/3 horsepower electric motor and uses the "mastication process", which means it chews the fiber and breaks up the cells of fruits and vegetables. It is said that the Champion Juicer's mastication process results in little oxidation though it is not good for juicing wheatgrass. If I were to purchase it again, I'd get the one in black (http://www.championjuicer.com/) .

The Omega Juicer has various models. One of my brothers and my husband's workplace both have an Omega Juicer which I believe is around the same price as the Champion, give or take depending on the model. My brother and sister-in-law enjoys his and my husband said he likes the Omega better than the Champion we have at home (he has something to compare it to). I just heard from my sister-in-law that my niece now has one! The Omega Juicers are said to do well with wheatgrass and very fibrous produce (http://www.omegajuicersdirect.com/).

My daughter has a Sunbeam/Oster Juicer that we picked up from Walmart for around $60 a few years ago which seems to do the job at a great price. It may produce more oxidation than the better brands/models but if you're just starting out, this should work out fine.  It's a good idea to put a plastic bag in the pulp catcher for easier clean up (the inexpensive gallon size bags that require a twistie tie) (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=sunbeam+juicer&oe=&cid=9666516366415302486&sa=title#p ).

My other brother and a friend of mine both have a Jack Lalanne Juicer. My brother is very happy with this juicer and has had it quite a few years now. My friend is just starting out on hers but is excited to get started.  I've used this juicer and it's easy to use and clean.  Again, it's a good idea to put a plastic bag in the pulp catcher for easier clean up.  These juicers range in price from $100-$150 depending on the model and if you purchase it on the official website. You may get it for less if you search the web (http://www.powerjuicer.com/).

If you're interested in the Champion, Omega or the Green Star, which is also popular and a good brand from what I've heard and read, check out this discount online store http://www.discountjuicers.com/juicers.html.

Here's to juicing your way to better health for your body, mind and soul.

~ Lisa